Dreamed Into Life

[Illianna]

I take each one in stride. Watching every movement. He's older now. Not as much of a fighter his stories are old and he knows he's aging. He wants a legacy. But he has no one to make one with.

"Astounding, truely amazing! I say after he's finished his latest tail. I could sit here all night listening to your stories but I'm afraid we do have work to attend to.... Ikebrounder, castle refuses to recognize my marriage to a women. And to be frank they would refuse even if I had wed a man, they don't see you as people, they see you as little more than pests. Their existence is an insult to our way of life. Removing my father from the throne would make my spouse the ruler of castle. And that would give us access to not only healthy forests for ship making and farm land but iron mines.  Bringing castle under our control would give us all the power we need to drive off the Russ once and fir all. And with your support the council will have to agree. I know it's a lot to ask but think! Think of the legacy that would leave you! Think of the lands you could control if you help me." I poor him yet another glass of meed and smile sweetly "it would change your life if you did."

[GamesMaster]

"Change my life," he muses, swirling his third glass of drink. "Do you know, I am getting on in my years. If only I had a fine, strapping son to bear the family name. Is that something you can arrange, do you think?" 

[Illianna]

"I'm sure of it. Castle is known for it's beautiful women and their tendency to have sons." I smile coyly

[GamesMaster]

He chuckles. "A strong son, of noble.. bearing," he says, coyly. "Yes, I think that would do. And in return... well. Sometimes power needs to be overthrown for the good of a nation. For the good of everyone, really. If a weak leader were to have an... accident... and a strong leader were to replace them... it might be best for all of us."

[Illianna]

"It would be best for all of us. Battlefields are chaotic places anything can happen.... Tell me Castilian women are known for their fair hair but two rivers tend to prefer darker tresses will a porcelain bride be acceptable to you?" I ask unsure and worried for a brief moment "I wouldn't want to burden you with a wife you find unattractive"

[GamesMaster]

"My dear," he says, in a lower, more rumbling purr. "Do you not realize how much you have influenced the fashion of the court? Why, it is quite fashionable now to have a lighter, more fair wife, with the luxury of soft hands."

[Illianna]

I dab my face with my napkin to hid the pink in my cheeks. "You flatter me sir."  I smile placing the cloth back on the table. "Will you give me your aid sir Iekbrounder? I do ever so need it."

[GamesMaster]

"Of course, child. Of course." He smiles, covering her dainty, soft hand with his own larger, rougher one. "You need only ask."

[Illianna]

"Thank you. Our algance will bring two rivers to a beautiful futer." I say roundly netting his eyes only for a second before lowering and tilting my head ever so slightly in submission as is custom when speaking to knights as a non fighter.

[GamesMaster]

She agrees, then. When I have deposed Ravna, and she has met an untimely end, she will be my bride and bear me strong sons. "Let us drink to our mutual understanding," he says, raising his cup. 

[Illianna]

I rasp my glass in toast. All I have to done when my father is dead is give him a lady from his court as a bride this was easier than I had thought! "To the fall of castle" I say beaming.

[GamesMaster]

"To the fall of Castile." 

[GamesMaster]

Two days later, the Ambassador returns, one of his guards having one fewer leg, and the other missing entirely. But he returns, and heads straight for Illiana's receiving hall, also known as the weaving and sewing room. 

[Illianna]

"Give me your report please" I say looking up from my spinning only for an instance my ladies not even bothering to look up.

[GamesMaster]

"We survived your father's ambush," he says, his voice creaking. "I was evacuated successfully. Your father says, ah... he will not recognize your marriage."