RP:The King and The Apothecary
Part of the Larketian Fault Lines Arc
Summary: Macon meets with Artia, who comes with several concerns about the state of Larket's earthquake recovery and to propose a benefit ball to finance rebuilding of the city. The King meets the newest little Larketian and finally explains 'the truth' of Kelovath's fall. Artia, having now heard both the paladin's and the death knight's side of the story, must decide who she believes.
Council Meeting Room
Macon waits in the council meeting room for the next in a long line of scheduled meetings to begin, this one with the apothecary Artia. In between audiences the king fits in briefings on recovery efforts going on around the city from various fort staffers. On the meeting table is a strategic map of Larket with markers in place denoting building projects and temporary housing among other things. He's exhausted, that much is clear while pieces are moved around the map in front of him and he nods through the briefing, giving short, usually yes or no answers to any decisions he is asked to make.
The witch had not seen Macon since she witnessed him cutting a council women’s throat, since then she has strayed clear of him. Hence she was someone that was an eye witness along with Kelovath at what he was doing, thusly with the current results of disaster in Larket she needed to speak to the one in control of Larket. Face him, and continue her position of being a council women and the Apothecary. Moving into the council women, and being allowed to do so with her status; upon her chest rested her almost two month old slumbering in the wrap to allow Artia’s hand to remain free. Once in the council room, she stopped before taking another step, bending at the knees. A hand bracing the sleeping babes head, as she bent forward waiting for Macon to address her before she stood upright, once he did she would move forth to the table. Looking down at the map on the table, “King Macon, pleasure to see you once more.” She noticed his exhaustion state, but waited til she would offer any help towards it. If she was going to be able to continue helping Larket, she would need to remain polite.
Macon has all but disbanded the council since his coronation, with him only acknowledging Sabrina as holding a position on it. There was no official announcement made denoting such however, and Artia’s relative silence on the matter of Andurla’s murder, of which only her, Josleen, Kelovath, and the killer himself know the truth, affords her the opportunity to meet with the king on relatively good terms. The King waves his hand in greeting and beckoning her over to him. Her politeness is noted for what it is and ignored as he growls out a greeting of just the apothecary’s name, “Artia, ” and bids her to get right to the point, “What is it you wished t’speak with me about?”
Artia stood upright, making her way back to him. The growl of her name cause a uncomfortable cry to come from the babe, causing tiny visible grey wings to flutter, bouncing her quickly putting her back to sleep. She moved to his side he bid her too, “King Macon, I have returned and left my early maternity leave for what has happened in Larket. I have been working nonstop as much as I can to help out the city, I am running out of supplies. I even had to travel to the south to kelay to acquire more niceties. The botantical garden I placed in the city for the people to always have fresh free fruit and vegetables are damaged. People are taking everything they can out of there, no issues with that as it is what it is there for. The fact is it is all gone, there is a huge break in the earth there and it is not safe. I do not have the magic needed to repair it. But the worse part is the area I fenced off to, the more dangerous flowers, the wall broke. The seals are shattered, there is a plant which I am not sure which one yet releasing pollen into our water systems. I had two people brought in that were affected by this, I was wanting permission to hire people willing to endanger themselves to help me build a greenhouse around them. If burned, the ashes could fly into the air and spread further. Next thing I want to speak with you about is permission to host a benefit balls in the name of Larket. Entry fee is supplies the people of Larket need; I can arrange everything needed for such a ball.” She bowed her head, “And the ball in your name, sir, to let your city know to relax that you are here for them. I just help plan it is all, I can appoint entertainment. “
Macon nods a few times, eying the child briefly. Of course he is glad they were not in the city during the quake. He is not a total monster, probably, which is perhaps what makes him so dangerous. He makes a motion to the map, pointing out several pins and explaining that they have relief caravans coming in from several foreign regions and that she should be receiving resupplies soon enough. If she does not get everything she needs in the next few days she has his permission to take it up with his staff who should be able to resolve such an issue fairly easily. The news of the dangerous breakout at the garden is troubling and he assures her that builders and mages will be spared as needed to quell any lingering effects that might be at work there. “I trust you t’organize this ball for Larket’s benefit. Anything you need, do not hesitate t’let me know.” With that, she has his blessing, though he probably means ‘do not hesitate to let my staff know.’ He's the king, not an event planner, after all.
