Little doves

[The Storyteller]

Maylene of house Velere

A little white dove was making its way to Jakusta, its feathers wet. It seemed tired and dirty, as if it had travelled for many miles before reaching its destination.

Flying inside the court room, the dove shifted to a beautiful woman. She was dirty and tired, but her malicious smile had everyone in the room captivated.

"I bring information from Enden." she said, as a few guards made their way to her.

"The Tidemother was spotted in the main port of Apollonia for three days. They stocked on weapons and crew. The High King of Enden took no action."

Everyone in court gasped.

"It is clear that the High King is building a fleet to invade the mainland. Asking around, there is suspicion that Sioure is the first target."

More gasping.

"We must be ready for their invasion."

A man barged in. "Your Grace! News from the West! A volcano erupted in the Uncha, there is lava everywhere. Many buildings under the control of Queen Mordrena have collapsed, they are afraid of lava reaching their land."

The woman was the only one who laughed.

"We have a choice. Be prepared for destruction or be prepared for rebuilding. Many will die no matter what."

[Elias of Sioure]

"We have a choice. Be prepared for destruction or be prepared for rebuilding. Many will die no matter what."

A large smirk cemented itself onto the face of Elias King of Casticus. The young King was always interested in current events, however the news today was just getting better and better. The court was just presented with two major issues, one being the situation of Enden and their massing together an armada that could potentially bring war to Sioure, and there was also information of Queen Mordrena's little hamlet of a kingdom being burned to a crisp. Today was simply a marvelous day.

Elias was sitting inside of the courtroom on a business venture to Jakusta. He'd be riding back to Casticus by daybreak however he might as well have lost legs because there was no way he could leave Jakusta so soon. No, the young King had to see how this entire situation was to be played out. Of course there were many options and opportunities for Elias to get himself involved in. He could recommend to the High King that either Elias himself, or one his highly trained knights could take up the mantle as Guardian of Sioure, and command the King's men in the possibility that Enden grows bold enough to attack Sioure. There was also a chance that Elias could be so kind as to send some of his warriors to lend Queen Mordrena's Kingdom a hand in the rebuilding process. Either way it would be a win-win scenario for Elias.


"Ha-ha, excuse me my little dove-woman. If you'd be so kind and formally introduce yourself before the court, we can get on to dealing with the news you've just blessed our ears with... Sorry, but it's a standard procedure."


Elias' grin broke into a full blown toothy smile as he slowly brought his palm up to stroke his chin. He needed to know everything before he would act. In this dangerous game, timing was key to winning any skirmish and any war.

[The Storyteller]

There was an awkward silence as the King of Casticus spoke. Then, the women of the court started to laugh silently and speak to one another. The men were grinning widely. Rarely did the court room in Jakusta see a minor King embarrass himself that way.

"Did he just call her a dove-lady?"

"Doesn't he know who she is?"

More laughter. Honestly, Maylene tried not to laugh herself. She didn't want to embarrass herself as well. She was above such men, and that much was obvious. She surveyed the population with fairly obvious contempt. Drunk, drunk, idiot, idiot and drunk, ugly, boring, drunk...the opportunities for entertainment seemed dismal. Oh well, it seemed that she would have to speak to this King after all.

A minor King.

Making her way in front of the High King and his throne so as to draw everybody's attention, she spoke, and suddenly all eyes were glued on her. She wasn't feeling nervous, she had been drawing people's attention from her birth.

"I am Lady Maylene of House Velere of Jakusta, chief advisor to the High King and might I include..." she stopped for a minute and her eyes flashed with ambition, "A spy to watch over all of you Minor Kings and Queens." she said, and then bowed her head. "Your Highness."[/i]

Now, all she had to do was play her cards right. "As it seems, your Highness, my plans have succeeded. You do not know who I am, yet I know all about you." She looked directly into his eyes to tell him that she knew. She knew about the accident and she knew about the fact that he was raising quite an army that would rival the High King's.

