A way to bring about peace. I wasn't really paying attention, but in the end, and after a huge amount of talk, they decided that one of them, Naksul, would stay." Nynesi finished.

nynesi if you're going to be queen one day you gotta pay a bit more attention

Miryanna pondered for a bit. She knew that the king had been negotiating with Amani for some time before she left. Nynesi didn't seem to know much about it, so Miryanna decided that she would ask for a more detailed account from her uncle later.

"What did you think of him at first?" Miryanna asked.

"Oh, at first I didn't like him. He was charming and handsome and everything, but something about him put me on edge, like you, and his red eyes gave me the creeps. But, as time went on, I found that he was quite nice to be around. Eventually, he became one of my suitors, and I might add, he's my favorite so far." Nynesi finished with a giggle.

so there's being uncomfortable around a person because you don't know them and they're different , and then there's being uncomfortable around someone because they're legitimately creepy. also how many suitors has she had? buncha gold diggers tryna become king consort

Miryanna frowned slightly at her cousin's words, "But isn't he way older than you?" She asked.

"Oh, he's only twenty six," Nynesi replied.

"Yeah, and you're 18. That's an eight year age difference."

how big an age gap is a big age gap in terinnia? 8 years i guess. it's worse because she's only 18. if she was 22 and he was 30 it wouldn't be as bad.

Nynesi shrugged, "I guess so, but it's not like he's old. He's still young."

he is young. really young for all the stuff i've vaguely outlined for him to have accomplished. I must think about whether to change that or to run with it

Miryanna gave a half hearted reply, feeling grieved that her cousin felt the way she did about such a person. She wondered if his smooth enchanting voice had something to do with her infatuation.

spoilers if i met a super hot guy that had a super nice voice and was interested in me, i would dive headfirst into that, my guys. headfirst. the fact that he might be of questionable affiliations only makes him more hot. just so he punches nazis and drinks his respect women juice every morning.

Nynesi changed the subject and she and Miryanna talked late into the night.

Another day passed, and Miryanna was again confronted by Karayan asking who the guy from the library was. Again she refused to answer. He kept asking, and she kept on refusing and ignoring. Finally, she told him that the guy was someone she met in the mountains and that he'd have to be content with that.

Miryanna acquainted herself with the palace and its workings, and the city and its streets and ways. Byt the end of the week, she felt quite at home again. Except, of course, for Karayan being there, but she got used to it and was able to ignore him. Iphnis made no more direct appearances, but Miryanna would still see a gleam of icy eyes, of a flash of pale hair sometimes.

i'm still trying to work out iphnis being there. is he bilbo bagginsing his way around the palace? doesn't he have a curfew.

One morning, Miryanna was wakened by a knock at the door. She opened her eyes slowly, her eyelids still heavy with sleep. "Yes?" she called groggily.

"Andarin Dohmnall is here to see you, Milady," A voice responded.

Andarin? Miryanna perked up immediately. "Tell him I'll be there as soon as I can," Miryanna called to the messenger as she sat up and rubbed her eyes.

"Yes, Milady," the messenger replied and departed.

Miryanna stretched and yawned and tried to wake up. She climbed out of her soft bed and splashed her face with some cold water from the basin. She quickly brushed her hair and put it in a braid, dressed in some more simple clothes, and after a last look in the mirror, dashed out of her room to go meet Andarin. She was glad that she could now tell him about Karayan and have his help. She was reminded of Iphnis saying that she would get some help soon, and wondered if this was the form it was taking. It was uncanny how that Gnome knew things. Maybe it was a Gnomish trait. She entered the throne room where she found Andarin talking with the king.

no it's just the author overpowering characters.

"Andarin," She called out in greeting.

He turned and smiled as soon as he saw her, "Miry, it's good to see you," He said as they embraced.

"Likewise," Miryanna smiled. "How's life? How's your family?"

Andarin looked grave, and instead of answering her directly, turned to the king. "May I have private audience with Miry, your highness?"

The king smiled, "Of course," he consented.

Andarin took Miryanna's hand and they went to the garden. Andarin looked to be about to speak, when Miryanna put a finger to his lips. "Before you say anything, I have to tell you something." And before he could respond, she whispered in his ear, "Karayan Batal is here, in the palace, and before you tell me anything that could prove disastrous if revealed to the wrong people, let's go someplace where we're sure not to be listened in on." She took his hand and ignored his look of shock and dismay as she led him to the library. She peeked in, but there was someone sitting at a desk, so she continued on, trying to find some place quiet. Of a sudden, Iphnis stepped from behind a door and gestured silently, before disappearing back inside the door.

