The Prince and the Shieldmaiden » Places

         

"Yes, I suppose you are right. Forgive me." He told her. Though a servant, Beorn was still rather privileged compared to many others in the palace. Thanks to his affiliation with Lelinus and the church, he was shielded from most people who would happily squash him for any perceived slight against them, but Evangelina was both a woman and a foreigner. He sometimes forgot what that meant.

"Our ways are not so bad," he continued, placing a hand around her waist and leading her on to the ballroom floor as the music played. He smiled brightly as new notes joined the melody and in a sudden movement, he brought her into a slight dip before bringing her back up and giving her an apologetic look.

"Sorry, I should have warned you."

"Oh, this is a surprise. I had only been jesting. I am Lelinus Augustus, Prince of Byrdain and this is Princess Ingrid Jorvikdatter, Princess of Fjellborg and Byrdain, my lovely wife," he told them. It was better that he should put her heritage front and center rather than dancing around it. Knights, real knights, appreciated honesty.

"I am happy that you have decided to visit the capital. The court is awash with your legend. I hope that you may see the fruits of your labor in the this time of peace ahead," he told them with a smile. It was a calculated probe. If this priestess was willing to leave the war with Fjellborg in the past, then she could be a valuable ally indeed. She'd have to see Brynjar for what he was, however. A virtuous knight would not brook rebellion. Not without just cause.