The Princess and the Blade

[Soran Nightblade]

Ren had finally begun to get over his horror at being thanked or served by a Yurivis. This was Tenara's way, and he preferred the princess to be exactly as she wished. However, going to her aunt's quarters in her current state seemed too obviously self-sacrificial for his comfort. The woman would almost certainly try to press his buttons, and seeing it could upset the princess further.

"Actually, perhaps I will have better chances if I ask her alone," he said. He gave the hem of her dress a gentle tug before standing up. "If I am permitted, then I will call for you."

[Emora Deen]

Tenara looked up at him, hesitating. She knew her aunt could be… overwhelming for most people. But, he seemed serious, and she had the amulet. They could talk to one another if he got uncomfortable, and she could come to his rescue.

“Okay,” she said, nodding. She was a little relieved she didn’t have to go out into the hall, now that she knew what those whispers were really about. “I’ll wait here. Take in the air.”

[Soran Nightblade]

Ren nodded, but stayed put. His green eyes were watching to see if there were any earthquakes still haunting hers. "I'll try not to be long," he finally said, and rose. He locked her door behind him as he let himself out.

Working for Vladimir Dracul had allowed him to become acquainted with the layout of the palace, and most of the staff were used to the sight of him walking the halls. He knew where to find Lelana's quarters, but he took a much longer route than necessary. Uncomfortable? Who, him?

When he began to risk passing the same maids twice, he finally wrapped up his sojourn and arrived at Lelana's chamber door. His pulse pounded in his ears, and he resisted the temptation to try to squeeze his headache out of his skull. "Lady Lelana?" he called at the door. He gave a weak knock to punctuate his call.

[Emora Deen]

A moment later the door swung open. Lelana stood on the otherside, loose-fitting dress hanging from her shoulders, a lace fan in her hand. Her hair was bound up messily on the top of her head. An annoyed look creased her brow, but immediately dissipated when she realized who was at her door.

"Oh, what a rare pleasure," she said, fanning herself a moment more. Her dark eyes swept over him, an ever present wicked glint to them. "Come in. Come in." She stepped aside, holding the door open wide. It was hard to tell the difference between a gesture of kindness and the mouth of a fly trap.

Lelana's room was opulent, if overstuffed with furniture. Where Tenara's room was rich, and finely decorated as a princesses should be, Lelana's was more bohemian, packed with large, intricate furniture of all different cultures. Lounges, a bed, chests, and tables, all littered with books and trinkets, glass vials, and gold incense diffusers. It smelled of spices, perfume, and bath oils.

"Don't worry, I won't bite unless you beg me to." She gave him a bright smile and snapped her fan closed, pointing it to one of the tufted chairs.

[Soran Nightblade]

Ren's eyes flared a bit at the idea of begging a female. "Your wishes are mine," he murmured on reflex before remembering such ritualized servitude was not the custom here. He dropped into the seat she had waved him toward as if drawn by a magnet and stretched his shoulders. "Thank you," he spoke softly. All thought of what he should be asking about fled his mind as he noticed the way she was fanning herself. "Are you overly warm, Yurivis?" he asked attentively, already planning how quickly he could go retrieve the ice from his room.

[Emora Deen]

"Not overly," she said, pushing the door closed with a careless shove. It slammed shut. "This side of the castle doesn't get as good of a breeze as yours. And, I had a rather spicy desert. Come on out, Baldar." At that moment, a shape emerged from Lelana's rumpled bed. One of the palace guards climbed out, naked and only slightly ashamed.

"I should go..." he said, eyeing Ren. He grabbed his clothes and tugged them on, then collected his discarded armor into his arms. He gave the alien a half nod and let himself out into the hall.

Lelana flopped into one of the chairs across form Ren, half lying to the side with one leg draped over the arm. She fanned herself, though this time it seemed more of a performance than a necessity. "What do I owe the honor of your visit? I thought I felt a vibration a moment ago, and not just because I was bouncing my way to oblivion. Everything alright?"

[Soran Nightblade]

The moment the other male rose from her bed, Ren bowed his horns further. A Yurivis had no reason to be ashamed of taking her males as she pleased, but he keenly remembered Kishva's disapproval when he came to her quarters unbidden.

This wasn't even his Yurivis, and yet he had thoughtlessly interrupted. But.... she didn't seem angry with him.

He jumped as the door slammed, but Lelana's question reminded him of the heinous treatment he'd just seen the Princess receive. A glitter of his short temper flashed in his eyes. "One of the Advisors confronted her in her own quarters with a cruel and disrespectful rumor," he seethed.

[Emora Deen]

Lelana stopped fanning, her gaze sharpening. "Oh? Do you know which one?" she asked, folding the fan and tapping her bare knee, where the dress had split at her thigh. "Is it one I might have heard? I've heard quite a few as of late. I do my best to... set the record straight when I can." But rumors at court spread faster than wildfires, and as soon as one is stamped down another, grotesque version appeared somewhere else. Rumors could be like steadily deteriorating hydra heads. Lelana, when she was young, had been the source of many, and now she directed her cultivated talents to ending them.

[Soran Nightblade]

Ren blinked. She could do something about the rumors? "It was Aram Hasim," he offered. Then he realized she had meant which rumor, not which advisor. "I... don't think you have heard it. If you had, I suspect Advisor Hasim would not have arrived at her chambers as able-bodied as he was," he huffed. "It is too hateful to repeat."

[Emora Deen]

Lelana stared at him as if she were reading his mind, and perhaps she was. Her magic had a way of getting into ones head and finding what she wanted. "Aram," she said. "Well, I will have to ask him what he's heard, and remind him of his manners." She tapped her knee again. "Is there another reason you graced my door? I know it isn't to tattle on Aram, is it?"

She stood, stepping around him and pouring two glasses of wine. She passed one to him. "How's that magic head of yours?"

[Soran Nightblade]

He accepted the wine respectfully and braced himself to make his request. "My memory has served some use while conducting my research. I think Master was right about the sisters returning to the Citadel, and I think I know where they will be when they get there." He swallowed his pulse. "I came to ask permission to send word to them."

[Emora Deen]

Lelana sipped her wine, standing over him with her nails clanking against the glass as she thought. "Master," she mused at the name given to the merchant. She reached out and trailed a sharp nail along Ren's angular jaw. "You miss him, don't you? Is this a ruse to hear his voice? What did you learn so far from there that would help him?" She pinched his chin, leaning down to look him in the eye, so close her lips could almost touch his. "You're not trying to trick me, are you, Renny?"

[Soran Nightblade]

Ren arched his neck nervously away from her lips. "I would not deceive you, Yurivis," he stammered. Heat darkened his cheekbones. "You need not give me the stone. If I could even just listen in," he suggested, somewhat desperately.

[Emora Deen]

Lelana sighed and straightened. She thought for another moment and then said, "I suppose it has been enough time." Lelana set her glass of wine down and went over to her desk. She rummaged through it, lifting papers, pushing around objects, and opening drawers. Finally she said, "Ah!" and clutched something small in her hand. She returned to Ren and admired him another minute. "Check on your master," she said. "I will allow you to take it so Tenara can speak to the other one. Maybe it will put her in better spirits—enough to join her family for dinner."

[Soran Nightblade]

Ren's features lit with relief. "Thank you. Thank you, Yurivis," he gushed. He knelt directly before her and offered his hands to accept the stone, no longer arching to get away. "She will be so thrilled," he smiled softly at the magical object.