Lynn
He would give a small chuckle and shrugs at her words, had it been months? It didn't matter... He got the amulet. His work was done... Thats what mattered in the end. He walked over and his riding boots gave a soft click every-time they touched the floor, surprisingly dry. He looked the "Doctor" And smiled. Devilishly at that. His royal purple gaze setting on Anyanka


"Well Your Highness, the doctor is right. Your beauty is nothing like the story's compared to in person. And dont be all that surprised. Your trinket it not a easy thing to find... Forgive me for my... Blank period."

He said with a bow and a smile. Setting the amulet onto the table with a gloved hand and looking back to them all with a half smirk half smile...

"It really wanst easy is all i have to say, m'lady"
Irene
Kept an eyebrow raised towards the strange new character and instinctively held his right hand behind and below his waist, his fingers curling inward in a spiral shape. It was a small thing and hard to notice as it want far off from a natural handshape. 

"Thank you for the service, Mr. Soveniss. We appreciate your efforts." We has unsure how to handle the stranger.
Joseph
Anyanka gave a small scoff of a laugh at mention of her looks once more. It wasn't that she wasn't flattered, but she was more interested in the amulet that he placed onto the table. 

"Once it's verified that it's genuine, you'll have the price we agreed to, Mister Soveniss." She told him, and Angelica dropped her feet to the floor as Anya moved to reach for it. Her hand hovered over it, and the sigils drummed along her skin, as if her veins had moved and rearranged beneath her flesh to follow the markings and allow blood to pass beneath them to charge. It _dripped_ with energy, and the runic marks that littered the golden edge of the amulet -no, it was a locket, from what she remembered- reminded her so distinctly of the ones that had been branded into her skin upon Mikhail's resurrection.

Her fingers curled, closing momentarily before Angelica stood, wrapping the amulet in a napkin from the table. Anya's eyes cleared, and she found herself staring in a half daze at the place where it had been. 

"Mister Soveniss, if you'd follow me, we'll see to the matter of your payment. Half before verification, half after." Angelica stated plainly, looking to Anyanka. She shrugged the furs from her own shoulders and draped them once more over Anya, who did not protest this time as the two disappeared inside.
Lynn
The man keeps his hands folded in front of him and a small smile on his face as he looks to angelica... His eyes examining her and he lowly whistles... A Smirk appearing on his face. His boots instead of clacking anymore have now stopped and are completely silent... Looking behind her for second. She had rearranged her veins for that thing... The lives he took. Verification? Whatever. He gets his pay and thats all he cares about at the moment, he then looks to Angelica

"So, why the verification, you saw how she reacted to that thing. I wont argue, but im interested. Alot of people died for that when they could have surrendered. Its not just some... Amulet. Its one of the most interesting things in years. And call me kalith, i dont take pleasure in the... Pleasantry's'

He said doing what he had been all night. Smiling. His eyes flickering around inside as he examines everything he could. Then examining the other girl. It seems... Interesting. He would speed up his pace to walk beside her and flashes her a not so, polite smile like he has been the entire night, this one more friendly
"I didn't get your name, and dont be shy i dont always bite."
He said with a wink. Again friendly.
Edward
"We will meet up at the border where the Duchy ends, at the bridge. I should be there before you." Eric said, riding alongside one of his wagon guards.

"Are you sure you don't want anyone with you, sir?" The guard asked, rightfully concerned. Last thing he wanted was Sir Stafford to die in the woods while he was supposed to guard him.

"No, I've spent almost a year in a castle surrounded by people. I haven't hunted or spent some time in the woods in a long time. I will be fine, just get to the destination." With that, Eric rode ahead. Taling one last glance at Zahrada, and hoped the queen would he all right without him there. 

While everyone was flirting and playing their games in Zahrada, Eric left the rode and into the treeline of the Astorian forest. He breathed the chilled fall air. It was fresh, filling his chest with cold. It felt refreshing, out here it didn't matter. There were no plotting courtiers, no spying maids, and no callers looking at his queen in unsavory ways.

