The Palace(Voldar)

[Simonne Miller]

Lance was quiet as Cadence spoke to him. Very, very quiet. At first they were walking side by side, but the more she talked, the slower he walked, until finally he was standing completely still when she was finished. He looked at the grapes in his hand thoughtfully. The very thing he'd wanted to talk to her about, and here it was coming out of her mouth! He directed his gaze at the girl - no, the young woman - next to him.

"I know about Iris and the King, Cadence. The Baron might be too preoccupied with getting an heir to notice anything else, but I used my eye, and I saw her reaction. And his, as well. I would do much to allow them their happiness together, because she deserves it. But more importantly, I want to be able to keep you from harm. I..." Suddenly the full impact of what she'd said registered in his brain. "You'd trade places with her? My... the way I look, it's not repulsive to you?" He was suddenly nervous at the impulsive decision he took. He knelt down on one knee on the stones next to her, the grapes falling forgotten from his hand. He took her hands in his.

"Cadence, if you really mean what you said... if you would trade places with your sister, so that she can be happy.... then will you let me try and make you happy? I want to protect you from harm, in any way that I can. I will talk to the Baron, don't worry about that. Will you be my wife, Cadence?"

He looked up at her imploringly, the intensity of his feeling obvious in his brown eye. He wanted to communicate the force he felt in the small, dainty hands he was holding, but he held them carefully, making sure not to frighten her in any way. If only she would say yes... But she'd already said she would trade places, hadn't she? So she wouldn't say no now, would she?

[Cherri Rowandyn]

Cadence had not realized they had stopped until she finished talking.  So focused on not losing her nerve to speak to Lance she had not ventured to see his reaction until now.  She was half afraid that he would laugh at her proving that once more she was inept and naive about judging the character of men.

Lances features were thoughtful for a moment and then suddenly her fixed his eye upon her.  For a blink Cadence thought that she had been mistaken to trust Lance but the most unexpected suprise dispelled any doubts.

He confided that he knew about the feelings between Iris and Voltigar and Cadence almost smirked at the thought that it was hidden from anyone.  Everyone who paid any attention at all could see the two had deep feelings for each other.  A weight seemed to be lifted from her shoulders and Cadence breathed a sigh of relief.  So far so good. 

Cadence had been unsure as to how the knight would react to her bluntness.  She was deeply attracted to Lance and did not know why...and tho he was betrothed to Iris, Cadence felt it natural to be with Lance; in his presence, on his arm.  the thought of her sister being with him, of sharing his bed and not loving him as he deserved stirred something primal in her and she knew if need be she would fight to show him that she could make him happy.  But what is she displeased him?  What is he wanted Iris and not her?  She knew she would not try to force her attentions on him if they were unwanted.  She wanted Lance to be happy, even if it meant not being with her.

Feeling dejected Cadence's attention was brought back to Lance as he was talking.  Her eyes were casted down as she knew that he would reject her.  He was leading up to it.  She could feel it.  Yes he wanted to keep her from harm.  Why wouldn't he since she was Iris's sister after all and if something happened to her then Iris would be unhappy thus making Lance unhappy.  She was ready to finish his sentence with '..just do not care for you in that way' yet those words did not come from his lips.

Cadence looked up into his features, looking beyond the misshapen face, seeing only the handsome man he truly was.  His voice was one of astonishment as he thought outloud.  It had finally registered what she had been trying to say to him.  He appeared nervous and then suddenly dropped down on one knee before him.  He had questioned whether she found him repulsive and tears began to form in her eyes.

Cadence watched the remaining grapes roll away from where Lance had dropped them, the remaining of the bushel in her own hand absently discarded as well.  Her stomach clenched and for a moment she thought she would be ill.  Was he really doing what she had been fantasizing about since she had met him?  He couldn't be.  And yet here he was kneeling down before her taking her hands into his own telling her that if she meant what she had said he would do all that was within his power to make her happy.

The stone beneath her feet seemed as if it had suddenly began to moving causing her to feel as if she were about to fall.  Catching at Lance's hands for stability, Cadence felt the strength in his hands and the gentleness in his eyes and her legs melted.  She sank before him as he asked her to become his wife.  Tears spilled happily down her cheeks unheedingly. 

