The Queen's Gardens: Royal Palace of Andor, Caemlyn

This circular expanse of garden curves around the backside of the Royal Palace. Flagstone paths meander off through the lush greenery, through trees and many flowering shrubs. Trellises with flowered vines crawl up the gleaming white walls that surround the palace. A white stone courtyard sits at the center of the gardens, with tall columns circling around it, holding up its golden-tiled roof.

The lazy sounds of birds chirping and the breeze blowing through the trees makes you feel like taking a catnap. A fine sprinkling of pristine snow lies upon the ground, and the water in the redstone fountain has a thick layer of ice on its surface. A white stone path leads back west to the Courtyard and a white stone staircase curves up near the Palace to a balcony that overlooks the gardens.

Nicodemus walks down the winding staircase from the balcony and into the garden.

Sitting near the fountain, covered in a warm seeming cloak, is a young woman who may seem to resemble the presumed dead Lady Hune. She has a book resting carefully in her lap, and she appears to be engrossed in the words presented there.

Nicodemus adjusts the ahandarei over his shoulder, making sure that it is properly positioned. He spies the woman at the fountain, and coughs lightly, to announce his presence.

The young lady jumps, literally, from her seat, giving Nicodemus a rather startled look. Absently, her hand grabs for something that is not there, and she sighs a bit. Finally, she lets herself calm down, though not entirely, clinging to the fear that resides on her features. "Good evening..." She comments quietly, lowering her eyes from Nicodemus's face, yet not returning them to her book. The expression seems odd.

Servant_Girl walks into the Queen's Gardens from the west.

Nicodemus remains where he halted at the base of the stair, assessing the woman. "My apologies Good lady. It was not my intention to frighten you." His eyes shift from her as he searches the shadows as if there might be something hidden within. After a moment or two his eyes return to her. He inclines his head then, face an expressionless mask. "Good eve M'lady."

Servant_Girl comes walking into the gardens using cruches. She looks quite a bit better then she did and it seems she can move about on her own now without any help. Must heal quick...

Rennar shifts uncomfortably on her position by the pond - sitting on its rim much like Aislynn does sometimes. Her eyes momentarily go to the new arrival, then she starts to chew on her lower lip. She glances back to Nicodemus, "Is Ais-..." She begins, forgetting herself. She sighs softly, calming herself and her voice a bit more, "Is her Majesty better...?" There is some concern in her voice as she regards the man before her.

Kragar walks into the Queen's Gardens from the west.

Nicodemus pauses in the conversation for a moment to look the recent arrival over. He folds his arms over his chest, and takes up a somewhat relaxed position. "Queen Aislynn..." He says this as if he's not used to referring to her in such a manner, "is well..."

Rennar is sitting on the edge of the fountain, her attention divided between Nicodemus and the Servant Girl. Relief touches her eyes at Nicodemus's words, more than a considerable amount. In fact, it looks as if a heavy weight has been lifted from her shoulders. She speaks softly, "I am glad to hear this...."

Servant_Girl goes to a spot that seems a little less cold then the rest and sits herself down with an umf...not nice being cooped up in there all the time

Kragar wanders into the lovely gardens. Notes the crowd and moves to a secluded corner to partake in nature. Does a double take at the Lady Rennar noticing a resemblance to someone he has met before but keeps his own council.

Nicodemus looks over to the servant, and inclines his head to her. "The good Lady will be fine. If she should want for anything, I will see to it that her want is taken care of." Is this a dismissal? He eyes Kragar for a moment as the man enters, but does not halt his conversation with the Lady for the moment.

Demonder walks into the Queen's Gardens from the west.

Rennar is sitting on the edge of the fountain, her attention divided between Nicodemus and the Servant Girl. She does nod to Kragar when she notices his entrance. She lifts a brow at Nicodemus a moment, tilting her head to the side. Perhaps she is wondering which Lady exactly he is talking about. She does not see Demonder entering.

Servant_Girl nods politely back to Nic but doesn't say anything. She's quiet

Kragar looks in the Servant Girls direction nods a hello. Then stares off into space again lost in thought or plotting something or piecing things together, you decide.

Demonder enters the scene with the purple cloak being placed more tightly around his shoulders. It trails behind him as he spots his intended at the fountain, casually making his way toward her. Although not exactly wanting to interrupt the conversation of the three, he does approach them with a light clearing of his throat.

