Edward
Lord Robert Cromwell
Zahrada Keep, gates.

The sun was just setting as Lord Cromwell finally arrived at the capital. His horse trotting through the streets slowly as his retinue of five followed closely. All lightly armed and armored for the hasty journey. Robert had never been to Zahrada, never feeling the need to. Queen Anyanka had accepted fealty via letter and had conferred him his lordship via letter as well. Which resulted in him and his brother being surprised when they'd received Queen Anya's summons to the capital for something. The lord had been thinking of what it could be since he'd read the short letter. His brother had been more vocal. 

"She must be asking you to join for a council as a nearby lord. Or for some sort of confirmation of oaths. I doubt Queens just ask people to come to their castles for tea." His brother had told him.

"Doesn't matter, I best not refuse. You're in charge while I'm gone." Robert told his younger brother, James. 

With that Robert had left, rather hastily. Truthfully, it was nice for Robert to be out of the capital. He wasn't fond of being a lord, as much as his people loved him, and he them, but listening and resolving every dispute about a pig was enough to make him resent his people, or rather, their pettiness. 

Robert was stopped by the guards to Zahrada's keep, asking him to state his business. 

"I'm Lord Cromwell, Lord of Sonder. I was summoned by her grace." He said, handing the letter over. The guard nodded and they allowed the small party into the courtyard.

They slow trotted in and a runner was sent to inform the queen that Lord Cromwell had arrived. Robert dismounted and a stable hand appeared to take the horses. The rest of his men joined Robert on the ground while stable hands took the six horses. 

"Stay out here." He told them before going into the main hall to await further instruction.
Joseph
Anyanka Durkhan
Zahrada Keep, Queen's Study - Astoria

The day had gotten away from her. She'd woken as usual, but the warmth of the day had started early, and she found it almost unbearable to be out in the heat. So she'd taken to her office, with all the windows open to keep it from being stifling, and opted into spending her day finishing orders for the new fleet. Reports on progress has started to come in, including the request for more timber which called for further incisions into the Audeamus. 

She'd lost herself into the parchment, only looking up when a servant had brought her lunch. Stopping to eat, the warmth hit her once more, and the Queen pushed the meal from before her. She wasn't hungry anyway, and with the way things had been in Zahrada lately, she doubted anyone would attempt to scold her for a missed meal. Dayveth was who-knows-where, off on another one of his escapades, and The Staffords had lost their patriarch to some dispute in a holding. He would be gone for another week or so at least, leaving Angelica in charge of her normal duties, lordship duties, and motherly duties for the time being. 

Anya hadn't seen a friendly face since she'd retrieved Mikhail from North Shore.

Since she'd already taken the pause in her work, the woman took the opportunity to go and change. It was a difficult task to find something in her wardrobe that didn't boast the typical jewel tones she preferred, but the heat wasn't going to take pity on her for the sake of a color preference. She found a thin cotton dress, a light blue that implied it had actually belonged to Angelica at one point, and changed. It made her hair look absurdly red in contrast, but she didn't intend visitors, so she had no issue with it. 

More hours passed before a servant knocked on the door to her office once more, and Anya looked up, only then realizing how dim the light had gotten. 

"Lord Cromwell has arrived, your grace." 

She nodded. "Send him this way. Has there been a call for supper yet?" She questioned, also now noticing her hunger. 

"About an hour ago, your grace. Shall I have something made fresh?" The lithe woman was newer, and Anya shook her head. 

"Pass it over a fire twice and bring two settings, one for myself and Lord Cromwell. We'll take it here." She nodded to the table beneath the window, and went back to finishing her notes before the man would enter.
Edward
Lord Robert Cromwell
Zahrada Keep

At Anya's whim, Lord Cromwell was found and brought to the study. The girl knocked, then openned the door for the lord, allowing him to enter. Lord Robert Cromwell was only slightly above average height, shorter than Lord Stafford. But of a similar build otherwise. He had broad shoulders and a lean build. The image of a soldier. His face was angular with a roughness to it, on his chin was trimmed beard the same color as his dark iron colored hair, that had begun the turn from black to grey, the greyness more prominent on the sides of his hair while the top still maintained a darkness. His eyes were darker blue-grey, a calm thoughtful look to them. The Lord knelt when he entered the room. 

"Your grace, an honor to be summoned here." He said, as if he'd been practicing courtesies his whole life. Though kneeling didn't look good on him, he was rigid and stiff. It lacked the fluidity most nobles had when kneeling. He remained knelt until told to rise.
Joseph
Anyanka Durkhan 
Zahrada, Astoria

A knock sounded again, just as Anya was finishing the last line on the parchment. Her pen paused, and she looked up to see the Lord and servant enter. He immediately took a knee, and she couldn't help the small smile. Thankfully he didn't see it, and she nodded to the servant, dismissing her to finish her task of having a meal brought up for them. 

"You may rise, Lord Cromwell." She told him, returning her pen to the parchment to sign her name at the bottom. "And no, not quite an honor to be summoned from your home on short notice, but I appreciate the implication." She added, that small smile from before in her voice as she held her page up, letting the heat of the candle dry the ink before she folded it twice and added it to her pile. 

