Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"Just because I'm not smiling all the time doesn't mean I'm sad or angry, Ma," Sam reassured her, worry crossing his features, thinking she was concerned about him. Though he'd never admit out loud that he was becoming a rather internally troubled teen, but not the same sort as his troublemaking cousin Seamus.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll always worry about you, love. That's what a mother is suppose to do. I worry that you are sad or that you are upset. I don't know that I could stand knowing that my little boy is in pain." Julia told him softly. "You might not understand now, but when you have little ones of your own, you'll know what I'm talking about."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll be fine, Ma," he reassured her once more. Before long, he'd wandered away to go join his father, feeling somewhat tired himself.

By dinner, everyone was fresh and awake and a feast had been laid out. Once more, Brogan entered the main hall looking strong as ever with his family close behind. But this time, Kate and Kell entered first to the applause of their future council lords and subjects.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate had chosen to wear her knight's medal and a pair of trousers to dinner. It was what made her feel comfortable and she had told Kell that in a hall full of men that she would soon rule, she wanted to be in comfort. Her mother, of course, looked like a serene beauty, looking at Kate from time to time with a smile on her face.

Kate sat next to her father and Marianne, Kell seated next to Julia while Ciaran was seated at her other side with the babies in case they made a fuss. So far, Heather and Ashelin were minding their manners, babbling to Lynndon as Kayla and Aleister took their seats.

 

[KieranSoares]

A toast was quickly raised to old friends, to Kate and Kell, and then to Marianne herself before the meal properly began, and Kate was introduced to the vast kitchen staff as they produced a huge and beautiful meal in honor of her arrival. Music played in the background and there was a comical silent play performed off to one side for the entertainment of the guests. Marianne presided over it all with a calm, controlled air that truly made her the queen of all before her. But she was also open to be approached, spoken to in fairly casual terms for a queen, and she was glad to laugh and talk with her dear friends around her. It was clear that Brogan and Marianne shared several of the same traits and strategies as leaders.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate took in all the sights and sounds of the Scottish court. It would all be hers in a few short months and she was looking forward to the challenge, but she was a little homesick already for Inverness. She missed her Gran and the keep. She missed Khan, who no doubt was giving her uncle Durban a headache right about then. It all made her a little bit teary when she thought about it.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan caught Kate's far-off expression at one point, and he laid a hand on her own. "Y'alright, love?" He asked softly. There was so much to think about that he couldn't even begin to guess where her.mind was at that moment.

 

[heartofcourage]

"A little homesick." Kate said softly as he father asked if she were alright. "But I'm alright. I suppose it will all take some getting use to in time."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ye'll be alright, love, I promise. It'll be hard at first... But soon this'll be 'ome too." Brogan leaned over to kiss her cheek and he let a comforting hand lay on her back.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know." Kate said as her father gave her encouragement for the homesickness that she was feeling. "And I know it's not forever. I'll still get to see Inverness and you and Ma."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Anytime y'like. Ye'll 'ave plenty of excuses t'travel Scotland, visitin' kings an' lords. Y'can always stop by," Brogan told her with a smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm happy to know that you'll always be there for me, Da." Kate said as she leaned in and kiss his cheek with a smile. "No matter what I know that I can depend on you."

 

[KieranSoares]

"For th'most part. But when it comes t'some things, yer Ma's th'woman t'talk to," he said with a smile. The meal went off without a hitch until it was time for Kate to meet her council. And this time, only Kell was beside her. Brogan knew she needed to face them on her own so that she could show her own strength and that daddy wasn't the reason she was so confident.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Nervous, love?" Julia asked as Brogan kept his eyes trained on Kate and Kell as they entered the room to meet the council. "Because I think she is like a lioness. Fierce and protective."

She leaned over and kissed her husband's cheek, giving him a smile. "She'll do you proud."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm no' so worried about her... As I am what those lords'll do 'r say." Brogan sighed. "Scotland loves 'er, but most o' those lords... If not fer Brian havin' been 'er husband, they wouldn't follow 'er. If Kate takes th' throne alone, even with Gale's blessing, she'll 'ave nothin' but opposition from over half of 'em."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate took her seat at the council table with Kell standing guard. She was incredibly nervous but she did her best to school her features like her mother had long ago taught her. All of the lessons that she had learned were coming back to her and she was putting them to very good use.

 

[KieranSoares]

This particular meeting would not necessarily be one of welcome, as Marianne had warned Kate. It would be a chance for the lords to voice their concerns and understand what Kate's agenda would be for the first year of her rule.

