"Well, you see, I am in agreement with Minister Hod. I think him to be wisely chosen as the Minister of Logic. My uncle said much the same. These are times of change, they are times of strength. I am not particularly fond of fighting, but we have a duty to our people to keep their lands free from strife. Oliver Patrick, whatever we might think, is strong.
Unusually so. One could make the claim that he is unlikely to progress further in the future, that there have often been cases of one showing talent when they were young, and not showing any sort of further potential when they grow older…"
She looked at Oliver then, as if to reevaluate him, and reconfirmed to herself what she was about to say. Her eyes were bright and trusting. Dangerous eyes, Oliver thought to himself. Different eyes to Verdant. Verdant's eyes saw through a man. Asabel's eyes seemed to see all that a man could be.
They were hopeful eyes.
"But I do not think such a thing can possibly apply to Oliver, given that he is already at the centre of an axle at such a young age. Even without strength, his mere title has brought him here in chains today, when others would have been dismissed, for it was quite evident what had occurred at the scene of the crime.
I state my intention to work with such a man, and I ask for the assistance of House Blackthorn and House Idris in doing so. I would ask that you Lord Idris take my Pillar of Information, to handle matters of politics and governance and I ask that you, Lord Blackthorn take my Pillar of Iron, to handle matters of conflict and of war," Asabel said, slamming home that which she had built up.
She made her declaration, and she proposed the finalization of her Quarter Inheritance.
The five pillars of a royal house – and a noble house at that – mirrored the same five pillars that were meant to support an Academy. The same five roles, of information, logic, war, coin and of rule.
The fifth pillar of a noble house, the gold seat, just as General Tavar had his, was the seat of rule, given to the most trustworthy of the pillars, to bind them together in the service of their Lord, or their King.
The nobles were in an uproar, as they bore witness to the grandest shift in power in the last five years. Right here, within the walls of Academy, where politics were meant to be barred. And from the kind princess Asabel of all people, she who had put a distance between herself and politics in times past, and now she was the very person who'd brought down such a scandal.
And finally, Oliver himself understood, almost without a doubt, what was happening. For the sake of levying votes for him, Asabel had done what she did. She proposed herself a shield for those that would do him harm. A shield against the High King, for that's who it seemed to be. Only a royal could possibly have served such a function, but even then, she was far from the High King's equal.
The position that she'd put herself in was precarious…
Oliver was blown away by the gesture of goodwill, but at the same time, he was not naïve enough to believe that such a proposal was entirely about him. Asabel had her own plans that she'd been building, likely in accordance with the will of Arthur, for that was what she continually spoke of. Oliver merely happened to be the catalyst that forced it to happen.
Nonetheless, he was grateful beyond measure.
But would it work or not? It was a dramatic move, that cut off all the ropes that she'd had to her old life, but if it failed here, and she couldn't get the support that she'd asked for, it would be for nothing.
"What role would Oliver Patrick have in your House, Your Highness?" Lord Idris asked calmly over the noise of the crowd. He seemed to have the question ready, as though he was expecting it.
Asabel glanced briefly at Oliver. "None," she said. "I could not force him into a fealty agreement that he is unwilling. Given his current position, it would be like blackmailing him into a pledge. I merely intend for House Patrick and House Pendragon to have a cooperative relationship going forward.
I can state now that I believe our two Houses would be friends, and if Oliver agrees to it, I would like to move forward with an alliance."
"An alliance…" Idris murmured. "An amusing proposal, Your Highness. A Quarter Inheritence your House might be, it would still be unmatched by any other noble house – only other royalty could rival it. For an alliance of all things, when the power of your two Houses is so unequal… You seem to place quite the amount of worth in him."
"Whatever happens here today, good Lord, the tides have shifted," Hod declared. Lord Idris seemed to take the meaning of his words, for he gave a gentle nod of acknowledgement with his head.
"It is as Minister Hod says," Asabel continued. "I do not doubt that the poor state of the Patrick House will be short-lived. Under Oliver, the Patricks shall no doubt rise again. He has already secured the fealty of your son, after all."
"And that does not bother you, Your Highness?" Idris pressed. "If Verdant is to be my heir, then you would lose the fealty of the Idris House. It would all go to the Patricks. Do you have such trust in a man that you have only met – by your own admission – once or twice?"
"I shall dare to, Lord Idris, if you would do me the honour," Asabel said.
"Your Highness, we both know that I am hardly in a position to refuse. You offer me a station that any Lord would dive at, given the slightest opportunity. It is you that do me the immense honour, and despite that, knowing that I have no right to add any further conditions, for I have nothing to leverage, I would ask to secure a promise through you," Idris said, his eyes lowered respectfully.
He'd stood up to speak to her, and his body was inclined humbly as he did so, the very picture of modesty.
"And what would this promise be?" Asabel asked cautiously.