[b]At Castle Diratania[/b]

It was cold. Of course it was cold, it was fitting for the season. Not a cold that killed man and child alike just by being there – Fiona remembers her mother speaking of such winters – but a pleasant cold. Snow fell, and Fiona remembers how she loved to play around with it. Sure, she got in trouble whenever she assaulted the courtiers with snow balls, but such nonsense was what small children were bound to do.

Lady Fiona sighed, as this so old image faded away. She turned around.

"Yes?"

There stood Garret, member of House Siebert. More or less insignificant, but nobility nonetheless. And even more, Garret was a very good steward, which is a position her father Domnall gave him, possibly eight or seven years, ago. They were close, perhaps closer than most statemen should be, but Garret looked fondly upon Fiona. Perhaps it was seeing her grow up that did it, but eitherway, she did not care for the exact workings in his mind. He was trustworthy, that's enough.

"My Lady, I wish not to sound rude, but I'd prefer if we could converse on the inside."

Fiona looked at him. A single snow flake landed on his face. He understood what she meant.

"We have heard that Princess Helen fled the court of the Overlord."

She raised an eyebrow. Not that she was surprised, given that the atmosphere at the court has been quite charged recently. Ekbarte, her trusted representative, and Fiona have both supported Helen's claim on the throne. Yet they knew that they were in the minority, which meant they had to be became more silent and silent as the dispute became louder, or they both would have risked too much for a stranger's claim on a useless title.

"I see. It is possible that she will arrive here, but she might also avoid any of the Lords of Lundland. Either case, if she is willing to approach us, we will make sure to welcome her. 

Then... can we think about further steps."

Garret bowed, murmuring something that sounded like "Yes." and left.

Fiona hoped Helen would not come, though. She had enough problems already.