Undecided on title as yet!
an excerpt

Things were not well in Domain Acassa. As Brionna straightened in her chair for the fifth time in as many minutes, she wondered how much longer this meeting would go on. Being the eldest daughter of Ménage Garnet, Brionna was forced to attend every council that was convened. And in these troubled times, they seemed to convene every single day. Glancing around the chamber, her gaze barely even registering the silken tapestries and intricate metalwork, she wondered how much longer she would have to endure this.

Her boredom was pierced by the raised voice of her mother’s chief advisor Acacia; “We cannot let this continue any longer! Domain Ciarra is trying to bite chunks off our borders and yet we sit here arguing Dynasty politics! It sickens me to see us like this.” Acacia took a deep breath and smoothed the folds in her deep blue robe. “Forgive me Mme. Garnet, I allowed my anger to get the better of me,” she said, turning towards the ruler of Domain Acassa and the matriarch of Ménage Garnet. Aaliyah stood, “Acacia is right. We must set aside our petty squabbles and focus on the threat the Ciarrans’ pose.”

Brionna focussed on her mother’s face, trying to discern her feelings. In theory, as the first-born daughter of Ménage Garnet, one of the strongest magickal lineages within Domain Acassa in centuries, all it should have taken Brionna was a moment of centring, reaching out to the appropriate realm and connecting directly to her mother’s thoughts and emotions. Brionna tried to connect to her innate magick, yet as always failed at the most basic level of magickal endeavours. Feeling even more like a fraud, Brionna resolved to skip her circle’s meeting that evening, even if all the participants were Caste Levis.

Bringing her thoughts back to the task at hand, Brionna realised that her mother had asked her a question; “Sorry Mother, I missed what you said.”
Aaliyah sighed, then repeated herself “What would your initial thoughts be regarding the offensive that Domain Ciarra is mounting?”
“They are trying to gain more land for their ever increasing population” Brionna replied. “Yet they don’t appear to be attacking us from all angles,” she mused.
“That has been noted,” Aaliyah commented.
“Is there a map available to show where the incursions are?” Brionna asked.

Aaliyah nodded to three turquoise-robed adepts. Concentrating, they manifested a map of Rômer spun out of nothing, suspended in mid-air, showing the movements of the Ciarran forces into Acassa. The assembled council members studied the map, trying to discern any pattern to the Ciarran invasion. After several minutes silence Aaliyah spoke, “No immediate patterns seem to be noticeable. I believe it would be wise for us all to rest and tackle this afresh tomorrow morning, as we’ve made little progress this evening.” At that suggestion, the council disbanded, it’s members leaving through the multitude of exits from the circular room.

Brionna started for an archway, intending on heading to the springs for a little while before the gong for the evening meal would sound, when Aaliyah asked for her to wait behind. She stood to the left of her mother’s ornately carved chaise, which in effect was the centre of power in Domain Acassa and a place that Brionna was one day expected to fill. Truth be told that idea shook her to the depths of her core and scared her more than anything else; how was she supposed to rule when she had no magick and even the newest born babe had more than she did? While she was thinking maudlin thoughts the council room had emptied, leaving herself and Aaliyah on the dais.
“You asked me to stay, mother?”
“Yes I did. I was pleased with your conduct in the council today Brionna; you really are beginning to grasp the intricacies of statecraft.”
“Thank you,” Brionna replied, slightly shocked at her mother’s rare compliment.
“I think we may be able to allow you to take over the leadership of Domain Acassa gradually, increasing the level of your duties and responsibilities incrementally, starting next month at Samhain,” Aaliyah declared.

Silence reigned.

“Brionna?”
“Yes, mother?” Brionna stuttered.
“I feel you are ready for this. Goddess knows your sister, Sarina, isn’t capable of ruling,” Aaliyah added.
“So I’m just doing this because I’m the eldest and filling in until one of your little darlings is old enough? And then I’ll be pushed to one side, old and as bitter as Cîan!” demanded Brionna.
“The crone goddess is not a bitter person, Brionna!” exclaimed Aaliyah.
“You would know that, being a crone yourself,” Brionna retorted.
“I don’t have time for this!” Aaliyah began, but cut off by a hacking cough.
“Are you ok?” Brionna asked, rushing to grab her mother and gently lowering her to the floor.
Aaliyah curled into herself, her coughing rapidly deteriorating. Brionna started to run to an archway to summon a healer, but Aaliyah’s projected thought stopped her in her tracks; There’s nothing any of the healers can do Bri.

Brionna slowly turned to face the crumpled heap her mother made on the floor. Both the use of her childhood nickname and the resignation in her mother’s thought prevented any further motion. She stayed facing the archway she’d been headed for moments ago, hoping that those words didn’t mean what she thought they did. They do Bri; I’m so sorry. I was hoping you wouldn’t find out until you were ruler in all but name. As it is, they think I’ll be lucky to celebrate this Yule. I suppose it’s fitting that the old ruler passes with the turning of the wheel and that you’ll take my place as it circles into a new cycle. Following the mythology exactly, one passing onto the next…

“Stop it mother!” scream Brionna.
It’s true though.
“Doesn’t make it any easier to accept!”
I’m sorry.
“For burdening me with this?”
Necessity is a cruel mistress.
“That’s a new goddess mother. Not that this has anything to do with your imminent demise. Goddess you didn’t begin to rule until you were in your late 30’s; I’m not even of age yet! I won’t be 21 for another two years. How am I meant to deal with Domain Ciarra biting chunks out of our borders when I can’t even light a candle with my magick?”
You’ll find a way; you always do. Always have done, since you were a little girl and couldn’t take no for an answer. Especially since you didn’t appear to have the usual resources available to all of us. I know you’ll manage Bri.
“I can’t,” Brionna said brokenly, breaking down in tears.
“Well I’m not gone yet Bri,” Aaliyah said weakly.
“You will be if you don’t get some rest tonight, let me help you to your rooms.”
“I’ll speak to Acacia tomorrow about transferring duties to you,” Aaliyah responded.