Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

Qira came in and out through the day to make sure Kate wasn't too bored, though he let her be when Kell was around. Both took good care of her, willing to fetch anything she needed or help her with anything she couldn't do.

 

[heartofcourage]

Rissa worked alongside Kell as they sorted through the aftermath of what had happened with the lord. They wouldn't bother Kate if they didn't have to. In fact, to include her in the planning, a dinner was called in their private rooms. Rissa knew that Kate might not like having her around, but this was one thing that they couldn't let slide.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell made sure Qira knew he was welcome as well, as dinner was brought up and laid out around a long table in a pirvate dining space adjacent to the Queen's personal apartments. Once everything was laid out and the servants gone, Kell poured drinks for them all and brought dishes close so Kate could do everything herself save trying to pick up heavy or unwieldy dishes with one hand. He knew she'd hate it if he tried to do everything for her.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate was very quiet as Rissa entered the room, a pile of documents under her arm. She placed them to the side and took her seat at the table, glancing towards Kate as Kell casually sat next to her and didn't move to help his wife.

"I believe that the council has come up with a solution to this issue." Rissa said softly to the both of them, Kate not even looking over towards her.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Do tell," Kell nodded, glancing at Kate as she seemed to be trying not to even acknowledge the other woman.

 

[heartofcourage]

"The title Rothsay will go to his younger brother, but the current duke will be allowed to return home. They believe that this is not a matter that the crown should weigh in on. Let his family dole out a punishment." Rissa said as Kate let out a long sigh and finally looked up.

"So, I shouldn't have an opinion on the fact that he injured me?" Kate asked, looking between Kell and Rissa as if they had lost their minds. "Not just injured me, broke my arm in a way that I cannot train or do the simplest things for a while."

"But it will heal. If it had been more grievous, he would be hung." Rissa said simply.

 

[KieranSoares]

"His family isn't simply going to let him return home and live off his younger brother," Kell told Kate quietly. "They will deal out real punishment for the dishonor he's brought their name. I wouldn't be surprised if they disowned him and he was reduced to a commoner."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate was quiet, not really believing Kell's take on the situation. She knew that men like Rothsay were likely to wiggle out of a punishment. If he ran to the mainland, he might have enough influence to raise an army and bring another threat to her throne.

 

[KieranSoares]

When Kate didn't answer, Kell glanced over. He had grown to expect her to resist reason in favor of being contrary, or because she simply saw only the worst happening. "Regardless of what he does after he is stripped of his title, we will be watching him closely for some time," Kell murmured, glancing up as Qira nodded in agreement.

 

[heartofcourage]

"We cannot handle another war so soon." Kate said simply, knowing that everyone believed in a brighter future that she just couldn't see. "They really would revolt if that were the case. We have no resources and barely enough money to keep everything in check."

 

[KieranSoares]

"This man does not have the power, influence, friends, or good reputation to even incite a small rebellion," Kell assured her. "You've seen that none of the other Lords care for him, especially when he tries to drag his neighboring Lords into fights against small outlying clans for land."

 

[heartofcourage]

“If not him then someone else.” Kate countered, watching as Rissa settled back in her chair and let out a long sigh.

“Sure there are those that might be against you, but you are waiting for things that probably won’t happen.” Rissa insisted to the queen.

 

[KieranSoares]

"The issue is this one lord right now, Kate," Kell murmured to her quietly. "We can't sweep through all our problems at once. We have to tackle them in pieces. And this is the most immediate piece that we can finish with."

 

[heartofcourage]

"When all of this comes crashing down, I'll find comfort in the fact that I was right." Kate said as she served herself from the dishes, glancing up at Qira took a seat next to Rissa. "And I have to beg the question as to what is going on between the two of you."

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell sighed at her stubborn insistence that everything would fall apart, but paused as she questioned the other pair.

"We keep our work separate from everything else," Qira answered simply. "That is what matters."

 

[heartofcourage]

"That's not an answer." Kate said in Erygonian, addressing Qira directly and leaving Rissa out of the discussion for the moment.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Are you bothered if I am fond of her?" Qira asked in his native tongue, tilting his head slightly. "We are not what you and Kell are, if that answers it."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Will it distract you?” Kate asked him, having defended his position after what had happened the day before but needing to know if his feelings for Rissa would distract him further.

 

[KieranSoares]

"As I said, our work comes first," Qira murmured, though his tone was firm. If there was one thing he was certain of since joining Kate and Kell, it was how important his work was. He would not leave his post for anything unless he was certain Kate was safe while he was away.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate held his gaze for an uncomfortable moment in silence as he insisted that his duty would not be swayed. Finally, she gave him a nod and went back to dishing up her meal, glancing at Kell to do the same as well as if nothing had happened.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell gave Kate a confused look himself, not certain of why she was so bothered when it came to Qira being interested in Rissa. "I think we need to talk after dinner," he murmured to Kate in Erygonian.

 

[heartofcourage]

"We always do, my love." Kate said sarcastically as she glanced up at Kell. "But do I want to hear what you have to say after dinner?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's enough. We're being rude to Rissa," he spoke the second part in English, giving Rissa an apologetic glance. Most people would've long since left, put off by Kate's contempt."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I don’t believe anyone is being rude. Simply cautious.” Rissa said with a shrug of her shoulders as if she weren’t bothered by any of this in the least.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It is not necessary in this group," Qira murmured. He was certain Kate would like Rissa if given a chance. But Kate didn't want to give it.