Queen Imizael sat within her quarters. Her auburn hair fell down her back, tied neatly at the crook of her neck with a silk ribbon. On a piece of parchment, she quilled a letter that held the fate of her people within it's contents.

'Greetings Xanan.
However hard this is personally to write, consider that I am. For generations now, our people have fought for our differences, cultures, and magics. For claims of land and people, power and integrity. My King, my husband, as well as yours, sacrificed their lives for these things. Now the day has come where our numbers are as low as the leaves that remain on the limbs of your trees during your Autumn celebration. My Spring brings no hope for a future. I fear extinction has breached our boarders of Ufaria. As the leaders of this grand nation, I beg that you would peacefully meet with me at Urt Falls within the Orlpar Forest. I wish to delegate a possible solution to both mine, and your peoples' prosperity.
I wait for your response.
Signed,
Imizael, Queen of Felia'

Imizael was known for her connection with the land. She sealed the letter with her family crest, and stood to approach her open window. When she looked out and down from it, she could see the entire land that laid before Castle Felia. It was brightly colored with lush life. It soothed her soul to look out upon her land. She knew within her heart, that it was worth saving. That, perhaps, fighting was no longer an option.

Raising her hand to the wind, she hummed a short tune. Instantly, a red cardinal landed upon her forefinger. It wore a saddle, of sorts, upon its' back. This would suggest that it was a royal carrier. Imizael fastened the letter securely, and cupped the birds frail head with her other hand. "Take this beyond your borders, to the Queen of Xana. There, you will surely find her quarters located at the top of the tallest tower, in the darkest of rooms. Let nothing stop you, and no one see you. For this, your Queen will be eternally grateful." With a kiss on its' head, the red bird flew off into the blue sky. Imizael would raise her hands high above her head, palms outward. A gust of wind blew from her, to guide the bird along its' trip.

The queen stepped back from her window, and closed the white wooden shutters. She grabbed her shawl from off her seat, and draped it along her shoulders. Breakfast was held within the main hall of the castle, every morning, at the same hour. Something she looked forward to. Tradition was a hard thing to uphold within times such as these. Imizael was not above making new ones. Recently, she had accepted and insisted upon everyone within to eat together. It would build moral strength, she was sure.

Walking down the corridor, and winding steps, she entered the Main Hall. Before her sat a long, wooden table, with gold linings. The Queen was magical indeed, and was prideful with her capabilities. Nourishment, and aide, were her strong suits. She could produce food and drink with merely a thought. This also came helpful with plants, and water, mostly. For those that would arrive injured, medicine was not far from reach so long as their Queen was nearby.

Uttering a few words that were barely understandable, beautiful colors began to dance around the room. Streams of green and blue skirted from bowl, to cup, filling each with fresh fruit, wine, and earthly vegetables. The bells within the tower would ring soon, signaling the meal to the castles' occupants.

Rebecca hated the morning. It meant the start of a day and with it the awakening of everything. All she could hope for was that there would be clouds to cover the sun, at least. She did like walking her normal route outside the castle every day but she just never took well to the activity with the rays shining down upon her.

The morning feast was primarily consisting of a few animals her hunters had managed to catch wondering her forest. There were few animals that wondered through her woods aside from predators due to the lack of leaves or grass. Since the woods were mostly of trees and soil forsaken of nutrients hunters would often have to go as far as the edge of Orlpar forest to successfully capture food. Of course minding to not cross the boarder.

Rebecca was on the way back to her chambers when she sensed something foreign invade her lands. She not only had eyes from her guardsmen and people but she also had a few pets that were throughout the woods that gave her sight her land. Whatever the invader was it possessed little to no threat. Rebecca quickly walked to her room and was just in time to see a red cardinal perch on her window sill.

Rebecca immediately recognized the bird as a royal carrier and approached it. She knew the bird wouldn't fly off for it was on a mission. There was a letter on it's saddle and Rebecca quickly snatched the bird from the sill. She gently squeezed it and it's head being between her index and middle finger gave it little room to struggle. Rebecca smiled at the bird struggling and then it disappeared when she felt the letter in her grasp as well. The Queen took the letter and glared at the cardinal. She spoke, her voice dripping with venom.

"You are a lucky bird. I am not the type of person to kill the messenger.

