It had seemed a little odd at first, holding the War Council outdoors amidst the circle of large stones, sitting around the large stone slab. More comfortable chairs had been brought out and refreshments had been provided to soothe the sensibilities of those finer Lords who had arrived. 

But there was also something right about it now that everything was set up, a feeling that a meeting like this should be held out here in this ancient location where everything had started. The day shone brilliantly, though there was a distant rumble of thunder that echoed the small tremble of his blade, despite the sky being clear as far as the eye could see.

Each time it happened, Shelby would glance at Verana, sitting between him and Oliver, her gaze distant, nostrils flaring every so often, as if searching for something on the wind. She seemed to be on guard, though her expression was blank as she struggled to pay attention to what was being said around her. Not that Shelby could blame her if she was bored or frustrated with the meetings so far, Verana didn't like pomp and circumstance on a good day, let alone in a tense situation with people she was more likely to want to fight than listen drone senselessly for hours.

Much of the morning was lost to protocol and traditional motions but gradually the thirteen Lords of Clairval began to discuss the issue that had brought them here in ernest. Kavenay was the most vocal of the opposition, though everyone seemed to have an opinion to voice, aside from the Feyshan and his King, who had introduced the proposition and was allowing the others to speak their piece before it came down to his decision. His words were final but he would need to heed advice and wisdom from the thirteen of them to make a decision that wouldn't lead to a fracture amongst his most powerful families.

Lunch was being served when Kavenay had begun to truly build up momentum in his arguments against the Feysha as the others were relaxing and eating, letting him have the table unchallenged. He hadn't spoken directly against preparing for war even then but he took a hardline stance against maintaining the truce with the Feysha. 

He spoke of avoiding being dragged into half-forgotten promises at all costs, his eyes locked on Verana, filled with barely concealed hate. "We do not even know what we were shown was true. All we get from these people are half-explanations, vague words of supposed prophecy and a token presence by the honourable Lady. We have no assurances that they will or even can fight with us. I say, we face whatever threat comes, however we choose to, and settle into creating a Clairval that's safe for us."

Even the lords who still had reservations against the proposal gave him wide-eyed looks, the group shocked at the message there. He didn't say it, but Shelby knew exactly what the man meant by the things left unspoken. 

Verana appeared unaffected however, looking up to meet the man's eyes across the table, raising one brow. She stood then, though Shelby didn't know if it was out of mimicry of their custom to do so, or to prepare for a fight.  "I didn't see what you were shown. And I was not around whenever that would have happened, so I will not debate the veracity of the Sight that was given to you.

Lord Kavenay, you seem very confused, you appear to be arguing against my proposition, but you have said you wish to do the very thing I have asked you to do. We face whatever threat comes, as is appropriate and maintain this island, safe for all of us. Our only request is that you meet us on the battlefield and fight with us, that you agree to not give an inch of ground to whatever is coming. This is nothing contrary to what you have said." 

 Around the table, Shelby could tell that several of the Lords were debating the wisdom of explaining exactly what Kavenay's message had meant, though not even the man who was pinned under her glare seemed brave enough to speak the words out loud.

It caused a silence to stretch, promising violence. 

"Well, I don't know about the rest of you gents." Oliver said after several moments of the terse silence, standing and looking around. "But I need to take a piss. I think we all need to stretch our legs a little bit."

Cavin glanced to his friend in askance, then signalled a dismissal as he clearly understood that nothing good could come from the raised tensions. Slowly the occupants of the council left, wandering a short distance away to do whatever they felt necessary. 

Shelby was returning back with Oliver when he spotted Sir Benchan talking to Verana, who was watching the river with obvious trepidation. Shelby was certain that there was something other than this very important meeting on her mind, something that had her even more upset than Kavenay himself. Another roll of thunder pealed and as it faded, Shelby heard her ask his Knight. "Is there anyone else invited to this, that has not yet shown up?"

Benchan glanced to the stone table, then to her. "No. We're all accounted for. No one else is coming."

Oliver exchanged a look with Shelby, raising a brow as Verana murmured, barely within hearing. "There is someone else coming. I smell them on the wind. They smell human, of the ocean, of camp fires and long nights without washing."

