Pouring rain halted the Grissian advance. Within Lady Rose von Erwenhest's carriage, an unlikely audience with Ian von Richter emerged. The lady had requested his service pressing him into her host. Unable to deny her, the herald nobly suffered until such a time as he could escape to his one true refuge, his library.

"Herald. Listen and remember. For if I am to face judgement, I wish our esteemed lichmasters to understand my actions." Rose von Erwenhest spoke calmly and serenely. Outside of the carriage, the spring thunderstorm raged. The wheels of the carriage wouldn't move in the mud, causing the host of Gris to stall as they waited for the ground to harden.

"As you wish, my lady." The awkwardly tall herald said calmly, suppressing a sigh. Disappointment raged within his heart, as he secretly wished to return home. His cozy library called to him like a siren song whispering sweet temptations at the back of his mind. The air around Ian von Richter was cold as ice. Frosty fog kissed the window of the too small carriage. Seeking warmth, Ian pulled his expansive fur coat closer. The myriad of trinkets upon him jingled as he shuffled.

"What should a mother do?" Rose von Erwenhest asked.

"I don't understand, my lady."

"You may drop the formalities mortal. Let us talk freely."

"As you wish." Ian nodded. "I don't understand what you mean. What is a mother to do when what?"

"What is a mother to do when someone hurts their child?"

"May I speak my mind?"

"Go ahead, mortal." Rose von Erwenhest said absentmindedly. Ian shivered as he pulled his fur coat around him tighter.

"What your daughter did was extremely stupid." Her lips parted in a knowing frown, briefly showing her sharp fangs. Ian waited for her to master her emotions. "The beastkin are not to be trifled with. Simple though they are. They are the chosen defenders of the central riverlands. They have an unshakeable culture of warriors. Your daughter has picked a fight not only with them, but a God's champion. It was foolish to venture out on her own without your house's protection. It was even more foolish to attack the champion in the middle of a hostile city."

"I am aware. A grueling punishment would have awaited her should she have survived."

"Still, I understand your pain. My family knows loyalty too. Family above all. Within the von Richter family we swear utmost loyalty to the family. We protect each other no matter what. We empathize with your revenge." Spectral forces pulsed amongst the untold number of trinkets and items upon his person. His fur cloak vibrated as Ian von Richter's family voiced their unanimous approval.

"I knew you would understand, boy. So you agree, blood for blood." Ian nodded solemnly.

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"Any who threatens the family must be dealt with." Ian breathed deeply before sighing. "You are risking much for your vengeance, my lady." Ian cautioned her. "Although our esteemed lich lords care little for the world at large, they will punish you for any international incidents that would threaten their lands, or annoy them."

"It doesn't matter. A blood tithe is warranted." Rose von Erwenhest turned her head to look outside of the carriage. The deluge of rain completely isolated the carriage. All that could be seen was the torrential downpour striking the cold glass panes of the carriage. An uncomfortable silence reigned in the carriage, as Ian stared at the pensive noble of Gris. Her long swan-like neck was completely exposed. Rolling curls of golden hair ran down her shoulders like a raging river. Blonde expressive lashes gated her cruel crimson eyes. Her slight chin barely registered a quiver as she thought of her daughter.

"What will you do when you arrive?" Ian asked.

"Kill them all. All share in the crime of her murder. All should be punished."

"Not just the champion? Surely it is his fault. Though, there is no guarantee he will stay." Ian replied. Looking away, he rubbed his hands together trying to impart some warmth to his cold flesh. "I would not stay, Hueryss is a backwater. It is nothing compared to Fehren."

"He will. I know it." Rose von Erwenhest said confidently. Her expressive gaze turned to him. "He is her champion. He will stay to fight. I know it."

"Do you have a plan? Do you even know what he is capable of?"

"Our seers were most unhelpful. It doesn't matter. The necromancer guild will swarm the city. My warriors will take advantage of the chaos. They have lifetimes of training. Captain Bruhart will fight if I command him. Lieutenant Llewelynn will assist and Roshgar is always willing to kill mortals. They are my greatest champions. They will be more than enough. I will take to the field once the gates are secured. The fight may not be easy, but I am committed. The city will burn, and all those who have wronged my family will die."

"Family. It truly is the greatest source of our annoyances." Ian commented dryly. A shiver ran down his spine as members of his family seemed to scream in indignation at his comments.

"Of course." Rose von Erwenhest smiled. Her pale flesh pulled back revealing her elongated fangs. "But doesn't that make you love them more?" Rose turned her gaze to the nearly opaque windows. Memories of the past seemed to stir within her. "When my daughter ran away I was livid. I feared the worst. I feared she had run off with a mortal suitor behind my back to start a new bloodline. I spent the days scouring her room looking for clues to her whereabouts. I interrogated our servants. I ran to forgotten seers hopping for divinations to her whereabouts. It was only by luck did I find one who Lilly used, and could hunt for her whereabouts. I was angrier than I've been in decades. Yet still, when I heard what happened, I was shocked. I felt hollow and unwell. I will live forever, and the hollow spot that my daughter's death leaves will haunt me. Can you imagine it? It's like I have lost a part of me, and I will suffer till the stars die."

"Killing will not bring her back." Ian replied.

"I am not stupid. How could I ever rest knowing I did not avenge her? How could I sleep knowing that the beasts that slew her lived still? I cannot permit such wrongs."

"What of her sword?" Ian asked. "They have taken it. They brandished it, like a trophy unaware of its significance."

"Our sword. It is my family's sword." Rose corrected. "I will place it upon her grave myself alongside a single rose. For when her father wakes again, our house shall be in order."

The rain would not let up. The two waited as the downpour continued outside of the carriage. Frost licked at the carriage windows from the inside. The stalled host of Gris waited for its time to attack.