The Princess did not respond to what he had said. Another time it would have chafed his pride being ignored so, but her slight to his person was really a only compliment to his city and those who had built it. He waited patiently until her guardsman prompted her to respond. She performed another smile, playing the charade now they were once again in public view. He could still sense the loathing that lay beneath it.

[color=f7941d][b]"It has that effect on what few visitors we receive, and you are correct, the marble reflects the glow of the Lleuad Craig - the Moon Crystal. These caves are rich in it, that was why my people first came to dwell here, long ago now."[/b][/color] 

He too also gazed up at the city, but when Ozragad looked down he saw the tension in her guards, their readiness to spring to her defence. As if he would butcher them on his doorstep instead of hours previous on the road. [i][color=f7941d]If I wanted you dead I would have trapped you on the bridge and rained arrows down from afar. Why did I bother telling her all that? What is the point in telling her the history of my people, she will always just see me as a monster.[/color][/i]

He was about to ask if she could ride saddle side, it would be more convenient than arranging for a palanquin to be brought down from the palace above (the majority of his stables were kept on this side of the river), when a noise from across the water made him pause. The gates to the lower city rolled open and a possession of the city watch and several individuals on horseback emerged. Some were already carrying a palanquin upon their shoulders. Even at this distance he recognised one of the mounted figures as Manawyndan. Ozragad frowned, the returning of his seal and the ending of the regency normally happened in the palace courtyard, what was he doing here?

[color=f7941d][b]"Excuse me."[/b][/color] The King lashed his reins and rode off onto the span of the bridge to meet the Manawydan's party before they arrived on its far side. He wanted to have this conversation out of the Princess's earshot, if something had happened in his absence he wanted to know before she did, [i][color=f7941d]I must stay in control of this situation.[/color][/i] 

He reached Manawyndan and the guards within a minute, mostly city watch and not the soldiers of the palace guard he quickly saw. With the grizzled and grey old general was the captain of the watch, another stout old soldier who had been a fine commander in his day. He had taken a wound on one of Ozragad's battlefields, it had left him half a cripple, bound with leg brace and a limping gait. Tiernon he was called. At his approach Manawyndan dismounted, knelt before the King's horse briefly and then proffered the signet ring that bore Ozragad's seal. The King took it from his hand.

[b][color=f7941d]"I relieve of your duty as regent, my servant Manawyndan."[/color][/b] Ozragad intoned formally before relaxing voice to continue. [b][color=f7941d]But this could have waited until we arrived at the palace, why are you here? Tell me what's happened."[/color][/b] Manawyndan cleared his throat with a cough, he looked somewhat nervous. His eyes kept glancing off to the side, clearly it was not good news.

[b]"I thought it would be best to meet you outside of the city, sire. Things are somewhat... tense at moment.[/b] Ozragad narrowed his eyes.

[b][color=f7941d]"What exactly do you mean by tense?"[/color][/b]

[b]"Well, sire,"[/b] he was stalling, it must be bad. [b]The day before yesterday a delegation from the Ashlander clans arrived, a large one. Some of their men were drinking a taverna in the lower city. Some of Lady Chelderine's men were drinking in there also, they made a toast to our newfound peace and the new queen-to-be, the Ashlanders objected. A fight broke out, one of the Chelderine men was killed, the city watch arrested some of the Ashlanders, that angered their kin, and the whole thing turned into a small riot."[/b] 

It all came tumbling out, the fine mess that this betrothal was causing as soon as he took his eye off of the ball. Ozragad's face hardened, the bitter poison of his anger boiled in his belly. There went the illusion of his absolute power, the iron fist that he ruled with that he had been trying to project to the Hydaelyn Princess. [color=f7941d]I should never have gotten himself so tied up in Manawyndan's schemes, I should have seen this was doomed to fail from the start.[/color] He snorted in derision.

[color=f7941d][b]"I leave you in charge of my city for a few days and return to find it in open revolt against me?"[/b][/color] 

[b]"Hardly revolt, your Highness. Only one death so far that we know of, it has been contained for now.[/b] It was Tiernon who spoke next to defend his actions during Ozragad's absence. [color=f7941d][i]Of course they would stick together, they are both responsible for this.[/i][/color]

[color=f7941d][b]"For now?"[/b][/color] 

[b]"For now."[/b] Manawyndan spoke the words with confidence his face did not reflect. [b]"I thought it best to inform you of the situation before you entered the city so that precautions might be taken so as not to inflame... tensions..."[/b] 

Ozragad's gaze shifted to the covered and screened palanquin carried on the shoulders of eight of the city guard. It was more than large enough for two people. The King already knew what he was going to suggest and it woke his fury like the eruption of a volcano.

[b][color=f7941d]"Out of the question!"[/color][/b] He roared, not caring now if his words could be heard by the Eorzian party. [color=f7941d][b]"I will not sneak back into my own city like a thief! Put the girl in there if you must, but a King does not hide from his own people!"[/b][/color] Ozragad turned his horse around to ride back to where many of his guards were dismounting and the Princess still waited.

[b]"It's Zakylwe.[/b] Manadwyn spoke low, just loud enough for Ozragad to hear. [b]"He's leading the Ashlander delegation, that's what got them so riled up. Thought he'd stay away but..."[/b] The old general shrugged. The King sat stock still for a moment atop his horse, his eyes looking somewhere else, lost in his own thoughts.

[b][color=f7941d]"He knows where to find me, let him come."[/color][/b]

By the time he was back on the other side of the bridge he seemed calm again, but the fire dying still left him feeling cold and hard. His fists were clenched around his reins, his eyes busy searching the faces of his men, her men, anyone really. [i][color=f7941d]Which of you will stab me in the back when the time comes?[/color][/i] He turned towards the Princess staring at her intently. [i][color=f7941d]No doubt you'd be first in line. Maybe Zakylwe is right.[/color][/i]

[b][color=f7941d]"We are proceeding to the palace immediately. The palanquin is for you Princess. Order your men to cover their heads and faces."[/color][/b] None of it was formed as a request, whatever glimmers of courtesy and politeness Ozragad had been reaching for previously was gone. It felt like war again. [i][color=f7941d]Only this time I'm protecting the Eorzians, such bitter irony.[/color][/i]