“Treaty of Open Seas

With the recent resumption of hostilities between the Traxian Empire and the Coalition. Many merchants and trading houses worry about the dangers that the conflict might pose to international trade along the Sea of Sorrows and Trannoire. Thankfully, as of the 24th of Phaerus, at a meeting adjudicated by a priestess of Phaenrea, the Goddess of Wind. Diplomatic officers representing the Arterian Trade League and Traxian Empire agreed to sign the Treaty of Open Seas, guaranteeing the unhindered movement of goods unless suspected of military means. While it is by no means a measure that will satisfy the mercantile class, many have applauded this step in the right direction.”

- Arterian Affairs, Front Page, “Treaty of Open Seas”

Annalise didn’t like how she sat on the throne. Whether as Anne-Elizabeth or as Annalise, she couldn’t bring herself to fully trust the people around her, not after everything. With Pyra mostly just hankering for the employment of more punitive measures of enforcement against the few rebels against her rule. Anna was left to rule mostly alone, adjudicating over civil matters without the influence of the princess.

It felt odd, sitting where she was, one arm on the armrest and her head perched like a hawk over the courtroom. She both felt at home once again but also so far from it. It was like an alien landscape that she somehow discovered a modicum of comfort in, of calm. Pyra could appreciate that much, at least. The princess usually avoided her when she was holding court or in the bedroom with Kimmie. Though she did still interrupt Anna’s thoughts whenever she felt the need to speak.

Kimmie was currently serving as a court attendant, many not suspecting her true origins as a member of the undead. Yet the girl’s sullen and often despondent expression did not go unnoticed. It stung all the more that Anna knew she was the cause of this depression, that she was the one who had struck a dark bargain to save her life. At the very least, the two shared a few moments of joy and passion together, though the darkness that lingered behind both of them pained Anna greatly. She could feel it. The same tug that had once pulled on the edges of her soul. The pull of inevitable loss.

Her eyes glazed over before the humdrum of everyday life returned to her, her thoughts dragged back to the scene in front of her. The courtroom was well furnished, only the faintest traces of the scuffs of battle on the stonework still remained. With the reveal of her identity, many of the disheartened defenders were either allowed to flee or join her nascent nation. Lady Collisse had been one who surprisingly remained despite being given the chance to escape. Perhaps in atonement for her sin of selling the family out to rebels, or some misguided attempt to guide Anna, she did not know. All Anna knew was that she could never feel at ease with her around, but also that she did not have the heart to forcefully force a non rebellious element away. A kingdom of outcasts, hah.

Around her throne stood the intimidating honor guard. Pyra’s unbroken. The silent masked knights standing ever vigilant, the hum of dark sorcery swirling about them hard to not notice. Before her was another case of judgement, of resources requisitioned during the siege and awaiting repayment. Many such cases cropped up in the aftermath of Monte De Trisse and its surrounding villages being mostly surrounded by the purple death. With its inhabitants isolated, she was granted the small mercy of being free from the Gratian kingdom’s retribution.

A land owner argued that because another aristocrat levied militia using his serfs and peasants, that he deserved some level of compensation. Whereas the aristocrat argued that his lands were closer to the undead advance and was subjected to the brunt of the raiding campaigns, shielding his compatriot, which in his eyes was payment enough. Both their cases held merit, Anna could understand the logic on both sides. She turned to the wizened figure next to her, searching for advice.

The man nodded and leaned over to whisper in her ear.

“We’ve already had assessors look into the overall damages, but Ser Xavier’s argument stands strong in terms of agreed upon payment being left unpaid.” Senschal Alain informed her, “However, being as it may. Our surveys say that Lord Guille’s lands did indeed suffer from heavy raiding from er… your forces. And that Ser Xavier did suffer a minor production shortfall.”

Alain was one of Gratia’s old guards. One of the past generations still holding strong to serve within the courts of the new. A veteran of past Montroi rulers, he dutifully accepted the offer to support Anna’s own. Though he seemed to find the now widespread proliferation of the undead as a military and labor force an absolute travesty. He maintained a sense of professionalism that Anna sorely needed within the court. She suspected that at the end of the day, he only served because of who she was and not out of loyalty to the new regime. A tried and true supporter of House Montroi, a rare kind of person in this day and age. It helped that Anna recognised him from the few days she had spent in her father’s court as a child.

