[b]-Iain & Anna-[/b]

Looking at the rider, both Iain and Anna had expected visitors from the other houses but from the Blackwell’s it was intriguing but not entirely unexpected. Seeing as they had been a house made in war, but they still respected them for the prowess and dragon hunting.  Rubbing the slight stubble at the end of his chin as he read the contents of the letter. A curious proposition to say the least. “Give the man some hot food and drink he’s earned it. On the morrow I will have a letter for your lord, for now please enjoy our hospitality.” Motioning his hand as a few servants follow in tow to give the messenger what comforts they had.

Anna reread the letter again. She hadn’t met any of the Blackwell’s but from the letters contents seemed inclined to believe that they should act according to GIles suggestion. Sitting down in what would’ve been her mother seat as a platter of burnt bacon and silverback fish, with a side of brown beer. “Thralreth will most likely go along with father’s decision since he and the Staghain’s are close. However with the king dead it complicates many things.” Biting into a handful of the blackened bacon, forgetting the formalities of eating at home. 

Looking back at her brother who looked to have a difficult decision to make for once, it was an uneasy feeling seeing her brother which was considered to be one the realms greatest minds struggle with a decision. “Father trusts you.” Saying only after she’d swallowed her food.

“Parchment and ink.” Iain ordered. “True but taking the whole of things into perspective it is a troubling decision to make. Father knew that such a proposition would come and was testing me, I am smarter but the wisdom he has will surpass anything that I can ever come up with.” Taking the ink and parchment and had begun writing two letters. One back to Lord Blackwell and the other to his lord father.

[b]-Bearnard, Cormag, & Anabla-[/b]

Bearnard and his middle children sat in the galley of the ship ‘Second Wind’, only the three of them and the most trusted of his guard sat down as their discussion wouldn’t leave the ship. “We’re out of place in the capital, all of you know it and I don’t like being here as much as any of you. It’s too hot.” Musing a slight smile that made a few of the other have a small chuckle, with small smiles on Cormag and Anabla.

“With Duncan De Reimer acting as king in these times he will try to take the throne. By cohersion at first, bending the other’s to his will. Legally it will take time, but he will try to wipe any threat from obtaining this goal.”

 Looking to his gargantuan of a son, before speaking again. “Cormag and five men will be with me among the deliberations. His size should help deter any of the lords from acting out of line. But it will not be enough for the snake to rethink his actions.  Cold Heart will not be taken out of this ship. I will not have our beloved heirloom in the hands of a traitorous rat.” Staring at his son, with beast like intensity.”If anything should go sour you all know what will happen.”

Bearnard turned his gaze to Anabla. “You and the guards will protect your mother and Lily. If anything should happen to me or Cormag you set sail with and without delay. This ship is swift and by far faster than these northerners can conjurer.” Staring at his daughter with the same intensity as he’d given Cormag.

“If something does happen? What would you tell Iain and Anna?” Anabla didn’t like the thought it but best to be prepared incase such a tragedy was to occur.

“Iain and Anna are to bring our winter to the north and burn all of Cawanor to the ground. Remember our words. ‘Sharp as winter winds.’ “ The rest had all murmured the same.

“Lastly.” Looking towards Thomas. “You are not a boy and consider you my son  like any of my children. This will be your last trip as my squire. You will stay here with Anabla and protect my family and if need be pursuade your father and mother to up rid ourselves of ‘The Snake’.

[b]-Sorcha & Lily-[/b]

With a contingent of her husband’s men, Sorcha and her daughter leisurely strolled among the merchant selling their wares. Most of which Sorcha could were barely making it by. While most of the other ladies and lord that she could see sat too high, looking down upon those less fortunate than others. Saddening as it was looking at them she couldn’t do much since Bearnard had only give them a certain allowance. But seeing Lily in awe of the market it did bring a smile to her lips.

Lily looking about, saddened by the fact she didn’t have much to spend but had been delighted about being in a new market regardless of her limited spending limit. Taking in all the new sights and smells that had been so foreign from what she was so used. Her high was stolen away at the sight of a small unkempt church trying to feed those that were starving. Looking once more at the market and then the church again, her heart couldn’t take it.

“Mother.” Lily looked at her mother. “May I?” Sorcha nodded and the two ladies turned to their entourage of guards. Handing over the money that Bearnard had given them. “Please bring back what food you can please.” All of which nodded in unison as they took the coins. Two of the men however stayed with the ladies to ensure their protection.

They waited though before entering the church, it just to keep themselves from being bombarded from the peasantry  Sorcha was disgusted though, it was never this bad or at least the last time she’d been in the capital. Disgusting to let the that snake worm his way to power while the building block of the realm was starving beneath his feet.

With the guards and the food in tow both mother and daughter proceeded with their gifts to the needy. Bringing vegetables along with various types of meat and fruit, it wasn’t much but it would give some of the starving a little sustenance. One guard though was nearly attacked at the door having to drop what he had, the populace nearly started attacking one another was they scurried like rats for the food. The others had barely managed to make it to the tables dropping it there for the rest of the starving people to help sate their hunger at least a little.

“I’m sorry Father we didn’t announce ourselves but we saw your need and wanted to help, even if it isn’t much.” Sorcha proceeded to talk with the priest, Lilly on the the other hand was helping out giving out the food out to those that couldn’t walk. Inadvertently the youngest of the Sutharlan’s had created a cloak of generosity to help shield her family while the discussion of a crown was debated.

“It is good to still see some that still care about those of us on the bottom. I cannot possible repay this gratitude.” The priest an elderly man his beard, nearly white as snow. His age clearly apparent but his personality gleamed was he spoke with Sorcha. “Thank you, most don’t even care about us anymore. It gives me hope that we can endure.” Sitting down, resting as he looked onward as people ate. 

Sitting down next to the priest Sorcha watched as Lily kept giving out to those in need. “Father should you need more help, send someone to Raeldar. I will see to it I will give you something even if it's from my own savings.” Exhaling a sigh, wondering how bad it would get in the future.

“I will my lady.” The priests smile grew wider out of the random act of generosity that Sorcha and Lily had brought him.