arthur arrington

thirty-eight. duke of fain. kinslayer. the queen's cousin and member of her high council.

[lizzydobbs]

1/3 IMPORTANT MOMENTS → the wedding

This was the first step. She took Lynessa’s soft hand in hers, covering it with both hands.  “I will be with you every step of the way.  No harm shall befall you.”  I swear it, thought Avelina.  I shall write it in Jon Valles’ blood.

[jesperdalmas]

OOC | Jesper & Arthur

*tries to pay court to cordelia* *cordelia hides behind arthur*

[arthurarrington]

arthur: i literally killed your cousin b/c i thought he was going to try to hit on my sister do not test me 

yeah!!! so I feel like if it is at ALL obvious that Jesper is interested in Cordelia, Arthur will not be a fan!!!!! First of all, she’s just a toDDLER!!!!!! (cordelia: well actually .... ) and second of all!!!! cordelia will marry for love she’s a goddamn arrington she can have whatever she pleases!!! (Arthur: even if it takes her 20 years to decide between two brothers that it is a completely rational and understandable thing!!! and she shouldn’t be judged for that at all ;DDD) 

[quillington]

ROWENA GODIVA - the witch queen HELENA GODIVA - the dragon’s daughter ALEXANDIR GODIVA - the king that never was AALIS VYMONT - the lost dragon ARTHUR ARRINGTON - lord kinslayer CORDELIA ARRINGTON - lady lionheart AVELINA ARRINGTON - the red witch LYNESSA BEAUMONT - the raven queen GENEVIEVE BEAUMONT - summer’s lady CELIA BEAUMONT - the white lady

[joffreyvymont]

OOC | Joff & Arthur

“Wow, that’s a tragic story about your parents…So, exactly why didn’t they kill you, too?”  No, but Joff is highly suspicious of anyone and everyone close to Rowena and has zero respect for them…and he is a gadfly…but he’d probs try not to be ~that obv unless provoked #facepalm

[arthurarrington]

arthur: ..... anyways 

haha yeah so I feel like arthur would honestly feel a little guilty upon meeting joff b/c it brings up ~memories~ and like “haha oh yeah sorry that ur bro and sister-in-law and probs ur niece all died that night” ~thumbs up emoji~ “my parents also died that night haha so i do feel u bro. bc i definitely in no way played any part in any of that!!!” ~nervous laughter~

anyway, so .... yeah he feels a little guilty but he is also wayyyyyy more preoccupied atm w/ everything that is going on with himself hahaha and the jon valles bit and so i feel like he’d be less concerned with joff than he would have been otherwise???? i feel like he’s pretty distracted haha and like he’d try to seem friendly and welcoming and mostly he’d just be like:

“IDK WHY EVERYONE IS SO OBSESSED WITH WHERE I WAS DURING JON VALLES MURDER HAHAHA”

everyone: literally no one asked u that 

“OK GOOD B/C I DEF DID NOT KILL HIM HAHAH THAT WOULD BE RIDICULOUS OBVIOUSLY IT WAS ALEX HAHAHA” 

[dezoddestriksyon]

Who Are You | Dezód & Arthur

Each of the walls of the Council chamber were lined with tapestries depicting the storied history of Aragoth, but Dezód knew well and good that it was fraught with lies, as well.  The tales woven into the tapestries told of mighty heroes and lofty deeds, glossing over the ugly horrors like a swan gliding across the surface of the deepest lake.  Glories, glories and nobilities, all, dressing up those walls and none of the foul stench.  Dezód adored those tapestries, adored the gilded lies that propped up a monarchy too long grown fat and corrupt off the tribulations of the people it purported to protect.  It was the perfect climate for a being like Dezód Destriksyon and he relished every moment.

He also relished the companionship of men like Arthur Arrington.  It was not that he had any particular affection for Arthur - the very word affection had lost most of its meaning for Dezód centuries ago - but Arthur was the ideal piece placed on the ideal spot on the board.  And doomed, doomed as doomed could be.  The marriage of these factors united to delight Dezód, the only thing that made Arthur even better was his own attitude towards Dezód, himself.  The mage had always liked a good groveler.  They were so easy to shunt across the board.