Rebecca walked to the window and opened her hand. The bird quickly flew off leaving the queen with the letter. She opened it and read through the letter carefully. The royal carrier gave Rebecca an idea of who the letter came from and the family crest only confirmed her suspicion. She read the letter over a couple of times to fully understand what its message was. She then folded the letter back and thought.

The fighting surely wasn't getting anywhere. It was different than facing other threats because her people's magic didn't work on the Elves and the Elves magic didn't work on the Drow. This required much change of strategy that just resorted, primarily, to hand to hand combat.

"Tirihdil!" Rebecca called out and within moments her royal guard was at her door. "I need you to tell everyone that I'm issuing a momentary cease of action against the Elves." Tirihdil blinked. He didn't know why the Queen had a sudden change of plans but he knew she would explain. "It seems that the Queen of the Elves grows tired of the fighting as have I." Rebecca held out the letter to her guardsman and he took it. "Have my advisors look over the letter and tell them to write a reply agreeing to meet with the Queen of Felia."

"What if it's a trap?"

"This is why I need my advisors. It is us that do not have the advantageous ground. We are meeting on the Felia Queen's terms. This is war so I do not know what she intends. Even though we are royalty I wouldn't put it past the enemy to resort to lure tactics. No matter how low it would be to set up a peaceful assembly with the intentions to assassinate the opposing head. After the advisors have written the letter send it to me so that I may look it over and send it off." Tirihdil bowed and left.

It was too long until Rebecca's guardsman returned with the letter. He handed it to her and she quickly read it over.

'Greetings Ufarian,

I agree with your concern about our people's number dwindling due to the ongoing war. There is little to gain, if anything at all, at this point of the war. The battling is exhausting our people and supplies. I have called for a cease in action against your kingdom and any of your people. I hope you will do the same. Since you have made the initial plans to meet I will leave it to you when we should meet. Hopefully, this meeting will bare positive results that can aim towards our kingdoms rebuilding themselves.

Signed,
Rebecca, Queen of Xana

Like in the letter Rebecca received, she sealed the letter with her family crest. Her own courier was already waiting on the window sill. The bird was a crow with the top of it's wings being red. This made it stand out from the rest and with Rebecca's power she could see it through its mission.

"Make haste, little one." With that the bird flew off heading for the Felia castle. Rebecca felt uncomfortable. She wasn't used to waiting on someone else. She had mixed feelings about the meeting. Then a thought came to her head. Tirihdil was still standing at her door from giving her the letter.

"Tirihdil.

Yes, my lady.

"I want you to bring our best archers to the this meeting. If anything happens that I don't agree with then I'll give a signal for them to kill the Queen. But remember to only do it on my say so, unless I'm dead. Rebecca turned back towards her window as her Royal Guard left to relay her message. She smiled. It was good to regain some control of the situation.

Tirihdil left the Queen in her quarters and walked down the hallways of the castle. Even though there are Guards placed outside of her chambers Tirihdil still felt on edge leaving her, especially with the Felian's contacting her. "What if the letter was just used to distract our eyes and ears while they snuck in close to assassinate the Queen" He thought to himself as he walked at a steady pace towards the barracks which were located underneath Xana's Castle. He couldn't turn back to be there with the Queen because of the Queen's orders so he must continue with the small yet important quest she gave him...

Finally he reached the barracks. The barracks was a large place that used to hold the armour and weaponry of every warrior in Xana, but the wars have only left us with a few soldiers left now, probably close to 50 men which are mostly made up of new recruits. But there were still about 5 - 10 veteran archers. Tirihdil entered the barracks and the soldiers all bowed in respect for their higher up.

"The Queen requires aid from the archers. There has been some... News. The Felian Queen has requested to meet with our Lady and it is our duty to protect her! Get your gear prepared we will be leaving on her say so."

Tirihdil left as the Soldiers muttered among themselves and hurried back.

He then returned to the Queens quarters to inform her of his completion of the task she set for him. As he entered the Queens room he kneel'd down in front of her "My Lady! The Archers have been informed and are preparing to leave on your word" He stood up and looked into the Queens eyes to help convey his feelings on the situation "My Lady... This meeting. How can it be trusted? I understand that they don't have many numbers amongst their ranks anymore. But... What if they have more? and they are just trying to get you out in the open... You should consider sending someone in your place to represent you, it's the safest option."

