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

Tebrya has arrived.

The Prince is seated by the fireplace, his eyes scanning a document. A few advisors have begun taking their departure, though a light escort of Queen's Guards fill the room and keep a watchful eye on those nearby.

Tebrya enters via the balcony, two guards close behiond her. One hand rests at her empty sheath, as if she misses the sword normally there. SWhe walks towards Theowyn, halting once within hearing range. "You sent for me, my lord?"

Theowyn's brilliant blue eyes settle on Tebrya. There's a slight tilting of his head as he examines the girl, though he finally nods to himself in conclusion. He would not recognize Calisa, but others would. "I did. Can you identify yourself for me please?" The Prince is straight to the point, though when war is near, he has little time for casual chats. An odd request, considering he did summon her.

Having been noticed, Tebrya dips a smooth practiced curtsy. She rises, arranging her skirts just so. "I am Tebrya Vocer, my lord." Standing straight, almost acting as if she is Theowyn's equal.

"And your former name?" The Prince asks, stil half studying the papers before him. If he takes notice of her mannerism, it doesn't show, but being trained of the Tower his perception is likely keen.

"Calisa, of House Hune." Tebrya says nothing more, face shcooled to coolness.

"Welcome on your return to Andor, Tebrya Vocer." Theowyn nods slightly at that, his eyes stripping off the parchment before him to find Tebrya once more. "There was word of your death, one that is obviously false. Do you know of this?"

Tebrya nods, replies, "I am, my lord; it was done by my request."

"For the protection of your identity, I assume?" Theowyn finishes his thoughts there, before the next question. "You have been hired by whom?" Both are meant to be answered, by the tone in his voice.

Tebrya clasps her hanmds behind her, demeanor still impassive. "So that I might, in her Majesty's words, keep myself among the living. I changed my mind upon hearing of the hostilities between Andor and Murandy, and returtned, to wrk for the Captain-General."

"A great personal risk to yourself, Tebrya, to return to Andor." Theowyn is all too aware that the Dark-side might not be pleased with one of its own defaulting back to the Light. The risks, he assumes, are heavy. "What do you offer the Captain-General in terms of skill?"

Tebrya's voice softens, lowers. "Nevertheless, I had to come." Speaking more loudly, "word again directed to Theowy, "What so few nobles or commoners can claim - understanding of both classes. As a commoner,

"So you come here as a matter of commitment to your Andoran blood?" Theowyn asks. Yes, he is busy, as he goes on to the second question just as quick. "What duty will you serve for the Captain-General?"

Tebrya nods quick;ly to the first, as Theowyn poushes on. "Perhaps as a diplomat. It's not been decided yet."Mouthcurving in a slight smile, at the thought of /her/ serving in that capacity.

The fact that Theowyn reacts with nothing more then a few repeated blinks is a true show of determination to remain his features still. "This was a matter suggested by the Captain-General?" he asks quietly.

Tebrya's fingers drum on her sheath, her first sign of impatience. "It was what we together came up with, lord. If that is how I am to serve - they /will/ listen t my message, and not to me, as such." Voice hardening, dtermined.

"Of course," Theowyn states, shaking his head lightly at that. "You do realize the Captain-General has no authority to appoint a displomat? He may recommend you as such, of course. That usually speaks well for a candidate." Usually.

Tebrya chuckles mirthlessly. "But I am not the usual candidate, then, am I?" Steel still underlying her voice. "I am to be trusted, my lo; past deeds are exactly those, and sometie ago now.

Theowyn finds no humor in Tebrya's words. In fact, his eyes harden. "I would have died before swearing Oaths to the Dark, Tebrya. I would have accepted a lifetime of torture. You have been punished for the mistakes of your past, but you have started a new life bellow the station of most in honor."

Tebrya's hands clench at her sides, buried in her skirts. "I did swear to the Dark, yes. I abased myself, asimply to cntinue a suddenly miserable life. I knew the drakness, yes." Voice icing over. "But I havbe known the opposite as well; the heights - and it is those I cling to now. /I/ know where my loyalties lie, my lord; is that not what matters?"

