02/06/2001

The party, due to design rather than accident arrives at the capital city
of Aelgar during the midnight hour, and quietly they make their way through
the streets. Kyleigh, for obviously reasons is huddled deep in a cloak to
conceal her appearance just in case there happens to be anyone out and
about. Mareka is of course leading the procession, since she knows the way,
and quietly they wind their way up to a servants entrance into the palace.

Mareka has dismounted and is walking in the cover of her cloak. She's
keeping the princess in site as they near the gate. Glancing to the gaurd
there she states, "Marek has returned with my gaurds. We wish to pass to
renew supplies." Nope, no need telling that the princess has been gone and
is now found. She glances to Neelkan hoping he's keepign quiet and covered
too.

Ya know, Neelkan should have suggested using his Warder cloak to put around
Kyleigh, but he is using it for himself. Probably the best covered person
in the group, the cloak blends in with the surrounding space so well that
it almost seems as if the horse is being lead by nothing. Trying too look
too closely at the shifting cloak in the darkness would be disconcerning.
And he's very silent in his walking to, moving with the able feet of..
well.. a bandit. A bandit turned Gaidin-Trained. And he hasn't said much
for the entire trip to Aelgar. Mostly all they've heard out of him lately
has been grumps and "..."

The stiff backed guard nods and makes a note in his book. Talk about
attention to details. They record who comes in and out of even the servants
entrances? He glances over the entourage and blinks a couple times at the
smallest cloaked figure. "Are -all- of these just guards?" Even Mareka is
bigger than Kyleigh... who apparently looks a little small to be a guard.
His eyes slide right over Neelkan in his color-shifting cloak though.
Definately should have given that to her. Kyle remains absolutely silent
though.

Mareka glances over the groups. "They are my gaurds, yes." She notices him
looking at Kyleigh and motoins the girl closer to her. "This is my neice. I
happened to pass through her village and her parents wished that she come
stay with me for awhile. She'll leave out tommorrow when I leave again."
Just play along kid, please... "Isn't that right?" She looks down at
Kyleigh for the girl to varify what she just said.

Today is just not your lucky day folks. How often do you think the Prince
comes down to the servants quarters? What are the chances of him being in
this part of the palace would you say? Round about 0.1 I would say. You
almost have a better chance of being struck by lightning then seeing Prince
Alyester where he is now...Yet he is there, speaking with one of the palace
servants. Perhaps you had better remove any metal objects before the
lightning comes? It would seem your little group has caught the Prince's
attention. he pats the man he is speaking to on the shoulder and moves in
markea's direction. "Who are you miss? And who are all of these people?" A
gloved hand idly indicates Neel and Kyl and whoever else might happen to be
along.

The overlooked shadow just stands there silently, watching the going on
from under the pulled up hood which covers his hair and most of his face.
The most the guard might be able to catch that isn't being color-shifted
every few seconds are the two blue-green eyes that Neelkan possess, but in
the darkness, it is unlikely they would be that visable either. He just
wants to get inside the bloody palace and into a bed and away from the
psycho woman, thank you very much.

Uh... uh... are you sure you want Kyle speaking? She -sounds- like the
princess too you know. She tries to alter her voice a little and replies,
sounding a little pouty, "That's right." The hood is pulled down over her
face so she can't actually see the newcomer, just his boots and the bottom
half of his pants. Uh.. uh.. Mareka?? Who is that? Are we in trouble?
"Um... I'm Marek's neice." Uh oh. She didn't curtsy or say 'your Highness'
or anything... Bad Kyleigh! Sorry! She's a little flustered at the moment
and not doing too well at remembering her lessons.

Mareka turns to the prince and bows regally. "Prince." then she restates
herself, "Marek, the ambassador to her Highness. I have passage here with
my gaurds and my niece. What is one of your status doing in the servant
quarters at this time of night? I do believe it would be past your
bedtime." Nope, she doesn't take scuff off of anyone. She nudges her
'niece' gently. "Christine, don't forget to curtsey the Prince." She
ruffles the top of her niece's hood before moving her hand forward to keep
the hood covering her face.

