laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Outside the palace gate to the powerful high elven family of Kevelaer, a blue tear opened into a large circle which Kailee and Tess walked through onto the flagstone, then let the magical portal drop behind them. Guards immediately drew their swords and nocked arrows as the pair stopped.

"I'm Kailee, the Queen of Wroclaw come to see Her Highness on important business." She knew that porting this close to the palace would garner this kind of attention, but matters dictated the urgency. In polished, blue-white platemail their sergeant approached, sword drawn.

"My lady should know better than this," he announced as a multitude of archers waited for the order. "I wasn't given any notice that Her Highness was receiving visitors today from Wroclaw."

"I know, and I apologize for the entry. I need her counsel and will wait here as long as it takes to gain it."

He nodded, glanced to the night elf at her side and then motioned for one of the knights within the shadow of the gate to head to the main lobby. While they waited, she wondered what had sponsored this unnatural behavior in her. Normally she would mentally call to Eirianwen first before coming so they wouldn't have to deal with this sort of thing. Riders passed them, noticing the pair who appeared more as demonic mercenaries than a queen and her lady-in-waiting, their smoke-grey platemail and mithril filigree coupled with Kailee's bronze skin and hair of flame didn't help much either.

Soon, the runner returned and nodded to the sergeant who then turned to them and sheathed his sword. "You may enter but, I'll have to claim your weapons until you leave."

Kailee nodded. "Of course," she replied as they both unstrapped their weapon belts and handed them to him, then proceeded into the smooth, marble tiled bailey and up the short stair guarded at the top by two pairs of four guards. Their exquisitely designed platemail and halberds shone in the daylight, gleaming at each corner and sharp angle. Inside, the courtiers and nobility all turned as one to notice the pair of foreigners enter the large lobby bordered to either side by sweeping staircases and fronted by the main perpendicular hallway. Across from the lobby, two immense doors opened to the throneroom where she noticed the king and queen conferring with several others in finely crafted robes. More formal protocols always seemed the norm here, things that bored Kailee. As they waited, the chamberlain approached and stopped within a few feet, bowed and rose.

"The queen asked me to see to your billeting and she will tend to your matter in a more private setting," he informed, then motioned towards the stairway to their right.

"Thank you," she replied, then followed him up the stairs and down to her normal bedroom. She was hoping that Eirianwen wasn't planning to stall her perhaps knowing their quest since the girls had already been here previously. The last thing she needed now was more tearful goodbyes.

Opening the door, he stood aside and they stepped in. "If Your Highness is in need of anything, attendants will be here shortly."

She turned and nodded, then allowed him to close the door and leave them alone.

"Guess we got all dressed up for nothing," Tess stated dryly as she dropped her backpack onto the couch at the foot of the four post bed.

Kailee chuckled and followed suit. "She's been just as busy with this war as we have. I don't blame her at all, we came unannounced."

"Yeah, I know. Just hate long waits, especially after I've had my weapons taken from me. I feel naked now."

"Might as well take a bath and change then. I have a feeling we'll be here a while before we see her."

Tess shook her head and plopped onto the bed. "I'll wait. I'm geared for a fight, hard to come down once you get in that mood."

"We didn't come to fight Kevelaer," Kailee moved to her side and sat down onto the soft mattress and bedding.

Nodding, the nightblade's head dropped slightly and studied her gauntleted hands and she could feel her friend's pain. "I didn't want them to leave us like that either," she began as a comforting arm went around Tess's shoulders. "By the way, what promise was Dillon supposed to keep?"

"I told him that he needed to keep the girls safe or I'd hunt him down."

"Oh. No pressure there," Kailee needed to lighten the mood a bit for her own sake also. A comment that made her friend smile, then turn to her.

"Think I wouldn't?"

Golden eyes studied the nightblade for a long moment. "I know you would, so would I."

"Double trouble. Guess it was good that I didn't add you in the mix then." She straightened. "Just give me the first few moments with him before you finish the job, okay?"

"I can't promise. Especially if it's dealing with them."

* * *

Several hours later, they were escorted to a private table on the long veranda which overlooked the Royal Gardens. As the sun began to set, the distant mountain tops shone a bright orange against a dark blue sky. Eirianwen rose and hugged both, catching Adgertesse offguard a bit at the gesture.

"I'm sorry for the informal setting but, it's a beautiful night and the children are hosting a dinner for some of their friends in the Great Hall," she smiled apologetically as the king also greeted them both warmly.

"It's alright. I'm just glad you took the time at all. I'm sorry I came here with no notice but, we have some questions for you."

Her silvery hair gently swayed as the high elven queen motioned to their seats as she and the king claimed theirs. "You know I look upon you as family, Kailee. I just wish these days were less hectic and I could've met you sooner." Kailee sat and enjoyed a glass of wine as the other three began to eat and could feel the tension in the air. Eirianwen knew why she had come. "You seek the prison?"

A broad smile lifted the dark veil. "Yes. I know the girls asked you about the key also but, they mentioned you hadn't any luck with the chalice. I was hoping our luck might be a bit better. I didn't know who else to turn to."

"I'll try again tonight," she nodded. "I ask only one thing in return, that you both stay with us for a few weeks first."

Kailee didn't feel that patient. "I really need to know where this leads and take care of this problem as soon as possible. I was visited once already by a powerful mage who tricked me into thinking Sater was still alive," she didn't finish that result and quickly changed the subject. "I've always known I was destined for something bigger than myself but, I don't want that goal taking any more lives such as that battle with him. I've had enough of loss."

Eirianwen smiled sympathetically as the king and Tess listened while they continued eating. "That's life," she began as she straightened and lowered her fork. "I'm not going to reiterate what Bronwynne told you, but only bring to remembrance that conversation. She learned those things the hard way just as we all have."

Kailee sighed as she replaced her goblet to the table. "I know. I don't mean to sound selfish, it's just that I have a lot of blood on my hands whether by my own or someone elses. You know this."

Tense, the queen went back to her dinner and Kailee endured the silence for a short while. Guilt soon entered in and she hoped for some respite for what she had been carrying for so many years.

"I'm sorry for bringing this to your table," she finally broke the quiet.

Eirianwen nodded quietly as the king cleared his throat. "How goes things to the north in Davos? Have you heard anything of Zariva?"

"Not recently except that the city had been retaken and they were pushing towards Newcastle and Kecel."

"I'm glad to hear that," he smiled as Tess straightened.

"Sir Michael has a good head on his shoulders and was well trained," the nightblade interjected proudly. "If he has it his way, he'll push the Jann back to the Oka Straits."

"No doubt," he chuckled.

Kailee returned her attention to the queen who finshed the last bite and gently placed the silver fork to it's place. "Why a few weeks?"

Blue eyes gazed to her as she swallowed, then wiped her mouth with the silk napkin. "I have a few spell lists I want to train you both in before you do this."

Kailee's eyes widened as Tess also stopped breathing for a moment. Adding to the arsenal was the last thing on her mind, but wouldn't hurt a thing.