Dire News [Ceri]

[Sorren Alotear Radvhet]

The baron wasted no time getting away from the "peace conference" once the fighting broke out. Riding out to the capital with just three of his most trusted men, he left the rest with instructions to go back to Maesser with Vaenes. He regretted having his son's first experience of taking over the reigns to be shoved on him in circumstances like this, but there was no alternative. He had to get word back to the king about what had happened, and he knew any regular messenger might be intercepted by Niendrans or any number of other unfortunate circumstances. No, he would much rather bring this news himself.

Additionally, in the back of his mind, he worried that perhaps the peace conference had only been a distraction for the Niendrans to gain access to the royal family while all the nobles were away. If that was the case, he had absolutely no time to waste. Of course, he did not share his fears with his men. He knew he was being a little paranoid. Still, one never knew what Niendrans were capable of doing. Better safe than sorry.

So they rode out to Ingril like mad-men, only taking time to rest when they were falling asleep in their saddles. After a few days, they stopped to change horses and get Sorren's wound healed properly, since it had begun to get infected from lack of clean bandages. Unfortunately, it left a bit of a scar, though he could have cared less at the time. He wanted to get back to the capital and report in as soon as possible.

A week had passed before they finally arrived at the city gates. The baron announced himself to the guards at the palace, left his horse, and demanded an immediate audience with the king. Likely he would be in the hall already anyway, so it would not take long to report in. He realized that he looked as haggard and exhausted as he felt, with a blood-stained tunic and scraggly beard, but he would not be deterred by food or drink until he had said what he had come to say directly to the king.

[Ceried'a Itonris Sa'achern]

Court was quiet, much of the talk going on being about what many thought was going on at the peace conference, a few jokes about Niendrian nobles, and the rest was simply taken up by meaningless gossip. Ceried'a found it all so infuriatingly boring as she was forced to day after day hear suggestions of what the peace conference could bring about and think that if it hadn't been for so many people protests she would have been there!

When news about it had reached their court she'd been excited to go, it wasn't that she believed in peace between them and the Niendrians....though it would have been nice not to worry about war anymore. Her thoughts went to travel and for once going out to have a voice in what happened to her home, of course all the guise of the King now who sat next to her listening with open ears and an empty head, dark eyes focused as if he was the one making choices as they listened to the others who addressed them. No, instead of being with Sorren's troops, and the knights and nobles who had gone she was stuck here listening to lesser nobles complain about how they wished to be given more land. She found playing with a silky green ribbon from her dress much more entertaining than listening to these rivalries. With the squabbling they all did she was surprised that there hadn't of been a civil war by now. Perhaps it was even more of a selfish little guilty pleasure, but her boredom was plagued as well with thoughts of the Baron of Maesser, knowing he was outdoing what he could for her kingdom and children...wishing she could have joined him simply to be near him.

"Of the Noble House of Radvhet, Sorren Radvhet, Baron of Maesser has come with urgent news from the Peace Conference." Which was why when the panicked guard came in, his words rushing together Ceried'a sat up in her seat, surprise coloring her face as her illusion simply sat back looking stern and contemplative. No...this was too soon. Worry knitted her brow as the ladies and gentlemen of the court twittered about rather excitedly before the sight of the Baron was brought into the court. In a rustle of soft silks and cottons the Queen rose up to her feet from her throne as from where she was she could see the haggard look and the blood stains. Panic began to set in as she felt her heart begin to race in her chest.

Was it his blood or those of the Niendrians? Who had attacked them? She swore if he'd gotten the attacking party prisoner she would kill them herself right then and there and then wear her blood soaked gown as a trophy even if it meant her court would see her like this. Already their eyes went from the Baron to her as she stood looking strictened, "Sorren..." She whispered softly before feeling a hand touch her wrist. The touch nearly made her jump as she looked at her illusion stare up at her. That was right, he would react to her and now she realized what she was doing as the "King" stared up at her. Slowly she sat down at let him stand, his empty head listening as she watched attentively.

