Waking up, Elesbeth was unable to find the familiar warmth next to her. At first, she had asked her lady-in-waiting, Tiasis Rayer, to sleep beside her as they used to do when they were little girls in her father's estate. But even that hadn't been able to drive away the cold feeling that Josh's absence caused.

Look at her now; she remembered how she had raged when her father has told her she'd be wed to Josh. A destitute barbarian she had called him, one who knows nothing but war. And now, his going to the battlefront had caused her such dismay.

Oh, how the minstrels would make a song of it if they knew about this.

Moving away from her thoughts, Elesbeth started to prepare for the coming day. These were the only few moments of peace she would get today, she was sure. The meeting with the despicable priests was supposed to happen today, and those vultures would no doubt try to scavenge as many benefits as they could with Josh's absence.

Tiasis was already present in the room with all the perfumes, dyes and other toiletries. Just as she used to since they were young maidens in the walls of Coldglade.

Tiasis and her husband Ser Adath Rayer had been part of Elesbeth's dowry when she had wed Josh. Along with all the tapestries and sculptures that decorated her room in Arane.

Though most were mundane work, some of them were made by awakened artists and could do some mesmerizing tricks. Making each worth a fortune and a symbol of high birth. Only high lords had enough funds to provide patronage to awakened artists. Wasting one's awakening in these leisure pursuits could not be encouraged by the other nobles. They already lacked enough awakened to keep a hold of their estates, with clergy also draining them from their lands.

And with the recent growth of Seacliff, the local chapters were already trying to put their claws in the port's workings. The absence of Josh making them grow bold. It seems it was time to remind them of her thorns.

She would have preferred to meet the order representatives in her parlour inside her chambers rather than the Lord's Study near the castle centre. It was far too close to the Orb Of Remembrance to make her feel at ease.

Even though her room here wasn't as large as in Coldglade, not to mention Silvara, it still had Tiasis' chambers, a study and a parlour attached to it. Making it more than suitable to meet the clergy. It was only on Richard's insistence that the meeting was not held here. The boy was the heir, and refusing his commands would encourage the ministers to do the same.

Despite the rooms lack of luxury in comparison to those, she still loved it with all her heart. It had been a gift to her from Josh during the early days of their marriage. It was when she still mourned the loss of her betrothed and raged at her wedding to the destitute west. She hadn't wanted to see Josh, much less reside in the same chamber as him.

Somehow, he had understood her and gave her a chamber for herself. Mayhaps she should have hidden her thoughts better as her governess used to say. But that woman, she mused who had never had a husband, might not know how to make a marriage work.

After a quick wipe with a wet clock, Tiasis started to help her with the clothes while gossiping about random topics. The tall woman was her source of all the rumours that flew around the castle. How she was able to recall and memorize all this gossip was a mystery to Elesbeth. Especially when Tiasis had trouble remembering which dresses to prepare for the day.

"...and the cook is angry that Squire Dew has taken his beloved daughter's flower, so he has asked the boy to take responsibility. It's his shrewd wife that put him up to this, no doubt."

Elesbeth only caught the tail end of the tale, and before her companion could speculate on the situation, stopped her.

"Bring me the black and purple dress, dear. I think it would send the appropriate message, don't you?"

It wasn't that Elesbeth did not understand the importance of gossip and rumours, just that not all of it held equal value. According to her late mother, they were a lady's weapons, and Elesbeth was never one to discard any advantage.

"I'll bring it right out. Though are you sure not the grey and silver one, El? I had already laid it out."

Grey and silver were the Flaven colours, and if Josh was present, she would have undoubtedly worn that. But wearing it now would make the clergy think she drew her power from the Flavens, which became nought but empty with Josh's absence.

Black and purple, on the other hand, were her father's colours. And them being allowed to use purple showed the proximity of their blood to the royal family. Wearing that would remind those blind fools that her father is an Archduke, while her grandfather was royalty.

"Yes, along with the silver sash. Have you sent word to Theo about what Richard is to wear?"

"Yes, El."

Tia had reminded her correctly; it won't do good to only wear her father's colours. Who knew what kind of rumours just those could create. A sash in her husband's colours would at least keep the worst of them at bay.

These subtle games were the ones played at the court in Silvara, and she had pretty much forgotten those, not requiring use those tricks here. But the sudden growth of Seacliff had brought the game and the players to Arane as well.

"Thank you, Tia. Now be a dear and help me wear it, those old fanatics would come at noon, and I need to talk to Richard before that as well."

With a quick nod, Tia moved to complete what she asked her to do, all the while chattering along. Getting into the corset, Elesbeth learned of the governess' midnight dalliance with one of Ser Lancroft's knights. While having her hair done, she heard of the awakening of Lord Somer's daughter. And while putting on the scents, she listened to the rumours of eligible Count Syad''s inclination towards men.

