"I don't know." It had been his answer to many of Marek's questions, but that was the truth, Marek was asking him questions he did not have the answer too. It had been many hours since Marek had stepped into the cell and began asking his questions, but he never seemed satisfied. Théadan did what he could to answer, giving as detailed an account of what happened for him to arrive in Khlurios, his reasons for doing so, and the state with which he had left Mes'Mo'Tan, and yet Marek would try to probe further, trying to unravel hidden mysteries that simply weren't there.<br/><br/>"Being uncooperative will not help you." Marek remarked, his face was stern but he kept emotion out of his voice. With the exception rising from his feet to stretch his legs with a walk, Marek had stayed in this room with Théadan for hours now without relenting in his questioning.<br/><br/>"I am being cooperative." Théadan groaned with frustation. Having been held to the wall by the chains his arms were growing tired, raised up either side of his head made them ache. His interrogator, because that was most certainly what Marek was, must have figured making him horribly uncomfortable might get him to open up or confess to something he had presumably thought he was hiding.<br/><br/>"And trying to hide truths will only make things worse."<br/><br/>Théadan's head hung low as he tried to rest what he could of himself. "I'm doing all I can to prove to you I am not a threat to your country. I am not here to create trouble, I am here for Navia, and I'm here to try and right as many wrongs as I am able." He reiterated the assertion he had made half a dozen times now. "My family discovered how I truly felt about Navia. They tore us apart, put me in a cell and then punished me with these burns." Marek had already seen many of his scars, but the burns on his hands remained the most recent, and would not have come from the war. "They gave Navia to Argyle and when he tried to take her, something happened, and it ended with Argyle's death." He had not been there to witness how it happened, but he knew enough from what Navia had told him to know she acted entirely in self defense. "I was injured, but the moment I could move I went to find Navia, arriving just after Argyle died. I was too late to spare her that trauma. We left that night before anyone could know what happened, which is why my family believe I did it, and I'm happy for them to keep thinking it if it protects her."<br/><br/>This was all Théadan had said before, he was rigidly sticking to his story. What annoyed Marek was that it was difficult to pick apart, especially when the<i>sitvati</i>herself was willing to back it up. The details of the<i>sitvati's</i>and Théadan's relationship however were unnecessary, whatever commitment he claimed to have for her was not to be believed. Whatever his claims it was easy to pinpoint what drove Théadan, a desire to escape the wrath of his own family, and a need to hold on to whatever power keeping the<i>sitvati</i>by his side might afford him. He probably thought her some bargaining tool, yet it still remained foolish for him to have come here with her. None of that mattered however, it was the threat Mes'Mo'Tan posed that needed unpicking. "Tell me more of Rhodon." Marek ordered.<br/><br/>"He's paranoid and vengeful. He would attack Khlurios if he thought you a threat, but after the war he may well not believe you to be. His attentions may turn else where, to where ever he may believe there may be a challenge to his throne." Knowing Rhodon he was as likely to look for enemies within his borders as those outside. A tumultuous time lay ahead for Mes'Mo'Tan, Théadan was certain of that much. "So long as he believes me to be the one to have killed Argyle, he'd likely only want to see me dead, rather than care what happens to Khlurios."<br/><br/>"So we should hand you over to him to ensure that?"  Marek queried, wondering how the prince would react to such a threat.<br/><br/>"I'd really rather that didn't happen."<br/><br/>"Fearing retribution?"<br/><br/>"I'm fearing losing Navia." There was a good chance Navia would follow him if that was the case, and he feared what danger that would pose for him, her and their child. Marek however still seemed to think he had some guilty conscience over what happened to his brother, but what guilt Théadan carried, remained reserved for the Khluri he had wronged. "It's my mother who currently controls the throne, my father trusts her to guide the way. Your guess is as good as mine for when he passes, but the throne will not go to Rhodon until that day comes."<br/><br/>Again none of this was new information for Marek, and he let out a small disgruntled huff at how little there was coming from the prince. Where he kept trying to push for information about Mes'Mo'Tan's threat to Khlurios, the prince would keep trying to shift the topic back to the<i>sitvati.</i>It felt like they were getting nowhere. "Mes'Mo'Tan's armies, what is their current state."<br/><br/>"I don't know." Came the all too familiar answer. "It's been over two months since I was there, I'm sure what ever informants you have in Mes'Mo'Tan can and have answered that question better than me." He was supposed to be changing Marek's mind, convincing him he was no threat, that he was only here because he loved Navia. Yet he got the sense with the repeated questions, Marek was simply not liking what answers he got, and was seeking an answer that was out of place.<br/><br/>Marek shook his head, and rose from his chair letting out a huff as he did. "For a Prince of Mes'Mo'Tan, you seem to know precious little of what's happening within it. You flee your home in the wake of your brother's murder, and take the<i>sitvati</i>with you, coming to Khlurios instead and putting her home in danger by your being here. From what all accounts I have gathered your brother is a madman, and the two of you never got along." What information had been passed on by informants suggested the brothers did not always see eye to eye, and that there had been fights in the past. It's entirely believable this prince murdered his eldest brother, and Rhodon will try to have him murdered, such was the way of bloodthirsty savages. "Your very being here is a danger to our country, and an unncessary risk. There is no value to be had for Khlurios by allowing you to stay here. And I'm quite certain it will be in the<i>sitvati</i>'s best interest to keep you away from her." Marek concluded having had enough with the Prince.<br/><br/>"What do you plan to do?" This blunt assessment of what Marek thought showed he had failed to convince him. It made Théadan stomach sink as he watched Marek leave his chair, and knock on the door for the guards to come let him out. He had to hope Navia had more success than he with her brother, or their options would be limited, and their future would look grim. As the door swung open and the guards came to remove the chair, and to allow Théadan down from the wall, Marek did choose to answer his question, but without revealing any details.<br/><br/>"What ever is best for Khlurios."