[h1][center][color=4682B4]Lady Ský Tunglið[/color][/center][/h1]

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Ský glanced up from the parchment she had been engrossed within, the murmurs of those around her grabbing her attention. Had she heard correctly? Bandits along the border with Hiertania? She looked around the small garden she was occupying, one of the more secluded locations that was scattered around the palace grounds. She was sat on an elegantly carved wooden chair which overlooked a serine shallow pool that was covered in lily pads with bright violet flowers, fuzzy reeds interspersing them. Across the small glad there was a trio that were huddled stood under a huge willow tree in rapid conversation. 

She watched and listened to the conversation intently now, the parchment containing the thoughts and musings of Pywaln Ulfur forgotten as she focused on the words of those three across from her. She caught several snippets before she was sure of what she was hearing. Ský stood and quickly approached the trio that were speaking, recognising one of the young nobles, a man named Esjar whom she had spoken to on many occasions and so she approached him with a friendly expression. 

“Lady Tunglið” he said with a slight bow as he spotted her approach and turned to face her as the group fell silent. 

She smiled softly at each of them as she responded with a curt nod of her own before she asked [color=4682B4]“Esjar my friend, sorry to intrude but did I just hear you correctly? You said bandits have attacked somewhere?”[/color]

His expression dropped solemnly as he nodded “They say a rider arrived not even an hour ago baring the news”.

“The village of Ombel they say” interjected one of the others “I heard these raiders were outfitted better than any normal group of outlaws should be. Someone is testing our defences if you ask me, prodding for a weakness to exploit!” 

“I would wager they were funded by the Hiertanians” added the third young man “neither they nor the Tiadains respect our boarders or sovereignty.”

Each of them looked at each other, a somewhat familiar sense of foreboding falling over them. It would not be the first time that other Kingdoms had probed the peaceful and as they saw it vastly different kingdom of Lutaires causing violence and death. 

[color=4682B4] “Please excuse me”[/color] murmured Ský as her mind was sent reeling at the implications, a slight feeling of nausea washing over her. She turned and in a brisk pace made her way through the winding paths that lead her back towards the yadi. She paid little attention to what otherwise would have been a very pleasant stroll, the fresh morning air giving the forest a feeling of vibrancy and life as the morning dew lingered in the shade cast by the huge trees. Her mind instead was on the implications such events would have, the serenity of the woodland realm lost on her this morning. 

She emerged into the large open space and was momentarily taken back by the large number of people that were already milling around in little groups chatting with each other almost frantically so. 

A few moments later a small group of soldiers appeared from the direction of the barracks and made their way swiftly into the palace swiftly. She noticed the glistening hem of a general’s cloak fluttering in the morning light that flitted down through the branches, however she did not see who it was. Presumably if the rumours were true then the queen would be calling her advisors together to decide upon a course of action. Her heartbeat quickened at the thought of further conflict and bloodshed. If only the world were content to live in peace and prosperity instead of turning upon itself whilst power-hungry rulers tore at the vulnerable and innocent citizens of Lutaires. She of course had never interacted directly with any of said rulers, thus far her only interactions with the other kingdoms had been very limited and with vassals of much lower station – but from those interactions alone she had learnt the biased and cruel treatment that she and her countrymen often received, which would undoubtedly be mirrored by those in power. Several passing people greeted her, often with a curt nod or bow which broke her away from her thoughts as she politely returned their greetings with as much of a smile as she could muster.

A few moments passed and a servant darted out of the crowd before her and with a swift bow the young bright haired girl blurted “Lady Tunglið, the Queen has requested your immediate presence in the throne room.”

Ský was momentarily taken back by the summons, after all, prior to the passing of her mentor Ambassador Grár she had answered directly to him. To think that at the Queen would ask for her so soon after such an incident sent her head swimming. 

“My lady?” came the voice of the messenger after her brief moment of hesitation. 

[color=4682B4] “Yes of course”[/color] replied Ský as she regained her composure [color=4682B4] “Thank you Aletta.”[/color] With that she quickly made her way across the yadi towards the elegant doorway that lead into the Royal household, the guard standing aside as he saw her approach. She swiftly made her way down the elegant hallway and wasted no time as she made directly for the throne room. As she arrived a guard again immediately opened the door for her and so with her heart somewhat racing she entered. In the throne sat the queen, beside her was General Viska who had a deep scowl splayed across his features. 

[color=4682B4] “My Queen”[/color] said Ský as she bowed before the Queen. Turning she repeated the gesture to Viska before she continued [color=4682B4] “you asked to see me?”[/color]