An Affront to Tradition|Aegestrom, Maelstrom

[Kender Bard]

Lya stifled a yawn as she looked over the court. She missed being able to excuse herself from attending these things but she was well enough to sit at her husband's side now and so she did. She couldn't keep her mind off of Dami, however, and for the most part she sat with a contented smile and a far-off gaze.

After the petitioner who had been speaking left, whispers started up as Lord Yellowcrest abruptly stepped forward and bowed before the monarchs. "Your Majesties," he stated. "If I may speak."

[Northen Light36]

Shadow's mind was more on his children then it was on the court as well, but Lord Yellowcrest stepping forward grabbed his attention... and unnerved him a little at the same time. The Lord had always been reasonably unnoticeable at court and Shadow couldn't think of a good reason for that to be changing now.

"You may," Shadow replied, hoping his suspicion would be proven wrong.

[Kender Bard]

Yellowcrest turned slightly so he faced the court a little as well as the royal couple. "I have, throughout my entire life, thought of myself as a man loyal to the crown," he began.

Lya thought that was a very ominous opening and her stomach fluttered with anxiety.

"My forefathers served Maelstrom honorably and well and when the House passed on to me I did all in my power to ensure its continued history," Yellowcrest went on. "In the past decade, this has not been easy. The abolition of slavery very nearly brought my family to its knees, but we obeyed and we survived it. The alliance between Maelstrom and Talen'sul was a thing of radical new change, but I said to myself, 'Blaine, some things need to change, by the Forces, and if Lord Brightmore in all his wisdom, wisdom gained through knowledge passed from father to son through the ages from the early years of the Storms' rise to greatness, then I will bow my head to that and acquiesce for surely he has only Maelstrom's best interests at heart.'"

"And so it came to pass that we became Caelium and I put my trust and faith in the crown that this would prove to be a good thing. After all, Lord Brightmore had surely thought of Maelstrom's well-being, and that it was a romantic pairing as much as a political one was no terrible thing." He paused very briefly at that before moving on.

"And when we thought our King dead, I wept bitter tears for the loss of a man from such great lineage. When Melissan, the usurper, came, I smiled falsely and bowed my head to protect my House as so many of us did and none can blame us for he was a madman and we had our families to think of. I still taste bile when I think of it. But when the great divide of Maelstrom and Ekaitz occurred and Melissan was driven out, I rejoiced and stood proudly with Caelium's colors adorning my manse. I would not move against the Brightmores, no ladies and gentlemen, for House Yellowcrest has always bent their knee to the proper Storm Lords. We have always been repaid for this, as well, with prosperity and honor. The Lord of Storms has always looked after his people well."

"So it is with... great puzzlement I heard that you signed a law, my lord, proclaiming that your firstborn daughter would remain heir to the throne even in the event of the birth of a son which, to great fortune for all, has occurred. I am afraid I can see no benefit to your people for doing this, indeed, only harm. Our traditions, which have guided us well and we have held close to our hearts, have been shaken up and turned on its head. For the better, I may add, but we trueborn natives of Maelstrom are still reeling from the effects of the most recent changes. Traditions which still hold true have been touchstones for us. I imagine it is true in Talen'sul as well, where inquiries have proven to me that the firstborn son would have become the Lord of Winds in the past as well, not unlike Maelstrom. And, yet, this expectation has been taken from us and I must ask, on my behalf and upon those gathered who must be wondering the same thing... Why is this necessary? Princess Luminous is by all accounts a charming child, but a woman's strength lies best in her ability to create prosperous and advantageous marriages as even our most noble Queen has shown us firsthand. With a son to rule, you would be free to give your daughter's hand to a proper suitor and Maelstrom would be duly blessed with a proper trained King and a potential alliance of power through marriage of the princess."

"I can personally see no reason for Princess Luminous to take the throne except... I hesitate to say but must... Except for personal desire and to no benefit of Caelium or her people..."

[Northen Light36]

Shadow's first thought was an uncharitable, I'm sure there is a great deal to the world that you neither see nor understand followed by a sarcastic Perhaps it was my lord Soahc who appeared before me in a blaze of light to proclaim that Luminious should rule.

Thankfully, Flash had stepped forward in the second of silence that followed Lord Yellowcrest's speech. "A fine speech you've made, Lord Yellowcrest. And with some good points included as well. I particularly like your acknowledgement of our King's wisdom." Flash paused, then added, "You would be wise to consider that same wisdom in light of this ruling."

"Thank you, Lord Calder. That will do," Shadow said quietly, calm again now. He looked at Lord Yellowcrest and frowned slightly. "Tell me, Lord Yellowcrest, would you be speaking in my halls today had my daughter remained an only child?"

[Kender Bard]

"Of course not," Yellowcrest replied, his tone civil. "After all, she would have been the only heir and it would have been a great shame. Thank Efil for blessing you with a proper son."

