Entering the Queen's Gardens from the Courtyard is a contingent of a dozen Kandori Honor Guard, trailing behind by a pair of maidservants. Amidst the throng of these tall men, somewhere in the middle, is the cautious-paced Kandori Princess: a delicate porcelin rose amongst the rigid and stoic soldiers charged with her safety. Elyse is escorted on the arm of the ranking officer. The cool summer breeze causing her honey-blonde tresses to lift and dance lightly, and the skirts of her gown fall in waves of silken material before her as she walks, but none of her other movements appear as fluid. Her cornflower blue gaze stares vacantly ahead of her, as she relies on her escort to lead her to the spot she seeks.

Engest sits down at the Bench underneath the trees.

It is by good coincidence that First Prince Theowyn is moving through the gardens and toward the entrance. His lighter escorted of two Guardsman seem nearly less alert in comparison to the well trained Warder, but the guards are certainly prepared to protect the prince from danger. Theowyn's pace slows at the sight of the Princess, only because his eyes sweep across her beauty with the strokes an artist might use while painting a potrait. Each detail of her is well considered, though finally he snaps himself from the pause by clearing his throat and moving forward until he bows. "Princess Elyse, a pleasure to see you here."

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

The contingent pauses as Theowyn approaches, Elyse smiling brightly in the direction of his voice, "Prince Theowyn," she intones warmly, curtseying towards the direction of his voice, "The pleasure of your presence is all mine," her eyes falling on a distant spot past the Prince. She starts to murmur to her escort, then pauses and tilts her head towards Theowyn once more, "Would it be an imposition of your time if you joined me in a stroll, my Prince?" She smiles charmingly.

Taking his ease upon a bench sheltered by the spreading growth of a small grove of staunch trees, Engest idly flips through the pages of a slender book held lightly in his hands. At the arrival of the Princesses ensemble and the First Princes subsequent reaction the High Chancellor's eyes twinkle in a knowing humor at the import of their presence.

With the grace of a Warder, Theowyn makes his way toward Elyse's free side and slips his arm through hers. "I would be honored, Princess. I do hope the matters of discussion earlier were not too much?" he inquires as he begins to lead Elyse through this stroll. "The Ambassador is certainly vocal in his thoughts, though I would think he has made rather light assumptions of Andor's handling of the matter."

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

Lorewyr has arrived.

Elyse smiles, gracefully assuming Theowyn's role of escort and releasing the grasp she had held on her guardsman's arm. The Honor Guard fan out just a little more, to accompany the three new additions, and wait for the Prince to begin leading the Princess in whichever direction he chooses before moving on. She mutters to Theowyn, "Light... I should say,... But I was... would... that the... little awareness... the... threat Murandy... whether... virtue... a... an internal... I am even... grieved at... impression of what... refugees... would... conflict for... Sun Throne."

You sense Elyse smiles, gracefully assuming Theowyn's role of escort and releasing the grasp she had held on her guardsman's arm. The Honor Guard fan out just a little more, to accompany the three new additions, and wait for the Prince to begin leading the Princess in whichever direction he chooses before moving on. "Light indeed, I should say, my Prince. But I was not overwhelmed, rest assured. It would seem that the Ambassador has little awareness of the true threat Murandy poses, whether it is by virtue of a war, or by virtue of a spurring an internal conflict. I am even more grieved at his impression of what a war would do for his own Cairhien. Additional refugees fleeing to Cairhien would undoubtedly cause a tremendous conflict for the Sun Throne."

Lorewyr steps in, his coat looking replendant, apparently, it got a good cleaning. He pauses as he notices Theowyn, and a woman....he guess Kandori by the dress is with him. He shrugs, not the place to eat his small snack, his has a wedge of cheese in his hand. The Herald of House Versyr turns, heading for the exit.

Lorewyr steps in, his coat looking replendant, apparently, it got a good cleaning. He pauses as he notices Theowyn, and a woman....he guess Kandori by the dress is with him. He shrugs, not the place to eat his small snack, his has a wedge of cheese in his hand. The Herald of House Versyr turns, heading for the exit.

Theowyn's continues to lead Elyse away from the balcon. The Warder's eyes continue to sweep the gardens ahead, while the Queen's Guards move further ahead as though following some predetermined path through the gardens. He mutters to Elyse, "... Ambassador may indeed... war.... grain to Cairhien is... Andor, and... we would certainly... the... provide Cairhien their... Already Rezna... suggest... would... of preference to... truth, the... will be... and... be... a trinckle."

