HOUSE OF FALLING STAR

Chronicling the fall of the Greater House of Wei and the ascension of Gloriane, She Who Outshines the Stars, the Ninth Queen of Onderon and last of the House of Wei, commonly considered to be the Greatest Queen of Onderon until the birth of Adeline, the Child of Fire   DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

• Vasyentha, Queen of Onderon
• Lisenya, Princess of the First Rank
• Lianne, Princess of the First Rank, presumptive Heir to the Throne
• Rowan, Prince Royal
• Gloriane, Princess of the Second Rank, Heir Apparent to the House of Wei
• Lady Enya Wei, House of Wei, Princess Onderion
• Lady Calixta Wei, Ducha of House Wei, Chancellor of the Grand Chamber, Princess Onderion
• Lord Lornn Ga’as, Duchon of House Ga’as, Governor of Pylos
• General Torin Ga’as, House of Ga’as, Chief Commander of the Samara (Eastern) Army, later High Lord and Supreme Commander of the Three Armies, later Prince Onderion
• Lord Thaddeus Ga’as, Heir Apparent to the House of Ga’as, later Prince Onderion
• Lord Theron Ga’as, House of Ga’as, later Duchon of House Ga’as
• High Lady Bronwyn Magus, House of Sythe, Supreme Commander of the Three Armies
• General Cassandra Darell, House of Bloodwolf, Lady Commandant of the Aerial Legion
• Lord Stavros Balasich, Duchon of House Balasich, later Prince Onderion

CONTEXT   Lisenya, Princess of the First Rank and the granddaughter of Vasyentha, Queen of Onderon by way of her father, Lysander the Blood Prince, has been the presumed Heir to the Throne since the day of her birth. However, days before her eighteenth nameday when she was presumably set to be crowned Heir - the legitimate successor to her grandmother, Vasyentha blindsides the entire country and especially Lisenya's maternal family, the powerful Greater House of Wei, by announcing her pregnancy. Six months later, Vasyentha gives birth to a daughter, Lianne. However, she does not set Lianne as the Heir to the Throne and instead titles her as a Princess of the First Rank - a title awarded to any daughter or granddaughter of a Queen regnant who is not the Heir to the Throne (most probably to avoid the ire of Chancellor Wei). Since then, uncertainty and debate have reigned over who is to be and who should be the Heir to the Throne - the next Queen of Onderon. Lisenya, the experienced courtier backed by a powerful (some might say power-hungry) maternal House? Or Lianne, a child of surprise with no firm support base to draw upon?   This is the story of how History crowns neither, and chooses instead an entirely unwitting and unwilling candidate: Gloriane, last of the House of Wei.   CHARACTERS   Gloriane, Princess of the Second Rank and the Heir Apparent to the Greater House of Wei, is the only child of Rowan, the Prince Royal and Lady Calixta Wei, the Ducha of House Wei and the Chancellor of the Grand Chamber, the legislative arm of the Onderian government whose seat is in Trykan. Having grown up with Lisenya and Lianne, Gloriane is close to both Princesses, and therefore stays out of the faction fights (like her father) that her mother, Chancellor Wei, and her aunt, the Lady Wei (mother to Lisenya) are well-involved in. Famed for her unparalleled beauty (She Who Outshines even the Stars) and piety and a personal favorite of her aunt the Queen, Gloriane is set to enter the Order of the Allfather as a Priestess on her 25^th nameday, having finally received permission from Vasyentha after years of lobbying and studying. Gloriane's desire to enter the Order as a Scholar Priestess is so well-known that even her mother, the Chancellor Wei, has given up all hopes of her daughter inheriting the House. Gloriane is seen rarely without her characteristic veil which covers the lower-half of her face. Some say that her beauty is so breathtaking that seeing her whole face would render most admirers speechless and/or unconscious (rolls eyes).   Lisenya, Princess of the First Rank, is an experienced and outstanding stateswoman and courtier, having spent most of her adult life in Court counseling and advising her grandmother the Queen in the many affairs of state, and handling official tasks assigned to her. Though a gifted martial arts warrior and swordswoman, Lisenya has never personally led any military campaigns (purposefully forbidden by the Queen to keep the armies out of Chancellor Wei's reach) and therefore does not have a strong relationship with highranking military officials. Although Lisenya dislikes the methods that her mother and aunt use to shift the Queen's favor towards her and away from Lianne, she does not begrudge them, or go against many of their schemes. Lisenya's greatest flaw is that though she wants to do the right thing, she is often swayed and influenced by her aunt, the Chancellor Wei who seeks the Throne for her niece. Not only is Vasyentha aware of the Chancellor's undue influence on Lisenya, she also strictly disapproves. She will often berate Lisenya in Court for "learning underhanded tactics" from "that Aunt of yours", despite Lisenya performing her assigned tasks well.   Lianne, Princess of the First Rank and the presumed Heir to the Throne, has a bright and uncaring personality, and is often accused by her mother of having too much fun but not enough ambition or sense of responsibility. Little does Vasyentha know that Lianne has been secretly preparing her own faction in Court and the Grand Chamber to fight for the Throne. Given that Vasyentha was of a certain age when she gave birth to Lianne, Lianne was instead brought up by Lisenya and Lisenya's betrothed - Thaddeus Ga'as, the Heir Apparent to the Greater House of Ga'as and the eldest grandson of Lord Lornn Ga'as, Duchon of House Ga'as and the Governor of the Hanging City of Pylos, commonly referred to as the Gateway to Onderon. Despite the disapproval from her aunt and mother, Lisenya raised Lianne well, having taught her "everything she knows". Although Lianne is technically Lisenya's aunt by blood, Lianne sees Lisenya and Thaddeus as something akin to foster parents/older siblings who raised her for close to eighteen years. However, after suffering much malice at the hands of Chancellor and Lady Wei, Lianne intends to finally reveal herself as a true contender for the Throne.   General Torin Ga'as, House of Ga'as is the Chief Commander of the famed and feared (respected) Samara Army of the East, one of the three royal armies of Onderon. Despite being the grandson of Governor Ga'as, Duchon of the Greater House of Ga'as, Tor had a difficult upbringing. Tor's father, Raylan, long considered to be the black sheep of the Ga'as House, had been exiled and stripped of his House titles and affiliations after running away with a woman of nulla domus status. For most of his childhood, Tor and his parents lived in poverty as nulla domus. On Tor’s 13th nameday, disaster struck. The Red Plague (or the Great Sickness) struck the slums of Pylos and afflicted Tor and his parents. Tor’s mother died first. Tor’s father, desperate to save his son, went to the doors of the Governor’s residence to beg for his father’s help. However, they were turned away. Tor’s father died soon after and though Tor survived, he was now an orphan. Even as an orphan, Governor Ga’as refused to recognize Tor as a member of the House of Ga’as. But luck would soon turn for young Tor. As a member of a Pylos street gang, Tor attempted to pickpocket the General Bronwyn Magus, House of Sythe, who was the Chief Commander of the Samara Army at the time. Impressed by his skills and wits, General Magus took him under her wings and enlisted him into the military. Tor quickly rose in rank, as the result of both his natural prowess in the art of war, a little bit of luck, and his mentor's careful tutoring. To Tor, General Magus is not only his mentor and patroness, but his savior. Tor is expected to succeed his mentor, the now High Lady Bronwyn Magus (who is very near mandatory retirement) as the Supreme Commander of the Onderian Armies. As High Lord and Supreme Commander, Tor would control all Three Armies of Onderon (the Eastern Samara, the Northern Silva, and the Western Elva Armies) as well as the Aerial Legion. Due to his successes in the army and soon-to-be promotion, his grandfather, the Governor Ga’as, now attempts to publicly reclaim him as a member of the Greater House of Ga’as much to Tor's disgust.   