Vanyel, sitting next to Savil, twists his hands together unhappily. :I don't know. It might not be possible to remove it safely without Her cooperation: 

:Is the Shadowgod potentially able to - negotiate with her about this -:

:It does not seem out of the question, but - I think we would need a clearer idea of what I am asking Them to negotiate for. Negotiating to remove the Heartstone would mean leaving a serious vulnerability in our defences, and also at this point in time it would not address our biggest difficulty, which is that we have a succession crisis on our hands: 

Pace pace. 

:They have convened a temporary replacement Council in Haven: he adds, finally. :We received word of this just minutes ago. They called a meeting and a vote and declared that they would not accept Treven as heir, due to his age. And–: he hesitates, his mindvoice actually faltering, for a moment his mindvoice something alien but not entirely unlike fear, :–and they are demanding that King Randale step down, since he lied about - Jisa - and this, apparently, make him unfit to be King: From the icy tones, it's clear what Rolan thinks of this. 

:Who's they, who's claiming the authority to do that?: she asks, pen stuttering on a note-to-self about whether the Shadowgod could buy the Heartstone and its influence off of the Star-Eyed somehow.

:A number of nobles, many of whom not even based in Haven who traveled in - it seems rather suspicious how many people conveniently heard particular versions of the rumours in a certain order. I am not sure that even the actual Council has legally recognized authority to do this once a monarch is in position, if the Senior Circle does not also agree, which one assumes they do not. However, they do have authority to refuse to accept an heir, in Treven's case, and...: 

Long hesitation. Rolan seems unsure how to phrase whatever he wants to say next. 

Leareth shuffles a little closer to Belrun, as though for comfort. :I do not like this at all: he sends privately. 

Belrun squeezes his hand. :Treven is very young but what are they proposing instead, democracy? Oligarchy with themselves conveniently on top?:

:I am not sure they had gotten as far as voting on a specific proposal, but - it does sound like there is a great deal of discontent about the Heraldic system. Honestly, a number of our aristocrats are not a fan of Heralds and how that reduces their own power in Valdemar, and - it was, coincidentally: his mindvoice makes it clear he doesn't think this is 'coincidence' at all, :it was disproportionately those nobles who were left in Haven or who heard the rumours and traveled in. They are claiming blatantly that both Vanyel and Randale's actions here, particularly following on the recent events with Vanyel's trial for blood-magic, indicate that the Heralds are not exactly incorruptible after all: 

:It wasn't anybody else's business because being ostensibly Randi's kid did not make her presumptive heir to the throne and they're being ridiculous!:

:I agree. They are being utterly ridiculous on that specific point. However, he also concealed his illness, which was relevant to the urgency of appointing an heir and also in general, and he concealed his inability to bear children, which they - not incorrectly - point out has the potential now to shatter our alliance with Karse. And they are convinced he concealed the blood-magic or at least was deeply irresponsible in sending Van into the conditions that led to it, which...is I think rather unfair, but they are on a tirade: 

:What a godawful mess: Amshalan mutters to Belrun. :Idiots: 

Amshalan is so right! She looks around at the Lords in attendance to see what their opinions are.

They are mostly looking very discombobulated! 

:Look, if this is what's going on, I - don't actually especially want to try to ram through staying King when half the nobles apparently hate me!: 

Rolan just paces. 

:If not you, and also not Treven - I mean, I guess there could be an election of a random Herald but if they're also calling the Heraldic system into question - I don't suppose how the Shadowgod feels about democracy came up, gods as a group have been against but there's seldom an opportunity to ask one specifically:

:I did not ask the Shadowgod about democracy specifically, however, I do not think it would be a good idea to attempt right now. It is too large a change, it would look very extreme: 

(It does look like all the nobles and some of the Heralds are shaking their heads, startled and disconcerted.) 

Rolan stops pacing. :I think - there may be a way to push through this that results in more stability afterward, rather than less. It is very difficult to see, the Foresight around it is blurred, but... Perhaps. We would have to move very decisively: 

:...what do you see?:

:I think - that we need to very decisively align with Leareth. I think that is what is in our country's best interests at this time. Especially if there continue to be gods - who are not even gods of Valdemar, not primarily: Rolan seems quietly enraged about this too, :who want to tear this kingdom apart: 

:I guess if you're worried about Karse turning, which would be sensible, yeah. Any guesses on other quarters to expect hassle from - Karse and Iftel, possibly the Tayledras but it'd be an MO change, is there a quiet Rethwellani or Hardornen or anything god to worry about -:

:Iftel belongs to Vkandis: Leareth jumps in. :In your place, I would be worried about simultaneous betrayals from both: 

Rolan does not visibly react. He's still, but he was already very still. 

:Iftel's hard to remember for magical reasons, I had to practice a lot:

Rolan nods, ponderously. This doesn't seem to be the main thing on his mind. 

He paces for another minute. Then stops, turns piercing blue eyes on Belrun. 

:I need to ask you a question. Did you, when you and Leareth came here, do so with the secret agenda to become Valdemar's Queen: 

:I have made idle and non-secret comments about that in the past but it wasn't an agenda item...: