The Queen of Askavi requests your presence at her eyrie.

That was all the note said, but Valkyrian knew the real meaning behind the words. Get your winged ass over there or someone would be sent to fetch you.

Gentle fingers smoothed out her shirt as she stood before the entrance to Lady Dashvar's eyrie, nervously biting her lip.

She had left her cabin late, the fluffy white puppy she had taken in the previous week, who happened to be a Tigers Eye Warlord, had gotten into her stash of chocolate and eaten a goodly portion of it. Valk and Camia, a Purple Dusk wolf Healer had spent most of the morning trying to make him throw up the poisonous substance and Valk had almost given up and sent a message to Lady Dashvar saying she wasn’t going to be able to make the meeting when Jeka had vomited the chocolate up...all over her best dress. Valk had locked the puppy in one of the kennels and scrambled to get clean.

She had caught a Red wind to Lady Dashvar's eyrie, instead of flying, as she had intended. But with the Red she had arrived on time, instead of being horribly late, as she thought she was going to be. So here she was, dressed in what could only be described as…casual. Her jeans and light blouse were wrinkle and stain free and she had worn her best cape and boots, but she felt almost naked standing at the foot of the eyrie of the Queen of Askavi.

Before she could chicken out, Valkyrian walked up and knocked on the door, tucking her wings close to her body. There was no need to be rude and approach with open wings, ready to fly away. She straightened her back and lifted her eyes as the door opened.

“I’m here to speak with Lady Dashvar. My name is Valkyrian Dante,” she told the butler who ushered her inside. He smiled at her and showed her to the Queen’s study, where he left her with the assurance that the lady would be along soon.

Valk hesitated a moment before settling on a chair made to fit Eyrien wings. She fiddled with her ring, twisting the Red and Opal setting around her finger for a moment before getting up and taking a step towards the bookshelf. Surely by the time she was done reading the titles, the Queen would be here.

Yesterday had been a good day for the Queen of Askavi; she’d called two witches to her office – Arelian Sherre, a Gray-Jewelled Black Widow and Avery Lavelle, a Green-Jewelled Healer Priestess – and offered them both positions as the Leader of Askavi’s Hourglass Coven and High Priestess respectively, and they’d both accepted. It was such a relief for Kyrian to have those two witches helping her. If today went as well as the previous day then she would be on cloud nine. She intended on setting up the new Provinces next week and putting in their rulers. Kyrian had heard good things about the Red-Jewelled Queen she’d invited to her home, but she still wanted to feel the witch out. Having her own impressions instead of someone else’s was very important to her. Powerful Jewels were not all it took to make Kyrian a supporter; she’d rather put a Broken Queen in power then one who would not be good to her people.

Currently, Kyrian was in her Healing room making up several brews in anticipation that flu season was coming, and since she’d yet to hire a Court Healer, that duty was still falling to her. She was also reading over several reports that Talivar had done up for her. Something was going on in Askavi, something right under her nose and she didn’t like it one bit. Someone had taken Nevar’s little girl and the more Kyrian looked into it; the more she found that there had been other disappearances. When she thought about it, it should have been obvious to her that human trafficking had taken a hold in Askavi; it would have been good revenue for the rulers willing to deal with the traffickers. The very thought of it made her want to snarl, and she suspected that this is what had happened to Clarian, though she had no proof, and Arelian was still working on the web, and Kyrian didn’t want to unduly worry Nevar and Amrian more then they already wore. But Kyrian couldn’t help but think that a Queen, particularly one that was the child of two Dark-Jewelled individuals – and therefore likely to wear them herself – and still young enough to be easily manipulated would be and individual who would fetch a pretty price for the traffickers.

It made her skin crawl, and it made her have to fight from going cold. There was a storm brewing inside of the Gray-Jewelled Queen these days, and if she ever found the traffickers who were trying to demolish what she was trying to rebuild, there was no doubt that her usual pacifist demeanour would vanish and that by the time the cold rage left her that there would be death in her wake. She was no warrior, but the Gray was still a very deadly power.

A knock sounded on her workroom door, and Kyrian welcomed the distraction from her dark thoughts, and she took a few breathes to calm the anger that had started to leak out. The Healer check on the brews she had going, making sure that nothing would go awry while she was meeting with Lady Dante, and then she stood, smoothed her deep purple dress and left the room, locking and shielding it, before heading to her office.

