The room was silent for a few moments. Tommen did his best to distance himself from everyone after Aleksandra’s words reminded him of the pretty flowers that can kill a man with a sniff. Elril shifted due to discomfort. And Lady Kaya seemed to have been partially won over, as instead of just Aleksandra’s glare, that was also the female member of the council bearing down on Bach with dagger sharp glares. But Maleki could see Arslan’s face contort into confusion. He was always the one who picked up on details. While the counterattack over the whore comment was the focus, it was one sentence that was important to the quiet lord. Maleki broke the silence to offer assistance to his friend.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“The Green-Gold’s apparently who sits on the Hammarfell throne nowadays,”</span>Maleki muttered out.<br/><br/>Lord Arslan went pale, obviously the physically weakest and squeamish of the council, and certainly not liking what that meant. Bach sat upright, not quite following the connection as Arslan had but military minds soar when enemies find themselves in positions of power. Lady Kaya, being immediately next to Maleki, turned towards him, looking between Maleki and Aleksandra. “<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff">Excuse me?” </span>she asked, clarifying a moment later.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff">“Why does that matter right now?”</span><br/><br/>Maleki sighed and straightened from his slouched position, clearing his throat.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“May I present to the heads of the Ruined Oligarchy of Valkaren,”</span>Maleki said loudly, his tone clearly showing the sarcasm he was intending with the formalities.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“Heir Apparent Aleksandra Linnea Stalhammer, fugitive in the eyes of The Green-Gold.”</span><br/><br/>More out of reflex than anything else, Lady Kaya’s hand landed against the back of Maleki’s head.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff">“Don’t be an ass,” </span>she chided, before turning towards Aleksandra. Her single eye studied her for a few moments as Elril moved over towards Bach for some whispered words. Resentment moved into Kaya’s features, but she was attempting her best to be cordial about it. Maleki knew out of everyone, these three could understand losing a home violently. But their struggle was a couple of weeks. Maleki wasn’t sure if irreparable loss could be something that was equivalent.