Benchan froze, glancing around the circle at the few guards that stood in armour, the minimal amount to protect their Lords. The council itself carried weapons, but wore no armour, unless you were silly enough to count one or two leather vests that were studded with metal. "Danger?"

"I don't know." She frowned and shook her head. "It could be nothing. I don't smell danger, it doesn't have its own scent."

Verana turned then, catching him and Oliver watching, shaking her head ever so slightly, her expression worried. Benchan nodded to them, but Shelby motioned for him to leave it for now, catching Verana's warning look. 

She did not want to interrupt whatever was going to happen between the Council. This was the answer she was waiting for. Whatever may come from the next couple hours, it was important to her, though she was still monitoring the approaching outsiders, whomever they may be. 

Benchan shifted back from the group as the nobles began sitting, turning to send someone to the Keep to alert the Guard of Verana's concerns, but discreetly. If the other nobles noticed that Shelby's men were being mobilized, the talks would be lost until they figured out what was going on.

As the council was called back to order, Connaugh stood up, glancing around the table with an uncharacteristically grave expression on his face. "None of us has been frank yet and no one is going to be without being forced, I'm afraid. So I'm going to be blunt. I support standing behind the Iron Oath that was made to the Feysha. Ivenmers and her allies, under my banners, will honour it. I stand behind keeping Clairval safe but in the same way it was founded, by honouring promises made and paying the costs incurred."

Kavenay sneered at the boy, opening his mouth to respond when Lord Felix stood up, glaring at Kavenay until the man sat back in his chair. 

The old, grizzled, warrior looked around the table slowly before nodding towards Cavin, then Connaugh and tapping one finger on the table. "I will never allow my legacy to be marred by a broken Oath. I didn't think much about these Feysha before I arrived. I thought I was too old to be surprised by anything, or believe in children's stories. But here I am, stubborn as a Boar, and I support fighting beside the Feysha. Even if we only had the three we've seen, I would be satisfied with that, any man with a lick of tactical sense can see that they are valuable allies."

The rest of the older crowd stood, one by one, echoing Felix's sentiments, followed by a few of the Lords who had trained and come of age with Shelby, Oliver, Cavin and Kavenay. Some stating some reservations about unknown forces and wanting clarification of what the wars would be, but all speaking to support the oath at the very least. 

Before Shelby or Oliver could stand, Kavenay did, looking around the table as if disappointed in pupils, or people below him, not his peers or betters. "I dissent. I do not believe this Oath was spoken and feel no obligation to it. But I put myself at the mercy of the King's orders. I believe we will regret this but I am a loyal subject, always."

Oliver and Shelby stood as one as Kavenay sat, inclining their heads to the King, then looking around the table, Oliver speaking first. "I am the Admiral of the Royal Navy, I am a loyal subject, always. But I believe in the Oath, and I believe the Feysha are more than we have even begun to fathom. My advice is to caution against turning our backs on them, possibly when we need them most."

"I have inherited a double edged sword." Shelby murmured softly when Oliver nodded to him, glancing to Verana, and then Cavin. "I have inherited my ancestor's Oath and the blade he swore it on. But I have also inherited my duty to my King. As his General, I am his loyal subject but I support and believe in the Oath. Those are my words on the matter."

As Cavin rose to give his decision, Verana rose as well, looking out towards the open field, her eyes going wide as she bared her sharp teeth. Benchan motioned to his men and they turned out and away from the council meeting, drawing their swords and moving into the field, even as Verana yelled one word. "Blood!"

The other guards turned belatedly, moving to follow Benchan's lead and for a moment there was confusion as to what the Feysha had said, what it could mean. Confusion reigned until the first guard jerked back with an impossibly large arrow through his chest, falling to the ground to replaced by a huge man covered in furs, a helmet with two ram's horns on it and a bow as large as he was, drawing back an arrow and aiming directly at Cavin. 

Shelby drew his sword as fast as he could, knowing that even as he turned to his King, his movements were painfully, impossibly slow. Cavin's eyes went wide, standing with no one around him as he stared down the arrow that was loosed with a twang of bow string that vibrated through the air.

Then, the confusion was replaced by all out bedlam and the only thing that seemed to be moving fast enough was Verana and her brilliantly flashing blades as she leapt up onto the table.