Just now, the Council chamber was empty, save for himself and Arthur.  Rowena had swept out, Romayne had grown bored and issued out of the room, Dmitrei never tarried without purpose, and Alexandir’s seat had remained ominously empty all through the session.  Arthur did not seem eager to be left alone with Dezód, but then Arthur was one piece on the board better left off-kilter.  Some, like Rob Barret (and even Arthur, himself, in the right circumstances), thrived (for Dezód’s purposes) on self-confidence, but Arthur Arrington (for this particular meeting) was destined for discomfort.  It was precisely the right atmosphere.

“Where’re yeh off to, next, I wonder?” Dezód did not move from his seat as he focused his bizarre eyes on the Duke of Fain.  “Off to the Hall of the Gods, perhaps?  To…pray?” he suggested.  “It’s been a long time, it seems, since anyone’s seen yeh there.  And Aragoth’s in much need of prayers.”  

Personally, Dezód was happy that Jon Valles was dead.  His life had long since served its purpose (it was an inspired stroke - Dezód did have to give Safira that - to off Old Fontaine upon his request) and his death, even more so, now had served its purpose.  This was just one more part of that.  “Remind me, if yeh would.  When last were yeh there?”

[arthurarrington]

Act as though nothing has happened. 

He’d repeated that to himself: over and over and over again until he almost believed it himself. The trouble was: something had happened. Something terrible: the man her husband was to have married was murdered on his wedding day. And that, alone, could be reason for him to act differently but he knew he must toe that line carefully and never raise any suspicions that his actions were motivated for anything beyond grief for his cousin and worry for his own house. 

It was difficult to manage himself around most, but it was impossible to know how to act amongst one such as Dezód. How much did he really know? How much did he only suspect? And if he knew, how long before he said something? How long before he used that information against Arthur? But what if he only suspected, but did not know, and only wished to draw it out of him? 

Arthur had no intention of being left alone with him after the council meeting had ended, but all of a sudden, he looked up, and the others had all left. 

The air went out of him when Dezód brought up the Hall of the Gods. He saw Valles’ face, the life leaving his eyes, and blood ... so much blood ... 

“It has been too long,” He said, finally, “I pray the gods will forgive me. I have been a poor penitent just now. My cousin’s husband was killed in their halls. It is not an easy thing to return.” 

He hope that answer would do for now. He meant to walk past Dezód, but he was afraid that a swift exodus would make him only look more suspicious, so instead he held his ground only hoping that Dezód could not hear his heart beating so quickly in his chest.  

[quillington]

“Blood is power.”

[arthurarrington]

ooc | Arthur & Dezód

KATE! I’m so???? confused???? how did we never talk about these two??? (or did we but I just can’t find out posts anywhere?????) 

SO arthur and dezód are on the council together!!! (fun times!!!!) and arthur knows exactly the kind of person dezód is and dOES NOT!!! TRUST HIM!!!! also dezód is one of the few people who knows what art did to his parents!!!! he also knows just EVERYTHING it seems and art is gonna be kind of freaked out of him now, especially, b/c he’s pretty sure he probably knows somehow that he was the 1 who killed valles, not alexandir. honestly in a lot of ways, i feel like he is wayyyy more afraid of dezód than rowena haha and he’s like 25% sure rowena is gonna be the reason he dies but more like 74% sure that it will be dezód (and like 1% sure that cordelia will just give him a heart attack!!!) 

anyway ... he def tries to act like they are on good terms??????? but he’s freaked out and i don’t think he’s fooling anyone lol. also i feel like they interact most during the rando council meetings that dezód sits in on and let me tell you that arthur is such!!!! a pushover!!!!! during council meetings!!! for sure he’s only there for show and just someone who will ALWAYS take rowena’s side no matter what she says haha :) 

[arthurarrington]

Waiting | Arthur & Cassius

[arthurarrington]

cassiusmontagu:

Cassius felt a great deal of turmoil.  He knew that there was much to do in cleaning up what few possessions still actually belonged to them and in saying their farewells to the east, but still it perturbed him that Cassius had been now twice to Gryffintree this week and still had not encountered them.  The suspicious part of himself whispered that they were simply eager not to see him, and truly he could not blame them.  Still, however, Cassius could not rest until he’d said…until…He must speak.

