((A collab between Bridgeburner & Aristo))

The entourage of forty knights made their way through the grand gate of Skyhaven. The horsed group of soldiers sat with nobility and poise, despite the fact that their armor was battered and their sigils marked with blood and gore that wouldn't wash off. Sigfryd's cloak was stained with blood on the right side. He was able to clean most of his armor using the springs and rivers they encountered on their journey to the capital, but there was nothing he could do about the cape. After obliterating the Gothians near Dreadkeep, Sigfryd, along with the four Dawnguards, picked a retinue of forty knights and began the straight march to Skyhaven. Stopping only shortly at Queen's Fort, the High Flame did not give the soldiers enough time to change their clothes or armor. He missed the summit - he was completely in the dark. All the pieces of the chessboard are now rearranged. [I]For Kammeth's sake, the Lord Regent could be one of the deniers from the Western or Southern islands![/I]

Sigfryd shook off the unpleasant thought. He wasn't even sure what he would do were that to happen. 

The Royallanders were very familiar with the lithe, pale, and blonde haired Karthians. Many bowed their heads in respect, while others ran up to the High Flame to ask for a quick blessing. The young lord did what he could do, laying a gauntled hand on a head and speaking words of Flame.

As Sigfryd reached the stables of the Phoenix Palace, the guard quickly recognized the retinue.

"Lord Jaegar! The summit has already passed... The previous Lord Regent was awaiting you nearly three days ago..."

The guard's eyes glanced over to the scarred shields, bent armor, and stained clothing. 

The High Flame agilely hopped off his horse, despite his heavy armor. Wearing it more often then not, Sigfryd has gotten very comfortable with its weight. 

"I know. Please stable the horses - and find quarters for my men. They are very tired - they deserve the best accommodations. Has Lord Benedikt left the capital?"

The guard quickly called up servants and other assistants to help take care of the tired, dirty horses. 

"High Flame, the Arch Dawnbringer Benedikt can be found in the Flame Keep, in his office" replied one of the guards.

For the first time today, Sigfryd gave a cheerful laugh. Not a bad start all. 

Sigfryd began calling out his Dawnguard -"Ser Herlek Kalltsrom, Ser Finn Weschler, Ser August Ernst, Ser Vilgot Ostrom, with me." 

The four Dawnguard knights flanked him, two on each side, as they began to make their way to the Flame Keep. All close friends of Sigfryd's, all greatly talented with the sword - The High Flame couldn't have felt any safer when he was with them.

Sigfryd finally made his way to the Flame Keep, where the priests quickly recognized him - chanting prayers in his name and introducing themselves as he passed. 
[I]This faith... It brings us all together.[/I]

As Lord Jaegar got to the Papal Office, he knocked on the door.

"Hmm?" Roman looked up from his work as his ears picked up a series of raps on his office door. "Enter," he called, loud enough for whoever was at the other side to hear. He shuffled his papers about on his desk, shoving the letter beneath a stack of mundane documents. Roman guessed it must be someone significant enough, for the priests and Flamekeep Guards had apparently let him by without interference.

Sigfryd walked in, turning to face the table Roman was seated at. "My greetings, [i]Arch Dawnbringer[/i] Benedikt," said the High Flame with a smile. "It seems like my absence from the summit wasn't too detrimental?"

"Lord Sigfryd!" Roman pulled himself up and stepped around his desk, arms held wide in greeting. "Detrimental it may not have been, although you were missed, my friend. I am confident Jaegar is not without its reasons, however. To what do I owe a visit by my ally in Karthia?"

Although a fairly young High Flame, Sigfryd knew from both his father and from Karthia's history that the Benedikt family was a stoic ally of Karthia, and they have proven that countless amount of times. He reached over to grasp Roman's hand in a friendly gesture, before finding a chair in the office. His straight, knight-like composure melted as he sat down, the exhaustion in his eyes becoming obvious. He rubbed his eyes with his hand.

"The Gothians have always plagued my realm, Lord Benedikt, but never have they been so brazen. I am leading forays into the mountains to destroy them from the root, before their groups grow too large. A particularly large host of them was the reason I was unable to attend the summit."

Sigfryd looked over at Roman before continuing.

"What happened at the summit? Anything that threatens the Sun God's faith?"

The Arch Dawnbringer slumped back into his seat, sympathetic towards Sigfryd's plight. Elyden had no shortage of illnesses to blight its people with, be they monsters or Deniers of the faith. He retrieved the letter he had been writing from under the stack of papers, looking it over briefly before turning it over to the lord opposite him. 

