Teal left the Purple Jade Palace stifling a yawn, his body now resisting the lack of sleep it had endured. Nevertheless, it was time to start the rest of his rounds. His next stop was Prince Yernal whose quarters were currently a buzz with his men and servants as they prepared for their departure.

He walked confidently into the luxurious guest quarters and watched as the Keglan servants scuttled away, not wanting to be in his presence after hearing what had happened at the Summer Palace. Teal spied Prince Yernal a short distance away in the courtyard garden, on his seat being fanned by one of his servants. Obviously preparing for his journey back to the Keglar Kingdom was not a duty that he took part in himself. A small table covered in food, stood before him, where Prince Yernal occasionally leaned down and tasted a treat.

Prince Yernal caught sight of Teal. A flash of unease washed over his face, but it was quickly replaced by a flicker of something else. He smiled snidely towards Teal as he approached. Teal did not expect anything less.

"I am so sorry for your loss," Teal said with a deep nod of his head. "I'm sure Emperor Rathner will send his deep condolences from the entire Talbecan Empire once he hears of the death of the King."

"Thank you," Prince Yernal said offhandedly as if his father's death was the least of his concerns. "It was not too much of a shock. He had started to feel unwell before we left."

Teal was silent unsure of whether he should comment further on the King’s death. Instead, he decided to encourage Prince Yernal's departure. "I'm sure, after hearing such news, you must be eager to return home. Your preparations seem to be going well," Teal noted. "The gatehouse courtyard on the south side of the palace has been cleared and ready for your men to use.”

"Can't wait to get rid of me, can you?" Prince Yernal jibed.

"You must be missing your homelands, Prince Yernal," Teal replied. "Your stay has been a long one."

"How about a toast and a bite to eat?" Prince Yernal suddenly suggested, waving to the spread on the table before him. He leaned forward conspiratorially. "For old time's sake, hey? We didn't exactly get off on the right foot, did we?"

Teal gazed at the Prince skeptically, doubting that this was a genuine invite. He didn't want to appear impolite though, and he wanted to ensure Prince Yernal's departure was smooth and uneventful. Teal gave a slight nod and moved to the seat opposite to Prince Yernal and sat down.

"For old time's sake," Teal said.

Prince Yernal smiled and waved to a servant standing close. The man brought across a tray of small round white balls.

"These are a delicacy in the Keglar Kingdom. Inside is a cocoa filling laced with a touch of alcohol." He nudged the tray closer to Teal. "Try one."

Teal picked one up and smelt it. A sweet and alcoholic fragrance filled his nostrils. Curious, he took a bite and marvelled at the way its flavour spread over his tongue.

"It is delicious," Teal agreed. He looked at the piece still in his hand and noted the cocoa filled centre and white icing outside. "I'm sure the Emperor would also enjoy these."

"Please," Prince Yernal said with a smile. "Eat some more."

Teal took another ball and popped it into his mouth only to find the same servant who had delivered the sweet balls, was now holding out a glass of wine.

"I am currently on duty," Teal said kindly.

"Oh, please," Prince Yernal stated, aghast. "One small glass will not harm you. The flavor of the wine mixes so well with the delightful treat."

Teal sighed inwardly and reached for the glass. He would really only be able to make it one glass. He did not want to create any impairment of his judgement while he was ensuring the smooth running of the palace especially when he was already so tired. He would feel so much more relaxed once Prince Yernal was gone.

"Just one glass, and I will have to be on my way," Teal informed Prince Yernal. "I need to complete my afternoon rounds.”

Teal tried to ignore the glint in Prince Yernal's eye as he took a mouthful of the wine and noted how Prince Yernal leaned forward as if in anticipation.

"What do you think?" Prince Yernal asked, rubbing his hands together. "Don't the two flavors go well together?"

"Maybe," Teal said.

"Have some more," Prince Yernal urged. "Maybe you didn't get enough in that first mouthful."

Teal obliged and took another mouthful. A strange tingling sensation began to spread over the roof of his mouth. The Presence within suddenly rippled through him, and Teal became aware that something was wrong, very wrong.

