In little Jayanthi flounces, clasping her hands togrther at the small of her back. She is absolutely uncaring of the fact her clothes are terribly bright and likely painful on the eyes with how they do not go together. Anyone who notices her gets a bright grin before she goes to find a little out of the way spot to listen to the chatter. She doesn't seem to expect many to even notice her or approach her but those that do get the most welcoming of smiles and the friendliest of greetings. Even without directly approaching her the paint stainign her face and hands can be seen. Even on the visible parts of her legs. THough, her clothing likely covers most of it.

Boots arrives, following Valery.

Victus has joined the Bear Table.

"I'll let Donella hold her, just in case. She should get used to that anyway... Far before me at least." Khanne grins then looks up to Ailith as well when Victus waves her over. "Good to see you, and a surprise, Seraph." Lifting her whiskey tea to Morrighan in cheers, she greets the leather clad woman. Eyes shifting to Astraea, she blinks, then looks to Amarantha. "Ah, just mixing up journals I suppose. That's what I get for trying to read so many so fast..." She smiles sheepishly and offers, "Welcome then," and to Amarantha, "and Welcome back."

Tila enters, step stately and slow so she can take in the room and those gathered there. She works the fringes of the crowd, people-watching. It takes her in the general direction of the drinks, of course. What better place can people-watching happen?

"Of course you are, Your Grace. You saw all of us reared, being older. Oh, sweet Mangata, you brought the hairball." Donella grimaces and passes off her cup to some friendly horizontal surface.

"We're rather easy to mix up" Amarantha admits, clinging to her sister's arm. There is a sparkle of amusement in her ocean colored eyes. "But it's lovely to meet you Lady Khanne. I've heard only wonderful things about house Halfshav." The lithe girl drops into a curtsy. "Everyone has made me feel so privileged to be back. The north is so welcoming!"

Valery arrives in a rush, to not be late. She's blushing, her cheeks red and her breathing fast, maybe for all the rushing. And she's not carrying her basket with her today. Instead, a hand is keeping one of the mice safe in her shoulder, and the other is... well, not to be seen, so he may not be there... probably. "Good day." She murmurs to the already gathered people.

Anze enters the great hall, eyes dancing across the room at the scattered sights of some familiar faces and some less so. He makes his way towards Morrighan and ruffles her hair "aye there Morri, hows things?"

Victus shakes his head slowly. "I don't bring the hairball, cousin. It follows me. If I could control where it went, we'd all be happier." This earns a dissatisfied mewl from the cat atop the Thrax's shoulders. To Khanne he also adds, "You would've liked being there when she was born. Well, 'like' is a strong word... You would have felt accomplished, seein' all that shit out at sea. If you get my drift."

Keso, a street urchin arrives, following Aleksei.

Morrighan shifts a bit on her feet, quietly slipping a golden flask from her bag and sets to untwisting the lid from it - at least until Anze approaches. She loosens a low grunt at the ruffling of her hair, the riotous curls already unruly and flopping every which way. "Anze," comes a greeting and a wry smile. "Oh, things are jus' feckin' lovely. How are things with you an' Calypso?"

Ailith has joined the Bear Table.

It is the cry and then circling swoop of the bearded vulture, nearly abyssal in appearance himself, that heralds Freja's arrival. The Voice of Redrain's own attire is wild in its own way, from the exotic leathers to the monstrous albino bear headdress she wears - adding a few inches to her already towering height. With a sharp whistle, Dangerfloof finds a perch on a nearby chair as Freja makes her way to the forefront. Her voice carries out over the group gathered, her words succinct and to the point. "Let us make this as painless and quick as possible for we all have lives and none of them which I hope include the pasttime of wringing one's hands and worrying. I have a docket I wish to power through, but if any of you have something you wish to discuss please let me know now rather than blindsighting me with it at the tail end." A beat. "Oh, and hello and good evening." She waves a hand through the air vaguely at the propriety.