Kyrian slipped quietly into her office, and was amused to see the other Queen browsing her bookshelves. Nothing there was fiction, all of those were to be found in her private rooms. No, these were informative books that she often called upon in her work and she’d read every word of every one. She was surprised by the witch’s casual attire, but it was clear that she’d made some attempt; Kyrian wouldn’t judge the book by its wrappings. Jadrian, after all, hated dresses, but she was still a very capable Queen.

“It always amazes me how much knowledge can be contained on simple leafs of paper,” Kyrian said in way of greeting. She stepped beside the other Queen, but didn’t yet look at her; instead she ran her finger down the spine of a thick tome on Protocol that had clearly been well-read several times. Finally, she looked to the other Queen and turned, offering her hands, palms down, in the formal greeting. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Dante. Thank you for coming on such short notice. I’m Kyrian Dashvar.” Her smile was warm. “If you wish to keep perusing my books, then we may talk of those, or, if you wish, we can take a seat and I’ll have the kitchen send up some refreshments.”

To say Valkyrian had been startled would be an understatement. She had been paying close attention to her surroundings, as she always did when in unfamiliar territory, as she had been trained to do, and yet Lady Dashvar managed to sneak up on her. Forcing herself to show no outward sign of distress, she slide her hands, palms up, under the Healer Queen’s palms in the formal greeting of a superior.

Stupid girl, you should have been paying better attention, she berated herself as she smiled at the lady. What would Ianvar say if he had been able to sneak up on you like that? Her Jewels are no excuse, you should have been on your guard, ready at all times, just like you were trained.

Valkyrian had to forcefully change the direction of her thoughts before she went down the road of self destruction again. After she had lost her baby, she had struggled with her self-image for a long time and now, fifty years later, there was still a tiny voice in the back of her mind that spoke to her in Colin’s voice, telling her she wasn’t perfect, that she would always fail. Most of the time she was able to ignore the voice, to ignore the pain his memory brought, but occasionally, the urge to run and hide and curl up in a ball and cry was to much. It had been getting better, this was the first time she had panicked in years, thanks to her constantly busy life, caring for her dogs and the acres surrounding her cabin.

“I think it would be best if we got to why you asked me here, Lady Dashvar,” Valk said politely, waiting for the other Queen to sit before she took her seat. Once again, she couldn’t help feeling she was underdressed. “Please excuse my attire, I’m afraid one of the puppies made a mess on my dress and I didn’t have time to pull out any court attire from the attic.” Taking a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders and looked the Queen of Askavi in the eye.

“Is there a reason you requested my attendance, Lady Dashvar? I must confess I can’t think of any reason you would need a…an eccentric Queen like me. I’m afraid I’ve become a bit of a recluse over the past half century, my dogs and my work have taken over much of my life, something I thank the Darkness for every day.” She smiled, thinking about her beloved charges.

Kyrian was both pleased and relieved when the other Queen returned the formal greeting in the proper way. The Healer Queen was never sure what to expect from people in Askavi when it came to their knowledge of Protocol; some knew, and others had no knowledge whatsoever. She had done her research into Lady Dante’s past and knew that she’d grown up in the courts, but Kyrian had found that even that was no guarantee of Protocol knowledge. Much of the other Queen’s life was a mystery to her, but she still knew that her mother had died when she was young and that she’d then been raised in the war camps with her father. Kyrian also knew that she’d recently (by long-lived standards anyway) had a miscarriage at seven and a half months, and she had cried when she’d learned that bit. To lose a child… it was a terrible thing. A parent should never have to bury their children. If Askavi hadn’t been such a mess, she’d likely have been able to find a Healer in time to save the child. Kyrian herself had dealt with premature births that were only in the beginning of the third trimester and had the babe and mother survive. When she’d read about Lady Dante’s baby, she wondered that if she’d returned to Askavi earlier if she’d have been able to make a difference for her.