Alyester just looks at mareka for a long moment. "My bed time?" He glances
around. "What is an ambassador doing entering through the servant's wing?
The King would feel remiss in his hospitality not seeing to your
accommodations personally." Those comments have earned you the Prince's
annoyance and now his attention Mareka. Aleyester is a prowd member of the
royal family...and is well known for his nocternal nature at times. "Who do
you represent to our court?" He certainly does not recall having heard the
woman's name. Then again he was never really paying much attention either.

Raising an eyebrow lightly out of sight at the mention of a Prince, Neelkan
has to resist the urge to snicker softly, because he looks exactly like a
walking fop that he always imagined a prince would be. And women actually
dream about these men and marrying these men and being taken off to castles
by these men? Blood 'n bloody ashes. Not that he's jealous!! Just confused.
Women are strange, unknown creatures, and why they would want a fancy
dressed primped and pampered boy over a /man/ is something he'll never
understand. He remains silent though.

Kyleigh meeps and scrambles to curtsy low to the Prince. Eeep! This isn't
her... fiance is it? She just -barely- resists the urge to shudder. She
actually does squeek as Mareka ruffles her hood. Her paranoia is not
entirely unfounded, but would be better surpressed. Before Mareka pulls it
back down just the briefest glimpse of her face is shown. She's so tempted
to kick the woman, but of course she wouldn't actually do that. She clears
her throat, "begging your pardon your Highness, but we've had a very long
journey. I'm sure Marek would be happy to tell you all about it
tomorrow..."

"I asked you first what you are doing here. Especially a prince that isn't
a part of 'this' royal family yet. An honored guest to His Highness also.
You snooping around the servant quarters trying to dig up stuff. Give me a
break, Prince. It's the middle of the night and my group and I are tired.
His and Her Highness are usually in bed at this time. I will personally
introduce my niece to the court tomorrow; if it so pleases you. Then she
and I must ride after that because of another business arrangement I have.
But for now, we are entering and heading to bed. My accommodations are
already arranged as they have been for the past three years of service to
Her Highness. The servant quarters are an easier entrance at night and make
less of a fuss. This is my usual entrance. If you have a problem, go wake
up your future parent-in-laws and we can settle this in their
nightclothes." Mareka leans back against her horse waiting to see this
'fop' go send for back up. It's a shame he is making her life difficult.
What would have been a simple entrance has become difficult.

Fop!? Boy? The Prince is some 35 or 40 years old. Perhaps he's still a boy
at heart but certainly he is not in body. The man may not be muscle bound
like you warder types, but there is strength in him. The man is handsome by
most any standard a woman could apply to him. A princess could certainly do
much worse. "Snooping about digging up trouble?" The prince looks
incredulously at the woman. "I am settling arrangements for upcoming
ceremonies with the chief cook. That is hardly snooping." He neglects to
mention what those ceremonies might be. His eyes scan past the firey Mareka
now and settle upon the hooded one. "No need for hoods here dear. Do be
kind and show those who guard the door your face?" Ok so whoever marries
this one may have to deal with more then her comfortable share of paranoia.

Well, boy or not, he's a fop as far as Neelkan is concerned. He seems
content to just stand here and hold onto the horse, but his feet start to
shift around impatiently. Blood 'n ashes. All he wants is a nice warm bed
away from these psycho women, is that too much to ask? (And he's a Gaidin?)

Kyleigh clenches her teeth at Mareka's words. The woman certainly doesn't
take any swallop from anyone, that much Kyle can say for her. In fact she'd
love to be taking notes on this but barely dares to breathe, much less pull
out her little book. Oh flame... Did he just ask what she thinks he just
asked. The novice just freezes for a moment before she puts her gloved hand
up under her hood to cover her face even more. "Please your Highness I... I
was disfigured in childhood," which is actually perfectly true, but it
wasn't her face that was damaged. "Please Marek. I don't have to do I?" She
certainly is playing the part of the pitiful, ditzy neice well.

