<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=227120.msg11180559#msg11180559">Quote from: Angelic Kitten on 21-04-2015, 15:49:05</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote"><div class="floatright"><em><strong><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: comic sans ms;">For:<br/>(http://www.angelickitten.com/gal/avatar/abigail.jpg)<br/>Abigail<br/>Elysia<br/>Reinhardt</span></strong></em></div>"Stephen milady.", the young lad answers with a courtly bow, "At your pleasure."<br/><br/>He comments as he waits for Abigail to settle her things.  Fed and clean, she felt much better about things.  A nights rest might have been about the only thing she might have been left wanting, but really, you cant have everything, and often those of the Misty Valley, were well practiced with making do with what they did have.<br/><br/>Abigail was led through the Civil Service sector, where much of the Castle's business was actually conducted.  It was walled off, and carefully moderated by the Inquisition to make certain that only those that should be here were allowed through.  There was a gate that separated the Civil area from the Park.  Two men at arms stood there to check papers and allow them passage through.  Stephen leads you through presenting his papers, and nodding to Abigail, to indicate that she is her charge, and in his care to guide to the audience.  They give Abigail a curious look but let her through.<br/><br/>It was still early in the season, so the grass was still budding and the vines while green, had not started to green properly.  There were a few tulips in bloom for coloring but much of the garden were slow to greeting Sol's return to the skies.  Stephen guides Abigail to a secluded part of the garden, against the ivy covered stones of the Keep, and walled off by hedges, that were still in the process of greening it felt like an audience room.  Queen Edenburgh, otherwise known simply as Adhafera to you in simpler times, sat on a bench reading.  As you arrive, she holds up a single finger to pause your progress and finishes reading the passage she was reading before bookmarking it and closing it.  Placing the book to rest on her lap she nods to Stephen.  She wasn't dressed in court clothing, if anything she seemed to be dressed for adventure.  One might call it ... armor, if not for the careful effort that went into crafting the leathers to be pleasing to the eye, with careful dyes, and clever stitches.  She was unarmed, except for a belted dagger at her waist.<br/><div class="floatright"><em><strong><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: comic sans ms;">(http://rpol.creativelass.net/fh19031.jpg)<br/>Queen Adhafera</span></strong></em></div>"That will be all Stephen.", she nods to your guide and waits for him to leave before moving a few inches to her right and patting the bench with her left hand to call you forward to sit.  She looks a little perplexed.<br/><br/>"Well met Champion Reinhardt?", she states formally.  She tilts her head slightly regarding Abigail with a thoughtful look as if she were looking for something or judging her.<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>"Thank you, Stephen," the Paladin replied, inclining her head respectfully when he bowed to her. Once she made her way outside into the sunlight, she donned her sheathed sword as they walked, making light conversation along the way. Abigail was always that bit more aware when she was around military men that she didn't work with directly. It wasn't distrust exactly, but there was an element of the unknown to these men and they easily outnumbered her. Still, she was straightforward, respectful and had her paperwork in order. She had a runner accompanying her, so she did what was expected of her and made her way through.<br/><br/>Abigail had expected a more formal meeting with the Queen, despite her more casual interactions with Adhafera in the past. The informality of this meeting surprised her, but it agreed with her on some level too. The Queen wasn't trying to pull rank on her, as public shows of authority were inclined to do. The Paladin approached, pausing midstep as the Queen indicated she should not interrupt, though she knew already that Adhafera should be allowed to speak first. Even though this wasn't an audience chamber, Abigail respected the niceties.<br/><br/>The blue-eyed Paladin glanced over at Stephen as he was excused and did as Adhafera bid, wondering if it was somehow against some regulation somewhere to sit on equal level with the Queen. It was a bench and the Queen made the rules - didn't she? Abigail wasn't sure, so she sat down and smiled, seeing not only a monarch in leather but a lady she knew from simpler times. Surely they'd shared drinks at the inn a time or two.<br/><br/>"Indeed, your majesty." A certain brightness crept into her eyes when she spoke her greeting. "I received your invitation and I-" here she hesitated, "also bring a message from Champion Cosette."<br/>