Artia bowed her head, offering a kind smile to him. The first time most likely since she thought of him as an enemy, but right now she saw him as an ally, the one person truly controlling Larket. Her home. The words he gave her, lift much stress from her. “I will plan everything, and if you would like I will let you know of the progress sire.” She noticed him eyeing Ava-Marie, “Would you like to meet her?” She asked, trying to get on friendly terms at least, he was her king and so she would treat him as so. “If anything more surfaces I will let you know, as well I have heard reports of dangerous predators being attracted to the city. I am sure you are aware of such..may I ask what the plans are for this?”
Macon likely is not interested in progress reports on ball planning in the immediate future, and so he ignores the question on whether or not he wants progress reports. If she were to give them, they would likely only be received by someone on the fort staff and never reach the slate stare of the King. The death knight reaches towards the top of his head and the marble crown precariously placed there, sliding the heavy thing off his head and placing it on the tabletop. With that hazard out of the way he motions for Artia to hand over the baby. Ever the politician, Macon is experienced with handling and cooing at babies of constituents. “Ava… I believe?” Oh Macon, you're good. “The announcement was in the paper. Congratulations…” He nods towards one of his Kingsguard that is nearby and has the young, lightly armored man explain that a contingent is stationed at the bridge to keep any wild animals from entering from Sage, the true difficulty comes from the eternal forest, a few city guards have been sent out to patrol, but manpower is thin for obvious reasons.
Artia nervously, but hands the sleeping babe over to Macon. The tiny infant has a pair of grey wings, the off color of her true father’s wings. Even freckles have begun to appear along the cheek bones across to the other cheek. Her hair a dark brown, most likely to turn to dark as night like her father’s. Having an major oops night, the child was not Odhranos her now dead husband or so to her is dead due to a dark being making her think so, in order to use Artia for her skills in magic. Which he, he has gone a miss, story of her life. Get close to someone and they disappear, or report back to where they were originally from. The tiny child, opened her eyes realizing someone else was holding her not the same body heat or heart rythme as her mother. “Ava-Marie is it. Also thank you, and congratulations on becoming king.” Then Artia attention was brought to the person speaking to her about the stations of the patrols, a soft sigh is released from her. Once explained, she then looks back to Macon. “May we speak completely alone? I have some questions to ask you, that no one else’s ears need to hear.” She wanted to ask him about what she saw, there was always two sides to each story. Was Kelovath truly the enemy and she was blindsided?
Macon rocks the baby in his arms while listening to the kingsguard’s explanation of the wild beast situation and while Artia asks for them to speak alone. He nods and hands Ava-Marie back once he has had his fill of cradling and humming Veratoakan lullabies. At some point in between he agrees to the apothecary’s request and bids the remaining staff and guards to leave them be inside the council meeting room. The various servants of Larket make their exits, several gathering up stacks of papers and writing tools before they go. Once they are alone the king raises a brow and waits for Artia to speak her mind.
Artia tucked the child back up into the swaddling wrap, awaiting to see if everyone would leave so they may speak what was truly on her mind. She inhaled sharply, she was about to tread dangerous ground but she needed to know. Once she saw the last person leave, she looked him into his eyes. “Macon, you and larket appointed me the Apothecary trusting me to do my job. I did so, when the fermin attacks set motion I was here doing my best that the council let me to protect Larket and heal anyone I could with the help of Nagas science.” She wrapped her arms around the child, awake but remaining silent, so Artia could speak and not have a fussy baby to distract you. “Why? Why did you lead the fermin? Why did you kill that council women? Why did you chase kelovath out of Larket? Why am I even alive, I saw what happened. I remained silent, but I know there is two sides to everything. I only saw basically Kelovath’s side, was I blindsided by him? I need honest answers, after I leave here my lips are still closed. I never told anyone what I witnessed, I kept it up to Kelovath to tell. And still, with you claiming the throne I kept my silence. I want some answers, without my head leaving my body.”
