Nobles' Sitting Room: Royal Palace of Andor, Caemlyn

You find yourself in a antechamber with a high, vaulted ceiling inset with colorful stained glass. Lush carpets of red and white lie upon the marble stone floor. Couchs and chairs are arranged in conversational groupings within the room.

The strong afternoon sun floods in through the glass wall, reflecting a brilliant spectrum about the room. Down below, in the Queen's Gardens, you can see snowdrifts against the white stone walls, and icicles hanging from tree branches. To the east is a wing set with doors that house the nobles who reside in the palace. To the northeast are a pair of double doors that lead to the balcony and gardens. A hallway with guests' rooms branches to the west, and the heavily guarded Queen's chambers are south. A great staircase of white stone curves down to the Entry Hall below.

Shalayne
Lorenz
Durnik

Durnik says "That is truly good news for you then." He looks over to the opening balcony doors, and bows slightly, "Lady, a pleasure to see you on this winter afternoon.""

Rennar shivers slightly as she enters in from the outdoors, snow quaintly dusting her cloak. She pulls it off in a carefull manner, and equally so waves her cloak outside to keep the small fragments of iced water from sprinking upon the floors of the Palace. Meanwhile, snowflakes appear to melt within her hair. She does not notice the others about the hallway at first.

Durnik clears his throat lightly as he notices Rennar does not immediately see or hear him.

Shalayne nods in response to Durnik, turning to drop a small curtsey to Lady Rennar.

Lorenz stands by looking around for awhile.

"Hmm?" Rennar murmurs, turning around in a quick motion, which might allow for some melted snow to spray upon those within the room, unintentionally of course. This little faux pas seems to cause the nervous Lady to blush rather furiously, "Oh... pardon me. I was not aware anyone was here." She lingers near the door, closing it shut behind her before more white stuff comes into the room than it already had.

Durnik closes his eyes as tiny water droplets hit him in the face, but he otherwise ignores them. "What takes you outside on such a cold winter's day, lady?" HE smiles. "You should be in enjoying a warm fire."

Shalayne nods to Lady Rennar and the two men, as she begins to make her way once more across the room to her quarters.

"A need and desire to be out of doors, Captain-General." Rennar speaks ot the man in a rather formal tone, carefully regarding him in a quiet manner. Something haunts her eyes as she speaks those words, and she seems to shiver despite the fire and the warmth of the room. She nods her head to Shalayne, offering the woman a slight smile.

Durnik watches Rennar sadly a moment. "I can well understand that lady. Very much so."

Shalayne smiles in return as she continues to her room, offering a quick 'Good day' as she goes.

Shalayne walks through a pair of white doors, leading into a private chamber.

Rennar watches as Shalayne moves to her rooms, then looks back to Durnik, "Can you, Captain-General?" She seems to question, carefully folding her wet cloak to store away for later when a servant comes by and insists on taking it from her. Gently, the lady smiles at the servant and finally lets the other woman win the war over the issue.

Durnik pauses. "I would think recent events, would make one desire to be much outdoors."

Deveran climbs up the spiraling staircase, from the lower levels of the Palace.

Deveran is looking at you.

Deveran comes to the room room from belong and immediately heads off towards Shalayne's room.

"A bit, aye..." Rennar murmurs quietly, stepping away from the balcony door in case another wants to use it. The same servant who fussed over Rennar and her cloak comes back with a hot mug of cider. Surprise lingers in Rennar's eyes at this, though she smiles thankfully at the young woman, "I will need to remember to give Aislynn your name. No doubt, she'd love the attention when she's not feeling well..." She tells the girl, right before the servant moves off again. She returns her attention back to Durnik, studying him quietly, "Have you any news of my sister?"

Deveran walks through a pair of white doors, leading into a private chamber.

Durnik shakes his head sadly. "We have a direction....but past that nothing."

Rennar's eyes light up a bit, "A direction...?" She asks, her voice insistant, "Where?"

Durnik says quietly. "I am afraid I cannot give that information out. Our investigation is still pending lady."

Durnik meets your eyes watching your reaction.

Rennar's eyes seem to narrow at Durnik, "This is /my/ sister we are talking about. If you will not give information, I will have to send out those that I trust to find her myself." She seems rather adament about the matter, "Either that, or I will foolishly have to approach the Children upon the matter myself. Either way, I /will/ know."

Durnik looks you straight in the face. "Interference cannot be allowed at this point, lady....but I still cannot divulge confidential information until we have completed our investigation." He looks sad. "I know she is your sister, but that does not change what I can tell to people. Needless to say, if there is anything we discover that you need to be told, rest assured you will be."

"I do not see a personal investigation as interference, and if I have to take the matter before Aislynn, I will. You cannot stop me from looking into matters myself. It is not a crime." Rennar's face seems to turn a bit red, not from embarrassment, but anger. "I /need/ to be told anything that has to do with /my/ sister. That you keep things from me is horrendous and a disgrace to the palace name." Alright, so maybe her backbone wasn't that shattered last evening when she saw Jeffrin, but then again there's an uncertain amount of knowledge in her eyes which seems to defer that she needs to know more than ever about her sister - and an urgency. "Of course, you can go through your bloody beaurocratic red table for all I care. I will find things my way, if I have to." With that, rather than waiting for Durnik to respond, knowing his respons will be the same, she moves toward the stairs.

