Ransom of a different sort|Aegestrom, Maelstrom

[Kender Bard]

"Spice?" Lya repeated. She searched her memory and recalled, faintly, that the Veatherfall family had a toddler son. "Oh... Oh please, please let me look after him." The Queen had a desperate look on her face as she clasped her hands in supplication.

[Northen Light36]

Acqua and Amaro exchange surprised looks, but neither can see a reason to deny the Queen's request. "If you really want to, then of course," Amaro replies. "Acqua, go get him would you?" Acqua nods, glad for an excuse to get out before she gives into tempation and helps herself to some small trinket.

It doesn't take her long to return, carrying Spice carefully.

[Kender Bard]

Spice, red face and red eyed from long, unbroken crying, is momentarily quieted as he peers around the palace in awe. Lya's tormented expression melts into one of simple, motherly concern as she takes the boy from Acqua and cuddles him in her arms. "Hello, Spice. I'm Lya."

Spice, too tired to complain, promptly falls asleep.

At greater ease with a child in her arms, Lya rocks him gently. "Acqua, is there anyone in specific you'd like me to send you with?"

[Northen Light36]

Acqua shakes her head. She honestly doesn't know enough people in Talen'sul to have any preference as to who she goes with. "I don't mind," she replies quietly. Part of her is still half waiting for Lya to have her arrested and a cynical part of her mind is suggesting the Queen will probably wait until she's got no use left for Acqua.

[Kender Bard]

Lya nods and goes to fetch some of her stealthiest of wind warriors. She returns with six, and checks on Amaro to see if he's finished detailing all the locations to visit.

[Northen Light36]

Amaro's just writting the last location as Lya returns and he passes the list to her. "That's all the houses I know. Mathew may have brought more since I was disowned though."

The list is extensive, ranging from Ilyamen, to the edge of the River, to Maelstrom and even one that's practically in Talen'sul its self.

[Kender Bard]

Lya's stomach twists at the list. Wordlessly, she hands it off to one of her commanders. The Winds pour over the list, deciding who will be going where.

"Send me to one of the ones in Maelstrom," one young Wind remarks eagerly. "I've been there before."

Lya starts and looks more closely at the man. "Valen?"

Valen bows to the King and Queen. "It'll be my honor to serve you both again."

The Wind in charge of divvying the list up glances at Acqua. "Which one do you wish to go to?"

[Northen Light36]

Acqua thinks for a minute, torn between Maelstrom and Ilyamen. At last she replies, "I'll go to one of the Maelstorm ones."

[Kender Bard]

"You can go with Valen to Squallstorm," the head wind instructed, then handed the list back to Lya. She set it on her desk.

"Good luck, everyone," she said softly. "Come home quickly."

[Northen Light36]

Amaro and Acqua both nod then Amaro looks at his sister and Valen. "Are you both ready to go?" he asks.

"You know I am," Acqua replies, trying not to sound nervous.

[Kender Bard]

"Yes," Valen says assuredly. "We can leave immediately." Saluting his leaders, he turns and leaves.