[b]A Meeting at the Town Hall: Andronika Hasikos, Stefano Bene, and Alberic Thorel[/b]
Cowrite between [@Dyelli Beybi], [@Badarby], and [@InfamousGuy101]

Ebengrenzstadt was a small town North of the border, smaller than Trefgodwig.  Much like it's Southern cousin, Ebengrenzstadt was walled against border raiders, though the worry here were Quinian reivers though at the moment the town had sprung up a small forrest of tents by the Southern Gate - the 2,000 or so soldiers of the White Army and a Quinian detachment.  Unlike some of the other armies Stefano had observed, the camps were tidy, tents in neat rows and privies dug well away from the water sources.  The White Army, while small at this stage, was at least well organised.

Much like in Trefgodwig, Andronika's 'Court' was in the Town Hall.  A modest affair, though a little grander than the manor house hall that Coralie had been using before Stefano left.  There were a number of halberdiers, much like Coralie used, though Andronika's were kilt-clad Quinians rather than the the exotic Iktani troopers Coralie favoured as her household guard.  The main hall itself was draped in Wyvern banners, while Andronika had set up a large wooden chair to act as a throne, where she had draped herself awaiting the arrival of the Black Court's emissary.

Alberic stood just outside the hall, adjusting the strap of his breastplate. His hair was trimmed shorter now, cleaner, falling just to his neck instead of down his shoulders like before. The blue and gold ribbon still hung on his neck, his only reminder of Vich and the Isles, though those waters felt a world away.

He wasn’t a man for courts or thrones. Never had been, not even when Gerart had sent him as a delegate to League gatherings. And yet now here he stood, a commander in Andronika’s army, a known figure in her circle. He’d trained her soldiers, led them in battle, watched them fall and rise again under the White Wyvern’s banners. Still... none of it dulled his ultimate goal. 

Warrin Montfault, the Grey Beard. His purpose, always, just beneath the surface. Even now, even with Aonène, the Dawnbringer, as much as he’d never say the words aloud. At the heart of all this, he couldn’t let go of that search, he wouldn’t.

His eyes flicked sideways to Stefano standing nearby, Alberic said nothing, simply stepped forward as the halberdiers pulled open the tall doors.

The banners of the White Wyvern hung over him for a moment as he walked in. Andronika waited atop her chair, poised and calm as ever.

Alberic stepped forward, boots echoing lightly against the floor, he offered a short, somewhat crude bow.

"Your Highness," he said, "By way of the Black Court, I present Stefano Bene, envoy of Coralie D’Ambois."

With that, Alberic stepped aside, arms folding behind his back as a soldier would, letting Stefano take the floor.

The flamboyantly dressed Stefano tooks the stage as the corsair stepped aside, standing in front of Andronika's "court."

"Greetings Lady Andronika. Stefano Bene at your service, legal expert in the maritime laws of four realms, representing the court of Empress Coralie D'Ambois," Bene greeting with an overdramatic bow.

When he stood back up straight, he stole quick glances at the members of the White Wyvern's court, including someone who could possibly be the part of the so-called Dawnbringer. It was just Andronika and a few guardsmen at the Townhall He gave a smile.

"Welcome, Mister Bene," Andronika replied, straightening her posture slightly, "So tell me, to what do I owe the honour of an emissary from my cousin?"

“I have been sent by your cousin, Coralie D’Ambois the Black Wyvern, to discuss diplomatic ventures between the two wyverns who claim the Inburian throne,” Stefano said. “Particularly with your request for transport through the seas and a possible formation of an alliance.”

"Three," Andronika corrected, "You are forgetting my sister."  She paused momentarily before adding, "I must apologise for the brevity of this conversation, I am sure you have travelled far and are tired, but what terms does my cousin want for an alliance?"

“Your cousin would like for your highness to swear fealty to her in exchange for her logistical and military support.” Coralie’s envoy answered. “She is generous to offer you a position to be her heir apparent.”

"She is generous to offer me a position as her heir?" Andronika gave a short laugh, "But my good Sir, surely it should be the other way around.  I am the direct descendant of Emperor Dakis.  The eldest daughter of an heir with no sons.  Whereas my cousin... truly, I'm not sure where she sits in the line of succession." 

“Yes, in a traditional imperial line of succession, perhaps you would have a better claim to the throne,” Stefano conceded. “But we know that the line of succession doesn’t mean much without a force to back it up, especially since the Elgafolks seem intent on maintaining their own thrones with force.”

"My good Sir, are you disputing the divinely ordained line of succession?" Andronika raised an eyebrow, though there was a hint of amusement to her expression. 