Durnik calls after Rennar. "See the Queen lady. She may tell you what I cannot."

There is no answer, just a determination to do what she will. She need not share her inforamtion with the Captain-General either. Footsteps resound upon the stairs leading to the lower galleries.

You descend the white stairs to the lower levels of the Palace.

Sometime later in the day...

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.

From above, Durnik walks onto the balcony from the sitting room.

From above, Durnik looks down upon Rennar buried in snow.

Rennar sits amongst the gardens, cloaks about her once again.

From above, Durnik leans over the balcony, arms outstretched to either side of him resting on the railing. His face shows disapproval, but a hardness to match the coldness of the snow.

Rennar does not notice Durnik, in fact her attention appears to be elsewhere, toward the maze, one of the few places she can navigate and be away from all the troubles of the world, at least temporarily. "By the gods, I wish father were here." She murmurs more to herself, sighing deeply, "He'd know what to do."

From above, Durnik watches silently from above, an emperor looking out over his land, the shadowy figure who knows all....etc etc.

If he were ruler, that'd be fine, though he is only Captain-General, who is still answerable to the Queen, "Or even Lord Kelveshaan. At least he would have fairly answered my questions." Rennar sighs deeply, fingers pulling her cloak about her even more tightly, "I had better treatment when Jerad killed father than I do now. I suppose if anything ever did happen to Aislynn,I'd have to do something about that, light forbid." Anguish touches her voice, the mere thought bringing a tremor to her."

From above, Durnik turns with a swirl of his cloak and heads back inside. One cannot help but here the snap of the cloth, or the crunch of the boots in the snow. Though the face is long hidden by the balcony's railing, and the only sound to be heard after a moment is the closing of the double glass doors of the balcony.

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

Kragar enters the gardens and moves over to the near frozen fountain.

Rennar is upon the bench near the fountain, her gaze currently upon the maze of bushes that seems to be now without leaves. Upon hearing crunching footsteps, Rennar turns her attention toward the new entrant. There are a few Queen's Guards not too far away from her, keeping watch.

Kragar looks over and sees the Lady Rennar and bows his best bow, "Good evening Lady. I do help you are well now after all of your trials of late."

Rather than looking well at all, Rennar seems to look worse then before - despite all the fancy new clothing, all warm to fit the weather, "I would be better, knowing where my sister is." There is little emotion to her voice, "However the Captain-General seems to think I do not need to know any information regarding the investigation."

Kragar thinks for a moment then seems to recall, "The Lady Calisa? I have heard about that, I had hoped they would have found her by now." He leans a bit closer maybe so the guards will not hear, but not so close that Rennar or the guards will feel he is a threat and says, "Step are being taken to find her Lady, you have more friends than you know." He honestly seems sincere and even with what you saw of him before you may feel inclined to belive him, for once he seems to be serious and truthful. (Don't get use to it.)

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

"Aye, /my/ sister, Calisa." Rennar murmurs quietly, turning her head so that she now more fully regards Kragar. Her eyes seem to be tight with anger, one she can't seem to control or grasp, "Imagine, I'm not high enough on the pecking order to even be granted the courtesy of knowing where they took her. It's as if I'm just as my uncle said a I was, nothing more than a common rat." And with that, she seems to deflate, looking away again toward the maze. Her voice lowers, pain mixing wiht the anger, "No, lower than a rat."

Kragar turns as the new person arrives and recognizes who it is. Gives a bow, then turns back, "I am very sorry about that Lady I wish I could do something but unfortunately I am but a common man."

The young Lord makes his way through the palace courtyard and into the gardens. Demonder's limp is of significant troubles, though on this day the lord wears the heavy axe at his opposit hip regardless of the pain it must be causing him. As he makes his way into the gardens, Demonder expectingly finds his intended. At a slow pace he nears her and Kragar, offering the man a bow before coming to Rennar's side. His eyes search Rennar's expression. "Renni..."

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

Kragar withdraws a bit figuring that the couple would want time alone. Then nearly walks into the newest arrival in the gardens.

From above, Nicodemus walks onto the balcony from the sitting room.

Turail steps out of the way gracefully, but his brows furrow. The way those blue eyes examine the man who has nearly bumped into him, you'd think he was memorizing the face.

A wry chuckle seems to escape Rennar's lips, "I once knew a young woman, her name was Neri A'lan, who was just a 'mere' commoner, however she managed to gain the attention and trust of the Queen through one simple act, and even had her ear for quite sometime. She was even invited to participate in Aislynn's coronation." A tickle of rememberance touches upon her features. "So don't just say you are a mere commoner, for she proved commoners can do more than they desired." She smirks a bit, "Of course, being Ta'veren probably had a part to play in it." She doesn't look up at Demonder, still lamenting about the earlier comment of her being a 'rat'. She does, however, reach out and seek his hand, to gain some sort of support from her fiance, much needed support.

