He is an uncommon sight at family gatherings, but for once Edwyn has bothered to dress himself in silks appropriate to his station, relatively simple, albeit well-tailored and flattering his figure. Hands clasped behind his back, he finds a place for himself to sit.

The Prince of Sanctum sits at his map table. His 'markers' which are totally not toys, are set on the map. And it seems that the kitchen staff has lured him away from using the good china as surrogate markers by making him a plateful of ginersnap cookies which are shaped in a generally mannish shape and so in a few places those are used as well. He looks up at Herald Steve and offers a nod to the young herald, "Please admit anyone that has says they have business, and let me know if Princess Alis arrives." he says with a smile. Seeing Edwyn the Prince bows his head, "Prince Edwyn, good to see you."

Of course Alis is going to arrive. And being that it's Herald Steve that Edain asked to alert him, once she steps foot in the hallway he announces her with full formality. Because Steve. "Princess Alis Valardin, a Princess of Sanctum. Champion of the West, Princess General of Valardin." Her smile looks frozen in place at that, a side-glance at the Herald obviously being like 'WTF, I live here you dork.' before she continues her way towards the table and inclines her head to Edwyn and Edain. "Prince Edwyn, Prince Edain." It ends with an eyebrow arched in query.

Kit, the grey fox, a tiny man with a BIG unpronounceable name arrive, following Monique.

One would not think that one would need a a date for Open Court in the Great House, but yet here Lord Corban Telmar is, escorting Lady Monique Greenmarch on his arm. Well, their houses are close together. Maybe they ran into each other and decided to walk together. Sure, that's it. Corban leans over and murmurs something to the Greenmarcher as they walk in. A Telmarine military officer walks a few paces behind.

Cristoph strolls in alone, looking once at Herald Steve and smiling broadly before stepping further into the room. As he surveys the audience hall, his eyes land on Alis and he gives her a wiggle of his fingers. He doesn't appear to be in a rush to get up to Edain's table, but he is there and looking to see what transpires.

Edain seeing that his sister is announced, Edain stands and bows. As other's trickle in he gives a quick bow in greeting in well, even as Herald Steve announces them by name title and all things in between. "Welcome to the the Home of House Valardin, I am happy to hear any matters that you wish to bring before me today. But before we do that, would anyone mind if I take care of public matter with my sister Princess Alis first?"

"Prince Edain," Edwyn greets his lordly cousin slash bearded doppelganger so. "Prince Alis. I have not seen you in a while, your highness - I hope you are doing well. They say your child is the pride of the family," he flatters Alis next, and then he is seated somewhere near his family. Not quite adjacent - he isn't high up enough in the line for that - but still close, for he bears the last name. When the first people to be heard arrive, he rises to bow towards Monique and Corban, then Cristoph. Ah, vassals he may have forgotten about!

In comes Lady Monique Greenmarch on the arm of the Voice of Telmar, murmuring to him in return, her fiery red head bent his way. She looks up as they join the Court proper, dipping a curtsey that is all practiced elegance and politics.

"By all means, Your Grace," says Corban, when the High Lord announces his intention to deal with a public matter with Princess Alis first. He bows as Lady Monique does, matching her level of formality to the occasion.

Alis looks around to make sure there's no tubs of water nearby, and /then/ she will smile and wave at Cristoph. She appears unworried about whatever matter it is that Edain wants to address publicly, except for the way her eyes glaze over a little while mentally flipping through her recent catalog of public actions. You know, just in case there's one that deserves a dressing down or something. "Oh! Why thank you, Prince Edwyn. Ellara is certainly a delight, and definitely keeps us all on our toes. Already."

"Please, take your time, Prince Edain." Cristoph nods his head and is happy to occupy himself with the others in the room. "Lord Corban, good to see you again. And Lady Monique as well." He squints just a little at Edwyn and looks a bit embarassed. "I think that my memory is failing me. I don't think we've met personally. I'm Cristoph Laurent, the duke of Artshall."