"Things are absolutely f'an great. She ain ditched me for someone better lookin yet so everythin is good" Anze says with a grin to Morrighan. He glances around the room "who're all these new people?"

The wall upon which Tallius is leaning -looks- sturdy, but the man seems to have dedicated himself to making certain that it remains supported from this side. He's leaned up against it and watching the goings on, when the little 'mewl' that drifts across the space catches the attention of his own little passenger. There's a scurrying from his hood and a young raccoon pops its head up to look around for the source of the noise. Tallius reaches up and rubs its little head to quiet it as things seem to be getting underway.

Keso, a street urchin arrives, delivering a message to Freja before departing.

Darting ahead with a faint limp is a fennec fox who guides the Palace Seraph through the crowd. Her head lifts, the silver muzzle shown, and a scent is caught leading Ailith over to where Victus waves. Broadly smiling, she quietly greets Victus and Khanne, bowing her head to each. "Your Grace, Lady Khanne." Once she sits, the fox leaps onto Ailith's lap, curled with her tail gently swishing and her beady eyes observing.

Valery waves lightly to Anze before she realizes... Oh, Morri's crow. And Victus' cat. And Dangerfloof! She moves to a corner, just listening, and trying to keep the tiny mouse as out of the sight of all the predators as possible.

Khanne sips her whiskey tea as she continues to greet those who arrive, waving to each one, or offering them a smile and a lifted drink in toast. Mist-grey eyes watch Tila head to the booze with what seems like an approving grin before turning to Amarantha. "It is good to meet you as well. I am glad to hear that people speak well of Halfshav, surely with vassals such as the Sanna, that will continue. I have only known them to be people I enjoy speaking with." She waves to Anze then nods to Victus. "I can only imagine.... from what little I have heard. I had wanted to go. I am either relived or devastated that I could not... I haven't decided in full yet..." But then Freja is starting the meeting and she quiets for a moment.

"I think if'n tha' happened whatever better lookin' guy is goin' tae be a poor bastard once he gets yer fist in his face eh, eh?" Morrighan teases, nudging Anze's side with an elbow as the corners of her mouth curve up into an impish smile. She sniffs lightly at the air, peering about the Great Hall with a helpless shrug of her shoulders. "Fuck if'n I know. S'pose will eventually find out."

Astraea smiles to Khanne and whispers something to her before she gives smiles to everyone else and walks with her sister to find a seat. When Freja makes her entrance, she gives her a nod of acknowledgement as she slips into her seat at the table with Ailith. "Pleasure to see you again Seraph."

Astraea has joined the Bear Table.

Aleksei steps into the Great Hall, perhaps a slightly unexpected sight with no formal ties of fealty in the Northlands. But he's here anyways, offering a quick smile to those he's most familiar with -- Freja, Ailith, Khanne.

The fluffy cat that had followed Victus is seemed to be at 'full puff' as one would say. Its tail standing on edge and its large eyes scanning through the room. There was only one thing worse than a room full of people to the miniature lion, and that was a room with -more animals-. As its paws begin to tighten their grip on Victus' shoulder, the Thrax quietly grabs it under his arm, where she proceeds to dig her claws in deeply. If it hurts, he doesn't show it. When Freja arrives he gives her the shortest of jaunty waves, winking to the Scout-Shaman-Marquessa rather than speaking up.

Jayanthi slips back out after a messenger from someone. Her brow is knitted in concern as she goes.

Jayanthi has left the Far Corner.

