Barbara
*The Lazarothi air was not normally so warm this early. Sunlight in streaks filtered down from above into the castle courtyard. Zaknafein had been up before sunrise, and his exercises had long been complete before this early morning that was his alone. In the apartments of Gaulven Castle, there were more courtyards than one - and his sanctum was a small affair, centered on a weeping willow that hung low over a set of two curved stone benches, ringed with flower banks that had yet to bloom. The smell of dew and plant life filled the yard.

Zaknafein Aan'ordel Aan'allein wielded not his swords, but a trowel as he knelt beneath the weeping willow, focused on his work. Two Lazarothi soldiers, men he had served with at least a hundred years, were posted at both entrances to the small garden, clothed in plate armor, bearing spears. It would not do to be caught unawares while digging up the soil.

His silver hair was drawn back, away from his face, and as it was traditional for many drow to show skin, he wore only sturdy gardening gloves and brown canvas pants at the moment. Jagged scars crisscrossed the dark gray skin of a well-muscled back. Beside him, a pile of tulip bulbs arranged neatly in a sort of pyramid - it was his hope that they would survive the first frost, and bloom as they proceeded through the warmer months. 

The blade dug into the dark soil, and he set it asidein a small heap before carefully placing a bulb in its place. Blue-violet eyes studied the round root for any imperfections - signs of blight were to be immediately discarded. But it seemed to be healthy - and soon, he gently planted it within the earth, continuing his regular row of the flowers, and swept the soil back over it again, taking care not to pack the bulb too tightly. It would not do if it had no chance to sprout.

It was mornings like these that allowed him to relax in what little time he had alone...*
Geoffrey
*Mithanya had been awake for hours though this was normal for her. Often times she went out into the gardens to think or roamed around the castle. Every once in a while she would even take Nimira out with a horse from the stable to go out for a ride. Tonight Mithanya had gotten back from doing just that. Her hair still fresh from the rushing in the wind nearly 20 minuets ago. Mithanya after putting her horse back in the royal stables desired to make her way into the library, of course this meant she had to pass by lower courtyards first.* 

*As she strode by the fresh smell of dew in the first lower courtyard hit her nostrils. Suddenly Mithanya stopped mid step however. Minthaya's mind was mostly preoccupied, she needed to know more about that old temple and the symbols adorned inside of it were something she still had even after 80 years little information on. She had chosen to spend another morning in the library to see what more she could find on them when a thought hit her like a giant hurdling a rock into a humans face, something that almost made her chuckle a little. Then with a half turn an almost confused expression would exist on her face as she realized that instead of the library, maybe she should go back? She had not entered it again since that series of nights, and for good reason. Looking down at Nimira she almost always trusted her companions opinion on her own thoughts, acting as if it always knew what she was thinking.* 

*With a low sigh and a eye roll this also annoyed her, she had just put the horse up in the stable and knew she had to meet sister soon at noon. Mithanya was expected and had already gotten chewed out for missing the last meeting she was suppose to attend.. Looking back down to Nimira..* "What do you think Nimira? Could going back hold the answers I still need?" *Crossing her arms and looking ahead she began to slowly walk back to the stables almost instantly forgetting about her impending meeting at noon... Again* "Its bee

N almost 80 years.."
Serena
The meeting had been a disaster if Ashira's report was anything to go by. Since the woman trusted the Matron's recounting of the situation that did not bode well for the main players. In the days following the summit she found herself shadowing the Matron in hopes of being solicited for advice. The Gantrick King was an unknown that they could not afford to underestimate and she feared the young Matron might do just that. It was not that her judgement was not sound, rather, the girl could be soft. Too soft. 

As she rounded the corner to catch a moment of fresh air under a clouded sky a groan was forcibly suppressed at the other occupants of the space. *Speaking of too soft*. The girl's council was full of men but not all of them were like Zaknafein Aan'allein. He had fought valiantly in the name of their Matron, that she could not deny and it was because of that shared loyalty that for the most part she left him to his own devices. Competence in his role was not something he lacked. 

Even better was the young Princess who seemed to be muttering to herself in the corner. That or her pet which was perhaps simply a reflection of her youth. The mind of a child was always full of wonders. She wished it was not her job to care for the inner workings of the princess' mind, but serving as the Matron's hand meant knowing all she could of any who would interact with Ashira. 

The garden was nice. Not that she would say as much in present company, but in the recent decades since the late Matron's passing she found herself anticipating the first few frost-facing flowers as a sign of spring to come. 

"Zaknefein," She said flatly to the man's back, hoping to spend a moment longer in the warming air. She would not speak further until he showed due respect and turned to listen.
Barbara
*The sound of his name striking his ears was an unwelcome one. His guards had made no sound whatsoever - neither had they hit the floor dead nor called out to announce a visitor. Why was it that the snakes of the world could not leave him to a few minutes of peace in his garden? Such was the way of Lazaroth, he knew - men had little time to themselves, and it was subject to being broken into by any of the matrons who chose to do so.

Even so, this was a particularly poor stroke of luck. He knew the voice that called 'Zaknafein', and the tone that followed it. She was very accustomed to that voice of command, and expected to be obeyed without delay, lest the whip of fire be deployed to meet any hesitant servant's skin. In a fluid motion, he set aside the trowel and the bulb he had picked up, making his way to his feet and turning on his heel to bow respectfully to the Hand of the Queen.*

"Good morning, Matron Elerra." *He kept his eyes downcast, though on the turn he had spotted someone lingering in the hallway - and it would be no small punishment if he was caught not acknowledging her presence, should she desire him to do so.* "Your Highness." *His voice was projected, slightly louder, in order to reach the princess's ears. 

He had drawn not one of the despised women, but two to the garden. His garden, his place of quiet - but the alternative was worse than the break in his peace, and Zaknafein simply had to bow respectfully, bear a polite expression, and obey the matrons as they wished. It grated on him every time.* 

"What do you require of me, Matron?" *He asked, tone quiet and respectful. No glimmer of the malice that raged inside of him showed on the strong-featured face of the Grand Marshal as he faced his 'betters', and sought to make proper deference to them. In times when he felt he would show some hint of it, he had memories to comfort him - of a sword sliding into flesh, of the chaos of the battlefield, and the secret of Matron Gyela's death.*
Geoffrey
*Mithanya's head snapped and turned when she was called out and addressed, she had completely not been paying attention to either of them as she thought. It just now dawned on her that Elerra had just walked right by her without a word. Taking a moment to sort her thoughts, this began irk her. Eyeing the situation more closely she gave a slight nod in acknowledgement to Zaknafein, Mithanya motioned for Elerra to continue as her eyes shifted from the Marshal to Elerra with a flick of her eyelids.*

*With a low irritated sigh it seems that her personal endeavors would have to wait until after this upcoming meeting with her sister. Nimira shifted to the left as she circled and sat down, though only partially as she watched and listened, studying their tone and actions. Slowly and calmly Mithanya put her hand out palm down motioning for Nimira to relax a little more. Taking a few steps into the courtyard now her gaze did not turn the entire time, now mostly curious to see what was happening. As she took her first step the lovely cool breeze of the morning hit her, further enhancing the smell... 'Yes this is nice for once, but it is so not like the forest The pine smells soo... Nice.'*

*The sound of thunder could be heard in the far distance to the east. Apparently with the morning would potentially come some rain. Now she just had to go back outside, who didn't love riding in the rain? A moment later she noticed the bulb on the ground. 'That time already?'*