[Filter: Private]

Anita is certainly not any competition for a spymaster, yet, Eli, dear. I've been deconstructing you and your father for years, and after that, a nervous girl is hardly challenging quarry. Her trail was embarrasingly obvious for anyone who knew how to follow it.

I don't know why a young squire-knight sworn to her father would need such a sum of money, but I don't particularly care, either. What matters is that I know that he all but took money from the family he's sworn to protect, and that makes him useful.

You do have wise bannermen, Eliza. Lord Niall agreed readily when I suggested with the utmost innocence that a few of his contingent be sent with his daughter, for protection, and to make a statement. She's piqued my interest, after all, and that makes her no longer a liability to be sent off to Allba and then ignored. Now, she needed to be cultivated and guarded, in the chance that I should choose to make her Lady of the West. Despite his ... eccentricities, Lord Niall sees that clearly enough. Very wise.

Of course, he didn't question when I suggested Sir Harold in particular. Wise, perhaps, but not clever.

That's simply life for you and I, isn't it, Eliza? More cunning than anyone else. It's almost boring, sometimes, how easy they all are to use.

[Filter: Private]

Now, would you look at this, Eliza? The field mouse with butterfly wings may have a mind worth appreciating buried somewhere, after all.

Of course, she is lacking in subtlety. I suspect by her age, you had this sort of subterfuge perfected, and would never be caught in such a clumsy lie.

[Filter: Anita]

Now, my dear, let it be known before I write another word that I am not making accusations. I'm just terribly curious.

You see, your father came to me today and thanked me generously for suggesting to you that you ask him for money to purchase a gift to give to Lady Eliza on behalf of House Vernhail. He thought it was a splendid idea, and I would certainly agree with that, so there's no argument there.

My contention really comes more from the fact that actually I never suggested any such thing.

[Filter: Private]

It's a shame you're leaving in the forseeable future, Lord Niall, for I will truly miss you.

In so many ways, I'm a performer. An artist! And every artist truly apprecaites a rapt audience who truly understands the nature of the art more than anything else. I don't know how I can go back to just playing to a house full of clueless idiots.

But I suppose I'll be in Temair soon enough.

[Filter: Anita]

My dear, would you like to deliver a message to your father for me?

Now, Lady Anita, allow me to just say that you look like a cat exposed to a particularly impressive flavour of catnip. I don't think I've ever seen you quite so full of energy. I take it that your day is going quite well, thus far?

Now, I know you're enjoying those chocolates your sister got for you, but please, don't completely spoil your appetite. I invited your family to dine with me and Eara at the townhouse this evening, and it's going to be a tight squeeze fitting all the food my cooks are whipping up in without spoiling your appetite!

Ah, and of course, allow me to add my voice to the impressive chorus of those crying "a wonderful Festival to everyone far and abroad." It would seem that my until-most-recent companions, especially, have found a unique way of spending the holiday.

[Filter: Private]

Your bannerman is desperate to ask me a question, Eli. It's really quite amusing, you should see his face!

He sees me hovering over his daughter, the clothes I've given her, how she looks at me, and the looks that I return to her. I have to admit, it does make me chuckle to play it all up a bit, to see how closely to the edge he'll allow me to walk.

It unnerves him, this old man with such a bawdy reputation and such ugly rumours floating about him, holding his daughter's beating heart in his hand. He isn't sure if he likes it. But he can't bring himself to make a scene of it, or even to protest at all. One of his youngest children, the silly little dreamer, suddenly having a shot at a better marriage than even his heir could hope for? How could he possibly protest that?

Personally, I can't see how he has any say! He did send poor, sweet Anita off to Allba, where she was thoroughly miserable. Doesn't that cause him to write off a few rights? That seems quite fair to me.

I expect he'll give her some well-meaning cautionary tale about me, to teach her to guard her heart. Of course, that will only serve to make her bold in defiance. That's what all women live for, after all, to prove something to their fathers.

Why, it's what you live for, isn't it, my love?

[Filter: Public]

Now, Eliza, I certainly hope that you're not terribly upset with me, but I'm afraid I've done something you may find entirely untoward!

[Filter: Private]

I truly cannot wait to see Temair, Eliza. Your company always thrills me, and this time, you won't have anywhere to run to when my smiles and charms start to crawl beneath your skin.

Nowhere but the privacy of your personal quarters, but believe me, I care about you enough to follow you there. All the way to your marriage bed, if neccessary.

As soon as Anita's family grows tired of Eblar, we'll be on our way. I promise, it won't be long, now.

[Filter: Anita]

It occurs to me that I've simply been taking your joy as a given, and haven't taken the time to ask after the spirits of my dear ward.

Tell me, Anita, are you enjoying being in the presence of your family, once again?

Ah, Dragons, every year that number just keeps ticking higher, now doesn't it? Just yesterday, I distinctly remember being twenty-one years old and freshly married! The whole world was ahead of me!

And now look at how positively ancient I am. Birthdays are less a cause for celebration than mourning. I can just see it, soon I'll have lines in my handsome face and then my hair will turn grey and I'll walk with a stoop and then it's all just a long sad shuffle towards and open grave.

Thirty-two. I'm practically a grandfather already. How am I ever going to comfort myself from this sad fate?

[Filter: Private]

Well, well, I suppose the time must be coming for Anita and I to consider our own departure. Not to actually leave, most certainly. Not with her family coming, and her so sweet and eager. But to begin making plans, I think.