As he stepped outside into the bright summer sun - its rays even now greeting a fresh autumn breeze - he squinted towards an approaching figure.  Arthur Arrington rode up and hailed him with a smile, something Cassius attempted to greet with anything other than a scowl.  He managed a bald stare in its place.

“They are not,” he replied.  “Perhaps,” he said sardonically.  “They have gone to Fain, hoping to hear some good news, as you seemed unlike to come to them.”  Cassius found it quite scandalous that Arthur should spend all his spare time courting the lot of them, only to turn his back now that his attentions might do them some good.  “It is good that you have come to see them, today.  No doubt they have missed the sight of you.”  Cassius was only slightly relieved to see Arthur here today, at last.  He viewed his abandonment of them as proof of his true character: faithless.  But then, who was Cassius Montagu to talk of loyalty?

“How fairs your cousin?” inquired Cassius of Lynessa.  Though he had been disinterested in the business of wedding her, himself, and felt nothing but hatred for her late husband, he felt for her loss as did all of Aragoth.  “She was most piteously distressed, when last I saw her.”  The last he had seen of her had, in fact, been her piercing shrieks and wails as she was led away from the corpse of the man she had wed not one hour before.

Cassius wondered about the true identity of the murderer, but it was an exercise in idle curiosity more than anything.  He knew it suited everyone that Alexandir should die and had no intention of publicly picking at that wound.  Still, it might prove a useful thing to do as Cassius, like everyone else who accused Alexandir, believed in his innocence.

“It has not been so very long,” He began, looking up at the place, not realizing that Cassius had been sarcastic, “Since I have been here. I ... did feel the need to let them grieve.” He added, although they both knew that they would have done more grieving for the loss of their home than the loss of their cousin. And he, of course, had many things on his own mind that had been distracting him since the wedding. But he would not mention that now or ever to Cassius. 

“Some good news, yes -- I hope to bring it one day.” He said, grinning. All of Aragoth knew that he would settle on one of them: but which of the three would he choose? Arthur himself, although finally determined to make a choice, had no more idea of it than the rest of them. 

His face darkened when the subject turned to Lynessa. “She is .... Cassius, I must confess that I have never seen her like this. It is like part of her died with him. It has only been some weeks but ... I wonder if she will never be the same again. She is to stay at Fain with Cordelia and I, for a time. Her mother believes the change of scenery will do her good. Hopefully, it shall.” 

He wanted to help Lynessa (it was his fault, after all, what had happened) but he was less eager to have her about as a constant reminder of what he had done, and what he hoped to escape. Still, he hadn’t the heart nor the excuse to deny her mother’s request. He hoped the next few months went quickly and without incident. Her arrival at Fain had made him more desperate to choose a wife: if he was caught up in the concerns of his wedding, he might be able to more easily forget the happenings of another. 

He did not stop to consider how Lynessa might feel to be caught up at Fain while he happily plans his own marriage so soon after her’s had ended. 

[arthurarrington]

Fontaine Feelings | Tristan & Arthur

The Fontaines had gone North and already the East felt a little less bright without their presence. They had proved to be, on top of all else, a distraction and it was a distraction that Arthur needed now more than ever. He was happy that he had done it - he did not feel regret when he murdered their cousin - but he felt the guilt and, above all, he felt fear. If anyone was to find out the truth, it would be his head that would sit atop the castle walls - and not Alexandir Godiva’s. 

Arthur had been noticeably withdrawn since the wedding. He told anyone who would ask that he worried for his safety and the safety of his family: between the murder of Jon Valles and Celia’s kidnapping, the Arringtons’ were all looking over their shoulders these days. Arthur was, too, but for a different reason. 

He wanted to feel like his old self again and to do that, he supposed the first step was to try to act like his old self: and that meant dragging Tristan down to the Three Crowns. 

Arthur had a private room to himself, in the back, away from the common folk. He enjoyed coming here: somehow it always felt as though the rest of the world would fall away. And, in addition, he swore that the Three Crowns had the best ale (even better than the Queen’s). 

“Tristan,” He said, decidedly, turning to his friend, “I think it is time that I take a wife. I have settled on one of the Fontaines -- or their cousin. All of Aragoth knows that,” He added, grinning, “But I cannot make up my mind which to choose. You grew up with them: who would be your choice?”

