PaulMichaels
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IGIWS: Ch.237 Briefing Rya.
🕑 Added 2024-06-03 21:01:01 +0000 UTCIn the opulent confines of the King's office, situated in the West Wing of the Palace, Lord Gawain, Quinus, Johan, and Douglas were deep in conversation, their expressions a mix of urgency and gravity as they prepared Rya for the impending Emergency Session. The room exuded an aura of significance, its walls draped in vibrant tapestries and its polished wood furniture gleaming under the warm light. Every corner seemed to pulse with anticipation, capturing the gravity of the decisions that loomed ahead.
Rya, her brow furrowed in concentration, listened intently to the details being shared. "So, Count Sebastian and the two Barons, Eamon and Thaddeus, are aligning themselves with the Prime Minister… while Viscount William stands with your uncle, correct?" she asked, her voice steady but laced with concern.
"Exactly," Quinus confirmed, nodding gravely. "And Earl Nathaniel, who has been a close companion of my father's for many years, is likely to support our position." His conviction added a glimmer of hope amidst the political complexities surrounding them.
"But the Earl hasn't been brought up to speed on her ladyship's background, Your Highness," Lord Gawain interjected, his brow furrowing with concern. "He might hold some less-than-favorable views about Dark Elves."
Rya took a deep breath, her determination shining in her eyes. "I’m confident I can change his mind... And besides, Johan is stepping in for his father. Does Quin have any say in this meeting?"
Lord Gawain nodded thoughtfully. "He is indeed part of the Royal Family, but he can only cast his vote if his father is incapacitated or has passed away. In other words, Prince Quinus is free to attend any meeting, but when it comes to voting on House matters, he’s sidelined. The only scenario where he can break the deadlock is if all the other members, including his father, vote in a way that creates a tie. Only then does he have the chance to step in and can cast a vote. So, for now, his best course of action is to sway the Major Lords to reconsider their positions."
Rya nodded, determination sparking in her eyes as her mind whirled with strategies. The weight of a crucial decision hung heavy in the air, and she was resolved to sway some members of the house—if only to shake their faith in the Prime Minister and the Duke. She needed to dismantle their support for the impending measure.
'Alright... I hope Lord Gawain's assessment of the Nobles is correct... If things go well, I think I can turn one or both of the Barons away from Duval... But the Viscount will be tougher... He's a long shot, but if I get the opportunity... I think I can break him away...'
Rya stood with furrowed brows, her gaze locked onto the expansive map that sprawled before her. The Kingdom of Fiafyr unfolded like a living canvas, each intricate line weaving together the vast territories ruled by one of the thirteen Major Nobles. Symbols littered the map, each representing a noble’s stronghold, their significance heavy with history and power.
As her finger danced along the borders and shaded regions, Rya envisioned the enormous influence each noble wielded. Every twist and turn told a story of rivalries, alliances, and shifting loyalties. Knowing their domains was not just a matter of geography; it was the key to unlocking strategic opportunities in her upcoming negotiations. With the stakes higher than ever, she steeled herself to navigate the complex web of politics, determined to outmaneuver her opponents with precision and craft.
Feeling the weight of her thoughts, Quinus placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Are you really sure you're ready for this, Rya?" he asked, concern flickering in his eyes.
She met his gaze steadfastly. "Of course... I may be a bit rusty with dealing with white-collar types," she replied, a spark of confidence igniting within her. "But once I get a feel for the room. I'm sure I can handle them."
Quinus smiled as he said, "If you say so. Just make sure to watch out for my Uncle... He's the most cunning out of all the nobles."
Rya raised an eyebrow, a hint of mischief in her smirk. “I might have agreed with you... but he’s at a disadvantage now.”
“How so, sis?” Nieren inquired, curiosity lighting up his eyes.
"What was his goal before I arrived on the scene?" Rya posed a glint of intrigue in her gaze.
General Douglas answered hesitantly, “He intended to kill His Highness to take the throne.” While he thought he was speaking to the truth of Alaric’s ambitions, Rya’s probing questions hinted at a much different understanding of the game at play.
