[hr][hr][center][color=orange][b][h2]HOUSE VALARIEN[/h2][/b][b]Avantasia Valarien[/b][/color] [b]Supreme Magister’s Office, The Academy of Sorcere, Imperial Heartlands[/b] [sub][b]6th of Gerna | 1200 AU[/b][/sub][/center] [hr][hr] [center][img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e7/37/50/e73750d04398f1e6a90ea609dfa1459d.jpg[/img][/center] Even at The Academy of Sorcere, there would be no hiding from the effects of losing Taramyth Valarien. The political landscape of Lalrial had once again tumbled into chaos. This was one thing Avantasia Valarien knew was going to happen as soon as the early demise of her nephew, Taramyth, was announced . She had had more meetings and visitors since the announcement then she would’ve liked. Even in her youth alongside Taramyth’s father, Dirkham, she had refused to play the game of politics. She was interested about things regarding fantastical, spiritual, and intellectual rather than the political. But she had been dragged into things twice in her life— first to Alexander II Valian, and second in her appointment to the Imperial Council as the Master of Magic. It seemed like that now was the time for her third time in her life with people countlessly asking her about any public stance she was taking on the contenders; even with Taramyth’s council effectively defunct she was still being asked questions in the matter. Maybe it was her royal name that was causing them to flock to her. Whatever the reasons were, she knew she found it irritating and pointless. Her old faded eyes looked at the papers in front of her, the majority of them inquiring about the election contenders. It had been no secret that Avantasia had used arcane magic, specifically the alteration school to slow her aging. It had been one of the flaws she had held for the majority of her life— the fear of death and the slow twisting path of age that took away youthful beauty in such ungraceful fashion. However magic could only slow and as said, hide, so much and that included her exhaustion. Between the discovery of some new magical research that she had her eyes on, the political animals in the capital sending her letters, the anxiety of losing Taramyth, the dread of outliving another Valarien, and the stress of managing the academy…. there was a lot on her mind. So much that she had little time for sleep even if she wanted to. A heavy exasperated sigh left her as she shook her head. This was the office of the supreme magister, the leader of The Academy of Sorcere— not her damned home or a political station. She needed to be concerned about the pains of her school, its instructors, and the students who needed a haven for instruction. But alas, others would make it exponentially more difficult to focus on the magical academy’s needs during such a “dire” time for the empire. There was no way to hide from those with political interests when people kept reminded her that she was a [i]Valarien[/i] and held a responsibility that could not simply be written off. “That’s not my concern or problem.” was a statement she could never say even though she had wanted to for her whole life. A life that had been a distraction after distraction. She was told to marry into House Valian, the holders of the Kingdom of Xandria in the wooded expanse that held little interest to her. She had been twenty-two years past her nameday and suddenly she had to go to a foreign land to “remind” a honorable house of who it held ties to. It felt so pointless to her at the time, the empire was over a thousand years old and it needed to remind the one vassal that had never even thought about rebellion? It was nonsense. Regardless of what she felt, it was done and several decades of her life were taken from her as Queen of Xandria. She grew to love King Alexander II in time and the children she bore for him, but as soon as he died she felt she had no business wasting away in Xandria. So she withdrew her husband’s house from hers and once again returned to being Avantasia Valarien and not Avantasia Valian. She was happy that day… not for Alexander’s death but for the return of freedom. Nobody dared to challenge her. She wouldn’t let them. But people would try, as was evident by a letter with House Valian’s seal that she began reading over. [color=silver][indent]Lady Avantasia of Sorcere, It has come to my attention that you have been trying your best to stay out of imperial politics, which I completely understand given the situation here in Lalrial at the moment. However, I have just been informed that King Alexander III Valian has arrived in the royal shipyards and is on route to my imperial estate. I know you abhor this political game we are forced to play but wouldn’t it be ideal to meet with a son that you do not get to see quite often? I have no business telling you what to do, of course, but it would also be wonderful to see you and I am absolutely sure it will take my uncle’s mind off the affairs of being in Lalrial as he has refused