Ryland stared at Kethaias' hands as they formed words that only the two of them would see, his eyebrows rising. He had no idea that Kethaias had even gotten that much of the double speak, but his motions were crisp, completely understandable.<br/><br/>He didn't give much time for Ryland to respond, either. Ryland had only just reached his hand out to press his fingers against Kethaias' when Kethaias stood up and moved away from the bed. Ryland bit back another curse, and then snapped at the rest of them, "Will you all just get out?"<br/><br/>There was no convincing Kethaias that a few more hours wasn't going to make or break his journey, and he thought that Kethaias probably<i>did </i>think something like that anyway. And even if he didn't, everyone else was making it clear they were going to be watching them, seeing that this didn't happen again.<br/><br/>Their chance had slipped through their fingers.<br/><br/>At Kethaias' threat, Gharreld had drawn himself up, Teleyard looking avid behind him. "Only," Teleyard said, "if you could make it through the mountains first, Sir."<br/><br/>Gharreld at least had sense. He shushed Teleyard, listened to Kethaias' anger about the negotiations they were meant to be having, and followed him out. Ryland was left with only Teleyard for a moment, right before Ryland signed the worst names he could think of at him, reached for the oil bottle, and threw it at him.<br/><br/>"You'll thank me later," Teleyard said, "for saving you from that brute."<br/><br/>"<i>Get out</i>," Ryland said, his voice thick with the anger clogging his throat.<br/><br/>Outside, Gharreld had followed Kethaias down the hall.<br/><br/>"I do not do my brother a disservice, Sir, and I take offense that you should say so." Kethaias and Rijek might cut him glares, but Gharreld carried on. "You have seen my father's frailty, and you know I am the rightful heir, that I am the one who has been negotiating with you. I cannot be held accountable for the way that Ryland was raised, but it is my sworn duty, now that such duties are falling to me, to protect his interests and those of Banque, which he also represents. You wanted his hand. Then you didn't. He can no longer be let to sully his reputation, regardless that he is an adult, and it was disrespect to a foreign nation that you still yet pursued him after your offer had been withdrawn. I am sorry that offense has been given and taken, Your Eminence, but Ryland's reputation as a man should not have let<i>you</i>, Sir, act in the same manner as he does, both as the representative of your empire and in the respect you should be affording Banque, whether or not you believe you could crush us."<br/><br/>They had reached Kethaias' rooms.<br/><br/>"I will accept the suspension of these negotiations. Given the act was not interrupted and uncommitted with Ryland, I will not press for an apology, but I must make things clear: You will step foot in Banque only by invitation by my hand, in future. And Ryland's behavior will be strictly disciplined from now on, in preparation for strategic and respectful marriage offers. I hope, at this parting, King Kethaias, we have now reached an understanding."