His booming voice run through the hall, a deep baritone that even now in death could quiet the entire hall"Baron Radvhet, my dear friend of the court. It is far too soon to think that the Niendrians have given in to having peace with us. What is with your state? I see blood on you...if you need a healer we can discuss this after." The last part of his words were Ceried'a pushing her own will through. Her mind kept going to such horrible things now as she clutched the arm of her throne holding back the tears that stung her eyes as she tried to stay focused on Sorren. He was alive, that was what mattered, but still it stuck with her that worse could have happen.

She had to clear her mind and keep it rational, keep from jumping and causing whatever wounds that had been made politically from tearing out and bleeding out in the worse ways. "Speak my friend." The issued once more before sitting and taking the tightly clutched hand of the Queen in his own as he'd always done in the past, though now it helped to keep her seated instead of going to Baron.

[Sorren Alotear Radvhet]

He came forward into the audience hall with his usual brisk pace, feeling the eyes of the other nobles upon him and not wanting his tiredness to show any more than it already did. But when he looked to the king's side and saw the queen sitting there, his legs suddenly felt like jelly, the sudden rush of relief at seeing her nearly flooring him. He covered his weakness with a bow, going down on one knee before his king, lowering his gaze to the floor for a moment while he gathered his wits about him. He had not realized how worried he had been for Ceried'a's safety until he saw her, alive and well. He was glad his suspicions had been unfounded. Honestly, he wanted nothing more than to go to her and collapse into her arms, but he knew there was no question of doing that. He felt a twinge of guilt at thinking such a thing in the king's presence.

When he looked back up and stood, he kept his gaze focused on the king, not trusting his solid countenance to hold if he looked at Ceried'a again. "No, Your Highness, I am all right. I simply have not had the time to change clothes. I felt this news was too important to be delayed... The peace conference has failed."

He went on to tell how, on the third day, a Niendran soldier accosted his son and his friend, who were carrying a young man to the medical tent, and how he defended them. He described how fighting broke out all around them, despite the fact that the mood beforehand had not been all that tense. After that, everything had turned to absolute chaos, and he had made straight for the capital to bring them the news. As they left, they had heard the shouts and screams and seen columns of black smoke rising from the center of the camps. He expected there had been many casualties.

"I suspect some Niendran treachery, my king. I cannot believe the people at the conference were so high-strung that they were ready to break out fighting at such a simple thing. Some, perhaps, but certainly not so many as that. I fear they may have used magic to affect people's minds."

[Ceried'a Itonris Sa'achern]

Every muscle in Ceried'a's body was wound tightly like the springs in a music box, every second turning her body tighter and tighter until she thought she would burst. As Sorren told the King he was alright she felt some of that tension leave her body, though there was no time to relish these thoughts of his safety as he was quick to tell of how the peace to hopefully be achieved by this meeting had failed. The whole time she willed him as strongly as he could to look at her.

Look at me...look at me...great Nero look at me and let me know that we're alright! Her thoughts screamed in her head. She was scared by his words, his story of the attack sounding as if this would be the first battle of many to come of the next great war. Nobles focused on peace falling into chaos, their best soldiers fighting Niendrians at what she would hope to be a way to secure her children and kingdoms safety before she finally stepped down and let the king die one final time.

"This is a grave situation indeed." The dead King spoke eloquently, a political royal through and through, so different and still the same as he too was without a heart. Ceried'a's teeth found her bottom lip, catching it and biting until it turned read from the nervous abuse upon it.

"Tell us my dear Baron," the Queen spoke up, voice tender and soft, "Do you believe this to be an action or war? Or do you think that a few were made to come and sabotage the greater effort with Niendra?" She asked, fingers of her free hand not held by her own illusion flexing and releasing the soft green silk of her skirt. In the past she would have never spoke out like this, mainly because she would have been sent out when matters of war came up, but now this was her palace and kingdom to rule whether others knew it or not.

A few noble around began to talk, angry voices calling for war and using their slurs of Niendrian's very openly now.

"This is an outrage."

"If they want war they'll attack anyone to start it!"

"It is better to slaughter them first before they do so to us."

So many voice and so loud, her head was swimming with the words that seemed to flood in. Once more her whole body growing with tension.