[charlesdegrey]

OOC | Charles & Arthur

[arthurarrington]

charlesdegrey:

I???? DON’T???? KNOW!!!!!  But I’m glad we are now bc they deserve to be talked about!!!!!!!  Oh, yeah, if Arthur and Will were friends, I feel like Charles def would’ve known him, too!!!!  He liked to hang around his big bro and feel included hahaha  Anyway, so he basically made it his business to know all of Will’s friends and I feel like Will was a super proud big bro who was happy to be inclusive <3  

But yes!  I agree that I doubt they were close, or anything, they were probs more acquaintances than anything, really?  COOL FRIEND OF UR OLDER BRO WHO WILL DEF BUY YOU ALCOHOL oh hell yes Will was v on top of that relationship then hahahaha  He was like ‘yeh my friend arthur he’s cool man’ *swills aragoth’s vers of ‘17 alcohol tbqh*  I HIGHLY doubt Charles knows Arthur killed his own parents (yay) so he probs still thinks he’s pr cool, but he deF regards anyone w or around Rowena and Cassius w suspicion bc yknow…he’s been betrayed before hahaha so until he has reason to believe Arthur and Rowena and/or Cassius are enemies, he’ll still be suspicious, but he probs over all roots for him and hopes he’s ok he knows he has a little sister to protect and he gets what that’s like *side eyes roran tbh* so he probs mostly assumes Arthur’s just kept quiet to keep her safe, etc.

Oh, yeah, Cassius was def on top of covering THAT one up like YEP THEY ARE ALL DEAD EVERY SINGLE ONE EVERY SINGLE SOUL EACH AND EVERY ONE ALL DEAD NOT ANY OF THEM ALIVE NOT ONE *sweats* ;DDDD

oh yeah that totally makes sense! meanwhile arthur has proven himself to be a spineless asshole! ^_^ anyway omg so idk if they are gonna interact at all for awhile but after you made that roran/cordelia parallel i just thought about how they’d both pull an ~angry!dad~ if they knew that roran/cordelia were hanging out with each other haha

arthur: um excuSE me why is ur kid taking mine to rebel meetings?!?

charles: um I think the real question why is your’s going???

arthur: idk maybe b/c your’s is such a bad influence!!!!

charles: hey!!!!! ….. wait …. yeah okay that makes sense

anyway so I DO think that they should accidentally run into each other asp hah for funsies idk maybe when charles has to leave the forest on some kind of ~rebel~ mission or something but I also feel like that would come later???? but when they do see each other again it is going to be horrible (aka great)

[edmundbrowne]

OOC | Ed & Arthur

So I doubt they’d have ~much interaction, but Ed probs takes Arthur’s horse a lot when he comes to see the Queen, and may have even taken his closet or served him at table once or twice ;D

[arthurarrington]

oh yeah haha i agree. I feel like arthur probably doesn’t even know ed exists really???? like he’s a servant, but arthur isn’t the type to make a whole lot of notice about servants that aren’t his own lol???? he probably doesn’t interact w/ him much besides like “oh yeah hi do this and that #bye” 

[quillington]

[avelinabeaumont]

Solace | Avelina & Arthur

[arthurarrington]

avelinabeaumont:

Avelina nodded slowly.  “Rest assured, I have,” she replied, remembering her guards just outside these doors.  She knew Arthur was in no mood to try anything against her just now (unless she gave him a reason to, which she would not).  Still, it brought her comfort to imagine her guards dragging him off of her, beating him, dragging him to his doom…but no, he had still a purpose to perform, first, before he met Rowena’s cold justice.  “It gives me great peace of mind to know they are always there, at the ready to defend me and my daughters.  Jon gave us that, at least,” she murmured, as though she were sorry about any of this.  It had been the purpose, after all, which he had served.

Avelina smiled.  “I am very glad to hear it,” she said, squeezing Arthur’s hand.  “In times such as these, knowing that one’s family is safe is the greatest comfort of all.  “I have no doubt you are right,” she added.  “There are always imitators, even if there are none so bold as to do what happened to Jon, there is the matter of that James Garin who stole away my Celia.  I have no doubt others will follow in his footsteps.”  That threat would, of course, be minimized by the punishment he faced, but one could not be too careful.  Particularly when every piece on the board had a role to play.  “Still, it is a great comfort to know that both men are already behind bars.  At least we need fear nothing from them.”

