Azurine caught the coin in her hand and flipped it, opening her palm once more to let a small finch fly out of it and up towards the ceilings skylights, nodding to Anthony as he continued to dance with Oscar and the Queen rather eloquently. She felt a cold hand on her shoulder from behind and cringed It was Maddox. She glanced upwards to see his deep abysmal stare bore right into her. She swallowed hard as she shifted in her seat as his fingers dug into her flesh. He was angry but she couldn't sense whether it was with her or these proceedings. Maddox stood and listened to Anthony as he pressed into Anthony's mind, searching for any drop of deception that might foil his plans. Azurine wrapped Anthony's mind in a forest of thorned branches to aid in keeping him out and then planted a story of sorts, a story of a shrewd businessman that seeks to gain great wealth and nothing more. Anthony alone would not have been able to keep him out this time.  A few minutes had past and Maddox's grip eased on her shoulder. A few drops of blood dripped from her right nostril and she wiped it away quickly before anyone would notice, especially Maddox.<br/><br/>"Your proposition intrigues me Mor-Hauser" the Queen spoke as she glanced and smiled at Maddox. "If you can accomplish what you say you can, it would indeed benefit my kingdom as much as your own gain." She took a sip of red wine that was resting on a small table next to her throne before continuing, "I have heard the praises from my Knight Commander and my Archmage, I will now hear the opinion of my most trusted companion" she stated as she raised her hand to gesture to Maddox. He gently took her hand and kissed her royal ring before he stepped forward to face Anthony.<br/><br/>"Bringing trade to the remnants of this great land would be most beneficial but what of our conquests in the north? Can you supply our armies effortlessly?" he inquired as he tried to bore into his mind once more. Azurine sat up more upright and wrapped Anthony's mind tighter, probably causing a slight headache but it had to be done. Maddox was burning through the thorns.