"Enough..." She murmured softly, going unheard the first time before a sudden anger blazed through her. "ENOUGH!" The shout was amplified double to her surprise, perhaps an unconscious loss of control of her own magic against her emotions as the King's voice echoed her's. She nearly startled herself with this slip. Slowly drawing herself back and regaining composure she gave a small sigh as she let the illusion of power continue now.

"No matter what we are feeling here we must consider that if lives were lost today then more may be lost in the name of war. We must approach this carefully. For now all nobles with houses near the border should return to your homes...we are not at war yet, so stay vigilant but also fair...if we begin to kill then we'll give our children war that may wipe out the very pride of Carthonia." With that he went silent while Ceried'a looked out amongst the faces of nobles listening in fear and others trembling with anger before once more she set her gaze on Sorren wishing now to only hold him and thank Nero and whatever other gods were listening for his safety. As other noble filtered out of the hall she remained silently.

[Sorren Alotear Radvhet]

Now that he had imparted his news, the baron struggled to keep his exhaustion from becoming even more apparent than it already was. He had said all he had to say. Now, he just wanted to crawl into a bed somewhere and sleep for hours and hours. No doubt his men were already doing just that, or were at least getting themselves a bite to eat or a warm bath. He would have to reward them later for putting up with this mad dash back to the capital.

Hearing the queen speak, Sorren allowed his gaze to travel to her face, and their eyes locked for a moment. He wished he could speak to her in private, say how relieved he was to see her again, hold her close and--but he pushed these thoughts from his mind.

"I do not know, my queen. I suppose it could have been the work of rebels, but in truth, I cannot be sure," he admitted reluctantly. He hated to think he had been baited into the fight to play the part of a catalyst for the ensuing chaos. He much preferred to think it had been a coincidence, and that all this was the fault of Niendrans. But he knew he had to keep an open mind about it. There was no proof in either direction. Nor, he thought, was there likely to be, if the state of the camps when they left was any indication.

The hall resounded with the murmurs and exclamations of the attending nobles, causing Sorren to put a hand to his temple. He really didn't want to be here while everyone quibbled over what to do. His brain wasn't working well enough then to sort out all the arguments. And he had enough of that kind of thing at the peace conference. This was the part of being a baron he hated the most.

It seemed the king and queen were thinking the same thing, for they suddenly simultaneously shouted, silencing everyone. The sudden outburst even shocked Sorren a bit. But he was glad when the king got the situation under control and people began to filter out of the hall. He bowed, hoping he could leave now as well. He was too tired to do any more here.

"If Your Highnesses will excuse me, I wish to rest now."

[Ceried'a Itonris Sa'achern]

Nobles began to leave the great hall. Ceried'a hoped with this fair warning many would go home to their families, prepare their towns. She would send messengers out to the borders in the name of the King in order to have them ready in case things suddenly grew dire. Still she was unsure just how this news might effect those living closest to the biggest threat. There were still ambassadors coming in, nobles who would travel, merchants for trade...some from Niendra, others more neutral in their leanings, still no doubt there would be tensions simply from travel.

Who would be so cruel to want war like this? Just days ago after the winter festival she'd tried to turn her thoughts towards future weddings she hoped the spring would bring for her second son, and now this? When everything seemed to be going so right...

"Baron Radvhet you are welcomed to take your rest here in our home. My wife's ladies will see to your every need." The king stood, his imposing height towering over the Queen as she too rose to her feet. Before her illusion could once more take her hand and lead her away she gave a small curtsy, giving her silent orders for her doll to go away, let the nobles who were not leaving yet go make demands of a creature who would vanish the minute it was out of sight of prying eyes.

"I will help see to the Baron as well dear husband. It is only right" She spoke, as two of her ladies began to move towards Sorren before she followed as well. It took such restraint not to simply kick off her slippers and run to the other, every step painful to make with timed composure. Sending her ladies off to prepare a room and bath she touched his arms, taking it as if to offer her support to his body. "My sweet Sorren, you have no idea how happy I am to see you safe." Her voice rose no higher than a whisper as she walked with him out of the hall slowly past the other nobles who lingered long to speak of war.