STORY   In the 25th year of the reign of Vasyentha, Queen of Onderon, Princess Lianne, the only daughter of Vasyentha, comes of age. A question of succession arises, for this is the first time in Onderian history when there is no recognized and named Heir to the Throne.   For many years, Princess Lisenya, the granddaughter of Vasyentha by way of her father, Prince Lysander, was presumed Heir to the Throne. It was expected that when Lisenya came of age, she would be formally named and recognized as “Heir to the Throne”, the only legitimate successor to Vasyentha. However, days before Lisenya’s 18th nameday, Vasyentha announces her pregnancy by an unknown male, and gives birth to a daughter, Princess Lianne, 6 months later. Since then, uncertainty and debate have reigned over who should succeed Vasyentha – Lianne, of uncertain and unknown patrilineage or Lisenya, who harkens from the powerful Greater House of Wei through her matrilineage.   Princess Lisenya’s mother is Lady Enya Wei, the younger sister of the powerful and some might say “power-hungry” Lady Calixta Wei, Ducha of House Wei, who is also the current Chancellor of the Grand Chamber. Chancellor Wei, who is married to Rowan, the Prince Royal, has long sought the throne for her niece, Lisenya. It is widely believed that Vasyentha, unlike past Queens, did not automatically deliver the title of Heir to the Throne to her only daughter, Lianne, at birth to avoid the ire of her sister-in-law, Chancellor Wei, who rules the Chamber with an iron fist.   Now, Princess Lianne has turned 18, the age at which the title of Heir to the Throne is formally granted by the ruling monarch. Time is running out for Vasyentha, who has grown increasingly ill and infirm as the years passed, to name a successor before her impending demise. Although she wishes her daughter Lianne to ascend to the throne, Vasyentha must fend off Chancellor Wei and her increasingly aggressive attempts to install her blood niece, Lisenya, as Heir to the Throne to avoid a war of succession. Vasyentha believes that if Lisenya becomes Queen, the House of Wei through the ambitious Wei sisters will forever dominate the Throne and the Royal House will remain “Onderion” in name only. Yet, the Heads of Houses, led by Chancellor Wei, continue to assert the illegitimacy of Princess Lianne, citing her unknown patrilineage which Vasyentha refuses to disclose.   In these fraught and uncertain times does Princess Gloriane enter this saga. Gloriane is the only daughter of Rowan, the Prince Royal, and Chancellor Wei, and a long-time favorite of her aunt, the Queen Vasyentha. Gloriane is very close to Lianne and Lisenya, having grown up with them. Famed for her unparalleled beauty and piety, Gloriane is about to enter the Order of the Allfather on her 25th nameday, finally given permission to do so by Vasyentha after years of training to be a High Priestess.   Unbeknownst to Gloriane, her mother, Chancellor Wei, is planning to derail her plans for priesthood and marry her off to the powerful General Torin Ga’as, the Commander of the Samara Army, who is set to become the youngest Supreme Commander of the Onderian Army. Through her future son-in-law, Chancellor Wei hopes to take control of the Onderian Army and use him to replace its current Supreme Commander, the High Lady Bronwyn Magus, who refuses to take sides in the “fight” for succession and has commanded the army to remain neutral.   Though Tor refuses to accept his grandfather’s self-serving attempt at reconciliation, he has reconnected with his cousins in recent years, the Lords Thaddeus and Theron Ga’as, House of Ga’as, the twin sons of Tor’s deceased aunt, the Lady Caryn Ga’as. In fact, it was the twins who convinced Tor to identify himself as a member of the House of Ga’as as a way to reclaim his father’s birthright, years before Governor Ga’as made attempts to reclaim Tor as a member of his house.   Additionally, Thaddeus Ga’as, Heir Apparent to the House of Ga’as has long been betrothed to the Princess Lisenya. Though this engagement was proposed initially by Chancellor Wei and Governor Ga’as as an attempt to consolidate support for Lisenya’s claim to the throne and for the House of Ga’as to claim the position of High Prince, Thaddeus and Lisenya have formed a true affection for each other over the course of their decade-long engagement. Despite the misgivings and disapproval of Chancellor and Lady Wei, Thaddeus supported Lisenya in her decision to train her contender for the throne, Lianne, in the arts of war and combat. Thaddeus is also fond of Lianne, whom he refers to as “little Lianne”, having brought her up alongside Lisenya.   Other actors in this saga include but are not limited to the Lady/Chief Commander of the Aerial Legion, General Cassandra Darell, House of Bloodwolf, a close friend and confidante to Tor and the High Seneschal, Cassius Tanith, House of Thana who is loyal only to Vasyentha, Queen of Onderon. It has long been rumored that Cassius is the true sire of Lianne, though both Clan Tanith and its parent House, the Greater House of Thana, have denied such claims.   At the beginning of the story, General Tor Ga’as has just returned from a war with the Southern Wild Tribes in the Samara Desert. Ney’sh - a war that he won, despite being heavily outnumbered. He is made aware of his impending promotion to the position of Supreme Commander of the Onderian Army by his mentor and patroness, the incumbent Supreme Commander, High Lady Bronwyn Magus. However, he is first tasked with safely escorting the Princess Gloriane, niece to the Queen and daughter of the Prince Royal and the powerful Chancellor Wei, to a monastery where the Princess will complete her trials to become a High Priestess in the Order of the Allfather. Tor begrudgingly accepts at Bronwyn’s urging, thinking if he gets on the good side of Gloriane, she may lobby the Queen and/or the Chancellor on his behalf to instate some kind pension/death/retirement fund for army families who have lost their main provider.   Princess Gloriane is famed throughout the continent for her extraordinary beauty, a beauty said to “outshine even the stars” and her aloofness, the result of her long-held devotion to serve the Allfather (essentially, she is super religious) and a deadly gift – the ability to sway the actions and emotions of individuals. It is commonly assumed that she wears a veil to cover half of her face so that others are not distracted by her extreme beauty and to prevent herself from accidentally and unmeaningly influencing them to do her bidding.   