The stew was the sort of thing fed to soldiers in the field all over this part of the world. A thick rich broth with chunks of meat, and vegetables, and spiced with a few herbs she might not know. It was hearty, warm, and full of flavor along with providing what the body needed at the end of a hard day of work when another was expected the next day.<br/><br/>Theasar sat and listened quietly to the princess, whom he knew well enough by her look, never mind her manner of speaking. That she admitted to it certainly smoothed things along for this first conversation. He studied her quietly.<br/><br/>“a small correction, which the king of Garenart wisely capitulated too when we became allies…the region known as the free lands, though claimed by both nations, was never truly part of them. No taxes were collected, ancient forts were long abandoned, both nations ignored the people living there, and their responsibilities…were they truly part of those realms” he said quietly, it was an old argument, one he had made in writing to her father.<br/><br/>“I was sorry to hear of your father,” he said quietly, making a study of not answering her questions “I respected him as a ruler, he took care of his people, and as a strategist, I suspect we would have gotten along well if fate had not cast us as opponents.”<br/><br/>He studied her a moment “right now…we are in my camp, about a day’s ride from where your people were ambushed” he said quietly “this camp’s exact location is a secret, because it is where my scouts work from, when you and I depart on our way to my capital, the camp will move.” He said looking toward her “where you are is safe, I give you my word that no action of mine or anyone swore to me will bring you harm.” He grew thoughtful a moment as he considered her stated plans.<br/><br/>“Those we met in the woods…I would not deal with” he said simply “ that they are willing to ambush those under a flag of truce in that way speaks volumes. I judge them a threat to my realm, as they would seek to take back what they see as lost, though it would cost them dearly.”<br/><br/>“Here is my suggestion princess…you and I will travel first to my capital, where you will be my guest. From there we will make a diplomatic trip to Garenart, as this problem in your homeland threatens that realm as well. there we will decide, as three rulers, how to best deal with your civil war.”<br/>