Icelokk

The Counsel

It was a windy yet somewhat sunny day in Icelokk. The locals were a tad bit confused by the nicer weather, which was unusual to them. It was still very cloudy and bitter cold but sun rays burst through the dull gray clouds intermittently, as if trying hard to break through.

Maeve put on her turquoise robe that Agatha had made especially for her. Agatha had an innate fondness of creatures of the Wild. It went down to her wrists and ended in a tight form-fitting sleeve, with elegant wrist guards. It was thigh length long, shaped like a tunic, with bright green leaves and blue lotus flowers sewn on the bottom hem. She wore it with soft brown leggings and boots. She grabbed her bright mossy green cloak and clasped it over her shoulders with a leaf shaped pin. It kept her very warm in the frosty winds. It had a hood that she could lift to cover her head from the bitter cold gusts of wind.

She grabbed some Lignum Aloe and tucked it into her brown leather pouch. She had decided it would be a nice gift for Sebastien. It was a rare wood from Grun that smelled of earthy musky wood with hints of fruity nectar. It would make for a wonderful incense in the Temple.

She also tucked a sketchbook and pencil into her satchel. It had botanical sketches of her favorite flowers, with schematics on what she wanted her Shrine to look like eventually. She watered her plants for a bit while she waited for Agatha to arrive. She was escorting Maeve to the Dining Hall. Agatha soon knocked on the door and the two left the greenhouse, leaving the warm glittery sanctuary behind them.

Maeve was very nervous around so many strange Mannar. They seemed cold shouldered and stoic. She felt unwelcome and intrusive as she walked slowly through the castle passages. No one would look her in the eye as she passed by. Agatha smiled warmly at Maeve as they walked into the Dining Hall.

"Come sit down next to me Maeve." She said.

The Sylven approached the table slowly, and sat in a chair next to Agatha.

"Are you alright?" She asked, concerned.

"Yes." Maeve answered quietly. "There's so many strange people in this castle."

Agatha patted Maeve's hand. "It'll get easier as time goes by. You suffered in the dark for far too long, tortured by enemies."

Maeve could remember the pain she suffered at the hands of the Myrks. They had poked her with sharp sticks and cut her skin. They had fed her rotten berries and Corrupted Nectar. It had been cold lying in a stone tomb with no room to move her body. She had languished being away from the light of the sun, the source of her energy and power. She had begun to forget her own name and was transforming into a Shade. She could remember the feeling of her mind slipping away as her spirit was being replaced with Darkness.

She couldn't remember her rescue or who released her from that stony dark abyss. She had woken up in a covered caravan being pulled by large Stags. A sunbeam had fallen on her face, the first light she had seen in a long time. She was extremely weakened and covered in soft fur blankets. Beside her sat an old woman with one blind eye. She poured cool water onto Maeve's lips. Maeve spent the rest of the time coming in and out of consciousness, until she met Agatha. Agatha restored Maeve's strength with Nectar and healing herbs from her stillroom.

"I'm getting better. It’s hard not being able to see the sun." Maeve said forlorn. "Thank you for all you have done for me. You've been very kind and generous." Maeve smiled dimly at Agatha.

Sebastien added, "Agatha has always been fond of Wild creatures. She can speak to animals you know." He sat amused.

Agatha commented, "You can too. I believe you talk to birds all the time."

Sebastien nodded. "They bring me news from the other provinces faster than any courier."

The Sylven smiled, she asked excitedly, "You can speak to birds?"

Sebastien smiled, which shocked Agatha. She kept quiet as he explained.

"I've always been close to nature. Closer to nature than I am to the Mannar…" his words drifted off and he became quiet and pensive.

The Counsel gathered quietly, sitting in chairs around the table. A large woman with gray hair and stained grey apron sat beside a handsome blonde man, smirking while talking to the white haired gentleman in a dark purple robe. A crowd of servants burst through the door.

"Lord Sebastien of the Hibernal Bastion, the Countess of Hearthfire Village is here and requests to join your counsel." The servant was bright red from running to bring this news to the King.

Sebastien glanced over at Agatha coldly. She responded indignantly, "Don't look at me like that! I sent that rejection letter to her, albeit with some minor alterations…"

Sebastien huffed. "Well I suppose she may join the counsel since she's here regardless. Bring her in."

The Countess entered the Banquet hall in a dark burgundy velvet dress, with gold thread trim. She was a short stout woman, often mistaken for a witch. She had dark curly hair that she kept in a tight bun and wore a severe look on her face, as if constantly offended by everything. Her daughter, Calliope, was short also but thin and elegant. She spent a lot of time gossiping and drinking tea. She was extremely beautiful but this was deceptive. She was worse than her mother for she had a spiteful attitude. She was a selfish spoiled brat and thick skulled like a boulder. Conversation with her felt like being poisoned. She wore a lacy light blue dress that complemented her rosy complexion. She tried fruitlessly to seduce Sebastien with her feminine charm (and plentiful cleavage) but he couldn't stand her haughty demeanor and her dreadful voice that sounded like a screeching chicken.