From above, Durnik leaves the balcony and walks into the palace.

From above, Nicodemus leaves the balcony and walks into the palace.

Kragar thinking ah the nobility has enterred in force I will go consort with a more "common" sort. "I belive I will take my leave of you Lady...Lord..."and with that he bows out. Also taking note of the stern blue eyed man if you are observant Kragar seems to quickly size the man up and claculate about a dozen things about the man as he passes by.

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

Turail glances past Kragar to Demonder and Rennar, assessing the situation, and then turns to stare after the Cairhienen man with a hint of suspicion on his face.

Demonder does indeed take Rennar's hand, his other seeming the need to offer her further comfort, though it holds back. The lord watches his fiance carefully, the concern thick on his expression, though it remains well hidden as he turns away to face Kragar. There is a simple nod in response to Kragar dismissing himself, and then his eyes turn to Turail. "Lord Turail," he greets with a firm bow of his head.

Turail turns from watching the back of the exiting man and inclines his head, bowing slightly and touching heart and brow briefly. A strangly Shienaran action. "Lord Demonder, Lady Rennar." Moving away from the garden entrance a few steps, he skimms the garden with his eyes again, even looking up at the balconies briefly. "I saw you in the streets Demonder. Not very wide perhaps to roam."

As soon as Rennar has Demonder's hand, some small amount of relief shows upon her features. Slowly, she turns to glance at those who've now occupied the gardens. There are at least two Queen's Guards not far off. Despite the relief, tension still remains think upon her visage. She states rather bluntly, "I want to go visit the Children." There seems to be a stark determination about her, as if she's alreadyu made up her mind.

"The Children?" Demonder turns away from his cousin to look into the eyes of his intended. And then he looks to Turail once again, as though the man he hardly knows could offer a few words of advice on the subject. It isn't a good idea, of course, this shows on Demonder's expression. "You do not do well among Children," Demonder notes quietly as he turns to Rennar. The catious words are hooked with negativity, though Demonder seems to understand.

"Aye, but neither do I do well with the Captain-General it seems. I want to know what I've done that I can't find out information about my /own/ sister." Rennar speaks, her words a bit heated, "He said he had information on her whereabouts, but yet he refuses to even give me the direction in which they traveled. I don't 'need to know' he says." Anger fires in her haunted green eyes, and where there were sickly pale features before, there are even more sickly reddened features. Light only knows when stress is going to play its part in making Rennar ill.

Turail draws closer to the pair, his boots crunching in the snow faintly, and brushes snow from a bench that is near them, but at an angle so he can see them both. He sits without ceremony and listens, one elbow propped up on his knee. "The Children have taken your sister?" He has a roughened voice, even when its soft as it is now.

There are things Demonder would point out to her, though he holds back any direct words. Instead, he nods slowly. Rennar will go, better she do this with him at her side then on her own. "If you wish to have words with them," Demonder bows his head forward. "Then we will go. But..." Demonder takes a deep breath before his next words. His fingers touch upon her cheek, turn her to him insuring his words are heard. "Only if you believe good will come of this< renni>"

"Aye, they have taken Calisa, or so young Emos has said." Rennar speaks quietly, pressing her lips together as she answers Turail's question. "I think if it would gain them a better chance at having one of the Greater Houses looking at them favorably, especially one that's been known to have animosity toward them for quite sometime, then I think some good would come out of it." Rennar sighs deeply, this decision having pained her. She does /not/ want to go to the Children. It is a last resort, "Though, I will speak with Aislynn first. I will not jump into it lightly. I'd much rather..." She sighs deeply, looking down at her hands now. There's the unspoken statement of her much rather having Calisa home and safe instead. Of course, there are also those other 'additional' things she must contend with.

Turail pulls his cloak around him a little more. "How much power have the Children gained here? The Queen's word is still law, is it not?" The question behind the question seems to be almost something along the lines of, 'They /dare/ take a noble from Caemlyn itself without the Queen's permission?'

"The Queen's word will always be law." Rennar states, her voice rather firm on that particular subject, "No matter what turmoil the nation will ever go through. There are enough nobles and commoners here to see to that." Rennar seems to deflate again at Turail's last comment, her eyes seeking the ground, "It seems they have done that, yes." She folds her hands within her lap, ever carefully picking at unseen threads.

"House Roesone has contacts within the Children," Demonder states flatly, his hand holding to Rennar's as he looks about them uncomfortably. "Not that this would be needed. It is unusual, for the Children to take anyone within Andor, and even more so with a noble." Demonder looks to Rennar. "Then again, they are not ruled by Lord Alrik any longer. Things may be different now."

"Even so, they /must/ abide by Andoran Law. They can't simply just /take/ anyone they so choose. And that Captain-General Durnik is not being helpful at all is not helping matters." There is no doubt that the loss of her sister is taking a great toll on Rennar, her emotions running wild. Tensions seem to grow by the moment, each time her mind lingers on Durnik and his response to her seemingly simple request. She worries her lower lip with her teeth, an attempt to calm herself some, perhaps.