Kragar looks the way of the new arrival and nods a greeting, then goes back to being pensive again.

Rennar glances over at the new crunching in the snow, a very faint smile coming to her lips as she spies Demonder, "Good evening, Demonder." Her smile seems to grow, its warmth could probably melt some of the snow about her. She also seems to relax more visibly, having become less.... frightened?

Nicodemus would roll his eyes if he did such things. However, he's better schooled than that. His eyes shift from the lady by the fountain to the servant. Perhaps he was not at all clear. So much for the bludgeon, perhaps a sword would chase the servant off, or better yet, something less subtle. No, he's more in control of himself than that, but lately, his nerves are tightly wound. He looks about. "The air this late could cause a chill. Perhaps it would be best to go inside the palace?"

Kragar slips out of the garden, noting the tension.

Kragar walks along the white stone path, towards the Palace Courtyard.

"Renni..." Demonder greets with that smile, making his way beside his intended before he turns to the gaidin. "Nicodemus. Do not leave on my account?" he ponders his own words, and then looks to the servant girl with a perplexed expression as well.

Surprise seems to over take Rennar as she turns her attention once more to Nicodemus as he speaks. Her brow furrows just a bit, gaze going from the young woman to the Gaidin. At his words, her eyes widen a bit, "I... I would prefer to stay out-" She begins, her words cut off by Demonder's greeting. She worries her lower lip with her teeth then simply looks down, not interefereing in the coversation. This is so unlike Rennar.

Servant_Girl looks to Nicky indignantly. "I know it's cold...and I amna here ta serve anybody. What? Da queens gardens off limits ta us little people?" Now we see why she keeps her mout shut.

Nicodemus inclines his head toward Demonder. "I was just inquiring, perhaps too subtly if The good Lady might be more comfortable in of doors." He stands there, face still impassive, as he hears Rennar's reply. Once more the servant acquire's Nicodemus' attention. "The garden is free for all to enjoy, or so I have heard it spoken, and as for your presence here... It is late, and I am sure that you will enjoy this lovely space better in the morn, when I am not here."

Servant_Girl says "Well it's a big garden darlin...you stay in yer corner of it and I'll stay in mine. Thinks we can work that out?"

Servant_Girl looks around. She called it a garden but there's not exactly flowers out in the dead of winter. This she contemplates for a little while.

Demonder's hand touches upon Rennar's shoulder, his eyes going across the gaidin with a level of respect and off-handed amusement. There is little he doesn't notice with this serving girl now, as she does seem to be about places where Rennar is. "Yes, Lady Rennar does seem to insist on the cold," he notes with a light smile.

Rennar appears to shift uncomfortably once more, only casting a small glance in the way of the young woman. There is a faint hint of recognition there, yet she remains quiet. She nearly jumps as Demonder places a hand upon her shoulder, like a frigthened doe in the woods. Clearly, she was not expecting such an action, at least not truly. "Being outside..." Rennar corrects, keeping her eyes lowered much too much for either to clearly see her expression.

Nicodemus inclines his head. "I see now why your face is not the fresh flower that it should be." He halts his conversation for now, pushing no further in this moment. He'll build up a head of steam first, and think of a number of good reasons to call the guard to escort this woman to her home.

Servant_Girl again looks idignant and goes back to minding her own business

"She was one of those injured, when my House was stormed..." Rennar murmurs quietly, not raising her eyes and looking a bit frightened for speaking 'out of turn', a lesson she learned well enough.

Demonder's eyes focus in on Rennar, his head tilting forward as he looks to see her in more detail. Concern is clear, especially when she jumps at the touch of his hand. But Demonder's attention does turn to Nicodemus. "You have gotten her speaking more so then most I've met around here," he points out.

Nicodemus looks to Demonder, and inclines his head. "It is the norm for me to cause quite the opposite Sir, but none the less, I am glad to hear it." He returns his attention to Rennar. "M'lady... If this servant works in your home... Can you not dismiss her for a time?"

Servant_Girl goes back to looking Nic over...What crawled up his butt this morning she asks herself...Eyes go to Rennar, wagering somehow that she won't do it...

Reluctantly, Rennar turns her gaze toward the young woman, studying her for a moment. She gives a small shiver, causing her to pull her cloak tighter, "Perhaps it would be better that we go inside... I feel chilled of a sudden."

Servant_Girl hmms and didn't figure on her sending all of us in...