The head of council, Marianne's son-in-law Alfred Helsburg, began the meeting. "Welcome lords and ladies, to our first council with our future High Queen Katherine Ghis. First, let us introduce ourselves and be sure to give Lady Katherine plenty of chances to learn our names. This is quite a lot of people to remember at once."

So Kate was introduced, one by one, to her council. All of the highest lords had come to meet her, though smaller estate lords would come and go in the future as they took orders from her main council. Perth, Dundee, Stirling, Paisley, Dumfries, Ayr, Falkirk, Dunbar, Hawick, Stranraer, Greenock, and Lanark all rose to introduce themselves, but none of them seemed ready to show whether they would loyally follow her yet. They needed to see who she really was.

"Also in attendance, we have three of our allied clan monarchs. King Artan Joan of Oban, King Aodhan Ealair of Lochinriver, and Queen Fiona Ruadh of Arbroath." King Artan and Aodhan rose to the call of their names, and Queen Fiona stepped forward. As the only other woman of power in the council, she was ready to offer her friendship outright.

"Milady," she spoke, unbothered unlike some of the lords to address a younger person as her superior. "Would you allow me permission to speak first?" She didn't ask Alfred, only Kate.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate had always been able to remember small details, especially names, at the spur of the moment. It was something that she had learned from her Gran. Kitty had taken the time to teach Kate that knowing everyone's name would endear her to them, no matter how high or low their position was. She listened with intensity as each of the council was introduced to her. She gave each a nod before the three high rulers were introduced before her.

"Of course you may speak." Kate said in a strong, but soft voice. "One thing I would like each of you to know is that you may speak to me about anything no matter what nor when."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Milady, I was asked a favor by Queen Marianne, to stand up as your first supporter after King Brogan and King Gallus. You may have heard that recently, my husband Jerard passed. He was a good king, but he warred with the Ghis and with Scotland's high throne all his life. I came to Queen Marianne with a request for peace, but she told me that it would be your decision. 'With the death of Jerard and the end of my reign, I should hold no jurisdiction over who my son's heir's allies should be.' This is what she told me. So before this council truly begins, I would like to know if Arbroath may finally know peace with Scotland, and if you personally, milady, would aid me in seeking a true peace treaty with Inverness as well."

"Fiona, this is a council meeting, not a court for begging," the Duke of Perth growled, but Fiona didn't even look at him. She was clearly a powerful woman in her own right, probably in her mid twenties. She too had blazing red hair, but hers was a dark almost bloody red, straight and tied back tightly as if to prove she was no-nonsense and not bothered with being the most beautiful woman in the room. She wore a long runic and fine breeches rather than a gown, and exotic dangling silver earrings hung from her ears but were also simple and straightforward. She was used to being in control, but clearly respected authority if said authority deserved it. And to her, Perth didn't while Kate most certainly did. Perhaps she had heard of Kate's deeds.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate glanced towards Kell as the woman in front of her asked for a favor before the council meeting truly began. She wasn't certain that she could truly offer the peace of all Scotland, but she could definitely set the groundwork for a peace with Inverness.

"I will bring the matter before my father. He will consider whether it is in our interest to do such." Kate said softly. "He is a man that values forgiveness and peace. He will certainly give you a fair deal in the negotiations."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Thank you very much, milady," Fiona said, bowing her head. And with that, Kate had secured her first supporter in that day's meeting.

Once Fiona returned to her seat, it was King Artan Joan who stood to speak next. The lords would not dare overstep the two kings in attendance. "Lady Katherine," Artan began. "I came to Edinburgh this past week to renew my alliance with the High Throne. The Queen urged me to stay for this meeting so that I might meet you as well as let these gentleman know of Oban's intentions. I am Artan, son of Artur, and I am the twentieth king of the Joan line. Oban has been ally to Edinburgh since the fall of Siobhan the Cruel nearly three-hundred years ago, and we have known prosperity and little hardship thanks to our friends here. I hope that this peace will last through the changing of families on this throne." He bowed before her, giving the floor to Aodhan Ealair of Lochinriver. Kate didn't know him personally, but Lochinriver was neighbor to Inverlochly and longtime quiet friend of Inverness.