Avelina knew that many would speak of the deed around Arthur and she needed to know how he would behave.  “I am glad they were able to apprehend Alexandir so quickly!  Rowena must be commended for her swiftness of action,” she added.  “But it does make one wonder…was it an impulse of the moment, or had Alexandir long plotted this outrage?  Of course, Jon was never a pleasant fellow and might easily have provoked it at any time…” she shrugged.  “What do you think happened to my goodson, that day?”

Nodding, Avelina smiled.  “Right you are, dear Arthur,” she said, though they both knew it was a lie.  “And we are never stronger than when we stand together,” she said, taking his hand, the same hand that had once cut down her own brother.  “What would dare assail a lion’s den?”  A dragon, of course, she knew, or another lion.  But that did not bear mentioning.

“You have the right of it,” agreed Avelina, thoughtfully.  “She is stronger, even than she knows.  It occurs to me…would it be possible for Lynessa to stay here with you and Cordelia for a few days?  I think a change of scene amongst those she loves might do her a world of good and she is, as you say, every inch the lioness,” she added, allowing her gaze to soak of the lions that adored Fain.  Soon, Avelina prayed, she would be Arrington by name also.

Despite everything, Avelina’s knowing smirk was real.  It was a vindication - even knowing that Alexandir had not killed Jon Valles - to hear Arthur acknowledge Avelina’s correct judgment in her assessment of Alexandir.  After all, they both knew he had not murdered Jon, but Avelina was still right.  After all, she was sure Rowena had been his unwitting pawn all along, and it was he who had planted the idea for her to murder Avelina’s siblings.  He had not murdered Jon, but he had murdered her family all the same.  

“I confess I did,” replied Avelina, gazing off into the distance of her past.  “To think, in another life, that hideous fiend might have thought to wed me!”  Avelina shook off the shudder that rippled over her and went on.  “I do not blame others that they did not see the truth in him, all along.  Few had the…dubious benefit of being forced so much into his company as I did.  It did not take me long to become acquainted with his true character in such circumstances.  It is tragic that his true nature must be unveiled in such a way, but at least it was Valles who learned the truth…and not someone else.”  

Perhaps, Arthur said. Valles might still be alive if everyone had exercised more caution against the Duke.  She wanted dearly to laugh.  He was right, after all: it had simply been the other Duke.  But then, who knew that better than Arthur?  Suppressing the spike of humor in her spirits, she forced herself to nod sagely.  Carefully, she measured her glances towards Arthur so as to evade his direct suspicion.  “He fooled everyone.  For years, to think a we all sat at table and conversed peaceably with a murderer…I imagine the revelation has shaken all of Aragoth, to be sure.”  She shifted gears, wanting to name Raimbeaucourt directly, so as to allay Arthur’s suspicions.  “More than ever, I am grateful my Evie was spared the fate of becoming his wife!  It is too awful to contemplate!” she paused, speaking the truth: “I confess it, I am glad he is locked away and we all, at last, are safe from his awful machinations!”

No doubt others would follow in his footsteps ...

The words felt like a dagger and worry for Cordelia swept over him. For now she was safe -- Fain was a fortress and she was to be kept safely inside it. For years, he had been lenient when it had come to her. He had let her run too wild ... too free. He’d only wanted the best for her. He wanted to give her all that she desired and more. He’d deprived her of the two people in the world who loved her most and he tried, everyday, to do his best to make up for it. He knew he did not, not even by half, but he hoped her existence was a happy one. Still, when Celia had been kidnapped so suddenly (and with so much protection around her), Arthur had begun to rethink the freedom he had given Cordelia. 

The one thing he had promised himself when he plunged a dagger into his father’s eyes and watch the life leave it, was that he would give Cordelia the world and more ... but what good was the world if she was dead? 

His eyes flickered up to Avelina when she asked him what she thought happened that day. His mind raced and he saw it. He saw Valles’s snicker as he spoke of Cordelia, he saw the blade in his own hand, and he saw the blood ... and everything went red. 

He took a sip of his wine and shook his head, “I don’t suppose we will ever know. The Duke is still pleading his own innocence?” He asked. He leaned back in his chair, eyes lingering on the fire as though deep in thought. In truth, he found he could not look at her.

