The Royal Palace

    She thought for a moment. It was clear to him that she may have been somewhat nervous, though careful as ever in her presentation as she organized her case.
    "I... travel. My quest is in the pursuit of all lessons in the arcane arts, and I started my journey when I became orphaned. I have exerted every moment and bit of effort I've had to learning everything that I can, but my progress has been uncoordinated and without guidance. I was waiting for the academy in Medan to open, but the project was abandoned due to unforeseen economic recession. So, I decided to turn north, to this land of Gauldin, hoping I may one day be able to study at the esteemed Royal Academy of the Arcane. It was shortly after speaking with the Arch Magister that I went downtown to go window shopping and... there was a terrorist attack."

She waited for the servant to go before answering.

"He didn't tell me much, really. Seemed the strong, silent type. He said I'd need a sponsor, in order to be enrolled in the academy."

"You... you would do that for me? Thank you very much... I.. I don't know what to say."

Relief overtook her as her entire journey did indeed have some purpose to it--that she was not turned away on the basis of having a lack of noble connections or Gauldish citizenship.

"Though I must ask... what do you mean by the sponsorship will not come without strings?"

It was a lot to take in. Yet, she knew she'd owe something for such a grand opportunity. Perfection did not sound discouraging; it sounded exciting. A year's service did not seem too bad--a year would be over before she knew it. That wouldn't be for awhile; yet she knew she had to stay attuned to the noble goings-on in Gauldin from this point forward. She could not afford to disappoint her sponsor.

"Yes sir.. I understand. I will stay in touch with you regularly and I also would like to know, how long is the average advancement through the academy, from first-year to graduation?"

    The girl nodded solemnly.
    Pressure had never been so great on her. Finally, perhaps she could have some structure and standards beyond her own to adhere to. As the duke left, she stood for a moment absorbing the gravity of her life's drastic change. There were good things and frightening things about her dream unfolding before her very eyes, and then she realized she was surrounded by the good things.
    The library became a place in which she got lost for several hours. Absorbed in going through various subjects and titles, identifying pieces and authors worth returning to and exploring every nook and cranny of the library, Ashani did not make it back to her room until evening.

Zigi would inform a servant that he needed to check up with someone out in the city he was supposed to meet. He would be back of course since he was invited by the king.

<Exit's to Alley near the Hall of the Sky>

The Duke returned to the library where he had set up a temporary office, away from the distraction of his wife and her women. As soon as he entered the palatial room, one of his men came to him and murmured something quietly. Around the bend of book cases he went, to where the desks were set before the great windows overlooking all of Travere, and there he saw the young king.

"Your Majesty," the Duke greeted in his usual serious tones. He gestures to the seat opposite his and settles himself, before listening to what the young king had wanted to ask. The Duke was mildly shocked. This morning, it had not seemed like the King had wanted advice from anyone about anything. His surprise, however, was only the brief perking of a brow.

"A moment," he said to the King, and turned to one of his clerks. "Find a seamstress within the city of good repute and bring her to Madamoiselle's chambers. I'll pay whatever price is necessary to see her gowned appropriately." The clerk nodded and walked away and the Duke laid his eyes on the King.

"What are your thoughts on the wedding?"

How odd it must be for King Renaux. Here he was, in his own castle, in his own library, and yet he was seated as if the Duke of Carmean was the one granting the audience. Of course, it wasn't that the Duke was full of arrogance and pomp, but it was true that the Duke had been a leader of men before Renaux had even been born. He had the experience, and the thriving culture of Carmean showed that he was good at what he did.

"It's a bold move," the Duke stated flatly. Even so, he didn't say that he disagreed. "Especially when there are still pockets of rebels being routed from Travere as we speak. Security will have to be tripled over the Park. Many of the men I brought with me from Carmean died today." He gestured to the letters he had been writing, hand-written, personally sealed, waiting to be delivered. "I was actually hoping to impress upon your highness that I borrow one of your Pegasus Knights to deliver these missives to my Steward in Carmean, so families will be informed of their losses as soon as possible."

He pushed his hands against the desk and stood, moving towards one of the windows. "We could speak to Diodorus. He'll know magic enough to protect the park for 24 hours. Perhaps we can even convince him to lend his presence to the wedding. Recluse that he is, his presence would also serve to forestall any magic users."

The Duke of Carmean turned to the King. "I assume that your steward, Gaspar, will be taking the lead on preparations? I can have my men work with him. The Duchess won't be pleased, but at the moment, her pleasure is the least of my concern."

The king nods and takes the missive, he says smiling gratefully at the Duke.

"I'll have a knight head out tonight, and yes if I know Gaspar he started working the moment you agreed. Diodorus should come, if we advise him that he will be invaluable in keeping order. I'll speak to him in the morning."

Renaux stretches and yawns he looks like he is about to say something, when the library doors bang open. A hulking man taller even than Renaux stomps in. He is wearing the uniform of the royal guard, and his face is stern and looks to have been carved from granite. Before anyone can react, the man stomps up to Renaux, and without warning punches the king in the gut. The king wheezes out his breath and the larger man says, his accent is thick and lower class.

"Your lucky you're getting married tomorrow, or that'd have been across your jaw. Tell me my king how's the kings guard supposed to their job without a king? 'Cause I haven't been able to keep track of you all damn day. Which I guess isn't so important, it's not like there wasn't a big bloody attack today... OH WAIT! And another thing... what are you pointing at?"

Renaux gestures frantically at the Duke and the guardsmen looks over. The larger man goes white as a sheet and stammers out.

"Oh your lordship I didn't see you there I was just uh... you see uhm..."

Renaux manages to catch his breath and slaps one hand on the big man's shoulder, the other still clutches at his stomach. Renaux says with impressive composure despite still being short of breath.

"Duke Valois I don't think you've been properly introduced. This is Captain Antain D'Vralié head of my royal guard, and my oldest friend. We share a somewhat informal relationship when out of the public eye, as you could no doubt guess."

The king manages a laugh, and a smile. Antain just looks petrified. Renaux says a little more composed now.

"If there is nothing else I'll take my leave."