When his soldiers lay eyes on a veiled Gloriane for the first time, they are expectedly shocked and stunned by her beauty and grace. Tor, however, does not seem to feel any interest in Gloriane, only apathy and impatience to get this “chore” done with so he can go back to more interesting army things. Due to his apparent disinterest, Gloriane shows a more relaxed and comfortable side to Tor, much unlike the illusion of modesty and aloofness that she often cloaks herself in. However, through many adventures and hijinks on their way to the shrine/monastery and back to the army base, Tor and Gloriane learn more about one another and form a bond of friendship. He saves her life many times and one time makes her laugh, which shocks her Wei guards, indicating that Gloriane doesn’t laugh often. Ironically, Tor begins to form a true affection and liking towards Gloriane, only because she felt comfortable enough to show her true side to what she thought was a disinterested man.   When coming back from the monastery, a group of bandits attack their party. Tor saves Gloriane’s life but is almost killed by a bandit when Gloriane steps in. She sheds her veil and grabs the bandit and makes him face her, drawing upon her immense power of influence to force the bandit to drop his sword and leave. However, another bandit knocks her out with a club. Tor kills the bandit.   Back at the base, Gloriane is still unconscious. While Bronwyn admonishes Tor for his carelessness in protecting the Queen’s niece, she does note that Tor seems to have some feelings towards Gloriane. Tor’s best friend, Cassandra, the Lady Commandant of the Aerial Legion, also notes this and teases Tor that of all the people who would steal his heart of course it would be the famed beauty Gloriane. Tor is visited by his cousin Theron Ga’as, who updates him on the politicking at court (in Aurain) and Trykan, and his grandfather, the Duchon of House Ga’as whom he greets coldly. Governor Ga’as meets with the High Lady Bronwyn “secretly” – we do not see their conversation.   Gloriane eventually wakes up from the attack and finds her emotions to be in extreme turmoil regarding Tor. For the first time in her life, she questions, though only briefly, her commitment to walking the path of High Priestess, which would require a lifetime of no attachment (basically no lover and no children). Tor apologizes to her for failing to protect her, but she thanks him for his valiant efforts regardless. He volunteers to escort her back to Aurain for Princess Lianne’s nameday celebration (to the surprise of his subordinates and Cassandra), which she accepts gracefully. However, as they are about to embark on their journey, Tor is told that a Marked force (taking advantage of the preoccupation with Lianne’s nameday celebrations) is heading for Raenoth and he is needed to defend the city-state. Tor excuses himself, to both his and Gloriane’s obvious regret and leaves. However, before he leaves, Gloriane promises to lobby her aunt and mother regarding the pension fund for army families.   Unbeknownst to Tor and Gloriane, Chancellor Wei schemes with Governor Ga’as to marry Gloriane to Tor to consolidate power in the army, which in its current iteration is far removed from the control of the Royal House. Governor Ga’as was tasked to persuade the High Lady Bronwyn to side with Lisenya and get her to agree to a match between Tor and Gloriane. Though he couldn’t get her to agree, Bronwyn didn’t say no either. However, Governor Ga’as expresses his disbelief that the Queen would approve such a union, for she just expressively gave her niece Gloriane the permission to seek the path of religion, despite the disapproval of Chancellor Wei. Chancellor Wei just tells him to “leave it to her”, before presiding over the Chamber and its first task, to welcome the newly ascended Lord Stavros Balasich, the new Duchon of House Balasich, whose mother and former Ducha had passed recently.   Aurain. Lisenya watches Lianne train against a couple soldiers. She handily defeats them. Thaddeus, who had just arrived, offers to spar with Lianne. She beats him, after he becomes distracted by the arrival of the Wei sisters. After seeing Lianne beat Thaddeus, Lisenya aggressively spars with Lianne and beats the young girl. Lianne accepts her defeat and says she still has much to learn from Lisenya.   Tournament week in Aurain. Gloriane has returned and visits her aunt, Vasyentha, Queen of Onderon to thank her for her permission to allow her to seek the path of the Allfather. Vasyentha asks her if she is sure she will have no regrets and though she hesitates momentarily, Gloriane reaffirms her commitment. However, this reaffirmation does not convince Vasyentha and to Gloriane’s distress but relief, Vasyentha delays the confirmation ceremony until after Lianne’s nameday.   However, having found herself back in the midst of all the political scheming of the court and the Grand Chamber regarding Lianne vs. Lisenya, in no small part due to her own mother and aunt, Gloriane withdraws into her shell again, disgusted by their dirty tricks. These nobles, Heads of Houses and members of the court are not interested in improving the lives of the people, instead spending their time currying favor with Chancellor Wei (therefore Lisenya) or with Lianne. These people have no idea of the amount of border skirmishes happening, which the likes of Tor and the Onderian army are constantly having to deal with, understaffed and under-resourced. This is why Gloriane always wanted to follow the High Priestess – due to what she perceives is the purity and selflessness of the path.   After an incident involving Lianne and Lisenya which results in a catastrophe that takes the life of many and threatened to take more had the Grand Priest of Aurain not intervened personally, Gloriane finds herself recommitted the path of the Allfather, convinced that it is the only option available if she does not want to find herself mired in the ugliness of court and the fight for succession. After a second try, Gloriane successfully manages to convince her aunt, the Queen Vasyentha, to proceed with the confirmation ceremony. Around this time, Gloriane also brings up the topic of the army pension/death fund to both her aunt the Queen and her mother the Chancellor. They both promise to “consider it”.   On the day of the tournament honoring Lianne’s coming of age, Lianne and Lisenya duel. To Lisenya’s surprise, Lianne is able to outwit her. Lisenya accuses her of not complying with the rules of combat but Lianne retorts that Lisenya always taught her to use every trick and method in the book. The tension is palpable in the air. Vasyentha breaks up the fight by congratulating Lianne on her victory and Lisenya for teaching her so welk. Lianne shocks everyone by announcing that she has married the young Lord Stavros Balasich, Duchon of House Balasich, without the knowledge and prior approval of the Queen or the Grand Chamber. This announcement is widely taken as a sign of Lianne’s ambitions for the throne, and her intent to claim it, an intent that she had not previously declared so publicly. With the Balasichs, Chancellor Wei suspects that not only will most of the Trykan Greater Houses support Princess Lianne’s claim to the throne, but the Shadow Legion will (the first iteration of the Onderian Guard) too, for its current Lord Commander is a Balasich. Her suspicions also reinforce the urgency of wrestling the Onderian Army out of Bronwyn’s control, for the High Lady is of the House of Sythe, a prominent Greater House of Trykan.   Lisenya confronts Lianne about her marriage and indicates that she feels betrayed by her announcement. Lianne tells her that she’s only doing this to save herself from the schemes of Lisenya’s mother and aunt.   