Birthright

Wayin stared at the large signature scrawled at the bottom of the letter he held in his hands. That was the sixth and final letter, confirming that Kyran and Harren would be turned over to the queen if they set foot within the specified city. 

The queen had Wayin send letters to the six major houses of Ethios, explaining the circumstances of Kyran's treason. Wayin was not too concerned when the Arintears and the Dorns sent their confirmations. However, when the rest came flying in, he began to worry. This signature however, sent Wayin's fears soaring. 

Lord Galia of Galenport had signed the confirmation. Wayin shuffled through the letters that lay in front of him. The major houses have promised to send out search parties for Kyran. They have also promised to cover the streets of every city with his visage so that all may spot him when they see him. Wayin groaned and buried his head within his hands. 

"I pray that Harren knows what's going on. If he's smart, he will board a ship for Voralis and never return."

Voralis was a large country to the far east of Ethios. It was an old nation full of proud men and their queer god. Ethios did not have many dealings with the nations to the east of Rentos, so that would be a choice place for Harren and Kyran to hide. 

If they were lucky, the other nations would not find out about the war to come. The last thing Ethios needed was invaders from Rentos or Torren, landing on their shores to take their lands.
Ethios had mutual agreements with Rentos, but were never friends. Torren hated both nations with unending passion. They had received the butt end of many wars thanks to the two nations. If anyone would attack, it would be Torren. 

Wayin shoved the papers away and stood from his chair. It was their third day in Picket, and they were to leave on the morrow. The queen had not rested since she set foot in the city. She had her guards sent out into the Queensgrove to search the surrounding holdfasts for whereabouts of Kyran. She was posting pictures of his likeness on every city street in the province.Unfortunately for Harren's friends in Sorrowheart, the queen had most of them tortured until they gave their description of the Kyran's face. Wayin had hoped that they would tell her false, which she would have never known, but the simpletons had told her true. The drawings looked just like Kyran and added that much more stress to Wayin. 

He gathered up the letters and exited his quarters. He made his way to the garden, for the queen often fancied to take strolls there with her brother. It was there he found her alone. She was smelling the flowers, looking radiant as ever.

"When you look upon her, you see a beautiful and kind woman. It's when she opens her mouth that you see the rot within."

"Ah, Lord Wayin, how are you today," asked the queen as he approached. 

"I'm most well, Your Grace. I have come to bring you these," responded Wayin, handing her the letters. 

She shuffled through them with a large smile on her face. 

"I am so relieved to see this. I was worried I would have trouble with the River Lords," she said cheerfully.

"I suppose even your enemies are not willing to go to war for a bastard's claim, Your Grace."

The queen smiled at that. Wayin was becoming good at cooing her to his favor. She liked him more than she had ever liked any of her other councilors and snapped at him a lot less often than she did with the others. 

"May I make a suggestion Your Grace," asked Wayin cautiously. 

The queen continued to shuffle through the papers. 

"You are my sage and advisor, so I would expect nothing less, my lord. Please go on," she responded sweetly. 

"When we return to Galverin, I think it best that we remain there. Though the major houses gave their confirmations, that does not mean that their banner men feel the same way."