He placed the glass down on the table and glanced around the courtyard. He couldn't spy anything untoward. Nevertheless, he rose to his feet, eager to keep moving unsure of the sudden feeling of unease that had crept under his skin. His presence continued to circle, assessing as well.

"Thank you for your lovely hospitality," Teal said. "But I really should be on my way as I have to finish my rounds. I will return in about two hours to see you off as you leave the palace."

Prince Yernal rose to his feet as well. "Such a shame," he said. "Are you sure I can't have your company for longer?"

Teal gave a little bow. "Thank you, but I must insist. I will let the Emperor know of these delicacies for future engagements. They really are delicious."

"Of course, of course," Prince Yernal stated.

Teal turned to leave, not wanting the conversation to continue any longer and as he did, his head swirled, dizziness crashing down on his senses. He staggered and reached for something to support himself. His legs turned to jelly, and he half collapsed, half slid to the ground.

There was only one other time he had felt such a way. Only one time that this kind of darkness had crept in at the sides and pulled him down and even affected the Presence within him. Panic swirled. It was different from having too much to drink. It was the Ashkin poison. But it was too late. Teal was unable to move. He tried to focus, tried to maintain awareness as to what was happening around him. It must have been in the food. It must have been...

>>

Prince Yernal dared to squat beside Teal. He could see that the Lombock creature was starting to fade in and out of consciousness.

"You see, Teal," Prince Yernal whispered. "Everyone has their place, and yours is certainly not within the walls of this palace, in any palace as a matter of fact. Your place, from now on, will be to serve me. No one else, just me. Do you hear?" he asked. "Just me, Teal. Just me."

Prince Yernal wiped his brow, rose and turned to his First Commander. "Well, that went well," he stated with satisfaction. "I was concerned he was going to work out what I was doing before the poison fully took over or that he would leave my quarters before it took effect."

His First Commander did not try to hide the fear on his face. "We need to leave now. I won't be happy until he is locked up in Glegan Tower."

"We'll be fine now that he's out cold," Prince Yernal snapped. "The soldiers have devised a perfect carriage to carry him in. He will be secure, and we can keep using the Ashkin poison until we arrive."

>>

Princess Estina sat in the middle of the field, its long grass towering over her and conveniently hiding her position as she tried to process the news of her father's death. She wiped a tear away from her eye and took a deep breath as childhood memories swept over her. Her concern moved to her mother and how she may be coping. Despite the distance between them both physically and emotionally, Princess Estina never wanted any harm to fall upon her mother or her father.

The infighting in the capital of the Keglar Kingdom would be tremendous right now. Everyone would be jostling and arguing, ensuring the security of their positions and trying to gain more power. Her brothers would be at each other throats, and at the same time, trying to appease those in the court. She didn't doubt the number of bribes and gold coin that would be passed around.

This situation was not good, not good at all. Prince Yernal was sure to try to use this to his advantage. He was not the next in line for the throne however, Princess Estina had seen him manipulate his brothers on more than one occasion. Who knew what he would try to do now? She had also heard the atrocities Prince Yernal had performed in his past. All he wanted was absolute power, and he didn't care who he destroyed to get it.

A noise to her left caught her attention, and she turned to see her horse had pulled free from the branch where she had tethered him. He approached and nuzzled her shoulder. It was the only thing at present that could bring a smile to her lips. She fussed his muzzle and scratched his head before she spied his hoof stamping the ground.

Princess Estina leaned forward and ran her hand down his leg, and he lifted his hoof obediently. There she spied what was annoying him. She grabbed a stick from amongst the long grass and scrapped off the sole of his hoof, freeing the stone that was caught in with some mud. She picked off the dirt and stared at its beautiful red jagged edge, holding it up to the sun amazed at its clarity.

The horse dropped its head and started to graze on the long, green blades beside Princess Estina, and Princess Estina frowned as another memory came to her. A smile slowly came to her lips as her fingers rolled the rock through her fingers. It reminded her of the stone found in the jewelry her father had given her mother.

She lay down on the grass to think some more, the seeds of a plan sprouting through her mind. How had she not thought of this before? Maybe, just maybe, she could turn her father's death to her advantage as well.

