With a great sigh, Avillonia sat down at her personal desk. Even the nearby plants gave her no comfort, the soft light eminating from the hearth and above via the skylight, only added to her discomfort. Her home was quiet today, the servants were tending to errands outside the structure. It just was not enough. The rolling roar of events for the past few weekds seemed to grow in pitch as the days passed by. The pulse behind her eyes beat harder than ever causing a great ache over her forehead.

Carefully the druidess unwrapped her hair from around the onyx crown, the weight of her hair and it's position served to keep the crown in place. Now it lifted with ease from just above her brow.

Many things were happening all at once. All very necessarily with the idea of Verminasia's prosperity as the goal. The nervous energy from having been crowned should not be allowed to go to waste. It was a strong factor in the formation of a trade agreement and treaty of nonaggression with New Thalos. Even with the treaty in place, Avi was extremely skeptical of why Lunez and Nixia agreed. In some part, she believed it was their friendship with Isadore.

And the trouble there not a few nights ago, was the effort of one bored illusionist. Thankfully the treaty was not endangered.

Now as Isadore and Avi made plans farther into the future, trouble loomed.

Avi carefully set the crown upon the desk, the contrasting color making her eyes linger a bit longer on the light wood before she stood and took a few paces toward the hearth. Her eyes took in the standard above the hearth that carried her family crest paired with Isadore's, then her gaze fell to the mantle and over the various dried herbs woven around the glass candle holders. The problem... No the continuing problem was nothing short of a drama. Ka'vanth versus Shalonesti. A brand new discovery, a continent accessible only by boat, and while exploring the new landscape, people, items and customs, Lyan just could not back away from a pair of Shalonesti who had arrived there. Lyan could and would not back down from any opportunity, but regardless of who started what, Lyan called Nactonees for his aid. The result was the same. Warrants issued by Shalonesti for the attack of their citizens. One pretty paper for Lyan, one for Nactonees. Just paper. They always claim the dark elves start everything as much as the dark elves claim the Shalonesti blind hatred and attitudes toward the dark elves spurning them into action.

But the drama would not be complete without a suitable twist.

To protect her family, to safeguard the future of the Ka'vanth, Ursah made a deal with Rhiadora to erase the warrant on Nactonees in exchange for her person. What a waste! Ursah did not have to take such extreme action when the Shalonesti did not have anyone in custody! Avi tried all she could from growling low in her throat, as she knew it disturbed her pets.

The new Queen fumed quietly, her ire growing as warm as the flames before her. Her mind finding new reasons to question Ursah's motives. What of those babes? Nactonees was a grown man, capable of defending himself. Yet Kaidra, Nat, and Yaesha still needed to be nutured and loved by their mother. Would Lyan care for those children? Probably, but it would not be the same.. Lyan's zeal for revenge would give them an entirely different legacy than the strength and sacrifice that Ursah was trying to give.

If Ursah...

No. Avillonia refused to believe that Ursah would die. Without their Matron, House Ka'vanth would once again disintegrate, become irratic and chaotic. Avi refused to concentrate on the negativity of "what ifs".

Nactonees already wished to go save his mother. The druidess knew he wept inside, but she warned him to stay in Verminasia, that his siblings needed him. That Zhaneal would need him.

Another sigh escaped. She should have told Nactonees that he needed to stay else the entire Guardian corps would be following. Zhaneal would follow Nac and place her life in danger to save her future mother-in-law. And the Guardians would be risking theirs to save the Princess.

Walking the few steps back to her desk she stared angrily at the blank parchment waiting for words. Her fist slammed down hard onto the aged wood, creating a sharp stinging in her hand followed by the warmth of pain. The sound echoed a moment in the large room, followed by the soft noise of the crown rolling a bit on it's rim as it journeyed to the floor.

Damn the Shalonesti for tempting and goading the Ka'vanth. Damn the Ka'vanth and their overdeveloped sense of retribution. Time was clicking away. The words that she wanted to say were few, yet there were many ways in which to say them. She had to find the most useful way.

Wait... Another idea formed. It was very possible...

Slowly sitting down to her desk, Avillonia grabbed the quill, purposefully dipping it into the inkwell. It was an interesting notion... But there would need to be some corresondence before Avillonia would know anything for certain.

That and she knew for everything to work, she and Isadore would have to be on the same page. It made her work hard on what was before her.

With the missive finished, Avillonia, Queen of Verminasia looked it over with a fine eye. It was well worded, articulate and simple. No hidden messages or references. Straight forward. Just as she had desired it.

As if made of porcelain, Avi picked it up, rolling it up before placing a crimson bow made of silk around it. Now it was ready to be taken by a messenger.

The problem with Verminasia was simple. There were too many dramas going on at many times and not enough time in between dramas. Avi supposed that is what one should expect living in such a decadent and paranoid city. The type where thieves abound and tempers were quickly lit...

With so much on the horizon, the Queen knew that she'd better get people involved in the new projects else the dramas will overtake all and prosperity would always be more than a few steps away.