Lisenya’s marriage announcement prompts Chancellor and Lady Wei to put their plan into action. They poison the Queen through some various scheme which makes the Queen fall into a coma and send out two royal edicts. One accuses the Princess Lianne of the attempt on the Queen’s life and the other retracts the permission Vasyentha gave to Gloriane to be anointed as a High Priestess and enter the Order of the Allfather. Lianne and her supporters raise arms in rebellion.   To gain control of the army and force its Supreme Commander, the High Lady Bronwyn, to side with them, the Wei sisters force Gloriane to consent to marry General Ga’as, threatening her with both the welfare of the religious Order (will elaborate later). Unbeknownst to Gloriane, the Grand Priest of the Order of the Allfather has been corrupted by Chancellor Wei and convinces Gloriane to do “her duty” as a daughter of the Royal Family. On the other side, General Ga’as is also facing intense pressure from his grandfather, Governor Ga’as, and his cousin, Thaddeus, to assent to the marriage. To “sweeten” the deal, Chancellor Wei (through Governor Ga’as) promises to instate the army death fund as soon as the succession conflict has been resolved. Several attempts are made on Bronwyn’s life as well, which both he and Bronwyn believe are the work of Chancellor Wei. To neutralize the threat temporarily to his mentor’s life and obtain the death fund for the army, Tor assents to the marriage.   Rowan, the Prince Royal does not know of his wife and sister-in-law’s involvement in the Queen’s poisoning. Additionally, the Princess Lisenya does not believe the accusations that it was Lianne who was responsible for the attempted poisoning. However, it is clear that her mother and her aunt are too hell-bent on making her Queen and she is unable to resist the pressure. Lisenya’s recurring or fatal flaw is that she is unable to withstand the pressure from her mother and aunt. She is too often swayed and convinced by them to act in one way or another, which is why Vasyentha has not kindly looked upon her as a potential successor.   Tor and Gloriane are hastily married, though it is clear that Gloriane’s heart is clearly not in it. However, immediately after they are married, Tor is recalled by the Supreme Commander to fend off an approaching and resurgent Wild Tribe force. They only reunite when Gloriane is kidnapped by Lianne’s supporters (as a hostage to blackmail the House of Wei and Tor). Though Cassandra almost initially succeeds in rescuing her friend’s wife, she fails, which leads Tor to mount a rescue attempt himself. He saves Gloriane from Lianne’s forces.   However, Gloriane is still distant from Tor, which he accepts though sadly. He recognizes that she could not follow her heart and had to marry him unwillingly. Since becoming a High Priestess in the Order does not exactly preclude marriage, only nonattachment to worldly affairs as love, relations and ownership, Tor offers to part with Gloriane and allow her to follow her path, to be remained married in name only. Gloriane is surprised by his offer and appears to be touched. She accepts his offer, to his disappointment. Before he leaves, Tor asks her if she has ever doubted her commitment to the Order of the Allfather and to her surprise, Gloriane tells him the truth. Yes, she did, and it was when she met Tor.   The Supreme Commander is injured in battle. Despite a promising prognosis, she dies. Tor suspects that she was poisoned by Chancellor Wei. On her deathbed, she bids farewell to Tor and addresses him for the first and last time as “my son”. Tor succeeds her as Supreme Commander of the Three Armies. Gloriane helps him through his grief, by providing last prayers for Bronwyn (whom she refers to as a brave soldier, a selfless commander, and loving mother) and preparing the funeral rites. Gloriane falls in love with Tor throughout this process.   Through Gloriane’s time on the borders, she becomes increasingly disillusioned with the rigidity of the Order of the Allfather. She is surprised to learn that many of the soldiers in the Onderian army do not follow the Order of the Allfather, instead choosing to worship him and follow his teachings through the ways of the native Elders, the original owners of the soil they call Onderian. Gloriane becomes interested in learning about these ways.   After Tor finishes grieving, he comes to find Gloriane to express his gratitude to her for being present and helping him throughout the process. He tells her that he knows she had to put off the confirmation ceremony and offers to find a High Priestess to conduct one. To his surprise, Gloriane declines. She tells him that she is now uncertain that this is her path, and she feels it would be selfish of her to disappear into the Order into seclusion when there is a civil war brewing, and she can do much more for not only the Onderian army but also the regular folk as a daughter of the Royal Family and the House of Wei, and consort to the Supreme Commander. Besides, she wants to explore the path of the Elders. Tor teasingly lists all the reasons she gave for choosing not to be confirmed and asks if “that’s all”. Gloriane smiles mysteriously and replies that “there might be one more”.   The next day, Gloriane is pleasantly surprised to find that Tor will be personally escorting her to the woods of Herne to meet the native Elders. On their journey (it’s just the two of them), Gloriane learns more about Tor’s upbringing as well as the plight of the common people.   When Tor and Gloriane return from their trip, they are surprised to find the newly wed Princess Lisenya and her consort, Lord Thaddeus Ga’as, House of Ga’as, now Prince Onderion waiting for them. While Gloriane excuses herself from their meeting, Tor invites her to come. Lisenya offers her condolences for the death of Supreme Commander High Lady Bronwyn Magus. During the meeting, Lisenya asks for Tor and the army’s help in breaking the Balasich “siege” on Aurain. However, Tor is adamant on maintaining the army’s neutrality. This angers Lisenya and she accuses of Gloriane of not playing for the team. In return, Gloriane accuses Lisenya of hiding behind their mothers and not doing anything about the border towns or helping people who need it most, instead only concentrating on getting the throne. Thaddeus, of course, defends his wife and ends up raising his voice, which results in Tor calmly asking him to “lower his voice and change his tone” or be thrown out of camp, Prince or not.   To lower temperatures, Gloriane excuses herself to prepare for the welcoming event to honor Princess Lisenya and her new consort. Lisenya follows her out and comments on Gloriane’s newly found activism. Gloriane just replies that she’s learned a lot, outside of Aurain and Trykan and that Lisenya should try it. Lisenya asks her what it would take to get Tor to support them. Gloriane replies that she should ask Tor himself but Lisenya insists on hearing Gloriane’s thoughts. Gloriane asks for the Grand Chamber to deliver on their promises to send funds and supplies to the army and for Lisenya to find out if her mother, Chancellor Wei, send assassins to kill the High Lady. Lisenya promises to do so and leaves, while Tor rejoins Gloriane. Having overheard Gloriane’s demands, Tor is amused and surprised that she knew exactly what he wanted from Lisenya. Gloriane merely shrugs and says, “Of course, I know. I am your wife”.   