Alberic exhaled slowly through his nose, the muscle in his jaw ticking. Finally, he stepped forward with a scrape of boots on stone, his voice steady but edged with the faintest crack of impatience. The envoy was about to answer Andronika’s questions but he was interrupted by the Monchian’s outburst.

“Forgive me for intruding, Your Highness, Envoy Bene,” Alberic said, folding his arms behind his back, “But if we keep going like this, the only thing we’ll win is more wasted time.”

He glanced between the two, then spoke more plainly:
“Coralie’s got the ships, the guns, the men. That’s true. But I’ve seen firsthand what Lady Andronika has, people. The mainland’s people. And with the Dawnbringer at her side, there’s no debating it. She holds hearts as much as she holds banners and arms.”

Alberic’s gaze settled squarely on Stefano now.
“So why not save everyone some time and talk about co-rule? Two heirs. Two crowns. One cause. Keeps us from bleeding each other before we’re done bleeding the Haltians...”

Then, true to form, he stepped back again, silent once more. To anyone observing Stefano, the man looked visibly annoyed by Alberic’s yapping. Still, he ignored whatever babble the Monchian corsair was saying. 

“If I may be so blunt, claiming divine ordination in lineage would have more weight to it if your power base is larger,” Stefano answered to Andronika. “You may be the oldest direct descendent of the line from the deposed Emperor Dakis III, but compared to the progress made by your cousin, your base is certainly limited to this city. Your army is well-organized, I must admit, but it is still small compared to the other claimants to the throne.

“Plus, I dare say that Lady Coralie has done a good job of rallying people to her cause, considering that she led a great victory against the Imperials while being outnumbered without any outside assistance,” he continued, glancing at the Quinian officers. “The locals are certainly supporting her against the Empire and various brigands taking advantage of the chaos after that victory.”

“And as for the idea of co-rule, everyone knows that you can’t have an alliance of equals when you’re both claiming to be Empress over a reformed Inburia,” Stefano added, finally addressing Alberic. “You should know as a corsair yourself that one ship can’t have two equal captains, lest they would butt heads over the pettiest of disagreements and prevent the ship from sailing." He turned back to Andronika.

“And speaking of ships, Lady Coralie has the ships for you to travel to the east without traversing through the Morktree and she is willing to offer them in exchange for you to swear allegiance to her. She is willing to make you her heir apparent,” he said. “If the White Army is heading to the East anyways, what better way to prevent familial bloodshed than to solve it here and now?” 

"And were I to travel to where my cousin's forces are with my modest little army, what is to stop her throwing me in prison until she can figure out what to do with me?" Andronika asked, with a small laugh and a knowing smile, "And she would need to do so, if she has any sense because the peasants that currently flock to her would flock to me. I carry the mantle of legitimacy that my Cousin does not.  She doesn't even bear the Hasikos name! No Sir, that is not what I desire. However, were I to build up my force, ships to transport my people to Favis would be appreciated." She smiled, as if challenging Stefano to ask why she would want that.

“Lady Coralie may not have the Hasikos name but she does have its blood,” Stefano replied. “And let’s be honest, the capability of one to inspire loyalty among the right group of people is better at attaining power than name alone. I’d like to think that she did a great job inspiring many, including peasants, to her cause. Perhaps you believe that you can do a better job in inspiring people to your cause, I wish you luck in that. 

“If you would like to send one of your people to Favis, a transport can be arranged through the best of my abilities,” he added. “Just be sure to someone who’s a better diplomat than that fellow.” Stefano glanced at Alberic’s direction, as if blaming the Monchian corsair for his current location.

"I was thinking of all of my people," she replied.

“All of your people?” Stefano asked. “After capturing this city of Ebengrenzstadt in your name, you are requesting to transport all of your people to Favis?”

"Oh no," Andronika waved a hand airily, "In the future some time.  When I have a few more people.  We'd like to visit."

“Ah, I see,” the envoy replied. “I guess I should inform Lady Coralie that you reject her offer for you to be her heir apparent?”

"Tell her we're considering her generous offer," Andronika replied charmingly, "But that we cannot accept it at this moment in time."

"Very well, I shall leave tomorrow morning to deliver your response to Lady Coralie," Stefano said, giving a bow. "In the meantime, I shall spend the night in this city.

"What are you talking about Sir! We shall provide you room and lodgings," Andronika replied, "You are a guest of the court.  Stay for as long, or as little time as you wish."

"Thank you, your highness. I wish you well in this journey of yours," he said before he turned to leave Andronika's presence.