"Who was this Alrik? It is not a name I had heard before, Cousin." Mist from Turail's breath hangs in the cold air a few seconds before dissipating. "And who rules them now?" A slight gesture of one of Turail's hands accompanies the question. "I agree they must abide the law." He hesitates and adds in a softly grating voice, "Only a darkfriend would find need to break the law to achieve his ends."

"Lord Captain Commandor Alrik," Demonder responds to Turail specifically. "An interesting man, to be sure, that Rennar and I had the fortune of meeting at one time. He has been replaced. I do not know the details." Demonder holds Rennar near as the conversation continues. "A Captain-General would be wise to respond to your requests, Renni." Good advice, considering Rennar continues to call the Queen by first name and without title.

"He was intereting...." Rennar interjects on matters about Alrik, then sighs about the other. "I will be speaking to Aislynn as soon as I possibly can. Perhaps she will be more reasonable than he is being. I know she was as upset over matters as I was myself, so I can't see her /not/ helping. I'd much prefer to go to her than the Children anyway." And from the expression upon her features, aside from her anguish, anger and despair, she really seemed to loath the idea of going to the Children. "I would not want to insult her like that." She comments quietly.

Turail finally voices something that has been bothering him about this, his fingers steepled together, while he's apparently unaware of the gesture. "And what if the Children do not in actuality have your sister? It is possible perhaps? It would seem foolish to me to take a noblewoman in Caemlyn, under the shadow of the Queen's arm, and have it be known that one had done so. Even the Children must see this, unless they are more foolish than I believed."

"If it is not true," Rennar counters, eyes now locking upon Turail, "then why have they not issued a formal, public statement saying that they had nothing to do with teh disappearance of my sister?" Her gaze has a certain life behind it, as if wanting and desiring to know, yet... looking almost completely hopeless at the same time.

"Have they been publicly or privately accused of the deed?" Not that Turail would put it past the Children on an ethical level, but still it HAS occured to him that it would be an almost perfect crime... pose as Whitecloaks and let them take the blame.

"That I do not know. I found out only last evening, by the Queen's own admission, that something had happened to my sister. Generally, Calisa and the others have the run of the city, as long as they've got guards with them." Rennar murmurs quietly, "They know every inch, like myself, like the back of their hand. Father made certain everyone, except perhaps Satira, was aware of all about them here."

Demonder nods slowly to Rennar's words, his eyes moving between the two with a vague set of anger. "This has to be related somehow with everything else," the lord finally concludes. "It would be too much the coincidence otherwise." But even as those words are spoken, Demonder shrugs uncertainly.

Turail nods, and glances at Demonder. "Perhaps that is something that ought to be asked. Were you told where your sister was when she was taken? Surely not in the palace?" His eyes travel back to Rennar, and a glimmer of sympathy.. pain maybe, floats around the edge of his gaze. He knows loss. "Everything else, Demonder? Perhaps you could give me a summary of what everything else entails tonight Demonder?"

Slowly, Rennar shakes her head in response to Turail's question, murmuring in a quiet voice, her earlier anger now dissipating, "I only know that it was someplace within the city, not the exact location." Her hands continue to pick and pluck at the invisible threads upon her skirts, eyes lowering to focus on her menial task, "And I can't say if the two are connected, at all, Demonder. This... this could be something else entirely." There is a certain loathing to her voice, as if Rennar might have some sort of knowledge upon things.

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

Rudra arrives with Cronus.

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

Turail looks up at the sound of footsteps from where he is seated on a bench, facing Demonder and Rennar at an angle. His hand has crept to the hilt of his sword on the other side of him, but he releases it on seeing Cronus.

"I have received notice from the Queen," Demonder changes the subject very slowly. At least for a moment. "House Roesone will be given an estate in replacement. One that needs renovations, but will be a home sooner then to wait for the old manor to be rebuilt." Demonder holds no enthusiasm in his voice, his eyes continuly watching his intended.

Rennar's eyes are upon the task of ridding her dress free of invisible threads. She does not look up when Cronus enters, not with her two Queen's Guards watching over her since her earlier jaunt out into the city. "I am glad to hear of your good fortune Demonder, though I suppose it never will really be home to you..." Her voice is quiet as she murmurs her words.

Cronus gives a bow of his head to those that notice him, he enters as quietly as possible however, not wanting to disturb those within. He makes no motion to speak at the present time either.

Turail lifts a brow slightly, the cold shards of blue stone that act as his eyes following Rennar's continual thread-picking at her skirts. "How soon do you expect the family to take possession of this estate, Demonder?"

There is a fondness to Demonder's words. "It will not be home for me, no more then a place to stay for the few months before our marriage." Demonder squeezes Rennar's hand, and then turns to Turail. "Within a few weeks, perhaps? Apparantly there are those renovating the manor to a comfortable state. Lord Turail, you are best to speak with Master Kael, the Head Stewart, to insure to reserve a larger room."