The rode the horse further, putting distance between himself and the city, going deeper South. He had left his armor and hammer on the wagon. All he had was his cloak, a shortbow, a shortsword, a bedroll, and some rations in his saddlebags.

It was a day ride to Knight's Landing, but with a slow moving wagon and the need for rest, it would add an extra hald or likely another day to get there. 

So Eric took advantage of the time and decided to go hunting instead. He could easily out ride the wagon and knew his way to the border, it was the bridge he almost starved to death next to. The one he almost gave up at, and let go. He would never forget that spot. 

By this point Eric had ridden miles from Zahrada. He brought Gallantry to a halt and hopped off his back. Patting him, he tied him off on a lowhanging sturdy looking branch. 

He pulled the bow from the saddlebag and strung it. He attatched the quiver to his belt and quietly ventured on foot. He noted sone landmarks and went off. Moving quietly, he heard the sound of a small stream with running water. Keeping it in sight, he followed at a distance. A water source was a good place to start.
Irene
Once the stranger had departed with the chancellor, Dayveth allowed himself to relax for the most part, but he felt a large amount of magical energy from the amulet. Sipping from his glass and standing close to the fire, he turned his attention to the queen. 

"You are full of surprises, Your Highness," Dayveth stated with a cocked eyebrow. "That is a beautiful piece of jewelry, but I didn't know you associated with the likes of such men for the benefit of your wardrobe." Dayveth's time was light and teasing as he wore a smirk. He held the blanket tightly around him, aware of the night becoming colder.
Joseph
Her hand moved to the fur Angelica had draped over her shoulders, stroking it idly as she watched where the amulet had been. Even with it gone, the area still pulsed, and she felt that familiar burn of craft on her arms. "I don't. My wardrobe is expansive on it's own. That," Her gaze finally broke from the spot with a thick inhale, and she straightened before reaching for the bottle to refill her empty glass. "Was a family heirloom we thought long gone in the war." 

Sitting back, she rested the rim of her goblet against the sigil closest to her wrist. It burned most deeply, considering it had been closest, and she holed the chilled glass might soothe it. Instead, it warmed the wine quickly, and she was surprised at the warm thick texture of it, and how when warmed, the sweet red tasted metallic. It was sickening, and she'd had the taste of blood on her lips enough times to tell, so she set the glass aside, curling her arms around her torso to let the pulsating warmth do some good instead of ruin more wine.
Irene
Dayveth watched her as the flame from the fire warmed him, though he made sure not to get too close. Dayveth could tell something was afoot with the amulet, thanks to both his abilities and Anyanka's reaction. It clearly made her uncomfortable and Dayveth could sense magic fluctuation in the air. 

He emptied his glass again and watched as Anyanka set her's down. He slowly walked, with a little swagger, and stood close to her bench. He hadn't been sitting since the stranger in black arrived. "May I sit, Your Grace?"
Joseph
The question was strange. Even after all these years, the last few of informality had warped her opinions on standards. Anyone within her home was permitted to do as they wished so long as it harmed no one else. Something as simple as sitting wasn't catastrophic to the world view, and she didn't feel needed to be asked. 

But when a stranger did arrive, and stick to the old customs, it put her back in her first husbands court. The requests for _everything_. She'd grown used to it then, and she hoped she'd find a happy middle ground for Astoria one day. 

"Yes, of course." She told him simply, "You'll have to forgive my distraction, suddenly there's a lot on my mind." She warned with a soft smile as she looked up to him. With it, she moved over some, offering him the place Angelica had occupied not too long ago.
Irene
He sat in the space she allowed him, though sitting a little closer to her than the distance she had moved. He wasn't quite sure, but he felt as if some heat was coming off of her, more than was normal in the chilly air. 

