The morning sun filtered through the arched windows of the High Council chamber, casting gold across the polished darkwood table. Banners of Athax swayed gently above, their deep red and gold threads glinting in the breeze.
Aya entered with Elex and Asta at her side, followed by Shin and Masa. She wore her House colors again, but with Southern tailoring — sleeker, simplified — a quiet symbol of her new position between two realms.
Killan stood as Aya approached, and the rest of the Lords and Ladies followed suit. "Lady Aya, thank you for joining us," he said clearly, letting the formality settle in the air.
A few surprised murmurs rippled through the chamber, though most had heard the whispers already.
Aya inclined her head with composed grace. "Lords and Ladies.
Elex gave a slow nod from behind her, while Asta surveyed the room with a soldier's eyes, already judging the balance of loyalty.
Killan resumed his seat, gesturing for the council to begin.
"We have three matters to address today," Vignir began, voice steady. "First, the union of our leaders. Second, the securing of allies. And third, a growing concern at our western border."
"Three weeks," Killan announced, resting his hands on the table. "That's the date set for the ceremony. Not longer. The sooner we formalize this union, the sooner we can move forward."
Harlan raised a brow. "And where will this union be celebrated?"
"Here in the Capital, Athax," Killan replied and turned to Aya. "If that is acceptable to you."
Aya gave a small smile. "It is."
"Invitations must go out within the day," Nolle chimed in, fingers already tapping the table as if writing names in his mind. "Peduviel, of course. The Southern Coast. Torhaven. The Eastern Trade Houses. And... your bannermen in the North, Lady Aya?"
"The Warden of the North would come together with the old Houses. Thorne, Brava, and Esk," she answered without pause. "And Peduviel will already be aware — I sent word to Lady Ioanna myself."
A slight smile tugged at Elex's mouth. "Of course you did."
"I would also suggest revisiting the list of foreign dignitaries," Harlan added gently. "If this is to be an internal show of unity."
"It will be both," Killan said firmly. "We need our people to see this. To believe in it."
"And what of your enemies?" Eir's voice cut in, cool and precise. "They'll see this as an opportunity. While the kingdom watches two lovers wed, the rest of us may bleed."
Asta chuckled low in his throat. "You sound almost disappointed."
Eir ignored him, but her gaze lingered on Aya. "Is your House prepared to defend two fronts, Lady Svedana? Or will your men leave once the vows are spoken?"
Aya met her stare evenly. "This alliance is not made of ceremony alone. My men will fight and die here, if need be."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Killan murmured, though his tone was far from light.
Vignir shifted the conversation. "The western border. Two towns near the line have gone silent. Traders report burned fields. No flags flown. No survivors found. We suspect raiders, perhaps organized."
"We'll need scouts. Riders," Elex offered. "My men can reach the area in half a day, maybe less. I'll send them at first light."
Killan gave a nod of approval. "Thank you, Captain. We'll send Southern soldiers to reinforce the garrisons nearby. The wedding can be planned while we act. We don't have the luxury of choosing one over the other."
The rest of the council murmured agreement, though the air still buzzed with silent judgments.
As the meeting drew to a close, Killan stood again. "My Lords and Ladies, rest assured that all points are being discussed and considered. Your utmost support will be appreciated at this time."
Aya stood too, her voice calm. "Let this be the beginning of something worthy."
The Lords and Ladies bowed as the council ended. But long after the chamber emptied, maps and ledgers in hand, the echoes of politics and prophecy lingered in the room like the ghost of an old war — waiting to be named again.
The council chamber had thinned, but a smaller group remained behind — those entrusted with the next stage: planning the wedding, managing the nobility, and preparing for the public message this union must deliver.
Aya remained near Killan's side as parchment and ledgers were laid across the wide table. Asta leaned silently against a pillar by the window, arms crossed, while Elex reviewed the early guest lists with Vignir.
Eir lingered, standing stiffly near the archway, arms clasped behind her back. Her silence wasn't unusual, but the sharpness in her gaze gave her thoughts away.
"We'll need to revise the Great Hall's decoration scheme," Nolle was saying. "Red and gold, silver and blue. That color combination will signal unity to the crowds."
"I trust you'll make it tasteful," Killan said, almost absently.
Aya tilted her head. "And the feast?"
"Three days of celebration at least," Nolle answered. "A day for the entire city, a day for the wedding rite, and a day for the closing hunt and games. Enough to please every faction."
At that, Eir scoffed.
The sound was soft, but it cut through the room like a blade across silk.
Asta's brow twitched. "Something you wish to say, Lady Eir?"
She stepped forward, voice carefully measured. "We are preparing festivities while two of our border towns are nothing but ash. Does that not feel... indulgent?"
"Ceremony is not indulgence," Nolle replied lightly, not even looking up from his notes. "It is order. A kingdom needs structure, especially when violence creeps near."
Eir turned her sharp gaze on Aya. "Is this the order we're embracing now? Feasts and silks instead of blades and bone?"
Before Killan could respond, Vignir's voice cut in, cold and low.
"Watch your tongue."
Eir stiffened, surprise etched on her face at Vignir's tone.
"You are a Commander and a member of this Council," Vignir continued, "Remember your place. You've been heard. Do not overstep again."
The silence that followed was long and thick.
Aya met Eir's gaze and held it—not coldly, but without yielding.
"I do not ask for celebration, Lady Eir," Aya said, her tone calm, "but for readiness. I understand your concern. Let the people see that we are united. Let them celebrate our strength before they are asked to survive another war. And in turn, I will assure you, Northmen will protect the people of Athax."
Asta gave a rare, approving grunt.
Harlan added, "And it would not serve us to appear afraid. A kingdom that cancels a wedding rite over raids looks brittle. We cannot afford that."
Eir said nothing more, but she bowed her head stiffly and stepped back, jaw set.
Killan nodded to the group. "Then we proceed as planned. With vigilance."
As the final maps were laid out and emissaries assigned, Aya stood near the window for a moment, eyes on the hills beyond Athax. The sun was just beginning to dip, casting golden light across the rooftops.
She could already feel the weight of it — the crown not yet placed, the union not yet sealed, and the war not yet begun, but stirring in the distance like a beast scenting fire.