While Tia was a talker, Elesbeth felt that she was chattering a lot more than usual these past few days. Even going as far as to repeat gossips which clearly showed that her heart was not into it. Then it hit Elesbeth. She was not the only one who had sent her husband off to war; her friend had sent her husband and son as well. She was ashamed to say that it took her so long to look past herself to see this, but there was nothing she could do about it. Except try to make amends, of course.

Getting up from her seat near the dresser, Elesbeth clasped her friend's hands in her own. With a weak but well-meaning smile, she spoke.

"No need to fear Tia. Ser Adath is an accomplished knight, and I know that nothing will happen to him. And with him there, young Aren would have nothing to fear."

"But Aren is so young," Tia said with a tear-filled gaze. "He hasn't even seen his 20th cycle yet, and he runs off to war."

"You know of the emperor's decree Tia, every awakened under has to be with their mentor for 3 cycles, and Ser Adath were duty-bound to follow Josh. Aren had already found his element and searched the Rayer family's Orb. And he is smart enough to leave a fight if his loss is guaranteed. Do not fear for him Tia, with both Josh and Adath present, Aren is bound to come back to you safe," Elesbeth comforted her friend.

Though whatever she had said was true, Elesbeth knew it wouldn't be enough to put her friend's mind at ease. Ser Adath was a Master Knight - skilled and in control of his element - but the Orb of Rayer family was young, given to them only a century ago. And it made the traits available to them very low in number. A weakness that only time and talent could shore.

Letting her friend sit on the bed, Elesbeth when on to take a few fruits the servents had brought. It won't do good to go to such an important conference with an empty stomach. After sating her hunger, she tied the sash to her dress and looked at the looking glass to make sure she hadn't forgotten something.

Looking back at her was her reflection. No matter what anyone said, Elesbeth knew that she was growing old - and losing her beauty along with it. Where once was smooth, supple skin, she saw wrinkles and marks of age. Her lush black hair now sported white streaks, and she could feel her stomach growing loose. Birthing five children would do that to anyone, she thought.

How she wished she had awakened, but she was unable to find her element. Awakening was a partnership - Father used to say - you give Elements a way to express themselves; they give you parts of themselves. And to the lament of many noblewomen - herself included, it also meant longer youth. At the court, there were many Royal Guards and Queensguards that looked no older than 20 cycles despite being almost 70.

Seeing that Tia had gotten a hold of herself and eaten a few of the fruits, Elesbeth asked her to lead her to Richards rooms. It wasn't that she didn't remember the path to her own son's chamber, but not being guided would be another political misstep. Particularly with all the new residents of the castle.

When Josh had called his lords to arms during the harvest feast, almost all the lords answered. So all of them, along with most other awakened in their families, joined the battle procession. The job of entertaining the unawakened children and wives left at Arane fell over to her, Richard and Serena. With probably the whole nobility of the Bay of Sorrows present, it doesn't take long for a rumour to become a wildfire.

Going out the oak doors, Tia informed the two sentries standing by them of Elesbeth's plan. They were part of the token force of awakened that Josh had left to defend her and the castle. Though there were no masters among them and only a few acolytes, the contingent was still good enough to act as a deterrent in case of any mishap. Last time Josh had left her with only a paltry company of initiates to protect them, so it was quite a step up. Ser Lancroft was the only master knight left in the castle, while the other two masters were the court instructor Isyd and the smith Endson. Both of them would be very capable in a fight, but it didn't change that they hadn't trained their life for combat.

Using their elements and the code that Ser Lancroft had drilled into them, they sent the message to the others and then opened her chamber doors to act as her escort.

A commoner awakened had only a few paths present to them during their awakening, with clergy and military being the most often chosen. And that was one of the reasons for the hostility between the nobles and the priests. Every awakened was a resource, even the weak initiates, with every new element offering a different font of versatility to a fighting force.

The other cause was the Orbs themselves. The shrines called them Hearts and only allowed a single Primal's aspect inside it. The nobles, on the other hand, treated them as repositories. Mixing traits of all elements into it.

The only part they agreed on was keeping the orbs away from the commoners for everyone's benefit. Giving unchecked power to the peasants was not something the Royals or the Cardinals want.

Walking through the winding corridors, with only the sound of the spear ends hitting the floor, Elesbeth tried not to let her thoughts wander. She knew that if she allowed them free reign, they would only lead her to worry about Joshua. It took them only a few more moments to reach Richard's chambers.

Elesbeth pointed at one of the guards to announce her presence which was responded by young Theo opening the doors after a few moments. The young Ford was chosen by her to be Richard's companion and had performed his duties beautifully. It was only a shame that Richard had been unable to bond with him as she had been with Tia. He was still young and didn't understand the importance a companion held as a friend, only as an underling or retainer.

"The Marquess is still preparing your highness. He would be out in but a few moments."

