Meeting of Royals

[Northen Light36]

"A very good point," Shadow murmurs, pacing the room as he thinks. Flash picks up his cue and begins listing arguements for Shadow.

"On one hand, the boy is only asking for a couple of people," he begins. "We could choose a couple of willing men, send them unoffically and deny all involvement."

"But on the other hand," Shadow counters, "gossip spreads as easily as breathing. No matter how much we denyed it, the truth would get out."

"True," agrees Flash and so the men go, bouncing ideas off each other for a few minutes. Then Shadow sighes and nods to himself.

"I think there's simply too much risk to the Kingdom and too little to gain," the King decided at last. "Not to mention, it's a short list of people who'd meet his requirements." Shadow glances at Flash who nods in agreement, knowing he'd be right at the top of it. "I think it will be best if I send the boy on his way," Shadow continued. "Possibly with a suggestion to consult the Mercenary guild. If they choose to work for him, it's no concern of ours."

[Kender Bard]

"What did he seem like?" Lya asked suddenly. She was intensely curious. "What was your impression of him?" The fact that they'd even entertained the notion, in her mind, meant that Shadow must have thought well enough about the boy.

Morilantan or no, the thought of sending two children out the door with only a guard to look after them worries her, and she can feel the tendrils of guilt seeping into her conscience.

[Northen Light36]

"The girl seemed, shy, and reserved," Shadow replies. "Although she clearly had enough pride to hate the fact they were having to ask for help. The boy, well, if I didn't know he was Morilantan, I wouldn't believe it. He gave the impression of being a sweet, brave child who hates the thought of what he's doing, but feels he has to. Honestly, he reminds me of Ann when she was younger."

Flash nods in agreement and adds, "Or Seafoam."

[Kender Bard]

Lya winced at that. Oh dear. This would be easier if he seemed as cutthroat as the rest of their people...

Salacia looked uneasy as well. "Truly?" she asked Flash, incredulous. "I find that... difficult to believe."

Lya moved to embrace her husband. "Is there nothing we can do?" she murmured quietly. "Perhaps see to it that they come to no harm in our borders at least..."

[Northen Light36]

"We can provide them with supplies and an escort through our kingdom," Shadow agrees, returning Lya's hug and rubbing her back comfortingly. "There's no harm in that."

"One's birthplace doesn't always determine how one grows up, dear," Flash remarks to Salacia.

[Kender Bard]

"That's true," Salacia agreed quietly, chastised. "It's just... I never would have expected their prince..." She trailed off with a small shrug.

"Thank you, love," Lya murmured and kissed Shadow. "Well, then, we'd best get to arranging that." She smiled and walked off to speak with one of the servants about supplies.

Luminous tried to sneak out of the room around the same time.

[Northen Light36]

Shadow walks off to arange an escort.

Flash, well aware of Luminous ability for mischief, happened to be watching the child and quickly picked her up. "A word of advice, little princess," he whispers in her ear. "You'll get away with more if you wait until no one is watching." Setting Lumi on the bed, Flash goes to do the paperwork that any sort of diplomatic visit always seems to require.

[Kender Bard]

Luminous laughed quietly as Flash set her down and waited patiently until the nearest servants also went to occupy themselves. Then she got up and trotted back out of the room, seeking out the guest room that the mysterious Morilantan prince was in.

"Do you think they'll help us?" Shyamal asked Arbiter as he sat down on the edge of the bed, chewing off the hunk of bread that had been brought to them as part of dinner. Fausta silently nibbled at some cheese and grapes.

[tuo]

Arbiter remained silent for a moment between sipping some water. "It seems doubtful they will give any direct help..however even if we could give them a good impression that will be something at least."

[Kender Bard]

"How can you say that?" Shyamal asked, despairing. "What good is an impression if we can't make Morilanta a good place for it to even matter?"

Luminous found the room and, to her luck, discovered the door wasn't completely latched. She opened it just a crack and peeked inside.

[tuo]

"We cannot expect to garner a great deal of support immediately. I know this is hard for you but we have only just begun. It will take time before we can gain any real trust." Arbiter responded, seemingly unaware of Luminous' spying.

[Kender Bard]

Shyamal made a frustrated sound. "What if nobody ever does, Arbiter? What if we're alone?"

Fausta swallowed the morsel she'd been chewing and murmured, "There is a spy at the door." Then she plucked another grape.

Luminous startled and tried to scurry away.

[tuo]

Arbiter turned to the door and called out. "You have nothing to fear child." He did not want to further startle whoever was out there.

[Kender Bard]

Luminous halted and, after a few moments, crept back cautiously, this time pushing open the door so she could be seen as well as see.

Shyamal blinked and smiled, but he looked somewhat surprised. "You must be Luminous."

"How'd you know?" Luminous asked, surprised as well.

Shyamal's smile grew. "Well, we've never met, but the last time I checked, you were handling much of Caelium's affairs. It was actually a bit of a surprise to see your father."

Luminous' eyes grew at that. "Wow! But I'm not in charge. I'm still just a princess."

"Aye," the boy agreed sheepishly. "It's nice to meet you though. I'm Shyamal."

"That's a strange name," Luminous commented.

Fausta scowled.

[tuo]

Arbiter gave a small smile and bowed his head respectfully. "This is princess Fausta." He says while gesturing an arm to Fausta. "It is a pleasure to meet with you."