So Summer and Winter kept circling each other.  How long, Sini wondered, before fighting broke out again?  What problems would renewed hostilities bring for Spring -- and how might they turn it to their advantage?  Whatever planning she did to counter anticipated troubles, it would still be necessary to keep an eye on the activities of the other courts, but that was nothing new.

Falk’s proposal, however, was completely unexpected.  “He did [i]what[/i]?” she said, surprise written clearly on her face and in the flare of her wings.  Shock quickly gave way to consideration, as Sini weighed the new turn of events.  “He’s up to something, of course.  He does nothing without a reason, and the game he plays is long indeed.”  Most likely longer than either of them had been alive.  The sylph had heard a great deal of speculation on the Fall King over the years, but never had anyone had more than a guess at his goals, and often not even that.  “The Queen of Winter is clever, and her heart is cold.  She would see both the risk and the benefit in that offer.  You say ‘proposed’ -- so I gather it is neither accepted nor denied.”  Understanding flashed in the blue of her eyes.  “Oh!  She set him a test, did she not?”  It was not always done, but it was the right of any fey, should they wish, to set a challenge before accepting a suitor.  It could be anything from a mere formality to impossible, depending on how they felt about the matter.  Arys, of course, would try to find something to ensure Falk’s intentions.  Sini wondered what the task was, but the thought of Falk playing the role of a suitor on a quest was so incongruous that she couldn’t help but let out a peal of laughter at the ludicrous image.

Her amusement was quick to subside, and her expression turned serious again.  “While that should be interesting to see, I worry what it means for Spring.  Falk has never had any fondness for Spring, nor for you, and if he can field the forces of Winter in addition to his own we will be hard pressed to fend them off.  It is not impossible, but the cost will be great.  Likewise should he support Arys when Winter and Summer next go at each other’s throats.”  Of course an outright attack was not the only way, but subterfuge gained far less from a close alliance between the two Unseelie Courts, save perhaps that they might not need to watch each other quite so closely.  Sini didn’t think such trust was likely, but whatever trouble came, the balance of the seasons was shifting.  It might not be possible to stop it, but if connections were used properly, Spring could weather the storm.  “Nor do I think allying with Summer ourselves will be enough -- especially since, as you said, Feoras’ judgement is impaired when it comes to Winter.”  Nyx would have already reached a similar conclusion.  “That means it is necessary to--” the sylph paused as a stray breeze sent by one of the palace guards blew through the garden.  The Archon’s guest from Winter had arrived, it whispered in the ears of ruler and knight.  “--Strengthen our ties to Winter,” Sini finished, smiling in satisfaction.