And true to his words, Richard was out of his room in a few moments. Her son was wearing the Flaven colours. With a grey surcoat over his black clothes and a silver embroidered collar, he would show the power of both the houses he represented. On the chest of the garment, an anvil, the Flaven sigil, was sewed in silver. He had completed the outfit with silver pins in his black hair, trying to tame the untamable mane. Dressed as he was, he looked like an eligible bachelor that any maiden at the court would swoon over.

Moving her hand to push a strand of his hair, the same black as hers were, behind his ear, she spoke.

"Good, you wore the clothes I sent. Before we meet with the esteemed priests, I have matters to discuss with you so let us make haste. And don't think that I forgot about the sword you are supposed to wear."

Still caressing his cheek and looking at his blue eyes, she dared him to dispute her remark. The boy didn't understand what impact even a single political decision had and didn't want to wear the ceremonial sword at his waist. The message it would send to all the lords in their jurisdiction was that Richard cannot protect their interests. All because he thought that the sword looked ridiculous.

"Theo, be a dear and get Richard's sword. He seems unable to find it."

With a quick "Yes, your highness", the boy went to do as he was ordered.

After getting the sword, Richard's party joined Elesbeth's escort on their way to the Lord's Study. Elesbeth knew that the boy would try to make trouble for her in front of the priests. She knew her son and knew he would think the reprimand in front of the guards and Theo to be a blow to his pride. A transgression that he would make her pay for.

Richard wasn't an egoistical person - at least he wasn't when he was younger. But the death of her oldest two had made him such. He believed his father to be responsible and her to be an accomplice. Holding them both in contempt, as if that would bring back his brothers.

Both her babes, Robin and Sorath, had awakened early, at barely sixteen cycles. And like any hot-blooded youth had run rampant across the Duchy. Robin, his father's son through and through, had revelled in battle. He laid to waste many bandit camps and met his demise in one such excursion.

Sorath, her eldest, had taken to water and sailing. He sailed through the Bay of Sorrows and the Narrow Strait to find a route to the Ziyan lands. Along with the path, he had also found pirates, and only the information and his body had returned.

The sudden death of two of his siblings, the ones whom he thought of as role models, had broken something inside the boy. And she lamented not being there to fix it, as she was caught up in her own grief.

Oh, how she had cursed Herr for their weave. An old enmity she held with the Primal, for Herr loved to play with Elesbeth's life.

Elesbeth drew herself out of her thoughts as they had reached the Lord's Study. Ordering the knights to guard the door, she motioned the others to follow her inside.

The Study was far more luxurious and expensively furnished than any other part of the keep. With oaken shelves, grandiose tables and many sculptures and tapestries, it looked far different from any other chamber in the castle. A Lord's Study is to impress the loyal, make them believe their loyalty is well deserved, was a lesson her father had imparted to her. And she had done well to remember it.

As she has expected, there were already people present in the room. Ser Lancroft stood gazing out the coloured window, instructor Isyd browsing the bookshelves and Endson sat with his eyes closed. With a quick curtsy, she reminded them of her presence while Tia went to the scribe's table, and Theo brought out a few snacks from the side chamber to munch upon. Then Elesbeth moved to stand next to the table in the centre, leaving the seat open, while Richard sat down to its right. The sitting arrangement was to remind the guests that Josh was absent but not in Najht's arms.

"Instructor, have you been able to find the motive behind the priests' sudden desire to meet. I have been asking them to do that for many cycles, but they always refused."

The learned man nodded at her words, finally drawing himself from the shelves. And replied with a lazy wave.

"I couldn't, your highness. These priests have kept it all under tight wraps, and none of my sources was able to gather any credible information."

"The only reason the priests would be willing now is mayhaps they have someone who can stand at an equal footing with the Duke. Isyd, is there news of new paladins in the order." Ser Lancroft decided to offer his own wisdom.

"Yes, there were some rumours about the dashing Oroe paladin. The stories you should hear, some even going as far as to say she had travelled the Land of Beasts and slain a Bascillisc."

"No matter what kind of strength that paladin has, with three masters here, the temples wouldn't be able to strong-arm us in the Duke's absence." Endson, always the practical person, decided to end the discussion.

Ser Lancroft nodded at that and then turned towards Richard. It seems everyone knew that boy would be the primary cause of trouble, Elesbeth thought.

"Lad, you do remember what your father told you about awakened before leaving? The discussion here is about them. Be sure to listen carefully as the priests will be your biggest cause of losing soldiers."

"Yes, Ser."

Richard respected the master knight a lot, Elesbeth saw, even more so after Josh had told him about awakening and how truly skilled the knight was. And like any good politician, she started to make plans to make the boy learn whatever he needed from the grizzled knight.

