Hannah Flora Ossi's Story

A young woman named Hannah, age twenty, walked into the meeting court just as an assassin presented a magi stone. The fact someone like that man would even needs such a thing when one of his kind killed her parents seemed ridiculous. Then again, it was a war the assassin was talking about. She wasted no time in clearing her whistling, getting the nobles' attention as well as the ruler's, and clearing her throat to begin speaking.

"With all due respect, gentlemen, even if you were able to use that against my home, how do you it will not destroy you, as well? If we do solid research on them, which can only be achieved if both nations work together, we may pinpoint their advantages and disadvantages, plus possibly find a way to end the rift!" As she spoke, her dove symbol on her brown leather dress could be seen by the High General. "My brother, Zechariah Lex Ossi, has seen much animal aggression in Eagle Forest that is unnatural since the beginning of that same rift! As a well-experienced hunter, he knows when wildlife feels threatened by something just by observing its behavior! If it continues and spreads, not even your walls can protect you, regardless of how well they served you, thus far! The stones might or might not be responsible, but there could still be a chance they could be related to something else potentially dangerous or even help us turn the unfortunate events around! I am asking you, not just as the Dove of Stormhale, but also as the daughter of two knights killed by an assassin's hand and the sister of a brave and caring hunter, to help Stormhale study the stones and pinpoint the source of this rift, once and for all!"

Griffian "Griff" Aethean
Griff felt a slight tingle in the back of his mind when he was giving that speech. Someone was watching him that was more than just a dimwit noble that was surrounding him currently, it was someone that was more intent in what his words meant than what he said. To snoop out one of the few people in the court that actually had half a brain he turned slowly showing the nobles the magi stone, as he did that he searched throughout the crowds. He smiled when his eyes fell upon a cloaked figure leaving the court. "A Loki I wasn't expecting you to be here to watch my show. Oh what he must think of me spitting about war and such. Power hungry probably is what he thinks. He wouldn't be half wrong though"

Griff lifts his hand to tell the guards to stop the fleeing Loki from leaving the court, but out from the crowd the pesky diplomat from Stormhale calls the attention of all the other nobles and emperor to her. From her lips she spouts words of cooperation between Stormhale and Valteranna working together to study the magi stones and find the source of the rift. It was hilarious to the assassin/noble how innocent the Dove of Stormhale was. She acted like it was simple for the two kingdoms to work together. And maybe it was that simple, but Griff didn't care this broad was going to ruin his plans if she was able to unite Valteranna and Stormhale together and he just couldn't let this happen. He waits until the girl is finished then counters, "Ah yes Dove that would be nice wouldn't it. Us and Stormhale working together to study the magi stone and find the origins of the Rift in perfect harmony. Well until Stormhale gets what it wants and stabs us in the back. Fellow nobles do not listen to this Dove-feathered Viper all she wants us to do is open ourselves up so Stormhale can come and wash us away into oblivion so no one can stand against them as they control everything. Listen to me your fellow Valtrennan not the Dove. Let Velteranna prosper always and forever" He lifts his clenched fist into the air.

A roar of agreement erupts from the crowd of nobles and continues on for a few more minutes. Griff then continues after the crowd quiets, "However even though I don't believe in what the Dove spouts I think we should give her chance. Emperor let the Dove and me go to the College of the Ancients with a few others and find out what we can. If not for that reason then we should go anyway because a party from Stormhale is heading that way as we speak. With that I am done my emperor"

She could not believe what she just heard. That party includes Zechariah! She was not about to let her brother be killed by an assassin!

"Assassin, if you think I would want a war personally, you are seriously mistaken! You have no idea what Zechariah and I went through for seven years after one of you from a different nation killed our parents, fully trained knights, and pursued us! Had the crusaders from Stormhale not arrived and given Zechariah the chance to shoot the killer, he and I would not be alive to this day! Don't tell me after that amount of time, you would rather face humiliation than be involved in a war! That was why my brother did not want to be a knight, anymore! Emperor, he would have been so much like you, had his career not ended! You two would have gotten along well!" Tears began to show. "I'm begging you, please keep him alive! He sacrificed so much to protect me, including knighthood! If he were to die because of me, I would not forgive myself!"

Meanwhile, the nobles were once again in dispute. They argued about whether to believe her. At this rate, if the assassin wanted all of them on his side, it was useless. What she said, whether it was her intention or not, was enough to break the unanimous support he had.

