3 Last Watch Sentries, 2 Redrain Guards, Old Nan, a mostly harmless old woman arrive, following Donella.

The servants in the Great Grim Hall are busy; for the first time in quite a while, the family as a whole is gathering. Platters of various fruits, cheeses, and bread have akready been put out on the large, carved table that dominates the room, while a few of those servants remaain near it, ready to fill (or refill) cups with mead, rum, or wine when called for. At the head of the table, Duke Valdemar sits, dressed in the colors of the Mourning Sea with a mug of mead resting in front of him and his larg brindle wolfhound curled up at his feet. "Thank you all for coming," he greets those already present.

Sanya is already there, wearing a light silk jumpsuit with a plunging neckline and kitten heeled sandals. Her soft blonde hair has been left loose for the occasion and already she has helped herself to a large, fat red strawberry and a glass of something that bubbles. "Of course Valdemar, it's lovely to treat with your family again. I'm sorry Iosif couldn't be here, he would have loved it."

Donella is more or less fresh off the boat as she comes visiting the Longhouse with it's dark, looming timbers. When she is shown to a place at the table, her expression is weary, but alert as the host salutes his hall. She lifts her cup in response, but otherwise maintains a respectful quiet, and picks at a selection of little nibbles.

Erik just makes it in time, looking a bit more ruggedly than usual. It was probably 'just one more page' that he absolutely had to read. Still not late he slides into a chair, winking once to his sister Sanya. He decides on a stronger beverage for the meal, you never know when you need it and it is best to be prepared.

Daria slips in the main hall dressed in leather armor, her bow slung over her shoulder, seeming to look for someone or something and pauses at the sight of dinner being served out on table and pauses to offer a graceful curtsey to all her. "Greetings," she says, acting natural

"I'm sorry as well, Cousin, but I'm sure that there is good reason for it," Valdemar responds to Sanya as he tears a piece of bread from a nearby loaf. Then Donella's arrival at the table draws his attention, and he bows his head to her respectfully before greeting her, "Your Highness, it is an honor to have you here once again. I do hope that you have been well?" Daria's approach also pulls his attention, but his brow furrows as he looks at her. "Welcome Goodwoman. I don't believe I've had the pleasure before," he tells her, clearly unfamiliar with the woman, before adding, "But please, have a seat."

"My lord Duke," says a reserved Princess Consort of Farhaven, "-the honor is all mine. To be welcomed into your hall, much as I was welcome to your late and honored father's, is a great pleasure that brings back fond memories. I wish the circumstances could be better for us all. How stand affairs with Grihem's Point?" she asks with the balance of sweet and bitter from her honey mead still upon her lips.

Sanya agrees with a nod of her blonde head and reaches for more of her fruit. She also greets Donella with a smile (assuming she is familiar) and Daria next with a nod. "It's an honor to have you here indeed." She echoes Valdemar's sentiment to Donella. Then to Daria, "Welcome." She looks to Erik, "One of your friends, perhaps? You look like you've not slept in a week."

Erik blinks at seeing Daria. "Da..." he catches himself just in time "Captain Mandragora", he instead greets Daria, gesturing her to come to find a seat in his vicinity after Valdemar already invited her in. To his cousin he adds "The Captain and i have worked together before, and I must have erred as to the date we were to reconvene." He looks a bit at loss too, but not completely unpleased. A snort to Sanya, "Sleep? An exaggeration. three days tops. But yes..."

"I am Daria Mandragora, Captain of the Whitefeather Rangers," Daria replies. "We are the bestest of friends I am sure Lord Erik," she states, as she tries to find an open seat to sit and await dinner to start

Valdemar nods when Donella speaks of the circumstances. "Grihem's Point is quiet so far, but we remain watchful. We've a project underway to build new watchposts and roads connecting them throughout our lands to facilitate that watchfulness. Because the quiet is not likely to last, now that our High Lord has dispatched ships and men to put down the rebels in the Isles," the Duke reasons between bites of bread. Washing it down with mead, he then lets out a dry laugh at Sanya and Erik speaking of how much sleep the latter has not had. Looking to Daria, he adds, "It is good to meet you, Captain Mandragora." Just then, the first course is brought out, a warm stew of mussels, prawns, crab and root vegetables.

