Impeccable Timing|Skyheort, Talen'sul

[Kender Bard]

Salacia was moseying about the house, cleaning up a little and doing other motherly chores; though admittedly, she was only half capable of doing them. Cleaning was a servant's chore, and she could only do the most simple of things. But it kept her busy.

There was a commotion going on at the gates, which caught her interest. She called out to no one in particular, "What do you suppose is going on out there?"

[Northen Light36]

"I'm not sure," Flash replies, looking up from where he'd been cleaning up the kitchen with Saph. Both men have a tired look about them, Flash because he's been staying out late to try and gather evidence against Beesebury and Saph because, with Flash's help, he's been trying to undo the effects of his neglect on Talen'sul.

"Let's go see," Saph suggests, already heading out the door.

[Kender Bard]

Salacia drops the rag she was holding and hastens out with them.

The spectacle at the gates is certainly enough to warrant the stir. Queen Lya was riding in, looking as haggard as can be, slumped forward on her horse a bit. Salacia gives a little gasp of horror and works to get up close to her, pushing and shoving where necessary. "Lya!"

Lya's head jerks up, and she asks, "Salacia...?"

"What in Love's name are you doing here?!" the woman asked crossly. "You should be at home, in bed, being pampered!"

"I-" Lya started to say, but Salacia shook her head.

"No, no, tell me in private," she urged, knowing that it was probably something very important. "Damn crazy woman!"

Some people stared at Salacia in astonishment, seeing only some outsider calling their Queen names.

[Northen Light36]

"Lya!" Saph and Flash both shout together, running forward to help Lya off her horse.

"What are?" Flash begins, then trails off. "No, Salacia's right. Inside, now. Saph, go fix Lya something to eat and drink. Lya, lean on me. We're getting you into a warm bed right away, then you are going to tell me what in Naruta was so important to have you dashing out here." Not waiting for Lya to agree or disagree, Flash half-leads, half-carries Lya into Saph's house and into his room, biding her to rest on the bed.

[Kender Bard]

Salacia starts to go after, but sees the puzzled and frightened looks of the people. While the boys take care of the Queen, she stops to concoct a story for them all to soothe their fears. Something about Lya needing to be with the people. It was very ambiguous and would keep them wondering until she could get more information. That done, she hurried inside.

By this time, Lya was in bed. Salacia didn't like the pale look the other woman had. She pulled up a chair and pat her hand gently.

"It must have been important," Salacia cooed to Lya, who nodded, and propped herself up better.

"It is," she sighed. "The people want me to make Beesebury the liege lord. I'm here to stall for time while Shadow thinks of some way to solve this problem."

[Northen Light36]

"How about the fact I'm nearly certain that Beesebury is responsible for Laura's disappearence?" Flash asks, his eyes snapping angrily. Saph whirls on his brother.

"WHAT?!" he bellows. "You didn't tell me that."

"Because I didn't, and still don't, want you rushing off and doing something stupid," Flash replies calmly.

[Kender Bard]

Lya blinks at the news and starts to get up again. Salacia pushes her back down.

"You can't tell me something like that and not expect me to do something about it," Lya remarks angrilly. "If Beesebury knows that I'm onto him now, perhaps he will drop this ruse and I can get some information."

[Northen Light36]

"You need to rest," Flash replies firmly. "But with your permission, I can take some guards and have Beesebury arrested on suspision of treason. Then he can be brought to you for questioning, if you wish Lya. But your health must come first."

[Kender Bard]

Lya almost agrees, but Salacia holds up a finger and frowns at Flash. "I'm not sure how things are done here, but at home, we need substantial proof before charging someone with treason. What proof can you offer?"

[Northen Light36]

"Enough that we can at least bring him in for questioning," Flash replies, not admitting there isn't enough to actually imprison Beesebury. "I know Beesebury spoke to a Storm noble before Laura disappeared and that a large number of weapons were sent south, but Beesebury never seemed to recive payment."

"Do we want know how you got all that?" Saph asks dryly.

"Servants will talk... for the right amount of copper," Flash replies. "Among... other sources."

[Kender Bard]

"That's enough to question him, but given he is a noble who is well loved it seems, you certainly aren't going to go busting in there with guards," Salacia reprimands. "You'll invite him to a stately dinner. And on TOP of things, given that he is a noble of Talen'sul and not Maelstrom, there would be a lot of resentment if you questioned him and not the Queen. After all, she's here, why not her? I mean, I know why not, but those are the things nobles ask."

Lya looked at Salacia, full of awe.

[Northen Light36]

Saph starts to scowl, but Flash sighes. "Salacia's right," he tells his brother. "Come on Saph, the last thing we want is this ba- traitor to get away because we let our tempers get the better of us." Saph still doesn't look happy, but he nods sharply and stalks off. Flash watches him go, rubbing his temples. "He'll be all right..."

[Kender Bard]

"That's good," Lya remarks, starting to get up. She gave a sharp, involuntary gasp, and sat back down. Salacia frowned, giving her a sideways look.

"Lya...?"

"'m okay," she mumbled, and got up again after a minute, more slowly. "I hate being abed when important events are taking place. Please don't force me."

[Northen Light36]

Flash sighes. "Fine, but I don't want you to strain yourself. Come sit by the fire and I'll get us all a warm drink. Then we can work on getting Beesebury here."

[Kender Bard]

"I wonder how I'm going to stall," Lya murmured, getting up and heading to the other room.

"We'll think of something," Salacia promised.

"Goo-ahh!" Lya cringed again, and braced herself against a chair. Salacia narrowed her eyes.

"Flash," she said evenly. "Fetch a midwife or a healer, whichever is closer."