Loki

Loki slowly paced his way leaving the court when his path was interrupted by two guards. "Sir we cannot allow you to leave yet. Sir Griff of the Order of the Scythes has request you stay," the guard spoke with a trembling sound in his voice. A devious grin grew over Loki's face as he stared at the guards. He steadily approached the guards like a predator preparing to pounce on its prey. Out of the cuff of his gauntlets two small blades began to protrude under his hand. Just as Loki was about to strike, a figure within the crowd caught his attention. Her long blonde hair swayed as she walked into the court. Loki slid his blades back under his gauntlets and told the guards if the Fifth Blade wishes to speak with me then I will wait to see what he has to say. He then turn and slowly approached the blonde woman. Loki recognized the woman as the infamous Dove of Stormhale. A sigh of disappointment came flushed over his face. "Not only do we have to deal with ignorant and cowardly nobles, but they were stupid enough to allow the enemies diplomat to learn of this meeting. No one but the High General would have told her the court was convening today. That lecherous old man, I may need to silence his ignorance sooner rather than later."

The blond woman began speaking of her home and the need for research on the Magi Stones. She then began speaking of her brother and the increased animal aggression within Eagle Forest. She spoke of her brother with such pride as though he were a warrior known throughout the land and not some common hunter living in the woods. She then spoke of how her parents were killed by an assassin as though that had any relevance on the matter. Loki placed his hand over his face and let out a quite chuckle. "Well at least the nobles of Stormhale are as stupid as the ones of Valtrenna" he uttered.

As soon as the woman finished speaking Griff countered her reply with tales of collusion, betrayal, and trickery by Stormhale. Loki laughed to himself realizing that Griff was planning to perform every act he accused the woman of performing. Griff ended his speech by with a few words of patriotism and lifting his fist in the air. The nobles all cheered and applauded. Loki then realized that the Dove of Stormhale had played directly into Griff's hands. Now that the entire court was in agreement with Griff it was only a matter of time before the King was forced to consent as well.

After Griff's speech the Dove began to lose her composure. Something he said must have infuriated her greatly. She berated him calling him an assassin and blaming Valtrenna for her parents death and their persecution. She then began to shed tears and plead for the emperor too save her brother's life. Loki then began to ponder the purpose of Stormhale's king sending her as a diplomat. Not only did she fail to persuade the court but she revealed information that Stormhale was sending a party to the College of the Ancients. All reports stated the king of Stormhale possessed a brilliant political mind, but this was a move of sheer ignorance... Or was it?.. Now the king of Valtrenna would have to respond by sending a party there as well. Loki then approached the diplomat and Griff and began to speak softly.

"You're not a very good diplomat are you. Do you really not realize the predicament you are in. What proof do you have that Valtrenna was responsible for your parents death. You are also quick to call one of the Order of the Scythes an assassin. You claim your brother is a mere hunter, but he does serve the king of Stormhale doesn't he? Would he kill for you king? That makes him no better than an assassin and makes you an ignorant child for believing otherwise. You do not seem to understand that in this hall you are an enemy. It would be wise for you to speak more carefully and carry you self in a more dignified manner if you value your life." Although his words were harsh he felt the woman needed to hear them and realize the situation she was in. The fifth blade or many of the other nobles could have her executed at any time. If Valtrenna killed a Stormhale diplomat then war would be inevitable. Although as he pondered the thought that the chaos of war could put an end to his constant boredom.

"I said from a different country, not Valtrenna! Falcon Forest was full of corrupt nobles before Stormhale arrived! When my parents spoke out against them, those nobles hired an assassin to make sure they did not become a major threat! All that did for them was start a rebellion while that same assassin pursued Zechariah and I!" Such ignorance! She was in no way blaming Valtrenna, and this other man was insisting on it. She could not control her emotions, anymore. "But you are right: I am a terrible diplomat, especially when Zechariah is brought into it! He has no loyalty to any specific country, but he was willing to go on the mission to see if the stones have anything to do with the rift! His loyalties are to nature, nothing more! The reason I became a diplomat was so nobody else would have to suffer the same things he and I did!"

She quickly realized she was not behaving like she should. Not even bothering to look at anyone, she brushed away the tears and said, "Thank you for your time! I shall wait outside for your response!"

Hannah did not say anything else. When she looked at the guards and walked trhough the door, she waited outside to see what they had to say.