[Northen Light36]

"And yet, she would have been Queen," Shadow replied, his tone completely bland. "And you would have been as loyal to her as you are to myself and my wife. Therefore I see little that has changed for you, Lord Yellowcrest." Now his tone grew cold. "And, before you voice another of what I assume are, naturally, entirely unintended insults, please be so kind as to remember that Mother Cascata is a dear friend of mine, as is Honoured Leader Ann, and both are women who rule their lands well. Mother Cascata has ruled Ronduin for as long as I have ruled Maelstrom in fact."

Flash suppressed a brief wince at the mention of Ann. Hope that doesn't get old rumors stirred up. Might have been wiser to leave your 'niece' entirely out of this, Shadow.

[Kender Bard]

"No one is implying that a woman is incapable of leading," Yellowcrest replied smoothly. "And it is my regret that you have chosen to take away such a meaning from my words. Indeed, both women you speak of have done a fine job of ruling the the lands that have been thrust into their care due to a lack of male heir being born to their parents. I'm afraid I am unsure of what the traditions of inheritance are in both Ronduin and Naurorod, though I must gently insist that such a point is irrelevant, my lord, for we are discussing the traditions and future of Caelium and by both Maelstrom and Talen'sul tradition, as I have said already, a male heir would take the throne."

"Lord Calder is correct in saying that I should trust your judgment, my lord, though I profess that I would rather not do so blindly when my mind and heart are so troubled. I would be pleased if you would graciously explain to me what benefit there is to the Caelium people in keeping your daughter heir to the throne so that I might rest at ease knowing that your decision was not a selfish one." He smiled, a wolfish expression, but the word 'selfish' had come out a bit sharp. "Nothing would pain me more than to carry on with that doubt in my mind. I would not be able to properly serve."

[Northen Light36]

"Princess Luminious has been trained to rule, Lord Yellowcrest," Shadow replied. "And is far closer to an age when she could be considered capable of ruling - with the careful guidance and advice of her regent - should, forces forbid, something happen to Lya or I - neither of who, I admit, are as young as we once were. Prince Dami, however, is just an infant, and will not be able to begin even the most basic of lessons for some years to come. It seems the height of foolishness to me, with the benefit of my years as both Heir and Ruler, to abandon the already quite capable Heir this Kingdom already has for a child not yet even able to speak."

Shadow paused to let that sink in, then added lightly, "Of course, I have no doubt that, should my children grow to adulthood and find that Dami, despite his younger years, is more suited for the rulership, Luminious would be willing to step aside for her brother. Our family, naturally, wants only the best for our Kingdom and as of the current time, I believe my daughter to be the wiser choice of Heir."

[Kender Bard]

"It would be a great sorrow if you were to fall and your queen, if unlikely considering the state of peace and the fine healers at your command--perhaps better than we realize considering your friendship with Ronduin," Yellowcrest commented lightly. "That being said, I would be shocked and grieved if you both were to, Forces forbid, die within the next two decades... at the end of which time your son would likely be more than prepared to take the throne should you begin his schooling at the age you did your daughter." Yellowcrest made a soft 'hum' sound. "Well you've spoken your reason and MY mind is at ease. I can only hope the many people gathered here today are as satisfied with your answer as I am, Majesty. Thank you kindly for clearing that up for me." Bowing, he began to retreat a backwards step at a time back into the rest of the gathered people.

[Northen Light36]

What wouldn't be a great sorrow is if an assassin's dagger just happened to find your throat one night, Flash thought.

~Kit says, tsk tsk Flash. You're starting to sound like a guild member again. Don't want to lose that noble polish.~ Flash tensed just a fraction and glanced casually over the faces in the court. He wasn't too surprised not to see her though. ~You can think what you want and I'll relay it to her and do the same for you,~ the mind added.

Even if my thoughts say, out of my head? Flash shoot back, keeping his amusement off his face as the audience continued. He watched Yellowcrest coldly and thought, You wouldn't like to go snooping in his head, would you?

~Even if, but we haven't had one of our chats in ages, Flash. Not since you saw Talon home for me. And... no. My poor companion would be washing the slime off for a week.~ A pause then, ~Forces, Flash. Why do you put yourself though this? You could do as well for yourself in the guild, you know, now Daniel's long gone.~

There's politics in the Guild too.

~Not like this. All words and double meanings. The guild is...~ Acqua paused, trying to decide on the word.

Cleaner. More open, Flash filled in. There are rewards in this as well, Kit. Out witting one of these people can be as thrilling as a successful job.

~Keep telling yourself that,~ Acqua replied. Even with the thought being repeated via the mind, there was a note of... sympathy in it. ~Better get back to work, Flash. If you want some fresh air, Mat's... acquired a nice bottle of wine.~

I may take you up on that... my lady, Flash thought with a slight smile. There was no reply.