It is when talk of the House starts up again that Rennar finally looks up and stops her 'thread-picking'. Really, it was just something to keep her occupied, and giving her something to do with her hands while the others talked, and while she sorted through her owen emotinal state. "Aye, but even then, it will be your home for those few months, and your family will be there too." Concern does etch itself upon Rennar's eyes as she first regards Demonder, then Turail. It is then, at that point, that she notices Cronus. She grows silent, then turns her attention back to Demonder once more.

Cronus blinks at Lady Rennar's reaction to him, and the look on his face as he regards the other two if they so notice asks... 'did I do something wrong...'

Turail grins slightly, changing the hardness of his features in incongruous ways. "I had some thoughts on that myself, cousin." He turns so he can look at Cronus but speaks to all present, "Until I say otherwise, you will refer to me as Ealam, not Lord Turail. You will introduce me to Kael, and all others as a friend of the family. Perhaps it will be only a short time that this is required, but I feel it would be best if I remained relatively invisible."

The harsh looking man is clearly not afraid. No such emotion is visible in his gaze. But one cannot guard against an enemy one does not know of.

"As you wish, Ealam," Demonder responds quickly to the request that is more the order in their difference of position. There is a note of pondering in his voice as well. Demonder too nods to Cronus, his eyes returning back to Rennar even as he speaks to his cousin. "Has your search for news been of any success? These are difficult times."

Cronus arcs a brow at Turail, but there is a point to his plan. After all he has engaged in several such ventures before... himself. But he does look at the two guards who stand watch over Rennar, through a gesture and look the men do seem to back off, after all he is on scene now too and in a closer range than they, if trouble might start. Then he regards Demonder, "Oh quite a bit has been turned up my lord, although nothing that indicates where she was taken as of yet. But perhaps you can speak to me of the Inquisitor you were with the other night in the Inn?"

Turail nods once, satisfied, and lounges in a deceptively relaxed sprawl on the bench, listening, and watching everything and nothing at once.

"Pardon me, Lieutenant Cronus," Rennar begins, her eyes narrowing upon the guardsman, "but that's not exactly truth, or does your own Captain-General not tell even his own guards everything?" There seems to be a resentment within her voice as she regards Cronus, "Is it not true that the direction of where they have taken Calisa has been discovered? For that's what the Captain-General has stated."

Demonder looks to Cronus with a slight sense of tension, before releasing it just as quick. "The Inquisitor is of noble birth to House Roesone." Demonder doesn't play about the matter any at this point. "He did not seem to recognize the other Inquisitor within the inn." Once again, he insures to offer comfort to Rennar, eyes watching her to every detail as though trying to pick out her thoughts. Demonder turns to Cronus once more. "I will tell him you wish to have words with him." Demonder doesn't reveal a name.

Cronus frowns slightly at his use of words, "I meant noting new of the exact whereabouts in that area, my lady. The search is still ongoing in Ferret Run," he seems to have other suspicions on the matter but voicing them wouldn't matter, he looks to Demonder and nods, "Thank you my lord, I would like to speak with him before noon tomorrow." he pauses then to Rennar, "And we do know that the Children were not involved... directly in the matter yet suspicions are still in place about them."

Turail fingers the edge of his cloak and then rubs his hands together against the cold, feeling the tension rise and wane. He keeps his eyes turned on Cronus, carefully filing away his statements in the back recesses of his skull.

"If they were not direcly involved, Lieutenant," Rennar speaks, her voice no less than it was before, "Then you imply that they were indirectly so, and thus, are still involved either way." She gives a small shrug of her shoulders "So, they are still responsible for taking my sister."

"I can not gaurantee any time of your meeting with the lord, nor if he will meet at all." Demonder is speaking about a House Roesone noble that is of position of Inquisitor, after-all. "Lieutenant, it simply does not make sense. If Lady Calisa was talken by the man we had all witnessed her speaking with, then the Children were involved. If she was taken by another, then not. Is there something specific you know on this?"

Shakes his head, "Perhaps, though from all my reports I have to sort through on the possibility of how the crooks gained there clothing is the point in turn that I must decipher... From what I can tell they were not stolen from any of the Children directly..." he pauses as he sees Demonder about to speak, and replies to him, "Yes sir, I have several statements that place the man from the inn at the scene... and ordering those that committed the crime... So yes, there is a very deep reason I must speak with him, if he cannot come to me, then I must go to him... Can you give me his name?"

In the matter of the Inquisitor, Demonder holds at least some secrecy for the man he had been speaking with. "I may, once I speak with him. My apologies, lieutenant, I mean no disrespect. I will have word to you by tomorrow afternoon, though I will need to check the matter with him first." The lord doesn't even want to go into the details of why the Roesone noble might want to keep himself secret. This seems to make two. "So you believe the man not to be an Inquisitor, but one that was acting the part?"

In the midst of the conversation, Rennar's mind already set as to /who/ did take Calisa, and /why/, she rises from her seat upon the bench and starts to head toward the maze. The guards assigned to her stop their casual conversation and simply look at one another, then to her.

