Catáryn shifted impatiently from foot to foot as her father assigned her a duty she would rather have left to anyone else.  She should have been allowed to attend the meeting with Khalida, but that evidently was not meant to be.  She stifled a sigh as she nodded towards her father.  “With your leave…” she murmured, turning to exit the room, waiting for the Irealian to join her in the hallway before she turned towards room Khalida and the riders would be in.<br/><br/>She glanced at him curiously out of the corner of her eye, studying his profile as she led the way down the hall at what she hoped was a decorous pace, though she feared it was rather hurried.  As much as she wished to learn from him, to control the powers that plagued her she wished to be a part of the planning more.  She realized that what was discussed in that room with Khalida would ultimately decide the fate of her Kingdom, and she could not help feeling that it was her duty to be a part of that, to know what would happen and what was decided so that she could make the best decisions possible should she find herself in a situation where she was forced to lead.<br/><br/>“Would you mind if I took you to one of the guest rooms later?  I would really prefer to be in the meeting with Khal, and you might wish to sit in as well…” she asked finally, glancing towards him more fully as she worried at her bottom lip with her teeth, hoping he would agree… and that her father would not find out that she had altered his orders somewhat.<br/><br/><br/><div align="center">~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~</div><br/><br/>Mihriban scanned the room casually, taking in not only those present but the emotions that ran under the surface.  That was her gift.  She was not an empathy, but she could find the chinks in anyone’s armor, the desires that would allow her to get close enough for her to learn their deepest, darkest secrets, and she could be exactly who and what they needed.<br/><br/>That talent made more than one of her companions slightly uncomfortable, and left most of the nobles she rubbed elbows with on occasion uneasy.  She could even understand why, after all if she could become anyone she needed to be then how were they to know who the real her was.  The truth was she did not always know herself, but she did know where her loyalties lay, and that was with the people in this room, and no matter who she was in any moment, that was the one truth of her existence.  Once she gave her loyalty it was for life.<br/><br/>She nodded slightly at the mention of her name, her storm grey eyes thoughtful, not hiding the surprise she felt at the mention of an Irealian.  If he was truly here to offer aide he could be a great boon to them.  Any other thoughts she might have had about him were shattered when she heard the number.  Four days.  It wasn’t nearly long enough, they weren’t ready.  They should have had weeks yet if not months…<br/><br/>“Where will they make landfall?” she heard herself ask through her shock.<br/>