Iphnis back at it again with those mysterious appearances

"W--Wait.. It--it's..." Andarin stuttered in shock.

"Yes, it's the Gnome," Miryanna replied, following Iphnis' gesture inside the door. It was a small room. Just a closet really, but it was quiet and wouldn't be disturbed.

Miryanna and Andarin went inside and closed the door after them.

"How are we going to see?" Andarin asked, his voice sounding muffled in the small space.

A sound like a flint striking steel rang and a small light appeared. Iphnis lit a candle and held it up. "Will this do?" He asked.

where did he get that candle from?

"Yes, quite. Thank you," Miryanna replied.

Andarin held up his hands, "Alright, alright. I want an explanation, and I want one now." He stated firmly. "That there is a Gnome. It's the same one I saw a few weeks ago before we left. I haven't forgot it. You just told me that Karayan Batal himself is here, in the castle. What is the world is going on?" He asked, perplexity clear in his face and voice.

Miryanna sighed. "It's a long story and I'll tell it all to you, but I could take a while." And with that, Miryanna told Andarin of everything that had taken place since last they saw each other. It took some time, and when it was over, Andarin just sat there in silence.

He looked at Miryanna, and then at Iphnis, who had stayed silent the whole time, just listening.

"Well, that's some tale you have to tell." He said after taking a deep breath.

Miryanna just nodded. "We should probably return to society before someone starts to wonder where we are or needs to use this closet."

Andarin nodded and stood up from the little stool on which he'd been sitting.

where'd the stool come from?

Miryanna also stood up, stretching her cramped legs, and they peeked outside to make sure no one was near, and exited. Iphnis followed them after extinguishing the candle. "I'd best be off," he said, and disappeared around a corner.

aand he's gone.

Miryanna was rather disappointed. She'd wanted to ask him some things, but knowing him, he'd probably just refuse to answer.

Miryanna and Andairn started walking back to the throne room, when Miryanna asked, "Say, you haven't told me your news yet."

Andarin stopped walking for a moment, before continuing on, a look of sorrow on his face. "My... My older brother fell sick and died," He said softly.

oop

Miryanna gasped and covered her mouth with a hand. "Oh, Andarin, I'm so sorry," She said, putting her arm on his.

Andairn just nodded. "I'm the heir to my father's wealth and estate now," He said without emotion.

Miryanna didn't say anything, just slipped her hand into Andarin's and squeezed gently.

Andarin in turn filled her in on the details and they discussed all of the new information together in soft voices.

They named their way back to the garden to just talk, and behold, Nynesi and Karayan were also there.

hark

Nynesi stood up as soon as she saw them ad rushed to greet them. She engulfed Andarin in a hug. "Andarin! I've missed you, it's so long!" She exclaimed.

Andarin smiled at the exuberant greeting. "Hey, Nynesi. Yes, it has been a while," He replied.

Nynesi looked over her shoulder at Karayan, who was now standing at her side. "Andarin, Meet Naksul Kenoshi, my fiance." Nynesi displayed the glittery ring on her left ring finger.

Miryanna couldn't speak. She almost couldn't breath. Fiance? Fiance! Nynesi was... marrying Karayan Batal??? She glanced over at Andarin and saw the same measure of surprise on his face as she was sure was on hers.

OOF

Miryanna swallowed hard and held out her hands, forcing a smile. "I'm so happy for you, Nynesi," she lied.

of course it's a glittery engagement ring and it goes on the left ring finger. no unique betrothal rituals here

Andarin also shook her hand, "That's wonderful, Nynesi,"

Nynesi giggled, "Oh, you're all so kind."

they're just following formalities nynesi isn't it obvious

Miryanna looked straight at Karayan who was also smiling, but Miryanna, and Andarin, could see dark malice behind his charming and nice exterior. Miryanna wished... She wished with all her heart that Karayan wasn't her cousin's new fiance. But, it seemed that there was nothing she could do.

wait until the part of the wedding where they say 'any who objects to this union speak now or forever hold your peace' and have a small band of protesters gathered outside and as soon as the officiator says this, give the signal and then they'll all crowd in and make their complaints known and then boom. problem solved. oh you say terinnian weddings don't work like that? well they do now

"Now, it's high time for lunch, and if I'm not mistaken, Miryanna, you didn't get any breakfast," Nynesi was saying.