“Would you say it would be prudent to dictate compensation for the shortfall and a little extra, but not pay the amount in full due to the damage Lord Guille shielded Ser Xavier from?” Anna whispered back.

“That would be a pragmatic verdict, yes. Though you won’t earn their full ire or one’s loyalty by sitting on the fence.” Alain nodded.

“Perhaps they’ll prove useful or perhaps not. But for now, I’d like to maintain the air of neutrality and justice.”

“As you wish, Lady Montroi.” Her seneschal whispered back.

“Announce my verdict.” Anna spoke a little louder for the petitioners.

With a cough to draw attention his way, the seneschal motioned to the petitioners to ready themselves for a verdict.

“As her serene majesty has deliberated. So comes her decision upon this matter of the court.” Alain began, looking to her for confirmation.

She nodded.

“Of the dispute raised by Ser Michael Xavier of Briti’s Point against Lord Andreas Guille of Briti’s Point. The verdict to be handed down is as follows.” Alain announced, his gravelly voice echoing bouncing across the walls of the main hall, “Lord Guille is instructed to pay for and up to one and a half seasons of shortfall compensation for crops and produce lost due to the manpower shortage, up and until sixty four gold. However, the restitution sought by Ser Xavier of a total of two hundred gold for the overall expenses of lost materials and hiring costs are not to be upheld. For the court deems that Lord Guille’s requisitioning of manpower in defence of the borders of Briti’s Point has paid for the costs of the process, save for the sixty four gold owed due to production shortfall. So has our serene majesty decided.” He finished.

“Thank you, your majesty.” The two petitioners kneeled down and bowed.

“The judgement is sound and the case is closed. May the accused and accuser be now free from doubt. In the name of the lady!” He roared.

“In the name of the lady!” Those in attendance echoed.

“May this session be adjourned.”

A chime sounded by one of the castle bureaucrats marked the end of this session, the two petitioners heading back out and towards the administrative offices. Anna held by from sighing, but a small breath of relief was still to be had.

Lady Collisse gestured for a few servants to bring forth a few beverages for the gathered officials, many dipping their heads in thanks. Anna simply gave her a curt nod that sent shivers down the noblewoman’s spine. Anna still remembered how her flight from the castle so many years ago was compromised by rebels. Only the valiant efforts of the guard captain allowed her to escape. All because this noble sold out the royals for her own safety.

That was years ago, but even as she sat here, she still could not forget. Nor had she forgiven the treason, and Anna felt a small upwelling of hatred inside her and a burning desire. A desire to sit in this throne, and mette out a sentence that Lady Collisse so thoroughly deserved. But… she grimaced, that would make me no different from a scoundrel like her. And perhaps… she looked up and chuckled, perhaps just seeing the fear in her eyes is enough.

Anna shook herself, gah, what the hells are you thinking? I’ve moved on, no need for such petty things. Grah.

The doors to the main hall slammed open as the ragged looking figure of one of Pyra’s praetorians rushed forward, alarming the guards enough that a wall of swords and halberds stopped him.

“What the?” Anna mumbled.

Which one is that? Pyra mused within her.

“My liege, I… I … come bearing urgent news. For your ears only.” The man huffed.

Ahh, I know his voice. That’s Lyran. He’s a little unambitious, kinda boring. But what does he want?

“I… very well.” Anna answered, a little distracted by the commentary in her mind. Brushing off her confusion, she hastily turned to her seneschal, “Lord Alain, please announce that the court is to enter recess but that functions may continue should I not return within a few minutes.”

“As you command, my lady.” He nodded.

Excusing herself, Anna got up out of her throne, one of the unbroken passing her newly crafted crutch to her. She didn’t know if the silent, unfeeling knights had emotion, but she nodded in thanks nonetheless. As one, the unbroken turned to escort her to the meeting room, their quiet demeanour adding to a sense of uneasiness that Anna was beginning to feel.

Panting heavily, Lyran followed along and managed an appreciative glance at her for taking the time to listen to him. Seemed important enough anyway.

