[b]Cyninggraf, The Weald[/b]
The howling of the wind and the buzzing of insects were the only sounds to be heard within the great grove of Cyninggraf. Not even a whisper came from the lone figure sitting at the base of massive, ancient oak near the heart of the grove. The figure was small and elderly woman, her face covered with deep wrinkles and her long, stringy hair without a hint of colour. She was missing several teeth, and one of her eyes was clouded with blindness. She wore nothing put a simple robe of coarse, brown cloth that bared her arms to show off the faded tattoos on her pale and veiny skin. She sat there, silently staring up into the branches of the great oak for several long minutes only breaking the silence once to utter a whispered prayer to the [i]Woldmodor[/i].

However, eventually the silence was broken by another figure quickly making his way through the expansive grove. Though the woman's hearing had long ago started to fade she could easily hear the newcomer making his way quickly towards her, as he made no attempt to hide his approach. It wasn't long before the man came into view of her one good eye. He was a massive man, tall and barrel chested, with more bright blonde hair than a Bannik. In addition the man was bare-chested, baring to the world a massive scar in the shape of a tree. The woman smiled when she saw him, "I am glad you could make it Ælfrige."

The man, Ælfrige, let out a deep laugh, "As though I could refuse you, Arch Priestess."

"You could have if you desired."

"Any [i]true[/i] servant of the Gods would answer your summons," Ælfrige said, shrugging, "But I assume it is about the Eye, is it not?"

Though the Bannik had only just revealed the Eye's location, word had spread like a wildfire throughout Cyninggraf. And it had likely spread in the other settlements with a Bannik presence as well, though it was too soon for word to have spread by traveler yet. And at the mention of the Eye, the Arch Priestess's expression became serious, "Yes. It is indeed about the Eye, and its retrieval."

"So why do we meet out here? In the middle of the night?" Ælfrige asked, "Surely something as momentous as this would warrant the attention of the Palebane's regent."

The Archpriestess practically spit at the mention of the regent, "Princess Hild has decided that the Eye is not worth the effort necessary to retrieve the Eye. And she [i]assures[/i] me that the High King concurs." Her tone made it very clear she didn't believe the latter statement in the slightest.

"Eh, it does not matter Arch Priestess. She cannot stop you from calling for your own foray into the east," Ælfrige said putting his arm on the elderly woman's shoulder, "And the other Arch Priestesses will be doing the same. But there is a reason you called me here, and not another."

The Arch Priestess nodded her head, "Of course. The expedition must someone in charge; it must have a leader. Someone of unshakeable will and indomitable faith."

Ælfrige smiled and laughed once more, "You do me too much credit, Arch Priestess."

The elderly priestess put a hand to Ælfrige's chest, atop the tree carved into his chest, "Tell me this, Ælfrige, how many out there have carved the symbol of our Mother onto their bodies? And without taking any herbs to numb their bodies first?"

"I am certain I am not the only one."

"You are the only one I am aware of. And you are a priest as well as the son of an Eorl. I can think of none more worthy to be the Sword of Eorþe, worthy to retrieve his Eye."

"If you are certain, then I shall be honoured to lead the charge," Ælfrige said, "Is there anything else you require of me?"

"Just one more thing," the Arch Priestess said, "I am old and the hour is late and so I desire nothing more than to sleep, but the sooner word is out the better."

"Go and rest your bones Arch Priestess," Ælfrige said, "I shall send the word, and we shall claim the Eye for the Weald and her people."

------

Princess Hild glanced out the window of the Council room up at the moon glowing high up in the sky. She was sitting at the head of the long table of the High King's Council, though the Council was not meeting and she was alone aside from another woman. Princess Hild was dressed in an expensive white gown, her chin balanced on a fist as she lazily moved her eyes back to the other figure in the room. High Priestess Mildburg was dressed in a plain robe identical to the Arch Priestess out in the grove, but she was considerably younger.

"So, who do you think she will pick?" Hild asked, barely a hint of emotion in her voice.

"Um, excuse me Princess?" Mildburg asked, the confusion plain on her face.

Hild sighed and began twirling a lock of bright red hair with her fingers. After a long and, for Mildburg, uncomfortable moment Hild spoke again. "That old crone. She practically threw a fit when I told her I didn't care about the Eye," she said, "I know she isn't going to just sit and do nothing. She's going to get someone to gather a group to go after it."

"Um, well, I'm not certain to be honest," Mildburg began.

"I think it'll be that Bearson fellow. Ælfrige I think his name was," Hild said, "You know the man, right?"

"Well, I mean who doesn't?" Mildburg said, "His father's a powerful Eorl, and I mean, I don't know of anyone else that huge."

"I don't know of anyone else crazy enough to carve a tree into their chests," Hild said, "But that old woman seems to like idiotic displays like that."

"I, well, I guess Ælfrige would be a good choice," Mildburg said, "Was there anything you wanted me to do my Princess?"

Hild stopped twirling her hair and shrugged, "Nothing more than the usual, Mildburg. Keep an eye on the crone."

Mildburg once again looked visibly confused, "So, um, why did you call me for a meeting in the middle of the night."

"I couldn't sleep, and I felt like it," Hild shrugged, "But honestly, I want you to keep a closer eye on her than usual. I feel things are going to get hellishly complicated soon. And I want to make sure I'm fully in the know. Are we clear, Mildburg?"

Mildburg nodded furiously, "Of course, my Princess. I'll tell you anything I hear."

"Good, now get to bed."

Mildburg just nodded again and made her way out of the Council room. Hild, however, didn't follow her. She was perfectly honest when she said she couldn't sleep, and her little talk with Mildburg hadn't changed that. Perhaps it was worry that was keeping her up, as she was worried. Her father condition wasn't getting any better and with his age any day could be her last day as Regent and without proper planning she'd lose almost all her power in the Weald. And the Bannik revealing the location of the Eye was an unforeseen complication; she didn't trust the hairy men or the volcano they served. True, it was the voice of the Earth itself but the Earth cared nothing for the Weald or for her. Which made it even more imperative that little Mildburg keep an even closer eye on her Arch Priest; if the priesthood was going to cause Hild any trouble, she'd very much like to see it coming first.