Aleksei, Ailith, and then Victus get a small salute of two fingers against the temple from Freja. "Nice to see we have invaders in our midst; drink the whisky. You'll find it burns delightful and far better than the weak apple juice the Southerners try to pass off as it." Her habitual snipe at the South seen to, she presses on. "Alright, so no business save greetings and a 'very nice to see you' all around!" She claps her pale hands together, each riddled with its own share of scars. "As you all should know at this point, I'm the turncoat Princess Freja Redrain, that recently abandoned to become Marquessa Nightgold but...more on that later. Of more importance is what is going on in our lands that trickles out and into the Compact. The first matter I would like to speak with is concerning our own Palace Seraph." Here she looks pointedly to Ailith. "Who is welcome to speak if she cares to divulge more information, but for the sake of not blurting out sensitive material I will say that I will need those who aren't complete and total dolts to help compose a scouting party to look for something in our lands that may help turn the tides in the Compact's battle against one of our greatest foes. This is no pleasure cruise, nor stroll through the soft snows. Be wary, but be bold." She looks then, her scarred brow arched inquisitively, as she waits for either Ailith to speak up or voluteers to appear before someone is 'volutold'. Knowing the Voice, the latter is just as likely.

Tila acquires her tea. To which she adds just a dollop of whiskey, shifting a smile to Khanne as she fills up. Just a bare upturn of the corners of her lips. Once her drink is settled, she drops a curtsy with some grace to Freja and the vulture.

Anze gives a nod towards Khanne and Valery as they wave to him, smirking a bit at Morrighan's joke. He once again glances to the unfamiliar faces and then leans his head down to mutter something to Morrighan. he looks up as Freja speaks, and then towards the mentioned Seraph with an inquisitive look.

Aleksei's lips tug into a small, crooked smile at Freja's salute and invitation to the whiskey. He helps himself to a glass before settling at the table Khanne, Ailith, and Victus sit at, his brows lifting curiously at Freja's mention of business Ailith brings.

Aleksei has joined the Bear Table.

Valery murmurs, from her spot at a side. "I... I wouldn't go..." She shakes her head. "But I can make smoke bombs if you need them... I... I got a new one, red, that hurts in the eyes..."

Donella makes a face at the preamble, one eyebrow riding high up on her forehead. She crosses her arms, and says, "A particular sort of thing, Lady Voice? Or just... anything?"

A helpless shrug is given to Anze in response to the murmured words, a moment spared to listen to Freja before Morrighan leans over to mumble something back at the former. Her gaze slants aside curiously at Ailith as she leans over to one side, lifting her flask up to partake of the contents.

As Freja concluded speaking, Astraea and her sister exchanged a series of looks. Mara seemed to roll her eyes and she gave a silent plea. After more looks, the chevalier stands up and speaks in a reverent tone. "My sister and I would like to volunteer as scouts your highne- errr umm Freja." The white haired lass sinks down into her seat and never takes her gaze off the other Northern woman but she might be sweating a little.

Khanne's eyes go to Ailith when Freja mentions her. She tilts her head curiously, waiting for the Seraph to speak, if she chooses, on the matter. Drysi slips in and heads to Khanne with a letter. A quick glance around to make sure no one is giving her the evil eye to receive a missive in a meeting is given before she reads the content, smiling as a finger curls over her lips as if to hide the emotion. She nods in thanks to the apprentice, then tucks the letter away, her gaze once again upon Ailith.

"A particular sort of thing, a relic if you will? We aren't searching blindly. We know what it is we are looking for.Given the sensitive nature of it I'm not going to blurt it out to a room, but will gladly debrief those who go at a later time. We already have something that likes to Eat information that has painted a target on my back and I would not like to do more of his work for him. Deal?" Astraea and her sister's eyeroll is not missed by the Voice and she looks at them, expression deadpan, until they speak. "Noted. We'll add your name to the list then. If you can make yourselves available in the next day or so, I'll meet with you and explain more. Would anyone else like to?" she looks around. "Or, if you require more time to peruse the matter internally I can wait to hear a missive from you."

As if on cue, Dame Marra uncurls from the Seraph's lap to sit attentively alongside; the fennec fox yips once and Ailith rises to her feet, a height nearly to the likes of Freja herself. While addressing the assembled in a calm tone, she turns slightly in order to meet the gazes of all. "The Voice of Redrain is wise in her caution not to divulge too much in depth. Our enemies are ever watching and listening." She continues. "Your fealty is given a mission to face Limerance's Fidelity of Faith, a trial, and seek a piece of an item that is of great importance. One of the Great House Leaders said it best -- it will be similar to finding a needle in a haystack. Clues have been given, but it is up to you, as a matter taking this leap of Faith, to secure the item and return it to the city."