"Thank you. I take it you mean the amulet?" He wished the thing hadn't come, as interesting as it was. It had been some time since he had been alone with a woman, especially one who was as forward as Anyanka. Even if "Nothing" Were to happen, it was still refreshing. It was then Dayveth was first tempted to share his secret with her. He felt the arcane energy from her, and he had guessed by now the amulet had an effect on her.
Joseph
Anyanka nodded when he moved into the seat beside her. No longer did she feel she needed the furs, she with a shrug of her shoulders they slumped off and into the space between the curve of her spine and the cushions that supported them. "Correct." The woman confirmed, finally settling back into the cushions. With the furs between her, it curved her back a bit, and her head tilted upwards towards the openings in the veranda. 

The stars over Astoria were nothing to dismiss, but the fog of winter smoke from all the homes had kept them hidden for a good majority of the season. They could be seen on warmer nights, and later into the early morning hours when the fires had long died out. At the moment, a strong enough wind came from the north to help move the fog, letting glimpses of starlight break through.

"Tell me, Doctor. In your travels, since you've been accused of witchcraft. Have you ever come across anyone with a real gift? I've heard in Araedia there are women and men who claim to be chosen by an element, and can manipulate them in certain ways. Magic users were persecuted for so long, I hope to see them start coming out of the woodwork now that the world has come around to accepting magic."
Irene
Dayveth just so happened to glance at the stars when the gust moved by. He used to be fascinated by them, even studying them as some claim certain schools of magic depended on the stars. He returned his gaze back to the woman sitting across from him when she started speaking. 

After listening to her speak, he became anxious. If she was asking, she may have already figured out his precious little secret that could have him killed. Her "Hope" Of more mages was the real thing to put him off. It seems so inviting, and Dayveth's been trapped by similar lines before. 

"I have, yes. More than one would think. Some have even taken to my profession as a guise. This has caused me trouble in the past, as I've already mentioned." Dayveth forced a chuckle before he continues. His eyes met the queen's once again. "It's sad, really. Close friends can turn on another when the talent is discovered. That's why when one is persecuted for the wonderful, terrible, talent, they learn to hide it, and guard themselves from others."
Joseph
Her lips pressed together in a soft hum, and she let him speak. When he finished, she laid her arm out along the length of her thigh, palm facing upwards to reveal the white lines along her forearm. To the untrained eye, they looked like brands or tattoos, and even when she'd first gained them they reminded her of the Poppy brand she had on her hip. But they were different. The scars of the sigils radiated a warmth in the aftertaste of the amulet, and she ran her index and middle finger in a line over them briefly. 

"There's no reason to hide who you are in this court, Doctor." She told him, her voice smooth with the certainty of a woman who had finally learned how to step out of the shadows. "Astoria is a place of fairy tales for a reason. We welcome those terrible talents, and hope to put them to good use one day." She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, the silver of her iris' a bit molten at talk of magic. 

"We were founded on persecution, slaves and whores and those rejected by the higher courts. We've carved out a place for ourselves, and intend to continue to build. If you, Dayveth Coren, intend to be a part of that, you should know I'm not looking for you to keep secrets. None of my staff does, at least not for very long, and it won't serve you well to try and hold on to them."
Irene
Dayveth waited for her to speak. When she held out her arm, all of the gears inside his finished turning as they reached a conclusion as to why he had been feeling magic from her. Without asking for permission, he reached out and gently traced his hand up the scars. He recognized the marks, learned long ago. He had a book or two on them. His gaze returned to the stars as he leaned back again. Inhaling, he shared. 

"Very well then, Your Grace. I was indeed born in the wilds of Taemar, in a small community far from any others. Each member of our community were gifted as I am. I learned many different... Techniques until one day, we had been to carefree. Mage-hunters had found us, and had bounties for our heads. Whether it was good fortune or the opposite, I was the only one to survive." He allowed a moment of silence to pass. 

"You are only the second without the born gift that I have told." His eyes turned to hers, though this time they showed anger and sorrow, but they also betrayed the fact that he was on edge. He was not familiar with the idea of trust.
Joseph
She let him speak, knowing better than to interrupt when someone was so clearly on edge. She could practically feel the unease radiating from him, and the place where the pads of his fingers traced up the sigils on her arms answered whatever magic he held. It calmed the fire in her veins, and she raised a brow at the sensation. 

