"Truly?" Lord Barthimas asks, at the comment on the previous Knight. "I had heard that he died in battle against the Winter Knight, some five years ago. Was there another elected since? I do apologize if I offend, as I have not had many dealings with Summer, these past few years." He frowns, and seems rather bothered by the situation. "And, yes, I do believe there's been a misunderstanding. Our outer villages have always performed the proper rites, and negotiated fairly with the Court. This is, in fact, the first I've heard that it's become an issue at all. Not to mention, we've had long-standing agreements with you, regarding those forests, and I was unaware of any changes in the terms being negotiated."<br/><br/>As he speaks, Meridia leans over towards Caiphias, whispering. "Do you see the woman over there? The dark skinned one, assistant to the diplomat? She's under a veil, and I think you might be interested in seeing who she really is," she says, taking his hand, and guiding his gaze off towards one of the corners, where a human woman, of apparently African origin sits, amongst the other diplomat attaches, one of the four accompanying him earlier today.<br/><br/>When she grabs him, though, he'll feel a warm tingle, spreading in the back of his eyes, and the room seems to take on sharper colors. Everything grows brighter, as if someone dialed up the contrast, and he can see a hazy glow, around the woman, and himself. His own solidifies first, leaving him seeing himself, with his illusion as a ghostly image over it, then hears begins to appear, moments later; her skin growing a darker black, the color of ebony, her hair turning white, and straight, her face growing more delicate, even as it twists into a look of disgust at everyone around her, her ears sharpening into points, as her eyes take on the hue of amethysts, bright and piercing, and full of anger.