[b]Tamara Sendai in Elband - Morning[/b]

Tamara had supped with the high and mighty. In her many assignments, she had had to talk down to queens and kings without showing her fear. The years negotiating with the rulers of the land had given her an ability to mask her true feelings when she spoke.

All those years of experience failed her that moment as she stood face to face with the daughter-heir of Menaria.

Even before she laid her eyes on the girl, even before she heard her footsteps behind her, she had sensed her approaching. Sendai can sense when others of the cloth are nearby. The Spark can always be sensed by one who has it. Tamara knew the girl wouldn't be able to sense it clearly. The awareness came with practice. It came with using the Spark regularly. But Tamara could feel her power. It pulsed like a star in that garden. The Mother was not flapping with her tongue when she talked about the girl's potential. Tamara felt her tongue go dry. When this one was trained properly, she would eclipse them all.

Tamara inclined her head and bent her knees slightly in a less-than-formal curtsy. Once the girl was in the White Island, [i]she[/i] would have to defer to Tamara. But here, she was still the princess and Tamara was just another diplomat. Even so, Sendai aren't ordinary people.

"Grace favor you, princess," she said, finally looking at her face. It was like looking at Queen Tarmalene through a frosted glass made of time. That same pointed nose, that same golden hair that caught the light and glimmered, that same haughty stare that demanded obedience. She was still a child though, and she was trying to mimic her mother, Tamara saw. This one would grow into a great ruler.

"I am Tamara Roihan of the Vyanandir," she said, not wanting to hide either her allegiance in the White Island, or her Balenian name. vyanandir, the House of the Wind, was her chosen house in the White Island. And she secretly hoped the girl would choose her House. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you, princess. The Mother has been talking about you and we are all looking forward to seeing you in the Island."

Tamara smiled in a sisterly way. She did not want to be too formal here, and she had a feeling the girl would respond better without the rituals and trappings of royalty. The young always did.

"Apart from getting a chance to see you, I was also hoping I could talk to you. I am sure you have a lot of questions about the White Island, and I confess I have a few of my own about you."