Post originally by Character_Daphne Redmont

When Daphne Redmont at last stepped out of the solace of her room, the infamous McKennah determination was once more present in the way her jaw clenched as she stared at the Absolutioneer guard in front of her. The family was united against a common foe that was now a clear and present danger. All grudges had been buried, but some were in graves far more shallow than others, and even the divine Huntress herself had difficulty accepting the fact that silver-wielding slayers were now partnered with shadow-stalking undead, in a losing battle that was becoming more desperate for the Redmont name by the day. She forced a smile, the radiant gold hues of her eyes seeming to flare a bit more brightly as she gestured to the main hall. "You have new orders, soldier. Inform the rest of your division that Lady Daphne Redmont has returned, and will assume full command of this family by dawn. Jass Strata is missing in action, but should you find her, she is to cease all operations immediately and report to me for further instructions. When you find your commanding officer, inform him that he is to locate Isabella Redmont, and Ainsley Redmont, and inform them that they have become my advisors in the absence of my husband. Am I clear?" the blonde beauty stated, with the tone of authority that was practiced. By no means was she nobility by blood, but she was still a McKennah woman, and there was a reason that Maxim Redmont himself had gotten down on one knee before her to ask for her hand in marriage. "Crystal clear, Lady Redmont," the Absolutioneer responded without hesitation. Inwardly, she was grateful. Having a sizable force to defend against Ravenholm invasions wouldn't mean much, if they refused to listen to her.

Her night was only beginning; minutes later, she was strolling through the corridors of Northcrest's magnificent manor. The third home of the family was easily the most impressive yet, combining the Dynasty's love of functional beauty with the Brood's use of secret passages and traps. If the Ravenholm forces somehow were able to get even a formidable strike team past the outer walls of Northcrest, they stood little chance against the united, desperate partnership of the Redmont Bloodline. And secretly, it was that one important fact that gave Daphne hope that there was a chance she could protect the family she adored for the man she loved.

"--treated another family member in such a way--"

"--common sense as that guard does. Was there anything else, cousin--"

Her voice was the one that ended the eerie silence in that particular hall, and there at the other end, stood the reigning leader of the Redmonts. "Stand down, both of you. There was a time when I held no authority over the Brood, and I suspect you must be unaware of just how desperate our situation is due to your own surprisingly lengthy absence, Cassandra. While I don't know what you've been told or discovered, know this: I will not tolerate nonsense," she paused, for emphasis just as she'd seen her husband do during his younger days as a slayer "from anybody who claims they're a part of this family. We are outnumbered to a degree that some have already written us off, and while I don't know what sparked this situation, I'm giving you both direct orders to cease and desist..."

"And you will follow my orders. Understood, Redmonts?"

Rather than let the two continue their 'discussion,' as it were, she instead gestured to her former destination, which was in the very direction where Ainsley Redmont had been present for most of the past week, secretly building what only Daphne knew was a second, and far more secure version of Sanctuary, a Redmont archive of both powerful and historical significance. "Both of you, with me. Cassandra, I need to know what you know -- Aldrick, I need you to tell me what you know about Kaine Redmont. My own grief for my arguments with my husband are on the back burner because my younger sister, before departing for Aleris, informed me that he seems to think he's in charge now." Her tone of voice, though made elegant by her soft accent and polite mannerisms showcased annoyance above all else as she began moving; with the Lady Redmont at last surfacing and taking the reins, she doubted Cassandra would take the risk of challenging her authority -- and Aldrick was one of the few surviving Dynasty members. Blonde locks caressed the angelic curves of a face marred only by the guise of sorrow, and even that was quelled by the fiery determination that the Huntress was infamous for.

