Myka grinned, taking the sword from Ysaryn. “Fair enough. We shall expect no less from you, then.” She took the sword, then laughed at Ruli’s retort. “I do see your point. Though I think she has competition. Right, Ed?”
Ed merely grinned, shrugging without a word. Kire frowned, pouting a little at Ruli’s grin. “[i]No sword measuring please[/i],” she muttered back at Ysaryn. “[i]Or I point out Gavin had his blade first.[/i] Now, where is Jan? I want to find out what it was that was apparently so important I need to hear about it the same day I am to preside a war council.”
She turned to Ed, frowning. Ed chuckled. “Alright. She’s heading for the meeting chamber, anyway. Lord Ulrich should follow later with the other lords and ladies. Narda will arrive later, too.”

Jan was already in the chamber when they arrived. Though smaller than the great hall, the chamber was still sizeable, enough to seat the guests. In the middle was a large table, where large maps had been laid out. Tokens were placed on certain locations, indicating where the armies were. Jan had been looking down at the spot on the map where they were presently located, the dragon token beside a grey jay, the token of Ulrich’s house. She looked up at Kire and gave a small smile. “You had them worried for a while,” she commented, her gray eyes surveying the newcomers. If she had any reaction to the presence of Gavin, or to Daryll’s, she had yet to express them. “Introductions?”

Kire, too, took in Jan’s attire; while she had always been the one who observed the most formality out of all of them, Kire found it unusual that she wore a dress made of terracotta-colored satin cloth. She still had the Wyvern sigil as a brooch pinned to her overcoat. “What’s this news Ed said you wanted me to know in person?” Kire asked, going over to the head of the table. “Not exactly the best time to blindside me with something, and I’m usually the one doing the blindsiding.” 

Jan didn’t answer at first, which now made Kire more suspicious. She could see her cousin collecting her thoughts. She turned to the others and waved them over to let them sit to the left of her. “Kire, if that’s alright, the lord of the castle will sit here, beside me,” Jan said. 
“[i]’If that’s alright’? [/i] Jan,” Kire narrowed her eyes at her cousin. Beside her, Ed chuckled. “What did you do?” 
“Ulrich has been widowed a long while now, but he’s still a viable match. Good family, good rank. Invaluable resources. He’s always sworn fealty to the Wyvern house but we needed to make sure his assets are firmly tied to us. I put marriage on the table to secure his unwavering support.”
“[i]Whose[/i]?”
“Mine,” Jan said, and the barest hint of a smirk was on her lips. 

Kire’s jaw dropped. Daryll, too, looked speechless at this. “Holy gods, Jan? Betrothed?”
Ed grinned, shaking his head. “That was me yesterday,” he commented.
“I—well, shit.” Kire leaned her elbows on the table, fingers laced together, staring ahead, a little incredulous. “Maybe a little forewarning would have been nice.”
Jan huffed. “Like the forewarnings you would give us whenever you were off on a reckless quest? Those? The real question is, do you disapprove of the match?”
“I can’t very well disapprove now that we’re occupying his bloody castle,” Kire said, running a hand through her hair, almost undoing the ponytail. “It’s—[i]objectively[/i], I can’t find fault in it.” 
Myka laughed softly. “Never a dull moment with Wyverns, eh?” 

“Well, since we’re on the subject of surprises, were you informed why Daryll’s here?” Kire asked. 
Jan nodded. “And why the Gemini is here, too. But I presume we won’t be announcing that to everybody else.” 
“I need a drink,” Kire said. “I’m already starting to feel this will be a long day.” She glanced at her cousin. “Er—congratulations, then?” 
Jan snorted at that. “Could you be less enthusiastic?”
“I will be enthusiastic. Just—maybe give me time to process this [i]after[/i] the battle?” Kire said, though she allowed a smirk at that. A servant had entered, announcing that Lord Ulrich will be inside shortly, as well as Lady Narda and the guests. True enough, Narda strode in, looking like she had just come from a battle and hadn’t bothered to freshen up like the others had. She looked around at those present, then grinned.
“Congratulations, Jan. I heard. And look at you lot! Already dressed for a wedding.” She grinned at Ysaryn. “Long time. I hope you’re ready for a lot of boring war-talk. And you, lad.” Gavin gave her a hesitant nod, which she returned. “Kire. How’s the arm?”
“Good enough. And your injuries?” 
“Elva’s done good work.” She gestured over her shoulder. “Ulrich’s coming. And the whole lot.”