[Sorren Alotear Radvhet]

Sorren was glad the king dismissed him instead of asking to talk more in-depth about the implications and consequences his news might have on the country and Ceradonia at large. War was the last thing he wanted to talk about right now, though he knew he would likely have to before he left Ingril. After having rode from the peace conference like a mad man, terrible thoughts racing through his mind and disturbing what fitful sleep he got, the relief of finally relaying his message and seeing the capital city undisturbed was almost too much for the man. He was in far too vulnerable a state, and that irked him slightly.

He was surprised when the queen came down to help him herself, taking his arm. She whispered to him as they walked out of the hall, and her words nearly brought tears to his eyes. If only she knew how much he had feared for her on the way to the capital.

"I think I do. I worried the whole way here that something had happened in Ingril, as well," he admitted quietly, turning his head to give her a tired smile that expressed his relief at finding his fears unfounded. He wanted to say more, but he didn't want to be overheard, even if his words were nearly whispered. Instead, he continued in a normal voice, "I'm afraid I drove my men too hard, actually. I hardly let them get any rest on the road. ...I'm sorry, I'm rambling. Must be more tired than I thought."

[Ceried'a Itonris Sa'achern]

Sorren's concerned words made her sigh softly, head shaking slowly to send dark waves of hair over her shoulder, "You are too invested of a man if you worry more about a Queen guarded safely in a castle than your own life." She returned the smile, a soft blush dusting her cheeks at his words. Letting her free hand stroke his arm before they passed by others she fought her own tears as they moved out from the main hall, the light of the windows dimming now in the interior hall as she led him towards the rooms reserved for visiting nobles. While others still lingered she simply nodded, "Yes, I'm sure your men are exhausted as well, but you must think of yourself now. We will take care of you. A warm bath and rest will help you."

Taking him up the stairs she she held tightly to his arm, trying her best to seem the charitable Queen offering her support to the wounded man and not terrified by the thought that if she let go she might lose him like this was a ghost and not the live thing before her.

Fight. Battle. Casualties...he could have been one...

The thought strictened her as her fingers clutched a little tighter as they came upon the maids waiting outside of a room. Dismissing them she ordered for clean clothing to be brought up. Once they were gone she opened the door upon the small, but grand chamber set aside for guests. The sweet scent of lavender and spices from the warm bath run by the women, a fire roaring in the fireplace beside the plush bed.

"You're safe now, and you're here...that's all that matters." She murmured to him as she brought him into the room closing the door tightly behind them.

[Sorren Alotear Radvhet]

"Gods, I don't know if I could stay awake in a warm bath," he said, the tired smile still on his face. What he really wanted was to just lie down and sleep. He could worry about other things later. Ascending the flight of stairs just reinforced that idea. He thought back to the young Niendran soldier's taunts and wondered if this was what it would be like to be an old man, tired all the time. It was not a comforting prospect. But he was far from old yet, despite what the soldier had said.

He was grateful to have the queen at his side, though he would not admit to needing her help. He hated showing weakness in front of people, even her. Besides, he had pushed his men just as hard; there was no reason for him to get special treatment. And he didn't want to worry her. He would be fine after a good night's sleep, and then everything would be back to normal... except the state of the country, of course. But he didn't want to think about that.

The room they entered was rather more lavish than he had been expecting. To be honest, he would have done well enough with a simple cot. Anything would have seemed better than lying on the cold ground or falling asleep in the saddle. The bath, with its aromatic water, was sorely tempting, but the soft bed beckoned him with its promise of sleep.

"You're safe now, and you're here...that's all that matters."

Her words made him so happy, somehow. They were alone now. He wanted to say more, do more, but all he could think of was crawling into bed and passing out cold. He settled for placing a kiss on her forehead.

"I missed you so much. We can catch up when I wake up."

He smiled, then lay down on the bed, not even bothering to take off his boots or get under the covers, and fell asleep nearly the moment his head hit the pillow, utterly exhausted.