By the time that Daphne, flanked on her left by Cassandra and upon her right by Aldrick, reached the eastern wing where Ainsley had taken up residence, the Absolutioneers were standing at attention as she passed, a show of support for the returning Huntress. Needless to say, her confidence in their ability to survive in the Outlands despite the reigning Ravenholm Empire was slowly growing. "Lady Redmont, it is my pleasure to once again serve you," came the distorted, rough voice of a female wearing an Absolutioneer mask. The soldier in question was moving from in front of them, wearing the three crimson stripes upon both her armor and faceplate that indicated she was a high-ranking officer. She stood at attention briefly, as a gesture of respect not only for the Lady Redmont, but the two Redmonts by her side -- and then revealed herself to be Whitney Blaise, who had been murdered by the trespassing Nightmare a year earlier, before the family had fled to the Outlands. "I must confess, I haven't recovered fully from the effects of Ainsley's witchcraft, but I trust I will. She is currently with Lorelei in Sanctuary II, and requests that you meet with her as soon as possible. I believe she managed to revive me due to my friendship with you, my Lady," the woman hastily explained, which gained a smile from the Huntress. The news of Aubrey's treachery and sudden appearance as a lich serving the Ravenholm Empire as a general had been disheartening, but Ainsley had proven she wasn't the heartless gutter slut that Dynasty history speculated she was, and her resurrection of a valued family friend was only winning Daphne's favor as well. "She knows you're an asset as much as any of us, Whitney. We're going to need everybody if we're going to survive this war, much less win it.

Whitney, in a practiced manner, fell into stride next to Cassandra, and the group of four began moving towards the doors that led to the Redmont witch's private chambers. "I beg your pardon, my Lady, but what of King Maxim? I know of the events concerning himself and Nightmare, and was told he resigned and disappeared..."

She sighed, as the proverbial hammer fell. It was time to make the situation ultimately clear, and though she knew her decision would be popular with some... there were always some detractors. One fist was lifted, a typical military gesture to bring her companions to a halt as she stepped forward and turned around to face them. Behind her, the cast-iron doors that led to Northcrest's magnificent library were adorned with the embossed image of Maxim and his Brood upon one, while Daphne and her Dynasty were showcased upon the other. It was similar to a painting that had been done centuries earlier (and destroyed in the retreat to the Outlands) of Ainsley's own Brood versus the surviving knights of the Dynasty. However, this showed no war -- instead, the Brood and Dynasty members were depicted as standing back to back, ready to die together as family once more. It showed just how much times had truly changed.

"I know that my husband left us, because he felt that he had dishonored himself, and was unfit to lead. However, he was wrong -- and I'll personally execute anybody who dares question his honor in earshot. I have stepped up to lead this family once more, as is my right by marriage. But King Maxim Redmont is still my husband, our leader, and our ultimate goal is to win this war with him leading us into that final battle."

"And may whatever Gods remain have mercy on whoever stands in my way of bringing him home."

Three things had recently happened to Ainsley Redmont.

One. Lorelei Redmont had been transformed into a man by the Redmont witch's own doing. While Ainsley though it was the perfect disguise to sneak by Lumine and get Lorelei a position in the Alerian Government, her plan was not going as quickly as she had hoped it would. Instead, Lorelei's reaction was stunned at best as far as Ainsley could tell.

Two. A letter of an alliance had been sent to four of the leading Redmont ladies (Ainsley, Isabella, Daphne and Jass) from Alasiah Bluefield, a last name that had cursed Ainsley's tongue for over a thousand years. Her deceased - and only - husband Elijah Bluefield had been the one to betray the very first Redmont/Bluefield alliance and in turn slaughter countless of her faithful soldiers and family. And here Ainsley was, holding in her hands the written words of a Bluefield seeking friendship rather than a war, despite her position in the Ravenholm army. That was just one pill that was too difficult for Ainsley to swallow.

Three. A brief moment of relief washed over Ainsley as a commander delivered the news about Daphne Redmont's return. It was time someone had stepped in where Kaine had assumed he could command. Ainsley's words alone were not enough and so she was grateful that Daphne had returned in Maxim's absence. The Redmont family certainly needed a leader - one that would unite both the Brood and the Dynasty - and that was something that even the Witch could agree on.

Ainsley had left the confines of Sanctuary II to meet with the Huntress, the letter from Alasiah in her hand, wondering if Daphne had yet received or read her own copy. In any case, this was not a decision Ainsley could make as her hatred for the Bluefield family ran deep into ancient times and was not a feeling that would soften any time soon. Ainsley didn't mark herself as unwise in most matters, but this was one thing she was willing to admit her animosity would get in the way of making a decision which might be helpful.