She freed one of her hands from Lance's and gently caressed the side of his face.  Her eyes held his one good eye.  She wanted to make sure he knew one thing for certain.  "I have never found you repulsive nor could I ever.  I see the handsome man you truly are and I would be honored to be your wife.  I have never wanted anything more in my life than to be with you as your wife and bear your children."

Tears tumbled down her face as the intensity of his feelings radiated from his brown eye.  Cadence was captivated that someone could care for her with such emotion.

Taking Lance's large hand in her own she brought his palm to her lips and kissed it softly before lowering his hand and cupping his face within her own callased ones.  Raising so that she was level with his own face Cadence tentatively brought her body close to his and kissed his lips softly.

[Capher]

Voltigar put out an arm on each side; one for Lady Cherri and the other for Lady Naya. They both graciously took the proferred arms and he began to lead them out into the outer hallway away from the dining hall. He turned and looked at Clayton. "Sir Clayton, I am sure that nothing will happen to me with these two lovely, yet superbly athletic warrioress's at my side. You are dismissed, unless of course you wish to test yourself against either?" Voltigar taunted.

**********************************************************************************

Baron Thorigor stood up and his knights with him. "Master Garth I hope to hear from thee before the sun sets this day; until then I wish thee well."

He left with his knights in tow. He asked a servant where the Baroness's quarters were and was led to their door. He turned and looked at his knights. "I think I should do this alone. You are dismissed, and when you see Lance, tell him I am displeased with him and will wish to see him as soon as I retrun."

"Yes M'lord," they all replied and then left.

Thorigor faced the door, hesitantly raised his fist and then lowered it. What would he say? How could he ever explain to them? What hardships they must have faced? How could he ever face Iris's eyes again. The venom, the hate that was in them when they first met was enough to turn a man to stone.

He sighed, straightend his wizend shoulders and then rapped upon the door and waited...

[Garth Avery]

Mouse wandered around the palace that day, opening doors at random to see what lay behind. In the meantime, he thought about the Baron's offer. Maybe he should do it, go with him. He didn't really care where he was at any given moment, so the choice was basically between staying here on the off chance of getting a performance, or going with the Baron with a sure chance of performing. His mind was made up pretty quickly, actually, but he'd only have the chance to give the Baron his positive answer later.

He went over to the stables, where he saw that Pepik was well taken care of, even though she was the only donkey there. All the other steeds in the stable were of noble mien, proudly arching their necks and pawing the ground. They intimated Mouse a little, who felt vulnerable with his small posture which never reached higher than the horses' withers. No, then he felt much more comfortable with his own animal, who was a sweet-tempered and especially smaller animal. He also made friendship with a young mother cat who had a litter of kittens in the straw of Pepik's box, in a corner where the animals were safe from all hooves.

After that, he returned to his inspection of the palace. One time he opened a door, only to close it quickly, blushing furiously. He didn't think the two servants on the other side of the door had seen him, busy as they'd been with... activities... After that, he was a little bit more careful in which doors he opened, and which he left closed. Eventually he found himself in the library, where he wandered around between all the bookshelves. He found himself wishing he could read. It seemed to him that a whole new world was waiting for him, if only he could decipher those mysterious signs. But still, he liked the feel of this place, so in the end he curled up in a corner and just breathed in the atmosphere. He'd spend a while here, and after that maybe he'd see if he could find the baron to give him his answer.

[Naya More'ek]

Naya took Voltigar's offered arm and walked beside him. The wolf walked behind her, not obedient in the way of a dog, but always his own master, though always loyal to her. She wouldn't thank him for this - the wolf language she had mastered did not have a concept of gratitude. Anything the wolf did was perfectly logical to him, and it was in his nature to be loyal to the leader of the pack - even of such a small pack as theirs. Gratitude would have seemed strange to him.

Naya, on Voltigar's arm, was thinking how strange this was. Well, there was a first time for everything, she supposed, but she'd never walked on the arm of a King before. Come to think of it, she hadn't often walked on the arm of any man. Most men weren't really interested in her, and vice versa the same applied. Mostly she had spent her time out in the wildernis, or at least in the lands between towns and villages, in forests where all the sound you heard were birds singing and leaves rustling. That life was quite opposite to a large town like this, where you almost didn't hear yourself thinking for all the noises. People liked to hear themselves too much, she thought. Animals were quite different. When they made a sound, it was for a purpose. The human sounds, however, seemed to have the sole purpose of making noise.

