Gavin's lip curled with disgust as he watched Masako eat the orange; rind and all. He handed her a napkin, wondering why the Goldsparites had picked her to represent them. Maybe she had some connection to the royal family of Loidi? Or she could have just been the one to intercept the messenger. Whatever the case, he really questioned the judgement of that decision.<br/><br/>Just then, a servant came running in. "Your Highness! The Loidites arrived!"<br/><br/>"Good. And the Danbarians?"<br/><br/>"Arrived as well."<br/><br/>"Send them in."<br/><br/>The servant shivered. "Your Highness, the Loidites appeared out of thin air. They used magic, your Highness."<br/><br/>Gavin swore. They had given him their word! This was not a good start to these meetings.<br/><br/>************<br/><br/>Diane screamed as the group appeared in the courtyard. She turned and ran back in the garden, needing to warn her brother. Wizards, in Anstaria! Someone had to call on the Ritter Hex to take care of those unnatural creatures. She wasn't allowed in the throne room, but she tried to get her brother's attention by climbing up on a bench under the windows to the throne room. She could see him, but he was too busy to notice her.<br/><br/>Climbing down, she gave a yelp as she noticed one of the Loidites had seen her. Her hand went up to grasp the broach that closed the neck of her dress. She was covered from head to toe, but she felt exposed.<br/><br/>"Don't come near me," she said, "or I'll scream."