[Ceried'a Itonris Sa'achern]

"Well I will be here by your side if you fear of falling asleep and downing after surviving just an attack." She teased as they were finally left alone. Here they were far from the world of the palace without having to leave it. Part of her wanted to cling to him, kiss him, never let go of the Baron until any threat of terror had passed. Still she smiled as if it was all in good cheer, "After our time together in your home I was curious if you were a human capable of exhaustion, but it seems that it takes a lot to make a man like you fall." She bowed her head to the kiss placed upon it before she let him got to the bed and lay down.

She tsked softly, the motherly warm tone offset by the gentle smile as she moved beside the bed. "Baron..." She murmured, touching his cheek, though when he did not stirr she chuckled, "Is this your limit then?" Ceried'a moved towards the bath as the door opened once more, a maid coming in with fresh white linen shirt and pants, free of blood, and wash clothes and soaps. Taking them the Queen set them to the side as she began to go fetch a small bowl full of water. When the maid tried to stop her she shook her head.

"The Baron has risked his life to keep our kingdom safe, it is only right that I am the one to repay him." She urged before letting the maid leave. That as right, make it seem as if this was all just a payment, a favor so no one suspected of the worry and care behind her gentle touches as she began to remove the stained and dirty shirt. Once it was off she dipped a cloth in the water and gently began to wash away the mess that was left her. Her dark brown eyes narrowed on the scar left. He'd been healed, she sighed with relief as she let the cloth pass over it again before washing away the dirt of the road from his face. Once he was clean she moved to remove his boots...the Baron seemed dead to the world though she was thankful to see his chest rise and fall.

Softly she hummed, the gentle lullaby that she'd many times before sung to her children when they were sick or unable to sleep. Working the sheets up from under the heavy body before laying them over Sorren. Returning his kiss she placed her lips upon his own forehead, the sweet scent of the water washing away the signs of potential war. Still humming she stood and moved to the fireplace, watching the flames leap and crackle.

"Nero...what would you have me do now?" She asked, "Is war what you wish? Am I doomed to lose those I love to this?" Slowly she wiped the tears from her eyes, moving away now to the chair close to Sorren's bedside as she picked up a book from the mantle and began to read picking up her lullaby once more to ease Sorren's dreams as well as her own thoughts.

[Sorren Alotear Radvhet]

The baron slept all through the afternoon and night, on into the morning. The queen had retired to her room, leaving a servant girl with instructions to fetch her the moment he awoke. It was nearly noon before he finally did, opening his eyes to bright sunlight streaming in from the window and the smell of now-cold breakfast on the bedside table that had been brought up earlier. He sat up, realizing that someone had taken off his boots and ruined shirt and cleaned him up a bit before tucking him under the bed covers. 'Ceried'a,' he thought, smiling to himself.

Someone else stirred in the room. The servant girl had been sitting in a chair in the corner near his bed and mending a bit of cloth, but she stood up when he moved. "I see you're finally up!" she said cheerfully. "I have instructions to get Her Highness. Please make yourself at home while you wait!" Then, with a smile and a curtsey, she left the room to go tell the queen.

Sorren got out of bed and stood up, catching a glimpse of himself in a mirror across the room. He no longer looked drawn and tired and dirty, but he was still a bit of a mess, and he hadn't groomed his beard for a week. He would have to get someone to bring him a razor later. For now, he figured he would have enough time to scrub himself down in the bath. So he stripped, grabbed some food from the breakfast tray, and did just that, though the water was room-temperature now and not warm like it had been the night before. It didn't take him long; he was hurrying a bit so he would be ready when Ceried'a came in.

He got out, all pink and clean from the scrubbing, and toweled himself off. Someone had set out a fresh change of clothes near the bed--dark pants, and a forest green shirt made of a rather light material. He figured that must be the kind of thing to wear in the desert, even if it was winter. Certainly he wouldn't be able to wear something like that in Maesser. He began to put them on, wondering how they had known what sizes to get, since they seemed to fit pretty well. By the time he heard a knock at the door, he had gotten everything on except the shirt, which he had only just begun to button.

"Come in," he called.

