"O life, how uncertain are your tides!"
- Joffrey Elgin, a poet
~•~

The banners of House Memor fluttered in the noble court of Domhnall.

They were a dark crimson with a golden sun in the middle. Its rays resembled tiny hands which spread in all directions, a symbolic representation of House Memor's motto of endurance in the face of adversity. Like the sun which shall never set, they too would persist in the corridors of power and glory.

Unlike the other noble courts of Namiona, or the royal court in Nostras, Domhnall's court was open-air. It had been this way for thousands of years, even before the Unification. Courts were supposed to be held under the witness of the sun and the five elements, a custom House Memor had maintained throughout the ages and epochs.

Seven enormous pylons made of limestone and shaped like lotuses in bloom adorned the court. Their surfaces were etched with depictions of the great deeds of the Maiden. Blue skies were the roof that sheltered the assembled banner men and the Aureate Shields, the twelve celibate royal guards, whose sole purpose in life was the protection of the reigning Memor prince or princess. They stood in two perfect lines of six by either side of the ornate throne, which itself was graced by the radiant Maysa.

She stood tall on the raised dais, swathed in a flowing garment of mustard yellow silk. It ended a little above her ankle, its glisten enhanced by the sunrays. A golden belt cinched her waist and the diadem of her lineage encircled her brow. It too was made of gold with a ruby inlaid sun in the middle. Her eyes were lined with kohl. Behind her, to the left, stood Airon while Remus shared a seat along with the rest of her banner men below the dais.

A herald announced; "Her Serenity, Princess Maysa Memor, First of her Name, Daughter of the Sun and Beloved of the Maiden, addresses the gathered council."

Maysa took her seat. With that, the others, save for Airon, followed suit and sat down upon their allocated seats. They stared at their princess with expectant eyes, their minds abuzz with the question of what she might have to say.

"My good lords and ladies," Maysa began, her voice orotund. "We have gathered here to discuss a matter of great importance, pertaining to the strategic position of Domhnall and House Memor in the politics of Namiona."

The banner men released the breaths they did not know were holding. A buzz spread over the council as speculations ran wild about the meaning behind Maysa's words. Their garments fluttered in the breeze, a kaleidoscope of bright colours and vibrant patterns.

"As we all know, Lady Lysa Trellis has gone missing," Maysa continued. She cast a fond glance towards Remus, who regarded her with a smile. "and out of our collective gratitude for the help House Trellis provided to us during the crisis five years ago, I believe it is only fair if I were to join the search for the missing lady. His Grace, Crown Prince Remus, will join me. Sir Airon will bear the burden of administration in my absence."

The buzz grew louder, as the banner men argued amongst themselves regarding this decision. As the heated discussions proceeded, a stout middle-aged noble woman, Lady Genevieve, stepped forward. She curtsied in front of Maysa.

"Your Serenity," she addressed with her head lowered. "We do not doubt the wisdom in your decision, yet our apprehensions remain. It is a well-known fact that Lady Lysa was betrothed to Lord Edmund of House Eni, and our relations with the eastern province are not cordial, to say the least."

Maysa nodded. "Yes, Lady Genevieve. Our relationship with House Eni has deteriorated ever since the ascension of Lord Edmund. Yet it is never too late to strengthen the ties between our houses once more."

"You propose we shall derive a dual benefit from this proposition?" Lady Genevieve asked.

"Indeed." Maysa replied. "Not only that, but it will prove that House Memor is a steadfast ally in the eyes of the other noble houses in Namiona."

Lady Genevieve shook her head in agreement. With another curtsy, she shifted backwards to her seat. The voices of the others assembled had slowed down as well. Maysa observed it with rapt attention, her eyes narrowed like a falcon on a hunt.

Her gaze wavered towards Remus. That day, he had opted for a silver doublet with black borders. A circlet made of electrum sat on his head, the gems on it catching the sunlight. He sat with the poise of a serene philosopher, in tune with both his mind and that of the others. An unconscious smile graced her lips. He looks so handsome.

"I must now ask my esteemed courtiers to let me know their thoughts regarding this decision of mine," Maysa said, averting her attention to the matter at hand. "If you agree, walk over to the brazier and drop a piece of parchment." She pointed towards a burning bronze brazier kept in the middle of the hall.

No sooner did she say those words than the banner men rose from their seats. One by one, they walked towards the brazier and dropped a piece of parchment. There was no one who had not dropped a parchment in the flames. The fire cackled with gusto, its flames eager to touch the heavens. They all observed it with keen smiles.

"The gods favour your decision," Airon whispered in Maysa's ear. "Look how the fire burns, my lady."

Maysa's eyes bore a cool look. "Divine favour is what we need in this hour. I hope the Maiden will bless our venture, and that She may clear the name of Prince Remus."

"The Maiden favours you, your Serenity," Airon replied. "She has always been your protector and guide. There is no question that She will aid you in the journey."

Maysa shook her head yet kept silent. The orange-golden flames of the brazier curled into distinct rings. Combined with the warmth of the midday sun, it was a sight to behold. Despite the uncertainties, a calmness settled upon Maysa.

She closed her eyes and sent a prayer to the heavens to guide her in the uncertainties this journey would bring.

~•~

The dove bearing a missive from House Memor reached the concerned parties a few days after the council was convened in Domhnall.

Janus Trellis read it with furrowed brows. Beside him stood his friend Edmund. They were deeper into the forest and had constructed a temporary encampment to house them and the other searchers.

"What is it?" Edmund asked with an air of impatience. "What does that Kallistian bitch say?" The Lord of Beorgstead hardly liked anyone in the realm. And expletives were his second nature.

Janus, deciding to ignore the deprecatory remark Edmund made regarding Maysa's race, said, "Princess Maysa has expressed her wish to join us in our search. She extends a hand of goodwill towards us."

"Goodwill, my foot!" Edmund exclaimed with a bitter chuckle. "That bitch hides that silver-haired fool in her principality and tries to play the diplomat. As if we do not understand her useless ploys. I tell you, Janus, she is Remus's whore, and she, too, is involved in this whole thing."

"Can you please stop using those words?" Janus's ears were red like a ripe cherry. "I keep telling you, we are in no position to accuse them without evidence. We do not have any proof about the accusations you keep on making. I do not believe the prince has to do anything with my sister's disappearance." There is something else behind it, he thought darkly.

Edmund grunted. "That bastard uses this same path to travel to his whore's domain. It matches with the time Lysa disappeared, and you still think there is no relation? Do not be so naïve."

"I am not being naïve," Janus replied.  "But I would not point fingers until we find something certain that points towards Prince Remus. Further, we need help to cover this huge area. You well know that Æscford stretches into the borders of Domhnall. We need the princess's help anyways. It would not be wise to make things harder than it already is. Our searches have yielded little clues as to where Lysa might be."

"Then I have nothing to say!"

With an angry mumble, Edmund turned around and disappeared into his tent. Janus turned with an arm raised, ready to calm him down, but gave up at the last moment. He did not have the willpower to do it now.

No, it was better if Edmund sulked alone for a while. Janus clutched onto the missive before walking towards his own tent. As he opened the flap of the tent, he closed his eyes and sighed. He hoped Edmund would not keep up this behaviour in front of the princess. It was unseemly, and anybody who did not know Edmund might take it into offence. They would not be wrong of they did it too. His friend needed to reign that awful temper of his.

Gods only knew what chaos might break out if he lost control like this time and again.

~•~