Sanya chirps, "You know a wife would make sure you make it to bed on time. And I grow old. I need many, many nieces and nephews." No, she doesn't grow old. She grows bold. And hungry. Thankfully, her bowl is placed before her, and once everyone has been served she digs into the stew, taking bread with it. "Iosif reports the same. It's quiet, but you can feel the tension in the air. Like the calm before the storm."

"Did you need the help of a scout," Daria questions curiously. "I know I remember something about fortifying defenses," she states. "I am still willing to see if I can assist if you need a trusted and reliable scout," she offers as she politely eats and drinks around speaking

Erik has his attention on Valdemar as he states the status of the island, nodding at the appropriate moment and even noting a particular point to Daria witha silent gesture. He lowers his voice as not to disurpt Valdemar's recital and returns to Sanya in a good natured tease "Alas, for that the right one still has to be found. I am still searching for what might fit me. vigoursly searching." He grins at the statement from Daria "Then come to my side, friend, and share food and drink."

Donella is not very familiar, but enough to put names to faces. That is the job. It has been ten years since Donella was Voice of Thrax, but to marry out of faction is to take on more family, not lose ties with the old. "I have just come from some business at Tyde, and seen firsthand how blood is already in the water, and sharks circling. No doubt, you have feelings about the action taken. I would welcome the chance to hear your opinions, before I return to minding my own business." Her answering smile and tip of her head to Sanya is like the winking edge of a knife, thin, though not unfriendly. Keen. Keen is a good word. "The time for watching is slipping away from us all."

"She's a point. Since getting married, I mostly get to bed on time," Valdemar agrees with Sanya on at least that point, glancing at her brother as he speaks. He, too, digs into the bowl of stew set in front of him. He then nods at what she says of her husband's reports, adding, "That is what Mother's last letter said as well. When Daria offers her assistance, the Duke inclines his head gratefully and says, "I would be happy to have the help of a Ranger, if it could be coordinated. My thanks." Donella asking after his opinions on what is happening in the Isles, at first elicits a shrug of his shoulders and a pensive look on his face. "The action taken is...necessary, whatever my feelings are on it, or the events that led up to it. I do not like seeing the Isles torn apart like this. But the rebellion of Helianthus and their allies cannot be allowed to stand. Order must be restored," he then answers her.

"Do you have a map of island," Daria ask curiously. "Once you get a set date and plan send me a missive and I will be there," she states warmly

Sanya looks very pleased with herself when Valdemar agrees with her, but there is serious discussion going on and she knows now might not be the best place or time given the grave nature of the subject of war on the horizon. "Do you see any end to this that doesn't end in blood, cousin? It's still not too late to exercise diplomatic tactics. I would be willing to go personally, if you think it might be worth the effort."

"I, along with my brother and sister were the first orphans of the last war," Donella muses. The murder of her parents was the event used as justification for the slaughter that followed. The first orphans, but o, how far from the last. "In speaking with the kin of Marquis Dredcall, I was reminded that in civil strife such as this, the man trying to kill you is not truly your enemy. If you were to characterize it," she asks the guests, "-what would YOU say the root cause is?"

Erik can't help but open a little notebook to scribble down a few things to remember for later but he nods at Daria's offer, smiling at her again to show his support for her offer. "If I can, i will ferry you over personally."

Courvoisier, a fluffy golden cat with a flat face, Beelzebubbles, the hairless feline overlord you've been waiting for, 2 Seryn veteran guards arrive, following Iseulet.

Valdemar looks toward Daria and tells her, "There is probably not room on the table right now for a map, but I can have a copy made and sent to you." Sanya's question receives a shake of his head as people enjoy the seafood stew that was brought out. "Some bloodshed, at this point, is unavoidable. The ships and soldiers that our High Lord has sent have orders to engage. But that doesn't mean that diplomacy won't be important going forward. The conflict won't likely end without discussion of terms, after all," he tells his cousin. Donella's latest question doesn't elicit an immediate answer from the Duke, however. Instead, he picks up his mug of mead to drink while listening to what others think on the matter.

