675-06-26 - Grave Consequences
Grave Consequences | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Summary: King Barret Brais has received word from the Isles and speaks with Madalyn about how she wishes to proceed. | |||||||
|
It is a late morning, the sky slightly overcast with dark clouds that threaten with rain, and once again the Solar has been claimed by the king of Two Rivers as some sort of audience chamber. A pair of guards at the door will only admit those who have business with the king. For now Barret is in thoughts, settled in a comfortable chair by the hearth, his attire tunic and breeches in black in red, slightly worn and far from flashy. The crown is absent, making that greying hair of medium length more obvious. His legs are crossed, his elbow is settled on one of the armrests, his chin supported by the back of his hand, and his brown eyes stare into the flames of the fire in the hearth, as he sits there, waiting for a special visitor he has summoned with a brief note.
It does not take Madalyn long to arrive. She enters the room quietly, seeming resigned and distant as she approaches the king's seat. She stops a few feet in front of him and performs a very formal curtsey, staying low for several moments before rising up again. "Fair morning to you, your majesty. Forgive my being presumptuous, but I presume you wish to talk to me about the Queen's decision."
The King rises when Madalyn arrives, he offers a bow to her, along with a friendly but slightly worried smile. "Your highness." His brows twitch upwards, when she voices her assumption, though, and his gaze drops to the parchment in his hand.
"How did you know...?", he inquires, shooting her a glance. "Well, yes, I've received a letter that informs me of your mother's reaction. And it is indeed the reason for me summoning you here. Pray have a seat and we will talk about it."
He hands her the letter, waits until she has settled herself into chair, before he resumes his seat with a sigh.
"Queen Abegayle accuses you of treason. It seems there are two possible ways for you. To return to the Isles and beg for forgiveness," Barret frowns, "or to remain here and face some sort of punishment she may send here... As to how she plans to do that... well." He shrugs. Giving Madalyn a moment, before he focuses his gaze on her face. "We both know that has not been the doing of some fake Gods. Or any of those strange patrons mentioned. But that your mother raises this accusation against you, to be a follower of the 'wrong faith', shows you will have to face possibly grave consequences. Lord Ralph has informed me about an execution he had to witness in the Isles. I doubt she would take such extreme measures against her own daughter, but... I will leave the decision in this to you. Do you wish to stay? Or will you prefer to return to the Isles, to reconcile with your mother."
He pauses. "I just want to assure you, that whatever you decide, you will have my support. If you should prefer to remain my guest, I will not force you to leave."
"You are a busy man, your majesty, and there is not really other reason for you to spend your time on me," Madalyn answers as she takes the note, reading through it carefully. She winces at a few of the passages, but manages to not cry at least, though she is clearly holding it in. "I can not put my burdens on you, your majesty, and who knows what kind of consequence you might suffer for protecting me. If there is any chance that I can fix things, however slight or perilous, I have to take it and return home. Even should the worst come of it, I hope that you do not let it sour things between you and the Queen. I broke her trust and damaged relations between our realms. I will be deserving of whatever punishment she sees fit to give me."
"I may be busy," Barret counters, "yet I have made it clear that you enjoy the guest right at my kingdom. And I may be resposible too for the situation, some other regent may not have had the nerve to ask, and just take what is offered to him." A slight twitch there to the corner of his mouth. "But this is Two Rivers, We will not force anyone into a marriage, and if that will be held against Us, We are willing to take the consequences." Said with a certain stubborn pride, before he falls silent, and a sad flicker appears in his brown eyes, when he witnesses Madalyn's attempt to keep her composure while reading the letter.
"So be it then. You are free to return to the Isles. I will have a ship prepared and you can leave as soon as it is ready to depart. You know your mother better than I. That she suggests this way out for you, to return and ask forgiveness, may be a sign that there is hope. If you can convince her, that the other, graver, accusation is pointless..." He shrugs. "Things may work out well again. As for the betrothal... It will remain broken. Mayhaps we can think of other matches that may create a bond. You have brothers, haven't you?"
Madalyn smiles warmly. "I appreciate your honor, your majesty. There are not many that would risk so much to protect my whims. I am in your debt for your aid. I am certain I can convince the Queen that I am neither traitor nor cursed, but I am less certain that I can change her mind about punishing me for what I have done." She nods at the mention of brothers. "I do have brothers, your majesty, several of them in fact, though, they can not offer you the heir you seek like I could have. I am sorry for that."
Barret nods to what Madalyn has to say, a bit of worry still showing in his face, despite the smile that is offered to her. "I will follow what transpires in the Isles, I assure you. I will send a small delegation with you, along with a preliminary ambassador, to investigate other possibilities, after this alliance seems to have failed before it began." As to the information about the brothers, he will nod with a faint smirk. "I have to investigate possibilities as well, your highness. I have two daughters, I could very well consider one of them marrying a prince for the royal blood, and then the crown would go to my grandson - alas, our laws would have to be changed for that, but in times as these we can't be picky." he shrugs with a smile. "So,... with that said, I'd suggest you prepare for your departure. I will appoint the members of this small escort, and if..." Gods are willing "...the weather should be favourable and the ship ready, I am sure you can leave tomorrow with the morning tide."
"I do hope there is another way to make it work," Madalyn agrees, seeming quite saddened that so much is being given up because of her. "If I am to leave tomorrow, I should beg my leave to get ready. My thanks again for all the help and kindness you have given me, your majesty," she tells the king, adding a gracious curtsey to it. If permitted, she will leave after that.
King Barret Brais will rise when Madalyn departs, inclining his head in goodbye, as his brown eyes follow her to the door, the expression within them thoughtful.