Lisenya watches the two interact and she is joined by Thaddeus. She comments that she recognizes in Tor and Gloriane what she and Thaddeus were like at the beginning of her journey. Lisenya believes that Gloriane has found her freedom from her mother and the House of Wei “another way”, implying that marrying Tor gave her freedom like becoming High Priestess would. They leave, with Lisenya stating that they have what they came for.   On the way back, Thaddeus expresses his worry that Lisenya will “not be able to do what she needs to” regarding Lianne. He reminisces about the times the two of them took Lianne for trips/excursions so that she could see a greater world outside Aurain. It is clear that when Lianne was younger, the three of them (Thaddeus, Lisenya and Lianne) often acted as a family unit. Lisenya admits that she has doubts regarding Lianne. However, Thaddeus tells her that if she cannot do what she must, he will do it for her.   Tor and Gloriane travel to Aurain to break the Balasich siege on the capital city. However, on their way, they are attacked by a regiment of Balasich soldiers. To save Gloriane, Tor gets himself captured/gives himself up. A still bloody Gloriane and the rest of the Samara Army enter Aurain. She implores Lisenya and her mother to help save Tor from Lianne’s clutches, but Chancellor Wei determines it too risky. Gloriane even appeals to Thaddeus, Theron and Governor Ga’as, who are all present, though to no avail (despite Theron’s disappointment). Lisenya “orders” the Samara army to defend Aurain but the Generals in charge (+ Cassandra, Lady Commandant of the Aerial Legion) refuse to heed her orders (much to Lady Wei’s consternation), not recognizing Lisenya’s claim to the Throne or the power of the House of Wei. They instead swear fealty to Princess Gloriane, Consort to the Supreme Commander, and she leaves with the Samara Army + Aerial Legion to rescue Tor.   Theron speaks to his grandfather about helping Gloriane rescue Tor. To his surprise, Governor Ga’as agrees to accompany Theron and the 500 Ga’as men currently stationed in Aurain to where the Samara Army is camped out, to see if they could be of help in any way. Thaddeus watches his brother and grandfather leave from the shadows.   Gloriane and the Generals of the Samara Army and Cassandra try to figure how to save Tor with the diminished Samara Command. The other two armies (Elva and Silva) are not due to arrive anytime soon to help. Governor Ga’as and Theron arrive offer help. Gloriane has a plan, though we don’t see what it is. As she leaves to prepare, Gloriane has a fainting spell. The healer informs her that she is with child, to which Gloriane makes her swear not to tell anyone for she knows they would never allow her to do what is about to do if they knew she was pregnant. However, Governor Ga’as overheard their conversation. Gloriane tells him not to tell Tor yet to which Governor Ga’as agrees to.   As part of Gloriane’s plan, the Ga’as soldiers feint an attack on the Balasich army to draw away the soldiers in the camp. Gloriane enters Lianne’s camp by herself, veiled. Despite her advisors’ advice that she not let Gloriane see Tor, Lianne, for her past with Gloriane and not believing Gloriane really cares about Tor, allows Gloriane to see him. Lianne also formally introduces Gloriane to Stavros. Stavros tells Gloriane that General Ga’as has been well-cared for – they have no wish to harm him, for they know that he is “a hero of Onderon, the dragon who guards our borders”.   Gloriane enters the Balasich camp, veiled. As she is taken to see an imprisoned Tor, it is obvious that Stavros’ comments about not harming Tor were false – Tor is bruised and bleeding. Gloriane gives Lianne a scathing glare. Gloriane makes to take off her veil, but Lianne stops her. Gloriane only replies that she just wants her husband to see her face so that he believes it’s her and Lianne, still skeptical, allows her to proceed. Gloriane unveils, though at the angle only Tor can see her face clearly. He asks if she’s a gift from the Allfather, to which she replies that she is. He asks if she is here to rescue him to which she replies that she is. He asks how she’s going to accomplish that. Gloriane gives him her characteristic mysterious smile and tells him that they’re going to walk right out of camp. Tor, unconvinced, teasingly asks her if she’s been hiding secret talents that he doesn’t know about to which she replies yes, surprising him.   At that moment, Gloriane turns around abruptly to face Lianne, Stavros and her guards. They are, of course, shocked by the force of her legendary beauty. Gloriane then unleashes the full ability of her influence, commanding the men in the tent to restrain the women. She makes Stavros put a knife to Lianne’s neck. Gloriane takes Tor and helps him walk out of the tent, keeping Stavros and Lianne close to them at all time as “hostages”. The rest of the Balasich soldiers (already smaller in number than usual) are unable to interfere and true enough, Gloriane and Tor walk or rather stumble out of the camp. Cassandra and the Aerial Legion pick them up.   Tor is seen by the healer and he is not badly injured, though he does have a bruised rib. Apparently, Stavros became a little enthusiastic in his “interrogations” of Tor and Tor remarks on Stavros’ cruel and bloodthirsty side. Gloriane tells him about the rumors of Stavros poisoning his mother, the former Ducha of House Balasich.   Tor talks to his grandfather and Governor Ga’as praises Gloriane, saying that “your Princess is certainly not what her mother made her out to be”. He confronts his grandfather and tells him that though he recognizes his help in the matter of rescuing him, Tor will never forgive him for forsaking Tor’s parents. Governor Ga’as does not argue with him, but tells him that he does regret not taking Tor in. In fact, he was about to reclaim Tor as a member of the House of Ga’as when he found out that Tor was being mentored by General Magus, who at that time was expected to ascend to the position of Supreme Commander. He even talked to Bronwyn about it. Believing that Tor would work harder to spite Governor Ga’as, Bronwyn had advised him to withhold the reclamation and wait until Tor has ascended to be a Lord Commandant. Tor is shaken by this news and doesn’t know if he should believe his grandfather.   Tor asks his grandfather why he was so against his father, Raylan, marrying a Houseless woman. Governor Ga’as explains that in his days of youth, he was in love with a Houseless woman but was betrothed to Tor’s grandmother, a member of a lesser clan of Ga’as. He chose to abide by his family’s wishes and marry Tor’s grandmother, forsaking his lover. Something happened with the lover that made Governor Ga’as supremely happy that he chose Tor’s grandmother, whom he later fell in love with, and that prejudiced him against the nulla domus. When it came to his son’s marriage, Governor Ga’as wanted him to make the right choice like he himself did and became furious when Raylan secretly married Tor’s mother, which occurred around the time Trista, Raylan’s mother, had passed. In his grief and fury, he made a hasty decision to exile Raylan from the House of Ga’as. Due to his pride, he could never admit his mistake until it was too late.   