Episode 6 - Kind Hearts and Coronations

General Summary

28 Skyrest, 1442

Kain squares off against Drosta in the back alleys of Redehall City. The two exchange a flurry of blows while Jarvin Cadwalader makes his daring escape from the pack of thugs she's sent after him. Kain manages to get the upper hand against Drosta, but doesn't harm his former childhood friend. Having bested her, he offers a compromise; he will let her copy the information contained within the scroll he's carrying for Pendros Ildrafn so she doesn't have to return to her master empty-handed, and in return he will expect a favour from her in the future. The message is heavily coded, but neither Drosta nor Kain care to decipher it... they are merely working for their separate masters.   Meanwhile, at the city guard's barracks, Elnor Portrain and Sarischa Ravana wait in their cells after having been apprehended by the Watch for participating in an ill-fated Dreamsmoke ceremony. While Pendros works to get them out of trouble, they are both interrogated by Edelina Dillestone , a Confessor of the Six Saints, who had Sarischa beaten while trying to extract information from him. Before he was permanently maimed, Pendros arrived in the nick of time, having bribed the right officials to help Elnor and Sarischa escape long-term injury at the hands of the Church.   Back at the keep, the nobles descend down to the tournament grounds to watch the knights of the realm compete. Iryval Ayvir grants her favour to her brother Halren Ildrafn , who jousts against the esteemed Titania Highmont. Amidst the crowds, Sarischa makes a new acquaintance in Mireille Luneste, a former diplomat who commiserates with them over the "barbaric" ways of Banteavan tournaments. She remarks on the fraught political situation, and suggests that if the country becomes too perilous for Sarischa to remain, he should seek her out for a speedy exit to more favourable shores. Ertswhile, Iseabail spots the king in his private booth on the other side of the jousting lists... and also catches the attention of Emelyn Tahn Echen, the king's close advisor.     After the conclusion of the tournament, the esteemed guests returned to the keep for a grand feast. Seeing that her father Kuron Ildrafn was deep in his cups, Iryval convinced him to delay his very public petition to Pendros for her legitimization. Kain encountered Drosta once more, after she finished delivering a message to Gethin Sandoreale , whom he identified as her patron. She departed the keep and urged him to find her in Barreste should he ever find himself in The Lowlands. Sarischa cornered Markham Dillestone and, using the knowledge gleaned from the shared dream they had the previous night, managed to tilt the flustered dilettante away from his tryst with Sophira Sandoreale and towards her handmaiden, Amerine. The Seer of Resshe also managed to have a brief meeting with Khinar Antyre , in which he worked his subtle sorceries to plant seeds of doubt within his mind before their meeting with the king to settle the matter of McCloughhaven's Reach. The king, however, remains fixated on the two empty seats at his table, and seems to be beside himself with worry. Elnor discovered the wonders of Banteavan cheese and filled his belly and his pockets, and in the dwindling moments of the feast before a scheduled appointment with the king, Pendros was pulled aside by Kuron to speak plainly about the matter of Iryval's legitimization. Her careful counselling of her father appeared to have the desired effect, and Pendros was convinced to offer Iryval full legitimization as a member of House Ildrafn upon their return to Rhythavn Castle.    After the conclusion of the feast, Iseabail is brought before the king, his brothers and Emelyn to speak her case with regards to the matter of McCloughhaven's Reach. Khinar Antyre spoke against her claim, demanding that she submit to Antyre, relinquish her claim to the Reach, or meet them on the battlefield to settle the dispute. After a fierce argument and impassioned speeches from both sides, the King's opinion fell in favour of Iseabail... though his thoughts soon wandered to his missing daughter, making wild accusations to those assembled in the room that someone had caused his daughter's disappearance. Iseabail celebrated with Elnor and Sarischa, and the rest of the castle soon retired for the evening.   But few found sleep for long.  

1 Midyear, 1442

In the small hours of the night, Pendros is summoned to the king's study after receiving a messenger in the night. He quickly gave instruction for his house to be ready to depart at a moment's notice, and brings Kain with him into the impromptu meeting, called by Artigan, Beltran, and the king's half-sister Ragonde Luneste.   The king, Eadvard III, had died in his sleep without an heir.   The discussion of the king's successor immediately hits a snarl, as those assembled cannot come to terms on a path forward. Annabeth of Risevar has effectively disappeared with the King's bastard daughter Mair, and none have seen her for several days. Artigan proposes that a regency be formed and Mair legitimized, but Beltran refuses to back this idea, since Artigan would effectively be king for at least sixteen years. He also suspects Artigan of having the baby abducted or killed, but would not say where he heard this rumour.   Beltran instead puts forth his own son, Markham, which Artigan immediately shuts down; Markham is a lout and a rake, and not fit to lead Banteave. Ragonde puts forth that Roseline Luneste is just as viable a blood descendant as Markham, but Beltran will not hear of a Dunefalli woman sitting the throne. Artigan also agreed that Ragonde and Roseline would face a tough uphill climb securing the support of the Banteavan people and the Church, much less House Antyre. Artigan proposes that he will abstain from the Regency if his daughter Katrin can take his place, which infuriates Beltran, who suspects Katrin of secretly being a Tambarist collaborator.   Enraged by the slander, Artigan demands that Beltran fall in line. Beltran threatens to leave, and Artigan calls for the guards to imprison his younger brother. Swords come out, and Ragonde quietly departs during the standoff between Artigan and Beltran's retinue. Artigan demands Beltran's submission, stating that if House Dillestone falls to infighting, the other Houses will surely see weakness and pounce. Beltran refuses to yield up the kingdom to a Tambarist sympathizer or a Dunefalli interloper, and departs from Redehall Castle under his own colours. On the way out, he spreads word that Artigan had Mair killed so he could rule Banteave after the passing of Eadvard.   House Ildrafn quickly depart the castle to avoid being forced to declare their allegiance, and sail away from Redehall City. Kain remains behind, to act as Pendros' agent and seek out the missing Mair Dillestone. As the last ship sails away, Kain looks back up towards Redehall Castle, now abuzz with activity, its gates shut.   The struggle for the Banteavan Succession is about to begin.

Notes

• Whatever secrets that were contained within the scroll meant for Pendros Ildrafn have now also found their way into the hands of Gethin Sandoreale.
• The Dunefalli do not have a tradition of jousting. Their celebrations of martial talent are primarily melees. 
• Markham Dillestone has abandoned his pursuit of Sophira Sandoreale, opting instead to focus his attentions on her handmaid Amerine.