Narine walks into the Queen's Gardens from the west.

A strange set of concern touches upon Demonder as he looks to the servant. The lord's hand squeezes around Rennar's shoulder for a moment before he peers at Rennar in her answer. Nodding slowly, and with surprise, he releases Rennar's shoulder and offers his intended his arm in escort. "Very well then."

Narine strides into the garden, her eyes quickly sweeping the entirety of the space, before alighting upon the four people. She offers a small curtsy and as she rises murmurs a soft, "Peace favor you all."

Rennar peers at the outstretched hand a moment, then finally takes it. Slowly does she rise from the edge of the fountain, so as to make certain of her footing within the snow. With her other hand she attempts to keep the cloak pulled tightly about her, to keep out the chills of the wind.

Nicodemus inclines his head. "Perhaps the two of you might want to sit by my fire this eve." He, of course, means Demaonder and Rennar. "It is a warm place, and I will call for a late night drink if you wish it?"

Servant_Girl smirks and canna imagine why anybody would wanna sit by this guys fire...

Demonder considers the offer by Nicodemus and then is distracted by the arrival of Narine. For a moment one would think there is hesitation in his eyes before he greets her. "Mistress Narine," he notes. "We were just heading inside." Demonder's eyes turn to Rennar, leading her forward from the fountain, footsteps hitting uponthe snow. "It is a kind offer, Nicodemus. Perhaps one that we will except once inside. I am sure your rooms are of better comfort then that of the guest rooms?" The last is a question more in amusement then a need to know.

Narine nods and keeps her eyes upon the ground...strangely servile this day. "Pardon me for interrupting, M'Lord. I did not mean to..."

Nicodemus inclines his head. If it was a joke, he either missed it, failed to see the humor in it, or laughs little. He turns then to look in Narine's direction.

Without argument, or preamble, Rennar allows herself to be lead by Demonder, keeping her eyes lowered and looking almost like a 'meek' servant herself. Light only knows what happened in that House when she was with Jeffrin. She makes no comment on the works spoken between the two male figures, though she does look up a little at Narine, and nod her head before lowering her eyes again.

Narine offers another hesitant curtsy, and a soft apology, as she strides out of the garden, gripping her bow, her teeth clenched, yet her eyes remaining upon the ground that she walks on.

Narine walks along the white stone path, towards the Palace Courtyard.

"No interruption caused," Demonder quickly responds to Narine, his eyes following the former employee of House Roesone with a touch of tension. But that matter likely clearly invisible compared to the concern that shows on Demonder as they make their way out of the gardens. "Renni?" he asks quietly, head tilting to her as his fingers touch upon her chin.

The Gaidin waits then, to see if Demonder and Rennar will accept his hospitality, or decline. He will follow only so long as they do not dismiss him.

Demonder quickly responds to Narine, his eyes following the former employee of House Roesone with a touch of tension. But that matter likely clearly invisible compared to the concern that shows on Demonder as they make their way out of the gardens. "Renni?" he asks quietly, head tilting to her as his fingers touch upon her chin.'.

"Yes...?" Rennar responds, her voice soft and quiet. She seems more distant than most times, almost like the first time Demonder saw her when he discovered she was released. She continues to move with him, her chin raising as he raises it. From the looks of things, it does not seem as if Rennar will be dismissing anyone of late.

Servant_Girl does not get up to follow strangely enough. Rennar hasn't asked her to afterall. She's gonna stay just to spite the guy if she can

Demonder takes his eyes only for a moment from Rennar, enough to turn to the Gaidin. There's a hesitation before he speaks his words. "I thank you for the kind offer." The concern for his fiancee clearly is showing. "For tonight I will take Renni to her room, but I do hope the offer will stand for another night, as I do look forward to speaking further with you, Nicodemus."

Servant_Girl finally gets to put a name to this grouches face...Nicodemus.

"I do not mind sharing his fire..." Rennar finally catches her tongue, but keeps her eyes lowered, "Nor do I wish to go back to that room again. Satira is there, sleeping." There is some small amount of distress in her voice as she announces that.

Nicodemus inclines his head. "Very well. I full well understand." He pauses for a moment, and finaly adds, "And yes... The invitation stands to both you, and the Good Lady."

Demonder's eyes turn to Rennar, his head tilting. "She does?" Demonder looks to Rennar carefully, examing her slowly with consideration. "I will send message to House Roesone so that a room is prepared for you, Renni. Until then," he turns to Nicodemus. "We'd enjoy your company."

