Tea, Discussion, Schemes

[Kender Bard]

Fausta was pleased to be in the palace; it was her true home, after all. The place was largely unchanged as well, save for decor and furniture, here and there. She walked the halls, fingertips brushing the walls as she retraced her steps from shadowy memories, pausing here and there as she drowned herself in memory.

She couldn't linger long, however. She was due to have tea with the emperor. No doubt the empress would be arranging something similar with her brother. She did not envy the woman that afternoon. Smirking to herself, she turned about and began to make her way to the appointed meeting spot.

[Devon]

Saul had arranged for them to meet in a private room,it was more of a lounge room than a proper place to hold a meeting and Saul in turn was looked very relaxed when she came in. Lightly twirling a glass of dark wine in his hand he motioned for her to have a seat. "Welcome Lady Adaez, have a seat please," he said.

[Kender Bard]

Fausta settled herself across from him, smiling at him sweetly. It wasn't the overly eager smile of a sycophant nor was it at all sarcastic. "My lord, great Emperor, it is a great pleasure to have your company even for a short while. I have no doubts that your schedule is cramped enough as it is. And I'd like to again thank you on behalf of my parents for taking myself and my brother under your sheltering wing."

[Devon]

"Your words flatter me," he said with a small smirk. "And you're welcome, this was beneficial to myself and your parents so it was a logical choice for me to make," he explained. Saul sipped his wine, taking a moment to enjoy it. "Would you like a glass? I wanted to start off by letting you ask any questions you may have of me."

[Kender Bard]

Fausta nodded at the offer of a glass. "Empress Anarchy has done little in the way of giving me direction. I presume she's allowing me to settle in, which is a kindness on her part. However, I was wondering if there was anything in particular you would have me do."

[Devon]

Saul poured her a tall glass and handed it to her, holding his own up in a toast. "Drink up, you're with the Emperor after all," he said with a coy smile. "Hm what do I want? For now I want you to serve as an ear for my wife, people will be guarded around you, but not so much that something won't slip. To me information is more important in battle than simple pawns to fight. I want to know what the people are saying," he told her.

[Kender Bard]

Fausta raised her own glass and sipped a small amount. "I think you'll find me excellent at picking up things when necessary. I have two ears in fact--and I can dedicate a full one to you if you feel the need. My brother, poor thing, isn't quite as skilled at listening as I am."

[Devon]

"That is good to know, people don't take in to account the power of information," he says sipping his wine. "So I'll have you listen out for the Empress and I, come now you must have more questions of me. You're going to be working very closely with the Empress and I it is a rare opportunity."

[Kender Bard]

"Well, yes, on that note..." Fausta studied Saul over the lip of her glass. "I suppose that natural question to follow is why the sudden interest in House Adaez... or if not our House completely, why my brother and I?"

[Devon]

"Strategy," Saul answered simply. Sipping his wine he went into further explanation, "Your parents are doing a long and dangerous job for me. Making you and your brother my wards secures your household while they are away and it ensures they do the job well."

[Kender Bard]

"Allow me to be a little more blunt," Fausta pressed. "Why do you care if House Adaez survives? After all, it's House Delroy who are our patrons. Isn't watching out for us more their job?"

[Devon]

"Its the nature of your parent's job," Saul answered. "If they succeed my enemies are going to be dealt a heavy blow and if they fail your family will be dealt with heavily. I didn't go to the Delroys, they don't concern me right now."

[Kender Bard]

That wasn't really an answer. Unless he just meant her parents were superior... In which case she agreed. "They won't fail," she said proudly.

[Devon]

"Good to see you have some confidence in your family," he said, pouring her some more wine. "Is your brother as cordial as you are?"

[Kender Bard]

Fausta looked at her wine but didn't sip more of it, disinclined to. "My brother knows how to display proper manners," she replied, disdain thick in her voice, "but he's not half the proper noble that I am. He has his uses. Obviously. He's still around isn't he?" She smirked.