Carol
Xavier de Delekou
Fields outside of Delekou

Her hand felt rough, though not unusual. Many people who worked in the fields had hands with similar texture. Xavier maintained his pleasant demeanor as she pressed for his occupation. It irked him that all she seemed to care about was the importance. Xavier despised being used as a pawn. He wanted authentic relationships with people and to be seen as someone on the same level. In some ways becoming the Lord of Delekou was more of a curse than a blessing. 

"I..." He paused for a brief moment before answering. "I'm one of the lead innovators for the irrigation systems of the fields. That's not all, of course. I helped design and construct many of the systems used to organize goods and transport in Delekou." He smiled sheepishly, though clearly having pride in what he accomplished. 

"Despite your denial, you do something important too." He smiled. "What is it?"
Loretta
Kedra 
Delekou

She studied the man standing in front of her. He seemed upset, like something she had said had offended him. To be fair, she didn't really want to be in this conversation. Her mind was out hunting, searching for her next meal. 

"I arrived into town not long ago, so no, I do nothing important. Not yet, anyways." She said, avoiding his question slightly. To be fair, she didn't really do anything important. She just kept her brother from killing the entire town. 

"Your designs are impressive. I've never seen someone use systems of ropes as you do. However, your fields could be worked better if you minimized the amount of children being used. They are too young to do what I've seen them do." She said softly.
Michael
Jesper Kyr
High Bloom Palace

Jesper couldn't help the small sigh that escaped him as he watched his men fight, if it could even be called that. The men were more or less having a drunken brawl, while stone cold sober. 

"The fuck is going on here." He called loudly, his voice carrying through the small courtyard they were standing in.

The resounding shouts as the men snapped to attention was all Jesper needed. With a shake of the head he waved his hand and watched them scramble, laughs about who owed who drinks at the tavern filling the air as they walked away. A courier came scrambling up to him as he made his way down the hall, telling him of the Queen's summonings. Jesper waved the boy off and made his way to the Queen's study, a pit forming in his stomach as he made his way.

With a quick knock at the door he slipped inside, bowing at the woman. "You called for me, Your Majesty?"
Jacob
Julianna de Barbarac
High Bloom Palace

"Yes," Julianna replied, looking up at him from her desk. 

Her hair was pulled back into that signature severe bun, giving her a stern, almost headmistress look. Surrounded by her books and papers, which were stacked high on her desk after a long night of work, she certainly looked as if she were ready to school someone.

"Please take a seat," She continued sternly, motioning to the chair across from her. "We have important business to attend to, and we musn't waste any time with pleasantries."

She shuffled some papers around on her desk, eventually uncovering a scroll. Written in her own hand, it contained the official orders for Jesper and his men, as well as the declaration that would be shouted in the streets to let the people know what was required by Xolile.
Michael
Jesper Kyr
High Bloom Palace

Jesper slipped into the seat he was offered, raising a brow as he saw he moving papers around on her desk before settling on one. "Of course." He nooded at the scroll in her hand. "I assume it has something to do with that?"
Jacob
Julianna de Barbarac
High Bloom Palace

"Correct," She replied, handing the scroll over to Jesper. She was curt, bordering on brusk, but really she was just all business. None of the fear and worry could show here, in front of her head knight. Any of her own unease, if she let it show, would show in the guards' work.

"I have received word from The Circle, for how to end the plague. Everyone that has been infected must be rounded up and make a pilgrimage, where they will be purified and sacrificed. There belongings must be burned. Anyone that refuses to make the journey must also be burned, or all those around them will suffer."
Michael
Jesper Kyr
High Bloom Palace

Jesper easily accepted the scroll she handed him, browsing it for a second, before he felt the pit in his stomach drop as she spoke. Keeping his unease at the situation off his face, he licked his lips, wondering when they became so dry.

"Understood." Jesper's reply was clipped, an edge to his tone that he almost winced at. "When must this be done?"
Carol
Xavier de Delekou
Fields outside of Delekou

"How have you enjoyed it so far? You'll likely still find plenty of festivities in the taverns. The festivals may be over, but they will last for months in the heart of the people." 

An eyebrow rose as she mentioned his pulley system, though it was quickly followed by a frown at the mention of child labor. "No child is required to work the fields, in fact their education is far more important. Well, that is what I think, though such things are not handled by me." He shrugged. "I simply design and execute."
Jacob
Julianna de Barbarac
High Bloom Palace

Her eyes searched his face, sharp and piercing with wisdom and discernment. Try as Jesper might to hide his unease, she was a shrewd woman, noting every little detail, from the way he licked his lips to the edge in his tone to the flicker in his eyes as he read the paper. Though, in all honesty, part of the reason they were so easy to see was because it was a reflection of her own sentiments.

She didn't let that show, however. Much older than Jesper, at this point, she had for more experience in guarding her true thoughts and feelings from the world. It would do Jesper well to learn the same.

"Immediately," She replied, rising from her seat. "We cannot waste any time. Xolile has given us a gift, and it would bring us all much more grief if we were to refuse or hesitate. We must show our devotion."

She looked down at Jesper, her face hard and stern. "I trust I won't see any weakness and hesitation from you? After all, the weak must be culled from the herd..."
Michael
Jesper Kyr
High Bloom Palace

A small nod was all that Jesper offered, the muscles in his neck tightening a bit as he made to stand, depositing the scroll back onto her desk. "Of course not, Your Majesty. So long as Xollie wills it, it shall be done." He ground out, standing tall. "If you'll excuse me, I'll take my leave and prepare my men."

Jesper offered a small nod to the woman before he left the study, making his way down the hallway. Once he felt far enough away from the room he leant back against the wall surrounding him, the corridor feeling much to tight for the man. His head impacted hard against it as he stared blankly at the ceiling, the pit in his stomach having given way to a hollow emptiness as he thought about the task ahead of him.