"Quite. They say that does happen - that the parents of very young children are often bereft of sleep. We are lucky that with our station, servants make it much easier. I hope to meet Princess Ellara soon," enthuses Edwyn to Alis, bowing his head and drawing back a step (for he's standing again.) Leaving her to business and less pleasantry, the prince turns to address Cristoph and provide him a reply: "Well met, Duke Laurent, lord of the land of honey." He might show the barest hint of a smile, there. "I fear I've seen you, but we have never been personally introduced. I am Prince Edwyn Valardin."

Edain bows his head and says a soft thank you to those gathered. He turns to his chair where a long bundled wrapped in blue silk is claimed. As he lifts it is clear that it is a blade. "Princess Alis, you have been my most loyal supportert and general now four years, and you have filled the ancient duties of the Champion of the West with honor." he starts to unwrap the bundle, "Sir Roland came to me and told me there was a quest he needed to undertake, and I know he would not ask if it where not important, and I also know that he could not be the man that has served with such honor as a our Sword if I denied him this. Until he returns..." he finishes unwrapping the bundle to reveal the ancient blade of Sanctum itself, "Will you carry Oathbinder on behalf of the Oathlands?"

Corban oooooo. Corban's mouth goes rounded as the Oathbinder is revealed like that, for being a martial man of knightly honor means being quite very interested in these sorts of things. He leans forward slightly to see it more closely, trying to not be too much of a looky-loo, but, yeah.

Edain drops House Valardin's 'Oathbinder' Longsword.

There's definitely a moment where Alis is confused about why Edain is extolling her loyalty; duh, that's her brother. Of course she's been his most loyal supporter. She even starts to lift her hand to point that out with her usual lack of tact when he starts unwrapping the bundle and the gleam of metal catches her attention. At least the mental jawdrop doesn't translate to much more then a slightly comical expression as her gaze darts between her brother and Oathbinder. "Prince Edain. Brother. I... am not sure I'm worthy of such an honor, but I would never refuse such a request from you." She'll just look down a little so nobody sees her eyes water as she holds her hands aloft, reverently, for the sword to be rested there. "I vow I will not bring dishonor to the name of any former wielder of the blade, until Sir Roland's return when he can reclaim it."

Corban is overheard praising Alis for: All honor to the (Interim?) Sword of Sanctum!

Laying the sword across his arm, so the hild is offered to Alis, the hilt coming to rest in Alis' open palm. "There is no one that I think would not carry the sword that was once wielded by Dame Sugan with more honor." Edain offer's with a smile.

As Alis grasps the sword, he steps back and says, "There is one other thing. You have perhaps the only warhorse that I would concede being as might as Sir Arugula, in Sir Draco, however, As a great general there will be times when you have to retire one horse and ride another so you need more than one." Edain gives a whistle and Serad comes forward, "You've ridden him several times in battle now and he responds to your commands effortlessly. He will carry you with great honor and distinction whenever you need him too." Serad hands over a briddle and a pair of spurs for Alis to take. To most passerby's they'd look like any other pair, but, Alis.. sh e will reconize them as Sir Arugula's

Edwyn speaks not when these honors are bestowed upon Alis, not wanting to run the moment. He does, however, applaud her with a smile before Edain is speaking again, nodding his agreement. "One must always keep several horses," he concurs, albeit softly.

Alis picks up House Valardin's 'Oathbinder' Longsword.

Corban cheers in a 'huzzah' sort of way when Alis is handed Oathbinder, for, that is what a proper Valardin knight does in these circumstances. "Well done, Princess Alis!" he calls out. "And well earned! Do it honor!"

Cristoph is in the midst of some quip about being the lord of the honey or bees or honeybees when Edain appoints Alis as his interim House Sword. He's respectively quiet as they make their exchange, his head bowed as the princess receives the sword. "Congratulations Princess Alis." And then, "If I'd known you were going to receive a sword that could cut me in half then I might have thought through my actions of the other night more closely." Though probably /not/ that closely.

Alis will pretend with aplomb that her hand didn't just tremble a little as she takes hold of the most ancient and revered weapon of their family, sheathing it with all due care. Corban's reaction prompts an amused smile cast his way, though her attention draws quite sharply back to Edain when he also awards her a bridle and a very familiar pair of spurs. "What? Sir Arugula? E.. Prince Edain. He is /yours/." she protests. "I cannot agree to that unless you agree to ride with him in equal measure. He would never forgive either of us otherwise." Or maybe she's suddenly foreseeing herself flung from Arugula's saddle and into trees as often as her brother has been. "Oh, do not worry Duke Cristoph. I only intend to try and drown you. Cutting you in half would be entirely too messy."

