Loyalty Divided [Spice]

[Zero]

It had been a long time since Lillian had seen her family.

Not just the two months since Blaith had taken her from the tower, because before that she had been stationed in the capitol. No, by now it must have been close to a year since she had seen either of her brothers, and months longer than that since she had seen her father. The occasional letter from home didn't provide a great deal of connection and contact.

She missed them dearly, but at the same time Lillian sat upon her warhorse stiffly, fear and worry gnawing at her gut, growing steadily worse the closer they came to the meeting between Blaith, her rebel husband, and Micah, her dear father.

This was not going to be a pleasant affair. The last that her family had heard from her, she had been taken prisoner by Blaith. She had assured them she was safe and being treated with dignity and gentleness by her captor, but that still wasn't an arrangement her family would have been pleased hearing about. Having now married Blaith it was going to be even worse.

Writing an update on those developments for her father had occurred to her on many occasions, but Lillian couldn't bear to actually send such a letter. Micah Coleridge was going to learn that his youngest daughter had married an enemy of the crown face-to-face.

The meeting was taking place at a minor lord's home, she could see the small manor house. A few beads of sweat marked her brow as her stomach twisted into knots.

Daddy was going to be so cross with her.

~~~~~~~~

Micah was sitting at a long table, drumming his fingers impatiently upon the wooden top. It had been far too long since he had seen or heard from his daughter. A single letter saying she was alive, but captive was hardly satisfactory news. Despite her urging him to take advantage of the situation his first instinct had been to immediately declare war upon Turgall and Blaith Harmond – how dare that crazy fool make a prisoner of his daughter!

As if there wasn't enough on his plate. A new wife, running out of excuses not to send more troops or funding to feed Calent's war machine, and mounting pressure from the extended winter storms to keep everyone fed and housed adequately.

He was getting to be an old man. His old bones were tired.

Still, Micah Coleridge would never bend or break beneath the weight of adversity. His family was too proud to allow for failure. A Coleridge sitting upon the throne had always been his life's ambition – if not him, his son should wear the crown. There was still time.

Using Blaith to reach those ends was why he was even here. Reports said the madman had actually managed to amass an impressive army; one that if combined with his might actually pose a deadly risk to the current regime.

Even outrage over Lillian's capture could not quench that lust for power.

If this was a trap, well, Gabriel was safely at home, overseeing the running of things while he attended this negotiation. Cyrus was standing behind him, and although stoic, he knew his son was as anxious to see the return of Lillian as he was.

His scouts said that a small party was within view, and that it seemed as if Lillian was among them.

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Blaith's horse sensed her nervousness as well as he had. He purposely kept close, knowing the recourse and commanding that she do whatever means necessary were he to show any signs of swaying away from the identity she had come to know. He couldn't risk falling into what his powers had made of him, and for most of the journey, he was relieved it went as well as it had.

He pulled his horse beside hers and gave her a lopsided grin.
"Nervous?" he asked, lifting a gloved hand towards her face to brush the draping of blonde hair that didn't hide the nervous sweat she was showcasing.

"I hate to admit it that I am too." but he smiled anyway. "Your father... isn't exactly a man anyone would wish to cross." And he kinda took her daughter as a prisoner.. then a wife and...
"Have.. you...Er, I mean, are you sure not sending a letter was wise?"
He rubbed at his neck. "Just.. wondering if today might be the dead my head finally rolls." But he smiled in spite of the jest.

[Zero]

"No, most people wouldn't want to cross my father. Not smart people." Micah might have been known to be quite generous and protective of his own family and duchy, but those that crossed him had a nasty habit of losing their heads - or disappearing completely. Mercy wasn't the strongest measure when dealing with people that wronged her father.

Normally Lillian couldn't resist his smile, that lop-sided grin of his could always melt her into a puddle of compliant goo. Not today. Today she chewed nervously on her bottom lip and didn't crack a smile at his joking.

