"We beg your most gracious pardon, my Lord Maur-Azur." She stepped forward, giving him a winning smile. "I am Mnemon Kisara, scion of the Scarlet Dynasty." She met Pearl's eyes, her own glance as hard as stone. "And Sword of Heaven." The mark on her forehead, the golden sunburst, began to burn, adding a warm cast to the light in the room.<br/><br/>She bowed briefly to the blue-skinned god. "I and my compatriots are the ones who rescued bride from the Shadowland in the sea, and fought back the undead there." Kisara looked at him directly, her eyes wide and keen. "We wished only to fully ensure the safety of Kersinta, the bride of your most august personage, and to pay our respects to you personally."<br/><br/>The smile on her lips turned a little sharp as she looked at Pearl again. "I regret, Lady Pearl, that your plan to keep us out of the way with 'wine and whores' would hardly have worked." Kisara spread her hands. "While your palace is astonishingly beautiful, I've never been one to drink to excess, or lose myself in the body of a young man or woman who may have had little choice in the matter." She tapped a finger, indicating her caste mark. "As I'm sure your most Impressive Father knows, the Chosen of the Sun have much to do now, and little enough time for frivolity."