When Ainsley finally reached her family, she found Daphne was not alone but with three others: Aldrick, Cassandra and Whitney Blaise - who had been the subject of Ainsley's first resurrection since awakening her own soul. It had been a success for the most part. Though the Witch could not return the girl to her entire former glory, Whitney still breathed and proved a valuable asset to a lineage which she was not even blood related. It was that honor that Ainsley admired in the girl.

Despite the gathering of some of the stronger Redmont family members, Ainsley was a little disappointed to see that Jass Strata had still not returned and wondered what had become of her. Having another powerful magic user in the family was something they needed and Ainsley was the only one available right now, having taken Lorelei's powers from her many months ago.

"Cassandra, Aldrick... it is good to see familiar faces rejoining our forces. And Lady Daphne, you are a sight that many of our family have longed to set their eyes upon. Welcome home - all of you," Ainsley said bowing ever so slightly. "There are many matters to attend to, I'm sure you might be aware of some of them."

Ainsley gestured to the alliance letter she held in her hand, holding it out to Daphne in case she had not received her copy. If memory served her correctly, Ainsley had heard the Daphne's own history with the Bluefields was not too sweet as well. How would the huntress react to Alasiah's otherwise sincere words?

"For too long we have waited for Maxim to return to us, and so with your lead Daphne, I say we find him first... before the Ravenholms do."

Had she been fighting she'd have stood down. However, she was being informative at least to her which was why there were no use of weapons in this. Instead her foot slid back to allow her to pivot towards the voice. Her gaze slid to the woman, a woman that was hauntingly familiar but Cass had little to do with.

The words stated lofted a blonde eyebrow but she was a soldier so she did what she was told by a supperior. Her hand remained on her hit and she remained as she was giving an abrupt nodding of her head. "Yes, Ma`am." She said in her usual nonsensical tone so as to show that no, she wasn't argueing or fighting the issue.

Her attention span didn't allow for to feel nagged or targetted or anything. When all was said and done she did go with the Lady of Redmonts. Brood and Dynasty never really mattered to her in the first place, it was just family and it's assorted ties to the hybrid. "You will have it all within the hour." She stated in her same business like tones.

Walking with the returned Huntress was a return to perhaps a bit of sanity to her. Too long there was chaos in the ranks, too long there was no real family just sparse crops that rise and fall. Seeing the old captain however made her smile rather widely.

There were few family members that Cass actually knew, and although Blaise was far from a family member, she was one in the hybrids mind and opinion. The recent events lately made this to Cassandra a good thing, for so long there was a division, perhaps this sudden surge in the Lady would bring an end to the moping if not all out whineyness that seemed to plague their family.

Blaise's question and Daphne's answer brought a rather large smile to her lips. Oh yes, this could be a good thing the female thought to herself. She would walk with them to where they went, stay and listen before gathering over a century of intelligence from spying and stealing from the Ravenholm empire. They were lazy at times which had made her unique way of doing things to work for her.

One hundred years between when she'd come and the rest of the family seemed to weigh on her a little bit. However, there was a lot of current information in her scrolls and files she had amassed in her trove. Things that could and would probably help against the Ravenholms. It was just a question of how it was going to be used, but oddly for once, she wasn't afraid with Daphne stepping to plate.

Maxim was another thing, she was dead set loyal to the male. Granted, he was a faint memory to her not one that was prominent in the slightest. Most the family were that way as she spent little time around the cousins.

As Ainsley joined them , a nod of her head was given and she shook her head. "Maxim's in trouble." She stated and into the cloak she reached and pulled out the most recent newspaper. The supposed attacks that accused Maxim with a shake of her head. "This isn't his style." She was quiet for the most part, she usually was anyways.

She had made her own plans as to the newspaper in the first place, but it was part of the reason, she'd decided to seek out the family in the first place. The time she'd spent on her own before the others had arived had made her less dependant on them, but she was making the effort, to well be part of the family.