It is Governor Ga’as’ belief that arranged marriages are the way to go. He cites Tor’s and Gloriane’s marriage, as well as that of Lisenya and Thaddeus. Tor criticizes this belief: “not all arranged marriages turn out well” and believes that he and Gloriane would have found each other anyways (it was also a stroke of luck that he happened to be assigned as her escort to the monastery). He cites the marriage of Lianne and Stavros, stating that though he spent only a few days with them, he can tell there is no love lost between the two – they are simply using each other for their own benefit. Governor Ga’as asks Tor if he really thinks that he was “coincidentally” assigned to escort Gloriane, implying that it was Bronwyn’s idea.   Somehow the conversation turns to the Wei sisters and their marriages to the Princes of the Royal House of Onderon. Tor asks if there’s some reason to their limitless ambition, but Governor Ga’as tells him to his knowledge there is not – they grew up in a happy family. Some people seek power just for the sake of it. He remarks that it wouldn’t surprise him if the Wei sisters deliberately approached the Princes.   Cut to Rowan, Prince Royal and Chancellor Wei. Rowan has finally caught on to the fact that Calixta, all those years ago when they first met, had approached him as a target. He was and still continues to be so in love with her that he had always turned a blind eye to Calixta’s machinations. He cannot believe that Calixta sold their daughter off for Lisenya’s sake (to bolster her claim to the Throne). It is clear that Rowan, from his veiled comments, has started to probe into Vasyentha’s poisoning. Calixta warns her husband not to “do anything” but Rowan tells her that before he was her husband, he was and will always be a son of the Royal House of Onderion. It is his duty to defend his House.   Gloriane is about to tell Tor of her pregnancy, but Tor tells her what he just learned when talking to his grandfather. Gloriane decides to hold off until Tor has sorted out his feelings for his grandfather. The Balasich army attacks. Thaddeus and a combined Wei-Ga’as force that was initially protecting Aurain arrive to ambush the Balasichs. Thaddeus and Lianne duel. It is clear Thaddeus wants to kill her. Tor and Stavros duel. Tor wins but chooses not to kill Stavros although Stavros did not treat him very well during imprisonment. Governor Ga’as also gives his life to save Gloriane’s, when a Balasich soldier looks to stab her in her abdomen. Lianne kills Thaddeus, though it is clear she didn’t want to and was forced to defend herself. Lisenya is shocked and faints when she hears the news.   Lisenya, still in shock over Thaddeus’ death, becomes hell-bent on killing Lianne, with no thought to anything else. At this point, she doesn’t even care about the throne – she just wants to kill the girl who killed her beloved. She even starts resisting the influence of Lady and Chancellor Wei, too angry and too sad to listen to them. Lisenya feels guilty as well, for it was her who taught Lianne how to fight.   Chancellor Wei arranges a gathering with Gloriane and Tor to try to get them back onto their side. Attending this family meeting also are Lady Wei, Rowan the Prince Royal, Lisenya and Theron. Rowan takes this opportunity to unveil to all present the treasonous crimes committed by Chancellor Wei – supremely the corruption of the Order of the Allfather and the poisoning of Vasyentha, Queen of Onderon. He takes the accusations a step further and reveals that in his investigation, he found that the illness and subsequent death of Prince Lysander, Lady Wei’s husband and Lisenya’s father, is similar to Vasyentha’s poisoning. Lady Wei finally catches on and says slowly to her sister, “but you told me he had died of the Red Plague…”   To everyone’s shock, Chancellor Wei resoundingly admits to all her crimes. Lysander had started to become wary of some of her actions (and corruption) and she had to make sure he did not ruin her plans. Calixta blames her sister for not controlling her husband properly, which led to Calixta arranging his death. Lisenya and Enya are furious.   Rowan asks of his wife when “it will be enough for her” and she says never. He asks her if she regrets any of her actions to which she replies that she is not – she was only protecting and safeguarding her House, basically repeating Rowan’s earlier words. Lisenya finally snaps and asks General Ga’as to imprison her aunt…and her mother. For once, Tor agrees.   As the soldiers move to arrest the Wei sisters, Chancellor Wei asks Rowan if he loves her. His reply: “You know I do.” “And have I ever loved you?” “No, I don’t believe so.” Chancellor Wei is quiet for a moment and then looks up to say: “Don’t drink your wine.” The implication is clear – Rowan’s wine was poisoned. Calixta was going to kill her own husband. Rowan doesn’t move. He just stares at his wife. Then at the speed of light (to Gloriane crying out “no” and Tor’s soldiers lunging for the goblet), Rowan, Prince Royal downs his wine and dies immediately. Chancellor Wei shows no emotion as she is hauled away by the guards.   The shock of losing her father (right in front of her) causes Gloriane to miscarry Tor’s child. Tor cares for her in her double grief. He didn’t know that she was pregnant and thinks back to all the times where she tried to tell him. Days go by and she does not wake up. The healer tells Tor that medicine and science have done all they can, and they have not been enough. Gloriane will only wake up if a physician with the gift of healing heals her. The only physician she knows of who has a healing gift that powerful is the Second Royal Physician, who currently serves Lianne.   Without hesitation, Tor goes to Lianne’s camp. Lianne and Stavros are aware of what had transpired at their meeting. Stavros is rude, hostile and demeaning to a kneeling Tor, but Lianne tells him to shut his mouth. She asks why he’s here and he explains the situation and what he needs from her. “What will you give me in return, General Ga’as?” “Anything.” Lianne scoffs and bitterly and self-pityingly claims that daughters of the House of Wei are blessed in love, even in marriages arranged to serve the greater good of their House. To her husband’s and advisors’ shock, Lianne commands the Second Royal Physician to go with the great General and do all he can to save her cousin’s life. The physician is to be escorted by a Captain Jorus of the Shadow Legion. Tor asks what Lianne wants in return and Stavros becomes very excited at the prospect of the Supreme Commander owing them a favor. However, Lianne just tells him that “when the time comes, he will know”. She promises that she will not ask of him anything that might diminish his honor.   Lianne, knowing that Lisenya and Theron are not at Aurain (they are at Pylos dealing with the “situation”), decide to sneak into the Royal Palace in Aurain to see her ailing and comatose mother [she had received a “secret” message presumably from the Queen to come to see her]. She meets the High Seneschal, who finally reveals to Lianne the truth of her parentage – she is not the biological daughter of Vasyentha. Though Vasyentha was pregnant with a child and thus her pregnancy announcement days before Lisenya’s nameday was made truthfully, she lost the baby some months later. However, despite her grief in losing yet another child (she had lost a daughter before Lysander), Vasyentha was adamant that her granddaughter, the Princess Lisenya would not ascend to the throne, to deny the House of Wei the power of the throne, for Lisenya would rule in name only. Her aunt, the Chancellor Wei, would be Queen in all but name. Vasyentha continued to pretend to be pregnant and when it was “time to give birth”, had taken a random houseless baby that Cassius found on the streets of Aurain to claim as her daughter. Lianne is shocked and horrified by this information. When she tells Stavros the truth, to her surprise, he doesn’t really care. He tells her that it’s not important what the truth is, only what people believe to be true, and she’s lucky she is said to resemble Vasyentha so much (coincidentally, as we just found out).   