Suddenly the cold was noticed, and she shifted the furs back over her shoulders, covering her arms. "A pleasure to be among the few, Doctor. You can find solace in knowing you will not be harmed for your magics unless you use them against Astoria and it's people. Do well by them, and you'll have a welcome home until your dying day." She spoke softly, and patted his hand briefly.

"If you find yourself interested, I've a decent amount of tombs I need assistance with translating. It would be a job for another time, once you've settled and the spring has come, but I could use a second set of eyes. How well do you know Old Feyshorian?"
Irene
Dayveth saw her replace the furs upon her shoulders and offered the blanket he has, holding part of it it out to her. He felt a slight rush as she patted his hand. "Thank you for your assurance," He replied to her. "Good gods," He thought. "I'm like a young boy again." He brought his attention back to her as she asked for his help. 

He thought for a moment before answering. "I... Think I might be able to. Many of my home's books contained ancient and forgotten languages. We have techniques for finding meaning within them." A teasing smirk replaced his warm smile. "Though I must ask, will I be paid for this work, or is it expected to be done for free in the best interest of Astoria? Or perhaps as a new citizen of this fine state?"
Joseph
The redheaded woman rolled her eyes a bit. "_If_ you find yourself working with me on translations, you'll be compensated. Don't think I'm looking to exploit my staff." She warned, though it wasn't harsh. He offered the blanket and she shook her head. 

Anyanka stood, hoisting the pure white fur over her shoulders, thankful for it's warmth as she reached for her glass. Without hesitation she dumped it's contents into the fire, and the legs that remained were distinctly that of wine, not blood. It was reassuring, and she examined the glass for a moment before setting it down beside his empty one. 

"As I told you earlier, you'll be escorted to the markets tomorrow, given an allowance for some more supplies and personal affects -though don't be greedy, Doctor." Her silver gaze slipped over him, allowing it to move over him fully for a moment before she shrugged. 

"Mara will meet you in the infirmary tomorrow morning, be sure to get some rest, Doctor." Anya concluded, and with a squeeze of his hand, she returned inside, heading upstairs for the courts personal chambers.
Irene
"I was neither expecting nor implying exploitation, Your Majesty, only asking how far my duties reached." He finished his glass as she dumped hers into the fire. He was aware of the cold as she prepared to leave. 

As she looked him over, he did the same, insuring their gazes met when she had finished inspecting the rest of him. "I didn't realize I struck you as a greedy man. Goodnight, Your Grace." He said before she turned and after she had squeezed his hand. 

He watched her leave and turned to the fire, where the amulet rested nearby on the brick wall containing the flame. After murmuring a few unintelligible words, he bent down and picked up the piece, examining it. Dayveth took the fact of the queen leaving it behind that she had entrusted it to him. 

Dayveth slipped the necklace into his pocket and glanced towards the fire. With a small wave of his hand and a few more words, the flame died while the mage began the walk back to his quarters.
David
Inside her guest quarters, Charity was awake, but only just. She held open a book she brought along for the trip.The queen had started her reading sitting up, but as time passed she slumped further and further until she laid on her side. The book was a suggestion from one of her colonels, a man she was close to, and one of the people she left in charge while visiting Astoria.

After several occasions where she had fallen asleep briefly and had to try and find her spot again, Charity decided it was time to go to sleep. She would need rest for the next day, tomorrow was the day Queen Lane returned to Terresol. She killed the flame inside the lantern that was her reading light and positioned herself for sleep. On her side was her favored position. Due to the bed size, there was enough room for another person on either side of her. 

Despite her previous brief naps during reading, the act of reaching for the lantern seemed to waken her up again. Sleep did not come as quickly as she'd hoped.
Joseph
Anyanka headed up the stairs, but found herself headed towards the opposite end of the hall. Her quarters were blocked off, heavily guarded, and towards the southern end of the home. 

