Calisa stands at the window, playing softly on her flute. The tune is wordless, but very melancholy, almost a dirge. Matching her tearstained face perfectly.

The door to the room opens slightly, one of Calisa's guards sticking his head through the gap. "Milady?" he asks cautiously. "There be a Roesone to see you. What am I to do with him?" The guard doesn't seem much affected by Calisa's music, perhaps an astute choice of soldiers by the Aes Sedai.

Calisa lowers the instrument, tearing her eyes away from freedom and to her guard. Hope creeping into her voice, "Lord Demonder?"

"Er, no milady." the guard says more softly, glancing outside. "The Whitecloak... Lord Daric Roesone. Don't know what he wants. Shall I let him in?"

Calisa frowns. "You may as well." Chin tilting up, "Thank you, guardsman."

The soldier opens the door fully, stepping aside for Daric as he is ushered into the room. The door closes behind the lordling with a dull thud, leaving the blond, blue eyed man eyeing Calisa silently.

Calisa walks to the table beside her bed, laying the flute atop it. "Lord Daric. The last person I would have expected to see. Or is that the first?" She's summoned the air all nobles command so well, but it's only that; an air, fake.

Smiling gently at last, Daric bows his head gracefully before Calisa. "My lady of Hune. The Light guides your path as always, I hope?" he asks, his own pleasantries another form of falsehood. "I confess I needed my curiosity sated, child. Guards in the palace are a common sight, but not to keep a young lady inside her rooms, no?"

Calisa moves towards a chair, returning Daric's smile. "Or perhaps to keep others out, Lord Daric?" Eyes flicker towards the door, as Calisa considers calling one such guard in.

"I see." Daric says, placing his gloved hands behind his back. "I must admit I am curious as to why I had to seek an Aes Sedai's permission... but after all, the palace is but an annex of the White Tower these days, therefore my question would be... redundant." The lordling seems to enjoy more complex speech. He approaches the window. "No, what I shall ask is how it comes that I am dragged into the palace on the whim of that Shienaran fellow, yes?"

Calisa's eyes kindle at those first words, followed by an intrigued look at the last. "It was my understanding that you wished to reside in the Palace."

"For the time being, yes." Daric replies, regarding the view outside with a serene look. "But I prefer that it be at my own will, lady Hune. Not to be called to account like some common thief." He turns towards Calisa, removing a folded paper from his coat pocket and offering it to Calisa.

Calisa remains where she is, holding her hand out for the paper - she yet outranks him.

Daric dutifully approaches Calisa, handing her Durnik's note delivered so suddenly. The lordling watches the younger noblewoman with an appraising expression.

The note reads.... My Lords,

I offer my apologies for rousing you from your slumber. However, the Queen would be most appreciative if you would attend her immediately at the Palace. Due to the late hour, I am concerned for your safety, and therefore have provided a file of Andoran Guardsmen for your protection on your journey to the Palace. I hope to see you within the next few hours.

Andor's Humble Servant, In The Name of Queen Aislynn Versyr, Lord Durnik Al'Emrys Captain-General of Andor

Fear. For whatever reason, there is fear in Calisa's eyes. Her voice, however, is steady. "I do not see what this has to do with me."

Gesturing with a gloved hand, Daric smiles gently yet again. "I think you do, my lady. Perhaps you could explain where you went with that strange inquisitor the night that I arrived." He takes a step closer to Calisa. "Or perhaps you can explain why you now appear closeted in this room? Or even why my cousins and I are now being called into account, yes? Oh, I do remember cousin Demonder was there that night, as was Master Kael, yes?"

Calisa again lifts her chin, holding her ground. "I was taken to a house on Ferret Run; that is public knowledge. The rest is not, and none of your concern."

Regarding the noblewoman with an even look, Daric raises his eyebrows demonstratively. "Very well. Then why is an Aes Sedai keeping you here? Are you to join her Majesty on the long trip to Tar Valon... and sin?" he asks, his expression as serene as an Aes Sedai's.

Letter gripped tightly in one hand, Calisa moves towards a seat. "When does the Queen, the Light illumine her, leave for Tar Valon?" One can rarely go wrong speaking of the Light to Whitecloaks.