“It was clear from the moment they met each other, that neither Jon Valles nor Alexandir Godiva held any love for each other. Surely, you remember the night before the wedding?” Arthur looked up at her as he asked. He had been fortunate for that moment. So many had seen Jon Valles flip over the table in a rage.” He paused, “I feel it very likely that they provoked each other again at the wedding. They had been drunk the night before, but the day after they were drunker still. Perhaps Alexandir had acted in self defense but ... if he had, why did he not say so? He is a plotter, a schemer. He relies on his wits for survival. He never would have beaten Valles fairly, even a drunk one. I suspect he had been blinded by his own hatred towards Valles ... that and the wine. He must have lured him out somehow and caught him by surprise.” 

He softened when she spoke of Lynessa -- both because the topic was much less stressful than the one they had been discussing, but also because her request to have her stay with him meant that she trusted him, still. She never would have done anything to put her daughter in danger ... especially after what had happened. Of course, she had been prepared to marry her off to someone like Jon Valles, but Arthur was not thinking of that then. 

He reached a hand out and placed it gently on his aunt’s. “Of course. My home is always open to you and any of your daughters. You only need ask. She is more than welcome here. I will have her chambers prepared immediately. She may stay as long as she likes. I know Cordelia will be happy for her company. I think they may both do each other good.” 

[charlesdegrey]

OOC | Charles & Arthur

That awk moment when the one thing you have in common is that both your male father figures were murdered on the same night…

[arthurarrington]

arthur: *nervous laughter* oh yeah, bro, that night sucked haha i definitely in no way had anything to do with it at all. 

Anyway, how did we never talk about Charles/Arthur???? Cuz Arthur used to be friends with Will, so i’m sure they knew each other back in the good ‘ld days when ppl were alive. :) 

So I don’t think that Charles and Arthur were ever super close or anything. I think he def just saw him as his friend’s kid bro, but it wasn’t like he ignored him or anything. I think he probably teased him and joked around w/ him and was probably also Aragoth’s version of the 2017 “cool friend of ur older bro who will def buy you alcohol” 

but he def thinks that charles is dead (yayyy) and he will def have a lot of weird emotions if/when he finds out that he’s alive  

[arthurarrington]

Waiting | Arthur & Cassius

Alexandir Godiva had been condemned for Arthur’s crimes against Jon Valles, but Arthur still felt uneasy. Until Alexandir was buried in the ground, he would worry that the truth would be revealed, somehow. The guilt, however, would follow him for the rest of his life. But that, he knew, he could live with. He had made it this far. And while Alexandir was innocent of this crime, he’d never trusted the dwarf. He was a Godiva, after all. He did not think him capable of all that Avelina did, but he felt that he likely had the tendency to be sneaky and underhanded. 

And there was something in the way that he looked and spoke to him that made Arthur question if Alexandir did not suspect what he had done in order to keep his own head. 

And so Arthur quietly counted the days that Alexandir Godiva had left to live. 

Since the wedding, Arthur had not visited Gryffintree Hall once. He had been too distracted by the other events to give the Fontaines or their cousin a second thought. But last night, when Avelina mentioned how Gryffintree now belonged to her daughter, he was made aware of their new situation. To the North they would go ... unless he meant to offer his hand to one of them. 

Even now, when the situation may become quite bleak for them if he did not intervene, he could not make his choice. But he’d promised himself that he would, eventually, choose amongst them. But not until the trouble with Alexandir had passed and he knew he was safe. 

Today he meant to see them to offer his condolences (even if he was certain that they were more pleased than saddened with the death of their cousin) and privately hoped that it would prove to be a distraction for himself. 

Upon arrival, he noted Rhaegar flying overhead ... which meant Cassius was here or nearby. As though to answer his thoughts, he saw him step through the front door on his way out.

“Cassius!” He greeted, “Are the ladies at home?”  

[quillington]

No man sheds Arrington blood with impunity.

[avelinabeaumont]

Solace | Avelina & Arthur

[arthurarrington]

avelinabeaumont:

Avelina smiled softly as she talked up to greet her cousin.  He looked pale, pale and exhausted.  Dark bags formed under his bloodshot eyes, and Avelina reached up to touch his cheek.  “My poor, dear nephew,” she commented, all in apparent sympathy.  She kissed him warmly on the cheek.  “How you must worry for us all.”  Avelina shook her head, acting as though she thought it were merely the strain of such natural anxieties as having a murderer cut down his new cousin - rather than confirmation of a suspicion she’d long held.  Why, she longed to ask.  How did Dmitrei convince you to commit murder?  