"If I had sent such a letter he would have absolutely declared war on you." She was sure of that much. Delivering the news in person held a slight advantage in that there would be a reason for him to check his temper. Also, surely he wouldn't murder her husband with her right in front of him pleading for him to listen to reason...

"No one is dying today, Blaith." Lillian finally said, turning her face enough to look up at him, giving a faint smile as she reached for his hand and squeezed it gently. She wished she could do more, but the closer she got the greater the danger showing affection would be.

No, best Micah hear it from her than from some scout spying on them.

Speaking of...a handful of mounted soldiers approached them. Lillian blinked as she recognized them - and they definitely recognized her.

"Lady Lily, it is good to see you again. The Commander will be so relieved." The first soldier, and highest ranking, said with a slight bow from his horseback. These were men that served directly beneath her brother Cyrus.

Lillian beamed and saluted them with a fist over her heart. Sure, it didn't completely take away the worry of meeting with her father, but Cyrus was here! "I take it you're our escort?"

"Of course, my lady. Commander Orchards insisted that we be the first to greet you. Your father and brother await you and Duke Harmond in the dining hall. Shall we take you there now?" Lillian glanced nervously at Blaith one last time before nodding.

[visualspice]

Being a Duke in his own right held many advantages. This time, it was keeping a cool head during this very real time he could lose his head. He was playing a dangerous game here, and though he took the route of his heart, he was also the leader of a rebellion, and anyone, anywhere would be richer than kings to bring his head to Calent-
Hell, they might even become the next Calent, as so many nobles who were disgruntled were already discussion the next change of seats...

"It would do you well to introduce yourselves to a Duke, first," Blaith added with a cool smirk. They did, after all, completely ignore his presence and though he knew it was her turf....
Blaith was not a figure head to be reckoned with either- nor ignored.

"But in case you're not aware I am Blaith Harmond, the Duke of Turgall." And oh how gallantly he bowed.

[Zero]

"Oh I know who you are, your grace." The officer responded with a smile, he did bow, but somehow he made the gesture almost mocking, and Lily frowned disapprovingly. Her brother's men or not, they should not be disrespectful to a man of such high standing - even if they were under the impression the man was her captor. "Forgive me if I am not eager to greet the man that took hostage the baby sister of my Commander. The entire duchy has been in a bit of an uproar since the news broke. Most of the men here would love to see your head on a pike, your grace."

Lillian didn't want it to escalate any further, and she knew that it could easily do so. Things had been going well on the trip here, with Blaith's mind seemingly on track. She worried too much provocation could make him a little...crazy. For lack of a better term.

"Enough." She snapped testily, giving a glare at the officer and raising her chin. "You will give all due respect to Duke Harmond, he is a guest of Orchy and will not be treated inappropriately while here."

"My deepest apologies, my lady." He said, bowing very low for her. "Duke Harmond, my leige, Duke Micah Coleridge of Orchy extends his hospitality to you. A proper room has been arranged for you and four of your top officers - the rest of your men may camp in the fields here and will be provided with food. He regrets that he is unable to afford greater accommodation at this time. Please, allow me to show you to the dining hall where Duke Coleridge is waiting. He is most eager to see for himself that his daughter is well and to arrange for her to be relinquished back into his custody."

Lillian drew her lips into a fine line - yeah, that was never, ever going to happen.

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Blaith's eyes danced like those of a hungered wolf. But he kept silent. He knew he was on their turf.
"And I am eager to share a dish with the Duke. It's been too long since I've shared a meal at his table." Or rather, at someone's table that he just so happened to be a head of. They were hradly at the castle, after all.

"Lead the way." And he should follow, but he didn't bother to cast Lily a look. Her father would see enough of what he had to say for himself. And with a stiff kick to his mount's side, he followed him down the hill and out onto the cobblestone path- men flanking him on all sides but Blaith's eyes ahead. He could feel the other eyes upon him and even felt a few bolts aimed his way. How easy it would be to just shoot him down here int he streets...
