Crown of Roses Avenue: Inner City, Caemlyn

This portion of the Inner City is filled with large structures of gleaming white stone, roofed in tiles of purple, red and azure. White walls divide small expanses of lush lawn, and golden domes and tall spires rise to the heavens.

The sounds of crickets chirping and laughter from a nearby inn interrupt the quiet of twilight. Rose bushes and all manner of colorful flowers are in full bloom, their scent riding on the warm wind. White Lion Way, a narrow street paved in white stone, leads off to the southwest, and Crown of Roses Avenue, also paved in white stone, leads to the west.

Morden

Demonder pulls open the carved oaken doors leading from Roesone Manor and enters the avenue.

Walking down the street, foolishly without any guards, is Rennar Hune. She appears to be coming from Caembarin Boulevard, bearing an odd expression upon her features.

Morden is comming down the street from the opposite direction. Seems he's comming from the Belmond manner or there abouts where he had some business.

Demonder makes his way out from the almost complete Roesone Manor, his mind on other matters as he toys with the handle of his new axe. At least now he doesn't walk without much of a limp, though if one looks careful enough, the left leg still does not move as it once did. Not being the perceptive one, he doesn't take a notice of Rennar though he does turn in her direction to walk right at her.

Rennar blinks slightly as Demonder comes her way. She pauses her steps, only catching a glimpse of Morden over his shoulder. As she does, a distinct frown tinges her lips briefly, and carefully hides it behind her tightly composed mask.

Sticks ambles his way down the street, sniffling. He stops long enough to pick a piece of lint off of his vest, then continues.

Eventually Demonder does spot Rennar, his thoughts clearing from his head as his eyes focus on his intended. "Renni...' he greets in a faint smile as he closes the distance between the both with a quick pace. It doesn't take long for Demonder to notice that she does walk unguarded, though so does he this night.

Morden comes walking slowly up behind the happy couple...his cane making that annoying tip tapping sound as it bounces over the cobblestones of the street. Yes anyone with a working set of ears can hear Morden comming a mile away

"Demonder..." she greets quietly, nodding her head in a polite fashion to him. Briefly, her eyes go over his shoulder again to take in Morden's appearance. It is not long before they return to Demonder once more. Tension seems to roil from her, though not because of any circumstances here and now.

Sticks spots Morden and heads over in his direction. As he walks, he pulls out his hanky and blows his nose rather loudly, causing his cheeks to turn bright red. "Oh, bother," he mutters, the words as stopped up as his nose.

Morden stops short as he sees sticks approaching. "You bring me my papers Sticks?"

Demonder's arm slips around Rennar's waist. The lord's eyes don't take to Morden for longer then a moment until Rennar begins to tense. Although offering no words, Demonder looks to her in question, and the man that makes his way closer.

Rubbing at his nose, Sticks nods, quick, nervous jerks of his head. "Yes, Sir." He tucks away the hanky and starts searching the inside of his vest. He pulls out a stack of papers -- incidentally, not the stack of papers Morden means. In fact, its a stack of papers that Morden lost a month ago.

Morden scratches his head. "I asked for papers not the royal library." He looks Sticks over from top to bottom. "Where you find room to stash all that stuff anyway?" Hands move out to accept Sticks'...offering

Sticks places it in Morden's hands and shrugs. "Gee, I don't know Mr. Morden. I just always do, is all."

"We should go inside to talk." Rennar suggests quietly, not complaining when Demonder draws closer.

Morden nods dubiously and thumbs through the papers for a moment or 2...grunting as he has spent god knows how long looking for these things.

Simply nodding, Demonder begins to lead the two away and toward Tiras Lorn. "Long week?" he asks without really expecting an answer as they make their way feet away from the Hune estates.

"Something of the sort." Even though not expecting an answer, Rennar does give him one before disappearing into the newly refurbished gates of Tiras Lorn.

You pull open the heavy gates and enter the courtyard.

Courtyard Gardens: Tiras Lorn, Caemlyn

Large white stone surrounds the courtyard of House Hune. Set into the western wall is the gate, leading out of the manor. The manor house itself lies to the east. A large marble portico runs down the middle of the courtyard in a north/south direction, effectively dividing the large yard in half. It is large enough to hold several wagons, and contains the stables in the northwest corner. The half of the yard closest to the manor house is contained by the portico which runs along the courtyard walls as well, and connect to the house. This creates a covered walkway to protect you from the elements; shade from the sun, and a roof to keep off rain and snow. The ground here is paved with stone, with only a few weeds growing up here and there. In the center of the paved area is a square flower garden.

Demonder pulls open the gate and comes in from the path.

Demonder pulls Rennar in closer as they make their way within, his eyes growing distant though he clearly enjoys the closeness of his intended so near. "What is wrong?"

Silence lingers in the air briefly, before Rennar turns to Demonder and regards him with a carefully composed expression. However, it is clear within her eyes that she is going through some sort of turmoil, "Calisa is a Darkfriend. She swore Oaths to the dark while captured..." Her breath catches a moment as she speaks, lowering her eyes, "I was with the Queen yesterday evening and Calisa was caught in a lie."