[Ceried'a Itonris Sa'achern]

When the day had passed into night Ceried'a had been reluctant to leave the Baron's side, it was not a matter of his health, but rather the comfort she got from watching his chest rise and fall with each breath. Every few moments reach out and touch his forehead to push a small curl away and feel the warmth of his flesh. It was well past sunset when she went with her ladies to prepare for bed, ordering one of the women to stay up here. She made it clear that she was doing so in order to talk immediately about what had happen at the peace conference, not letting on as best she could to her desire simply to be close to him.

"M'Lady..."

Ceried'a had spent most of that morning and afternoon her private room, reading, idling through important documents meant for the "king". She'd barely dress out of her simple underdress, the simple white silk garment fluttering with the cool breeze coming from the window to ruffle the edges of the hem along her thighs. Looking up her lady remained in a deep curtsy as before the Queen sat up and motioned for her to speak.

"The Baron Radvhet, he is awake now if you still wish to speak with him."

Her sentence was barely able to be completed when Ceried'a jolted up from her chair. "My dress please. I will see him now..." She murmured as she reached to put on the simplistic overdress, the robe like garment left loosely open to show the lace of her underdress, long sleeves hanging past her fingertips, the skirt wrapped around itself as the trimmings of red silk lined the edges overlapped and hid themselves.

"Shall I fetch the King and advisors?" The maid asked as she tied the crimson sash into a loose bow before stepping away to fetch the Queen's crown and jewels but was stopped as Ceried'a simply moved forward to grab her slippers and put them on.

"There is no need for them. His Majesty asked me to do this while he was working with the others. The Baron has ridden past the point of exhaustion and had been injured...the fewer there are to excite him and to pry the better it is. I will show myself to his room." She ordered gently with a smile as she ran a hand through her hair, "Let yourself and the ladies go out into the city, bring back fresh fruits and wines, we will have a feast tonight in honor of the men who rode so hard to protect us." Once the other was gone from sight the Queen was quick in her pace to get to the rooms she'd been at for so long the night before.

Her knuckles had barely brushed the wood before her hand went to the knob and pushed it open. She was a Queen, she didn't have to wait for the polite words to allow her entrance, but she'd waited long enough to hear him start to speak. Letting the door close behind her she stopped for a short moment to take in the sight of him. Now clean, still looking just a little scruffy, her gaze lingering on the exposed flesh before falling upon the scar.

"Sorren..." She moved towards him, hands moving to his shoulders, slowly caressing up to touch his cheeks, "You foolish Baron, you would cause your Queen worry?" The soft tease was cut short as she moved herself up onto her toes, letting her lips brush against his in a gentle kiss.

[Sorren Alotear Radvhet]

Ceried'a was a vision in red silk. The robe-like garment was simple but elegant, and it did not escape Sorren's notice that it showed a bit of the white lace underdress. Of course, she looked lovely to him no matter what she wore... or didn't wear. That thought put just the faintest trace of a blush in his cheeks. Then he noticed where her eyes went, but she spoke before he could say anything, and kissed him. He kissed her back, arms circling her waist, letting the moment linger for a while before finally pulling back slightly and looking down at her with a sheepish but warm smile.

"I didn't do it on purpose," he said with a little laugh. "The healer said the scar will fade with time. And by the way, what are you trying to do, making me smell like lavender? I don't think I've ever smelled like flowers in my life."

He chuckled and unwrapped his arms from her waist, taking her hand and leading over to sit next to him on the bed, his face becoming a little more serious. He wanted so dearly to forget about the implications of what had happened at the peace conference and just lose himself in her arms, but he had to get this out of the way or he would be restless. Besides, they would probably be staying for a couple of days at the least, in order to recuperate from the grueling journey and to replenish supplies. There would be time for that later.

"The failure of the peace conference puts you in a difficult position; I am aware of that. But I think some action must be taken before things get even worse. Have you discussed anything with the king yet?"

[Ceried'a Itonris Sa'achern]

As she felt his arms move around her Ceri gave a soft sigh into the kiss, her fingers tangling themselves in his curls as she deepened it just for a brief moment. What would she give to have this forever...some part of her mind thought of just giving up her crown now. Let the king die and fade away like some ghost, her son take the throne, and then let herself melt away into this until the outside world no longer mattered. Still she let him pull away with just the smallest of pouts.

