A letter was handed to Ariel Beaumont by one of the Withermore Huskβs appearing as a baphomet at the conclusion of the event announcing the new Council members, his name written in elegant script on cold stark white paper.
Ariel Beaumont,
We were pleased to see you were able to deliver us not one but two applications and that both individuals were elected. We are glad both seem capable of taking a life when required and that magic on both their parts is not a prevalent strength. We were aware of your closeness to the Chevalier girl when you both resided at court however, and hope you will make sure she releases any anger she may potentially be holding onto for our court.
How close are you with the other candidates?
With the first meeting approaching it is important that you make sure the Chevalier girl accepts the offer we made to her. The council should know that Withermore residents should receive a higher standard of care than those from the other courts.
We would also like for you to reach out to Kaitoa Rotbringer and suggest perhaps one of the best ways to limit law breaking within the city is to ban or, at the very least, limit magic, it is a dangerous thing that can ruin us. We trust you can get this done.
King Alistar Vasiliev
An additional paper is attached to the first note from the King, penned instead by his younger sister, the smaller paper hidden within the larger.
Dearest Ariel,
You are working well at doing what should be done to bring me to power. The young Chevalier girl with her distain for those of the court and the chaotic jester are wonderful additions. I will be sending you a gift shortly, once my brother is not watching me so often, but for now, inform both that they have my unyielding support without letting your co-hort Leopold Dawson discover your words.
Do not take my brotherβs advice. Do not inform Kaitoa Rotbringer that magic should be banned within the city.
Myself and the women of the other courts were also able to convince leadership that the council held too masculine an energy and have instated a Herald of the Divine Feminine to aid the council with advice, you should make sure my letter was clear that she too has my personal support.
Princess Royal Olesechka Vasiliev
Ariel read over both letters twice on the carriage ride home, a muscle jumping in his jaw each time he read the line about his friendship with Bellamy. It irked him that the king had noticed his fondness for her--and to suggest he ought to be working at her somehow, convincing her to forgive a court that had used her and then abandoned her.
This was why he did not often care to make friends. Ariel found himself less and less inclined to help the King keep his throne every day.
He went directly to his desk on arrival home to craft his replies; it would not do to keep the royals waiting, after all.
To His Most Gracious Majesty, King Alistar Vasiliev, King of Withermore, Defender of the Faith, and Sovereign of the Realm,
I thank you for your letter, and your generous advice. I am most gratified that my work thus far has pleased Your Majesty. As far as my relationships with the candidates, I am little acquainted with any of our new council--excepting, of course, Miss Chevalier, who Your Majesty so astutely remembers was quite dear to me at court.
I will, of course, do all in my power to soothe any anger she still holds and remind her of Your Majesty's benevolence. I confess though, it has been many years since Miss Chevalier and I were acquainted, and I do not know how much sway I may hold.
I will seek out Rotbringer with all haste, and seek to improve my relationships with the rest of the council, that I may better serve your will.
I remain, with all devotion,
Your Majesty's most humble, obedient, and faithful servant,
Ariel Beaumont,
Emissary to the Court of Withermore.
His lip curled slightly in distaste as he sealed the letter and all it's obsequiousness with wax and pressed his ring into it. At least now that he was away from court, he only had to lie to Alistair with his pen, and not his expressions.
To Her Royal Highness, Princess Royal Olesechka Vasiliev,
You do me great honor with your kind words. I am most pleased that you approve of my candidates. It is my humble opinion that both could be valuable in pursuit of your goals. The jester, I think, could be quite... malleable.
I wonder, Princess, if an olive branch of a sort might be offered to Miss Chevalier. May it please Your Highness, a reminder of what Withermore might be under your rule could go far. We blood drinkers are vengeful creatures, you understand.
Your word is my command. It is, as ever, a privilege to serve the true Crown of Withermore.
I remain your steadfast ally and friend,
Ariel Beaumont
Another seal, and he sent them off. The second letter, at least, was not quite so nauseating to write. He would pass on the Princess Royal's support, he thought. Why not? Coups did not exactly lend themselves to peace time.
Mentioned: @bellamychevalier @merrymockthejester @leopold--dawson