Kona awoke with a stretching of her arms, and a kiss to her companion's head, she reached for the tigers saddle and placed it on her, getting atop the saddle, she ran her fingers through the tigers fur and flicked her ear, causing her to give a growl, as she made her way down the staircase.

Thinking she was first down she hummed a little tune, her tigers paws not making a sound as she made her way to the breakfast table. "Are you hungry girl?" she asked rubbing the tigers neck, the tiger purred in response. "I'll get you something" she added and dismounted the tiger, as she noticed the queen.

"Hello your highness, how did you sleep?" she asked, sliding into a chair, putting her finger to her tiny chin, deciding on what to eat, she picked up a sausage and handed it to her companion, who purred in happiness. She herself picked a few grapes and apples, taking another sausage, handing it to the tiger.

"Your magisty, would you mind procuring a steak for her?" she asked in her sweetest voice.

Rebecca nodded her head in agreement. She understood how risky this was.

"While I share your concern, Tirihdil, I have to consider the possibility of this meeting being true in its intentions. What if the Elves really do want to meet with us and form a type of peace between our people. While I don't mind war we are stuck at a constant stalemate and it is only resulting in a higher body count."

"And what if it is a trap? I cannot risk our Queen's safety on a possibility." Rebecca smiled. She was glad to have such a loyal person as her royal guard. Not only was he good with a weapon but he also had a head on his shoulders, which is not a trait shared by most of the other warriors.

"I will have my animals stationed throughout the area. If something looks even remotely out of place we will know before the Elves have a chance to initiate a trap. I have no plans on dying. And if things do go south then we still have my son, Karst, to take my place at the throne. But I trust you will ensure that nothing will happen to me regardless. Rebecca turned and walked to her window. "You may leave." She called without turning.

When she heard the door close behind her Rebecca pulled back her sleeve, revealing the throwing daggers attached to a bracelet. With a flick of her wrist a dagger would slide into her hand. She had this bracelet since she was a young girl as a form of defense. She could still throw with deadly accuracy but the edge of the blades were lined with a deadly poison, only Rebecca had the cure to, just in case the blade itself didn't kill the target. If the Queen of Felia didn't give suggestions to Rebecca's liking then she would take it upon herself to eliminate the Elf Queen. They were in a time of war after all...

Only a handful of people are granted access to walk freely around a royal castle- the royals themselves obviously, their staff and servants and of course those that simply are unable to be refused, of the three Altonree Aleurden was the latter. Of course being a mage, and not a slacker at that, means that his vast stores of knowledge are greatly sought after by many Drow, and his services do not come entirely cheaply either, is a reason enough to allow him entrance to Castle Xana. Of course it is equally difficult to prevent someone entry when that person is also able to turn into raven form.

It was during his passage from one of the kitchens to the library and the adjoined chamber that served as his personal quarters when he felt a tremour in the skeins of magic surrounding the castle- something small and evidently flying had breached the airspace, his airspace, around the castle, only to leave again. He quickly moved over to the nearest window and stepped onto the ledge. With a flourish of his hand, which trailed in green light, his body began to swiftly change- his body warped and shortened, his face extended and across his body his clothes twisted and attached themselves to him, turning into a cover of jet black feathers. The only noticeable differences between him and a true raven was that he was slightly larger and that his eyes still contained their usual purple colour.

With a jump and a flap of wings he launched himself from the window ledge and soured out into the open sky. His vision was greatly changed now, no longer could he see colour but now he saw the currants of the wind and the shifting tides of magic through the world, it was such that guided him to the hole in the warning net that surrounded the castle. He saw rapidly leaving a small bird, which he assumed was a cardinal, a bird which was used by Elves either for diplomatic messages or as spies, clearly this one had gotten too close in its mission and was now trying to escape with all speed. He twisted in the air and began to fly his way back into the castle, his logic dictated that surely the queen would have felt the passage of the cardinal and whether or not she acted would most likely take some time, instead a leader who knew how to act on the move was needed.

After a few twists and turns and surprised guards he found the Drow he was looking for in one of the corridors, swiftly landing before him and with a croak his transformation swiftly reversed itself to leave Altonree standing there once more. He gave a regal bow before standing up straight once more.

"Prince Karst, I'm glad I found you in time, I come bringing grave news that needs a level head and quick action to resolve."

