The lords and ladies in the throne room stared with hope in their eyes, breath catching at the sight of the four family heads standing tall and proud before them. They thought they'd come to rescue them, shining Pemberley knights and dark-clothed Balor assassins spilling into the room with the opening of the doors.
There was a long moment of silence as the soldiers got into place, surrounding nobles and royals and wildlings alike. The wildlings looked unsurprised as the four family heads strode between the parted crowds, with the one wearing the flute turning to meet the eyes of Holden Vitello. "Our people were not the only ones who suffered by your family's cruelty," he spoke, heard throughout the Great Hall. "These men and women will judge you and yours' fate at our sides; and when we are gone, they will be held accountable for the Realm." Neilson looked to the alliance, raising his brows. "And they will see to it that this madness doesn't happen again."
Then Lord Balor tilted his head towards Lady Pemberley, and her voice echoed strong off the cavernous walls:
“War is at our doorstep,” she began. “But we are here to stop it. There is a simple way to prevent more bloodshed, but the simpler solution would only leave us vulnerable to another war.” She silently met the eyes of her friends, her allies. “We pose a better one, and we begin by stripping the House Vitello of what they have. They have allowed our suffering, nobles and commoners alike, to go on long enough.” She waved a hand, and the guards began to move, surrounding Antony, Alycia, Hypatia, and their loyal friends.
“Holden Vitello and his wife will be spared, since he has exemplified his ability in leading his people with a rational mind.” She omitted any formality of titles. “As you can see, those who have either supported or benefited from their relations to the Vitellos will be punished accordingly. They will wait their sentence in their cells with their kin.” She gestured for Mina to speak her turn.
“Unless,” she continued quickly, over the protesting whispers, and carefully glancing at the unwilling attendants. “You decide to publicly renounce your connection to these criminals. Now’s the time.”
A cold silence froze the throne room, though the sound of slow steps drew the attention to the Master of Coin, who reluctantly approached the new alliance.
“I no longer wish to stay beside the Crown.”
Many nobles joined him and only a few decided to stay silent, among them, the Argos and other families.
The priestess shot a surprised look at the members of her group, before nodding at the deserters and giving a pleasant smile. “Then you will be held in custody, until we’re sure you can be trusted.”
Lord Thornton shot a dubious glance to the Master of Coin, but it wasn't enough to dim the vicious gleam in his smile as he turned to the silent. "Once you were held in the highest regard, now you will sleep with the rats and dogs and lice. Careful, fair friends. I hear they bite deep in the dark."
Lord Balor's smile was chilling as the lords and ladies were led out of the throne room, eyes dancing with mirth.
MAIN RPG - PLOT - CHARACTERS - RULES - NAVIGATION - APPLICATION