A Means To An End

[Monomakhos 1849]

Cirimas stands at Dranan's side, an idle hand planted against the gilded pommel of his half-and-hand blade. He meets the Hightower with a pensive stare, dipping his head cordially. "Forgive my sibling, not all are blessed with a certain courtesy for their foes." He pauses, exhaling a heavy sigh. "Humor me, though, what is this of Oren? We have no affiliation with the House of Carrion or their Kingdom, and it pains me to hear you imply such."

[Chikachu 402]

Kayrin looks to Cirimas, studying him quietly, "I apologize if I assumed, but I was under the impression that the only Adunians who were not with Anadune were with Oren. If you are not, then that is a small amount more reassuring. Still, I stand in my place, as I have not heard of such a third faction before now, and I wonder that you return now. Where have you been all this time?"

[Monomakhos 1849]

Cirimas glowers at his inquiry, folding his arms against his chest. "I departed when Derrek II took his leave, shortly after the 'Edict of Adunia' was passed. I did not return because I do not support your rule, Kayrin. It is not lawful, nor does it adhere to the line of succession... To the traditions that we have followed for centuries." He narrows his eyes, cocking his head back. "Your reign is not blessed by the Three, nor does it follow tradition. Is this reason enough for you?"

[Arial Meadowbloom 31]

Arial claps her hands lightly. "No time for small talk, aye, Kayrin and you third-Adunian? The sooner this meeting is done, the sooner Adunia can move on and either prosper or perish." 

[Chikachu 402]

Kayrin nods his head slightly, remaining relaxed, and somewhat pained, "I understand, though it is sad. I wish more of you had given it a chance, at the least when Lachlan had returned. I do not fault you for your decision, it is your decision. It is the primary reason I created Anadune, not Adunia, and the reason I took the name Earendil. I would not stop you from creating your own Adunia, ruled by Elendils. Let us hope that this can find a peaceful solution." He glances at Arial and nods again, "You are right, I apologize. I have always been curious what happened to Derek and his followers. I suppose I allowed my curiosity to get the better of me. My mistake." His eyes return to Cirimas, "Perhaps we may speak more later."

[Monomakhos 1849]

Cirimas stands there a moment, mouth agape. He shakes his head in dismissal, his brow furrowed in annoyance. "Our /own/ Adunia? What you have done to our nation is a bastardization, Kayrin. You have tossed aside our people's traditions and history for your own, something a true Adunian would not stand for. We are not 'Anadunians', nor are we Earendils. We take the name of our forefather, Elendil the Exiled, with good reason. He led our people through their darkest hour, from the destruction wrought by the humans and Rhodi. If you would forsake this so easily, then you are not fit to rule anyone who claims the blood of Harren and his people." 

[Muhammadan 181]

Dranan would raise his hands to motion for silence to refrain from useless bickering.  He nods to Edward, then to Cirimas.  “Arial shall be permitted to stay once the meeting begins.  Bring your people with you to dine for now.”  He then begins to walk off with a guard and Cirimas at his side, gesturing them forth.

 

Upon entering, all heads of those inside turn to the hall doors.  Each and every man stares towards the group entering, many Adunians moving to another side of the long tables to let Kayrin’s men sit.  Only whispers come from the men, no public insults are thrown however.  Those who do during the feast shall be flogged.

 

[Chikachu 402]

Kayrin sighs and then enters, studying the hall silently to see who sits at the table. As his people sit, Kayrin choses his own spot, seating Arnorian on one side and Arial at the other. Beyond them are Eideard and Nestor, then the others where they may. He touches nothing, only watching the other Adunians in thoughtful silence.

[Arial Meadowbloom 31]

Arial returns the small, almost-forgotten nod to her favourite and most beloved grandson, the one and only Edward. 
She also moves inside with the men, waiting patiently for the meeting to start, also not touching anything. She preoccupies herself with her gloves.  

[TheGreasyChef 129]

Edward bows his head to Dranan, waiting until the last man enters to enter himself, his staff following each of his sturdy strides. He doesn't choose a side of the room, nor does he choose a table to sit at, he simply stands evenly between the two, eyeing Arnorian silently and only for a short moment before returning his solid gaze in the direction of the hall's tall wall.

