Grimond ut Vanian stood on the balcony and looked out at the docks of Kalahath. Many merchants were loading or unloading goods and his father’s personal ship, Kalahath’s Pride, was loading fresh supplies for Lord Vanian’s upcoming voyage. A full score of warships, including Grimond’s personal ship, Storm Sail, dotted the waters, defending the wide harbor as ambassadors and delegations arrived from all across the islands for the Conference of the Senate. Most of the delegations were staying across the harbor in Urthendril, where the Conference would actually take place, though there weren’t enough accommodations for all of them, and many even preferred to stay in Kalahath where they could “escape” from the pressure of the Conference. Far on the horizon, a storm was brewing; dark clouds stretched as far as the eye could see.

Grimond loved storms, though he never could explain why. Maybe it was the power, or possibly the peace and calm that followed the rush and chaos. As he gazed across at the roiling gray clouds, he remembered that there were other matters that required his attention, so he straightened his coat and turned back into the manor.

Grimond’s brother, Lorvig, was waiting when he entered the room. Lorvig was the elder of the two brothers and preferred to be drinking or sparring with the soldiers instead of sipping fine wine with lords and ladies as a man of his stature was expected to do. Even now, in their own manor, Lorvig lounged in a chair with a mug of dark ale. Instead of sharp dress boots like Grimond’s, Lorvig wore black iron sabatons; while Grimond’s coat was clean, ironed, and buttoned up to his collar, Lorvig’s coat was stained and wrinkled and he left it open. Their father had worked tirelessly for several years to turn Lorvig into a proper heir, but the more their father pressured Lorvig, the worse he behaved. Their father finally struck a deal with Lorvig that he would behave at formal functions and special occasions in exchange for his freedom at other events. Based on his dress and behavior, Lorvig did not consider this particular summons from their father to be a special occasion.

Grimond took a goblet from one of the servants and sipped at the contents. Spiced wine, but not watered; they weren’t in trouble.

“Why do you think he’s summoned us?” Lorvig asked after taking a deep draft from his mug.

“Likely to divide responsibility for affairs between us while he goes to the Conference of the Senate,” Grimond guessed, “I noticed Kalahath’s Pride was being loaded down at the docks.”

Unlike Storm Sail, which was a massive carrack with four masts outfitted as a warship, Kalahath’s Pride was a schooner, with only two masts but still capable of travelling across the deep seas between the Urthendrain Islands. It wasn’t outfitted as a warship, but was typically escorted by other battleships from Vanian’s navy.

Lorvig grumbled his discontent before he took another long draft from his mug.

“Drinking more won’t change the inevitable, brother.” Grimond cautioned.

Before Lorvig could snap a response, Vanian entered the room with Jarlen, Captain of the bodyguards assigned to the brothers.

“Greetings, father,” Grimond said, “and welcome Jarlen.”

Jarlen nodded curtly, but otherwise ignored the brothers as he took a quiet report from the guards on duty.

Vanian was the middle ground between his sons, keeping a clean and proper decorum like Grimond, but preferring Lorvig’s dark ale to the spiced wine of the courts.

“Sons,” Vanian began, “with the preparations for the Conference of the Senate, I have had to make some difficult decisions. Typically I would leave affairs in Kalahath to the two of you while I go to the Conference – but I feel that the two of you could benefit from attending the Conference more than attending affairs here.

“There will be many dignitaries, and ladies, from all the islands and families of Kalahath – dignitaries that you will need to know.”

Lorvig sat upright, excited at the prospect of this narrow escape from being “tied down” at Kalahath during the Conference.

“Therefore I have decided that the two of you will join me at the Conference. Each day at the Conference you will join me as dignitaries for Kalahath. After the Conference closes each night, Kalahath’s Pride will return me back across the harbor to run affairs here, and the two of you will remain in Urthendril. Young Lords and Ladies, such as yourselves, will be having parties almost every night that I would like you to attend. Socialize, meet other young Lords and Ladies; possibly meet the future Lady of Kalahath…”

Vanian stopped here to nudge Grimond’s shoulder, making it clear to the brothers that he wasn’t speaking only to the future Lord of Kalahath.

“Lorvig’s ship,” Vanian continued, “has already been loaded with supplies, and is ready to carry you across the harbor when you’re ready. It will remain docked in Urthendril for your use as lodging for the duration of the Conference. You have a few weeks before the Conference begins, but you can use that time to ensure you’re invited to the first parties.”

Lorvig could hardly contain himself in his excitement, for even having to maintain a proper decorum every day would be a small price for the parties and courtship every night. They wouldn’t have to return home for months!

“Jarlen, of course, will accompany you, along with a small number of guards…” Vanian attempted to continue.

“If I may, father,” Grimond said, “We still have time before the Conference starts that we could travel around the harbor by land and arrive with a few days to spare. Might we send Lorvig’s ship ahead of us, and make a hunting trip of our journey to Urthendril?”

Vanian glared sharply at Grimond for his interruption, but he did not dismiss the idea.

“…with a small number of guards to see to your protection.” Vanian finished. He paused a moment in thought before saying, “I suppose that, so long as you arrive before the Conference starts, your travel arrangements can be changed. I will leave it up to your discretion to get to Urthendril.”

Grimond and Lorvig shared a smile, and Vanian – having concluded his business with his sons – dismissed himself.

“That was… not what I expected.” Grimond admitted.

“The Conference of the Senate!” Lorvig exclaimed, “We won’t be tied down with dull discussions with merchants about the price of imported cloth from Strolm! This is wonderful!”

Grimond couldn’t help but chuckle at his brother’s excitement as they left their father’s office to go pack.