Cronus nods, "But I have no proof to swing either way, except the fact that no one in the Children's camp knows of the man I speak... but by his words, he made a most convincing show on the matter...." let's his thoughts trail off as Rennar rises and moves off... "My lady?"

Turail gives Demonder a speculative look. He had no knowledge of any Roesone Children. Things HAVE changed in his absence. Of course it does occur to him that being one Roesone attempting to remain invisible, there's a possibility that some, perhaps even Cronus, might wonder if he himself was the mysterious Inquisitor. Fortunately, there are a fairly small number of people who know of his presence.. though it is still a risk. Rennar's sudden movement towards the maze draws him out of his private thoughts, to look after her, and then at Demonder.

Demonder listens to Cronus' words before Rennar simply stands and slips away from him to head toward the maze. Nodding his head to Cronus, "Good. Then perhaps it is not the Children involved." Perhaps. Demonder takes a step back, looking toward Turail before turning and making his way toward Rennar. His pace is slow due to the limp in his leg, but Demonder does manage to approach her with some painful effort.

Not really seeming to care about Cronus, or the others, Rennar continues to make her way to the maze. Perhaps talk of this is more than she can bear, personally. Once there, she disappears inside, the dried leaves, and various other bushes and things keeping her covered. By now, others have tracked in and out of the creation in the middle of the gardens, making it near impossible to figure out which direction she's taken.

Turail does not go after either one of them, instead standing and moving closer to Cronus to ply him with some questions. "This Ferret Run, what sort of place is it now?"

Cronus knows of few other exits to this maze but those he does know of..... he motions the guards to send guards to cover the other exits... then seeing how she seems to disappear amoung the maze, he looks to Turail and starts for the wall, "Care to give me a boost..." he asks in passing as he moves for the best place to hop the top of the wall. "Not a place any of the upper people of Caemlyn would want to reside if they could avoid it..."

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

Rennar is nowhere in sight, apparently.

The limping Demonder doesn't have the speed one would expect from the broad-shouldered warrior. Indeed, he does loss her to the maze. At least partly, though he had gone through it once before. That time was near first snow-fall, where her tracks were easily followed. Without a sign of discouragement, the sounds of Demonder's feet tracking through the snow are heard. It impossible to tell where he is heading, though Demonder is likely lost by now.

Kael strolls into the gardens absenltly. He looks up, seemingly surprised to see where he has ended up.

Amusement registers in Turail's face as he moves to cup his hands and brace himself near the wall to allow Cronus the leg up he's asked for. "I see. A rough area, is it?"

Cronus nods and places his foot on the hands and judges his distance, "You might say that," his concentration is apparent, "On three... 1... 2..." already starting to propel himself upward as weight starts to shift, "3"

Turail exerts himself, boosting Cronus upwards on the count of three.

Kael watches the two men curiously, but doesn't say anything.

Cronus easily makes it the rest of the way up with Turail's help, grabbing onto the ledge and pulling himself up, waving to other guards, before he gets shot... Then his eyes scan over the maze and the area outside the wall, all the time searching for the figure to be Lady Rennar.

Rennar continues to travel through the maze. From the looks of it, for any following her, she could move in and out of it blindfolded, knowing all the hidden nooks and crannies there are to know. She appears to be making her way toward the center.

Cronus notes Rennar's position, then searches out Demonder's, "My lord, take the next left then a right..."

Turail looks up, watching Cronus haul himself up and then turns around and notices Kael atanding there.

Kael strolls slowely towards the two men. "May i ask what under the Light is going on here?"

The Lord that is stragging a foot through the maze might be rather confused. Every wall does look the same, after-all, and the tracks are of little aid. Perhaps Cronus might be, as Demonder waves his hand in thanks and continues making his way through as instructed.

Cronus continues to guide the Lord as best he can without making it too obvious or drawing too much attention to himself... but a red cloak on a white wall... does that for him anyway... to any who bother looking to the voice.

Turail brushes his hands together and answers with a hint of amusement still lingering on his face. It looks odd on such a harsh face. "As near as I can tell, a conversation between a man and a woman. Lord Demonder went in to the maze. I would not disturb he and his lady."

Kael raises an eyebrow. "Excuse me, My Lord," he says the latter somewhat dryly, "I have pressing business with Lord Demonder. Now, if you will not tell me what is going on here, I will disturb them as I see fit."

Turail steps to one side, spreading his hands as if it hardly concerns him. "As you wish. They are in the maze.. somewhere."

The Lady seems to disappear behind some rather high hedges, making it nigh impossible for Cronus o see her any longer as she moves through the maze. There is the occassional crunching of snow, but that's about it.

Kael gazes into the maze a moment. "And why would Lord Demonder be in there, if I may ask?"

Demonder continues to attempt to make his way through, listening to Cronus as best he can until there is silence. Being impatient, he begins taking afew turns, the pace of the movement of his head against the brushes of the maze can only be described as very slow.

Turail arches an eyebrow, his face just shy of laughter. Rocks could laugh sooner than he does, but still the expression is there. "Why because Lady Rennar went in there, of course. Were you not listening my good man?"