Iseulet enters looking a little mussed. She is smoothing out her hair and trying to not blush so much. She was failing. "Valdemar are you aware you have a bee hive in your front garden and a curious wolverine trying to.. eat it?" She takes a look and almost downs a glass of mead.

Daria nods at Valdemar, Of course, Thank you Duke, Are you dealing with Abandoned tribes," she questions curiously. "I could see of I could help talk to them if they are even willing to talk," she states. "What scouting efforts have been done," she questions curiously

Sanya looks happy that Iseulet has joined them but then.. oh look something interesting over there she has to look at. "He likes honey..." She says, ever so innocently. But then she finds her soup again, and offers Iseulet some fruit and other finger foods. "It's nice to see you again. Please join us." She looks around, noticing Donella's question is a pointed (and very good one) she quiets and listens in.

"A beehive and a...wolverine?" Valdemar asks incredulously when Iseulet comes in, brow furrowed in confusion. Then Sanya gives an explanation of sorts, and he remarks, "Ah. Well hopefully he does not get stung too badly." He then looks to his protege again. "Marquessa, I'm glad you were able to make it. We were just discussing the rebellion in the Isles, and what we think the root causes of it are," he catches her up as servants begin to collect empty bowls from the stew and replace them with a salad of greens tossed in oil and vinegar.

Taking a seat near Sanya, she composes herself and then helps herself to some of the wild berries and whipped cream. "I do apologize for my tardiness..." she scoots a liytle closer up to the table. "Lovely to see everyone again. And to meet you, your Highness I dont believe we have been properly introduced... I am Marquessa Iseulet and I wont interrupt further." She smiles graciously and nods to Orchid and Daria, "Good afternoon. And Erik it looks like you havent slept in a week are you feeling well?"

Erik looks over to Sanya then to Iseulet "Have you two rehearsed this? I can assure you, I have slept this week. At least I am very much convinced that I did so. I am very well, but thank you for asking. I hope the day found you well too?"

"Damndest things, wolverines, Lady Iseulet. Like badgers, they simply fail to give a shit about the stinging, much as they also fail to care about the crunchiness of bones in their more mobile snacks. Nasty." So why does she sound as though she admires them? Donella sips from her drink. When no answer is forthcoming, she explains herself by sharing, "The Ivanites are not a unified body. While there are some who see themselves as part of a holy war, or defending 'their way of life,' I would estimate that a significant force appear to held between the whirlpool and the rock face. That is to say, they may not support the Dune Emperor or false Dominus, but see defending their kin and honoring their obligations as vassals as a lesser before Limerance. Adding to that, there is much rhetoric bandied about, about 'lander lapdogs' and the ... mmm, how to put it... the feeling that their interests are not represented by those on the mainland. They're Islanders." A short pause, and Donella says further, "We've always fancied ourselves stronger because we are willing to do what is necessary, rather than what is pleasing. As though others would not. The young man I spoke to was absolutely committed to die alongside his kin for the point, rather than to do the truly hard thing and live and change with a bad taste in their mouth. The Abyssals are making weaknesses of our strengths. It doesn't matter to them how many of us die, or for what reason, for whatever the number of dead, we are diminished, while their strength will remain the same."

Sanya nods at Donella. She had wolverines (and badgers) explained down to a science. She lifts her glass and drinks to that. Stinging be damned. However... she had nothing to add to the conversation and instead leaned in and whispered to Iseulet an apology if the wolverine made trouble for her. Yikes.

Courvoisier, a fluffy golden cat with a flat face have been dismissed.

Beelzebubbles, the hairless feline overlord you've been waiting for have been dismissed.

