Dreamed Into Life

[Illianna]

"Oh." I try not to sound disappointed a slave isn't really what I was hoping for. I had hoped for a broach or a book but I take a breath and try to be great full "thank you mistress" I say meekly

[Ravna]

"I hear you've been enjoying Arthur. Nathaniel is a hundred times more skilled."

[Illianna]

"I don't doubt his skills mistress I'm just not interested in men." I say flushing "if I'm being quite honest I'd rather a book than another man in my bed. I don't mean to be ungrateful mistress and I'm glad you thought to give me something you yourself enjoy."

[Ravna]

"You'll enjoy Nathaniel," she says with a grin. "Trust me."

[Illianna]

I nod returning to my stew. "Has Calestia responded to out union?"

[Ravna]

Her smile fades. "no. I haven't had the time to inform them. I thought perhaps your Arielle could be sent to them. Her ransom has been paid."

[Illianna]

"You should have her bring the marriage sheet so they know we are tied in the eyes of god and law. It will give you more sway over them, though they may insist that we have a witness to our cupping to trove the marriage legal before you receive my dowry. You also will need to send a gift, a saints picture or a small trinket will do. You should send it to lady Katherine Blackwood and not my father or his whore, it will drive the point home that you are above him and think little of him. My mother likes rosaries if you can't find a subtitle saints picture to send. If he refuses to accept the wedding you'll need to call a court of Saint Adelaide Saint of unions and treaties and what is a marriage like hours but a treaty. He won't go ages not the saints, he's spent to long playing a godly man to oppose you like that..... have you attacked Mathis yet? There's no iron there and it holds the ministries it's and easy target. If he refuses to yeild you should start there and then push inward."

[Ravna]

Ravna laughs. "I will do none of that. They will accept it. What else can they do? I will take your dowry out of their mines directly."

[Illianna]

"Castillia could be a useful alliance to have. We may not be strong in military but our diplomatic skills are legendary. We have ties to the red kingdom to your north. Should my father not except the union- which he won't do with out following the protocol- you'll find the red army on your doorstep. Especially because prince derik was ment to take your place. You're very skilled with a sword, but I'm skilled with my toung let me prove it to you."

[Ravna]

"I have no need of your services, little idiot," she says, and the term is almost fond. "You just lie back and focus on the baby."

[Illianna]

"I'm board mistress let me be useful! I've spent my life praying locked in toward and I'm bard! At least if I'm to be stuck here grant me a tauter so I might learn enough to teach our children something, I just want to be useful!" I plead staring into her gold eyes

[Ravna]

"Do you embroider?"

[Illianna]

"No, I weave though"

[Ravna]

"I will have a loom brought. At least you can be useful then."

[Illianna]

"Thank you mistress. Will you come visit again?" I ask noticing her bowl empty and not wanting to watch her leave