to visit since my father’s death. It may also, as I have heard, halt the intrusive visitors who come to you asking things not directly relating to your work. Though I will not pretend to think that you appearing in Lalrial will make that any easier as once you are here you will be targeted by the mannerless political animals that reside here as “nobles”. Believe me in that I will do everything in my power to prevent people being aware of your presence so you can be left alone. It is also important for me to say I haven’t been back to Sorcere since I was elected to this most respectful position. I miss it and I miss our conversations, so perhaps you can also do this favor to your most precious grandson? That is if you can find time in your busy schedule to make such a kind consideration. Whatever you decide, I understand and I hope to see you in the future. Multae gratiae! Your grandson, Theodric Valian, Prime Magistrate of Xandria[/indent][/color] She read the note before discarding it into a nearby pile. Her grandson, Theodric, had a point. It would be something to consider even though the city of Lalrial made her feel so burdened. Despite her inabillity to literally hide she did like to pretend that she could by isolating her here at the lands held by the academy. Her thoughts ended as she was taken back to reality by the sound of footsteps. “Supreme Magister, you have a.. visitor.” The nervous voice of one of her assistants was apparent. “Of course, Lucarion.” She smiled, her tone polite before pausing for a moment. It would be difficult to [i]refuse[/i] a visitor without reason to even if it was most likely a political visit. She had danced the conversation many times over the past few days, so she supposed she should humor the discussion. “You may grant them entrance.” “Thank you, Supreme Magister.” As Lucarion left she withdrew a piece of blank parchment and placed it on the desk in front of her. While she waited for the visitor to enter her room from the stairwell she decided to write a quick notation of reply to Theodric, she felt she should at least give him an answer rather than have him wonder in silence. It was impolite to do otherwise— and despite her rigid feelings she was anything but impolite. “We are better than beasts.” was an expression her father used to tell herself and Dirkham when they were younger and something that stuck with her throughout most of her adult life. Perhaps it was also one of the reasons she dedicated herself towards the intellectual arts of magic and science as well as manners. The sound of footsteps coming up the stairwell came not too long after she had begun, the careful yet unrushed pattern told Avantasia that the visitor was patient; so at the very least this might be a pleasant and non-irritable conversation. But she had been wrong before; she hoped that wasn’t the case here. “So I suppose I can check you off the list of visitors to expect within the month?” She commented as the individual entered the room, Avantasia’s eyes seemingly still on the paper. “Sounds like we are in the same boat,” Allianna slipped into the room. A certain look of wear was on her face, but it was so light it might have just been play to emphasize her words. “Never a second away from loud opinions and bickering yet passive side comments in this place I swear.” She continued, pausing to smile, “I suppose that sentence was yet another one, see what I mean?” “Allianna.” Avantasia commented as she looked up, swiping the last stroke with the inkpen in her hands. “I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised that you are the first Valarien to physically make the trip here. What can I help you with?” “Oh, I would say just to stop by and say hello, but I’m sure you’d see right through that.” Allianna surrendered as she found a spot in a comfy chair by the desk. “When you have been around as long as I have it kind of comes naturally.” She commented as she looked across the desk at the young Valarien girl, her great niece. Allianna was a political animal like Deand and Sophsi, talented as well as skilled in the ways of the political game but whereas Deand was cunning in his dealings behind the scenes and Sophsi had a gregarious presence, Allianna was wise about the political system. Youthful wisdom aside, Avantasia saw her as a bit of a child in her manner— always pushing to get what she wanted from every single angle until she dug her talons into the desired result. But digging her talons into another phoenix was far more challenging and Avanasia had always been the most rigid of her relatives.... and perhaps the most influential due to her longevity. “So, where Deand sends letters you take the few hours journey to talk to me directly. The game you are playing is as dangerous as swimming with sharks.” Avantasia paused for a moment. “But you know that. You’ve danced with sharks since you were a child.” “I’d rather not waste your time writing and mailing me.” Allianna said with a