The question is whether or not to go home. Surely they're in need of me there, and it's been so long since I've got my arthmatic that I rather miss it all.

But when opportunity knocks ...

Why, it's never unwise not to open the door, is it, Eliza, my dear?

[Filter: Public]

Why, lately, Eara's been talking about much she misses her dear playmate Ethan. It surprises me, to be perfectly honest. I thought that she'd have forgotten all about him, by now, but she never fails to amaze me with her sponge-like little memory.

[Filter: Lord Hasten]

Ah, yes, Miss Rebekah. She's apparently quite good. I'm surprised it took you so long to recover, in her care!

Why, what an unfamiliar sight this is! If it isn't Lord Hasten, finally gracing this gathering with his presence.

I take it you're finally feeling above the weather, my lord? How thrilling!

[Filter: Lord Hasten]

Why did you do it?

[Filter: Private]

Why is it that would remain just outside of my grasp? What exactly is it that I'm doing wrong? You're intrigued. You're fascinated. It's in your eyes, the way you hold yourself. What is holding you back?

Give in.

[Filter: Public]

Eara is utterly enchanted with Eblar. It's quite made up, in her eyes, for the fact that her father was too busy for her birthday this year, which is becoming a really terrible trend! I need to stop it, really, she's going to come to hate me. But the magic of it all is like a dream to her, and she does love her room in our townhouse.

And so, Lady Anita, what have you thought of your first days in here?

[Filter: Private]

I suppose you have been away from your city too long, Eliza, my dear. If you actually gave in and spent more time with me as I requested, I might have lost interest in you.

Yes, you would have become just another pathetic woman.

But you're every bit your father's son, aren't you?

[Filter: Public]

My sweet Lady Anita! Do tell me. I've heard so many reports from the road coming here and there and everywhere, but absolutely nothing from my very favourite women in all Dentoria. How are you and Eara coming along? Can I expect to see you soon?

You're both missing out on quite a celebration, let me say!

[Filter: Lord Hasten]

You lap up attention, don't you?

I've been watching, you see! You're slightly uncomfortable with the need to be social and diplomatic -- perhaps more than slightly, even. I can see you sweating from half a room away. But the admiring eyes please you and you're especially happy when they look at you from afar and you merely have to pose with your stoic Northern face carefully etched in stone.

[Filter: Anita]

I do apologize for being so late in addressing you directly, my dear, but you can't possibly imagine just what a whirl of activity it is here in Eblar.

[Filter: Eliza]

Now.

Are all of your last, niggling doubts about Her Highness finally put to rest?

[Filter: Private]

Now, now.

I suppose that does answer some questions. Really, Lord Hasten! I always knew that you were hiding something, but this? I never expected.

But really, have no fear. I would never breathe a word.

Unless, of course, you make me.

We'll talk about this when you're healing a bit. Feeling up to writing. I think journals would be ... appropriate, don't you?

[Filter: Lady Anita]

Well, my lady, I have the most astoundingly good news for you.

[Filter: Private]

What are you waiting for, Lord Hasten? We're sitting in the most sensitive place in the world we could be, right now, waiting for a signal from you, a signal that isn't coming.

Will it come? Or have you called us to our deaths here.

I've always known there was something you've been hiding. I always thought it was something harmless, considered you a comrade in arms, but now I begin to suspect that it's more than that.

Don't prove me right. All of this is riding on you.

[Filter: Lord Hasten, Lord Glenn, Lord Kiefer, Lady Eliza, Lady Mariana]

All of this waiting is accomplishing nothing. The men are becoming bored and complacent. It seems fair to assume that if the bandits are coming, they're taking their time. We should be able to prepare.

I suggest we assign four scouting parties, one for each of us Lords. Small, lightly armed, moveable. We'll take one out a day a search the area to the North, seeing if we can catch a glimpse of the enemy approaching. Something harmless for the men to do, as well as giving us a warning if they are, in fact, on their way.

[Filter: Lord Hasten, Lady Mariana, Lady Eliza, Lord Kiefer, Lord Glenn]

Can I hope that you've calmed down now, my lord?

[Filter: Lord Hasten, Lady Eliza, Lady Mariana]

Lady Eliza and I have secured the might of House Rowan. A portion of it, at least, but Lord Morgan was very helpful when it became clear how dire the situation was.

Not that we've given full details. I still think its best to keep this quiet until absolutely neccessary.

Can I hope the two of you have had similar success?

We've also heard nothing from the Princess ... normally I'd say no news is good news, but in this case ...

[Filter: Princess Seraphine, Lord Hasten, Lady Eliza, Lady Mariana]

Lady Eliza and I think that we've managed to agree upon a suitable plan of action. She's been terribly hard to work with, let me just say! Eli, dear, you have no sense of showmanship.

The short version, because I don't feel like writing it all out when I'm spent all day, after many other days, talking about it:

We leave for Eblar on the 9th.
As we leave, a small note will be sent to Eblar informing the King that we believe we have found the Princess Seraphine and will be presenting her to him in due course.
A large company of guards and three carriages carrying the five of us shall be moving in a company.
Every security precaution will be observed.
There will not be a grand parade or anything of the like when we reach Lucre, just a quiet meeting arranged with the King so that he can see her himself and decide his own path from there. To my eternal chagrin.

I trust there are no arguments with this arrangement?