She turned to Voltigar. "Your majesty, if I'm to train together with your archers, do you have a bow for me to use? Empty air is a bit hard to practice with, though my imagination would make me hit the bull's eye more often than I would with an actual bow in my hand." she laughed.

[Capher]

Voltigar watched Clayton leave the room, as if he was as glad as Voltigar was in having him leave.  Lady Cherri and Lady Naya were both upon his arms; one on each. Voltigar led them with ease through the Palace toward the rear. The Archery range was outside he then remembered and after looking at the ladies and himself he decided that they should probably change. He would just need an outer cloak, but Lady Naya would definately need warmer clothes and Lady Cherri probably the same. Besides, if they were doing that, that would give him time to see Iris...hopefully alone.  Before he could suggest it to the ladies Naya spoke.

Naya turned to Voltigar. "Your majesty, if I'm to train together with your archers, do you have a bow for me to use? Empty air is a bit hard to practice with, though my imagination would make me hit the bull's eye more often than I would with an actual bow in my hand." she laughed.

Voltigar laughed. A big booming laugh. "Lady Naya, the way some of my archers shoot, I think that sometimes they are using empty air, but they have no imagination, as they mostly miss the target. Perhaps it would be better for them if I could just help them to imagine that they actually hit the target," He laughed again and then grew serious. "I am sure Lady Naya that a bow will be found to your liking, and if not then I will have one made for especially for you," Voltigar answered.

He spoke to Lady Cherri, "Perhaps this imagining hitting the bullseye each time you drew an arrow would be a help. Is that how you shoot, M'lady Cherri? You imagine the arrow hitting the bullseye and then magically it just does?" Voltigar asked.

There was a slight pause as Voltigar waited for Lady Cherri to answer him. "Magic," he said thoughtfully. "Now that would be a boon, if someone could magically make his arrows hit the target all the time," He said thinking of his wayward magican. He wondered if there really were others who wielded such power. "Forgive me ladies, I was just...imagining," he said chuckling.

***********************************************************************************

Baron Thorigor knocked on Baroness's Iris and Cadence's door again, this time a bit more forceful.

"Perhaps M'lord they have left," a knight offered.

"Perhaps, Sir George, but we will wait just a while longer. It maybe that they are bathing and did not hear the first knock or if they did they are changing into clothes," the Baron answered.

"Yes, M'lord. That is a reasonable explanation," Sir George replied.

The Baron looked around at his knights, he really did not need them and they may intimidate the girls.

"You are all dismissed. Go to your rooms or roam the palace. I will stay here until one of my daughters open the door or show up," Thorigor ordered.

The knights bowed their heads and left Thorigor alone. He turned and faced the closed door. Somehow the image brought to mind how Iris's mind was closed like that door. She would not even let him explain. He hoped that she was in a better frame of mind and would allow him to do so this time.

Sir George, a slight builded, dark haired and eyed man in his late twenties did not want to go the room so he wandered the halls of the Palace; looking at the many and varied paintings on the walls and the colorful scheme of tiles on certain parts of the floor.  He opened a door and saw that it was the library.  He stepped in and saw in a chair in the corner the performer, Garth; that the Baron had asked to perform at his daughter's wedding.  The man was just sitting there, breathing. He did not have a book in his hand. Sir George coughed to catch Garth's attention. "Master Garth, do you sit staring at all of these books because you are having a hard time deciding which one to read or have you just come in here for some silent contmeplation? If that is the case then I am sorry I have interrupted you and I will leave. However if there is some other reason perhaps I could help?" George answered, suddenly thinking that perhaps Garth did not know how to read. Many peasants did not.

[Simonne Miller]

It was bliss. One moment of pure, neverending bliss as Cadence's lips found his own and they were locked within each other for ever. He didn't know where his own body ended and hers began. It seemed to last forever, but in the end he had to let go, a little breathlessly. The happiness that he felt radiated as much from his brown eye as the nervousness had done previously. "I guess this means yes..." He grinned. The intensity of it all was just too much, he had to laugh, or shout, or both at the same time, to keep his heart from bursting with happiness. In a fluid movement he stood on his feet again, pulling Cadence with him.