If it weren't for Lily's close proximity, he knew those bolts would have already let loose.

[Zero]

Blaith may have stared straight ahead, but Lily's eyes scanned the men warily, noticing the crossbows aimed at her husband with a deepening frown. She kept her horse very close to his, making sure that there would be little chance for a clear shot - the animosity was even worse than she'd anticipated. Surely her father wouldn't have another duke murdered in cold blood on the way to treat for peace and alliance!

Actually she wasn't as sure as before.

They reached the manor house and the men that had escorted them did dismount, except the officer, of course. He approached Sunset Breeze and offered to help her dismount. The stallion snorted and danced a few steps away, actually attempting to bite him, which made Lily smirk. Just a little. She swung down out of the saddle on her own and handed the reins to a waiting stable hand - there was one to take each horse.

Lillian was quick to once again make sure she was fast to Blaith's side, more than unsettled that she didn't feel like she could trust her own father's men. They were led inside and at last stepped through the door. Her heart jumped into her throat as her father stood from the table solemnly, tears almost immediately sprang to her eyes as she saw Cyrus standing there.

The door was closed behind them. Aside from Micah and Cyrus there were only two other men in the room - guards stationed in the corners watching impassively. She recognized them as more of Cyrus's men.

"Duke Harmond, welcome to Orchy." Micah said stiffly, obviously eyeing Blaith with a seething anger. He gestured to the seats across from him. "There is wine, fruit, cheese, and bread. Later there will be roasted venison, but I thought it too heavy during negotiations. May I at least greet my daughter properly?"

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If Blaith was concerned at all for his life, he didn't show an ounce of it. He was right in the wolf's den, standing before the alpha, but stood his ground as an equal. They were both dukes, both men of great power.

"Duke Coleridge," came his reply, and a stiff bow to the master of this land before Blaith turned to Cyrus with no such reply the bastard's way. Even if he was of the same blood as his wife, he also knew the man's place. He would not bow to a bastard of no station.

"It's an honor to find myself in your hospitality. What you're serving sounds well. We have, after all, not enjoyed such refined meals. You understand. War does not allow for dinner parties, I'm afraid."

At his request to greet Lily, he did not falter, but simply nodded his consent- For it was good the Duke asked him. He couldn't know of the wedding, at least not yet, but Lily was now his, and he'd be sure to remind Micah that at any chance he got-
When the time was right, and his wife, naturally, was willing.

[Zero]

Cyrus didn't expect a bow, or to even be acknowledged for that matter, but he bowed to Blaith politely when the man did look at him. Mostly he only had eyes for his little sister, watching her carefully, both so that he could catch any cues she tried to give him, and to appraise her condition - which was not pristine, but seemed good all the same. Her armor was not present, which was the only really worrisome thing to him.

Micah held out a hand towards Lily when Blaith nodded his consent.

Lily glanced nervously between her father and her husband, licking her dry lips before moving away from Blaith and going to her father. Almost as soon as she was in reach she threw her arms around him in a fierce hug and Micah's arms came around her just as tightly.

It had been a long time since she had seen him, and tears couldn't be held back. Her father should have been at her wedding. She should have been able to give him a proper farewell as his daughter before becoming Blaith's wife - and he still didn't even know about her marriage! How was she to even tell him such a thing?

"I missed you so much." Micah said soothingly, his face actually did lose some of the anger and tension. He gently stepped back, taking her face in his hands to look over her carefully. His daughter had been a prisoner and involved in multiple battles since the last time he'd seen her - his concern was quite valid as far as he was concerned.

Lily sucked in a soft breath as his thumb traced over the small scar at her hairline the impostor had given her at the tower. She saw her father's face harden in anger and she quickly shook her head and pushed his hands away. "Blaith didn't do that."

Micah looked back over at Blaith, almost having completely forgotten the man was still standing there. His expression towards the other duke wasn't quite as hard as before, and his gratitude was genuine as he spoke again. "Thank you, Duke Harmond, for taking such good care of her during such a trying time."

