Raynestorm

Rayne

Rayne

            “Please, take your seats and we can begin,” I say. Everyone left sits down at the round table which has altered its seats to accommodate the remaining people. I immediately relax; I am in safe company now. I look at the engineer, “What would it take to rebuild the castle in three cities?”

            The gnome looks astounded, “Oh! I don’t know, we would need resources, and I’m not sure the walls are still stable, not to mention the state of the doorways… dear me! I could start right away, but it could still take up to…”she looks up at the ceiling and squints her eyes, thinking, then looks back at me and says, “two or three years, maximum.”

            “And could we transport this hall there, or maybe create our own version with both histories?” I ask, turning to the architect, this is the only detail I am seriously concerned with.

            “We could not transport this one, it is linked to Velaire castle, but we could make another in the new castle, with added time, of course," he says, then as an after thought, "would you want it to have the same stained glass or ones from both histories? Or, we could start from the war! Or... Any number of things, it's up to you two, really."

I can feel Adam looking at me, "we should have a combined history in the windows," he says, "it’s only right." I nod in agreement.

"There is one issue you may not have thought of," mother leans forward, resting her forearms on the table, "if you win the war, you will have a great deal of land to govern. I have no lack of faith in your abilities, but it is difficult to keep an eye on such a large population."

"We could split up the kingdoms, into states," I begin, remembering some of the lessons I learned about government in class, "we will still be the king and queen of all three realms, but they will also each have a king and queen who will report to us. Like a hierarchy of nobles." for a moment, this seems to please everyone.

Then mother finds another problem, "who will run the smaller governments?"

Fortunately Adam steps in before I have time to look like a fish out of water, "Emma and Matthew will rule one. We only need one chief of military after all and Mike can do that job. Then Sarah can rule here, with you as an advisor if that's alright, until she is of age. As for Dalerin, I don't know, but I'm sure we can find someone who is fit to rule a kingdom." He pauses for a while as though he has finished talking, then as an afterthought, "we do have some time. It's not like war is short." This gets a few chuckles, but any would be laughs are cut off by a ruckus outside the doors.

"I know her! She doesn't want a massive wedding or a big poufy princess dress!" I hear Emma's voice first.

Then Sarah's, "I know her too! And I say she would. I would know better anyways, she is my sister." The doors are slammed open at this and Melanie drags the two girls in, clearly struggling to keep them from each other's throats.

"Rayne," she gives me a pained look, "I need your help controlling these two. They won't listen to me."

"Go help her," Adam tells me, "we are pretty much done here anyways."

I raise an eyebrow at him, "oh, you think you don't have to help? It's your wedding too," I smirk as a sheepish look takes its place on his face.

"The groom doesn't really get any say…" he says, trying to get out of having to deal with the arguing girls.

I grab his hand and stand up, "that's sexist," I tell him in a trite tone. "Come on, you're helping." Finally he gives up his fight and allows me to take him towards the doors, but before we can leave he stops me to address those I had forgotten.