2 Seryn veteran guards have been dismissed.

The Duke listens to what Donella has to say about the rebellion, nodding somewhat when she speaks of the numbers among them who see themselves as trapped between a whirlpool and a rock face. "I was among those, myself, your Highness. When our High Lord informed me what he intended to do, I advised him against it, strongly, warning him it would lead to civil war. And when he would not be dissuaded, I thought long and hard about where I would lead Grimhall as a result. I believed...believe...that he made the wrong choice, one that reflected the wants and needs of the mainland more than those of his own people. I was sorely tempted by defiance, especially since his proclamation went against the principles of self-determination that have governed the Compact for centuries," Valdemar responds to her, ignoring the salad before him for the time being. After a moment, he continues, "But he was also ready to bring in the military might of the rest of the Compact against any who defied him, including the forces of the Faith. Which is ultimately why I chose as I did. Better that some part Grimhall's traditions survive than none of them."

"You are entirely right about the stinging." She reaches behind her and gently rubs her rear end. "Oh that reminds me... Valdemar I have not heard back from Edward regarding ... anything I have written to him about. Have you heard from his recently? Im sorry I dont mean to interrupt. He is in Whitefrost yes? Has communication been severed or has he turned into a hermit?" She leans over and accepts Sanyas apology with a smile. Then to Erik! "Aside from the sting I am wonderful... just... waiting for news from the Isles. Personally I would rather not discuss the root causes. The root cause is Victus... and it is in bad taste to talk about someone behind their backs."

Courvoisier, a fluffy golden cat with a flat face have been dismissed.

Beelzebubbles, the hairless feline overlord you've been waiting for have been dismissed.

2 Seryn veteran guards have been dismissed.

Sanya just going to drink a little bit more heavily when Iseulet decides to be spicy. Look at all those bubbles!

Daria is here eating and jotting down notes and drinking.

Erik tilts a bit to the side in his chair just making sure Iseulet is alright and not stung too much. Just to worry about her health of course. To Iseulet "I see... And no, you are right, there are enough issues already on the table." His attention goes back to Valdemar's explanation and recital of current affairs.

Donella rubs a spot on the bridge of her nose. "I think I left His Grace, as well, caught in a hard place when I left to marry Darren Redrain. And much of this is my fault, actually, though few call me out upon it. They should. Honestly, I cannot say that had I been here, things would have been any different. People ARE spoiling to fight out there. They're forgotten already how it looks when we REALLY get our blood up. The Mourning Sea mourns for a reason..." Home never leaves you, for good or ill. Donnella rolls up her sleeves somewhat, and puts down her cup, away from her. There are no answers in the bottom.

"Sadly, and the choice we face, if we cannot turn things back, may be between killing a few to dissuade the many, in the ugliest way possible... or to fight the long war, and try to do it in such a way that our detractors can come home to the whole of the island peoples, when they are betrayed by their backers. And they will be." A pause. "If I were a smarter woman, I would seek a way to make such people understand that there is no glory or honor in a cause that will end in the destruction of all they would by fighting protect. This is so much bigger than thralldom, or kings, princes. It's all of us. If as a people we fall to this... we will only be the first, before the Dune Emperor comes."

"Perhaps it is time to organize a meeting on this once more. Get all sides together. You are better fighting together then against eachother. Surely there is a diplomaic compromise that can be formulated. I know little of your traditions but I know of abandoning traditions to bend the knee and adopt new ones. As the Duke said better some of your traditions live then all be snuffed out," Daria says, a little shrug of her shoulders then goes back to writing notes, eating and drinking, still listening mainly

"Maybe you could have talked sense into him, if you'd remained. Perhaps. But there is no guarantee of it, and you were doing your duty to Thrax and the Isles when you married Prince Darren. From what I can see, there is nothing to call you out on, your Highness," Valdemar points in out in reply to Donella's claim that people could blame her for what has happened in the Isles. He then drains what is left of the mead in his mug, sliding it to the side so that servants can refill it more easily. He then nods when she speaks of the choice to be made, agreeing with her here, "I'm all for putting the leadership of this rebellion on sea crosses, those who are not slain in battle. We cannot afford a long war, in my opinion. There are other, more dangerous enemies waiting in the wings than one another. Eurus, Cardia, Platinum...and the various Abyssal forces trying to destroy us all. If we are still fighting amongst ourselves when the next one comes, that may well be the end of the Isles, if not the entirety of the Compact." Daria's remarks have the Duke rubbing his bearded chin a moment. "We've tried that. More than once. At this point, bloodshed is necessary, I think, in order to show the rebels that we mean business. Some on our side are a little too eager for that bloodshed, in my opinion, but unfortunately that makes it no less necessary," he reasons.