Tallius leans forward from the wall, "Begging the pardon for interrupting, but if the matter is one of venturing northward, then I'll go along if needed." The raccoon on his shoulder seems to chitter something, likely protesting him being loud, he's normally a quieter perch. "Petal likely as well, though I would have to check with her, if a healer might be needed."

"Sounds like it's a matter for your people, Freja, but you know you can always let me know if you need any help in my means to provide," Aleksei offers to her with a quick hint of a smile -- and a distinct curiosity about this Fidelity of Faith business, which he doesn't seem to have heard about it before.

Has she been unheard? Valery keeps her eyes on Freja for a moment, but as more and more people addresses her, she seems more taken aback and she steps back to her corner.

Victus briefly puts his hand up. "You know Thrax's stake in seeing this done as well, Freja. You can count on us for support if the need arises." And falls silent again.

Donella raises her hands, "I never expected you would, my lady. I asked a question, you answered it at precisely the depth that was needed." She settles herself to listen to the particulars of this trial. She may have other questions, but there is no way she is speaking up a second time.

"Each fealty has been tasked this, Victus." Freja shifts her dark eyes to him. "And you have our offer as well of aid, but as winter approaches I will not implore others to venture our snows who are not used to it." A beat. "Yes, Mistress Valery. You wrote me of it and I have knowledge. I do not believe smoke bombs are needed at this time or until we plan to enter the battle fray once again. Archlector Aleksei, thank you. I recall Dame Marra stating that a representative of the Faith should be present as well?" she looks to Ailith for confirmation of this. "But I could have misheard."

Donella has joined the Bear Table.

Ailith peers down at her fennec fox named Dame Marra, her brow furrows as she blinks, before peering at Freja with a faint smile. "Slightly. I was the one who suggested preference for a representative of the Faith to be present. Otherwise, you are correct. Thank you." And she returns to her seat carefully, giving Dame Marra a lightly scritch on the top of her head.

Valery nods. Her blush may to have mostly faded but some still remains, mostly as her help is dismissed. She steps back until a wall and she stays there, listening in silence.

Khanne looks up and says to Freja, "If I am needed, I will assist, though others are far better at being a scout than I. I am sometimes helpful in other ways. I do have a lot coming my way at the moment though, so if others have more time and I would be too many, I will sit out." Looking to Valery then she says, "I suggested your smoke bombs to someone.. recently... I for some reason can't remember who. I hope they contacted you."

"Oh! Well, like Lady Khanne, I'll serve if you need a representative of the Faith, although there may be someone more suitable, and I'm happy to step aside if that's the case," Aleksei says easily enough. "I don't need to chase glory."

Valery shakes her head to Khanne. "I don't think so, no..."

Scamp the raccoon kit arrives, delivering a message to Valery before departing.

"Thank you, Lady Khanne. You're always a huge help." Freja gives the other shaman a brief, albeit genuine smile before pressing on with business once again. She may be blunt, but her effective pace can't be denied at this point. "You as well, Aleksei. Now, the next matter is..well, a little more dire and I will ask you all to take your leaps of faith and trust my word here. At this point we should all be well aware of the Thorned Rod up North and that after the last battle outside of Farhaven he is not gone. Hiding, and while we're still tracking, his zealots and cultists are still ever as active. Perhaps even more now? I am going to ask you all to show caution and to urge your vassals and people to do the same. We are beginning to coordinate our efforts and if anyone would like to join in on that fight, I ask that you contact either myself, High Lord Darren, Duke Vercyn Halfshav, or my brother Fergus as your Warchief. Lady Khanne has been heading up the more..spiritual side of our warfare in this matter."

Boots have been dismissed.