The two powerful Queens took seats around Kyrian’s desk, and the Gray-Jewelled witch’s lips twitched as the other Queen cut straight to the chase, and a moment later apologised for her casual attire. Kyrian smiled and waved a hand in dismissal. “I take no insult, Lady; I know how puppies can be. Besides, I spend half my time walking around here in my garden scrubs,” she laughed. “And as a Healer, I don’t think I can even begin to count the amount of dresses I’ve nearly ruined.” Her eyes were warm.

Another smile spread across her lips at the clear love in the other witch for the canines that she’d dedicated her life to since the loss of her child.

A tray arrived from the kitchens on Kyrian’s desk a moment later, and she plucked a stick of shortbread from the tray and took a bite. Then she swallowed. “My asking you here today has one and possibly two purposes depending on how the first one goes. That second one I’ll explain if the time comes. However, the main reason I have asked you here is that with so few Queens in Askavi these days who aren’t children or adolescence or Broken…” Some anger flashed in the Queens eyes as she thought of all the Queens she’d met since returning and how all of them had experienced things that no witch should have to. Little Clarian. Kyrian took a deep breath to calm herself. “Particularly with how few strong Queens we have, I’ve been doing my best to try and get to know as many as I can.”

Kyrian finished her cookie. “So yes, I’ve called you here, Lady, simply to get to know you. I know your basic history, but I have no interest in prying into the history of someone I’ve just met unless need be. Lady Sherre spoke highly of you, and as I only yesterday appointed her as the Leader of Askavi’s Hourglass Coven, I decided I’d also feel out her instincts for people myself.” She rose from her seat and looked outside her office window into the gardens that it overlooked. “I’m interested in getting to know the witch your experiences have made you. Would you like to go out to the gardens? We have three Kindred Wolf pups who have decided that my garden is their home. There’s a little Warlord Prince amongst them who has decided that he has to meet everyone who comes into “his” garden.” Kyrian smiled, thinking of the pup; then a sad look curled at the corners of their eyes. “Prince Orlen and I found them the other week; their mother had been killed for her pelt. They were nearly starved to death, and had I not been a Healer, likely wouldn’t have survived. They’re healthy now though, and have decided I’m ‘Kyrian mummy.’” The light in the Healer Queen’s eyes said that she didn’t mind the title in the least.

Valkyrian had to smile at the idea of the dignified Lady Dashvar covered in mud and puppy paw prints. When the tray arrived, Valk waited until the Queen took a snack before she chose a finger sandwich. She listened as the Queen spoke. Two questions? What could the Queen possibly want? Valk quickly ran through everything she had done over the past decade but drew a blank.

"I have noticed how the land seems to be dying, Lady Dashvar," Valk said quietly. "And I have heard reports of the many broken witches." Her eyes grew sad, broken witches had always been a sore topic for Valkyrian. Her cousin had been broken, raped, and the memory of the once lively girl left a mere husk of herself, her Jewels broken, stayed with Valk for the rest of her life. "I agree that those with power should know each other, so that we are not stranger should something happen." She fell silent again when the Queen began talking again.

Lady Dashvar wanted to get to know her? To what end? Wait, if she knew her history, then she knew about...the baby. And Lady Sherre spoke of her? Valk had only met the Black Widow a few times since Zam had destroyed her tangled web, but she liked her. She was glad the witch was appointed the leader of her caste. But what did Arelian have to do with this interview? She decided to continue listening to the Queen before she gave herself a headache.

Whoa. Go to the gardens? Where did that come from? But there were wolf puppies there, Kindred. Wolves had always been one of Valkyrian's favorite canines. Her second permanent doggy residant, Camia the Purple Dusk Healer, was a wolf that Valk had rescued as a pup. She was the only one left from her litter and her parents were nearby, dead, skinned. Likely Camia had escaped the carnage because her white coat blended in with the snow. Valk would have never found her if Roscoe hadn't smelled the tiny pup.

"I would love to meet your wolf pups, Lady Dashvar," Valk said rising as well. "And if its alright, I would like to examine them? I have had several wolves come through my house, and my Healer, Camia, is a white wolf." She smiled at the thought of the gentle Healer. "I raised her from a pup, like I did my doberman, Roscoe. I've told him again and again I'm just a Queen, no court, but he insists on calling himself my First Escort." She laughed. "At least Kyrian Mummy is better than Nom Nom, true? That's whay Roscoe called me when I first brought him home."