"Good morning, Altonree. This is about the bird, isn't it?" He asked, standing by a window and looking out over the castle grounds; dusty, dry and infiltrated by half-dead vines that grew across and around stone; gripping and snaking as though to squeeze life from every object they could find. Trees stood gnarled and disfigured, but their leaves were coloured as red and murky yellow, adding a flavour to the Castle that could not be found elsewhere in Ufaria. Karst found it calming to stand beneath them and think.

"I saw it leave earlier, then a short while ago it was followed by Mother's crow. Why have you come to me and not her? You must know I know nothing about this," he lied, implying his sharp mind hadn't already deduced the most obvious likely answer to the riddle.

He shrugged slightly, then turned his back to the window-still and leaned lightly against it. His clothes were as regal as one would expect; with a style all of their own. His worn coat was not simply soft and adorned with all the fancies the tailors could think of, but looked as though the wings of a dragon were winding around his arms and torso and keeping them safe from the cold.

"Well, I should probably go and speak to her," he grumbled, not really wanting to approach any business that could be considered official - especially so early in the day. "I imagine you want to speak with her too, right?" He asked, pushing away from the window and then beginning his walk up towards the tower.

When he reached the winding stairs, he began to climb up to the highest room. It took a good few minutes to finally reach his mother's quarters, but eighteen years of running up and down those stairs from childhood to adulthood had given him strong legs and he felt no fatigue when the door was finally in his gaze. He saw Tirihdil leave the room as he went up towards it, but said nothing to the guard directly. He only gave a slight nod of greeting and approval, before turning towards the mage - assuming he had followed - and ordering: "stay here until we give you leave to enter."

With that, he pushed open the door and slid inside, closing it behind him.

"Hello, mother. I hope you're not planning to leave me in the dark again," he greeted, moving over to the Queen's bed and sliding down on it lazily, his arms crossed behind his head and his eyes on the ceiling. If Altonree had joined him in climbing the tower, he would also casually point out that, "the mage is outside, by the way. I think he wants to talk to you."

Kona awoke with a stretching of her arms, and a kiss to her companion's head, she reached for the tigers saddle and placed it on her, getting atop the saddle, she ran her fingers through the tigers fur and flicked her ear, causing her to give a growl, as she made her way down the staircase.

Thinking she was first down she hummed a little tune, her tigers paws not making a sound as she made her way to the breakfast table. "Are you hungry girl?" she asked rubbing the tigers neck, the tiger purred in response. "I'll get you something" she added and dismounted the tiger, as she noticed the queen.

"Hello your highness, how did you sleep?" she asked, sliding into a chair, putting her finger to her tiny chin, deciding on what to eat, she picked up a sausage and handed it to her companion, who purred in happiness. She herself picked a few grapes and apples, taking another sausage, handing it to the tiger.

"Your magisty, would you mind procuring a steak for her?" she asked in her sweetest voice. She then began eating again, and petting her companion behind the ear.

Imiazael had taken her seat, and gracefully lined her silver platter with several different fruits, and bread. Wine filled her cup, and tantalized her sense of smell, as Kona entered the hall atop her white tiger.

As important and dependent that Imiazael was upon Kona's skill, she sometime's questioned whether the girl was 'all there', or not.

"Kona, perhaps you could explain something to me?" She arched a brow, waving her left hand slowly before her face. Before the tiger, on the floor, appeared a raw thick cut of bear meat. "As your beast there is of wild nature, would it not be better for it to hunt its' own food?" The queen tilted her head to eye the animal beneath the table, "As opposed to dining at my own table?" As much as the Queen valued the presence of Kona, she sometimes wished the woman would let her beast out to run and be wild to catch its' own food.

Kona tilted her head, causing her pitch black hair to fall to the side, she used this to crack her neck. "I've raised her since she was a cub, she sadly doesn't know how to hunt, her mother abandoned her before she could teach her, but I guess I could let her run" she said, her bottom lip curling a little as she looked at her tiger.

"A little after breakfast I'll let her out for a run" she said half to Imizael, half to her companion.

When the tiger was finished, she rubbed against Kona's legs and ran upstairs for a nap. "So what is on today's agenda?" she asked with a smile, dabbing her lips with a napkin.