She wished she knew, but she pushed back her idle curiosity and, taking his hand, led him to the closest seat.  It would wait.  Ringing the little golden bell on the nearest table, she looked up when a servant appeared.  “Fetch some refreshment for your weary lord.  Tea, food, water, wine.  What would you like, Arthur?”  She smiled softly, tone assuring, motherly.  After all, if all went well, she would soon be his mother by marriage, as well as his aunt.  

The servant scurried off to obey when he heard Arthur’s wish, and Avelina smiled into his face.  “We will always take such good care of each other,” she assured.  “No harm will befall us.”

As Arthur asked about Lynessa, Avelina bowed her head.  “My poor darling, how sweetly she gives her heart away.  Lucky the man who captures such a prize!”  She bit her lip.  “Unlucky Lynessa when happiness is stolen away so suddenly.  You know I never had much love for Jon, but Lynessa…”  Avelina searched her nephew’s face, wondering what effect these words might have upon him.  “But, then, I’ve no need to describe the pain of loss to you.”  She remembered still her brother, dead in a pool of his own blood, all gone cold.  She glanced away from Arthur’s face quickly.  Gods, she thought.  Bitter gods.

“I pray she soon finds a better man to ease her pain and to love all the more, for having known all of this.  But then, Avelina did not truly believe there were better men than Jon: most were just better at concealing their horrific lusts.  No, all good men had gone up in the conflagration that was the Purge. 

“It is a comfort, to me, to know that soon Alexandir Godiva will get what is coming to him.  Think of it, Arthur: two evils wiped out in one deed!  Ironic that the best thing Alexandir has ever done should be the thing that sees him to his grave.”  The day could not come soon enough.  How Dmitrei had ever engineered all of this, Avelina would never know, but she would be forever grateful.

No one in the world knew him better than his aunt. It still felt silly to think of her as such. They’d grown up more like cousins or brother and sister than aunt and nephew. There was a time when she was his closest friend. He still had fond memories of them, as children, exploring the forests surrounding Fain and reading tales of the Dragonriders of old. But that was a long, long time ago, and they’d since grown up. 

He was convinced, then, that he wore his mask well. She took his concern to be for others, when it was primarily for himself. What he didn’t realize, was that she had a mask of her own, which she wore better than he ever could.

“Yes,” He said, wearily. “I am comforted, however, that Valles, at least, was able to leave you in the hands of his capable men. I’m sure you have taken precautions to keep them around you and your daughters at all times? I have done the same with Cordelia. Alexandir may be safely behind bars, but as he succeeded, others may try their hand.” 

He looked up at her then and offered a smile of encouragement, “But no matter. It may be easy to kill a Valles, but impossible to kill an Arrington.” As he spoke, he could not help but think of the last time an Arrington was murdered. It was not ten feet from where they now stood, just passed the closed doors. 

“She is strong,” Arthur said, “I don’t think it will be possible to ever erase the pain and suffering she’s endured, but ... I do think that if anyone can overcome such a terrible thing, it would be her. She is, after all, as much an Arrington as she is a Beaumont.” He paused, “I do not wish to speak ill of the dead but ... I must agree that I had no love for Jon.” He was the worst of men. “I wish she did not know the pains of his loss, but I hope that she will one day will be happy with a man who may better deserve her.” 

He nodded. “It is true that I never got on well with him,” He admitted. (Although, truthfully, his dislike had stemmed from the suspicion that Alexandir knew what Arthur had done to keep his head, rather than anything that Alexandir had ever said or done). “But I did not think him capable of such a thing. But you had always known what he was truly like, didn’t you? I was wrong not to have trusted your judgement in this. Perhaps Valles might still be alive if everyone had exercised more caution against the Duke.” 

He thought he was playing her, now. Not that she needed encouragement in this matter (he was certain that she would blame Alexandir Godiva for every ill in Aragoth if she could), but the more she and Lynessa both were convinced of this, the more certain he was that Alexandir would take the fall for his crimes.