Please leave quietly.|Mount Humontis

[Deleted]

Layla, followed by Gale and whatever small force she decided suited their visit slowly approached the lands of the Fey. She lead them in slowly, knowing the advanced guard probably knew who she was, but knew they would still stop her all the same. So she made no attempt to move too quickly to the 'front door.' Instead they walked at a slow pace waiting to be stopped.

[Kender Bard]

Sure enough, it took little time for the sentry feylings to step forward from their half-hidden posts to stand in the path. "You've entered Atarain, Milady. What is it that you wish of the fey?"

[Deleted]

Layla smiled, happy that she was at least recognized. "I would like to have an Audience with the Queen. "

[Kender Bard]

"We will summon her," the feylings assured her, one of them leaving with their sprite flying ahead while the other remained behind.

Not much longer afterwards, Atarai arrived with two faeries flanking her. She gave Layla her usual, serene look. "You summoned me?"

[Deleted]

"There is some business to discuss concerning the events in the Beastlands. The Scion would like to speak with you personally on the matter. I've come to extent that invitation." She smiled. It wasn't a lie, but she wasn't about to tell the Queen what the Scion wanted to talk about while standing right there on their turf.

[Kender Bard]

"Interesting," Atarai replied. "Very well. Bring her to the border of Atarain and I will speak with her there."

"No," Gale replied. "You'll come with us."

"Then I must decline the invitation," Atarai replied simply.

[Deleted]

Layla glanced at Gale, but refrained from asking the Commander to please be quiet.

"The Scion is getting well into her years, and travel doesn't much suit her anymore, you understand. May I ask as to why you decline?"

[Kender Bard]

"If we are going to play seniority, then I can assure you that I am much older," Atarai snorted quietly. "I do not wish to leave my sanctuary. You are aware of how uncomfortable I am around most humans, especially strange ones. Now is your Scion so old that she cannot step out of the mountain to my borders? It is not terribly far."

[Deleted]

Layla's face fell. "Honestly I wouldn't know, the Scion hasn't left the mountain in years due to her age. She travels from her home to her office and that is all. It was for that reason that I had though to request your presence there. It was a concern of safety for the Scion." Layla said, almost apologetically, not wanting to offend of come off pompous.

[Kender Bard]

Atarai thought about it in some silence. "First see if she can and is willing to come here," Atarai replied. "If that is not the case, then send a messenger and we will meet outside the entrance to your mountain. That is as far as I will go."

[Deleted]

Layla felt the distant urge to tell her what she could do with her demands, but it was distant, many years had to taught her firm control over such impulses.

"I will relay your concerns to the Scion and send word. Thank you." She replied simply, not really letting much of anything into her voice.

[Kender Bard]

"If that is all, then I will see you in the near future," Atarai answered simply with a slight bow of her head. "Soahc see you well, Milady."

[Deleted]

Without much else to say Layla turned on her heals and left.

Once outside the Faerie land she uttered a curse under her breath and looked more than a little frustrated as they made their way back into Humontis.

[Kender Bard]

Once the dance of messengers had made several rounds, it became clear that the Scion was more than willing to meet with the Faerie Queen at the designated spot. She permitted Layla to come along.

Atarai had taken the time to gather her two favored 'advisers' as well. Flanked by her Mind and Darcy, she bowed her head graciously to Sara. The Scion returned the gesture in kind.

"To what do I owe this visit?" Atarai inquired.

"I wish to know more of you and your kind," the Scion explained. "I am led to understand that you enslave humans that have become part faerie. Is this true?"

Atarai heaved a sigh. "Again with the enslavement. You humans are deeply hung up on that concept. All of my feylings have taken an oath of loyalty in order to remain here with me and my kind."

[Deleted]

Layla shifted a little uncomfortable all of a sudden. "It's a concept we take very seriously." She interjected into the conversation her voice calm and collective. She didn't want to say to much too quickly, and certainly didn't want to step on the Scion's Authority.