He gestured to the chairs again while Cyrus stole a quick hug from his sister before she moved back to sit in the chair next to the one reserved for Blaith. As soon as everyone was seated Micah folded his hands in front of him on the table. "My daughter suggested that you needed more allies to help you defeat Calent. I have a sizable army that, if joined with yours in that goal, could quite possibly achieve it. Normally I might ask what you could possibly offer me, but I think we both know the answer to that. I want my daughter back, Blaith. I could take her by force, but I think coming to a mutually beneficial arrangement would be better for everyone."

"Father." She interjected, shifting uncomfortably in her seat and shooting her husband a nervous look. Yeah, her father was never getting her back. Everyone was looking at her now. "I think you will have to come to an agreement over an alliance on the sole basis of you both wishing Calent dead and someone else put in his place."

Micah was looking at her hard, obviously not pleased with the interruption - men were talking about war, after all, and that was not a time for a girl to be speaking. She went on, lifting her chin defiantly. "I am not a negotiable commodity."

"You are my daughter and you belong with your family, now hold your tongue or I will have you removed from this meeting." Micah looked very displeased. Well, she knew he wouldn't be happy.

"I belong with my husband, and I will speak as I wish." She said flatly.

Cyrus immediately grabbed Micah and pulled him back down into his chair, because he had tried to jump out of it. "You are a Knight of the White Lily! You are married to Ansgar and to the Church! You have no husband."

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Blaith should have seen this escalate. He knew his wife well enough and though he thought her to be wise enough to reveal their marriage when the time was right... Well, she was a Coleridge and he supposed he should have seen it coming.

He couldn't  blame Micah for his sudden rage and found himself chewing over the words as he cast a glance Lily's way. He supposed it was better now than never, considering if he just let things go as they were, he might have to punch Micah for trying to harm Lily and that wouldn't do.

She was his wife. And he intended to keep it that way, and to keep her protected, safe- even from the wrath of her own father, and that of the country, or the church, or whoever else might challenge his love, his life.

Blaith sat up from his chair now and looked directly at Micah.

"She has a husband, and that husband is me. We married in the church a few months back before we made our way to Orchy. I know you're probably be shocked, but so was I. I didn't expect to be married, let alone to your daughter, especially while on my campaign against Allarrick. But In these times of war I'm looking for revolution, Duke Coleridge, not retribution. Love found us, inconsequentially so, and I would never deny my heart, nor her's. So please understand," and he gave the other man a cold grin, something that seemed to have a bit of a bite in it. "My wife remains at my side and will be present in any war negotiations while we're in your land."


Damn it all. He felt like he just gave the approval for the noose around his neck- never mind his other attacks against the crown. No doubt Micah would be seething. Not only was Blaith standing here as an enemy to the crown of Connlaoth, but the church itself. But then again, he was never found of the damned church, even if he used it to get the religious consent of marriage.

[Zero]

The delivery of the news could have been better, but Lillian knew the longer she put it off in this meeting, the worse it would be. It would have been worse if she'd simply given the news in a letter. That would have given her father far too much time to stew and plan on what he would do about it.

Her eyes flickered to Blaith, watching him appreciatively for several long moments as he came to her defense, then her eyes glanced back to her father. Cyrus still had a firm hold on his arm, keeping him in his seat and relatively calm. Although those eyes were like green fire as they glared right through Blaith. Micah didn't even look at her, which hurt a little, but she knew her father. This was a war between two men.

"Love?" Micah snarled. "Love has nothing to do with anything! My daughter was not for you to love! I am her father, she belongs to the church. How could you just go and marry her behind my back without even asking for my consent?"

"Would you have given consent?" Lillian asked softly, keeping her eyes on the table.

"Of course not!" Her father raged, on the edge of control.