To Miryanna, Nynesi's voice seemed to be coming from a long way off and she just nodded in answer. She was aware of following behind Nynesi and Karayan along with Andarin to the Hall.

The food was tasteless in her mouth, and the water was like sandpaper down her throat. Her cousin. Her dear, sweet cousin, who'd been her best friend since they were wee tykes, was marrying the worst person Miryanna had ever come across. Somehow, the meal passed and Miryanna made her way back to her room, where she sat in silence at the table.

miryanna is thinking too far ahead. who says the engagement has to continue? get some blackmail on him. slander the jerk's name. pay people to say nasty things about him. you can't be a king consort if you made an iffy tweet five years ago. you can't be a king consort if you're mean to the waitstaff (and you know he is)

Nynesi was marrying Karayan Batal. She would be the wife of Karayan Batal. She shook her head violently to clear it. She didn't to think about what that implied. Tears filled her eyes and the burried her face in her hands and wept silently.

this would have been so much more interesting if they actually got married and miryanna finds out that nynesi was wise to the whole thing and she converts karayan from his evil ways because he really actually wasn't that evil and seriously honey are you kidding me right now? oh that's anticlimactic?

She got that feeling that someone was watching her, but she didn't look up or care. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and familiar rough, deep voice saying, "Miry, what's wrong?" Miryanna looked up and into the dark eyes of Roric.

"Roric!" She exclaimed breathlessly.

He smiled, a mere slight upturn to the corners of his lips, and sat down across from her at the table. "What's wrong?" He asked again.

alright her room really is becoming a rendezvous point for mysterious figures. can't a girl have some privacy?

Miryanna bit her lip, "My cousin is marrying Karayan Batal," She stated.

Roric wasn't one for displaying emotion, but that bit of news had his eyes wide as saucers, then narrowed in confusion.

Miryannna held up a hand before he could say anything else. "I'll give you the whole story." And so for the second time that day, she told the story of returning to Campel and finding Karayan Batal there, and all the rest.

By the end, Roric looked just as surprised as Andarin had.

"So, what's your news? I get the impression that you didn't come here just to admire the view," Miryanna said after some silence.

Roric shrugged, "Well, you stole part of my thunder already, the part about this Great Sorceress, and the Erglis in this part of town already knew that Karayan Batal was Naksul Kenoshi, and we learned just recently that he serves a Great Sorceress. But there is some news that you haven't heard yet." Roric leaned forward and spoke in a near whisper, "We found her stronghold." 

okay did karayan not consider that he'd have to make public appearances and that there would likely be erglis out in the crowds and now that they have miryanna's description of him and he is by no means run-of-the-mill as far as looks goes... did he really think he could keep it up for terribly long? i guess the threats that if they find out he'd hurt miryanna's family are quite the deterrent; it might have miryanna asking people not to act because of that, but the erglis also have resources don't they? couldn't they take measures to protect the royal family? ??  man it'd be delightful if i thought of a multifaceted plot more often huh

Miryanna looked at him in surprise. Could this day get any more interesting? She thought.

Roric stood up. "Come. We need to get back to base,"

"But if I leave, Karayan will hurt Nynesi. I'm sure of it," Miryanna protested.

"He knows see know he's here. That was the reason he kept you here, wasn't it?"

Miryanna thought about that for a bit. "Why, yes, yes I suppose so." She stood up, "I'll prepare to leave. Are you going to tell Andarin?"

well that got taken care of real quick

Roric nodded. "We'll meet under your window," he said and climbed out through the open window.

Miryanna closed it after him to keep out the winter chill. She opened her closet and withdrew her jacket, scarf, boots, and the other clothing she'd been wearing when she first returned. They were the best adventuring clothing she had. She also took out a sword she'd taken from the armoury soon after she returned and found that Karayan was there. She didn't have the time to grab any food, but she packed all the money she could, without being too conspicuous, and all the other necessities she'd need. As soon as she was all ready, she went to the window, and saw Roric and Andarin on the ground below.

how long has it been winter? what are seasons?