Elyse senses "Theowyn's continues to lead Elyse away from the balcon. The Warder's eyes continue to sweep the gardens ahead, while the Queen's Guards move further ahead as though following some predetermined path through the gardens. "The Ambassador may indeed fear war. Half the grain to Cairhien is from Andor, and in a time of war we would certainly not have the volumes to provide Cairhien their required amounts. Already Rezna attempted to suggest lowering prices would be of preference to the Queen of Cairhien. In truth, the prices will be much higher, and the supplies to Cairhien would be only a trinckle.""

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

Lorewyr has left.

Elyse nods sagely, coming from a nation highly praised for mercantile activity. She remains easily on Theowyn's arm and She mutters to Theowyn, "... the... if... peace... all... must be some... motive, my Prince,... it?... know... him a great..." she shakes her head, "Why does he persist in his position on the matter? Surely it cannot lead to any good that I can see. But then, I must profess, I am not a well-versed player in the Great Game." Her guards flank the Prince and Princess, but give them space for privacy in their conversation. The Kandori Honor Guard are more attentive to their surroundings in any case, as they follow the lead of the Queen

You sense Elyse nods sagely, coming from a nation highly praised for mercantile activity. She remains easily on Theowyn's arm and "I find it so difficult to believe that he does not see the merit in assisting to thwart a war. For Cairhien's sake, if not for general need for peace among all nations. There must be some alterior motive, my Prince, do you not mark it? I know you trust him a great deal, but," she shakes her head, "Why does he persist in his position on the matter? Surely it cannot lead to any good that I can see. But then, I must profess, I am not a well-versed player in the Great Game." Her guards flank the Prince and Princess, but give them space for privacy in their conversation. The Kandori Honor Guard are more attentive to their surroundings in any case, as they follow the lead of the Queen

of the Queen's Guards.

Theowyn's other arm comes across his body to gently stroke at the Princess' arm. The manner of his speaking comes quieter yet, though his tone warm and comforting. He mutters to Elyse, "Cairhien... which... they... have... I... convinced... wish Andor... I... agree... and... almost... he would... war... country for... troops... concerns... whispers of Illian joining... but that,... if..."

Elyse senses "Theowyn's other arm comes across his body to gently stroke at the Princess' arm. The manner of his speaking comes quieter yet, though his tone warm and comforting. "Cairhien will take which side they would have benefit from. I remain convinced that they will not wish Andor to be threatened in a war, though if that were the case, I would agree... they would do more. The Ambassador's position isn't without some understanding, and perhaps hinting almost on what he would feel is best. A war within a country for rule would affect Cairhien less then marching troops on another nation. My concerns continue to grow. Certainly the whispers of Illian joining with Murandy are but that, and yet if it were true, Andor...""

From above, Rezna comes tromping down the stairs with hishands in his pockets as usual.

From above, Rezna leaves the balcony and walks down into the garden.

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

Rezna has arrived.

Rezna looks as though he is about to enjoy a little fresh air. He digs down into his pocket and pulls out a little case from which he extracts a bit of freshly rolled tabac. He moves to a lantern and proceeds to light the thing up. Smoke begins trailing away from him as he takes a long drag on the thing and then is...confronted by a very odd pair. A short lady...obviously Cairhienian and a rather odd...rotund looking fellow who follows along behind. he's tall for a Cairhienian, but his clothes suggest he is one. Rezna seems suprised as she addresses him. "You are Ambassador Rezna no?" Rez cocks his head to the side and simply nods. Great...what now?

Elyse nods once more, her head tilted to lend a better ear to what Theowyn has to say as she walks with him. "Well, I suppose time will tell for certain what the Ambassador's motives are. Yet, for the life of me, it does perplex." She furrows her brow in deep thought. "At least we will have less to worry with if my suspicions of part of Lord Timuri's reasons for his arrival are correct."

The Cairhienian lady smiles and hands the ambassador a letter which he promptly opens up and reads. He puffs on his tabac as he does so...very quickly beginning to burn the stuff away. His eyes go wide and he looks up at the ungangly fellow that stands behind the little woman. "You've got to be kidding me..." His frown suggests that he prays she is.

Theowyn slows in the pace until a stop, turning toward Elyse. With his fingers lightly stroking at her cheek, Theowyn goes on. He mutters to Elyse, "... possibility... an alliance between... Kandor... enough concern... It would... Saying... I... believe... Ambassador... our..." Theowyn does then find Rezna somewhere off in the distance, even if it is only by shadows caused by little light.

Elyse senses "Theowyn slows in the pace until a stop, turning toward Elyse. With his fingers lightly stroking at her cheek, Theowyn goes on. "The possibility of an alliance between Andor and Kandor may prove enough concern for him. It would make Cairhien less important. Saying that, I do not believe the Ambassador would attempt to harm our relations." Theowyn does then find Rezna somewhere off in the distance, even if it is only by shadows caused by little light."

