It was a seedy enough place, where the common folk go to eat and meet up for any number of reasons. It was far from the center of things, meaning the palace, and not far from a spot on a dock where, on a clear day, you could see across the channel to the far shore and the beginning of the trees that covered the far mountains. It was a foggy morning sufficient to take away any possible view, which worked out well for Daavor.
"We picked a lonely rendezvous," Enis was uncharacteristically quiet and his covering wasn't working to minimize his bulk.
Daavor shrugged, though the air was thick enough that the man they all called "wild" probably couldn't see it. "I think I am being followed. The Queen wants to keep her prophet under her thumb these days."
Enis chuckled. "You are stirring up things, taking down the Matriarch and well, other things."
"You know that woman used to try to control me. Serves her right." Daavor still glowed with the victory of watching Symantha fall from her place and her disappearance shortly thereafter. It is hard to know what a woman like that would do for an encore, but the consort just managed another shrug. He didn't really care. "I'm not as popular as you are, I'll warrant."
It was Enis' turn to shrug. "You get a somewhat higher class of admirers."
"Only the Queen "admires" me, locked up in a cage. I only managed to slip away to meet you."
Enis sighed. "Let's go in."
It was everything one could expect: smoky, warm, and close. The alcove, complete with a round table and decent enough chairs, had been per-arranged when the "missionaries" had come to Firsthome. It was Mullicynda's idea to meet after their first year in Manatoa, review their labors, and make any needed plans going forward.
Daavor and Enis were surprised to see Weslyn already halfway through his lunch at the appointed table. "I took the liberty of ordering something for you both. It should be here shortly." The young man was dressed in style and put a bit more food into his mouth.
Daavor was agog. "How did you know we were meeting here? Does your seat at the Commoner's Council make you privy to all secrets?" The father was somewhat impressed with his son's raising stature.
"Mother has taken ill and sent me to take her place." Wes kept his eyes on his food. "You might have known that if you expanded your 'mission' work beyond the Queen's bed and stopped prophecying popular revolts." He looked around to make sure no one was giving this meeting any attention. He didn't sound like he could respect his father's activities.
Enis broke in before any of this became an issue. "Mullicynda is ill? That is a shame - I hear many well-placed Ladies were learning Kiyami's ways through her efforts." Do you think the big man is sufficiently single-minded?
Wes look at his old mentor. "It came on just in the past week. There hasn't been a Kiyami gathering in weeks anyway. Her friend Coryn is caring for her."
At this, Daavor's eyebrows shot up, but he quickly made his face even again. "I hope she gets better soon." There was only a moment's pause. "Is Tessreen joining us?"
"I don't think so." Enis said it rather flatly, looking darkly over his drink at the other men at the table, platters being put before them by waiting men. "We parted company when I began sport-fighting and I haven't seen her since." It was quiet for a moment in the alcove.
To the young man's credit, Wes chose to drop any further questions. "Enis, I hear loud chants of the Waykeep Covenant from the spot-fighting arena lately. You are the talk of all the taverns in town!"
Enis smiled. "I would think a man of your standing doesn't get much time to survey the bar-talk." His attention was pulled away by two dirty women who wanted his autograph, which he graciously gave. Weslyn was happy for the distraction from talk of his more disreputable associations. The women raised their fists in triumph and said "I do the will of the Lord.", then skittered away. The big man laughed. "I wonder if such pronouncements will be remembered when I invite them to join us at Waykeep."
"We may need to make such a move soon," Daavor said with some relief at the change of conversation. "I saw in my dream that the pass has already been breached and an invading group of men, women, and children are making themselves comfortable just northwest of Waykeep."
Wes scoffed. "Did you? No more..." he dropped his voice to a whisper, "...baby visions?"
The older man shook his head and pulled the talk elsewhere. "I had a similar dream of invasion just a few nights past," Enis said in a quiet, conspiratorial voice. "It was the risk in coming to recruit people, leaving Waykeep unled. My worst fears about the mission are realized!"
Wes surprised himself with a suggestion. "We need to raise you an army quickly and destroy these invaders. It will be a good test of those followers who can take the covenant and repopulate Waykeep."
The other men looked with incredulity at the younger. As soon as the problem was seen, Wes already had the answer and the tingle of an omen was in the air. Enis and Daavor had not taken a bite of their food and it looked as if they would never get there. Deliverers were forgotten in the press of Enis' and Waykeep's need.
Immediately, Enis issuing orders to the group. Daavor would petition the Queen for a flotilla on the far eastern dock that they dined near, Enis would propagandize the need through his arena events, and Wes would coordinate with the Council to conscript families and individuals to sail across the channel.
"Will your wife, the High Princess, join us?" Enis cocked his brow.
Wes closed his eyes. "Um, I wouldn't know that." He spread his hands wide. "We are no longer married and she is preoccupied with her pregnancy."
Daavor chose not to hold back laughter. "So, the first Convocation wedding turns quickly into the first Convocation divorce! You are the trend-setter!"
"Shut up, Dad."
Enis gave a concerned look. "What happened?"
"Irreconcilable differences. I wanted Kiyami fast and Michiana wanted Kiyami slow if ever." Wes sagged noticeably. "Also, I wasn't satisfying her sufficiently in bed. And we were distracted by other things."
Daavor pursed his lips. "Oh."
"God bless Lanolylc and Michiana. They married a day after our divorce was done. Michiana insisted." Wes took another bite of food and chewed with gusto. "that woman can't stand a cold bed."
Daavor barked out another laugh. "Obviously not."
"Your union with the High Princess was so hopeful," Enis frowned. "I'm sorry it didn't work out." He took a bite of his own food and chewed thoughtfully. "I find it interesting that she chose to marry again, rather than just taking another man to her bed. She abandons the Convocation conventions." Another bite. "Mulls efforts must have made some subtle change in her mind."
The younger man put down his fork and knife and looked at the wild-man for a pregnant moment. "I suppose one could see it that way. I think that last prophecy colored things a bit as well."
Daavor piped up so as to divert any forbidden talk. "We all have our assignments, so let's get working."