Kael shrugs slightly. "You never mentioned my Lady Rennar, though I suppose you did say "his Lady." No matter. Any clue as to why they are gallavanting around in there?"

Finally, Rennar seems to come to a stop within the maze - not her normal spot but one just as good. Not quite within the heart, however a nice secluded spot all the same. From the wall, she can be seen,but clear cut directions would be hard to give at best, unable to really 'see' how she got into her tiny, hidden portion of the maze. There are some tricks others simply do not know about it.

"My appologies, so I did not. Lady Rennar did not say, she simply went. And Lord Demonder followed her instantly." Turail hesitates and then adds, "I do not think I have made your aqcuaintance.....?"

Cronus frowns as he looses sight of her, and can no longer tracer her movements, but as his eyes lock to where that passage is that few know and the distance she is from it he shrugs, perhaps he will let the two battle it out himself. "Coming down..." and as he speaks he does just that thrusting off the wall into a cannon ball motion, then straightens extending his hands, he tucks and rolls then comes up to his feet. Once standing he brushes the snow off and leaves the Lord to his own skills in trailing a person and walks back to the other two... well if Demonder couldn't tell... perhaps Kael wouldn't hold the same... "Master Kael, a word if I may?" he speaks lowly enough so that known in the maze might hear.

Kael is about to speak, but then nods as Cronus does. "Ahhh, Master Cronus beat me too it. I am Kael Vocer, Head Steward of House Roesone." He then looks back at Cronus. "Of course."

Turail glances at Cronus, as much a warning glance as anything. "I am Ealam. My mother was a friend to the Roesone's. I come from Shienar two days past." All of it is true, in some way or another, but then what is not said is often more important than what is said.

Kael nods. "Would that be Master or Lord Ealam?"

Cronus shoots a glance to Turail as if he would forget such a slip, but also gives a warning glance before he voices the questions to Kael, "have you heard much on supposed Children that..." the way he trails might speak of the situation he means without him having to voice it.

From within the maze there are a few moments of pain for Demonder, no doubt, as his leg hits something it simply should not be hitting.

Demonder sits down at the Bench near the fountain.

Demonder joins you.

Kael scratches his chin. "I have yet to hear anything, though I definatly will let you know if I do hear anything..."

Don't you think you should 'depart' first?

Turail hesitates, just barely. "In Fal Dara I was called Master Ealam. Here, you may simply call me Ealam." This is also true.

At your bench, Demonder stumbles upon the little area that Renni has hid herself within. The fact that he found the place instead of the center is a complte fluke. "Renni?" Demonder questions quietly, a tingue of hurt felt on his own voice as he makes his way closer.

Cronus nods, still taking in all the knowledge Turail offers in this field and his expressions as he speaks, before glancing to Kael as well doing the same with him... "What news can you tell me of that new Lord that graced your presence the other night in the Inn, before you came running out after me?"

Kael turns back towards Turail and nods again, this time in greeting. "Well met, Ealam." He again turns back towards Cronus. "Lord Daric? I still do not know much about the man, other than he is a second cousin to Lord Demonder."

At your bench, Odd, isn't it, how she's curled up in a tiny ball, and this enclosed space does not seem to bother her at all - then again, it may just be that the walls about you are comprised of flowers and plants and other vegetation, rather than solid walls. She sits in one of the corners, in the little hidden nice, seemingly wrapped up tight, keeping the world at bay with her fetal position. She doesn't look up, nor even acknowledge Demonder's voice. Either she is asleep, or just way, way, way out of it, with the stress being far too much for her to handle.

Turail bows slightly to Kael, perhaps lower than his greeting to Demonder earlier. It would not do to undo his claims of ordinaryness by behaving as a Lord. The conversation about Lord Daric is interesting enough though.

Cronus hmms and nods, not seeming happy or anything that he just won a battle towards more info... but at the relation he does arc a brow and glances to Turail to see how he takes the news before seeming to consider the new information. "And I suppose you took note of the inquisitor that was in the inn?"

At your bench, Demonder's eyes nearly fill with tears. Her future husband limps to her, his arm being placed around her. And then, he simply curls his body around where she lays as best as he can, both arms moving her into his embrace. "What did he do to you..." there's not a question there, but a haunting sadness and level of pain.

Rennar is held by Demonder, almost like she would break, once he finds her inside the maze, all curled up in the fetal position, not responding to anything he says. She almost recoils from his touch, but does not, sensing he's not someone she would, or should, do such a thing with. Instead, she shifts her weight into a position which suggests she gets closer to Demonder, She mutters to Demonder, "Too... perhaps... said,... done." Her voice comes at a quiet whispering.

Demonder senses "Rennar is held by Demonder, almost like she would break, once he finds her inside the maze, all curled up in the fetal position, not responding to anything he says. She almost recoils from his touch, but does not, sensing he's not someone she would, or should, do such a thing with. Instead, she shifts her weight into a position which suggests she gets closer to Demonder, "Too much, and perhaps not enough. More so what was said, than what was done." Her voice comes at a quiet whispering."

