Exhaustion is a fucking bitch, one minute I'm sitting on a bed, and the next minute, I'm out cold. If I said the sleep wasn't damn comfortable I'd be lying. The door creaked open and Alice walked in wearing a brown gown, her hair was braided like the girls here in Dun Eirann, she looked as beautiful as ever, as I'm sure Amenadiel would agree.
"Good morning, your majesty" she greeted. Morning? Was I asleep for that long? My stomach grumbled in response, hinting at the fact that I slept without having dinner. "Good morning Alice" I responded, she rushed into the bathing chamber to prepare the water while I undressed, hoping like he'll that breakfast would be ready by the time I finished having my bath.
"Drazhan has returned my lady, with the information he promised" she echoed from the bathing chamber as I scoured through my chest for what I would wear for the day. I entered the bathing chamber, feeling the waft of the steam from the bath tub. Alice smiled nervously "Forgive me my lady, too hot?"
I looked at her and eagerly returned the smile "don't worry about it Alice, I'll handle it from here, tell the others to expect me somewhere we could discuss" she nodded and exited the chamber, leaving me with a surprisingly delicious scenting bar of soap and a scalding tub of hot water that burnt to the touch. I waved my hand over the tub, feeling the steam on my palms "Consto" I muttered, and instantly the boiling reduced and I was finally able to dip my feet into the now warm tub of warm water.
The bath was soothing and it was everything my body needed to feel as though I'd truly awoken. I had selected black leather pants, boots and a lilac top, paired with the silver pendant Regina gifted me, after all this time I still couldn't tell what it was and why she'd given it to me, I'll ask Kaida about it later.
Upon opening my door, Damon stood at the entrance, clad in leather armor and his curved sword at his waist "Good morning your majesty" he greeted, I didn't verbally respond, I thought only a smile would suffice. We walked through the cavernous halls, filled with flickering torches, servants passed and bowed, whether to me or to Damon I couldn't tell.
"You know they love you don't you?" I appreciated it, and I hadn't spent enough time with them to say that I loved them in return, only that I would love to see them safe and protected.
Two men stood in front of double oak doors, when Damon nodded at them, they pushed the doors open revealing a large nearly open chamber, the only thing that filled it was a large circular table, and around it sat Drazhan, Amenadiel, Acrisius, Kaida and Alice, but when I walked in they stood.
Never had I thought that I would be heading my own council meeting, despite having only attended a few in the course of my life in the capital and now I would seat at the head of one, the feeling was exhilarating.
I looked around in awe, taking in every one in the room, Amenadiel looked the very picture of a general in his armor which reflected the flames of the torches around us, Drazhan wore a velvet tunic and black pants, Kaida wore the same gown as Alice, only hers was paired with a black belt, and my cousin was clad in all black, his silver ring part of what made his clothes stand out.
I took a seat at the head of the table and the rest sat down after I did, it was time to begin.
Servants came and poured us wine in our goblets, I didn't drink, and neither did anyone "I hear you have information that could be useful to us" I turned my gaze to Drazhan, he took a sip of his wine before answering "I rode out for a while with some hundred men and I can assure everyone here that your brother's men are nowhere to be found"
That made everyone sigh with relief, I included, but there was more, I could sense it "I figured out the identity of the knight who holds Temeria" everyone in the room held their breath, and Acrisius shifted in his seat in anticipation of his next words "Well out with it then!" my cousin bellowed.
"The knight that currently occupies your home, your majesty, is none other than Robert Bane"