She found the room she was looking for, smiled sweetly to the guard who was posted outside the room and slipped inside. Once inside, she kicked her shoes off and moved carefully across the dark room towards the bed. The light from the windows wasn't enough to illuminate the room, but she could see the silver silhouette of Charity's frame. 

The bed dipped a bit as Anya slipped beneath the sheets, and she curled herself around the woman, careful not to let her cold hands touch anywhere skin might be bare. She was warm, and after a moment Anya dipped her nose against the woman's neck, enjoying her warmth shamelessly.

Angelica walked at a firm pace, intent to warm herself the deeper they moved into the castle. Her hands cradled the amulet that she carried, holding her fingers delicately around the napkin that contained the sapphire gemstone. 

"Verification because we're not paying you for the retrieval of a fake artifact, Mister Soveniss." She said, glancing his way. His smile was somewhat unsettling, and she pressed her lips before gesturing into an open study. It was hers, and it was incredibly well kept. Not a single paper was out of line on her desk, all her letters folded and sorted into what had been responded to and what still needed correspondence. She moved around to take a seat at the desk, pulling open the drawer. 

When he asked her name, she glanced upwards, albeit briefly, and then back down to her desk as she placed the amulet inside. "I didn't give it, Mister Soveniss." The blonde reminded him, and produced a locked box from bottom of the desk. From it, she produced a small coin purse, examined the contents, and then held it out to the man, letting it dangle between her fingers in the space between them.

"The rest will be delivered upon verification. Thank you for your works so far, Mister Soveniss. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
Lynn
*He would give a smile as his gloved took the purse, weighting it in his hand and smiles at her and tucks it into the inside pocket of his jacket... Whistleing softly before takeing a single coin out and laying it neatly on her desk..*

"A drink?~ to celebrate the return of the amulet~ i can tell you how i got it~"

*He said sitting down in a chair, leaning back and putting his calf on his other legs knee. His whistle softer and more smooth, his hands clasped each other, winking to her*

"May i have your name?~ pretty please?~"
Joseph
Angelica's blue eyes narrowed as the man took a seat, and he slid a coin across her desk, as if propositioning her. "No." She told him firmly. "There will be no drinks to celebrate, I don't care for your story on how you retrieved it, and you shall not learn my name with a _wink_, Mister Soveniss." She responded, bracing her hands on the edge of her desk. 

"I'd kindly ask you take your leave, before I must call for someone to escort you out." The blonde wasn't one to be flirted with, her affections fell into the hands of two people, one being her Queen and the other the ghost of the general who she could practically _hear_ telling her to be nicer to the poor man. If Marcus was still around, he'd have handled things more politely, but she wasn't in the mood to deal with winks and pretty pleases.
David
The door creaked and Charity was able to guess that the person entering was Anya. Either that or an assassin. The only two people getting past the guards outside her room. Charity did not lift her head in response to the person whoever they were. But when they settled into bed next to her, she knew that it was Anya. She was familiar enough with the woman to know that. Charity was comforted by her presence and it helped her fall asleep.
Joseph
The pair fell asleep without conversation. Just peaceful sleep on a snowy night that hurt no one. Before the morning came, Anyanka slipped from the sheets, pressed a kiss to the Queen's temple, and left the room to start her own day. A bath was waiting for her by the time she finally made it out of her own bedroom and out of last nights gown. It steamed in the perfect way, and she bathed leisurely, not liking the idea of the chill that would come when she stepped out of the warm waters. 

It was surprisingly tolerable, but she still insisted on dressing quickly and without much decorum for the sake of her warmth. Breakfast was being served in the dining hall today, the early morning sun hadn't risen enough to break the dew on the veranda just yet. The gardens were covered in snow from the night prior, and she could see traces of it along the steps and arches of the building as she passed by windows. 

It occurred to her briefly, that had it not been for Zane and Marcus, she'd awake every morning to the ice and snow, and once more she felt that pang of gratefulness towards the two men. One, buried in the Durkhan family tomb, and the other working beneath the castle in the dungeons to break the woman who had tried to place her son in the ground. She hadn't had the opportunity to check and see how the woman was doing this week, but if it was anything like before, she was feral. Amalthea hadn't enjoyed a day of peace since her capture, and Anya didn't intend to allow the woman a _moment_ of peace. Not even in death if she could help it. 