"The woman who escorted you a moment ago, Emma, will be back shortly with supper for us both." Anya spoke as she worked, barely lifting her head. She'd not expected him to arrive so quickly, her letter had only been sent out this morning, and she was in a mindset that she knew would leave unfinished work if she didn't complete it now. "You'll pardon me for not stopping my work until she's returned, these are a bit time sensitive and I'd like her to leave with them. But please, tell me about your trip, I hope it was well?" She asked, genuinely interested in the state of Sonder. It was closer to the coast, and was probably seeing some lovely weather off Lake Fey.
Edward
Lord Robert Cromwell
Zahrada Keep

Robert rose slowly and stepped near the desk. Though, he didn't take the liberty of taking a seat as he wasn't quite told to. This being the first time he was meeting the queen, he didn't want to start taking liberties and offend her by accident. "I truly do not mind. Being Lord of Sonder is the honor of my life, but it's nice to get away sometimes." That was partially true, defending Sonder and being honored for it was an honor. Being Lord was a more a hassle, which is why his brother did most of the administrating while Robert made decisions. 

"Thank you, your grace, and if wouldn't be any trouble, would my guards have access to something to eat? I brought five just in case I had trouble on the road. Thankfully, there was none, the ride was rather pleasant." He stated.
Joseph
Anyanka Durkhan 
Zahrada, Astoria

He was humble, she could hear it in his voice even without looking at him. "Of course, you all will be provided with lodging and comforts, I don't expect them to linger in the humidity, it's been just awful tonight, hm?" She mused, and finished sealing the last letter before finally looking up at him. She hadn't gotten a good look before, but with him standing less than three feet before her he was too close to ignore. 

He was handsome, in that way age seemed to grant men, and she moved her eyes over his features without hiding it. 

"Have they been escorted inside, or not yet?" She added after a moment, moving to stand. Her chair made a soft scraping sound as she moved, and she migrated to the window. From it, she could see the men still outside. Just then, another knock sounded, and her hum of approval had the door opening to three servants, Emma included. One set the table with plates of warmed meat and vegetables while another poured wine and waters for both. It wasn't elaborate, and she didn't intend it to read as romantic either, despite the intimacy of the small table. Emma passed an envelope to Anya, who redirected her to the stack of letters she'd just finished. 

"Thank you. Those need to be sent out tonight, tomorrow morning at the latest if the riders are already dispatched. Please personally see to it that Lord Cromwell's men are offered dinner and rooms. We won't need further service, enjoy the rest of your night." The Queen saw them off, and moved to close the door behind them all. 

"Please, have a seat, Lord Cromwell."
Edward
Lord Robert Cromwell
Zahrada Keep

Did as he was bid and sat in his chair. "Thank you, your grace." He said, looking at her in a similar way she did him. Though his look was quick and didn't linger, as he didn't want to appear to be staring at the queen. She was as beautiful as he'd been told, an intruding thought said. He then shoved the thought out and waited for the queen to take her seat before he sipped the wine to taste it. 

"So, your grace, I am assuming you summoned me here for more than dinner?" He asked, deciding to get the conversation rolling. Preferring to talk over a meal.
Joseph
Anyanka Durkhan
Zahrada Keep

They were seated, and he questioned her over a sip of wine. The woman nodded, her hand sweeping over her neck to summon her hair as she moved it over her other shoulder, shifting a bit in her chair. It was much more comfortable than the one she'd been in all day, but if she was honest she was itching to stretch her legs a bit. 

"I did." She agreed simply. "I'm aware you've held your lordship position in Sonder for about a year now, and from all reports things seem to be doing well under your leadership." She paused, moving to take a bite from her plate. It wasn't as warm as it would have been fresh, but it was the perfect temperature to keep with the heat of the day that still lingered even hours after the sun had disappeared. "However," She added, and reached for her glass. "I'm told you've got a brother of reasonable age who could take that lordship from you without much hassle in transition. And I'm in need of a new Head Knight."
Edward
Lord Robert Cromwell
Zahrada Keep

Nodded, taking a bite and chewing quietly. Hiding his surprise through the quiet chewing as thoughts raced through his head. 

The lord swallowed. 

"You're asking me to be your Head Knight?" He said, his voice didn't betray his surprise, but she could tell he wans't expecting it by the way his eyes widened. "This is unexpected, your grace... It'd be an honor. My brother is more than capable of being lord of Sonder while I serve you."
Joseph
Anyanka Durkhan
Zahrada, Astoria

"I am." She confirmed. "Captain Aldvis suggested you for the position. You've got a clean record, and even my best men couldn't find anything troubling in your name." She gave a smile, noting the way his eyes widened but not commenting on it. "And I don't doubt that at all, which is why I'm comfortable turning over the Lordship to James while you take your position with me. A few weeks of training with Commander Stafford should have you fit for the position. We can start as soon as he returns from South Feyshore."
Edward
Lord Robert Cromwell
Zahrada Keep

He took a drink of water and nodded. "Of course, your grace." He said curtly. "Once we finish dinner, I will send a letter and inform my brother of his new standing. I'm sure he and his wife will be pleased." He paused, "When will Lord Stafford be back from South Feyshore?" He asked, curious about the young lord. Robert had never met the man, but if half what he had heard was true, he'd like to meet him.