As the other Queen talked about how she’d noticed the health of the land in decline and heard reports of many Broken witches, Kyrian munched on her shortbread. It was serious, and terrible things that they discussed – some would say not snack talk – but sweets had a way of making a person smile, and a smile during this sort of discussion was a ray of hope, and hope was certainly something that was needing. Though, Kyrian wasn’t certain how Lady Dante had only heard “reports” of Broken witches… the Healer Queen had met more Broken witches, and Blood males for that matter, in the last nine months then she had in the rest of her sixteen and a half centuries of life.

Kyrian nodded in agreement with her last statement. “I agree, and wonder at times that if the strong individuals who had been in control six hundred years ago had been more in concord with each other if and had joined together when Rhaevar first returned if they’d not have been able to defeat him and save centuries of suffering.” The Queen sighed. “Then again, he was almost an appropriate tyrant to teach us something that the powerful in Askavi a thousand years ago had forgotten. Yes, he Broke a Queen, but he Broke her during the rut; Warlord Princes are not supposed to be held responsible for what they do when that madness takes them. Yet they made him so, and exiled him from his home. The wrongs all piled up and everyone suffered in the end, and now we are left to pick up what pieces we can, and remake those that can no longer be picked up.”

Valkyrian certainly had true love for the animals, and that was certainly an endearing personality trait as far as Kyrian was concerned; a Queen who cared fro the animals had to care for the land. She giggled. “Nom Nom?” Then she laughed some more. Hmm… I guess so. Though I do wonder if that little Warlord Prince will start saying “Mine,” when he gets a bit older and really settles into his temper.” Kyrian paused. “Kindred are like that; they follow their instincts. Let me guess, Roscoe is a Warlord Prince? If he’s decided you’re his, then you clearly have no choice in the matter.” Deciding that there was no need to bother with them walking through the eyrie as they were both capable Eyriens, Kyrian simply unlatched her glass doors, moved out onto the deck, and then glided down to the earth below. Almost out of habit she removed her shoes so that she’d feel the bare earth under her toes.

Kyrian waited for the other Queen to join her, and decided to set her right on something that was a bit of a slight. “You can look over the puppies if you like, but I assure you they’re fine; all perfectly healthy now. I was trained in healing more then just people, Lady Dante.” A reminder that Kyrian was a Healer Queen, and one who knew what she was doing. If Valkyrian accepted the job that Kyrian hoped she would then the other Queen would need to understand when not to insult someone. After putting Imriel back together, there wasn’t likely much she couldn’t do. Recalling that healing still sent a shudder down her spine. The boy really shouldn’t have survived, and wouldn’t have if she’d been even seconds later – he would have bled out.

Not wanting to make a big deal about the insult she doubted the other Queen had meant, Kyrian started walking. Then she called out: “Mikasi! Nascha! Shania!” Then she turned to Valkyrian. “Mikasi is the little Warlord Prince and he wears the Purple Dusk, Nascha is a Healer and wears the Yellow, and Shania is a witch… though sometimes she comments on things that make me suggest that she’ll be more some day, and she wears the Rose.” Kyiran sat down one the ground and waited. A few minutes later there was the sound of little feet running, and a moment after that three pups who looked to be about three months old burst out from under a hedge to their left. A few moments later all three had ploughed into Kyrian and were taking turns washing her face. There were three little voices in the psychic threads muttering *Kyrian mummy.*

Valkyrian had spent a good deal of her time while living in her father’s eyrie helping the witches that had been broken on a warrior’s spear, witches who would have been strong, good leaders, Black Widows, Healers, even two Queens who had worn the Green and Opal. The brutality had angered her and she had wanted to do something to stop it, but…to her shame, she had run off with Colin and forgotten about them. Now that she was back, and she had had time for grieve for her lost child, Valk wanted to do something, anything, to help the broken witches of Askavi. Perhaps there was some way she could help Lady Dashvar.

“Roscoe is a Prince, he wears the Opal,” Valk said in response to the Queen’s question. “And I’m afraid I have no choice, as you said. I doubt anything in all three Realms could keep him from me now.” She rolled her eyes, but her voice was infused with affection and pride. “Roscoe has become something of a four-legged son to me,” she said softly, eyes falling to the floor. “He was the first dog I found…after.” She jerked her thoughts away from the pain and concentrated on the present. It wouldn’t do to bring up such things in front of the Queen of Askavi.