Nicodemus inclines his head yet again. "Good then. If the both of you would be so kind as to follow me?"

"Aye... remember...?" Rennar turns her eyes to Demonder, almost imploring him to remember, but she quickly lowers them - almost as if remembering herself. She simply waits until Demonder and the others move along, nodding in answer. She does not say much in way of responding to the announcement about a room being prepared for her elsewhere.

Nicodemus walks leaves the garden and walks up the stairs onto the balcony.

From above, Nicodemus walks up the winding staircase from the garden and onto the balcony.

Demonder walks leaves the garden and walks up the stairs onto the balcony.

Rennar and Demonder follow Nicodemus until they arrive at his rooms. >Nicodemus's Quarters

This room is simple enough. It's fairly utilitarian despite the grand architecture of the building that houses it. One usually accepts a certain lifestyle when Gaidin, but Nicodemus doesn't seem to be able to leave the tower behind now that he actually has the opportunity to do so.

A large oaken writing desk sits in the far corner of the room. It's far from ornate, and so could be best described as serviceable. The chair that rests behind the desk is perhaps the most self-indulgent feature of the room, drawing the eye to itself immediately. It is upholstered in a luxurious red velvet. The massive chair looks large enough to seat an Ogier. It's large fluffy pillows look quite comfortable, even to the point of making the chair too restful to sit upon. Just to the left of the chair, upon the wall, hangs a prodigious map that shows the current state of the known world. Next to the desk, along the right wall, rests a series of bookcases. On them, in neat rows, are books on wide, and varied subjects. Most of these tomes deal with the histories, cultures, and politics of nations both currently in existence, and those long since faded. The bed, assigned rather than chosen, is fairly luxurious, but the plain dark blue comforter, and lack of adorning pillows tend to make the thing seem furniture of necessity rather than something desired. Placed at the foot of the bed is a medium sized chest. It is kept closed by a large iron lock that seems to scream private. On one wall there hangs a map of the known world. Its details have been remarked in places where time has changed a country's borders or surface features. Before an enormous hearth there sits a settee, and two chairs, should there happen to be visitors who might wish to actually keep the occupant's company.

Contents:
Nicodemus

Demonder comes into the room.

Rennar continues to move with Demonder as they are lead to Nico's rooms. She speaks very little along the way.

Demonder leads Rennar into Nicodemus' room, his eyes taking to the room and only now realizing why his previous words of jest would not have hit remotely close to him. Although Rennar never seems to smile at anything he speaks either, so he is rather used to such reactions.

Nicodemus removes his weapon, taking good care to set it down gently. He waves a hand, in a more relaxed manner, to the sitting area. "Please... Make yourselves comfortable."

Without really thinking about it, Rennar moves toward the settee and takes a seat upon the piece of furniture. For appearances, it may seem as if she is, indeed, making herself comfortable.

You take a seat at the functional settee.

Demonder looks more like the concerned husband then anything less as his eyes take to Rennar, though there's strength in his manner. Strength that he offers her as he sits beside, his arm touching upon her shoulder with another squeeze before taking to the room further. "Before the Tower, Nicodemus, what life did you live?" Demonder asks quietly, still pondering over the room.

Nicodemus moves toward the door, and looks out into the hall. He calls for a servant to bring them wine. He moves then, like a snake, almost seeming to slither in and out of the furniture, to the fire. He stokes it, with an Iron poker, only pausing in this to listen to Demonder's question. He replies, with a question, "Is it important good Sir? You know now who I serve, and what that entails. My previous life might as well be anothers..."

Rennar chances a glance upwards, her turn to take in the sparse, or workable furnishings of the room. She only shows moderate to light interest in Demonder's quesiton, still remaining quiet. She folds her hands within her lap, settling them there quietly.

"You have clearly left whatever life you lived before behind," Demonder agrees, almost expecting the answer. His eyes trail to the fire, as he stands up from where Rennar sits and slowly walks toward the fire.

The wine arrives, and Nicodemus quickly disgards it, taking a pitcher from under his bed. He comments rather dryly. "One can never be too careful." He watches Demonder move to the fire as he pours three chalices, which he also gathered from under his bed. He hands the first, once poured to Rennar. "If you wish it M'Lady."