"I came to meet you today, Lady Katherine," Aodhan told her as he stood. "As the daughter to a brother clan king, I welcome you as a future sister queen, and my father, mother, and the rest of our family extend the same welcome. I came to honor the many hard winters in which your family spared their own money and bought supplies for our suffering people, without taking away from your own people. And since Inverness has thrived for so long, some of that has trickled into Lochinriver and now even the poorest people rarely fear hunger, and we are learning to live in harmony with our werefolk brothers. Even my own young son's dearest friends come from the local Kalma tribe. For this, and for the things I cannot repay, I come to greet you and renew my alliance with Edinburgh as well."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It is my wish that everyone in this land knows peace. It doesn't matter to me if they are were or human. We all have a vested interest in this country and how she fares." Kate said softly to everyone gathered, still trembling on the inside. "I know some might find me odd. Some might outright detest me for daring to defend the were. However, I challenge each of you to find a group of people more willing to help their enemies in a time of need. Without them, Inverness would have fallen long ago. Without them, we would not have the fine textiles that cover the walls of this castle. Without them, many of our sisters, mothers, husbands, sons, brothers, aunts and uncles would have died from illness that is beyond our comprehension. This is what I wish everyone to consider as we journey into a new regime."

 

[KieranSoares]

Kate got a few nods of approval and quiet confirmations, but most of the lords were still playing their cards close to their chests. Albert took the floor again as head of council. "Milady, if you would, might you tell the council some of your plans for your first year? Once you are settled into the throne, what might you want to put into policy? Perhaps you may wish to change some laws or borders." The mention of borders had the lords listening closely. Occasionally borders, or rather, the flow of taxes to each lord, were changed to help a struggling lord's estate.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate had to think on the question for a long moment. What would her Da say in a moment like this, she asked herself as her palms suddenly grew sweaty from nerves.

"I wish to help those in need, above everything. Those lords that have been struggling from failed crops and famine should be given top priority, not just by this throne, but by everyone. We might all have a different clan and different interests, but a strong Scotland will be best served by strong citizens."

 

[KieranSoares]

"If help should be given anywhere, it should go to the clans Kirkwall and Guith up north of Wick," the Duke of Lanark spoke up, standing from his seat. "We vassals of the High Throne have seen a good year, and an easy winter. But Guith and Kirkwall have been under constant bandit viking raids for years now. They have never dealt with the High Throne. Perhaps it would be a good chance to make new friends."

"What would either of those clans have to offer Scotland? They're spread across islands too far north of Wick to even deal with King Cahal and Lord Abel. We should leave them be," the Duke of Dundee spoke up. "I do not mean to belittle them, but there is nothing they can offer, and they are a warlike people united by two brother kings who took their thrones forcefully from previous cruel rulers. They are best left alone."

"Agreed," Perth rose as well. "They are barbarians, unneeded in this court or among allies "

"Perth, I never said that," Dundee growled. "Though I am not against sending aid in hard times as I believe in doing so to any struggling people, we had best leave them be for now."

"Milady, the Kings of Guith and Kirkwall are great men, and would be invaluable in a time of trouble should such trouble befall Scotland. If you would but only extend a hand of friendship when you take the throne-"

"Then she would be doing what even King Gale and King Brian hesitated to do. They were wise men to avoid the islands. Do not guide a young girl to such foolishness, Lanark," Perth told him, his voice growing louder.

"Gentlemen," Kell's voice suddenly rang out before the men could start fighting. "I ask that you do not raise your voices. Fighting and yelling solve nothing. As for Lady Katherine, I also request that you do not assume she is so easily swayed due to her gender. As Queen Marianne has proven, a woman can confidently rule and work alongside men." That had shut everyone up as they all realized exactly who Kell was.

"Sir Kell, is it?" Stirling asked as the other sat down.

"Yes, milord," Kell answered quietly.

"You defend a woman, and yet you are not even human. What's more, you're an assassin, grandson of the greatest assassin in the world, whom I believe today serves the Queen of Ireland. Tell me, do you and Khelt the First intend to continue this trend of women in the lead under the control of killer wolves?"

"Fergus!" Alfred growled, but Kell stopped him. This was what Brogan had warned Kate and Kell about. Such thoughts of their councilmen would never have waited for Kate to actually take the throne. They'd try to cut her down and Kell with her before she could actually ascend to absolute power.

"You clearly know your history, sir," Kell said calmly to Stirling. "Yes, my grandfather is known as the greatest assassin, and yes, he serves his dear lady, Queen Sarah Monaghan. And I was once solely an assassin under the control of other killers in Wick. But we have both turned to a new life of service to our ladies, and put our deadly skill to use defending our ladies and all that they love. For Queen Sarah, that means my grandfather defends her family, dearest friends, and her people. For Lady Katherine, it means that I defend her family and friends as well, and now that she is heir to the High Throne, I defend the good people of Scotland and her allies as well. But I will not tolerate disrespect to my lady, not even from a Scot."

The room remained silent after that, but Lanark seemed perfectly glad to have heard such a speech, and the clan royals in attendance seemed impressed and inspired.

"Milady," Kell said, looking to Kate. "You have the floor to answer Lanark's proposal."