Shit, Valk though after she spoke about the wolves. How much more out of line can you get, Valkyrian Dante? Of COURSE she knows all about animals and how to heal them, she’s a HEALER, you dumbass. A blush turned her golden skin dark and she lowered her head. While she wasn’t going to say anything about her slip, she reminded herself to pay more attention to her words and what she said to whom in the future.

Valk watched in amusement as the three wolf puppies ran out of a hedge and ran to Lady Dashvar. They all looked very healthy and happy and she smiled. Crouching down, she watched the puppies with delighted eyes.

“There is something about young creatures, human or animal, that warms the heart and makes one think perhaps things aren’t always as bad as they seem, don’t you think?” Valk said, softly. “I know the puppies I am taking care of are a lot of work, but, its always worth it, in the end, isn’t it? To see what magnificent creatures they grow into, to see the little pup you nursed with a rag and a bowl of milk change into a gifted Healer.” She smiled, thinking of Camia.

“Sometimes,” she said softly, “I wish I had taken the rulership when my mother died, but then I remember what a frivolous woman she had been. I know that sounds awful speaking of the dead like that, but it is true. She was a frivolous, selfish woman who only thought of herself and her entertainment. Yes, she was a good ruler, but the land was starting to fail by the time she got sick, because she didn’t pay it the attention it needed.” She met the Queen's eyes and her determination to help had her keep eye contact as she spoke.

“Perhaps, I wasn’t meant to rule, but I do know I have something to offer, power to offer to help rebuild Askavi. If you need me, Lady Dashvar, I would like to help you heal Askavi.”

Kyrian listened as Valkyrian talked about Roscoe. Prince, not Warlord Prince… and the Queen thought that Roscoe was possessive… she’d clearly not had a Warlord Prince say a very stubborn “Mine.” A Queen had very little choice in the matter then when a Warlord Prince did such a thing, other then to give in or turn him away, and to do the latter would hurt them greatly. Warlord Princes made a clear distinction between the Queen they served and the Queen that was theirs. If the latter turned them away it was a terrible sort of slap that was full of pain. When Valkyrian trailed off, clearly thinking about the child she’d lost, Kyrian placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, and then gave it a bit of a squeeze. She doubted the other woman wanted to talk about the loss of her child, but the Healer Queen would give her what support a stranger could, and then she focused her attentions somewhere else so that the other witch would have a few moments to compose herself if she needed it.

As their wolf pups carried on with their enthusiastic greeting, Kyian listened to Valkyrian’s words. “I agree completely. Though for me it brings as much anger as content, because I shouldn’t have to provide healings to younglings because their mothers were taken from them. I’m pleased when they make recoveries as wells as these three have, but it still shouldn’t have been something I’d needed to do.” *Another of their litter had already passed when Prince Orlen and I found them. A little Summer Sky Queen. Mikasi is very protective of his sisters, and I suspect that he things he should have been able to save his other sisters.* “By the way, next time you find any stray animals, let me know; I’ve learned over the years how to creature brews that will emulate the sort of nutrients that different animals will receive from their mother’s milk, which would be healthier for them then cow or goat milk, which is what I assume you’ve been using. Perhaps we can get the babes to recover that much faster.”

The puppies settled around her, though Mikasi had taken up a position that put him between Kyrian and Valkyrian. The Healer Queen swore that the pup was growing more and more into what would be his adult temper every day. He was a Warlord Prince, and he was placing himself between his females and a stranger. He seemed calm as Kyrian scratched his back, but his ears were alert and his gold eyes were watching the Red-Jewelled Queen’s every move. Kyrian was simply glad that the little Warlord Prince wasn’t watching her so intently.