The Voice then amends, "And as for the recruitment and political savvy with the Shavs our Princess Donella and Duchess Lydia have been rather effective in that area. Every soul who bends the knee to our fealty, and joins the compact, is another soul saved from that wretchd enslavement and potential loss of well.." Freja pales considerably here, her jaw tightening, "But, they are far more silver of tongue than me and if that is where your talents lay I ask that you contact them and see where you may help. We need everyone here to move forward as one."

Anze wrinkles his nose at the discussion of the problems up north, and then he glances over to Khanne with part of the announcement. He gives Morrighan a friendly slap on the shoulder and then shifts over to Khanne to mutter something to her.

Khanne nods to Freja's words and says, "yes, there's some leads we are chasing. I am a bit wary to share too much before we are able to find what we seek... you know, the walls have ears and all... but, when I return, I hope to have news for you all." She twists her lips and says, "sorry I cannot say more right now..."

Tila does not immediately volunteer herself for the scouting. She does not have a particularly outdoorsy look about her. She soaks up what information is given about it, though, dark eyes large and thoughtful. Her interest perks more when political savvy is mentioned. Those large eyes seek out the one identified as Donella, and there's a dip of her chin as if she's making a little notation in her brain.

Anze bahs at something Khanne says and gives her a shove. He maintains most of his focus on his sister though, not being personally involved or able to join in he just makes sure to keep abreast of the issues facing the northlands.

Khanne gets a shove from Anze and sticks her tongue out at him.

"My thoughts exactly." Freja echoes after Khanne, nodding once in agreement. "Given the gravity of things I fear we have to be brief, only nudging and pointing where we may. I apologize for the frustration this may provide, but also know that you can send me word at any time and I will make it a priority to help you as I can. I can't stress enough how much we need you to be careful, not saying -exact- names because it lights you as a beacon to them." There is another tightening of her jaw here. "But are there any more questions, additions, or concerns about this any of you wish to express before I move on to the other thing on my docket? After this next thing I should be done and then it will be an open floor of dicussion and concerns for the fealty to bring forth anything stirring their thoughts."

Khanne looks away from Anze and up to Freja and adds briefly, "oh, Halfshav is willing to help with Shavs as well. We brought in some of the thralls that were freed recently. We are always willing to help those who are willing to bend knee." She looks to Donella then. "So, if you need places for them to settle, let me know."

Scamp the raccoon kit have been dismissed.

Donella says, "Most of those I have come into contact with so far, are like you, proud... and unwilling to be dislodged. They haven't wanted to resettle, so much as to fix what is wrong where they are. But that won't be possible for all them. Particularly not if we are fighting giant wasps and worse, all the way."

"Thank you to everyone in the Northlands who has invested time, silver, and everything else to helping the freed thralls resettle on their lands," Aleksei lifts his voice to add, his expression warming. "Finding transport for everyone who wanted to leave Stormward was -- an adventure, but having people take extra effort to welcome and integrate those who ended up in their lands was invaluable."

"She is right." Freja shifts her weight to one hip, resting a hand on the pommel of her sword. "To them we are the antagonist, moving into -their- home to dislodge them. We've come a far way from killing the Shavs to well...working with them, but the semantics are pretty black and white. It is a matter of death and life, defeat and victory. We simply can't afford to not have them at our side. Every Shav loss is a soldier gained for them. Their thoughts have been poisoned against us, lies such as 'we caused the poisoning of the Spirits' told to their Shamans and leaders. House Redrain is alright with them staying where they are - as long as they take the oaths and bend the knee, agreeing to live within the Laws of our Compact. I can't and won't speak for the other Duchies or the lands of our vassals. Giant wasps is only the beginning, if you all care to hear what it is like to lose a name? I've experienced that but I would rather not go into gross detail here." It is a sneer there that breaches her otherwise normally steeled resolve. "Princess Donella has been wise in this, as well as the Lady Khanne and Duchess Lydia. I would suggest even those that speak Northlands Shav to offer their services as well, or those that wish to act as an armed guard in case things turn sour."

