Late messenger

[tuo]

A man riding a horse and wearing the colors of a Morilantian messenger approaches Anarlina towards the palace. Any who get a close look at him notice he has some dried blood caked on his forehead and his uniform looks ragged.

[Kender Bard]

While no Morilantan was truly tolerated, the messengers were given amnesty. The man was pointed coldly towards the palace where his horse was taken. A guard, following him, sternly told him to stay outside of the palace where he could be watched.

"The King is occupied," a servant informed the messenger. "I will fetch the Queen." He turned and hurried off to find Dusk.

[Darastrix]

Dusk was found in the royal nursery, tending to her son. Availability of nannies or no, Dusk preferred to spend time with Sunlight whenever she could, much as her own parents had done with her and Midnight. When the servant found her, she looked up at the man from the cushion she was seated on, Sunlight in her lap. "Yes?"

[Kender Bard]

The servant bowed low. "Majesty, there is a messenger here from Morilanta. I was unable to locate the King or Lord Twilight. If you are indisposed I can inform the messenger to leave the borders until the morrow or another day to your liking."

[Darastrix]

Dusk frowned at that. 'I can well imagine what this concerns,' she thought, rising to place Sunlight in his crib.

"I am not indisposed," she said. "Show me to this messenger." May as well get it over with. The sooner the message was received, the sooner he would be out of their lands.

[Kender Bard]

The servant nodded, leading Dusk outside. The guard was still watching the messenger with grim determination, his sword at the ready. At Dusk's approach, two more guards came to keep the messenger partially surrounded. Nobody dared to take a chance with a Morilantan.

"Speak your message," one guard ordered curtly.

[tuo]

The messenger straightened proudly before lowering his head to Dusk in mock respect. "I bring a message to the Royal Family of Anarlina that High Priestess Rajani has passed away. In accordance to tradition, Imperator Nissar and High Priest Bastion calls for a meeting in Ilyamen." He relays in a practiced tone even as he sways tiredly on his feet. "What response can I carry back to my masters?"

[Darastrix]

Dusk was silent as she thought quickly ahead. The current month would be impossible. Snow and Emerald were both away, as was Midnight. Spring was too distant, considering the matter.

"The first week of Nox," she said decisively. They would all be home by that point, and their Efilive celebrations wouldn't need to be put on hold for the sake of Morilanta. "We will meet with your masters then."

[tuo]

The messenger gave a brief nod. "Return my horse to me so I may deliver my last message."

[Kender Bard]

The guard did so - added was a tiny package of food to ensure the messenger would have adequate amount to return his message. "Go," the guard ordered gruffly.

[tuo]

The messenger accepts the package and mounts the horse before riding off quickly to relay the message.