He put a hand on her cheek, rubbing away the tears with his thumb. "Oh Cadence." he whispered. "Dearest, my love. I'm going to make you so happy." He started laughing again, and hugged her tightly. Then, on impulse, he picked her bodily up and turned around. He put her down again carefully and hugged her again.

Stepping away, he looked at her again. He would be grateful every day for the rest of his life that she had said yes. But at this moment, a problem lay ahead. They would have to tell the Baron. Or he would, as he'd promised her. "Will you help me look for your father, love? We had better clear this situation up before we leave, and I believe we will be leaving soon."

[Seh'nara Celebrindal]

Cadence

Cadence laughed out in joy as Lance picked her up and twirled her around. It felt so good to have someone other than her sister love her for who she was; this love that Lance was offering was the stuff her dreams were made of, this pure and simple love, with the promise of a good future that she would be happy in. When Lance proposed for them to find her father, she hesitated, her smile faltering slightly. "I'm not sure he'll approve. He wants Iris to be wed first, after all," she said. "But I'll help you find him. We have to hope for the best." So saying, Cadence took his hand in hers and led the way to the Palace.

Iris

Iris awoke with a start, her subconscious shaking her awake from the nightmares that had plagued her sleep. Her night wasn't as restful as it should have been. Her dreams were all about war, and everyone around her dying, cut down by faceless figures, their silhouette looking eerily like Clayton's. She sat up and shook her head, trying to clear her mind. The memory of her nightmare still clung to her, like a spider's web would cling on to a fly. This won't do. Standing up, she threw open the curtains, letting the weak sun warm her cold form. The sunlight felt good, and she felt better already.

She walked over to the basin and started washing up. As she wiped her face with a towel, a knock came from her door. "Come in," Iris called out. A servant came in, hands full with an overflowing tray of food. She placed the tray on the table, bowed, and said in a timid voice, "Baroness Cadence asked me not to disturb you. Her instructions was to bring in your breakfast when I heard some noises coming from your room. Do you wish for anything else, Baroness Iris?"

Iris nodded at the servant. A little shiver ran through her at the title. The title felt odd, alien, somehow. "No, it's fine," Iris said. The servant gave her a small smile and exited the room, leaving Iris alone. Iris sat down at the table and eyed the food. It certainly smelt good. Nana's cooking, no doubt. Pushing her worries to the back of her mind, Iris started to eat.

Halfway through her delicious meal, someone rapped sharply at the door. Twice. Who can that be? Iris wondered as she wiped her mouth. Maybe the King? Straightening up, she brushed away the bread crumbs from her skirt and padded to the door. Opening it slightly, her hopes were dashed as she realised that it was the Baron. No, my father. The welcoming smile that graced her elegant face faded away, replaced by a neutral expression; eyes that had held warmth, now unreadable.

"It is you, Father," Iris murmured as she curtsied politely. "What brings you here?"   

[Capher]

Thorigor began to smile when Iris first opened the door and he could see a slight smile upon Iris's face and there was some life to her eyes but as soon as she saw that it was him; it all faded away, like a dried leaf in the autumn season.

"It is you, Father," Iris murmured as she curtsied politely. "What brings you here?"   

"I had hoped to speak with you and Cadence alone. To try and explain. To tell you what happened with your mother and how I felt about her and you and Cadence and why...why I had to do what I did," Thorigor said softly, his voice low and begining to quiver with emotion.

He felt tears welling up in his eyes, but his pride would not allow him to cry, at least not in front of anyone; in private, he found tears came more easily the older he became. Regrets and decisions weighed a man down, but a man carried those to his grave.  "May I come in? Is Cadence here?" He asked with more command of his voice and emotions.

[Garth Avery]

Mouse looked confused for a moment when someone started talking to him, but he quickly regained his composure. "No no, sir knight, you did not interrupt me. I was just enjoying the atmosphere of the library, even if I can't read." He shrugged. It was not something he pondered too often, he'd just never had the chance to learn. He was not an exception by far, he knew that much. He wondered briefly if the knight would think him stupid, but decided it was an irrelevant question. Instead he looked curiously at him.