Had she told the High King? No.

She was playing her cards right. And the King of Casticus would have to play them right as well.

[Elias of Sioure]

Fumbled up? That's probably what everyone at court thought that Elias just did, the young King still sported a broad smile. He was playing the game like anyone else in this world, with a strategy so clever that no one could possibly comprehend the level of complexity he was at right now.


"As it seems, your Highness, my plans have succeeded. You do not know who I am, yet I know all about you."


King Elias merely chuckled at the fact of that. In fact he knew that the High King had eyes everywhere, anyone in his position of power would. However, Elias had certain measures designed for spies. However he did shudder inwardly to know exactly what she knew. However, in this type of game, no one had a stacked deck.

"Well then milady Maylene... of house Velere was it? It is so wonderful that we now know each other formally, no instead of sulking around my keep, you can simply waltz through the gates, count the men garrisoned within the hold and fly back to the High King... By all means I won't stop you."

Elias sat back within his chair, bureaucracy was a fun game to play, however there were certain people whom you simply don't play with. Elias needed to know exactly what this Maylene was capable of, and see whether he should continue to play this game at a cautious pace, or simply not play at all.


"But there is one question that I have to ask. I'm not one for espionage and utilizing the shadows, no I have people for that. However I must ask, is it particularly wise to disclose your status as a spy to all of the minor kings and queens of the court? I mean I have nothing to hide myself, but wouldn't it make some of the other kings and queens a little... testy?"

Some question were raised in Elias' mind as to if this Maylene could perhaps be of some use to him, maybe he would consider trying to gain her approval, and create another contact close to the High King. The young king mused over this as he awaited any response.

[The Storyteller]

Did that man really want her to count his numbers? And for that matter, how did he know that she hadn't counted them already? Oh yes, she had, and the end results had been so good that had brought tears of joy to her eyes. "Of course, you Highness, but what makes you think I haven't done that already?" she mused, her smirk becoming widely visible. "Besides, perhaps your numbers aren't that much of a problem to trouble the High King with." She turned to the High King and bowed her head. "Not that they are that great to begin with, your Grace." she said.

Lying, it came natural to her. Especially when she had to lie to the High King. She was making a statement, especially to the King of Casticus. She wasn't afraid to lie in front of the King, which would probably make her a decent ally.

At least, she hoped that that was going to be what he was going to think. His next words made her laugh. "Be careful of the doves, your Highness. They never come one at a time, but with a flock." she said, and winked. "Everyone here knows I am a spy, but none of them know what kind of people I have under my wing." she said and turned to the King. "Of course, except for you, your Grace."

Another lie. The High King seemed pleased.

"But, bureaucracy aside, your Highness, you would have my utmost respect if you took me to one of your famous hunting trips once." she said, and looked at the King of Casticus. "I've heard that they are so thrilling that they are simply... How do I put it?" she continued, and paused for a second in order to find the right words. "Ah, they're to die for."

[Elias of Sioure]

The day was running long, and court was officially adjourned. However people were most likely not going to stop talking about the verbal sparring match between both the Kings spy, and the King of Casticus.

There would most likely be gossip hitting the live wires of communications soon. Stories would be distorted and no one would really know what was going on. Hanging back near the entrance of the courtroom was Elias, awaiting on a particular spy so that he could have words with her.

The King played with a bit of loose fabric on the end of his shirt, something he did when he was idly waiting at any given time until he caught the little informant in his line of sight.

"That was quite a show, you put on back there. I have always been a fan of the true art of a thespian, as it pertains to keeping appearances and making false statements. So tell me, what would it take for someone, perhaps a King, to obtain the services of such a proven actress?"

It was an offer that Elias was making to her, and offer for anything that she wanted. Whether it be gold, power, anything she wanted and Elias would try to obtain it. She could be quite a powerful ally with close ties to the High King.