Uncurling from the ground, Ordrin looked around himself, examining the forest. Such a dead and lifeless place. It suited his mood, had suited his mood for the 45 years he had lived without his parents, dead to those scheming Felian bastards. Grimacing, he crouched down and rolled up his pack, clearing all traces of his ever being there. No sense in leaving a trail for anyone to follow. Walking briskly, he caught sight of a red flutter heading in the same direction as him. Ideas grinded through his head, but he couldn't do much about a bird.

Coming into sight of the castle he mockingly saluted the guards standing at the gate. Such fools, giving loyalty to one who had ruled in nothing but war. Again, he saw the bird flying away from the castle. A crow burst from one of the balconies, gliding through the air and watching. Altonree. One similar to him, yet Ordrin despised the fellow drow. He viewed magic as simply a convenience, a means to a physical end.

Spitting on the ground as he thought about the mage, he crept into the castle and made his way to the room he had claimed. Small and austere. Not one to believe in luxury or wasted time, he threw the pack onto the bed before stepping out and locking the door. Advancing to the staircase, he climbed upwards until he reached the level on which Rebecca resided. Creeping along the hall, he reached the intersection which would lead to the Queen's rooms. Peeking around the corner, he grimaced once again as he saw Altonree standing there. Karst was probably in there, knowing how the Prince liked being involved in plans.

Sighing, he stepped around the corner and walked down the corridor. Approaching the door, he called, "Well if it isn't the witch." Striding past, he went into the room.

Imizael nodded her head. "Of course, I realize this. I just believe that an animal of her size still remains wild within her heart. I feel a run would suit her well." The Queen forked a red piece of fruit, asking before eating, "How grand would it be if she met a male counterpart and reproduced?" She arched her brows again, for consideration.

She chewed her food, and swallowed. "I'd prefer we wait for Essarae before we discuss the days events."

Thinking for a second, she nodded at this and dug her fork into a piece of watermelon and dashed salt on it. "You must be a mind reader" she said bringing the fork to her mouth. "That would be good" she added before putting the salted melon into her mouth. Closing her eyes, enjoying the flavor. After she swallowed, she nodded again.

"Agreed" she said before salting more melon pieces.

Aeron jumped back as Essarae took a heavy swing, kicking dust up from the dry court yard ground "I better watch out, if you get any better you'll steal my job" he laughed as he took a few light breaths then continued to joke, "hey, maybe we could switch jobs?". A smile lit up his face as he looked into Essarae's determined eyes, a red strand of hair fell over her face.

The wind was blowing softly around the castle, Aeron caught the scent of the food in the main hall and his stomach grumbled, he laughed again and scratched the back of his head.

Essarae slammed her silver blade against Aeron's, squinting her eyes as the dust clouded around her. "You couldn't handle my job!" She teased. Spinning around on her heal, she brought the blade back to match his from over her head. "Pretending to enjoy the presence of your personal guard? It's harder than it looks!"

She enjoyed teasing Aeron. He had been a confidant for her since her father had passed. Her mother had grown distant, no doubt weary with worry regarding their people. The Drow had proven to be very relentless. Even though life clings to their power, the Felians found it hard to strive forward without a king. Talk had been spreading about the village regarding Princess Essa's marrying, giving them a King before the Xanan Prince took his reign. If the Ferian were to take a new King before the Xana, that would give them a leverage so direly needed.

The bells chimed from the tower, announcing breakfast. "I suppose we should gather for food, then." She slid her sword into the hilt upon her hip, and dusted her hands off. The fighting arena, located within the large courtyard, was enclosed with iron gates. Essarae walked to the opening, and exited through the gate. Nearby was a fountain, that continued a flow of spring water from the forest. The mystery behind the fountain was something that her father took to the grave with him. All the Ferian knew, was that it was one of the cleanest sources of water around. Essarae dipped her hands in the water, and cleaned her face. Running her hands through her hair to position it from her face, she took long strides towards the Main Hall. She looked back before entering, "Hurry up, Aeron. I could hear your stomach over my own. Let's eat."

Tirihdil gave a slight bow to the Prince as he walked past towards his mothers chambers. He decided that while he had leave he would take a stroll around the perimeter to make sure there were no spies or decoys that followed the messenger. The castle doors were opened for the civilians to enter and leave when they wanted, there were only some civilians that still lived outside the walls of the castle and those numbers fall everyday. Luckily the castle is large enough to house what survivors we have left. The Queen believes that if we are all in one place close to one another we can keep moral higher and the guards can focus more on the castle and its occupants.

