Daniel
**James Partley,
Zahrada, Astoria**

*James had been galloping for days when he reached the tall gates of the city of Zahrada, the capital of Astoria. He asked to be admitted, showing the letter from Lord Louis, his Master. They let him through, and he goes trotting on his tall white horse until the steps of the Royal Palace, where he dismounts, gets the letter and the letter opener, and heads inside. He gives the letter and opener to a guardsmen, which should take it to the Queen. James goes back on top of his horse, and gallops back to Aquarin.*
Edward
Lord Robert Cromwell
Zahrada Keep

"Thank you." He'd say when his glass was refilled, the wine here was better than what he had at Sonder, he'd have to get used to the comforts of the capital.

"I'd be more than honored to perform those duties, your grace. I am sure Lord Stafford will find me suitable." 

Robert was quiet, thoughtful, surprised by how quickly this position was being handed over to him. A brief training and confirmation with Lord Stafford and he would be a Head Knight, and doing what he would much rather do. Training people, fighting people, and maybe even having time to hunt.
Joseph
Anyanka Durkhan
Zahrada, Astoria

When she finished pouring, she returned to her meal. He once more said how Eric should find him acceptable for the position, and it was how she knew he was growing overwhelmed. Not many people knew what to say, but generally a 'thank you' was followed with a dismissal. She'd trapped the poor Lord into dinner as well. 

"I'm glad to hear that, Lord Cromwell." She told him truthfully, and settled back in her seat a bit, enjoying not feeling hunched over for the first time in hours. "So tell me about yourself. I know the professional side, Captain Aldvis filled me in. But tell me about the man who sits before me. You've got a brother, you mentioned his wife. Any nephews or nieces?" She asked, and raised her glass to her lips "Children and a wife of your own?"
Edward
Lord Robert Cromwell
Zahrada Keep

Gave sort of a dismissive shrug, finishing his second glass of wine and waving off any more offers of a refill. "My brother's wife is currently pregnant, so a nephew or niece will come at some point. She's only halfway into the pregnancy. Myself, no children or wife. Been much too busy for that, with anarchy, fighting constantly, didn't want to raise a child in that." He said simply. "I'm not sure if you were here when it was at its worse, but things were really bad for a long time. There were points when I wanted to leave also, but I refused."
Joseph
Anyanka Durkhan
Zahrada, Astoria

"I understand not wanting to raise a child in the chaos after the fall. I left Feyshore for the same reason, to give Mikhail a chance at stability in his youth. " She admitted, and it was something she'd not felt guilt about at the time, but his unshaking loyalty made her dip her chin a bit at saying it. 

"It's a very brave thing, to stay through all that happened. I commend you on that, not as Queen but as a person. If my obligations hadn't been to my son, I would like to say I would have stayed. Maybe the revolution to return it to it's former glory would have started sooner if more people had." She mused, and let her glass rest upon her lower lip as she thought. 

"How old were you when the fall happened, Lord Cromwell?"
Edward
Lord Robert Cromwell
Zahrada Keep

Thought for a moment, doing the math in his head of how many years had gone by. 

"Twenty-four? Not sure exactly how old I was, I stopped paying attention to my age after that. Years started to blend together." He said, "No, I don't quite blame you for leaving. If you didn't have the ability to do anything about it, you should've left. It was awful. I wish I could've joined Lord Stafford when he brought order to the Southernmost portion of Feyshore a few winters ago, but my brother near forced me to stay. I suppose I'm getting to old to gallavant around Feyshore now." He said, meaning it as a joke, but his expression didn't lighten a whole lot. His humor came out sort of dry.
Joseph
Anyanka Durkhan 
Zahrada Astoria

Twenty-four at the all put him at only a few years her senior. A good thing, she figured, as it was unlikely they'd have very many ethical disputes on how she was running her Kingdoms. "If I'm not too old for it, you're not. I've known men twice your age who take Stafford for every bit of coin he's got." She smiled into her glass, but it didn't last long. 

"Does it bother you to talk of your history? I won't prod if it does, but I would like to know you inside and out. It makes it easier to trust you, should Stafford deem you his successor."
Daniel
**Lord Louis IV of Orleáns, 
Zahrada Keep, Astoria**

*When Louis woke up the following day, the sun was already high. After yawning his way out of sleep, he left to a nearby tavern for a warm bath, he had become filthy in his carriage. The hot water felt good on his skin, opening the dirty pores which had formed during his trip. He then cleaned it out with soap. He was a complete germophobe, and would do anything in his power to make sure everything is spotlessly clean. After he was done washing and cleaning his body, he changed into court clothes, the normal outfit filled with gold-thread. It was quite uncomfortable, but he knew that it elevated his status and appearance when in high society. He put his wig and scarf on, and moved on, flanked by 8 Royal guardsmen to the gates of the palace. The Royal guardsmen were big men, at least half a feet taller than him. They were armed with long broadswords and held a small round iron shield on their left arm. 

He went up the steps of the palace, signaling for all except two of the bodyguards to stop in place and guard the entrance while he walked inside. The stairs were made out of cold, rough stone, and while going up he felt like he was walking on coal. He didn't make it obvious though. When entering through the gates of the palace he was greeted by a Royal guard and he was stopped and asked to state his business. Louis told him that he was the Lord of Landow and was asked by the Queen to come here while showing him the letter. He then sat down in an armchair and waited until he was summoned.*