Rya continued, her tone sharpening, “You would have been right... if Marcus were still alive. But he isn’t. So…”
The realization dawned on Quinus first as the pieces clicked into place. “So, with my cousin out of the picture, my Uncle’s lifelong ambitions have crumbled. He’s left scrambling to forge a new path—one he hasn’t quite figured out yet.”
Rya leaned in, her eyes glinting with intrigue as she wiggled her finger like a conductor orchestrating their plan. “Exactly. He’s likely still reeling from the loss of his son, and revenge is probably consuming him. If we can exploit his emotional turmoil, we might just see him become reckless—and that’s when mistakes happen. But I must admit, I’ve never encountered the man until today. I can’t gauge how grounded he truly is until I get in the ring with him... If he’s been scheming as long as you suggest, he won’t go down without a fight. But if there are cracks in his psyche, then he's in trouble.”
Yuliana smiled at her adopted daughter and said, "You're so smart for how young you are, Ry. I'm impressed."
Rya glanced back at the wood elf, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Thanks, Mom... but it feels a bit premature... It's like an old saying from—Um? My old homeland... Everyone has a plan until you start getting punched in the face."
"Punched in the face?" Lord Gawain raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
Rya nodded, her expression serious. "It means that plans tend to fall apart once the fighting starts."
General Douglas chuckled, a twist of admiration on his lips. "I actually like that! Mind if I borrow it for my speeches to the knights? It captures the chaos of war perfectly."
"Sure... Go for it," Rya replied with a playful shrug. "I wish I could claim credit for it, but hey, it’s not all that bad to share wisdom."
Dalia and Nieren exchanged knowing smirks as they glanced at Rya. To them, it was amusing how she seemed almost too humble, considering the immense power and strength she wielded. Her modest demeanor was a stark contrast to the formidable presence she commanded.
Knock! Knock!... Knock!
“Come in!” Quinus beckoned, his voice echoing through the grand chamber.
The heavy doors swung open to reveal a tall, muscular man clad in gleaming Royal Knight's Armor. His presence was commanding, betraying the urgency of the moment. "Milord... The Prime Minister is set to begin the meeting in fifteen minutes. We should make our way to the Parliamentary Chamber before they secure the doors," the knight urged.
"Pfft! I like to see him try to lock us out," Sir George laughed mockingly at the Prime Minister's weak attempt to keep them out of the proceedings.
Rising to his feet, Quinus straightened his attire, his demeanor shifting to one of determination. He surveyed his companions—Dalia, Nieren, and Yuliana—all of whom wore expressions of uncertainty. “Alright, everyone, it’s time for us to step up. We are Fiafyr's finest, and the survival of our kingdom hangs in the balance!”
Yuliana opened her mouth, struggle evident on her face. “But we are from…”
“My apologies, Lady Yuliana,” Quinus interjected smoothly, his gaze unwavering. “Regardless of your origins, you are now a citizen of my kingdom and a valued member of our team. Unless, of course, you’d rather not be here…” He let the question linger in the air, inviting them to embrace their roles in this pivotal moment. Nieren's heart raced when Quinus' Golden eyes looked at her with a burning desire that made her blush.
“O-Of course, we want to be a part of this kingdom! Don’t we, Mother!?” Nieren exclaimed, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.
Yuliana hesitated for a moment, her thoughts weighing heavily on her mind. “Well... I suppose there’s no harm in it... But I had hoped to restore the Wood Elf Kingdom for you, Nieren,” she confessed, her voice tinged with a mix of hope and uncertainty.
Nieren hugged her mother, "Come on, Mother! I will not turn my back on my prince—I mean Sis!... And if she wants to stay with him, then I will, too."
Yuliana didn't know what to do and looked over to Rya, who was standing next to her. She had never felt such conflict in her life. On the one hand, her heart yearned to help Rya, who was fighting to stay in this human kingdom. On the other, the weight of her past obligations and the promise to save the people of the Wood Elf Kingdom pressed in on her.