"Please, call me Mouse. Can I ask you a question?" Without really waiting for an answer he plunged on. "You are in the Baron's retinue, are you not? What kind of a man is he?" Mouse might already have decided to go with him, he still would like to know a bit more about the man he'd be travelling with. Besides, this way he wouldn't have to talk about himself. Always the best strategy to draw away attention from oneself - ask questions. He waited politely for the knight's answer.

[Seh'nara Celebrindal]

Iris

The Baron's voice shook slightly with emotion as he explained that he wanted to tell her his reason for doing what he did. His eyes shone with unshed tears, sadness clearly showing deep in his eyes. Iris's heart softened. She opened the door a little wider and with a wave of her hand, invited him in. "No. Cadence isn't here. She was gone by the time I woke up. Did you not see her at breakfast?" Iris asked as she started to clear away the remains of her breakfast.

Her father stepped in and took a seat near the fireplace, which was currently unlit. After cleaning up, Iris popped a head out into the hallway and stopped a young girl. "Hey, you, lass," Iris called. The girl turned her head at the call and walked to Iris, green eyes questioning. "What do you want?" the girl asked. As soon as she spoke those words, she coloured and hastily added, "M'lady." Iris smiled at the girl to put her at ease and said, "I would like for you to find my sister, wherever she may be. Please be quick, it's urgent. Tell her that our father wishes to speak to us about certain things." The girl nodded and sped off.

Iris withdrew her head and spoke to her father. "I asked a girl to fetch Cadence. Be patient, Father. She'll be here soon."

Becky

Becky, a 9 year old girl, ran off. At the end of the corridor, she stopped in her tracks, thinking hard. If I was Cadence, where would I go? So absorbed in her thoughts Becky was she didn't realise that a coarse voice was heralding a maid. A maid whose arms was piled high with clean laundry and Becky was right in her path.

"Ah, Becky, ye little lass!" the maid cried as her laundry spilled all over the floor, Becky and the maid following a second later, a mess of tangled limbs and not a little bit of swearing on the maid's part. Becky untangled herself as quickly as possible. "Sorry, Fiona," Becky squeaked. The maid's scolding followed her down the hall as she fled the scene. Promises of a severe punishment echoed around her, Fiona's shrill voice reverberating off the stone walls. Frightened, she ran out of the Palace and into the garden in an endeavour to postpone her punishment. As she reached the main steps, Becky slowed down. She leaned against one of the cold stone pillars and slowly retrieved the train of thought that went off track when Fiona crashed into her.

"Right. I have to find the Baroness," she muttered to herself. A guard looked up. "Child, are you looking for Baroness Cadence?" Becky's head whipped around. "Yes, sir," she replied. "If you are in the possession of the knowledge of her location, could you be so kind as to tell me? I'm in slight hurry, you see. The other Baroness wishes for me to quickly fetch Baroness Cadence. And apparently, this matter is important." The guard grinned at the "big words" coming from such a small girl. "Polite and eloquent is a way to go through life, child. She and Sir Lance is down by that path. They've been there for a while now."

Becky thanked the guard and started on the path. As she turned the corner, she bumped into a laughing Baroness Cadence. Both fell to the hard ground, Becky banging her shin hard on a outlying rock. Irritated now, Becky jumped up and stamped her foot. "Oh, the second time today. Can't I be lucky for one second?" she lamented. Belatedly, she realised what she had said. And in front of a Baroness too! "Oh, a thousand apologies, Baroness! I have no idea what I was thinking, causing you to fall down like that," Becky cried. Tears threatened to spill down her rosy cheeks. Will I be fired? Sir Lance had already picked up the Baroness, and both noticed the young girl's discomfort. Cadence smiled at the girl. "It's alright, no harm done. Now run along."

"But Baroness, I have a message."

Cadence turned. "A message? From whom, child?"

"The other Baroness, Baroness. That is, your sister. Baroness Iris. She says to go to your room now, because the Baron wants to speak to you."

Cadence's brow furrowed. She turned to her lover. "Lance, do you think he already knows?" Cadence asked worriedly. "Please, Baroness. It's urgent," Becky pulled lightly on Cadence's sleeve. Cadence nodded at the girl. "Lead the way," she said.