Theowyn shows brief signs of annoyance as he takes in the young woman that stands nearby. "You have been given a chance for new life, Tebrya. You have not been given the honor of the Queen. Do not hold your expectations high. Honor comes earned, and you have a ways to go yet. How you have earned Durnik's interests, I will be curious in knowing."

Tebrya says "My father vouched for me, to the Captain-General." Quite obvuiosly not her natural father, as he died years ago. "As for how I came to his attention - I wrote to him concerning..." Voice droipping; she continues in a neatr whisper - some of the guards a bit too close for anythng else. "...a possible Darkfriend, within the nobility.""

At this, Theowyn takes her very seriously. He looks to one of his guards, a look that is enough for the man to step closer to Tebrya. Those brilliant eyes take to her then. "We will go to my chambers where we can be alone then," he states quietly, standing, and heading in that direction. The guard at her side will provide Tebrya's escort, the two that had followed her stand as they were.

Tebrya hesitates, then nods, falling into step behind Theowyn. Aware gain of what she'd forgotten - "Anyone can be a Darkfriend".

Theowyn's Room: Royal Palace of Andor, Caemlyn(#1581RJLz$)

Tebrya comes into the room.

The guard indeed does depart the room and closes the door. Theowyn enters and makes no move to sit, though he does give Tebrya some room to enter before he turns to her. "Now Tebrya, do explain. It is not a light statement that you have made."

Tebrya's right hand again rests atop her sheath, and her entire posture speaks of battle-readiness. "Not long befre I left Caemlyn, I encountered Lord Maagnus Trigaran in the ASrboretum. The tone of our discussion, brief as it was, led me to name him Darkfriend. A hysterical reaction, I wil admit that - but it was not denied, my lord. Instead, he seemed to confirm it." She shifts position, feet sliding a little further apart,; her eyes are fixed on him, trying desperately to read every clue.

If Tebrya could even know half the issues that this brings to Theowyn, she'd understand why the Prince's features harden. He is not pleased, though the way his eyes go distant, it may be an indication that this is nothing against her. If she had saught to win favor in him, she might have, though it is difficult to tell, the Gaidin well trained in being near unreadable. "And, of course, you had revealed this to Durnik, which has earned you his trust and suggested position?" He manages to sound casual in the question.

Tebrya tenses further at the question, ignoring tione for words. "I wrotre to him of this well before my decision to return to Andor, my lord. My father - Kael Vocer, thatr is, House Roesone's Steward - can con fiorm this."

"And this was when? Do you have a date or season?" Theowyn asks quietly. "I believe your letter might have sparked activity in that realm," he explains quietly, his features still fairly hard.

Tebrya flinches back, eye widening a bit. "What real, my lord" Forcing herself to relax, she continues, "I belioeve it was towards the beginning of winter - while my father was visiting Caemlyn."

"Of course." Theowyn says that although it matches up well with circumstances. "You will tell no one of our discussion on this matter, Tebrya. Nod the Captain-General, or anyone that asks, until I raise the issue again. This is of grave importance, Tebrya. Swear me the Oath."

Tebrya nods, face serious. "By the Light and my hope of salvation and rebirth, I shall not speak of this." Theowyn's words, his attitude, seem to call for more though - and so she dds, "May the Creator's face turn from me, and darkness consume my soul, if I am, forsworn."

Theowyn accepts the Oath with a nod. He takes a deep breath then. The matter of the Gaidin, at least physically, is calm. Though again, a calm Gaidin is nothing unusual, though he just as likely to spring into action. "One other question, Tebrya. Why did you send word of this to the Captain-General? What had you select him, instead of the Queen?"

Tebrya pauses before replying, "A letter to him seemed to run less risk of...interception."

Theowyn accepts the answer with a simple nod of his head. He will offer no great thanks, not for a duty performed, though he does offer a briefest reassuring smile that comes and goes within half a breath. "Very wel, Tebrya. Thank-you for your time. I will return you to your duties."

Tebrya lets out a long breath, a release of tension. Curtsaing again, "TMThe Light illumine you, Fist Prince." RemShe turns, walking quickly from the room.

"Light Illume," Theowyn responds, turning away and heading toward the desk within his room. The guard will enter when Tebrya departs.

Tebrya leaves the room.

Tebrya has left.