Sanya clears her throat a little, "I think Thralldom could have been better suited to some extensive reforms. Harsh reforms. I think it has probably been perverted from its original intention. What do we do with our prisoners now? We must kill them. No one in their right mind would exile them by dropping them back off at their island or just turning them loose on the island. And without a way to pay the debts - as is what criminals on the main land do - they must die. The Mourning Isles will become a bloodier place with the loss of Thralldom. Not that I am saying I am an advocate of slavery. I am not. But if I were a criminal I would find it much more merciful to pay my debt to society in this way than meet my death." A pause for her bubbling wine again. "But Victus did make the choice to completely overthrow this tradition, rather than reform it. And, we must deal with the consequences even if we like it or not. And no, Highness, no one is blaming you at all. Do not shoulder the burden all on your own. Thralldom was going to change in one way or another. As is Lagoma's laws."

3 Grimhall House Guards, Corben the Crow arrive, following Ingvar.

Daria keeps eating, writing and drinking. Daria has little to add to the conversation at the moment

"I was raised to lead from behind other people," Donella says. "His Grace is sitting in a chair that I gave up the right to, in order to buy peace. But war was always going to come, and all I could give was time and strong allies. Much of what I did in those last days before my elopement... is behind a curtain of years and words. But today you have the gift of hindsight which is always clearer than what you have in the moment. At the time we began with a plan of reform, though the rest of the Compact, particularly the West, was making noises toward invasion. That would have been a bigger war and though we can reconcile with eachother... we would never have forgiven those that attacked us from outside. I was emboldened by what I had forced them to do with absolute primogeniture. I laid out a plan to do things slowly, but when you take your hand away from the tiller..." she shakes her head. "You never can predict where Mangata's winds will blow." Looking from face to face, she says, "It was going to change, you're right. And we're fighting other influences... as with the Slaver. Where he falls, Ruin rises. In any case... I will do all I can to aid you all in this. I hope you know that. Your traditions will change, what is important to you will change, but I still am an Islander in my heart, and I want you to persist. I want those people to be called back. We are Islands, but not ever truly separate, either from eachother or the main."

Inclining his head at what Sanya says of Thralldom, Valdemar goes on to say, "We were working on reforms when I met with our High Lord to discuss his plan, a week or two before he announced it at the Assembly of Peers. The institution /had/ grown corrupt, but I believe it could be saved. Now, however, it is a moot point. It has been seven years, and those who chose to go along with him, for whatever reason they made that decision, are either thrall-less now, or will be soon. That does mean that Brass needs to pay up, though." Picking up his refilled mug, he takes another long drink from it. "It never occurred to me that you had forgotten where you came from, your Highness, but I appreciate the offer of aid. I'm not too proud to admit that we're likely to need help before all is said and done. It just remains to be seen what form those needs will take," he assures Donella after setting his drink back down, still ignoring the salad on the table in front of him.

Donella murmurs aside, sotto voce, "Someone will be wroth if you don't eat that, eventually, won't they? I know the look, because Darren has put salad under his plate, wrapped it in his napkin, put it under his seat cushion, and down his boot to avoid it before. Also down the back of youngest son's nappies. He says Salad is the Gods and Spirits way of telling the stomach that real food is coming."

