"We shall make our decision on the last day of the lunar month.  If..." He paused, stifling a laugh that was a mixture of nerves and general good-humor, "If We should meet our end before such a time, then Our wise Queen shall choose, and if she is incapable, then it shall fall to the only Son of the Realm, Eurich."  This system was put into place to detract competators from slaughtering the whole Royal family.  It was a centuries old system that helped to ensure that the liniage of the first few kings could be traced to trickle down.  "We, as the rest of the family and others, shall observe the happenings in Our castle and name a successor."  He leaned back in his chair and drew deep from the pipe.  The tobacco calmed him in  this anxious time.<br/>_______________________<br/><br/>Eurich nodded, taking up the slate again.  "It will be for my father to decide at the end of the lunar month, and if he cannot, my mother.  I name the heir if she is unable.  I only ask that the Princess Lilliana be granted  a merciful hand.  Her Majesty the Queen is your main obsticle."<br/><br/>Eurich thought for a moment before passing the slate back.  Was this information that he truely wished to pass on?  Then again, Ijemaru was no fool, Eurich knew that for certain.  He probably knew of his mother's treturous nature almost the moment she opened her mouth.   He decided it was worth expressing and passed the slate to him.<br/><br/>___________________________<br/><br/>"Do not fear her stand-off, she is quite used to being ridden." Lilliana delicately leaped to stand on the wall of the stall and slid her lower half over Damona's back.  The horse responded with a litle "oomph" sound and settled her muscles to better recieve her rider.  Lilliana looked a little concerned at the noise and stroked the mare's main.  "I am quite concerned for her." She mentioned to Sofia, whom she'd come to regard as a confidant.  "I fear she is not much longer for this world, let alone for riding."<br/><br/>As if to protest, Damona turned to lead out of the stables and onto the trail.<br/>_______________________________<br/><br/>Thothcapel drew in gracefully from the ornate carved stem of the hookah and passed it to her right.  She then turned to Anna with a smile that made her look as though she had swallowed a cannary and liked it.  "Your daughter and Our Lilliana have certainly taken to eachother.  You mention that you and she have traveled extensively.  Have you been to the ruins of the Ancient World?"  She inquired.