The two sat huffily at the table.

"I should be deeply offended for not being invited to your counsel, but alas, I know you're a busy King and forgot to send an invitation." The Countess, Valeria, smiled at Sebastien warmly.

Balthazaar stood up and bowed to the Countess. “My apologies Countess, I’m the one that forgot to send an invitation. I’ve been busy with the Green Glaive’s arrival. Forgive me”

Balthazar stood upright with his chest held high, his impressive physique on display for the women.

The Countess looked pleased. “No offense taken Court Poet, you may be seated.” She responded.

Sebastien stood then and said, “Thank you Balthazar, without your eloquence this kingdom wouldn’t have the allies it needs to thrive. You shall be rewarded with your usual compensation.”

Balthazar nodded respectfully and responded with appreciation.

Maeve looked over at Balthazar and their eyes met. She blushed as he smiled at her. Agatha noted this and gave Balthazar a piercing glare. He met her eyes with his usual charming smile.

Sebastien began the Counsel with the usual courtesies, acknowledging all those who were present, noting the ones that weren’t. Then each person took a turn to stand and explain to the Counsel what problems they had and what supplies were needed. The large woman in a stained gray apron stood and explained, “Me Lord, the kitchen is in need of more milkmaids to help with cooking. I can’t do it all on me own.” she chuckled nervously.

Sebastien nodded and told the court scribe to note that more help is needed in the kitchen. The kitchen Mistress also noted what supplies were needed to restock the pantry. This was noted by the court scribe.

Next Agatha stood. “My Lord, we request a shipment of seeds and live plants be brought to Maeve for the gardens of healing. Those are the plants she knows best. And with the winter settling in, we will need plenty of healing plants for the fevers and coughs the cold winds bring. Maeve blushed and seemed to melt lower into her chair. Calliope and Valeria glared at Maeve. “We haven’t been introduced to your new… concubine?” said the Countess.

Agatha flared up in anger but kept cool. She knew how inflammatory Valeria could be. It was the reason they didn’t invite her to meetings unless they absolutely needed to. Agatha looked over at Sebastien. He looked furious. But his voice was calm.

Sebastien responded, “She’s not my ‘concubine’. She’s a Sylvan from Grun. She was captured by the Myrks and tortured. She won’t be able to return home so I’ve employed her here as a healer. She knows the Greencraft.”

Valeria scoffed, “Some peasant taken in off the road and given a place of honor among our counsel? She’s probably a spy!”

Maeve looked wounded. She felt her heart begin to flutter. She felt a strong urge to flee. She couldn’t understand why they were so bitter towards her when they barely knew her. Agatha held her hand under the table for support.

Balthazar stood, “My Lady, we spoke with the Green Glaive thoroughly of her origins and status. She’s no vagabond, she’s a prisoner of war. She held a high status in the Sylvan community as a healer and wise in the ways of Greencraft. So you will not disrespect her again in the counsel or you will be asked to leave.” Balthazar looked brazenly at Valeria and Calliope.

Valeria relented, to the surprise of all that were present. “I apologize to the counsel for my words.” She looked at Maeve with further suspicion nonetheless.

Calliope spoke, her voice like a fork scratched on a dinner plate, “I request an audience with Maeve, when the crescent moon shines. I invite her to the royal tea ceremony.”

Maeve looked hopeful and smiled at Calliope, thinking this was the beginning of friendship. But Calliope returned her gaze with a spiteful glare.

Balthazaar said, "I think that's a splendid idea! Calliope could learn of Greencraft from Maeve and Maeve can learn more about the culture and customs of Icelokk." Balthazaar smiled at Calliope with approval while Maeve looked pleadingly at Agatha.

Agatha spoke, "I will escort Maeve to the Countess."

Countess Valeria smiled. "That would be lovely."

Sebastien concluded with the Counsel and as the Countess was departing, she spoke to him, "Did you receive my letter?"

Sebastien responded, "Yes, we sent an reply. Did you not receive it?"

Valeria frowned, "Yes but I'm not sure it was your true reply."

Sebastien gazed coldly at her, "I do not wish to Court your daughter Calliope. Does that satisfy your curiosity?" He smirked as he watched Valeria begin to fume.

"I see why you have Balthazaar handle your affairs, you brute!"

With that, Valeria and Calliope left for Hearthfire.

Agatha frowned at Sebastien as she approached him, Maeve shyly following behind. "Did you say something to upset Valeria?"

Sebastien answered, with a smirk, "No, I only spoke the truth."

Agatha looked at Maeve, "Nothing good will come of this."