Elyse gives a little sniff to Theowyn's latter comment and murmurs, "I warrant that he better not." Then softens, a hand going to her temple, "Forgive me, my Prince, I just . . . I am so worried. Everything seems to be happening at once and it is all I can do to keep up." She sighs, shaking her head and lowering her hand.

The little woman shakes her head. "This is Lord Ottis...of house (have yet to come up with a good last name for the guy)The Queen is indebted to his parents and have granted them a favor. They wish their son to be trained in the diplomatic arts and so the queen has given you the job." Rezna looks at Ottis and then back at the woman. "First you send me a wife and an army of guards...next you send me a neandrathal?" Ottis is taking this pretty well actually He's got one of those clueless let the smart ones handel it looks on his face.

Theowyn's fingers curl beneath Elyse's chin. The Prince shakes his head lightly, as he bends a little at the knees to better observe her features. "There is nothing to be sorry for. We have had some trying times, and even now matters are not any easier." Theowyn is briefly distracted by some words away, though he could barely make them out. He continues to Elyse in that lighter tone. "Until we speak with the Advisor, we will leave things as they are. He may offer us greater insight and perhaps some control over the future."

The woman thumbs her nose at Rezna. "They are the queen's orders. He will be...interning with you for one year. After that you and he may decide wether or not you wish to continue." Rezna licks his lips. "I do not need nor do i want an assistant." Rez looks dubiously at the tall clumsy looking countryman he has been brought...must have some Shienarian blood in him somewhere. "Have I know say in how I conduct my job here?"

Elyse smiles a bit more warmly to Theowyn's touch, and seems a bit more reassured, "Of course, my Prince." She gives Theowyn's arm a small squeeze as she strolls along beside him, "I look forward to when Lord Timuri can meet with us." A blush graces her cheeks, "For more reasons than one."

The Cairhienian woman just smiles and oh so eloquently shakes her head. "The Queen has spoken and that is good enough for both you and I. Someone will return for him in a year. See that he is treated well and learns all that he is supposed to or you will answer to his parents." Rezna protests. "Would not someone who has a clue how to be an ambassador be a better choice to teach the boy?"

"Indeed?" Theowyn's question tone is playful, the Prince continuing the walk across the gardens. "Do you think he will have the authority to approve a more personal matter between us?" The vagueness of Theowyn's words seems to amuse him.

Elyse smiles coyly, her blush deepening, "If my father gave him permission, then yes. I am eager to speak with him on't." Her skirts of silk fall in waves of material as she strolls along on Theowyn's arm.

The woman laughs...an all too amused laughter. If one did not know any better they might think this woman knew Rezna and that she was enjoying this all very much. How the mighty have fallen. "Come now Rezna. I have heard that you are getting along fabulously here." The ambassador looks like he wishes to reach out and choke this woman...and this it would seem she is beginning to perceive. Witht his in mind she begins her retreat. "You've got a year to wip him into shape Rez. Have fun." That said...she prances out of the garden leaving little Rezna with...big Ottis.

"Within the letter he seemed insistant that he would be the one to decide," Theowyn notes in a more serious tone, though there is still that element of hope. "Still, that may not be possible for years yet." He continues to lead the Princess around the gardens, this time moving on a return path. "I am sure your father waits eagerly on the status of Princess Kae. As we all do."

Elyse smiles and inclines her head, "Yes." she answers simply, suddenly seeming fatigued, "I had hoped some additonal time to spend with her before Lord Timuri arrived. But she is elusive."

Rezna just looks at the guy...not speaking for a long moment. "So what's your story...Ottis?" Ottis is very slow to answer. His words are very deliberate, as if he were trying to choose them carefully as all Cairhienians are supposed to. The poor guy is not very swift. No wonder his parents are desperate to pawn him off on somebody. "Ah...um...Hmm. My parents want me to learn to be an ambassador." Rezna removes the tabac from his mouth and flicks the last smoldering bit of it away. "Gee I never would have guessed. I see the future for our diplomatic core is looking brighter every day." Ottis scratches his head. "Are you being sarcastic with me boss?" Seems poor Ottis has trouble telling. Rezna shakes his head. "Oh no not a bit."

"Strangely so," Theowyn agrees, as he begins to lead Elyse back toward the palace. "She risked her life to save you, when she had no need to do so, and still she stays away."

Rezna sighs and just shakes his head. "I suppose I shall have to see to it that a room is arranged for you...Let me guess come the morning you are going to want to start tagging along with me wherever I go and observe what I do...just like my wife aye?" Ottis is not sure how to respond so he just nods

Elyse nods sadly, "She does. And I cannot pinpoint why, precisely." She sighs, "Forgive me, my Prince. I am growing fatigued. May I impose on you to escort me to my apartments?"

"Of course, My Princess..." Theowyn's voice trails as he leads Elyse down the path and into the palace.

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