As Valkyrian brought up ruling, Kyrian lifted her head, surprised to hear it coming from the other Queen. And as she asked if there was anything to do to help Askavi in its recovery the Healer Queen smiled; well, not seemed to be as good a time as any. “To be honest, Lady, helping me was the second thing I was hoping to discuss with you. Ruling in particular. You are a strong Queen, and one who grew up in the courts and so understands how they work, and you’ve also seen what enjoying position while not tending the land gets a Queen. You also wear the Red. It is dangerous times we live in, so a powerful Queen may deter people who would otherwise seek to cause trouble. You are the sort of Queen who people would let guide them, which is what I need. In the coming weeks, I’m going to dissolve a great many of the Provinces. There’s dozens of them, and they’re always shifting and most that are calling themselves Provinces are really not bigger then a small District. I need to re-establish the Court hierarchy, but in order to do that, not only do I need a manageable and well-defined number of Provinces and Districts, but people I trust to ruler them. Some of the currently rulers I’m just going to give more land to, and others I’ll be removing from rule completely. You’re more then strong enough to rule a Province, and, I hope give our males a Queen they won’t be afraid to offer their service to.”

Valkyrian couldn't help smiling at the puppies and agreeing with the Healer Queen. There were somethings that should not have to be done and healing young from grievous wounds, be they human or Kindred, was at the top of the list. She caustiously held her hand out to the little Warlord Prince and smiled.

"I agree, Lady Dashvar." *Prince Mikasi will be a fine Warlord Prince someday, and I am sure the loss of his sister will fuel his protective streak.* She smiled, a sad smile, mourning the loss of the young Queen. *I would watch out if I were you when he grows up Lady.*

She listened, shocked, as the Queen of Askavi asked her to rule a Province. Her, Valkyrian Dante, rule? Why...that was insane! Ludicrous! She could never...

She forced herself to calm down, to think about her reaction. What Lady Dashvar said was true, to an extent. She had been raised in a court, frivolous as it had been, and she had learned at her mother's knee how to rule. Her past experiences, though quite painful, had taught her to think and seek counsel before acting rashly. Valkyrian had been groomed to take over her mother's court after she died, and though she had not done so, the lessons had never left her. And what was that that Lady Dashvar had said? The males needed Queens to believe in again, especially after the reign of terror of Rhaevar. She grit her teeth at the thought of the Warlord Prince. She had been spared from his purge by her father, who had hidden her away in his camp, but everyday she had seen and felt the damage he dealt her beloved land.

And she wanted, desperately, for the land to heal. She had done what she could to nurture the land around her home back to health, but now was her chance to help heal a Province, to give strength to a people who had been oppressed and scared for far to long. Valkyrian gathered her nerve and looked Lady Dashvar right in the eye.

"With your blessing, Lady, I would like to rule as a Province Queen, to help heal the land and the people. And I think..." she paused and thought of the land around her father's camp, the warrior province whose people fought to keep the jhinka at bay everyday, in whose blood ran the blood of millions of proud warriors. "...I think I know where I would like to rule."

**OOC: Tell me if you think the last is too straight forward, k? **

*Tell me about it,* Kyrian responded to the other Queen’s comments about Mikasi. *I just hope he finds a wolf Queen to put all that protective and fussy temperament of his to use with. I have enough Warlord Princes trying to share me already.* She smiled. She loved them all dearly, but they still all wanted their time with her and sometimes making sure everyone was happy could be a process. A process she enjoyed, but sometimes it could be exhausting, particularly when she called one of those Warlord Princes her lover.

Valkyrian seemed surprised by Kyrian’s suggestion that she rule a Province. The Healer Queen just stayed quiet so the other Queen could think it through. It would be a very important decision and Kyrian didn’t want her to change her mind and back out. She was a powerful Queen, and Kyrian knew what Province she’d offer her as well because of her strength, and this time it did have to do with her Jewels. As a steely look came into the other Queen’s eyes, Kyrian believed that she was about to get the answer that she was hoping to get.

Then she did, and Kyrian smiled a very warm smile. If things kept going this well, perhaps she’d actually be able to get Askavi back on its feet. She had a High Priestess and a Coven Leader, and hopefully soon an appropriate amount of Provinces and with people she could trust to take care of things. And hopefully, some time so she would have a High Healer as well. “I’m glad,” Kyrian said. “I’m going to create four Provinces aside from Ebon Rih; one will be here and I’m going to name if for the Provinces. The Province to the northeast will be Kae’rih, Aenghus is staying the same, and the southeast will be Naestar. Because of your Red, I was hoping you’d be willing to assume the Province here and hopefully put a good dent in the jhinka, and inspire the warriors. They’d not had much to motivate them for a while, what with Rhaevar and the tainted Queens before him and since. However, if it’s another piece of land that calls to you, let me know.”