"My lady, she has been there and come back as an anointed Aes Sedai, yes?" Daric explains patiently. "I now ask, does the Tar Valon witch keep you here because you can channel?" His blue eyes seem devoid of all emotion save for a burning quest for knowledge.

There's a bitter amusement on Calisa's face. "That is not even worth my breath, Questioner." She reaches for her flute, starting back towards the window.

"You are very prejudiced for a young lady." Daric murmurs softly, folding his hands before him. "I have not spoken three words to you, before I am hauled before that arrogant Shienaran over what must be your disappearance." He inclines his head slightly. "I see however that you are no prisoner at all. You are simply enamoured with the Rio woman."

/Daric/ is speaking of prejudice? That's enough to cause Calisa to stop in her tracks. She turns towards Daric, his next words registering. "And you had nothing to do with it?" Her voice is dangerously soft.

The blond lordling barely supresses a small chuckle. "My lady, if I wanted you to disappear... I am quite certain there would have been nothing so amateurish about the act." The first hint of a whitecloaks malice enters his voice before he continues. "But I do not have to kidnap you to keep you close. Is not your Lady Rennar to wed a Roesone soon enough?"

Daric scored with that one, even if he did not intend to. Rennar's name brings a new look to Calisa's eyes; pure anguish. "The Lady Rennar is to wed your cousin, yes." Her voice is shaky; she neither notices nor cares.

"So displeased by the match, my lady?" Daric asks, tilting his head as he studies Calisa's expression. "I assure you, Demonder is a kind fellow. If not a little young for his station. And I am quite sure he has never worn the cloak white." He smiles gently again. "You may tell your Aes Sedai that she need not have the Shienaran drag cousin Demonder to the palace again."

Calisa nods, bringing herself under control. "As am I. He is, as you said, kind." Nor is he the sort to call a 14 year old's torture simply amateurish - pain is replaced by anger, as that comment sinks in. "Tell me, Lord Daric, what would have been different had it been you who /questioned/ me?"

Raising an eyebrow calmly, Daric takes a moment to respond. "So this fellow subjected you to the Truth, did he? How interesting. Do go on. Perhaps you might describe his efforts, yes?" the lordling asks.

Calisa murmurs, "Oh, yes, he showed me the truth..." Something close to self-loathing in her eyes. "Why, Questioner?"

"Because I believe I have the right to know, my lady." Daric says simply, regarding Calisa with an even stare. "If I am to be accused of Questioner, and have all hands within the palace turned against me on rumour and superstition, spread by you among others... then I will know why, yes?" Again there is the Amadician demand in his sentence. This is a man who is not completely at home with niceties anymore.

Calisa does not quite meet Daric's eyes. "Coincidence - you arrived the day of my capture. And the other knew exactly who I was; you as a Roesone might have aided there."

"You are remarkably naive, my lady." Daric murmurs, regarding Calisa with an even stare. He turns away finally, approaching the window again. "And prejudiced. A man wearing a cloak of white sits to dine at the inn with his cousin and steward, and is somehow now guilty of putting you to the Question. On the other hand..." he continues, looking back at Calisa. "...an Aes Sedai may lock you within a room, but is 'pure', 'good-hearted' and 'beyond reproach'. This, I confess, defies all logic, my lady."

Calisa's smile is slow in coming, and decidedly odd. "It does, doesn't it?" Naive she might still be in some ways, but not so much so as to explain everything to this man.

"Then as I am to gain no explanation, there is little left to say." Daric decides finally, turning towards the entrance to the room. "The Shienaran will be somewhat uncomfortable after having taken liberties with nobles of the realm, but I have this to say to you." He turns to look at Calisa. "If you wish to throw another childish tantrum, do so if you must. But mention my name again in connection with your misfortunes, and I will see to it they are added to."

Calisa laughs at that. "There is nothing further that can be done to me, Questioner. Light's truth." She looks down to the flute still held in one hand, and raises it to her lips, playing the same melody as when Daric entered.

The blond man regards Calisa silently for a time, his lips compressed in irritation. "Yes. The Light's truth. See that you know what that really does mean, child." He raps on the door smartly with his knuckles for the guards outside.

Daric walks out the heavy wooden doors and into the hallway.