The sun was fairly low in the sky and the day was still young. Tirihdil left the castle doors and continued to survey the area keeping his eyes open for any surprises that may occur. There was a steady stream of people leaving and the castle at these hours, about this time people would be heading to work or would already be there. The Queen insisted for them to stay but they just cant sit by and do nothing, for some people their work is the only thing they have left. The people of Xana are fairly clean and a lot of them are young.

After a quick lap around the outside walls of the castle Tirihdil came back inside with a sigh of relief. He started to wonder back up to the Queen to see if she had anything for him to do and to check back in on her as he's been gone a while...

Pushing the door open, he swaggered into the room with one hand on his sword hilt. Rebecca may be queen of Xana, but nothing had gone right in the time she had reigned. The drow population had dwindled to almost nothing, little more than what resided in the castle. Once they had been great. It was the nobility that had gotten them into this mess in the first place, disputing with each other. Not to mention the cowardliness of the Felians. If it wasn't for the complete and utter sacredness of the Autumn season, Ordrin would have conducted killings even then. Even so, he was barely held by this bond.

"Good morning," he stated languidly. Glancing around, he added mockingly, "My queen," bowing deeply. Coming up with a sneer on his face, he wiped it as he bowed more respectfully towards Karst.

"My prince."

Returning back to face Rebecca, he began examining his hand. "Enjoy your talk with the little bird, my queen? What did it want, if you don't mind me asking?" he said smiling.

Rebecca sneered at Ordrin as he entered the room. His rude etiquette in royal presence still remained unchanged. He didn't hide that he held little to no respect for the queen. If it wasn't for Xana having a small population left and Ordrin being Karst bodyguard, Rebecca would have plotted his death long ago.

"I don't think it's a subject someone of your...status should be worried about. It doesn't concern you." Rebecca spat. "I'm already sure you know where the bird came from. If the Queen of Felia sent one of her own carriers then you could deduct what message it carried. It was a message for us to meet and come to a peaceful resolve. I agreed on the meet but I'd like opinions on what you think we should do. This is about the war so, naturally, this involves active participation from everyone." Rebecca couldn't say that she wasn't the ideal leader for this situation. She wouldn't give Ordrin the satisfaction but, by the smirk he wore now, Rebecca could see he was reading between the lines.

Rebecca wasn't trained in the way of leading people in a time of war. It's not what her school taught. They never guessed the possibility of the king falling. It was a bad idea to let her people know of her inexperience as it would be a huge blow to their morale. That was why she was looking forward to making Karst the king. He was trained by the former king in terms of combat in both ways of physical and mental.

Rebecca was chosen as Queen because of the way she was. Cold and ruthless but reserved and controlling just like his traits were. Rebecca didn't go sprinting to his side when he ever showed up to any royal events. At first Rebecca hated the man because she thought he was the type of person to relish the feeling of bathing in attention. It wasn't until they exchanged brief words at a ceremony that she realized he hated the attention as much as she did. It was in that moment that they peaked each others' interest and soon they were meeting every chance they could.

The king was a fierce warrior but didn't let his love of the blade cloud his delicate duties. He was a balanced man that preferred thinking out a situation's various outcomes before making a move. How he was felled in combat came as a complete shock to the kingdom and especially the royal family. Rebecca hadn't been the same since and found it hard to not show any visible signs of weakness whenever she thought of her husband. She had to constantly resist the urge to vent her frustration and kill the first person she laid eyes on. She'd love nothing more than to go to the battlefield and put an end to the elves. But common practice would not allow her to do such things. So instead she was to dwell within the castle and be perceived as weak. But in due time that would change. One way or another...

"Ordrin, don't be disrespectful to my mother. You do understand the concept of a mother, don't you? I am literally of her flesh and blood and to disrespect her is to disrespect me," he complained, sitting up a moment and casting a slight glare towards the bodyguard. He usually wasn't like this with the man; so stern, or commanding, but sometimes there were things that had to be declared. Orders that had to be given.

He glanced towards the Queen and nodded. "Yes, I deduced that. I was just wondering if you actually planned to tell me had I not done so."

