Concerning suitable marriage prospects for the High King

Of much thought and concern across the High Kingdom of Imesse is the question of who would succeed the High King in the event of his death. Seemingly, the easiest answer to this question is his legitimate male progeny. Unfortunately, after more than two full years on the throne of the High Kingdom, Max has stubbornly refused to even consider an arranged marriage. Living the extremely sheltered and insular life that he does, the High King does not have a particularly large circle of acquaintances, especially amongst women suitable for a royal marriage. The fact remains that his position as the monarch not only dictates the necessity of a suitable marriage, but demands it happen sooner rather than later.

In the case of the High King specifically, the most vocal and prominent advocate for an arranged marriage in the shortest amount of time possible is the Queen Mother, Sabine Maxalli. Sabine is quite adamant in her insistence on a suitable marriage as quickly as possible, despite her son's resistance to the very idea. Sabine's list of suitable matches for her son are as follows:

Marion Maxalli. The only legitimate daughter of the Grand Baron of Wessridge and a very distant cousin to the High King, Marion is supremely suitable in the eyes of Sabine. She is mature, well mannered, dutiful to her family and her country, of acceptable status and family (being a direct descendant of the baronial Maxalli line), and close enough in age to not create a scandal within society. Marion is also being considered as a match for the heir to the Barony of Wennick, Gaylen am Frigani, but there is still time to secure an agreement with the Baron if Max will allow it.

Nola Bondari. Nola is the youngest daughter of the Baron of Cyell, Fulton am Bondari. Older than Max, but not scandalously so, of suitable northern nobility, and the fruit of an obviously fertile family tree. This match is supported by both Sabine and Fulton, even though Max and Nola are close cousins through Nola's mother. This match is vehemently opposed by the oldest daughter of Fulton, Aliya Isenbar, for reasons explained below.

The Baron of Jorick has two daughters very close to the same age as Max, Laurel Warrhim and Caitlyn Warrhim, and while Sabine detests the Ahmi family (the Baroness is an Ahmi from Len Doa), the power, wealth and influence of the Noble House of Warrhim is undeniable and not easily overlooked, even by someone as biased as the Queen Mother. She would support an arrangement with either daughter and Max. There is no indication that the Warrhims would refute it, either.

Sabine is also in favor of a strong foreign marriage, and one of the daughters of the reigning Prince of Fangort would be ideal. Princess Rea Argoni is close to Max's age and a very suitable match in Sabine's eyes.

Another possible foreign arrangement that Sabine sees as advantageous would be with the sister of the Bolder heir to the crown of the Kingdom of Cobal, Willow Bolder. While no King currently rules Cobal, the Bolder family still have much influence and prestige and a match between the Bolders and Northridge might help heal many of the still festering wounds left from the The Second Cobal-Imesse War. The Duke of Hekmo is not in favor of this match and would fight it with all his considerable influence.

A match that the Turl am Nari would support is to Sara Toricki, the daughter of the Lord High Constable of Imesse, Sandor am Toricki. A close cousin of the King, and not well liked by the Queen Mother, Turl finds the match quite suitable and keeps the immediate influence on the young monarch well within his sphere of control. Another match the Duke feels would benefit his ability to extend his influence into the south would be to the daughter of the popular and influential Briar of Southridge, Lilifrey Lomanni. Bringing the troublesome and interfering Lomanni family into the highest circles of power in the north would put Turl at a real advantage over both Duke Lomain and his growing circle of supporters in Lesser Imesse.

Aliya Isenbar has flooded the Court with correspondence concerning an arrangement for her, Allana Isenbar, to be wed to the High King. Only a few years younger than Max, Allana is a child of a powerful and wealthy northern family that has a great deal of sway at Court. The Queen Mother abhors Aliya Isenbar, considering her a hussy and refuses to consider the arrangement. In fact, the only Isenbar Sabine would consider as suitable for her son is the sister of Aliya's husband, Alys Isenbar, and that consideration would simply be to spite Aliya as Alys is twice Max's age and a widow for nearly ten years.