Demonder slows them in their tracks before he turns Rennar to him. As his arms slip around her protectively, Demonder simply looks to her in heavy concern. "It is as we feared. I can't imagine what you are feeling," he goes on slowly, his head shaking slowly. "What will happen to her?"

"I do not know." Rennar answers, that tight control still being held. "She is in the Queen's hands now. I am certain her Majesty will decide best what to do with her."

"Are you more angry, hurt, or disappointed at Calisa?" Demonder asks after moments in thought, attempting to get through the shell that Rennar is using. His arms continue to hold her near.

"I have no love for those who swear themselves to the Dark." Her words are empty of emotion as she speaks them, moving to the manor. Rennar stays close to Demonder as she moves.

The comforting arm hugs Rennar's as Demonder leads her into the manor. There is a simple nod, and a long pause. "Will you see her now that she is labelled a Darkfriend?" Demonder asks slowly, his words coming out awkwardly as he struggles for thoughts.

"She is no longer my concern." Rennar states, words firm and flat. Pretty much, they tell her feelings on the matter, "She is a Friend of the Dark. Would you want to see someone who turned away from the Light? Who would eventually seek to ruin you and your family? Light only knows how long it would have been before she too tried to take over House Hune."

"You will disown her, of sorts," Demonder states, his voice slowly becoming flatter by the moment. "It looks as though there are few we can trust within your family. Well, much like any other, the sad-truth. But the situation is far more serious in House Hune then most." Demonder begins to lead Rennar up the stairs as he ponders. "It would likely be best if there were more cousins of Hune here in your support."

"Most likely, however there are not. And those who are, are as young as Calisa." Rennar keeps her voice as emotionless as before, however it's a small strain.

"Not easy to rule a house that is not in agreement with the High Seat," Demonder states quietly in his thoughts. "But you've already survived so much." Well, that's an understatement, for certain.

"There's only two people, thus far, within my House that I have not been in agreement with." Rennar murmurs quietly, "My uncle and my sister."

"Kelric and Satira," Demonder speaks quietly. "They were both too quick to approve of Jeffrin. How they could not see past him is beyond me. And Satira, she seemed so innocent a long time ago in Tar Valon when we had gone shopping." There's almost a fond smile as he remembers back in those days, and his attempts to get Rennar into a Domani dress, however brief.

"My uncle played upon their interests, their wants. Who would see past that when you got what you wanted?" Rennar counters, pressing her lips together, "He acted as their father would have, treating them as his own."

"And now he is gone from their lives." There's a good deal of satisfaction in that, though Demonder still showing concern for the situation. As they move through the hallway, Demonder takes a deep breath. "I have heard rumor that Lady Cathryn is becoming increasingly ill," he states almost absently, as though trying to make sense of this for himself.

"Indeed?" Rennar inquires quietly, a small tinge of interest showing in her eyes. There's also a touch of hidden knowledge. "Then that surely means Corwyn is soon to become Head of the House."

Demonder takes an appropriate pause before nodding slowly. "He is the proclaimed heir. Though I can't imagine Lord Corwyn's lack of leadership within Caemlyn would sit well with Lady Cathryn." Demonder shrugs, not a matter of much importance to him. "My brother already plots for a future role within House Roesone."

"But he is the proclaimed heir." Rennar states quietly. "And we all know what happens to those who interfere with proper inheritance. Jeffrin is example enough of that.

"So long as Lady Cathryn lives, another can be proclaimed," Demonder assumes quietly, shrugging a shoulder. "Pitor is not a violent man, though one of many lies. I am certain he will attempt a few with Lady Cathryn while she is within Caemlyn. Though he does not make his plans known to me, beyond the final outcome he wishes from it all. The House is week, he will act soon."

"If the House were as weak as all that, the other nobles would have been acting upon that knowledge. Remember, we all keep tabs on the other. Even with Lady Cathryn dying, they would vy for that power, yet you are still as strong in Power as Hune." Rennar points out, "Unless there was a loss of status when I was captured?"

Demonder opens the door into Rennar's apartment, allowing Rennar through before he enters himself. "You are still heir apparent." That's well enough for that, at least Demonder would think so with his sets of logic. "House Roesone might nearly be at level with House Hune, and although there may not have been a known loss of status, I do think Lady Cathryn's arrival into Caemlyn is to insure there isn't one where such a possibility threatens."

"I am not heir-apparent because of the power of Hune." Rennar murmurs quietly, "I am so because of my mother's lineage to Ishara. Even were your brother to gain status for Roesone, that fact would not change."

"I simply mean, that being heir-apparent and High Seat of House Hune, nobles would direct more respect to you then they would Lady Cathryn, for example," Demonder leads Rennar into the room and releases her for the moment so that she may sit as she pleases. "Lady Cathryn will not have the opportunity for the title of Queen, yet you do. I'd say most Houses would be wise to put House Hune ahead of House Roesone on that issue alone. As the matter becomes more common knowledge, at least. My brother, he seems insistant of being High Seat, though I'd think if such a tragedy were to happen, it would only lower the rankes of Roesone. At least in time. The man is ruthlessly obvious."