Turail glances between Kael and Cronus and then makes a motion to leave. "Cronus, will you inform his lordship that Ealam had matters to care for this evening, when he returns from the pursuit of the fair Lady Rennar?"

Cronus nods, "Sure, if he comes out sometime soon that is..." he says glanceing in the direction of the maze... then in regards to Kael... he arcs a brow, "Do you suspect Lord Daric of being in the service of the Children then?"

Demonder's finger brush against Rennar's cheek as the other arm pulls the lady closer to him. The man near tears at the sight of his future wife as she is, though he pushes away such emotions to give her the strength that she needs. At least, that is the way he feels on it. He mutters to Rennar, "... stronger... this, Renni. I... disappear,... But it will... time."

You sense Demonder's finger brush against Rennar's cheek as the other arm pulls the lady closer to him. The man near tears at the sight of his future wife as she is, though he pushes away such emotions to give her the strength that she needs. At least, that is the way he feels on it. "You are stronger then this, Renni. I know you too well, it will never disappear, but you can fight it. But it will take time."

Kael shrugs. "He is a Questioner, and a Child's vows are life long.

"Thank you Cronus. It's appreciated." Turail moves off towards the courtyard at a relaxed pace, pulling his cloak around him.

Rennar shakes her head, denying whatever Demonder speaks, She mutters to Demonder, "... any... family is being threatened, and if not... apart.... one... me... information... than in teh way,... one... see... raiding the garbage bin."

Demonder senses "Rennar shakes her head, denying whatever Demonder speaks, "I can't. Not any more. My family is being threatened, and if not that, pulled apart. No one will trust me with information regarding Calisa's where abouts. I'm in the way... worse than in teh way, I'm like one of those rats see spreading diseases after raiding the garbage bin.""

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

Kael looks after Turail as he leaves, his face thoughtful.

Demonder's eye reach levels of pain and anger. Pain for her, and the anger for Jeffrin. 'NO!' that clear denial of Rennar's words could be heard from a distance. He mutters to Rennar, "... a... nothing like... Please. Please! Please... Renni.... when... come back to me..." Demonder's fingers stroke at her cheek as he tries to guide her eyes more to his.

You sense Demonder's eye reach levels of pain and anger. Pain for her, and the anger for Jeffrin. 'NO!' that clear denial of Rennar's words could be heard from a distance. "You're not a rat, Renni. You're nothing like that. Please. Please! Please... come back to me Renni. Don't believe what was said to you when you were trapped. Just come back to me..." Demonder's fingers stroke at her cheek as he tries to guide her eyes more to his.

Cronus hmms in thought, this he did not expect to hear from Kael, name yes... but name /and/ occupation... "What about the other... inquisitor? the one that was after Lady Calisa?" with the name he definately keeps his voice quiet.

Emos glances around curiously as he into the Queen's Gardens from the west.

Kael shrugs. "I know nothing of him." He looks towards the maze curiously as he hears the shouted "NO!" "Do you think they need help in there?"

Emos walks in slow, eyes wide with fear as he slowly walks into the area.

Rennar does not look up to meet Demonder's gaze. Right now, it's hard for her not to believe anything. SHe and Demonder are not presently in view of anyone, deep within the heart of a maze found within the middle of the gardens. She mutters to Demonder, "Then why... do people speak as... am... are people... Are... going... spread... ANd, why... I... visions?"

Demonder senses "Rennar does not look up to meet Demonder's gaze. Right now, it's hard for her not to believe anything. SHe and Demonder are not presently in view of anyone, deep within the heart of a maze found within the middle of the gardens. "Then why am I not fit to have information about my sister? Why do people speak as if I am not there? Why are people careful about their words? Are they afriad I am going to spread their Tales? ANd, why we're discussing all this /why/ do I have visions?""

Cronus shakes his head, "Not from what I can hear... Sounds mostly like a discussion, besides guards are at the other entrances to the maze... and I could not see no others in there when I was on the wall.... No one seems to know about that inquisitor... it bothers me."

Emos manages to walk right into Cronus without seeing him.

Demonder can do nothing else but hold her for the longest of time, attempting to give her physical comfort where before there was only pain. Few could even begin to answer her many questions. He mutters to Rennar, "You've... do not wish... give... too much to... on,... wish..."

You sense Demonder can do nothing else but hold her for the longest of time, attempting to give her physical comfort where before there was only pain. Few could even begin to answer her many questions. "You've been through a lot Renni. Perhaps some do not wish to give you too much to think on, others wish to protect you. Renni.... please."

Kael notices the small boy finally. "Ah, Master Emos. How are you today, lad?"

Cronus blinks and looks down at the bump to his leg... he squats down, "Emos... you okay?"

Emos shakes his head, fear still evident in his eyes.

Cronus frowns, "I've got to get you a book of paper to carry around and a pencil..." he motions to the snow... "Can you tell me what is wrong?"

Emos shakes his head again, then writes in the snow, 'I can only tell her majesty. I need to tell her.'

Cronus blinks, and jerks his head back at that... "where did this happen? and who said all you could do was tell her?"