Macon had expected this to be the topic of their private conversation. So he is not surprised in any way by the accusations Artia makes against him. He does growl slightly at the mention of the fallen paladin’s name, like he always does. The explanation he provides is very similar to the story The Queen of Larket has received from him, and believes. With this, only Artia and Josleen will know Macon’s ‘truth’. The King lets out a sigh before he begins, “You, along with the rest of Lithrydel were being deceived by the paladin. -He- led the mad fermin t’divide Larket and create a venue for him t’become a hero, using me as the scapegoat. I discovered the plan an’ brought it to Andurla, but she too was already corrupted by Kelovath… and so my ‘and was forced.” He frowns deeply and sincerely, while the accusations against Kelovath are false, his remorse over having to kill his friend that night is very very real, and it shows on his features, plain as day. Maocn shakes his head to get himself back on track, “I do not blame you, as I do not blame the rest of Larket for believing what Khasmin wanted you to believe. Only now that you know the truth, I ask for your ‘elp in restoring the city t’it’s former glory.” He turns his solemn slate stare on Artia, scanning to see if she looks like she believes a word of this.
Artia knew from her Aunt, to always have a stern expression when spoken to someone with a higher rank then herself. Listening to him, she kept the look, so either way she could not be read until she spoke. “I see, I guess I was blindsided from the start when the ‘paladin’” she said his name with sarcasism, “appointed me to be the Apothecary to help Larket. Or maybe he saw a lost girl that needed purpose before he was corrupt, I will do everything I can til I am dead to help with larket, I even left my maternity leave to be here. Trust me that is hard and hurts like hell to keep pushing myself, but the sickbay stays so packed right now. Earlier I dropped off supplies to camps, I love Larket Macon, and I will do what ever it takes.” She froze, looked him directly into the eyes, “What ever it takes to keep her safe, whether I agree with it or not. This is my home, and I will do what ever is needed, what ever you ask of me to keep it together. I won’t lie, the fact he did this and caused Andurla death has hurt my heart deeply to point it is scarred and never to repair. If I ever see this Paladin again, I will try to make him believe I am still on your side to bring him to justice. I apologize for my absence. I had to grieve my husband, and then I had this little beauty, I am back. If you deem it so, I would like to remain in the council and Apothecary to the city. I will do my best to keep up as I heal from child birth.” She dropped to her knees before him, “My sire, I believe the words you spoke.” If he was lying, he was luckily her gift of sight was gone or she been able to see his aurora switch. But she believed him, until any evidence proved naught.
Macon maintains his own stone expression as she responds. When she speaks of her love of Larket, pride and his own adoration of the city reflects in his eyes and he nods, “Indeed. We owe you a great debt for your service. Rest when y’need to. Your child is the future of Larket and requires your care more than any of our wounded.” Showing hatred towards his arch enemy Kelovath endears the apothecary to the king and he scowls along with her when she mentions him with bile. The topic of the council is met with a bob of his head (the apothecary job belongs to her absolutely, and is beyond question, so he does not even address it.) “I ‘ave disbanded the council in your absence. Sabrina remains as the only member who did not maintain support of the fallen paladin after he fled the city. She ‘as advised me on several matters as I will now trust you to. I will not strip you of your title as councilwoman, but know that there is currently no duty assigned t’it.” He stands when she kneels a bids her “Rise,” with his words and a motion of his hands. “And go. I trus’ tha’ you will do everything you can t’aid Larket when she needs you the most.”
Artia stands once he allows her to do so, offering a wide and bright smile to him. The fact he understood she needed rest from time to time was a relief, maybe he wasn’t as bad as she thought? Or was Kelovath really bad, whilst Macon wasn’t? Either way she was here, and not going anywhere, yet. “Yes sire, I will leave you be now. Thank you for speaking with me, I will start the planning for benefit ball as soon as the sun rises tomorrow. Also will have a throne set up for you and the new queen. Have a wonderful night.” With that she turned, and left his sights.