The discussion would be about the awakened, or to be more precise, the unwakened that might awaken. The only reason Richard has been allowed to participate was the impromptu teachings Josh had imparted to him before going to the battlefront. According to the First Emperor's writ, an unawakened noble would only get the necessary information about awakening at their 18th cycle. With no understanding of how long the war would be and Josh being the only awakened in the family, they decided to tell Richard early.

There was a knock on the door, and a guard announced the priests' arrival. And with a quick nod from Elesbeth, Ser Lancroft deemed them to enter.

And in came a party of four, three priests and a single paladin. The priests donning different colours told of the Primals they worshipped. Nereus, Boreus and Orus, Elesbeth counted. While the blinding yellow of the paladin's armour told her allegiance to the Oroe.

"Your highness," the priests bowed while the paladin saluted.

"Wise ones, please have a seat. To what do we owe the pleasure of your presence here."

Elesbeth was ticked. Welcoming them was Richards job, but the boy was too busy ogling the paladin. Though she had to agree, with her sunny hair, limpid blue eyes and fair features, the girl looked more suited to courtly grab than the armour she was wearing. Elesbeth had seen many awakened noblewomen, a few of whom followed their husbands to war, but none looked as enticing in dresses as the paladin did in chainmail.

"Neriad Lomer, Boriad Omal, Oroe Elden, how has the temples been in these trying times? And who is this young paladin?" Isyd was familiar with those old men - the instructor dealt with the temples on behalf of Josh. Without letting them answer, he continued, "Dear, you are new to Seacliff, aren't you? So how are you liking our town?"

Elden answered, "Paladin Isae was set to Seacliffe as by the Nothern Cardinal to learn how to manage a temple. After she creates her aspect, she is poised to be sent to Silvara and learn from the Shrine of Justice."

Not yet having an aspect meant that the girl may either be an acolyte or master awakened, both still farther away from Josh, Elesbeth thought. The real reason for worry was her backing, the Nothern Cardinal of Orus, but they were protected from him by the recent deal with Prince Rusol.

"I tire of this talk priest, state your reasons for asking for an audience with Her Highness and the Marquess. I have work to do." The smith spoke in a rumbling voice.

Elesbeth took pleasure in seeing Isae narrowing her eyes and moving her hand to where her sword was supposed to be - if it hadn't been removed by the guards. Just a single move from the girl was enough to make the priests lose any advantage they thought they had.

But the Neriad spoke before the paladin could do anything.

"With the new trade route forming, Seacliff is becoming more prosperous. And the port has been rapidly growing with the influx of these new people. So the Cardinals of our orders want to establish a Shrine in Seacliff as now the port is large enough to require one."

Lomer had a way with words Elesbeth had to agree. It was no wonder they chose him to speak of them. He had easily overlooked what truly having a Shrine meant and had touted praises of the city.

"A Shrine would no doubt enrich Seacliff and guide the wayward souls to the righteous path. But what about the matter of Orbs. It is for the emperor to allow the creation of them."

Elesbeth knew that calling the Hearts, Orbs would grate on their nerves. She just hoped that the hot-blooded paladin would deem it an insult and do something unacceptable. Alas, she had no luck.

"The Cardinals have petitioned Lord Protector to ask the emperor to allow this. We believe a decree from the orders and the emperor is on the way. And so we have come to get the Duke's approval on the change," Elden replied. The Oroe was quite known for his gloating, and Elesbeth could see why.

So this was the cause of their confidence, they thought themselves already the victors, but Elesbeth also had her own cards to play.

"As the decree is from the emperor, we cannot refute it. And the Devout in the city would be happy to hear that the Duke's coffers would pay for their first trait. Similar to how it happens in Silvara."

This made the priests go white and red with rage. Royals would never agree for anyone else to drain their awakened. So Emperor Asper, the Raven Emperor, had tricked the Devout into accepting different distribution rules. Under them, anyone who wants to search for their first trait could do so free of charge, while the treasury would pay for the fees they incurred. The priests believed themselves to be the advantageous party in the deal but took them only a few cycles to understand that they had been tricked.

The highest number of recruits to the different orders came from the poor. Those who couldn't pay for a chance to get a trait would join the clergy to get one for no charge, and the Raven had taken those desperate recruits from the Devout.

"Your Highness-" Lomer was about to continue, but Elesbeth interrupted him.

"Josh always wanted to help the Devout orders, and this opportunity has been sent to us by Herr themselves. Though the town is growing, and the coffers as well, we can only support four Shrines. So, you should talk among yourselves and decide which four Shrines will be built in the city. The others will be built after the coffers could support them."

With her words said, Elesbeth curtsied to show the talks finished.

"Ser Lancroft will see you out. Hope you have a good day ahead."

Her voice wasn't enough, this was but a temporary solution Elesbeth knew, only Josh's presence would stop these vultures from ravaging the budding city for all its worth.