:regina:
Painting. There was something so relaxing, calming, centering about it. It took her mind off of the toils of work, the demands of the Invictus, and allowed her to build wonder from nothing. The scene was coming along well. The waters looked perfect, the small stones had reached their peaks. And now came the levee. Each layer of paint a literal slice of the earth. She was containing it, controlling it, compelling it. She was the one in control. Layer by layer she built it up. Strength and power.

At layer 67, she was at the tipping point.

"YOU WILL NEVER PAINT AGAIN!" The words echoed in her mind. Did anyone actually say them aloud? or was it just the projected conciousness of a dozen vicious harpies ready to pounce. They fed off of each other like bleeding sharks. Struggling for food in a vicious, never ending cycle. But Sacramento had proved different. There were still failures, and still successes. But gone was the biterness and hatered. Gone was the century old-feud between houses. Gone was the incessant desire to see your fellow brought low. Perhaps it was best that Prince Clarke had left the Invictus. Now the covenant was pointed in a goal, to strive for more power, more power over other covenants, to become strong. They were many, but they were also quite weak. A lady, a Lord, and a Viscount was all that held the covenant together.

More would have to be done.

With great strength, she lifted the painting and laid it down flat on the wooden construct. Sheer genius by Nami, remarking about school children drawing in chalk what they saw. She returned to layer 68.

What must be done to make the covenant strong? She had a deal with Lord Culler, one that hopefully could turn into a very profitable arrangement. Madam Nidra might join as well, in their business building exercise. More Invictus were needed. Perhaps one of the new ones would become a Knight. And likely upon his graduation, she would receive her barnonship. But first, she had to get one student...