"Well, then. That's a reasonable reason to be in the servant quarters. So
we are squared away." Mareka lowers her hood and then grabs the reins of
her horse. "very well, since we have questions answered, we shall all rest
well tonight in our beloved beds." Glancing to Kyleigh with her hood upon
her head, Mareka reaches under her cloak placing her hand upon her sword.
She's sworn as the advisor to the Queen and this is the princess so, she'll
protect her. A hand moves around the girl's shoulder. "Prince, Christine is
sleepy and tired. Let this wait until tomorrow. She will stay in my
quarters tonight and there will be no reason to be alarmed." Good job,
Kyleigh. You can by my wing woman, any day.

Alyester is tired of mareka. Whatever he can do to get that woman ou of his
hair, he will do. Even if that includes letting her in. Having said
that...she only strengthen's Al's curiosity where Kyl is concerned. If she
had been a nice little ambassador and just bowed and wished him well, maybe
none of this would be happening. her bluster however prods the Prince on
quite a bit. "I do not believe the Royal Guard is in the habit of letting
people into the palace who will not show them their face." He turns
slightly and looks to one of the guards standing there. "Are they?" Said
guard very simply shakes his head. It just so happens that he, like many in
this place, is under Al's sway. Like it or not Mareka, blustery people get
screwed when they give the Prince a hard time.

Neelkan peers from under his cloak, and is nearly tempted to do something
to try to distract the man. Someone appearing out of nowhere would be a
distraction... But it could very well get him killed, and he'd rather live
to protect the young 'Princess Pretender'. Much less return to the Tower
when this is all over! So he stays where he is, inching forward slowly to
get closer to them so he can grab the girl and run for it if he has to.
Mareka can fall into Shayol Ghul for all her cares (yeah right...) but he
swore to protect Ky.

Eeeeee! I get to be a wing woman? Er... wait, you're the evil bitch lady.
Why am I happy about this? She huddles closer to Mareka, continuing her
charade of piteousness. The Power could solve all of this. Kyleigh just
knows that if she could just figure out how, one weave could make this all
go away. Compulsion would actually be very nice, but she doesn't have that
Talent. Oh great... alright, time for some quick thinking. Since it seems
they're not going to get away with this Kyleigh straightens, slipping out
from under Mareka's arm. "Very well. Guards, turn around," she commands. "I
am sure His Highness will allow us passage afterwards." Huh? Who is this
simpering ambassadors neice who thinks she can command guards? She knows
what the voice of authority sounds like though. She's been the recipient of
it often enough, so amazingly enough the guards reluctantly do what they're
told. Slowly she pulls back her hood and looks Alyester haughtily in the
eye.

But the prince forgets one little thing. Mareka has pull with the Queen.
Yes, perhaps it'd would have been easier to wish him well, but the prince
doesn't own this palace yet. And until then, she is advisor and well
respected Ambassador. Her hand is now on her sword ready to protect her
'neice' if this foppy prince tries to put moves on her. She can play
'Chasity Protector' easily. Mareka awaits a moment. Well, I never doubted
you have a mouth like that on you Kyle. you been doing that since I met
you. Mareka remains where she is and gives a flourish bow to the
'princess'. "I'm sorry I have failed you, your highness. But your mother
still awaits your arrival. Shall we proceed?" Humble to the princess? Of
course. The princess actually owns this palace sorta. That and Mareka
actually has a loyalty to the royal family; not those not in it yet.