Anyanka moved to the dining room, taking a seat at the head of the table as breakfast was served to her and those of her court who were already awake. The others would filter in eventually, but she'd most likely be long gone by the time the others awoke.
Irene
Dayveth had spent the remainder of his night placing his tomes, journals, and few Knick knacks around his new room. When that was finished, he stood by the window and looked out at the stars, what few were shining. "Looks like I beat you to court," Dayveth said out the window, a wistful tone in his voice. He soon turned around and stripped to his trousers before laying in his bed and quickly falling asleep, tired from the day. 

He awoke early in the next morning and journeyed out in search of the dining hall. He was dressed in similar clothing as last night, though this time he just wore a loose white shirt. He eventually found the hall and the queen. 

"Good morning, Your Grace. I imagine you slept well?" Dayveth greeted the queen quietly as he took a seat near her, a warm smile upon his face. He had forgotten to fix his hair, remembering it as he sat near her. He swiftly toyed with it so it would stay back before returning his attention to the Queen.
Lynn
He gave the smallest of chuckels and shurgs. His royal purple eyes sparkeling with intrest. His shoulders shurgging. He was used to this. Standing up. A soft smile on his lips before he walks to the door. Looking back

"Excuse me miss, i forgot my manners. I never ment it in that... Manner. Simply being freindly. I hope i will learn you name."

He said leavening the coin there and walking from the room. His footsteps slilent and nothing as he left. Stopping for a moment to listen into the room. Looking behind him
Joseph
Dayveth joined her within the hour, and Anyanka looked up from her cup of tea to the man. A report sat on the table with her, and she'd been skimming Stafford's handwriting as she sipped the dark beverage, waiting for it to cool. It was extremely bitter, and she was only drinking it at Angelica's insistence that she needed to keep herself from illness. 

"I did, thank you. I trust you did as well, Doctor?" She replied, and watched with mild amusement as he ruffled his hair. "You do have full access to the bathhouse and all it contains. I don't know if the one they put you in has a personal bath, most of them didn't when we rebuilt this establishment. Most of us also just prefer the bathhouse instead of a cold metal tub in a poorly lit room." She added, though it was mostly to herself as she turned the page over that she was reading.
Irene
Dayveth smirked as the queen played with his hair. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I didn't realized I smelled that awful." Dayveth's eyes glinted as he replied. 

When a servant came and asked him what he would like, Dayveth asked for whatever was easiest for them. As the servant walked away he quickly and politely asked for a bit of coffee. "Thank you," He said as the servant disappeared to get his order. 

He was unused to being called doctor, and he was unsure if he liked it. It sounded so... Renowned. Dayveth merely knew what he was doing. A good bit of his medical experience was owed to magic.
Joseph
"I've smelled worse, Doctor. It wasn't a comment on your hygiene, more the unruly state of your hair and the knowledge that you retired relatively late last night, and no one would have informed you of it's existence." Anyanka told him, and finished reading Eric's handwriting as it tapered off the parchment. His plans for the Knights Academy were thorough, and every day she grew more and more proud of the man. She'd offered him Stormalong for his work, and he'd still never come back with a clear decision as to whether or not he wanted to claim it. For now though, she considered it his until he told her otherwise. If..

When Mikhail returned home, she'd be sure to let him know that Stormalong Castle and it's city belonged to Eric Stafford until he renounced his claim. It was the very least she could do for the man who had done so much in her service.
Irene
"Well thank you for informing me, Your Highness. I'm afraid I do not know where it is, however." The servant soon returned with his order. He thanked her before turning to his plate which contained several eggs and sausages. 

Dayveth nearly tore into the food before remembering his manners. He politely began to eat, making sure to sit back and bring the food to him instead of the other way around. When he had an empty mouth, he turned to the queen again. 

"I imagine I'll need to be shown to the bathhouse before my excursion?"