Rya could see the conflicted emotions flickering across the wood elf's face, and she understood all too well what her adoptive mother was feeling.
"Don't worry, Mom... Once this crap is taken care of, then I will free the wood elves... We'll let them stay in Fiafyr and figure out what to do next. But for now, let's focus on protecting the kingdom we have..." she assured her gently.
"Okay, Ry... That sounds fair. As long as we free our people from their enslavement, I am satisfied."
Rya nodded and gave Yuliana a hug, which caught her off guard. The two exchanged warm smiles before turning their attention to Dalia.
Rya looked at the wolfkin and asked, "Are you sure you wanna be here, Dalia?"
"Pff! ME! Abandoned my Alpha?... Hah! These humans got another thing coming if they think they can keep my Alpha away from her mate!" Dalia laughed while crossing her arms and wagging her tail.
Rya rolled her eyes at her friend's bravado, but that was one of the things that endeared Dalia to her. "Alright, enough of that, Dalia. You're going to embarrass me at this rate... Oh yeah! Quin, if things go south, we need to come up with a backup plan."
The Crown Prince nodded, urgency etched on his face. "I agree, but we'll need to address this in the midst of the meeting. Time is not on our side."
Rya agreed. "Yeah, you're right. Lord Gawain, if things go bad, can you run interference?"
"Sure, Milady... I can keep the nobles talking about anything while your group makes an escape," Lord Gawain reassured her, a sly smile crossing his face.
"Perfect! Now, let's not keep the Prime Minister waiting!" Rya quipped, her determination surging.
Quinus walked with purpose toward the heavy oak door, his shoulders pulled back, exuding an air of command that captivated those around him. Rya stood beside him, her presence both supportive and fierce. As the rest of the group rose in unison, eager to follow, they halted at the threshold, confusion flickering in their eyes. Quinus’s keen gaze swept back, realization dawning upon him—General Douglas lingered behind, rooted to the spot, an unreadable expression etched across his face.
"Aren't you coming with us, General?" Quinus inquired, his voice laced with urgency.
The general shook his head, his expression steely. "I’ll have my men prepare a carriage at the side entrance, should the situation escalate, Your Highness."
Quinus nodded a determined glint in his eyes. "That’s reasonable... but I need you in the chamber with us. We can’t afford to let Terenthiel and his Paladin feel too comfortable," he insisted, his tone commanding and resolute.
A smirk tugged at the corner of the General's mouth as he rose to his feet. "Very well, Your Highness. I’ll find a way to slip in there, one way or another."
Quinus and Rya exchanged warm smiles as they stepped through the ornate door, the rich wood polished to a shine. Behind them, Nieren and Dalia fell into step, their soft footfalls echoing against the stone walls of the candle-lit corridors of the palace. A few paces behind them, Yuliana and Lord Gawain walked side by side, their heads bent in deep conversation, their voices a hushed murmur amidst the bustling atmosphere.
Sir George, Percy, and several stalwart Knights trailed closely, their expressions serious and vigilant as they assessed their surroundings, ready to defend the Prince and his Lady at a moment's notice. The group navigated the wide corridor, its high ceiling crowned with elegant chandeliers that cast a warm glow over the marble floors. They ascended the grand staircase, each step resonating with purpose until they finally reached the imposing doors of the Parliamentary Chamber of the House of Lords, where a gathering of eager faces awaited their arrival.
[author]
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Comments
Micheal Kennedy
Thanks for another great chapter. It was a lot of fun.
PaulMichaels
Yeah it's been a long time coming. I've been hoping to get to the political part for since the end of Volume 2. But I'm sort stuck for the next chapter mostly for geography. I've putting off creating an actual map of the Agon Continent. I'm hoping to get a rough sketch out by tonight.
Micheal Kennedy
Thanks Paul. It's a fun arc to read.
PaulMichaels
Yeah everything was clicking on the creative side and my kid decided to have two naps today lol
Tyler
After I finished last chapter I was itching for the next one, can't believe we got it so soon!
PaulMichaels
Hot damn! I'm on a roll today ladies and gentlemen! Enjoy!