Back in camp, the Second Royal Physician heals Gloriane who finally recovers and wakes up from her illness. However, she is still very weak. On secret orders from Lianne, Captain Jorus of the Shadow Legion takes this opportunity to infiltrate the army prisons to find and kill the two shadows who posed as guards of the House of Wei to kill the High Lady Bronwyn Magus. They are caught by Tor and are surprised when he does nothing to them and allow them to return to Lianne with the Second Royal Physician. He only wanted to “confirm” his suspicions.   Seeing that Gloriane has no appetite and is struggling to eat, Tor helps her eat in the courtyard. She is still very weak and sad. She asks after her father’s funeral rites to which Tor replies that Lisenya arranged it all, before leaving for Aurain with Theron after hearing that Lianne broke into the Royal Palace. Gloriane also chastises Tor for allowing himself to owe Lianne a favor but Tor said he will not regret it. Despite Tor’s disapproval, Gloriane goes to see her imprisoned mother (and aunt) and disparages her for all she has done. She accuses Calixta of killing not only “father” but also her child, as well as Uncle Lysander and the Queen. Calixta only tells Gloriane that she should be grateful, for look at what she has now (the power and backing of Tor and the Onderian Army). Gloriane is enraged and Tor takes her away after she almost faints.   Gloriane thinks back to all she has learned since leaving the shelter of Aurain and Trykan and becoming Tor’s wife. She tells Tor that she’s surprised to find there are so many things she wants to fix or wants fixed in Onderian society: 1) the Order of the Allfather clearly needs to be reformed to lessen rigidity and be more inclusion of other forms of worship 2) the border towns clearly need more resources and need to be defended from the “natives” 3) the problem with the Onderian Army being more loyal to Tor (and her) than Vasyentha, Queen of Onderon – this is not good and 4) The Onderian Army is supposed to be a neutral force but it isn’t really because people in the army come from different Houses. Tor replies jokingly that “if she wants the throne, she should let him know”. Gloriane: “That’s not funny!” Tor: “It is a little funny.”   Lianne, having become insecure and doubtful of her own right to rule after her parentage reveal and regretting killing Thaddeus, decides to make her parentage known publicly, to avoid further chaos and bloodshed. Lianne offers to parley with Lisenya. Tor and Gloriane are tasked with arranging the meeting. There, to everyone’s shock, Lianne reveals the truth of her parentage. She seeks reconciliation with Lisenya, as long as Lisenya retracts the accusation that it was Lianne who attempted to poison Vasyentha, Queen of Onderon. Also, during this meeting, Tor outright asks Lianne if the Balasichs sent the Shadow Legion to poison Bronwyn. Lianne, as a matter of fact, admits the truth – that it was Stavros’ idea and she agreed to it. She then asks for the favor from Tor: that he not strike down Stavros now or ever. Tor agrees: “I will not strike down your husband.”   Despite Gloriane’s attempt to convince Lisenya to take the offer, Lisenya is hell-bent on killing Lianne to seek vengeance for her lover’s death. To prevent further bloodshed, Lianne volunteers to fight one-on-one with Lisenya to give Lisenya satisfaction, believing that Lisenya will not be able to make the killing blow in the end. Right before the killing blow, we see a flashback to when Lianne was three years old. She opened her eyes and saw Lisenya standing before her, with a pillow in her hands (implying that Lisenya was about to kill her). However, Lisenya could not go through with it and instead sings Lianne to sleep. In present day, Lisenya delivers the killing blow, killing Lianne, the girl she considered to be her daughter/sister and cries her heart out as she cradles Lianne’s body.   Taking this opportunity, Stavros runs back to his army and claims that Lisenya has “murdered” Lianne, the true Heir to the Throne. The Balasich army attacks the Onderian army (Ga’as + Wei troops included). Tor defeats Stavros for a second time but refuses to kill him. Afterall, Tor promised Lianne that he would not kill Stavros and refuses to break the promise. However, Stavros tries to kill him when Tor’s back is turned. Cassandra steps in and kills Stavros: “I made no such vow.”   Lisenya is injured, in body and in heart, and does not respond to medical treatment. Her love for Thaddeus was too consuming and after achieving her goal to obtain vengeance for his death, Lisenya can no longer find any reason to stay alive. Additionally, she feels guilt for not standing up to her mother and aunt and for allowing the fight for succession and resulting civil war to commence. She believes she does not deserve the throne, having killed a girl she had raised. With her dying breath, Lisenya asks to see Gloriane alone and pleads her “to heal the nation, fix what our mothers broke, to do what neither Lianne nor I could…”   Lisenya dies. Gloriane is heralded by all those before as “Heir to the Throne”. All the soldiers from all factions/camps, even her aunt Lady Wei whom Tor had allowed to see her dying daughter, get on their knees to pay respect to her. Tor is the last one to do so. “All hail Gloriane, Heir to the Onderian Throne”! At the same time, Vasyentha finally awakens from her coma to witness the devastation laid at her feet.   Gloriane and Tor, along with the Onderian, Balasich and Wei Armed Forces and the Wei sisters as prisoners, arrive at Aurain to meet with the Queen. At Aurain, Lady Wei asks to see her mother-in-law, the Queen. She shows remorse for her actions and begs forgiveness from Vasyentha for “failing to save her son”. It is clear that Enya loved Lysander and really didn’t know he was poisoned by her sister. Vasyentha forgives Enya but only on one condition – that she submits to death by taking the poisoned wine. Enya asks Vasyentha to show mercy to her sister, Chancellor Wei, and then immediately takes the poisoned wine. It seems the same fate awaits Chancellor Wei.   The day before her mother’s sentencing, Tor asks Gloriane if she will plead for her mother’s life. She has just finished praying. Since Gloriane is the only surviving female of the Royal House and the presumptive Heir to the Throne, Vasyentha will have to at least listen to her plea. Gloriane says she cannot bring herself to – the crimes of her mother are too great, and she feels the call to do the “right” thing. Tor is sad for her and commends her righteousness and virtue. They are about to enter the Palace Hall together, but the High Seneschal tells them that Gloriane takes precedent and must enter alone first, for she is the presumptive Heir to the Throne. She looks uncomfortable but Tor gently nods at her.   