He stopped to think for a moment before answering her again. "Peace is unarguably the best option, but there are many in the court who will stop at nothing less than the total destruction of the light elves. Even if we accept this offer, and we should, there are going to be plots drawn in the dark and pieces moved in silence. Who knows what could happen? I would trust the Felian court more than our own at this rate, because no matter their hatred for us, no matter their ignorance, you know exactly where they stand in the scheme of things. The Felian do not scheme like we do, so they are less intelligent than us. They do not betray like we do, so they are more trustworthy than us. They do not live in danger like we do, so they are less dangerous than us."

He laughed a while. "I can trust a Felian to hate me. I can't trust one of our own noble class to not pretend to be my friend with a knife aimed at my back... Though maybe I'm just speaking from fear." He moved a hand up to rub at his shoulder, where the scar was still hot to the touch.

"Anyway, I hope you're planning to take me with you. I'm going to be King soon, so I would say I have the right. Besides, if Ordrin comes along we'll be fine and if I know anything at all about politics, the solution being proposed will involve a union to seal this peace into effect. I'd say it's fair for me to meet her myself before I'm expected to love her as a woman, don't you?"

Grimacing, Ordrin thumbed the scimitar resting on his hip. He remembered the day that the noble had gotten through. He had been careless. Just as today he had been careless. As Kart's personal guard, it was his duty to make sure Karst was not harmed in any way and he had failed. With no attempts for months, Ordrin had assumed that the nobles had stopped their plans, but that was a misconception. The apathy had gotten to him. Riding around the forest, he had been absent when an assassin had encountered Karst and almost killed him. When he had returned, much of the blame had been directed towards him and rightfully so. Despite vowing never to do such a thing again, he had committed the same act yesterday. Though this one had been a bit more...informative.

"I am sorry my Prince, but to understand would have required for my mother and father to have lived. They did not. I apologize, my queen. I shall take more care next time," he said humbly. And with sincerity. He would be more careful, just so long as Rebecca proved herself more than she already had. Though for Karst's sake, and his, he would leave off the mocking for now.

"As for the situation with the Felians, peace is the only option available to us right now. We do not have enough troops to win, and neither do they. Through a union, we could find a way to subvert the light elves more effectively. This may very well provide us a better chance towards supremacy than we have ever had before. As to the matter of love, my prince, we must ensure the safety of our people first."

Touching a pouch on his armor, he grimaced slightly. While he would prefer not to go through Rebecca, she was in charge rather than Karst. And knew more about magic besides, as much as he disliked it. It was too important to be left unspoken.

Aeron finished strapping on his ornamental armor. He doesn't wear it while fighting, he prefers to be light on his feet and flexible, but it's customary to wear since he is the guard of the royal family. The water from the fountain shone as it dripped off his hair after he placed his head under it, "Hey wait up!" he said jogging over to Essaerae. When he caught up he shook his head side to side spraying her with water droplets "Sorry, i thought you could use a shower" he laughed as he swept his wet fringe to the side "Your job may be hard, having to deal with me and all, but i'd hate to be your "royal nanny" having to wash you after stewing in your robes all day". Aeron loved picking on Essaerae as much as she did to him.

Essarae shoved Aeron, "I smell like roses!" She growled, as they made their way into the great hall. Her statement echoed off of the decorated walls. She hadn't expected everyone to already be set, eating. The awkardness showed plain on the Princess' face.

"Good morning, mother." Essar bowed, raising and acknowledging Kona next, "Lady Kona."

Essa took her seat, next to her mother. Aeron's permanent seat was situated next to her. The two had been friends since childhood. After the passing of her father, the King, the Queen accepted his position as guard and best friend within her daughter's life.

The princess dug into a platter of fruit before her, as her mother stood from her chair.

"I've an announcement." She folded her hands before her, but before she could begin, a crow's call came from the eastern window. The queen looked up, and noticed it to be the Xanan carrier. Imizael raised her hand, granting the bird permission for access. He landed gently on her hand, and she removed the letter. She quickly broke the seal, and read over its' contents.

It was obvious to the people before her where the letter had arrived from, with the Xanan seal on its' front. She set the letter upon the table, and again addressed her party.

"It has been decided to cease war against the Drow. I will be making arrangements to meet and discuss the ins and outs of this peace with their Queen Rebecca. No one is to attack any Drow seen or approached on or outside of the grounds, as of this moment." Imizael sat back down, and sipped her wine.

Though usually, Imizael was one for discussion and delegation, it appeared as if she had already made her mind up regarding this situation. Kona was to be just as surprised as the rest, being her usual council advisor as the Mage of Felia.