Cadence

After they stood outside the room, Cadence withdrew a coin from her pocket and pressed it into the girl's hand. "Thank you very much," Cadence said, smiling, although her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. She pushed open the door and stepped into her bedroom. "Iris? Father? Both of you wanted to see me?" Cadence asked hesitantly. Iris looked up and smiled welcomingly. "Sit here, Cadence. Father wishes to tell us something," Iris said, patting the space next to her. Cadence walked over and sat down. Alternating her gaze from her sister to her father, Cadence finally rested her eyes on her father. "What is it?" she asked, somehow fearing the answer.

[Simonne Miller]

Lance

They were just on their way to find Cadence's father when a small girl bumped into the Baroness, causing her to fall down. Lance quickly picked her up and then helped the girl to stand. She had a message, saying that the Baron wanted to speak to her. For a moment, Lance shared Cadence's anxiety that he already knew about them, but then how could that be? They'd been alone in the passage, and too far from corners for anyone to have overheard or seen what had happened. And so quickly? No, it must be for something else.

As they moved through the corridors - not quite running, but not slowly either - the knight casually lay a hand on the small of Cadence's back. It wasn't a conscious move, not really. It just felt so natural to do. He looked to the side for a moment, to the woman's anxious face, and just wanted to hug her to smooth all her troubles away. As they neared the room, he whispered 'Don't worry, everything'll be fine'. Then she entered. Lance stood outside the open door, not really wanting to leave his love here, but not sure if he could enter either.

[Capher]

Sir George

George gave the little man an amused smile. "Mouse, it is then," he said. He walked around the room looking at all of the books that lined the shelves reading their titles. There were some books with titles and languages he did not even know or understand. He spoke outloud. "Mouse do not be ashamed if you do not know how to read or write. There are books here that I can not even read for I do not know what language they are written in."

He sat down upon a chair opposite of Mouse. "I think everyone should know how to read and write, at least the basics and not just the gentry. M'lord, would not approve of my thoughts, nor would most of the gentry I expect, but I think everyone should have the opportunity to learn to read and write."

Mouse then asked about the Baron. George leaned forward a little, staring at Mouse as if he were deciding whether Mouse should know or not?

Finally he leaned back and settled himself in the chair. "Baron Thoigor is a man of great honor and pride. He rules the city Cemphiria and the lands surrounding it. I have found him to be a man of integrity and honesty.  He is a hard man. He expects much from us, his knights, as well as his servants, but only because he expects more from himself. However, that was when he was young and virile and had not married yet.

His marriage was arranged by his parents to another very wealthy family and the Baroness Esmerelda, though beautiful in her youth on the outside, was not so on the inside. I was just a page when she married the Baron. She took over immediately and it was not too soon before the servants hated her and even us pages. We could not wait until that part of our knightly training was over.  She was a shrew and the only good thing about her was she gave the Baron a son."

His face saddend and he looked around. "I sure could use a nice cup of tea. How about yourself Mouse?" He asked.  He got up, went to the door and found a maid and ordered a pot of tea, closed the door and sat back down. "Where was I? The Baron's son," he said.

***********************************************************************************
Baron Thorigor

Thorigor sat down by the unlit fireplace and stirred the embers with an iron rod as Iris sat down opposite him; both waiting for Cadence to be found. "Yes, Cadence was at breakfast but excused herself saying she had an errand or something like that to do. I had thought she was coming here to keep you company as she had stated that you were not feeling well. I should see if I can get this fire going," he said looking around for the tinder box.

He found the box and busied himself making the fire; soon he had a roaring fire going and he sat back down staring at the flames as they licked their way along the dry logs he had put on. There was so much he wanted to say. So much to atone for, but he did not know where to start and besides they were waiting for Cadence.

The door opened and Cadence walked in. Thorigor looked at her and could see her face was flushed and her cheeks were rosy as if she had been outside, but she wore no cloak.  She sat down besides her sister glancing at both of them with a look of guilt upon her face, thought Thorigor. Then she finally turned to him and asked.  "What is it?"

Thorigor sighed. The time had come and then he noticed that Cadence had not shut the door and Lance was standing there; fidgeting. He too looked liked he had been outside. Lance was Iris's betrothed yet it seemed that he and Cadence were both outside, Thorigor thought.