Rennar snorts, "If that man because High Seat, I'd imagine most houses supporting Roesone backing away completely."

"And not without reason," Demonder nods in agreement. "Pitor often enough shows himself to be foolish when he attempts to plot for position. I typically smile and nod at his words, in hopes that he would actually share something of more significance then his simple statement of the obvious selfish goals he holds. Everything is well otherwise, love?"

Rennar finally manages to make her way to the bay window and take a seat. "It depends on what 'everything' else is."

"You relations with the Queen?" Demonder finally asks quietly, watching Rennar closely this time around as she takes her seat.

A mere shrug answers that particular question, "I cannot know her Majesty's mind." Rennar, since her return from hiding, has since started calling Aislynn by her formal title, no longer addressing her as a friend would. Either through preference, or possible survival, one cannot know.

"Renni..." Demonder whispers her name in concern as he makes his way beside her at the bay window. "She is your friend. Since you revealed to her Sadi's true origins, I know you feel things have distanced. Has that friendship been broken?" Much like he would flinch in the early days when Rennar would speak Aislynn's name without title, he does so now at Rennar's formal addressing of the Queen.

"As I said before, I cannot know her mind. She has mentioned nothing to me about her feelings upon the matter. In fact, all that has been spoken between us are my concerns with the city, and her reign, and this more recent matter with my sister." Rennar straightens her skirts a bit, settling them about her carefully.

You glance through the window and decide to slide onto the Bay Window Seat.

"But even by tone of her voice, you do not gather anything of her thoughts?" Demonder asks quietly, watching Rennar take a seat. He stands near, looking past the windows.

"Not of late, no.." Rennar turns her eyes to the window, quietly gazing outside and upon the street this side of the manor over looks.

"Then that is a sign of its own, I suppose," Demonder states slowly. "Queen Aislynn does wish to speak with me, it seems." That, he states with concern. "I had received a notice far later then intended since I was not within the palace at the time, and have yet to meet with her, though the matter did seem urgent in tone. It was written by Durnik."

Rennar nods her head slightly, "It is upon the matter of your cousin Daric." Her words come softly, "There is some concern that you are harboring a Child of the Light within the Palace, and the Queen wishes to know why she was not told."

Not without ignorance, Demonder looks to Rennar with a regarded level of surprise. "He is a Lord of Roesone," he states simply. "And a Child on leave of his duties. I do not believe that qualifies him as a Child of the Light?" There's a question in his voice, one where there is little doubt Demonder would require advice. "Queen Aislynn did welcome the nobles and staff of Roesone into the palace?"

"I do not believe that she is aware that he is on leave. I believe that they think he was snuck into the palace on official business. It would be best to speak with her upon the matter, and not dally upon it." Rennar's words are soft and light, "At least shed light on the situation. The Captain-General," a snear appears on Rennar's features, a newfound hatred born for that particular man, "may have convinced both she and his men that Roesone is acting as spies for the Children. Not a good image to have, even if she has invited your family into the Palace."

Demonder nods slowly, his eyes showing the obvious level of concern. "This is not a matter of business that I should be discussing," the lord finally concludes slowly. "Though I suppose I am the one of few that know of few within Roesone that know of Daric's past. I will speak with Aislynn." Demonder's eyes cast downward, as his hand touches upon Rennar's cheek. "I didn't think it an issue."

"There are people out to kill the Queen right now Demonder, and if not that discredit her." There is a shiver that can be felt running through Rennar, "Despite what anyone might think I do /not/ want to be Queen of Andor. I barely have enough control over my own House. I would make a poor excuse for a ruler."

"I'd almost insist that you would make a powerful and wise Queen, though I'd not wish that upon you or I." With that, Demonder sits beside Rennar and brings his arm around her shoulders to draw her closer to him. "Queen Aislynn is still your friend, Rennar. I know you'd not wish harm upon her, nor want the throne. You have power from responsibility, and not because you desire it."

"Aye, well... you should worry about your family for now. I don't want to see the Queen come down on Roesone if the act was harmless." Rennar's voice is softly spoken as she speaks her words.

"Things will, eventually, be fine." Well, perhaps. Demonder shrugs. "I feel that it a better use of my time to be more involved in House Hune matters then with Roesone, regardless. To be your husband, that is a responsibility I am becoming to realize. I will not have others above to hide behind." The last said in slight sarcasm.

"I would understand if you still choose to pull out of our arrangement." Rennar murmurs quietly, turning her head back to the window now, "Dealing with things in this House cannot be easy for you."

Demonder does hate hearing those suggestions, his eyes going to her with that spark of anger. "It is not an arrangement, it is a matter of our hearts and what we wish for ourselves and our future."

"I know." Rennar murmurs quietly, "But I can't help but think you'll regret ever proposing. How could I not? First, I am kidnapped, then my sister, then she turns to the Dark, and there's this mess iwth the Queen and my kidnapper." A deep sigh escapes Rennar, "I don't know that I /have/ a future."

"We will make certain we do," Demonder states simply.