"I had intended to send this your way, but it seems you've saved me the trouble of hiring a messenger. We are fortunate that events transpired as they did at the summit. Lord Shamgar has been appointed Lord Regent, and I as Arch Dawnbringer. Piety still counts for something these days," he said wearily. "However, I am troubled by recent news that has surfaced in Skyhaven. I am told that necromancy is practiced on Conrad soil, and Lord James left the captial without converting, as he said he would. In the Southern Isles, Deniers plan to secede from Elyden, the leader of whom wrested control of House Karacid from the rightful lord. And now, more incursions by the Gothians have strained the roads across the kingdom. Combined with the stolen crown, assassins and the matter of the boy king, Elyden is facing hard times." 

The young lord nodded as he listened to Roman, thoughts racing through his head. The results of the summit turned out well, but in general the situatoin was much less palatable. The powers of Elyden were restless as opportunists from every realm attempted to capitalize on the situation.

"That is dark news indeed... One would, however, expect the deniers to cause up trouble at the dissapearence of the crown."

Sigfryd straightened up in his chair, a look of intent in his eyes as he continued.

"Lord Benedikt, certain aspects of the problems we will face have to be treated with... Guile, and ingeniousity. As I'm sure you know, my house, and I am no different in this, has never been good with these sort of games. Our strength comes from our military order, from our piety, and determination in our goals."

"I propose an alliance. One that will be known to all the realms of Elyden. One that will strengthen the Kemthein religion, and will make sure the Deniers know the kind of consequences they will face if they do not find the right path."

"What manner of alliance do you have in mind?" Roman asked, cupping his hands together. "It is well known that the Paragons and the two of our houses constitute the most pious in Elyden." He paused a moment, eyes lingering on the map on the table. "Although our close proximity refrains us from truly exercising our will elsewhere on the continent. The far east and the south are wild, untamed lands, as far as you and I are concerned, and easily evade our watch. Lord Gori has been appointed Marshal, and I am unsure whether he will honor calls for immolation, should we make them. He has never been easy to predict, although he did have a hand in electing Shamgar as Lord Regent."

Sigfryd moved his chair closer to the table, rubbing one hand against the stubble of a beard he grew while one the march to Skyhaven.

"Before the assassination and the loss of the crown, most of us were focused on governing our realms. The influence of the Deniers and other untamed lands was minimal. Although things took a turn for the best during the summit - some of my fears were proven true. Conrad is ambitious - he attempted to grab the title of Lord Regent. I am assuming some did vote for him, yes? How can it be, Lord Benedikt, that a Denier was so close to attaining power and authority over our extensive continent? I may be unexperienced in these politics, but I feel like we both know that it will not end here."

The lord of Karthia circled the Western isles with his fingers. 

"I have kept an eye on some of the proceedings of the Western isles. James has family connections with Cragmore, Suttbray, and Whiteshorn."

Sigfryd began circling the three realms to the south of his own that have interfamily relations with Conrad.

"Three realms to the south of us, a formidable threat, combined with Conrad's fleet is reason enough to worry. The other houses know that we are guardians of Kamthein religion. They also know that our realms are close allies. We need to create an official alliance to remind them of this. Steps must also be taken to find other houses to join our pact."

"Such an alliance would do well to have a common cause to rally it. An immolation just might seperate the faithful from foe and lay the foundation for our bulwark against enemies to Kammeth." Roman patted a finger on the Southern Isles. "And I know our first target."

"These Southern Isles, do they have any allies to speak of?"

Roman shrugged, adding, "Not that I know of. The southern houses have been victims of Karacid raids in the past, a fact which I should think will strengthen support for an offensive. I couldn't see a house in its right mind fostering amicable relationships with them."

The Karthian lord nodded his head, a sudden sparkle in his deep, blue eyes. Immolations - this is what his culture was based on. A call to fight for Kammeth.

"The Taurician warchiefs have been fighting against the Kamthein religion for far too long... Combined with the recent events, I'm sure the Inner Council will agree with your decision to call for an immolation. You will, as can be expected, have my full backing."

"Then it's settled," Roman declared, easing out of his seat. "While you're here, I'd like to inform Lord Regent Shamgar about the Church's decision-"

"Milords!" A banging rang on the other end of the office door, and it promptly swung open to reveal one of the Flamekeep Guards, gesturing with his halberd. "Pardon my interurruption, Sirs, but there's been a terrible incident! A murder! Please, come quickly!"

Roman shot Sigfryd a concerned glance before retrieveing his staff and following the guardsman out the doorway. Outside was a handful more of guards, who took a defensive posture around the Arch Dawnbringer. Sigfryd quickly got up, trailing behind Roman and gesturing for his Dawnguard to follow.