Valkyrian could only nod and agree with the Gray Jeweled Queen. While she had not been around a Warlord Prince in along time, she vividly remembered how temperamental they were. Dragovar had been extremely protective, though part of that might have come from the fact that he was trying to keep her from Colin. Mother Night, she missed Dragovar. She mourned his death everyday, just as she mourned her child’s death.

She shied away from thoughts of her former lover and lost child. Its in the past, she scolded herself. To dwell on it does nobody any good.

She listened intently as Lady Dashvar explained about her plans for Askavi. She agreed with the plans. With so many little provinces, it was hard for the warriors of Askavi to be united, as they were constantly fighting amongst themselves protecting the borders of each “province”. With four provinces, it would be much simpler and this way the Eyriens could concentrate on rebuilding rather than squabbling. She smiled when Lady Dashvar spoke of her taking over the newly formed Naestar Province.

“I was going to ask for the southeast Province, lady, you read my mind,” she laughed. “I spent a great deal of time in the south, after my mother died, my father became one of the camp masters there. I was there while Rhaevar ruled, hidden by my father. I know the land and the people there very well.” She paused before continuing. “And I am trained to fight and protect myself, so I think I would fit in rather well.” She smiled. “And if not, I’ll knock a few heads together and then we’ll see how things work out.”

Kyrian smiled again and laughed a bit when the other Queen told her that she was a mind reader, stating that the Province she’d hoped to give to Valkyrian was actually the land that was calling to the other Queen. Well… she was good now wasn’t she? The Healer Queen nodded and listened as Valkyrian told her of the time that she’d spent in that region with her father in one of the hunting camps. Kyrian knew of this, and it was also part of the reason that she’d offered this particular piece of land to this particular Queen. The last statement didn’t ride well with Kyrian though; yes, she understood that Eyrien witches here had needed to learn to defend themselves, but there was a difference between being a lone witch and a Queen with a court.

Kyrian stood (much to the grumbling, whimpering chagrin of the pups that had been laying around her), and brushed any soil and grass from her dress. “Might I offer a few words of advice, Lady? Don’t be too... how shall I put it… aggressive with the males around you. You wear the Red Jewels, and many of them have been abused by Queens in the past. You could be their worst nightmare embodied, particularly for those who will feel that call to serve and not understand why. Males protect, Lady, that is their place in the Blood and within a court. Don’t make them feel useless, or remind them that even skills they’ve spent centuries honing may not save them from you. They will fear you. I’ve encountered fear from males a great deal, and while you do wear a lighter Jewel than I, it’s still far Darker then one worn by most, if not all of the males of your Province. And while I’ve offered you this Province, you will still have to form a court with the minimum twelve males it requires for a First Circle. You’ll have a very hard time doing that if you’re ‘knocking a few heads together.’ It won’t turn out well.

“A witch doesn’t have to advertise her strength. I wouldn’t know what to do with a warblade if someone handed me one other than that you attack with the pointy end. However, I am a fully, and very well-trained, Healer. Have you ever considered the fact that the talents a Healer has, coupled with her knowledge of the body could be as much, if not a more potent weapon than a blade? Particularly if that knowledge and power can call its power from the depths of the Gray? I assure you that I could be far more dangerous then most males with their blades, but I don’t advertise it. One doesn’t have to advertise their strengths for someone to realise they’re strong. Keep that in mind as your go about forming your court and ruling, Lady. Let them protect you. Let them serve you, and let them cherish you.”

Kyrian called in another copy of one of the Protocol books she’d brought from Kaeleer with its black leather binding, silver web on the cover and stones representing each of the jewels spiralling light to dark at the center of the web. “Proper Protocol has been too long forgotten in Askavi. Please read this, learn it, use it, and pass it along to others.” The Healer Queen smiled again. “So, why don’t I show you where the boundaries of your Province will be?”

((OOC: I think your next post could wrap this thread up.))