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Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear



A brave boast followed the end of the history, storytelling, and the regaling. The enemies were downsaid and the enemies of the crown threatened still. The woman felt very strongly about her organization, her republic.

It was an interesting speech, such words, such emotion that seemed on the border of ire, wrath, and malcontent. How interesting a reaction for a kingdom that followed a being of shadow.

The dragon turned his attention to the window, to the world beyond, and to the view that could be taken in from this vantage point. There was much here. From what he could tell, the councilwoman saw her enemies broken on the grounds below. It told him a great deal about her perspective, her orientation, her focus. Her pride still did come from power. In conquering.

"There is a great amount of history in these walls." He reflected. "You speak as though you anticipate more battles."



Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safe

Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear



The dragon's right eyebrow slowly lifted. What an interesting, if strange, thing to first say. The next statement made more sense, and if he allowed a moment to puzzle, he could translate her meaning.

Even so, it offered another question that made him begin to wonder and puzzle. "And if the republic is accepted? What will that look like?"

His head angled to the side and he patiently waited her answer.



Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safe

Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear



These things didn't sound mutually exclusive to Lord Xerseis, but he wasn't going to voice these thoughts, as they probably wouldn't have helped explain the situation much at all. Besides, she had her beliefs because she lived them. His opinion was forged, similarly, by his life.

"Do your enemies often send private troops?" Even to his ears this sounded like a rare occurrence. He was concerned, also, that her attribution to all the avoidance of others and the attacks on her nation were linked, somehow, to a unifying fearsome conspiracy. He couldn't be sure, though, unless he heard more.

"But of course, it is a new year. I hear that people change."



Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safe

Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear



The dragon lifted his eyebrow, somewhat intrigued, but there wasn't much for him to say to this opinion. He found himself believing otherwise, but that was thanks to his experience. The letter came, and because it wasn't for him, he respectfully turned his gaze away. However, she was polite enough to alert him to the news.

Another member of the Drosselmeyer family executed by its head? A sneer twitched on his upper lip but just as soon faded away, gone and without evidence of his having felt the intense loathing that he did. Unfortunately, this news did not come as a surprise. "Yes, a pity..."

He cleared his throat, his face once against calm and collected, and looked to the face of his hostess. "Does it say which of the children were executed?"



Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safe

Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear



The dragon had little to say on that regard. There was plenty of infighting among nobility, especially those who expected to receive a title. Families were not safe for children of the crown, regardless of the crown. However, what disgusted the dragon wasn't something he wished to discuss in the open air. He held his ground at the councilwoman's sudden yelling, but he had a feeling that she was right. It would definitely be cold tonight. And as he doubted there would be many carriages, he decided to rest his wings here, to take advantage of the hospitality of the dark phoenix.

He turned from the windows and adjusted the coat that never left his shoulders. "If you would be so kind, yes, I think I will stay the night here."

He turned his eyes and studied the woman. She must have been aware of her appearance under candlelight. But then again, who was he to presume anything? It was for the best that he still had his guidelines as far as bed partners, consorts, and potential wives were concerned.

"Do you suspect the storm will last long?"



Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safe

Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear



Ah, so even the infamous secret passages of Castle Bellris had their roots in reality. He chuckled at the thought and decided to wait out the weather. He could learn a lot by resting here, he imagined. The room that he was shown to looked comfortable. He was quite surprised that he wasn't relegated to the care and direction of a maid who could lead him about the estate. Nevertheless, shown to a room that looked secure, and that she assured was secure, was an experience nonetheless.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Bellris." He moved his heels together and bowed at the waist, in this way showing his gratitude in a dignified manner. He moved into the room and drifted to the fireplace. While there, he faced the flames and removed his coat, soon draping it over a chair.

"I imagine breakfast will be served in the kitchen?" He glanced over his shoulder, his silhouette cast in shadow, and his eyes seeming to gleam in the light of the flame. How they seemed to the eye of the outsider that he stood as though his soul was a molten core, that they radiated through is eyes like gold at the forge.



Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safe

Hysteria wasn't exactly in a panic but she was in no way relaxed. She was writing like a mad woman, the phoenix feather quill flicking back and forth as she wrote out her sixth letter in under an hour, her hands hurt and her fingers were starting to turn black from the ink. Finally she added her signature and put down the quill and looked at it for a moment, the black plumage with its red tips. It had been one of her primary feathers, she had personally ripped it out with her beak the day she cut ties with the Empire, she had changed back and carved the tip herself. It was strong enough to use for the clay tablets she preferred and delicate enough for the paper.

Breathing out a sigh, Hysteria would fold the paper and pour some red wax on it, stamping it lightly with a intricate Phoenix. She would then lean back and close her eyes. She had at least a dozen more letters to write. The sound of a door opening caused her eyes to open and she looked over as her son waddled into the room, he was getting the hang of walking quite well, though he still had to hold out his arms for balance. Hysteria would smile at the boy and she would reach out to pick him up, putting him on her lap and playing with his nose slightly, getting little giggles from little Kyran. Then the student walked in and Hysteria smiled softly "Thank you for watching him for me, is he being to much trouble?" she asked and the student smiled and shook her head "Good, if he's causing you to much strife bring him to me" she said to her as she lifted up her boy "Be nice for miss Sylva" she whispered as she handed the boy back "Byeee mah-mah" the boy said and Hysteria smiled, wiggling her inky fingers at him as the woman took him away. Hysteria sighed again, she hadn't heard anything about her daughter yet and she hated not being able to take care of her herself, but with this trouble caused by the storm she had needed some assistance. She had complaints and requests for assistance coming from all over the republic, most of the council couldn't even make it in to help with the mess that the cold and brought with it. "Next please" she said to a person helping her bring in people that came with larger issues that needed tending to. The next one would be brought in as Hysteria glanced down at a letter sent to her just before the storm had hit.

Hysteria was about to pick up her quill again and write another letter when she saw a familiar woman walking into the room and she paused her hand and brought it back "Baroness Youkimi" she said to her with a slight surprise in her voice, she had come across her name as she rose to prominence "I'm surprised to see you here of all places" she said leaned back in her seat and gestured to a chair a little farther down the table.


Hysteria's eyes would go to the Baroness again "what brings you to Bellris? I thought our communications were going to stick to the written word for....safety purposes of both parties"