"What is it...?" Rennar answers, eyeing the chalice a bit speculatively, after the wine was disregarded for something else. She does not raise her eyes to look at Nicodemus, nor does her gaze follow her fiance.

Nicodemus says "It is simply brandy M'Lady." He watches her for a moment, wanting to ask her thousands upon thousands of question, but he will wait. He hands the second chalice to Demonder, walking over to him at the fire."

"I don't drink anything stronger than wine." Rennar murmurs, declining politely. She fiddles with the loose tassles on her cloak, keeping it tightly wrapped about her despite any warmth which may be coming into the room from the fire.

Demonder's eyes look to his intended once again, that concern showing through as he moves behind her, both hands touching upon her shoulders. He lets Nicodemus settle matters with the wine, and mearly tries to offer a familiar touch for Rennar. Demonder accepts the brandy. "Thank-you, Nicodemus." Demonder doesn't probe matters further, seeming to allow the host of this night to bring out the purpose of it. Taking a quick drink of it, his eyes turn to the fire.

Nicodemus takes a seat at one of the chairs that flank the settee. "If I may be so bold Good Lady... Clean your house of the current staff, and hire those that lord Jeffrin chased away."

Nicodemus inclines his head to Demonder in an answer to his offer of thanks.

"As far as I am concerned," Rennar comments, "My House no longer has any staff except for Genette. At least, not until the remodelling of my home gets finished, along with the new doors and gates getting installed.

"Fresh staff will be difficult to hire, without the years of loyalty one would have otherwise," Demonder continues on the thoughts, though really only half within this conversation as he takes another sip of the brandy.

Nicodemus inquires after that name, "Pardon me for asking M'Lady, but Genette?" He looks over then to Demonder, watching him for any hints as to how he might feel about spring cleaning.

"The head of my Household, and consequently the first that my uncle let go." Rennar responds, "She opposed him with every step he took. He did not take kindly to her actions, nor she his when he attempted to usurp my authority while I was still visibly Head of the House." She removes one hand from her lap and gently uses it to reposition herself upon her seat.

"Life does take its turns," Demonder speaks quietly, and then raising his voice. "At one moment one enjoys a fine meal with company that went almost without blemish, and then the next moment everything seems to fall apart. Things did not go wel for House Hune when Rennar was kidnapped. Or for me, for that matter."

The young woman seems to turn her head away from Demonder and Nicodemus, pulling the cloak about her even more tightly. A defense mechanism, no doubt. Rennar grows strangely silent, content to keep quiet and listen, rather than intiate conversation.

Nicodemus inclines his head yet again. He seems to do that quite often. It's as if it is some small pause allowing him to mentally file one piece of information or another before he opens his mind for more. "If I placed a man with you, a guard of sorts, for a time, would you refuse his services?" He turns then to Demonder, "Yes... Well when one tries to destroy a house, and one is not well versed in the subtleties of Daes Dae'mar, often a hack and slash method will work if there is a scapegoat."

"I would have to consider it." Rennar murmurs quietly, not giving clear yes or no answer on the subject. She seems reluctant to let strangers, even those who are bonded to the Queen, to take refuge within her own home and household.

Demonder does seem to read further into Nicodemus' words, backing away a touch as he looks across the room. That hand settles upon Rennar's shoulder in support once again, the other holding the glass with brandy. "Scapegoat indeed..." his voice trails quietly before his eyes return to the gaidin.

Nicodemus inclines his head. Whether it is in return to Rennar's answer, or Demonder's statement is to be determined. He looks to the map upon his wall. "What would become of Andor if the last living heirs to the Lion Throne were to meet an untimely end?"

Nicodemus pauses, admiring the enormous map.

Nicodemus's words seem to make Rennar uncomfortable, "There would be other heirs." She states quietly, "I have sisters, who are just as close to Ishara." She points out, "If Aislynn..." She goes back to the less formal way of greeting her friend and Queen, "... wanted to secure the line of succession, then this would be her chance to make certain those in Andor know who would be next to rule. However, I am not saying that to further my own House. I did not even know she had named me heir-apparent until the week before the attack too place on my home, and my person."

Demonder watches the conversation unfold for now, taking to his brandy.

The gaidin inclines his head. "So after Aislynn Sedai, there is you Lady Rennar, and cousins who are not so well protected as yourself." He pauses, letting this sink in. Perhaps a might heavy handed, but Nicodemus has his reasons. "Just for a moment, let us say that all of the female lines to Ishtara are cut... What then?"

