“Mm. Alright. Axes, more hammers and nails, saws. If you can find one that two people could use, that would be good for cutting down the larger trees faster. Rope. Shovels.” Kire noticed him get distracted momentarily by something and followed his gaze. [i]Huh. That feels familiar.[/i] One thing about being an exiled Empress: at least she didn’t have to get stuffed into one of those outfits and hairstyles anytime soon. “Asking the sailors might be a good idea. Though hopefully they don’t just tell you where the best places are for docking their ‘little sailors’,” she added, rolling her eyes, before carrying their haul off to bring it back to the caves. 

While Kire had gone back, the streets were suddenly alive with cheering from a distance. An entourage of men flanked by guards whose helmets displayed colorful plumage sauntered down the street, the banners of the Council of Cordon flying from the standards they carried. The men they guarded looked important, with lavish clothing and the same insignia appearing on their coats. And among them walked their right-hand men and attendants. One of these was a well-groomed young man who, unlike the other Lords of Cordon, only gave a small smile to the adoring crowd, his gaze observing their surroundings rather coldly. He wore black, and pinned to the short, plain cape he wore was a brooch made of pale ivory carved into the shape of two faces in profile, set upon a black disk that looked like obsidian. Tiny carnelian beads stood for eyes in the pendant, contrasting with the green of the young lad’s own eyes. 

“Why hasn’t your Lord Itallo joined us today?” said one of the councilmen. 
“He wasn’t feeling too well, sirs,” the boy named Gavin replied, the tone appropriately apologetic, even if the rest of his expression didn’t reflect it. “If you ask me, the cold spring air and his overexcitement for the wedding is making him too giddy. Please excuse his rather weak constitution.” Gavin chuckled, the mirth not quite reaching his eyes. “I’m sure he’ll be all right before the big day.” 
“I must say, my daughters are rather disappointed,” one of the other councilmen remarked. “This bride of his had better be a ravishing beauty.”
“Trust that she is, good sir,” Gavin replied, “and I’m sure everyone in Cordon will be entranced. Looks like Cordon is ready to meet my lady.” He paused in thought, looking around. “No riffraff around, I assume?” 
“The elves, you mean?” The councilman’s mouth twitched. “We haven’t had trouble from them of late, but we’ll make sure security is doubled around their little ghetto. We haven’t had reports of complaints. Is Lord Itallo concerned?” 
Gavin shrugged. “He trusts your judgment. He hopes they would be dealt with permanently soon. A lot of his plans hinge on this marriage going well. You know him, all his grand plans to usher in a new day for Cordon’s greatness.” 

He gave them a small smile that quickly disappeared. As ward and trusted man of Itallo, he was used to speaking for him around Cordon, doing his duty. But being exposed like this sent an anxious shiver down the young lad’s body. Something about being out in the open, being the center of attention, did not sit well with him. He wished this little display would be over soon, but the lord needed him there as his representative. He touched the brooch for comfort, fingering the ivory faces, as he kept his gaze forward.