"My mother is safely in Grihem's Point. It will probably be a month or more before I have to face her wrath over my diet again," Valdemar responds to Donella after laughing at her description of the lengths her husband has gone to in order to avoid eating vegetables. In spite of his words, he does finally take a few bites from his salad, just before servants begin collecting the dishes to replace them with more seafood: grilled shark along with rice with a butter and lemon sauce. Looking around at the table, he remarks in a somewhat dry tone, "Now you all know what I've been busy with, mostly, and why. What has been keeping you awake so much lately, Cousin? Other than the search for a bride, it seems?" The questions are posed to Erik before the Duke begins cutting into his food.

Daria perks up at the mention of seeking a bride and says, "Well I have never scouted for a bride but I did rescue a Lost Lord once so perhaps I can find a Bride. What are the requirements?" Daria seems ready to sketch/write the reply

Erik toasts to Valdemar with his drink. "That was a mighty well done summary, Cousin. And the search for a bride is something that will surely require a whole lot more study and comparative research." He looks over at Daria, twitching in amusement, not entirely sure if she is teasing or taking this seriously. "Now, there should be a variety of selections, you know for scientific comparison." he manages to say straight faced "Why don't you include a cute redhead in leathers in your search." He winks once to his sister playing. But he turns to Valemar once again. "Why does everyone think I am not sleeping enough? You realize that the day has 24 hours, and in case that is not enough, there is always the night I an take in addition to it!" he shakes his head "But on a more serious tone, I admit I spend too much time in books, and it was research that kept me busy."

Sanya finishes her stew and looks between Erik and Daria, raising her brows. She moves to take more fruit from the middle of the table and get a refill of bubbling wine. "Do you require a fidelity clause, Erik?"

Donella suggests gently, "If I may? Look for respect. Find someone you can genuinely like, and respect, and who can like and respect you back. Duty should never wed two people who cannot stand one another. Minds dull, beauty fades, riches are won and lost, and names are sullied. All cats are gray in the dark, and in twenty years your beautiful unicorn will be a deranged cow. So find a person you don't mind being around."

Sanya is overheard praising Donella.

"I mean does she -have- to be wearing leathers, oddly specific request when the rest is just surprise me," Daria replies in question, jotting notes down. "Don't nobles need to marry other nobles and such? Also are they marrying into the house or is he marrying out," she questions. "No wonder he can't find a bride, I could blindfold him and you guys just do the marriage ceremony and he gets stuck with whomever it is you choose," Daria offers. "Might also require lots of booze," she adds.

"I was only following your sister's cues, Cousin. I figure she knows you better than I do, and if she thinks you've been missing sleep..." Valdemar's voice trails off here as he takes a few bites of food. Listening to the further talk about his search for a bride, the Duke comments, "I'm afraid I have little advice for you, myself. Father chose every courtship I engaged in, including the last one. I'm just relieved that he chose so well."

Donella says, "The leathers DO come off, dear..."

Sanya might regret this in about twenty seconds but she leans over and whispers to Erik with a big smile. Then, to Daria. "Yes, she must be noble. In or out.. well isn't that decided in the negotiation?" She nods to Daria. "A solid plan. Lets go find a Lady and a barrel of rum."

Erik looks over to his sister and grins at Sanya "Spoilsport." with a more serious tone he replies to Donella however "I would say that if it happens, it happens. And if anything such a relationship should start with a sound friendship beneath as foundation. And I realize that Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, and Summers lease hath all too short a date. Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, and often is his gold complexion dimmed. And when every fair from fair sometime declines, by chance or nature's changing course .. untrimmed. It is that eternal summer of respect that shall not fade, nor lose complexion of that fair it's owt."

Erik looks over to Valdemar "I think there must be something about the words Bride and Marriage that sends womenfolk into a flutter, i think it is only prudent to change the topic of discussion, or I will have to jump on the first ship that rings me to the down the Saffron Chain for a long and very extensive search for the Isle of Echoes."

Erik looks over to Valdemar "I think there must be something about the words Bride and Marriage that sends womenfolk into a flutter, i think it is only prudent to change the topic of discussion, or I will have to jump on the first ship that brings me down to the Saffron Chain for a long and very extensive search for the Isle of Echoes."

Daria snickers lightly and questions, "So whom here likes hunting?" pause a beat. "I mean the traditional for a deer or bunny or other animal...no brides," she clarifies.