"Then I had no choice." She concluded sadly. "Daddy I love him and he needs me, more than you could possibly know. I never wanted to be an adhara, I knelt and said my vows because it was what you decided had to be done. My entire life has been a series of doing whatever someone else wanted me to do, usually you. I wanted him, and I don't care if it was selfish. After everything else, I deserved to be selfish for once."

For a long moment Micah just stared at her, his jaw obviously clenched.

"Congratulations, baby sister." Cyrus finally smirked, before giving his father a meaningful glance. The men in the corners of the room looked...uncomfortable, to say the least. "I'm happy for you. Always wished you'd stick up for yourself a bit more."

Micah closed his eyes and visibly fought with himself for a few moments, but finally he schooled his features into neutrality. "Very well, the...Duchess Harmond will be allowed at all negotiations."

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Blaith remained sitting as if made of iron. The thoughts behind his blue eyes were impenetrable. Lillian needed to speak her mind, speak her peace for her father; and who was he to interrupt? He let that explosive bit of detail settle in between them as he waited for Micah to either throw the pair out, or continue with their negotiations. It seemed Micah knew well enough that continuing was the more beneficial way to go. Which was a good sign. He knew Micah cared well enough for his children, but Blaith had to wonder if he would not cut his ties if he knew all of his lively hood would be spoiled and torn away from him were he to have them represent him poorly. Blaith even smiled as he thought it over. It was some what of a defeat for Micah; but in the same way, it was another victory for Blaith. This was a war, after all; his new marriage aside, it wasn't meant to gain him this alliance forcefully; so he couldn't be happier that (for now) it was turning out better than expected.

He couldn't have blamed Micah had the man wanted to take off his head. But with Micah willing to negotiate even after this fact.....
Blaith knew that his efforts against the crown were substantial and making a big enough impact that Micah knew he was gambling, but on the stronger horse.

"Thank you, Duke Coleridge." Blaith gave a nod of his head and gestured to Lily. "If you wouldn't mind taking the seat beside me, Lady Harmond..."
She was his wife, after all, and no longer belonged under her father's wing. By his side she would remain, and he by her's.

[Zero]

Things were not going at all to plan, but Micah was nothing if not good at taking advantage of situations. His goal had been to form an alliance with Blaith so that he could use the man's army to further his own cause of dethroning Calent. Alliance through marriage was generally the easiest way to form stalwart connections.

He only wished that he'd done as Evelyn asked many years ago and arranged for her to marry the damn man. No use mourning what could have been.

Lillian didn't hesitate and hadn't so much as cast a glance in her father's direction to seek his approval when Blaith motioned for her to join him. She took the seat next to her husband and, beneath the table so as to be discreet, moved one hand to lay against his leg. Despite her seeming confidence, she dearly wanted the connection to him for emotional support and fortitude.

"Since that matter is settled, my I ask what else you plan to gain from me, Duke Harmond? You've already stolen my sweet, innocent child from me." Micah knew what they wanted, of course, soldiers and support in the war, but this was all a formality, rightly so considering the gravity.

[visualspice]

"Supporting my cause." As if that wasn't obvious enough. "Not that I would by any means force you to turn away from the crown just because I married your daughter." He wasn't petty enough, but he knew how these things worked in the political hierarchy in which they all lived.
"Connlaoth is tired, and Calent's rein is doing little but to tear this kingdom apart."
Beneath the table, his fingers gently stroked her's from where they lay over top.

"Your duchy is one of the stronger ones of our age. There's no use denying it." And it couldn't hurt to compliment Micah, even on something he already knew. "And I know enough about your opinions about Calent." Or at least what Lily helped him perceive.

"I'm merely asking for an alliance, to help me gather the men to move forward and crush Allarrick's forces, and removing him from the throne. With the winter's passing, and Ahjfeld now in ruins and the majority of the mage camps having been liberated, Calent will no doubt be reaching out more starchly towards his allies." He actually smiled. "I would be honored if when he reached out, you had no means to reach back. And that our flags can fly together, both here, in Turgall, and with the armies I command throughout the realm."