"Not cousins, sisters." Rennar corrects quietly, "I have two, Calisa and Satira, though Satira's been poisoned." Having said the words prooved to be a difficult task, "And the result of her line dying out would be a war of succession."

Nicodemus takes a sip of the third chalice finally. "I thought so. And within, Andor may never see a Woman as its leader again." He looks to Demonder then. "What is your house seal Good Sir?" Now there is a question out of no where.

Rennar shakes her head at Nicodemus, "That is where you are wrong, Gaidin." Rennar responds to the words, "Andor would only accept a Queen on its throne, as is law and tradition."

Demonder's eyes look to Nicodemus more directly though, though rarely exactly directly at him. Clearly, the lord does watch the gaidin that has a keen interest of matters. Especially one that is bonded to the Queen herself. There's not a distrust in his eyes, just a noting of the questions and words. "Prince Greydon's holding power within Andor while Queen Aislynn was within the Tower had caused enough troubles."

Rennar adds, "Particularly with such strong ties between Andor and the Tower. If that came into being, I think the TOwer would intervene."

Nicodemus inclines his head. "I hope that you are right M'Lady, but that map over there says that few things are forever. Save the Tower..." He does not speak of the fact that such a thing as the Tower having an open hand, causing more problems, and opening the way for such a change. He waves a hand. "But perhaps I should not worry overly much. Andor is Aislynn Sedai's, and it is my duty to see that she is safe, and nothing more..."

"Andor's tradition of putting only a Queen upon the throne has lasted for nearly three thousand years. I would think that it would change simply by one small war of succession. They nobility might want such a thing, but the commoners would be the ones we'd have to worry about. There are for more of them, than there are of us." Rennar states, her voice taking on a quiet tone.

"A good point in turn, which man would be foolish or hungry enough to try at such power." Demonder makes the distinction between foolish and power hungry, his eyes turning more directly to Nicodemus. "It is beyond me suggest nobility of such nature within Andor, though I'd suspect there are not many that would seize such power even if given the chance. Not for struggle to maintain it, but the persecution and death that will follow once the power is lost."

Nicodemus inclines his head. "Indeed... Then they should see a strong hand in their nobles, and yet their nobles should see to the commoner's needs, and know that it is they that are the lifeblood of Andor, and they who the nobility serve." Perhaps he throws this out to see if it gathers a respons, whether verbal or in action. He inclines his head to Demonder in turn. "Many a nation in times past have been led in such a fashion, and there is always a powerhungry fool to think that his, or her reign will be different..."

Surprise does touch on Demonder and those first words by Nicodemus. Not exactly a Cairhien thing to say, that is clear, as Demonder simply nods in accepting them. Demonder pauses only to take a sip of his drink. "It is the few that bring chaos to our lives, though the few run with the many that are as greedy but have no strength. Yet this Jeffrin," Demonder shakes his glass absently. "A puppet, we both realize. One that alone caused some interference. Enough of it."

Nicodemus makes no move to agree with Jeffrin as the puppet, but from what he has said here this eve, it doesn't need to be stated does it? "If he were a puppet, who then pulled his strings?"

Had Demonder been more inclined with the matters one requires to be speaking with a Cairhien, he would not have entered into the clear question that Demonder himself was hoping to ask. But he gives no indication otherwise. Instead he turns away for a moment, and keeps his attention elsewhere even as he speaks. "I am not the best man to know such secrets," Demonder simply begins. "Had I enough evidence, I clearly would do something as foolish as take physical action against them."

If Nicodemus were inclned to do such things as laugh, he would, but he keeps his merriment under control. He says simply in reply. "Then I will have to watch whomever you raise a hand against to find more suspects." Did he just admit that he thinks the man with whom he speaks knows more than he's letting on, or merely wished to see who he might point a finger at to find out more about Demonder. It's a dizzying game. Of course an answer could only be taken so far, as it would be ever so easy for Demonder to lead the Gaidin on a wild hunt.

"I am not a lord that has had the need to involve myself in such matters," Demonder explains quietly, his words ringing true by his ranking within the Andoran nobility before his preposal to Rennar. "Not until recent times, and now I find the training grounds to provide a more honest battle then the witted tongues that are held at high regard at higher ranks." Now he does turn his attentions to Nicodemus. "I will protect her, as her intended now, and as her husband in the future." Not an exact answer to his question.