In the palace hall, Vasyentha awards many medals and promotions to members of the Onderian Armed Forces for their loyalty to the Throne. She also pardons the House of Balasich as well as the House of Ga’as (the Ducha of House Balasich is Stavros’ cousin and the Duchon of the House Ga’as is now Theron) for their involvement in the fight for succession. For Tor, she offers him a special reward: he can ask anything of her. Tor very brazenly asks that the Queen gifts him a special request when he chooses to ask it of her. She reprimands him for his brazenness but agrees.   Now, it is the time to sentence Chancellor Wei. She is brought in. Due to her treasonous crimes against the Royal House of Onderon, she is sentenced to die by poison, the same poisoned wine she administered to Lysander, Prince of Onderon and Vasyentha. Vasyentha asks Gloriane, as the presumptive Heir to the Throne, if she will plead on her mother’s behalf. Gloriane kneels in front of the Queen and says she cannot, to the shock of the court. Vasyentha is about to order Chancellor Wei to commit suicide by poison when Tor interrupts and joins Gloriane on the floor, kneeling in front of the Queen. He asks for the special request that Vasyentha awarded him just literal minutes ago: please spare the Chancellor’s life – the court and the courtiers erupt.   Vasyentha allows Tor to speak. He makes his case. Princess Gloriane, due to her commitment to truth and justice and general piety, will not plead for her mother’s life because of her beliefs and position as Heir to the Throne. However, in the past month or so, Gloriane has lost first her father and child, then her beloved cousins/nieces she grew up with (Lianne and Lisenya), and yesterday she lost her aunt. She cannot lose her mother too. The only person who has lost more family in this fight is Vasyentha, for the Queen and Gloriane have lost everyone else in their family except for each other. Tor humbly pleads that the Queen shows mercy – not to Chancellor Wei, but Gloriane, the future Queen of Onderon. Gloriane is very shocked but touched by this. She just stares at her husband.   The courtiers are angered and say this cannot be allowed – the House of Wei must be punished! Vasyentha agrees – Calixta and the House of Wei must be punished, one way or another. After a while, she puts forth the solution: Calixta’s life will be saved, but the Greater House of Wei will be dissolved. The court erupts again! Since she entered the palace hall, Calixta had said nothing but now hearing this absolutely goes bonkers. The dissolution of a Greater House is the most terrible thing to happen – especially to the ruling Ducha/Duchon of the time. If the House of Wei is dissolved, Calixta will be held responsible for its fall by history, which she sees as worse than being labeled a treasonous traitor to Onderon. Tor tries to interrupt and plead again with the Queen but Vasyentha tells him he’s said enough. The choice now lays at Gloriane’s feet: either save her mother’s life or let the Greater House of Wei be dismantled forever.   Gloriane has not said anything since the Queen offered the solution. She quietly gets up and goes to sit in front of her kneeling mother. A cup of poisoned wine on a table is placed between them. Calixta begs Gloriane to save their House. She tells Gloriane that as a daughter of the House of Wei, she must choose their House over her life. At that moment, Gloriane realizes that through her future ascension to the Throne, Calixta will have gotten what she had always wanted through Lisenya – a sitting Queen with the blood of the House of Wei.   Gloriane is quiet. She then picks up the poison wine and makes to offer it to her mother. Calixta is at peace and quietly commends Gloriane for making the right choice. However, Gloriane flings away the poisoned cup. She has made the choice: her mother’s life for the House of Wei. Calixta goes absolutely mad and has to be restrained by the soldiers and hauled away from the palace hall. She yells and screams at Gloriane and the Queen. As Calixta is hauled away, we hear from the High Seneschal that Calixta has been stripped of her House titles (so she is made houseless) and that the Greater House of Wei will be dissolved when Gloriane, the last of the House of Wei ascends to the Throne.   Days after, an ailing Vasyentha and Gloriane meet for a chat in the palace garden. The Queen is definitely still sick and tells Gloriane that she will not live long. In a few days, the official confirmation ceremony (Heir to the Throne) will be conducted. Vasyentha admits that it was her fault for allowing the House of Wei to take so much control and for not making the right choices. This fight for succession happened because of her inability to rule properly. She hopes Gloriane will not repeat her mistakes. They reminisce to the time when Gloriane had asked Vasyentha to allow her to become a High Priestess to the Allfather. Vasyentha tells Gloriane that the one good thing her mother did in the world was marry her to Tor (they look over at Tor, who’s currently waiting for Gloriane and chatting merrily with Vasyentha’s guards). Tor is a “good one” and Vasyentha tells Gloriane to be grateful for what she has with Tor, for it’s not something Vasyentha ever found in this life. Vasyentha ascends into a coughing fit and the High Seneschal takes her away. She wants to pray though.   Gloriane and Tor leave the gardens. She is worried about her aunt’s health and about the future of the kingdom. She hopes she will do a good job. Tor tells her that she will and that he believes in her. He promises that he will walk alongside her on this path and “together, will they go through this life and all lives to come”. The scene shows them walking from the shadows and emerging into the light. For the first time, it is Gloriane who holds out her hand to Tor (usually Tor offers his hand first and Gloriane takes it). Tor takes it and together, they step into the light.   Vasyentha dies the night before she is set to announce Gloriane, the only surviving female of royal blood, as the Heir to the Throne. Gloriane is crowned Queen of Onderon and Tor as High Prince. Tor relinquishes his position as Supreme Commander of the Onderian Armed Forces to Cassandra so that he can support Gloriane fully. With Gloriane’s ascendancy to the Throne and her taking the name of “Onderion”, the House of Wei ceases to exist.   Gloriane the Great, She Who Outshines the Stars, Last of the House of Wei, is recorded in history as one of Onderon’s most beloved and successful Queens, having brought peace back to the kingdom after the Second War of Succession. She is known best for her religious reforms targeting the Order of the Allfather and for returning the Onderian Armies back under direct control of the Queen of Onderon. Under her rule, the Grand Chamber also passed a law detailing order of succession (a Queen’s daughter will always precede any other female of the royal family) and for initiating a strict term limit on the position of Chancellor. It is believed that under Gloriane’s rule the custom of members of the royal family actively traveling across Onderon and serving Onderian people directly through various institutions, including the army, became the norm. Though she was not successful in bringing the Ney’shi and other “native” inhabitants of the landmass later known as Herne into the greater Onderian kingdom, Gloriane is credited for planting the seeds to the eventual “Joining”, which occurred in the reign of her great-granddaughter, Maeve the Peacemaker, Queen of Onderon. Gloriane and Tor had twin boys: Rowan and Raylan. Gloriane was succeeded by her granddaughter Helena, the daughter of Raylan, Blood Prince of Onderon. Rowan, Prince Royal, married into the House of Bloodwolf.   --THE END--