After some searching, Asbel managed to find an used stick of incense, which was just strong enough to spear the fruit, and with the fruit so impaled, the phoenix carried it to the open window and flung it outside. If it was poisonous, hopefully the wild animals in the gardens beyond would have enough sense to leave it be. He dipped his fingers in the bowl of rosewater on his bedside table, just to be on the safe side, and against the encroaching darkness of gathering night, he lit with a wave of his hand the braziers lining the perimeter of the room. He could extinguish them with an identical wave; let Frey, if he did venture back down to Asbel's room, know blindness -- helplessness.

---

Aren ventured a shy smile at the praise. He'd never realized Frey had the capacity to be so kind. The prince came across as so... so [i]prickly[/i], but maybe he wasn't so bad after all. Maybe the rumors in the kitchens and around the washing basins had been exaggerated.

"I'm just glad I could help." He set the towel on the ledge long enough to wipe his hands on his jerkin, and began, as he reached to pick it up again, to add, "I didn't expect you to be so--"

[i]Let's say... I smashed your head into the glass![/i]

Aren recoiled as if struck already. He staggered away from Frey, color draining again from his face until he was as pale as the walls. "Sorry, sir," he managed, "but I-- I've got to go my apologies excuse me." He ducked, just in case the prince lunged for him, and as fast as he could, as hard as he could, he sprinted toward the door and the safety of the hall beyond.