[center][color=lightcyan][h2]The Dominion of Epha[/h2][/color][/center]

[color=lightcyan]“And so, I shall not be going.”[/color]

The High Sentinel placed his chalice down as the High Paladins began to fuss. There were some Paladins that were pushing for a delegation to be sent that [i]included[/i] the High Sentinel, others agreed with the choice of not sending Agustus however still wished to send a delegation, and another group was in uproar, demanding that the Dominion not send a delegation at all. Agustus’ eyes roamed the chamber, observing the bickering of its occupants. This was the biggest news that the Dominion had received in years, and so it was no surprise to the High Sentinel that the bickering continued for a while. Some of the High Paladins were starting to cool down, looking to him for his next words. The fact that they had not been dismissed from the chamber obviously meant he had more to say. The heightened presence of Sentinel Guards within the chamber already told the High Paladins that the High Sentinel had already made a decision prior to their arrival in the chamber, and that he was perhaps worried about a negative response to his words. Agustus waved his hand perhaps a little lazily to his right, and the Apprentice of the Chamber blew his horn, resulting in quiet from the High Paladins.

[color=lightcyan]“High Paladins Anya Galloway, Nylah Harlenton and Charles McArthur, stand before me,”[/color] Agustus speaks firmly. It took some time for the trio to squeeze between the numerous High Paladins within the room, however eventually all three were quickly in front of the High Sentinel. Agustus took time to study the three as the Apprentice of the Chamber paced his way in front of them, crossing just in front of them. He made a turn, walking behind them before retreating his way back to his post. [color=6ecff6]“They stand before you, High Sentinel,”[/color] he says loudly, as if Agustus was blind. Agustus sometimes wished that he could forgo most of the royal necessities, however he knew that they were what held his position, what [i]defined[/i] his position. And after all, it showed the other kingdoms that they weren’t entirely barbaric.

[color=lightcyan]“Those standing before me are hereby the official royal delegation to be sent to Arkronia, along with Apprentice of the Ocean Council Blake Fortson by request of the Master of the Ocean Council. The decision to send a delegation without the High Sentinel, and for these three High Paladins to form the delegation, is final, and therefore there shall not be a vote for it.”[/color]

The uproar was a little more fierce than Agustus had expected. Of course, he already knew that they were going to be mad - save for those his word aligned with. This was one of the most important times in their history, and he was taking away their ability to push anything in [i]their[/i] direction, to do what [i]they[/i] wanted. Of course, there were some that were happy with his decision - High Paladin Zindam and his posse in particular were clapping - though some were shaking their fists and one in particular stood up and bellowed out in rage, an act that resulted in the prompt response of the closest set of Sentinel Guards, who grabbed the High Paladin and practically dragged him out of the room. They may have been the highest positioned people in the Dominion of Epha second to the High Sentinel, however nobody of the audience was to stand without being called upon to do so.

The High Paladin being taken from the room seemed to calm everyone down as it usually did. The political war would rage for the rest of the day at most, but they knew who had the power to strike them from their position, and knew that the potential loss of political allies would be dangerous to them. Though all had bellowed and yelled, most if not all were in support of the High Sentinel. They just all wished that [i]they[/i] were the ones picked to be sent to the Kingdom of Arkron, something that was appreciated by Agustus. However, in short order, the bellowing of anger turned into a competition of who could yell the loudest at the three new delegates, pushing their suggestions forward. Finally, Agustus had enough, and in moments, the Apprentice of the Chamber blew his horn once more. The chamber was silent.

[color=lightcyan]“The delegates and their escorts are to set off within the day. As the High Sentinel of the Dominion of Epha, this is my word,”[/color] Agustus says. There was a moment’s pause, before the Master of the Chamber blew his horn in unison with the Apprentice of the Chamber. His was a louder, deeper horn than the Apprentice’s, and it signalled the end of the gathering. The High Paladins stood and began to file their way out of the door, save for the three standing before the High Sentinel - by protocol, they were to be the last of the audience to leave. Finally, once the rest had filed out, the three remaining High Paladins left the Chamber to prepare for their travel. The High Sentinel finally stood, and left the chamber.

Soon, the three High Sentinels as well as the Apprentice of the Ocean Council set off in a large, bulky carriage, guarded by Beast Knights who rode their own mounts. The frozen lands of Epha were hazardous, however the journey to the Kingdom of Arkron required travel through Vulpinia, which contained its own dangerous animals, the Vulpin. No Ephan wanted to face one of those.