"I'd once again happily offer my sword." Astraea says to everyone as she stands up with Amarantha. "I have to get to another meeting with a member of the Faith, forgive me for having to depart sooner than I would have liked." Offering a bow of her head and gentle smiles to everyone she waits for her sister to say her goodbyes before departing.

Astraea has left the Bear Table.

Amarantha leaves, following Astraea.

"I ain able to offer direct help like I used to, were a time I'd be able to go north an help myself, but I ain able to aid like I once was. That bein said, Redrain is family an what I can do to help my kin I always well" Anze adds in towards whats happening up norht.

The sisters are given a nod of farewell and acknowledgment as they move to depart. "Moving onwards, on another smaller and highly unrelated note - Marquis Mydas is aiming to start a center of sorts within the March of Aviaron. He wishes to establish a place of learning, a collection of tomes, and to begin undertaking the recording of a lot of the North's history. As we all know the vast majority of our faith and belief is maintained with oral tradition, but he wishes to see it preserved for future generations. If you have some interest in assisting with this I would suggest you seek him out when he makes it back from the North and into Arx." Freja smiles at her brother once he speaks, "You'll always be a Redrain, even if marriage took you elsewhere you are still blood, darling. That being said, my business I wished to discuss is done and hopefully we can begin moving forward. Is there any business any of Redrain's Vassals would like to speak of? Noble or not, the floor is open."

Khanne rises up from her seat and takes a breath. She puts on her serious face, which is really just a sort of... lack of expression. "I do have to let all of you know, as a fealty, that recently, Duke Vercyn denobled Logan, stripping him of the Halfshav name and any rights his nobility afforded him. It was a difficult decision, but... one that was deemed necessary." She pauses. "Uncle filed a proclamation in regards to this, but I just wanted to make you all aware, in case you were not..." She sits back down and finishes her whiskey tea.

Aleksei has largely fallen silent now that matters are turning more to less supernatural business, sipping his whiskey and keeping his voice out of matters that don't need it. He does look curious when Khanne brings up Logan, but doesn't interject.

Tila gives another little chin-dip as the center in Aviaron is discussed. Another mental note added to whatever checklists she's keeping behind her eyes. Mention of Logan makes her expression line into a slim frown. She shows no surprise, though.

Anze grunts a little at the reminder of the proclemation from Vercyn "if tha old f'an wolf thinks he should be cut outta tha family, I ain see that many'd disagree. Wont have any dissent from my neck of tha woods at any rate."

"As of now, Logan remains a vassal to House Redrain." Freja comments concerning Redrain's stance, but leaves it at that. "House Halfshav has our trust in their decisions and our support. Thank you, Lady Khanne. Is there any other matters?"

Victus has relegated himself to holding his feline down for most of the meeting. Though he does speak briefly, "If you could use any assistance from Thrax in your fight in the North, you need only ask"

Donella likewise falls quiet, though Freja's words about family do seem to strike a chord. Only slowly do her eyes steal sideways to the occupants of her table. She keeps her own counsel for the moment.

Khanne rises up again, taking her empty cup over to the beverage table, procuring more whiskey tea. She turns back then looks to Anze and Freja. "Thank you, both, for that support." She licks her lips and says, "there are a number of projects that will require my attention in the coming months, information to be sought, battles to be fought. As Freja mentioned, I have been working on many Spiritual things, though, alongside and intertwined with the Faith as well... if anyone wishes to help in that sense, let me know, and I will be glad to get more involved in anything I can."

"I will consider this at a close then. Please remember that seek out those I named to help if you wish; Princess Donella, Lady Khanne, Duke Vercyn, and Prince Fergus to name a few. As for myself I am always open to hear your missives and answer questions to the best of my ability. Until we all meet again, I urge caution. When superstitions become reality, even the smallest moment of what was once fallacy can become fatal. Legends have turned lethal, but do not forget we have within ourselves the potential to be legends as well." That said, Freja dips her head respectfully to them all. "Spirits guide and Gods bless you all."