[color=Black][h2]Nyx[/h2][/color]
Nyx chuckled to himself at Sini's surprise, the shock on her face as priceless as any gold. Like the dutiful knight she was shock soon evaporated in consideration of how this might be turned to their advantage. Sini always offered Nyx good council though sometimes it was more conservative than was to Nyx's taste. [color=Black]"Indeed Arys has set before Falk a challenge. Were it any other fae seeking her hand I would deem the challenge impossible but this is the Fall King we speak of. She has asked Falk to find the ritual with which she froze her head and reverse the effect. Should he do so she will marry him."[/color] Nyx hoped that the task set to Falk would delay him for many years to come but in his heart he knew that if Falk truly desired Arys as his match he would find the answer. Nyx would be a fool to assume it would be later rather than sooner.

[color=Black]"Falk believes Cernunnos the last true Archon, he would gladly see me dead if he could be ensured victory with little cost. For now he tolerates me because the damage this Court could do to his in a war far outweighs his dislike of me. If he married Winter's Queen however that would do much to isolate us from deadly weaponry should he declare war."[/color] At the very least Arys would not trade with a hostile force that fought against her husband. At the most she would ally with him against both the Seelie Courts. As much as it pained Nyx to admit together the Unseelies were far stronger than the Seelies.

[color=Black]"Cementing ties with Winter is an important step but I believe strengthening Summer would do much to aid us."[/color] Nyx spoke no more on this subject for it harkened back to a previous conversation that he and Sini had had. One in which Nyx voiced his consideration for removing Feoras from the position of Summer King to ensure that a stronger leader took his place. Feoras did after all have his title by virtue of his adoptive father and the magic gifted to him, he did not have the people's love as Nyx did or their fear like Falk and Arys. If he could be pushed into a display of weakness his own people very well might rise against him. The question would be when, if it happened at the wrong time Winter might see it as the perfect time to strike before Summer had organized itself.

However Sini and Nyx could not discuss the topic here, it was far from secure. He would perhaps converse with the Slyph before she was sent to Arys' Court. Speaking of which, one of the Dryad's guarding the gate had alerted the pair that the emissary of Winter had finally arrived. It took him long enough considering when he'd sent Leaf to fetch the creature, then again he had sent [i]Leaf[/i] to fetch him so perhaps the delay was to be expected.

Nyx made his way back to the palace to receive his guest in the Great Hall. [color=Black]"Sini join me won't you? This new arrival concerns you as well."[/color]

Nyx took his seat in the obsidian throne before motioning a guard to show Grexx into the hall. His first impressions of the creature were not inspiring. He was small and weak, he tripped over his own words and looked rather openly terrified of everything around him. Still he was Winter's Emissary deserved respect displayed to his title, from Nyx anyways. The Archon could leave tormenting the poor creature to his Fools. No doubt Leaf had already done something to him on his journey to the palace.

[color=Black]"Welcome Grexx, I am pleased to see that Arys has taken my proposal to heart."[/color] Nyx was mildly insulted that with the chance to place one of her own in Nyx's ranks this poor creature was the most Arys thought to send. Then he supposed looks could be deceiving. Perhaps there was more to Grexx than did meet the eye. 

Before Nyx had the chance to see more however Pearl appeared from a nook where she'd concealed herself. She approached the creature and did walk several circles around him, studying him closely. Nyx waited to see what she would do as the machinations of Leaf's apprentice always eluded him even as her actions did spark interest.

She smiled at Grexx before she opened her mouth and started to sing a nursery rhyme. [color=HotPink]"Tick tock goes the clock, now what then shall we play...? Tick tock goes the clock... From Winter you've waylayed..."[/color] Over the next few lines her voice slowed to an eerie pace. [color=HotPink]"Tick tock goes the clock and all the years they fly... tick tock goes the clock till you must surely die..."[/color] The smile on Pearl's face ever sweet suddenly look sinister as she took Grexx's hand and shook in after the human fashion. Then she ran off to hide behind one of the pillars of the hall grown from the wooden floor.

[color=Black]"My apologies Grexx, Pearl bless her does not exactly live in the now. You must forgive her her odd tendencies."[/color] Though he looked far from sorry and much closer to amused.

Nyx turned to address his knight. [color=Black]"Sini as you can see Grexx is a subject from Winter who will be spending some time with us. In returned you will be journeying to Queen Arys' Court as an adviser to her Ladyship."[/color]