<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="background-color:#353535; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><span style="font-style: italic">Rude,</span> was the first thought that came to Alexis' mind, closely followed by <span style="font-style: italic">but I suppose that's only to be expected from two low-life personalities you can smell from a broomhandle's distance.</span> The almost invisible curve of her lips that served as a gracious, but distanced form of gratitude, had not faltered while the two men (she refused to think of them as saviors, it would beneath all dignity) spoke. Alexis didn't understand what the fuzz was about. Expecting yet more thanks after insulting their betters, whom they had fought for and protected, a duty expected of any citizen? Rarely had she met anyone more crass. Her gray eyes did not miss the greedy look that flashed across the dwarf's face as he left, but lower class citizens would always be like that. She turned and left the bloody temple without another word, Alexa at her side and Kellin at their backs.<br/><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #909090">=-=-=-=-=-=</span></div>"Well, I thought them delightfully and refreshingly honest," said Alexa over the dinner table as she reached for her silver goblet of wine. Kellin and the younger twin exchanged a look across the room that made it clear they were of very differing opinions.<br/><br/>"Your problem, Sis," Alexa continued, gently swishing the contents of the goblet around as she stared down the long table and into her sister's eyes, "is that you don't know how to reward people who actually work. You've spent too long among scholars and priests who only seek the grace of Anu. Soldiers, the common men, are a different matter." Alexa laughed lightly and without humor. "Invite them here."<br/><br/>"You don't give orders in my city," Alexis replied through gritted teeth, stabbing an expertly roasted bit of hare with a viciousness far more appropriate for the spearing of a wild boar. <span style="font-style: italic">Over my dead body... Or preferably, yours.</span><br/><br/>Alexa leant forward, a threatening glimmer in her eyes. "Then I'll invite them for you. As your sister and guest for the celebration of Father's second decade on the throne, Mona<span style="font-size: 85%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="vertical-align: super;">1</span></span> bless him, I wish to thank our heroes of today properly, since you failed to do so."<br/><br/>Alexis' knuckles were white as she gripped her fork. What could she do? If she said no, Alexa would not hesitate to promote her as a stingy ruler behind the scenes, but that riff raff? Here?<br/><br/>Her older sister knew she had won and relaxed back in her chair with a triumphant sneer. "Kellin, would you see to that we will have the <span style="font-style: italic">pleasure</span> of the company of those two upstanding citizens tomorrow night at the feast? Yes, the one in the castle, here, at the high table. They sprung to the heroic, selfless rescue of the two princesses. They deserve a taste of the very best."<br/><br/><span style="font-size: 85%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="vertical-align: super;">1</span>Goddess of madness. She's invoking her because their dad is crazy, which conveniently have granted the sisters the actual power of the citystates, Aershire and Reahian.</span></div></div>