[Zero]

"If I didn't support you, when you failed, and you would fail, Duke Harmond, let's not mince words, my daughter would fall with you. I would rather not see my own child beheaded if I could help it." The words were delivered a little dryly, but Micah made a dismissive gesture with one hand. "I think even the Grand Duke is aware of my low opinions of him. I have made excuses at every turn to not lend him more soldiers. Orchy men are not sacrificed idly for foreigners."

Blaith was a foreigner, but also technically his son-in-law. Whether Micah liked it or not.

"Our armies combined would certainly be a force to be reckoned with, but when Calent is disposed what then? I assume you wish to place yourself upon the throne, and that I will never agree to. I doubt the people would either. Everyone knows what you are now, and while mages should be given better treatment than they have under Calent, I do not see one uniting all of Connlaoth together again. No matter how charismatic or how powerful his friends." Micah truly didn't believe it could be done. Calent would die, but Blaith on the throne would only incite more rebellion as far as he was concerned.

And Micah was determined to see himself crowned. If not him, well, Gabriel would make a fine Grand Duke, he thought.

[visualspice]

Blaith gave a guarded smile.
"This is Connlaoth. How did Allarrick get his seat? We'd let the people vote. The dukes and the lessers. Not the commoners, but everyone with royal blood should have a say. Not just you nor I, Duke Coleridge."
His smile remained cool.
"Whether we like it or not, Connlaoth has gone through immense scaring, and immense change. To stand united, at least behind a crown, every duchy gets a word in. Even Allarrick's Allar, and the fallen Ahjfeld, if there are any royals left in it."

[Zero]

"The people vote?" It was how it had always been done, but Micah couldn't even begin to mask the disdain dripping from his voice. "I remember the last time the people voted, Duke Harmond. I remember that you and I both attempted to win that vote. We failed and were given Calent. The people are too ignorant to vote."

Lillian held her peace through things so far, once she'd settled the storm of rage from her father's learning of her marriage, but at that she couldn't remain silent. "Father you can't place yourself on the throne by force. Not a duchy in Connlaoth would support you if you attempted to conquer them."

Well, none but Orchy. Orchy would always support the Coleridges.

"Gabriel would not want that either, and you -" Lillian had felt absolutely fine, it came out of nowhere. One moment she was trying to make her argument and the next she jerked out of her chair, turning hastily as the bile rose up and then found herself emptying her stomach right there on the floor while clutching the back of a chair for support.

Cyrus had risen from his chair before she'd even begun to vomit, but she waved him off as she panted and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "I - I'm sorry."

[visualspice]

And the entire room was silent. Blaith only stared for a moment in surprise before rising to move to her side.
"Are you okay?" he asked, gesturing to the servants nearby to make quick work of the mess.

[Zero]

"Yes, I'm...I'm fine." Lillian tried to reassure him, smiling wanely. Honestly she was fine! She still felt just fine, save the disgusting taste in her mouth and the burning in her throat. It was the oddest feeling, to be sick and not sick. She knew the cause too, but she couldn't possibly reveal that here, not right now. Her father had enough shocks for one day, and she was still worried what Blaith would do when he found out.

The men in the corners had moved quickly, fetching towels to clean up the mess wordlessly. Cyrus had poured some wine for her and brought an empty bowl around the table, offering them with a look of concern.

"I'm okay, really!" She insisted, taking the glass and sipping just enough to swish her mouth out and spit it into the bowl. Wine wasn't something she needed to be consuming right now. At least it helped with the gross feeling in her mouth. A little bit, anyway. "It has been a very stressful few months, with all the riding, the battles, and camp food isn't the best. My nerves must have just got the best of me."

It was a lame, weak excuse, but she knew her father would accept it. Micah thought all women had weak nerves. Heh.

[visualspice]

Even though it was the wrong time for jokes, Blaith managed to catch her eye as he asked with a small smirk, "Are you saying I feed my men, even my wife, awful, unfit meals?"