Lavender and spices are a very manly scent, soothing..." She touched his chest letting her fingers slip down until they played along the strong plain of his stomach, "Besides, everyone knows a lady enjoys flowers." She giggled before she felt the small pull towards his bed, "I still wish to have my healers look at you though. If I had been there at the conference I would not have let the one who did this get very far." Her tone took a bit of a darker hint to it as she spoke. She'd never taken a life, but when someone threatened her children or those she cared for the Queen was fairly certain that then she could fell an army.

Sitting upon the Baron's bed she gave a small sigh, her smile fading at words turned to war. "Sorren..." She began, unsure how to talk about this now. No, he did not know that the idea was a burden for herself alone and not some man on throne she'd created. How desperately she wanted to tell him all of this, just confess her own curse of taking on the whole of the kingdom in her own selfish fears.

"The King is busy with his men, and I doubt they'd want a woman coming in trying to tell them how to prepare for any backlash that may happen." She met his gaze, her expression sad that it wasn't the truth coming from her lips to her lover, "However if you're asking what I think we should do I believe that we are better off looking to try to settle this without blood shed. Send out ambassadors, diplomats...attempt to figure out how this all happened."

Standing she began to pace the room, the folded skirt of her dress splitting as long legs move. "We cannot just have war if this was all a misunderstanding. Sorren I hate to ask you to repeat yourself, but tell me once more how you think this all started." Moving in front of the Baron she knelt down before him, taking his hands within hers before her gaze met his.

[Sorren Alotear Radvhet]

"I don't need another healer, I'm just fine," he said, maybe a little too gruffly he thought after a moment, then softened his tone, "Really, it was just a flesh wound. It would have healed fine on its own, except that I was an idiot and didn't keep the bandages clean. I was too busy racing back here to think about it." He ran a hand through his still-slightly-damp hair in that familiar gesture of embarrassment. He really had been an idiot, pushing everyone so hard to get back to the capital in probably record time, but he had been so eager to get the news back and see Ceried'a safe. And there was no changing it now.

He should have known she would want to use diplomacy rather than declare war outright. Though he couldn't say he totally agreed with her, he did understand the sentiment, and he nodded as she spoke. And of course, declaring war now would only give Niendra and Wyeshing another excuse to vilify Carthonia. But he wanted to see the bastards burn for what they had done. Of course, he also realized this feeling came from a sense of revenge that had nothing to do with the peace conference, and personal vendettas were not the reason to go to war. Still, he would have liked to see the king send out his army now.

His eyes followed her as she paced about the room, then looking into her eyes as she took his hands, dreading to recount the details of what had happened at the peace conference. Every time he thought about it, the facts seemed to unravel a little in his mind. He found himself questioning things he had taken as a given at the time. He closed his eyes, bowing his head slightly, knowing he could not lie to her, but not wanting to give voice to his suspicions. But she had asked. He couldn't refuse her. He opened his eyes again but did not look at her, ashamed of what he was about to say.

"A Niendran soldier was trying to keep my son and his friend from taking a young man to the medical tent, and I jumped to their defense. The soldier claimed to have seen them drug the young man, but I didn't believe him." He sighed, guilt tugging at him. Why hadn't he said this before? He hadn't thought it was important, had been too convinced that it was false. Surely his son wouldn't do something to jeopardize the peace conference. Now, he wasn't so sure. He had never set a very good example about being open-minded around Niendrans. "Maybe I was too hasty. It all happened so fast, and I was already in a bad mood to begin with, and then he started calling me an old man... Gods, it all sounds so petty now. Anyway, we started fighting, and after a while people around us started fighting as well. Then, the moment I got cut, somebody hit us both with spheres of water that sent us flying. When I got back up, chaos was already erupting all around, so I went back to my camp to gather my men. Vaenes met me back there when I was bandaging myself up, and I told him to take most of my men and go to Maesser while I rode here. And then, well, I showed up here."

He pulled his hands away from Ceried'a's, turning away slightly in shame, putting his face in his hands, resting his elbows on his knees. "Great Nero, do you think Vaenes would be capable of doing something like that, drugging a man and lying about it? Lying to me?"