Friday Funsies...But on a Monday!

Sorry for forgetting to post last Friday everyone! Halloween is the real deal in our house. But for those who are waiting here is the second chapter from Hanne's perspective. Next week we check back in with Nailha.

Hanne

"Did you hear?" Lya said around a mouthful of the most delectable ham. "The Blood King has made the decree public."

Lya had been a guest at our house for several months, we were isolated a distance into the country, how she continued to be on top of Monaver gossip I had no idea. Probably had something to do with the inordinate amount of mail she received.

I was so used to her dramatic outbursts I nearly missed the context of what she was saying.

"It's about time," Father agreed with her, grunting an appreciation for the fluffy mashed potatoes he shoved in his mouth after the proclamation. Chef had outdone himself with them, cheesy and creamy, with a hint of dill. They were to die for and I mourned the fact that one day I would need to forgo such luxuries.

"I think it will come back to bite him," I argued, drawing the table's attention.

Besides Lya, house Carmouts was currently hosting three other guests. The elder Lady Bucal, who's husband had passed nigh on a year ago, had been making rounds through the great houses ever since, claiming she couldn't stand to be alone in her now empty manse. Lords Overhiem and Kettlement were heading to Monaver on business and had stopped to spend a week hunting in Father's forested acres before continuing on their way.

"What do you mean?" Lya challenged me, unhappy that I'd taken the shine away from her announcement.

"He had to do something, didn't he?" Father argued. "All these young dragons, gallivanting about without proper thought toward their future. Thirty is plenty old enough to be married and settle down."

"It is an individual's choice when or even if to marry," I stated casually, though the topic was near and dear to my own heart. "Historically, the infringement of the state on personal rights has never ended well. I think the Blood King takes a great risk trying to enforce this."

"Are you suggesting the decree will spawn some sort of rebellion?" Lord Overhiem exclaimed.

I took another bite of my potatoes. Mmmm.

"I think," I nodded to Lord Overhiem, "that enforcing one's will over people's personal lives is a slippery slope. It only takes one man, fighting the chains before the King will have to tighten his fist. Sooner than you know it many of our freedoms will have disappeared under the guise of this new decree, and if I know dragons as well as I think I do, they will not stand for it."

"You'd better watch where you spout such ideals," Lord Overhiem warned, "it could be construed as traitorous."

I waved my hand at him in dismissal. "Mere speculation," I assured him, "born from years of reading history, I'm afraid."

"But it is history that proved the King's rightful ascension, or that of the Blood clan anyway."

"Indeed, we would not have this civilized world if it weren't for the Blood clan," Lord Kettlement agreed.

"You are right, of course," I smiled at them politely, "and the dragon's respect that and will probably fall in line, except the fact that the King finds himself on tenuous ground of his own."

Father turned a unique shade. "Hold your tongue, Hanne, for that is treason."

"Why? I'm only saying out loud what the whole world knows. The blood clan has wilted into a single line, that of the King, and he does not have an heir."

"I swear," father cursed, slamming down his fork, "what am I to do with you?" he demanded. "Your mother, rest her soul, should have never encouraged this willfulness."

By willfulness he meant me having my own thoughts.

Supper became awkward from there, though Lords Overhiem and Kettlement had thoughtful looks on their faces.

Lya was happy, of course, she always enjoyed watching me get shut down. I rather thought she had a thing for my Father and viewed me as some sort of strange competition. If I didn't dislike her so intensely I would feel sorry for her. Father would never marry again. Despite all his flaws, he’d loved my mother deeply, I heard him at night sometimes, talking to her still, as if she were here. Even if he would marry, it would never be Lya, she was too far beneath him, as a wyvern-kin she was high enough status to be allowed into the dragon social circles, but she'd never be accepted as one of us.

Personally, I thought the rules were foolish. Descended from a time when the clans fought among one another more than they got along. We'd been united now for hundreds of years, for better or worse, it was time to erase the lines between beast-kin.

"By the way, Hanne, there will be a guest arriving tomorrow I'd like you to take under your wing."

I blinked at my father, having been lost in my thoughts I'd missed that the conversation had taken a sharp turn.

"Really? Who?"

"Lady Amie, she's the daughter of Lord Bringham. You've heard about that unfortunate business I'm sure?"

I certainly had, though most of it had happened before my time. Lord Bringham was a knave of the worst sort. When he was younger and wild he'd wasted away his family's fortune gambling and visiting houses of ill repute. Once he was older and teetering on the cusp of bankruptcy he'd lured a very young woman from Triamath house with promises of true love and passion. He had, of course, been after her fortune, which the family promptly refused him. They'd lived in destitution for a few years before, after giving birth to a daughter, the girl had taken her own life. The Triamath house didn't learn of the woman's fate until nearly eight years later and had been devastated. They swooped in to rescue the child, cutting Lord Bringham from his daughter’s life altogether. I supposed she would be seventeen now, and ready to come of age. And as the inheritor of her mother's promised fortune, she'd be well sought after. It made sense, given her early upbringing, to find her a mentor that would help to guide her into society. A friend, with the connections and know how to keep her from endangering herself.

The question was, Why on earth had they picked me?

"I don't...." Father shot me a look, one that guaranteed that I was going to regret what I was about to say. "...see why not," I sighed.

Great, just what I needed.