Ava: Did you know she was there

Nikolai:If not her, a spy. They're always watching dear.

Ava: Huh, Guess i cant get any privacy

Nikolai:*chuckles
Guess not. You never know who is a spy and who is actually clueless

Ava: Kind of a scary thought

Rosary: * Walks out to the forest she is breathing heavily trying to calm down *

Nikolai:Well this world is a scary place.
*smiles
Now do you see why i practice my faith? The Gods are the only ones not trying to stab me in the back.

Ava: I guess that's a good reason

*Joanna walks down the hallway to her throne room, annoyed

*Most of House Tumas is asleep, Sharie is awake, outside, watching her men stand with arrows ready to fire
*sitting next to her is the Shadow Man, still unseen to everyone but her

Sharie:What do you want?

Shadow Man:Our home to still be here when that ship leaves.

Sharie:*stays silent

Shadow Man:Your not the only one who's home is in danger. I live here too.

Sharie:You'll be here whether I'm dead or alive.

Shadow Man:*touches Sharie's thigh
But I want to be here with you. Forever.

Sharie:Please, don't touch me.

Shadow man:I can end this. Just give me the word and i'll sink their ships.

Sharie:No. If I rely on magic to win this war I only prove their points.

Shadow man:Fuck them. Fuck what they think of the Swamps.

Ava: * Watches her * I don't think she likes me

Nikolai:She's a bitter old woman, she doesn't like anyone.
Come, walk with me
*holds out his arm for Ava to hold onto

*Joanna walks in her throne room, 11 men stand in her room

Joanna:I was unaware I was holding court today.
*a young man, Nikolai's son Nikolai second of his name steps out among them

Nikolai (Younger): Forgive us My Queen.
*All eleven men take a knee to her, she walks through them to her throne

Ava: * Holds on to his arm * Ok

Rosary: * Angrily Screams loudly at the top of her lungs where Katrina and all the girls can hear her *

*Nikolai starts walking Ava through the exquisite gardens
Joanna does not hate you. She may not even hate me. She hates things that threaten where she stands in the food chain. She'll warm up too you more, when she knows for sure, you're not in her food chain. If  that makes sense.

*Joanna glares at the men who are all dressed impressively
Rise.
*the men stand
Young Nikolai:My Queen, as commander of your great army, I also serve as a voice for the Council of Leaders for the faith. These ten men behind me are leaders of Great, noble, Houses that keep our faith tight in our hearts. These ten men come together to decide what all of the faithful houses do. Although they haven't done much in the past four or five hundred years, we decided to have this talk with you.

Joanna:You Barletts all love to talk don't you?
Is there a reason you all have marched in here? Am I ignoring the faith?