Alyester takes a step back. The man would gasp if he were given to such
things. Didn't he kidnap her? Genuine confusion registers on the Prince's
face for an oh so brief moment in time before he remembers himself and bows
to the Princess. "Your Highness. It brings me no end of relief to see that
you are well. Words cannot describe the worry which has been plaguing both
your family and mine over the past several days." You better freaking
believe he's going to go right home and find the real Princess there tucked
away...and then come marching right straight back here to make no end of
trouble for you. Yes...he reasons that Kyl must be an imposter. Damn if she
isn't a convincing one though.

Whew. Saved by cunning women. Neelkan continues to just stand there and
observe. He's actually been silent the whole time, scary ain't it? His
sisters would die of shock. He's actually behaved himself. But did he look
a little surprised to see her, and a little awkward in his 'relief' or is
that just Neel?

Think about it Neel. If you had to mary a woman...and then she didn't
show...and then she did show up at the last moment. Wouldn't your
expression of relief be akward as well?

Kyleigh barely inclines her head to Mareka. "You are forgiven. Though you
shall have to ask that of my mother as well since you have failed her as
well." Oooo, ouch. Well Kyle did say she'd pay her back. "Thank you
Alyester. I trust you will keep this encounter to yourself. No one need be
alarmed by my return, and I would hate for my mother to hear of my return
from any lips buy my own." Cause gossip -can- travel that fast you know.
"We have had a long journey however, and we are all very tired. So if you
will excuse us..." She actually *gulp* smiles... just very slightly. The
arrogance is no problem. She's used to being snooty but... she'll have to
get used to the other stuff. She's trying though.

Neel wouldn't get married in the first place. But yeah, he would be awkward
if she did show up after nearly bailing him out of the wedding. How cruel
to show up at the last minute. *sob*

Kyleigh for the record is not going to marry this fop!!

But she is very cruel. Yeeeees.

Her loss!

Mareka glances to Kyleigh and then the foppy prince. Well, Kyleigh, you are
calling the shots now. I'm not longer in charge. "Yes, your highness. I
shall seek her forgiveness as well. You are most gracious in your dealings
with me." Mareka stands and then gathers her horses reins to go stable him
and head to bed. "Princess, shall I walk with you to your rooms and see you
safely there?" She stops and looks back at Kyleigh a moment as if waiting
an answer.

Alyester is quick to step to the side and allow all parties concerned to
pass. You can bet he is going to go straight home and get to the bottom of
this...and that he -will- be back. "Do forgive me for being in the way
Princess. I shall come to call on you tomorrow when you feel rested
enough." And with that, the fop is out of your way

And not a minute too soon. Neelkan was about ready to walk past the guards
and find his own flaming bed! Ahem. There is a soft grumble from seemingly
nowehere, "'bout bloody time."

Uh... yeah, that would be a good idea considering she HAS NO FREAKING CLUE
WHERE HER ROOM IS SUPPOSED TO BE!! Wouldn't that be perfect? They'd crack
jokes about her getting lost in her own palace. She can't say that though
so she simply says, "Yes." 'Amalthea' inclines her head to Alyester again
but says nothing as he walks off. Once he's gone though she takes a couple
deep breathes and unties the knots in her stomach. "Alright, let's go." If
the guards weren't right there, well.. sort of right there, she would yell
at Neelkan for making light of what almost had her faiting on the floor..
er.. ground. Psycho women whose nerves are wound really tight are even
worse than just normal psycho women. Bayce she can berate him later.

Mareka looks to Kyleigh and actually gives her a smile. "Yes, your
highness. Let me put the horses away and I'll be right there to serve you."
No, she won't drop the charade now. "You handled that very well. Your
Mother will be proud." And so would Wyntere if she'd been there. Once the
horses are put away she returns to Amalthea's side. "Shall we, your
highness? And we can walk these other gaurds to their quarters."

"We shall." And with that the faux Amalthea lets the ambassador lead her
and her entourage into the palace. Everyone gets situated and they all
sleep very peacefully (except Neel 'cause his a Dreamer poodiehead) while
Mareka goes to fill the Queen in on what's going on before she too goes to
the happy dream land. The End.