Sanya isn't in a flutter. Yet. She's almost there. "We like receptions and pretty dresses?" She lets the topic drop but she still has a big smile on her sunny face. "Or... Valdemar, Iseulet said something about Edward earlier." Maybe the Marquessa went to 'powder her nose' or something, but Sanya was still curious.

Donella squints a bit. Eyes the cup in front of Erik, and then in front of herself suspiciously, with a glance also toward the host as though to ask what he's putting in the booze to make Thrax men speak in verse about love, and not love of a boat, or a quick shag behind a shed. "I'll note for the record that none of the frocks here waxed poetical. You started that." A pause, and she says, "I wouldn't give up your day job to become a bard, though."

To Daria, she laughs, and says, "Captain, they are only the most dangerous game. You think boar is rough? Brides have been known to take an attendant's face off. I know! My cousin was a queen, and we all would have cheerfully gotten a little something Lycene for her cup on the day of."

Valdemar responds to Erik, "It only tends to happen when you're /unmarried/ and the topic comes up." He enjoys a few more bites of shark. "I enjoy hunting, mostly for boar. I'm not a good enough shot with a bow for deer or small game," he answers Daria before turning his attention to Sanya's question, telling her, "Baron Stormbreak? I've heard nothing from him in...months? Whitefrost's taxes still come in on time, but I've had no other communication from him." He then raises a brow at what Donella says of hunting brides and adds, "Again, I'm relieved I did not have to hunt my own."

"Just a little something I have read about. I need to work on my presentation", Erik concedes to Donella. to the topic of hunting "In the hunt I do, the trees around me are very much dead and just as tin as a leaf and about this big." he holds up the size of a book page. "But I do enjoy game and appreciate watching a skilled hunter find their prey. Sadly my skill with the bow is also not something to write home about, especially not after I have seen what true skill can do during the latest tournament." He nods at Valdemar's words "Maybe there is truth in that, but for the time being, I do not wish to think about it too much, or give even more base for rumors regarding my future."

"Usually for very dangerous game, one must setup an elaborate trap I find," Daria muses. "I do alright with a bow," she claims. "So many options depending the prey you hunt," she adds. "Would rate Lord Erik as a most desirable Bachlor, could place an add," she suggests. "At least gives you options or interested Single, noble women," she suggets. "I would not suggets using a bow though," she adds

Sanya smiles. "I am hoping Iosif joins me here soon. I have asked him if he would join me. I hope he's taking the offer to heart. He's never been to Arx for any great length of time. I'm glad someone found a husband for me. I'm not sure if it was you or Vanora, exactly, but... I am happy with him." She pauses to taste the shark too. "His parents have joined your mother in Grihem's Point, Valdemar, and I hear they get along very well... But someone should check on Baron Stormbreak."

Erik brings his hand up to his face, hiding a groan. "The ship to the Isle of Echoes. Very tempting."

"That is an option, your Highness. I've seen ads before looking for a match, but I'm not sure what ever came of them," Valdemar tells Donella, giving Erik a sidelong glance when he mentions looking for the Isle of Echoes again. Sanya's talk of her own match elicits an answer from him, "Vanora did, after we saw how you got on with him when he came to visit us at Grihem's Point for that concert. I mentioned that maybe an alliance with Helianthus might be a way to prevent the troubles the Isles are facing now, and she said perhaps a marriage between our houses might do the trick. Sadly, it did not work, but at least something good came of it."

3 Last Watch Sentries have been dismissed.

2 Redrain Guards have been dismissed.

Old Nan, a mostly harmless old woman have been dismissed.

"I would still find you," Daria teases Erik. "Only once you go missing for three days," she adds. "So gives you a good head start," she muses. "Though I can not be blamed for his condition once I bring him back home," she states. "In the terms of the contract," she adds

Erik drinks deeply from his glass then requests a refill, one more drinking that down. He is working on getting a good nights sleep. or at least a heavy one without dreams. or nightmares. of Brides. ....