[Aagaron 124]

Aep sits on the side of the Anadunians, off to the corner as to make seeing all of the hall much easier, seemingly having filed in with their small entourage. He speaks only when spoken to, and briefly then. He eats sparingly, only enough to sate his peckish appetite in order to stay awake for the proceedings, and waits in patient anticipation.

[-♣- Ƙindled -♣- 203]

Elandric turned to his father and smiled weakly "Nothin' father, jus' sum' trade o' words, none importan'" He'd watch Dranan exit the halls. "Father, let's be at his heels.." The young man poked his fatherly figure and followed Dranan out. The noise inside the halls grew louder with whispers and ranting, all about who was the rightful throne holder, and who was the kingmaker in the whole deal. Elandric listened to them both converse, he was still leaning on his Halberd as he send a kind smile to Arial, but not too kind a smile to Kayrin. Elandric shook his head and thought to himself. His face turned red and angered for a few moment.

 

They all returned into the halls once more, overhearing arguments, and now and then Kayrin getting some hate. Thoughts swirled through his head, hate, but mostly annoyance at how someone leading a nation could be so ignorant of what the people really wanted, wasn't it quite so obvious? Regardless, Elandric sat down with his father to his right, and Dranan not too far left of him. The war-painted placed his hands on the table and grumbled, ever so quietly he said - only so his father could of have heard - "T'is no' worth it.. Tha' A'ightower is tae stubborn - He t'inks bu' fer himself, ah tell ye.. His folk? T'ey be sittin' on our side o' tha' table! Bu' he holdin' Dranan's banner, n' no' his! Tha' shield he calls skull - ah swear tha' it protects a nut.." After he was done talking, he turned his head towards his father and nodded, leaning back in his fancy chair.

[Zezimus 1523]

There is a loud noise outside the doors of the hall as the Grand King, accompanied by the Lord's Council and an entourage of Legion soldiers await across the opposite end of the bridge. They are adorned in plates of iron, scratched and beaten from the recent battles with the scourge. Wulfgar then looks out across the bridge into Dal'Cais, gesturing for the Lords to step forward while the Legionnaires remain lined in columns behind them. He stands silently, his stubby hands wrapped around his waist as he awaits patiently to be granted entry into the hall.

[Muhammadan 181]

Shortly after the feast ends, a young guardsmen moves in from the hall doors.  He walks over to Dranan’s seat, whispering it him.  With a nod, he stands to address the people.  “Adunians, Anadunes.  Would you all be so kind to exit the hall?  Yet do not linger at the doors; for I shall not have that.”   As he speaks and the people (hopefully) exit, a bundle of servants and guardsmen come from the back.  They begin to rearrange the tables and so forth as the Grand King can be seen in the mere distance.  Kayrin, Arnorian, and Arial would be asked to stay inside the hall.

 

Many guards would move down to the bridge to greet the king, lining up on opposite sides across the bridge.  The men dig their feet into the ground, lifting their heads.  As the Grand King approaches he would see a row of men awaiting him.  The first two nearest to the bridge hold the banner of Dranan in hand, and another two up near the hall.

[Arial Meadowbloom 31]

Arial nods and waves to those Adunians she knows as they leave the hall. She stands up easily from her chair and moves down the table to sit between Dranan, Arnorian and Kayrin. Arial sits down carefully, her dress moving with a natural grace that seems to have taken her years to perfect. She lowers her hood cautiously, her face scarred and pale as usual, her eyes darker and deeper in colour than they used to be, but her face is calm and somehow more full. She puts her hands on her lap and looks expectantly from one end of the table to the other, once again waiting for the meeting to start. Her voice seems to carry through the air as though it has done so thousands of times before; as though her voice was there, in the air, the whole time, and just now it is being noticed or understood. "I believe, if you both have a case to make and you wish me to listen, it would be neatest if each side said their piece with complete silence from the other side. Once both sides have been presented, perhaps then there can be a time to correct mis-understood facts, or opinions wrongly stated, if such a controversy should arise... In a calm and as peaceful a manner as you can muster, if you please." She adds, "And since we were presented food from Dranan and that he has brought us all here, I believe it is only proper that he should start."