Alis leans forward then, to concernedly whisper something in her brother's ear.

"I will ride him for time to time, but he is a warhorse. his reigns should ultimately be held by my greatest general." Edain says with smile. He shakes his head to whatever his sister murmurs to him and claps his hands, "Thank you all for being witnesses to me heaping more responsiblity upon my sister. Does anyone have any business they wish to bring before the High Lord of the Oathlands?"

"I had felt there would be a larger audience, your highness," Edwyn starts to say after the ceremony is done, clapping softly and lingering throughout it with only the faintest tinge of awkwardness - unsure of what to do while congratulations are passed. "Though I suppose it may be considered a good thing."

Alis is just going to walk around in a bit of a daze for the rest of the court hours, with only a slightly embarassed flush to her face. And the first thing she does after stepping back of course, is to summon a messenger and discreetly dictate a missive to be sent to someone. She doesn't even really know what to say except for a really quite humble, "I will acquit all responsibilities with honor." murmured. And then remain near to the Highlord's chair. Fat enough back to give any quiet speakers some privacy.

Monique watches the proceedings with bright interest, eyes lingering on the sword more than the horse paraphernalia, but applauding both in equal measure. She bends her head, something murmured low to Corban, though she glances in Cristoph's direction. Maybe she's talking about him? Or she just finds him easy on the eyes! It's hard to tell.

Cristoph grins brightly at Alis for her remark about drowning him. Perhaps he feels eyes on him, because he glances once in Monique's direction. If he finds something odd there, it certainly doesn't show. He merely gives her a quick half smile before clearing his throat. "Prince Edain. It's not business, so much as an update. House Laurent quietly appointed my wife as a Voice and we'll be giving her the position of Minister of Income as well. She's a brilliant woman and has quite the mind for, well, lawyer things. Legally binding documents, trade agreements and such. As that's her trade. If you should need anything from Laurent concerning those matters, I'd encourage House Valardin to contact her as well as myself."

Alis wields House Valardin Oathbinder Longsword.

Edain bows his head to Cristoph and says, "Thank you Duke Cristoph. That is something I would actually be very keen to take you up on." Edain explains. "Considering that letter of law, especially where trade is invovled is something I am at the mercy of people that can explain such things to me. So thank you. I am sorry I did not make your masquerade, Duke Cristoph, but I am very glad to hear everyone had such a wonderful time."

Edain nods, "Well then if there is no pressing business... I can have some maple-honey cakes and maybe some candied bacon sent out." He laces his fingers together and bows them out, "It was kind of everyone to come."

"She's remarkably good at drawing up the legalities. I talk and talk and she gets them to sign binding contracts for us." It's clearly the newlywed shine hasn't worn off of Cristoph in regards to his wife. There's likely other people here with business to attend to with Edain, so the duke will fall silent for a moment there to give them a fair chance.

Cristoph is overheard praising Edain for: For having maple-honey cakes and candied bacon!

Alis is over there, in the corner considering all the ways in which a lawyer can be beneficial. Nicia may find herself far busier then she ever imagined! "I think it sounds wonderful to have someone available we can use to help translate what we say into legally binding things." she decides, as her side commentary on the matter.

"Like any fair spouse, she seems to complement you well, my lord," Edwyn offers Cristoph's way, drawing back a step. The threat slash gift of candied bacon and honey cakes gives him pause, and he moves to excuse himself before he eats himself to bursting his heart in his chest. "If you will excuse me, your highness, I think I will head back to my apartments."

Edain nods to Edwyn, "Of course Prince Edwyn, it was good to see you."

Alis wiggles fingers at Edwyn. "We should catch up soon!" is added.

"I had a very productive tea with her the other day," Monique tells Cristoph, with a bright smile, looking over that way, giving the Duke the whole of her focus as court officially ends. "She's got a wealth of knowledge to share. Did she mention to you our meeting?"