Carole
The gardens of the Eternal Palace itself, what a funny sight to see. The Cursed One looked around with a small amount of joy and satisfaction, a grin appearing on his face as he saw eyes widened once they looked towards him.

*Bet you they never expected to see me here... Some of them probably think I'm here for them too, how fun.*

He felt like a lion walking amongst prairie dogs, the eyes of any and all present in the gardens at some point landed on his visage and all panicked. He returned every gaze with his own, watching some even grow slightly paler, what a wonderful feeling.

But, he knows that all isn't the reason why he's here and he should turn to other matters. A mission given to him by *The Empress* Herself was completed and this was the place she'd said to wait for her at once he'd returned. No doubt she already knew he was here, informants and such, so Tarin decided to just stand around and wait.

"***I wonder what her reaction will be.***" The cursed mused to himself, his clothes splinted with an odd purple blood while he had a large sword resting on his shoulder- the sword of the champion he'd slain mere hours ago.
Howard
Just a few minutes after Tarin had entered, the attention of everyone was turned back to the entrance: in a matter of moments everyone in the room had become subservient, obedient, and reverent to the woman who had entered.

The Empress.

Dressed in her regal gown, the Eternal Empress entered, striding in, exuding confidence and power like none other. Guards and nobles alike stood with respect and bowed in her presence. She greeted them with a mere glance, aware that this simple gesture was enough for them.

"Ah, yes... You. You have returned."

The Empress didn't seem impressed, more as if this was simply business that she had to deal with to get on with the rest of her day. It is in a way, for her life was always busy and filled with all sorts of trouble. Time was very valuable.

"Everyone, leave us be."

She turned her head to the side, and with a single sentence of command those who had no business there anymore promptly left. Not without murmurs, but she hardly cared, if they wanted to earn her favor they'd know to keep to themselves.

"Now, you - speak."

She stated as she stood there with grace, hands clasped with one another as her blue eyes scanned him. She awaited expectantly.
Carole
The Cursed watched the Empress stride into the gardens with the authority and regality befitting her title- *The Eternal Empress.* Tarin couldn't help but smirk at the display, how everyone coveted and cowered before her- wishing and wanting for acknowledgment, a blessing or a boon. Weaklings ***All.***

"***Empress.***" With a small nod of his head, the bare minimum for a "*Bow*", Tarin pulled the sword off his shoulder and with a quick flick of his wrist held the weapon in a reverse grip before slamming it down and imbedding the blade an inch or so into the ground below.

"***Alistair Barbo is dead, his sword, as proof.***"

Standing up to his full height Tarin kept his eyes locked on the Empress', not a single drop of reverence or borderline fanatical praise like so many who serve under her seem to have about them. If anything Tarin seemed like he was excited about something given the way he smiled... And he was...

*I wonder what guards she keeps around. Assassins? Mages? Barbarians? Knights? I wonder if they're strong... I could find out really easily... I don't even have to actually hurt her before they would try and kill me...*

The warriors darker-side wormed around in his mind with malicious thoughts and intentions but after a few moments of the thoughts being allowed to live Tarin cast them out- better to keep in the Empress' good graces, no better pay and no better targets then when she hires him.
Howard
"Keep it. I have seen enough."

She sneered at him with a bit of... Arrogance? Her eyes looked down upon Tarin, lip slightly curling to a smirk. Amelia was not easily impressed, but still, had a liking for a job well done.

"That... Thing. It was a thorn to my side, even when I was but the Duchess of the Capitol. It is good to see someone return here with that bastard's sword rather than ending up as a pile of chewed up bones."

She sighed. The problems of an Empress were endless, there was always one threat after the other that needed dealing with.

"My steward shall hand you compensation, as I promised. But I must remind you of our deal - never speak of this to anyone else. At least, not in a manner that will get the wrong eyes turning. Do you understand?"