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[Filter: Servants of the Goddesses in Razen, in Atsirian]

I must admit -- I didn't expect for this to happen quite so soon. What was it, does everyone think, that brought the Queen to a firm decision on the matter of Raezi's position as the nomadic sitter so quickly? Was it something as simple as the amtahcha game? Or was it completely spur of the moment -- what did you gift her with, again, Raezi?

If we could place what, exactly, brought us to this conclusion, we could try and engineer the same circumstances for Karlesta.

-- but there is nothing but good news, here. Nothing at all. To have someone so devoted to our church, a priestess even, representing the tribes of Atsiria ... it's a massive advantage. If we can secure the additional formal seat for our Faedya ...

[Filter: Karlesta, in Atsirian]

... you have seemed more on edge that I'd have hoped since the party. It went very well, you know, aside from the disturbance with Lord Robert, and we put that down easily. Everyone is talking about it. A historic occassion, one that will be remembered forever, and you were in the centre of it. Do you realize that?

[Filter: Raezi, in Atsirian]

I'm about to attempt to plant some seeds. I would appreciate it if you were so kind as to water them for me.

[Filter: Karlesta, in Atsirian]

I caught a glimpse of a great stack of unopened missives in the front parlour. Hm, I suppose even though you've stopped considering them, you've been inundated with invitations for tomrorow evening's affair at Sir Gideon's? Well, that's not surprising.

You should take it as a compliment. Even if you're uninterested, at least you're being sought out, hm?

[Filter: Private, in Atsirian]

Karlesta so loathes the very thought of Joseph becoming King of Atsiria. And I do not blame her for that. He hurt her badly, and he laughed while she bled. He deserves her scorn, it's true enough. And he and Lady Westa moved against the Mothers ... the Church ... I should feel the same. This is the closest House Atsir has ever been to reclaiming the throne, and Joseph is using the Queen for his purposes.

It's the Atsir way.

If Grandmother could be here today, if she could see what's happening, I know she'd be pleased. She only really smiled when she was completely satisfied with something, and she would be smiling ear to ear at this. Her grandson, tying himself to the Ansharian dynasty, finally. The chance for an Azshara to sit the throne. One cousin sitting on Atsiria's throne, and the other in Cleraine.

It's really all our family has ever wanted. A chance to slowly creep back onto the throne. We've always known we'd never have it back completely, but we can grow over it like moss.

Yes ... yes, Grandmother would be well pleased.

It's harder to be rid of her ghost than I wish it were. And sometimes, I suspect that I really don't try. There's more of her in me than I would like to admit.

I can't hate him for what he's doing. I can't be anything but proud ...

[Filter: Raezi, in Atsirian]

... I think I might have someone.

[Filter: Karlesta, in Atsirian]

I must say, Karlesta, though it might not be my place -- you didn't really seem to be enjoying yourself last night. Less so than usual, one might remark.

[Filter: Raezi, in Atsirian]

I see what you're trying to do. We did talk about this, didn't we? I must admit ... I had hoped we'd see a little more in the way of results. First the young man at Lady Aes's themed party, and then that handsome fellow at the quieter gathering last night ...

There must be something wrong with them. I'm trying to get more from her, now. I don't think she realizes just how important this could be.

[Filter: Private, in Atsirian]

It reminds me of the parties I was allowed to watch from the sidelines with my nanny, as a girl.

Grandmother never let me dance, or speak, or even mingle, and I always had to wear my veil. Just another upper class little girl, watching her betters moving in their steps. Oh, how they entranced me, their laughter and smiles and the fine men on their arms. The whirl of their skirts ... the glitter of their jewels ...

I know what her purpose was. She meant to show me the life I would never have, the life a bastard would never be entitled to. She meant to remind me of my place.

What would the Lady Vashj say if she were still here, tonight?

[Filter: Karlesta, in Atsirian]

Karlesta, really.

You feel that ball between your shoulders? Keeping them lashed tightly together and not letting you move them freely?

Well, everyone here sees it, too.

You needn't be so stiff. They all know you're above them. Holding yourself so separate from their gaiety makes you appear standoffish and cold. Move among them. Laugh at their jokes, even when they aren't so very funny. Learn to ask questions.

Do you see how Adrian does it? Of course, you can't simply emulate him; he's in a submissive role. But you can learn his tricks and turn them about to match your own skills and situation.

You do yourself more harm than good, like this.

[Filter: Raezi, in Atsirian]

Saedri, it was a great shame you are not yet in Razen. The event the Queen has staged tonight for all of the campaigners in Razen and their families is exactly the sort of situation you so excel in. What a missed opportunity.

[Filter: Karlesta, in Atsirian]

You and I, my daughter, have the need to discuss something.

[Filter: Private, in Atsirian]

They all look to me. They all look to me to fix this.

I ... I brought this on myself, I suppose. I've built the Prophet as all-knowing and all-seeing. That was my defense, when I burned that innocent man, here. In fact, it's been my explanation for almost everything I've done since I became this person, hasn't it? And ...

There are so many similarities to the last time I was in Razen for an extended visit. I swept in and saved an innocent man from a charge of regicide, because my powers let me see to the truth, my Goddesses showed me who was truly guilty. I think that is all they want. Not for Lord Matthew to be innocent, but for me to be able to tell them whether he is, or not. They don't know what to think. They don't know who to trust. The city divides itself and the Council follows, and they all think that I can bridge that gap, because I have all but told them I can while never intending to do any such thing.

And the flames remain empty.

Why? Is it because he is guilty? Do you Holy Three know that if I have to tell the Queen her consort wanted to have her murdered, she will never trust or love me? Or is this something that you have no stake in, that you do not want to know?

Or ... is it me?

Do I not want to know the answer?

... easy enough, to think of who was the architect of this conspiracy if it were not Lord Matthew. House Atsir will stop at nothing to achieve their goals, and Joseph's aspirations were clear enough from the start. It would not be beyond him, or Lady Westa. Rather, it would be ... expected.

But ...

But I am done hurting my family. I -- I cannot destroy all that is left of them.

Lately ... I think of that night more often than I wish to admit. I ... since ...

Since I spoke with him.

I think of who I used to be and who I've become, and I think of the choices I have had to make, and I think that ... I don't want to make those choices. Not anymore.

Bastard I may be, but I am still part of the family Atsir, and I cannot bear to be the one to strike the final blow against my family, whether or not they deserve it.

So, then, what must I do?

[Filter: Karlesta, in Atsirian]

Just what is going on?

[Filter: Adrian, in Atsirian]

I don't suppose that you've had any luck?