His brows furrowed as he thought and looked at Cadence and then at Lance and then finally at Iris. A sly smile creased his old face. "Sir Lance, perhaps you should come in as well. As you are to be soon my son-in-law you should know about your wifes history," he said beckoning Lance into the room. "And please close the door after you," Thorigor added.

Lance hesitated but for a moment and then entered and began to close the door when a voice called out and a hand held onto the door. "Do you mind if I enter?"

Lance turned and saw the King. He opened the door wider. "I do not your Majesty, however M'lord and his daughters may," Lance said.

Thorigor rose. "Your Majesty. Is there something I or my knights can do for you?" asked Thorigor, curious as to why the King was here.

Voltigar glanced quickly at Iris. "Actually Baron I came to speak to Baroness Iris...alone, if possible?"

Thorigor glanced at Iris and that sly smile creased his face again and then disappeared as quickly. "I do not mind, however her betrothed might. You will have to ask him," he said.

Voltigar looked at Lance. "I know this may seem improper, but I guarantee you it is not. I just need to speak with Baroness Iris for just a small while, if you and her permit."

Voltigar waited for Lance's and Iris's reply. He thought he knew what Lance's reply would be, as he would not deny his King, but Iris was probably still angry and he did not know if she really wanted to talk to him or not. He waited...wondering.

 

[Simonne Miller]

Lance looked from one person to the other, from the King to the baron to his arranged betrothed to the betrothed of his choice, but it seemed that all eyes were fixed on him. Oh, he hated being the center of attention. He was tempted to say 'yes' and get it over with; however, this was the opportune moment to talk to the baron. And to everyone else involved, at the same time.

He cleared his throat once, then plunged into his revelation head first, trying to get everything out in the open before anyone interrupted him. "Actually, Your Majesty, I would like to say something to all who are present here first. I hope you do not mind. Mostly, though, I would like to talk to the Baron, but what I have to say concerns all who are in this room."

He turned to the Baron and took a deep breath. "Uncle, I know you wish me to marry Iris, because she is your firstborn and thus you wish to see her married first. However, in the short time that we were here, I was able to observe that her heart no longer belongs to herself. She had given it to another, and she would never have been able to give it to me. Now, she is dear to me already, and I want to see her happy. Therefore I ask you, uncle, to give her hand in marriage to the King." Lance raised his hand when he saw the baron was about to say something.

"I have one more thing to ask. I know you wish your daughter to marry so that you will have an heir. I have talked with Cadence, and with your permission, Uncle, she has agreed to be my wife." He fell silent. There was really nothing more to be said on his part. Now it was up to the Baron to decide whether or not things would progress in this fashion. If he said no, things would stay as they were. Lance could only hope. He felt his cheeks slowly redden as he waited for the Baron's answer.

[Seh'nara Celebrindal]

The room was silent after Lance's announcement. The Baron hadn't spoke. No one spoke. No one dared to. The only audible sound there was was the crackling of the roaring fire. Iris and Cadence sat there, each alone with their thoughts.

Iris was very shocked. The first thought that came into her head at his request was: He wants Cadence to be his wife? Automatically, her sister complex caused her to involuntarily put an arm around Cadence, who was also looking shocked. The second thought that pierced the surprise was: I may marry the King. Realisation washed over her and her arm dropped. The small hope in her chest started to grow and grow and grow, until it kept out everything, except that small voice in her that kept repeating the phrase. I may marry the King. She suddenly realised how her expression might have looked to the others. Quickly stamping down on the emotion that had suddenly risen, she schooled her expression to one of neutrality, and waited for her father's response. I may marry the King.

Cadence, on the other hand, was more worried than shocked. Oh, she was shocked at first, but it soon grew to worry. Lance, for all his merits, was not subtle. At all. She had wanted to ease her father into the proposition, not blurt it out! Only the presence of the rest stopped her from tearing her hair out. Lance! Subtlety! she wanted to scream at him. She stole a sidewards glance at Iris. She seemed supremely unconcerned by the sudden announcement. Her neutral expression prompted Cadence to do the same. Smoothing out the lines that appeared after Lance's speech, Cadence sat there, and she too, waited for her father's answer. 

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