Almera settled into the seat reserved for her, her eyes quietly surveying the room with vigilance.
A few moments later, the grand door opened again. All eyes turned to the entrance as a middle-aged woman, with a regal bearing, entered the room. She wore a sumptuous purple dress adorned with golden embroidery depicting intricate Celtic patterns. Her black hair was pulled into a tight bun, highlighting her sharp features and piercing eyes.
The woman bowed slightly before Mervyln. "Lady Mervyln," she said in a composed voice, "the house of Zazel has answered your call."
Mervyln nodded. "Matron Ismara, please take your seat. We are still awaiting a few more of our sisters before we begin."
Ismara went to sit in her assigned seat, a richly decorated chair with purple and gold velvet. Almera noticed the exchange of glances between Ismara and Ysora. The room fell into a tense wait.
Although patient, Almera felt a certain impatience growing within her. She was eager to learn more about Damaris's escape and the measures to be taken to find her.
The grand door opened again a few moments later. A mature woman entered the room with elegant grace. Her dark green velvet dress, enhanced with gold thread embroidered in floral patterns, accentuated her slender figure. Her chestnut hair was styled in a sophisticated bun adorned with a few pearls. She bowed respectfully before Mervyln.
"Lady Mervyln," she said in a soft but assured voice, "the house of Tenerys has answered your call."
Mervyln gave her an approving nod. "Matron Xune, please take your seat."
Xune sat in her designated seat, a mahogany chair with golden trimmings, her gaze scanning the room with curiosity.
Shortly after, the door swung open again. A tall woman entered with an imposing presence. Her royal blue dress, adorned with silver patterns depicting waves, perfectly hugged her robust figure. Her silver hair was tied in a complex braid that fell over her shoulder. She greeted Lady Mervyln with a nod of her head.
"Lady Mervyln," she said in a deep, resonant voice, "the house of Aden, the strongest in Ayeros, is present."
"Matron Zesstra, we are delighted to see you here. Please take your seat," Mervyln replied with a cordial smile.
Zesstra took her seat, her face marked by intense concentration. The grand door opened once again, allowing a woman of majestic presence to enter. Her silvery dress shimmered under the chandelier light, and her silver hair cascaded over her shoulders.
It was Isolde. She advanced with calm tranquility, bowing slightly before Mervyln.
"Lady Mervyln," she said in a soft yet authoritative voice, "the house of Varyon is present."
Mervyln nodded. "Matron Isolde, please take your seat. We are still waiting for two more matrons."
Isolde sat down, her piercing gaze scanning each face in the room as if trying to read their thoughts. She took her seat to Almera's left, her blue eyes surveying the room with quiet vigilance. Almera, sensing her sister's presence, slightly turned her head towards her.
"Matron Isolde," she murmured, her voice barely audible to the others, "it's good to see you here. What news from your domain?"
Isolde responded with a slight smile. "Everything is in order, Almera. But it seems things are becoming interesting here."
Almera nodded, her gaze hardening. "Indeed. Damaris's escape is a threat we cannot ignore. She must be found and brought back, at any cost."
Isolde nodded, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Do you believe the house of Varyon will get involved?"
Almera sighed softly. "If the Varyons wanted to remain neutral, you wouldn't have bothered to come. Am I wrong?"
Isolde gave an enigmatic smile. "You have always been able to read between the lines, Matron Almera. The house of Varyon cannot remain indifferent to this situation," she added more quietly, "especially since we stand to gain much from it."
Before Almera could respond, the grand door opened once more, revealing two new figures. One was a woman with ebony skin, dressed in a purple gown adorned with golden patterns, her black hair braided with sparkling beads. Beside her stood a mature woman in a pristine white outfit, her silver hair cut short.
"Lady Mervyln," said the first in a powerful voice, "the house of Vorkas is present."
"And the house of Fielys as well," added the second in a soft but firm voice.
Mervyln greeted them with a nod. "Matrons Viconia and Nerys, please take your seats."
The two women sat down, each taking a seat around the table. The council room was now nearly full. The matrons exchanged glances and discreet murmurs, impatience and tension palpable in the air.
The grand door opened again, this time revealing a woman of imposing stature, dressed in a richly embroidered purple gown with golden patterns. Her gray hair was styled in an intricate bun adorned with precious stones. Her piercing green eyes scanned the room before settling on Mervyln.
"Lady Mervyln," she announced in a clear and authoritative voice, "the house of Raloras is present."
Mervyln nodded. "Matron Selene, please take your seat. Just one more sister before we begin."
Selene settled into her seat, a dark oak chair adorned with golden trimmings. As soon as she sat down, she exchanged a quick glance with Almera on her right, who nodded in acknowledgment.
"On that note..."
It was then that Isolde spoke up, her tone as calm as ever. Her eyes gleaming mysteriously, she straightened slightly in her seat.
"It seems we should no longer wait. Matron Valeria will not be coming."
Consternation filled the room.
Xune, her curiosity piqued, turned to Isolde across from her with an inquisitive look. "And what makes you say that, Matron Isolde?"
Isolde smiled gently, her features serene. "A person cannot love two things," she said, her voice soft but resonant. "Either they will love one and hate the other, or they will be devoted to one and ignore the other."
Zesstra, visibly frustrated by the riddle, furrowed her brows. "Speak more clearly, Matron Isolde. What does this parable mean?"
Before Isolde could respond, Neralda, sitting nearby, spoke up. Her tone was calm but filled with gravity. "What Matron Isolde is trying to say," she began, "is that Matron Valeria is a traitor."
A murmur of surprise swept through the room.