Petitions & Promises

We open with a flashback away from the capital. Talon, Raynere and Gareth all ride together with a retinue of soldiers. They are in the Serpent's Grove but discuss the recent departure of Xanthe's mother, mentioning how the girl asks for her mother everyday and Talon doesn't have the heart to tell her that she isn't coming back.

They approach a mausoleum that is covered with draconic symbols. Talon says he saw something in a vision but this isn't right. Trolls that are "serpent touched" soon jump out and start to attack the king's party. Talon is ordered to retreat by Raynere but is jumped by a troll and ends up falling off a cliff and into water, passing out.

He wakes up, being taken care of by a woman: Suena. She learns that he has been recovering for two weeks, with none of her men knowing where he is. Talon reveals that this place where he's healing, and Suena herself, were the visions he saw. He believes he was supposed to meet her. and they move in to kiss.

After receiving instruction from Gareth on how to handle petitioners Xanthe goes to visit Raynere, finding Talon sitting at his side. She joins him and they talk, Talon revealing he hasn't been sleeping much as he worries that something might happen and he doesn't want to miss anything else. Talon acknowledged that Raynere was a better brother than Edemere ever was and he regrets that his relationship with Raynere wasn't doing well the past few years.

Xanthe speaks of her worry that Talon is spending too much with Raynere, as there is nothing he can do to help him. She also opens up that House Falkrest needs a new Lord Paramount as Raynere might not be able to take that position back even if he awakens. Talon asks her to stop and just pause and feel, saying they are allowed to hope and mourn in their own time. The kingdom will not fall apart in a week. Xanthe wants to debate back but seems to listen and just spend time with him.

Back at the manor, Cailynn explains that she saw something trying to take Raynere while she was veilwalking, believing that the others needed to know. She explains that she went into the ethereal plane and saw something fighting for Raynere's soul, which is not a good sign, seeing it as a dark entity that spoke.

Edwinn requests to talk to Xanthe in private. He opens up to her about wanting to tell the others about whatever secret he is hiding. He admits he doesn't want to tell Talon yet, wanting to keep it to just the siblings. Edwinn wants to confront Father Aldrin, but Xanthe dissuades him against it, believing that it would be foolish to confront him so easily. He agrees to tell the siblings after the second petitioner.

Cailynn goes up to the keep in order to speak to the clerics, to inform them of what she saw while she was veilwalking. Talon is once again there and she tells the truth in front of Talon as well. The cleric seems to believe her.

Cailynn and Talon speak, with Cailynn asking if Talon even remember what her mother sounds like, or if he's just saying that to feel better. Talon struggles, seemingly quite hurt by the implication, but says that he remembers everything about her mother, down to the very song she used to whistle while performing her magics.

Marik meanwhile, goes to the keep to have lunch with Selara Astralor. They speak of the dragons and how Marik might already be bound to the green one. They discuss their relationship, with Selara pondering if Marik should perhaps leave the throne and the politics all behind. Marik opens up about the ugly separation of his parents, explaining that he believes his family can be held together if he sits on the throne. The two continue their meal, their futures both uncertain.

Edwinn calls everyone to meet in the secure vault of the Manor. There he reveals that he has a wife and child back in the Nornathi, with his wife being the princess of the land. They have been married for thirteen years.

Edwinn goes on to explain that the spymaster has threatened their lives and requires the siblings help in order to see them reach safety. The siblings agree to help, with a tentative plan in place.

The King's Hand finally meets with the last petitioner, but upon agreeing to his requests for more Ederian Watch, he opens up about meeting with Xanthe in private and her support for his request. Many other houses join the cause, mainly heralding Xanthe as the one to see this through with Otis. With everyone dismissed, tensions grow high amongst the siblings, with many feelings betrayed while Xanthe continuing to insist she did nothing wrong. The group parts in anger, more divided than ever before.

The next day, they are called to Talon in the council chambers to learn of their next mission. They are given two missions but decide to go to Skyhaven and host a festival to find a replacement Sentinel in Raynere's absence. Edwinn points out that this will be the best opportunity for him to help his wife and daughter as well. Talon encourages the siblings to work together, remarking that Xanthe would be in charge of the festival but all decisions would require a majority vote before she could take action. He wants the siblings to bury their hatchets and grow closer, fearing that their relationship will grow as poor as his own with Edemere.

With their assignment, the heirs leave, preparing to arrange their travel to Skyhaven.