House Montroi knights stood outside the meeting room and nodded at her arrival, pushing the door open for her. Inside was a well furnished but now slightly unused map room that Anna designated as her private meeting room for when advisors are not necessary. Parts of it were a little dusty and she made a mental note to get it cleaned up properly. There’s just been so many other things to deal with.

The five unbroken lined themselves alongside the walls, their silent but watchful presence ensuring that even Pyra’s praetorian was a little nervous.

“My honoured liege…” He began.

“Spare the formalities. What is it? This seemed important.” Anna tensely smiled.

“Of course my… err… Lady Montroi.” He quickly bowed.

Anna cringed. Lady Montroi… that just sounds so wrong to me.

“Continue.” She motioned.

“Right. It’s about this, my lady.” He fished out a small rolled up stack of papers. No, a newspaper.

“That’s… a newspaper.”

“Yes you are, my lady. But it’s this, look here.” He unfurled it and a few pages scattered to the floor. Though after he glanced at one, he simply dropped the rest anyways. What a mess.

Anna peered at it. It was a travel column from 'Forward Pont!', she had fun reading such things when she was younger. But she didn’t know what was so important about it.

Her expression must’ve been noticed because the praetorian more frantically pointed at a section of the paper. Anna started reading. It’s about a festival in Ostia and this bard-

Let me read that! Pyra snapped from inside.

An agonizing pain seared her mind as the two wrestled for control, Anna begrudgingly ceded from her own mind. Her body stilled for a moment until she took another breath.

“Tribune, what is the meaning of this?” Pyra demanded.

Lyran was seemingly snapped out of his confused stupor and snappily saluted. “Princess Pyra-”

“Explain. Now.”

The Tribune of Praetorians shivered a little. “I… I confess I do not know. But one of the locals shared this with one of my men. He-he explained what the villager told him. I simply rushed over as soon as I could.”

Pyra snarled, the fire in her eyes making the tribune back up a little. She leaned to the paper, as if trying to figure out if this was an elaborate prank or not. Coming to the conclusion that the tribune was not taking the piss, Pyra’s frown deepened.

“So what does this mean?” She growled.

“I do not know, my lady. But…”

“But?”

“But I suspect that a bard might have stumbled upon something related and took the name of legend. It is not-”

“Disgraceful. How disgraceful for my, our legacy to be tarnished by a lowly peasant!” Pyra roared.

“As you say.”

Pyra sighed and relented, offering the tribune some breathing room. “So, pray tell, what will my illustrious praetorians do about this matter?”

“We intend to search of course. To find the source of this-”

“You will do no such thing.” She commanded.

“We will… pardon?”

“You will do no such thing, tribune. Your duties and those of your men are as they stand now, shall continue.”

“M-my liege?” Lyran stammered, clearly caught off guard again.

“I have a plan. For I will not be disrespected by a mere bard. If this is my sister’s prank, I shall skin her alive myself.” Pyra fumed.

“My lady, I beg you to not be too hasty.” Lyran protested.

“Silence. I believe I have a solution.” She snapped, “Tell your men to bring me that adventuring party we have quartered in the castle. I believe some less conspicuous souls than your praetorians would be a little more… beneficial in operating outside our borders.” Pyra giggled.

“Ahh, I see. Sending them to search for information. A… wise course of action.” The still shaken praetorian acknowledged.

Pyra grinned, she was ever so delighted at his fear. But her mood did not last. For the other pertinent question now scratched at her mind. Who was this bard? She balled her hands into fists and stared at the paper. We-no, I must find out.

What about my party? The worried thoughts of the little princess reached her.

Worry not, for they are only to find information. Should something happen… I suppose we can retrieve their bodies and reanimate them once again.Though the process to bring consciousness back to their vessels as they are now is… complicated.

Then they’ll be fine?

As long as they don’t misbehave.

Pyra felt the relief come from the frightened princess and smiled. Pacified once more.

Turning her attention back to the paper, she wrinkled her nose. She could feel that inscrutable tugging at the back of her mind, an uneasy sense of something greater at play pulling at her. After a millennia… and only now? Something is definitely amiss. She growled to herself, whatever it is, it will rue the day it came to assail me. For now, she joyfully hummed, for now we wait. Oh yes, we wait until they figure out who this trickster is. And then... She cackled to herself.