nod, “Also, I figured that what few questions I might have for you would be best asked in person.” “Well I suppose if you waste my time you my as well be productive with it. Do go on.” “Are you at all worried about the upcoming election?” Allianna asked abruptly. “I’ve [i]tried[/i] to ignore it. Which as I’m sure you know is impossible. But no, I am not worried in the slightest. It really doesn’t effect me beyond letters and personal visits.” Allianna seemed a little shocked, even pursing her lips. “Well, so long as you are comfortable in the affair. I’m not as easy about it, damocles sword hangs heavy during such politics, and everyone hides their true feelings of the matter to thin the rope even more.” “Were you worried I would run as a contender in that fool’s game?” “I am not worried about contenders as much as results.” Allianna answered easily, “I always figured your support to be null in these situations, preferred to keep any opinion away from the game. In all honesty, I would not be surprised if you only have given the possible winners of this election a forethought, and even less to who you would even support.” “I suppose the support of the former Master of Magic might sway a few. So the game you and the others are playing is not as pointless as I want it to be. But yes, you are very [i]astute[/i] regarding my opinions. So what’s your game, Allianna? You have come here for something and not out of inconsequential discourse.” “You know why I’m here,” Allianna folded her hands in her laps and smiled, “it is more or less regarding your son’s point of view on the matter more so than your own, which we’ve already discussed.” “So the truth comes out in full view; that was Deand’s intention, I wager, as well. I know for a fact my son will lean towards someone who has been known to be honorable and courageous, who has shown that they can lead in confidence. Such feelings about honor are an old Valian thing, but his father was no different.” She paused for a moment as she held her hand up. “So I suppose you would lose to Jakinus.” “I don’t know so much if I would be losing as much as the rest of the Empire,” Allianna rebutted, “we can’t afford another incident at the webwoods or any part of that area that claimed so many, including a few of your nephews.” “I don’t think if people will ever stop dying in the far north, but you are right that a imperial-sanctioned invasion would be pointless. But I imagine many people will say the north needs to be protected.” Avantasia thought aloud as she folded the letter she had finished writing a few moments ago before sliding it to the side of her desk. “And so we need minds that will think twice about defending rather than courageously rushing an invasion, if we need defence, then we defend.” “So you are after stability. What makes you different than the intentions of Deand or the other contenders? And also what is the benefit for myself? Why should I care who gets that archaic chair?” “I never mentioned the chair,” Allianna answered, her eyes growing grim, “I came to seek the compassion that our family now so dwindles from one who was put far away from the epicenter. Perhaps I thought, that maybe the taint of politics wouldn’t pollute so far away, naive of course, but a thought. Either way, my uncle and your nephew perished because of people’s misunderstanding of the word stability, and along with him your great nephew and my cousin, then nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety eight other nephews, cousins, brothers and men of family and of none. My father passed away, and not naturally, so perhaps I thought it was a good idea to bring a true stability to the nation instead of stable chairs to the people who spoke the loudest and promised the most, because as you very well know more than I do, this is what is birthed from it.” “Well spoken. Almost as if you rehearsed it.” Avantasia’s hand went to a cup to her left which held water. “Allianna, you know [i]if[/i] I was to re-immerse myself in this game I wouldn’t do it lightly. If you truly seek to bring this realm back to balance, stability, and caution instead of frivolous voyages, unwinnable campaigns, and ignorances then I suppose I can take a thought to have words in your favor with my son. I have business in Lalrial anyway, so I suppose I should. Perhaps it can stop this senselessness quickly. But you know better than anyone once I show up in those streets every Valarien and Magistrate will try to get my support.” Avantasia took a drink of the water. “So I will think about it instead of outright ignore it like I planned to. Because, as… irritating as I find the situation, you are right that the unity of family should be remembered. We Valarien’s used to not look at one another with daggers.” “Sensible and wise, this is why I came so far to speak with you,” Allianna smiled, “I ask nothing more than what I’ve already stated, and you have my gratitude for listening.” “I suppose so. I believe we are done here.”