Princess Estina leapt to her feet and mounted her horse, the rock now firmly placed inside her pocket. She tugged gently on her reigns but squeezed firmly with her knees, urging her horse into a canter. A short time later, she rode into their camp grounds and straight towards Menelt's tent positioned directly beside hers and Prince Alain's.

"Menelt," she called as she dismounted. She left her horse at the entrance, passing the reigns to the mountain man on duty at the entrance.

"We're here," came Menelt's response.

Without any further preamble, Princess Estina pulled the flap of the tent aside and entered, her eyes taking a moment to adjust to the dimness.

Menelt and his first commander, Weldlan, were sitting on the floor, a simple large mat covering the dirt to prevent their clothes from becoming dirty, not that dirt was ever really a concern for them. Weldlan waved with his hand indicating for her to join the pair while Menelt lazily chewed on the end of a Braker Tree stick, known for its sweet flavor.

"I have a proposition," Princess Estina began as she sat down, the formalities of her kingdom long forgotten over the past two years. The three formed the corners of triangle on the mat. "Just hear me out first," she added.

Menelt and Weldlan didn't respond, but their silence did not deter Princess Estina, she was used to the mountain clansmen preference to listen first.

"I have an idea that could give you back the mountains," she started. "I can't believe this idea hadn't come to me before."

"What is it?" Weldlan asked. It was rare for him to speak to her even in the privacy of Menelt's tent. It had taken a long time for him to form a working friendship with Princess Estina and her small entourage. Gaining back their mountains however, was paramount to his existence, she believed.

The Princess coughed nervously before starting again, the gravity of her idea, the seriousness of what she was going to suggest, only really dawning on her now the words sat on the edge of her tongue. It would require her complete trust in Menelt. With one last glance at both men, Princess Estina stared straight in front of her and took a deep breath. "I propose an arrangement of marriage between Menelt and myself."

She paused allowing her statement to sink in and upon seeing both men's expressions fill with surprise, she hastily added, "One that is in the nature of business, and one that certainly does not need to be consummated. Nothing between us," she waved her hand back and forth between Menelt and herself, "would change of course. Our current relationship would stay exactly the same." She said the last part to Weldlan, not knowing how he was going to take this idea.

Menelt withdrew the stick from his mouth and like usual, Princess Estina couldn't read his expression.

"Your plot to kill Old Man Tehla is still holding many benefits," she continued, looking Menelt dead in the eyes. "His estate is now empty. It's time for us to stop hiding in the Talbecan Empire. Your contact at the palace has been very kind to gain permission from the Emperor for us to be here, but I need to think about my long term future, and I can't do that if I stay here." She looked at both men in turn. "I plan to take Old Man Tehla's estate for my own. Its proximity to Arina Pass and your old home is very convenient. Our marriage status would be a short-term arrangement. By taking the estate, I would be in great position to take control of governing the Pass, therefore allowing you to gain control of the mountain lands as well. I will send word to my family today, if you agree, and we could head straight off to Old Man Tehla's estate tomorrow."

Menelt and Weldlan shared an unreadable look, and then turned their heads back to Princess Estina. Neither spoke a word, merely continued to stare, unwavering and staid that made Princess Estina question her sudden idea.

She wanted to hit herself. This was a stupid suggestion. Menelt could possibly see this as an insult. Having to marry to regain access to his land and further, he would be in lower status to her in the marriage in the eyes of the Keglar Kingdom. Oh, how far Menelt had fallen all because of her brother.

Menelt finally broke the silence. "One of my men spotted your brother, Prince Yernal, on the road leaving the palace in Dalenia. They were moving at a fast pace but if we left now, you could tell him of your plans yourself."

Princess Estina froze, digesting the news as well. "That would be fun," she said with a smile to Menelt.

"I think your whole plan could be fun," Menelt replied with a wink. "Come on, we'll round up some men and intercept your brother before he reaches Cardon to take the barge over to Keglar. We'll discuss the exact terms of this arrangement," he waved to her and himself, "on the road to Old Man Tehla's."