[b]"Zakylwe is a leader amongst the Ashlanders, those of my people that make their home in the furthest east, upon the ashen waste. They are a hardy people, they must be to survive, and Zakylwe is hardest of them there is. During the early years of the war he was King Ozragad's most fervent supporter and one of his most trusted generals. And he always argued the course of needless cruelty, death and destruction. You can be sure that when the King burned Novrandt to the ground rather than yield it back to your ancestors, it was at Zakylwe's urging. He would rather destroy something than see his enemy possess it. That is the sort of man Zakylwe Ahorra is."[/b]

Lady Cheldarine glanced at the door as she spoke, it had already been several minutes since she had send away the serving woman in pursuit of tea. They only had a limited amount of time until their conversation would be observed by Ozragad's spies once again, and it was clearly running out.

[b]"I am glad you are willing to try to make the peace between our people's work, your Highness, but I need you to understand the danger you are in should it fail. Zakylwe and other malcontents are moving in secret against the King as we speak. Some of them are Formori of great power and influence. If the King falls and they take power instead... well, I don't think I have to make it clear what they might do to someone like you."[/b]

The conversation ended with a pregnant pause then, giving them both time to mull over the things that had been left unspoken in the silence. A draught stole into the quiet room, made the flames behind the grate flicker, and had the Lady clutch her shawl tighter about her shoulder's. When she resumed speaking, she did so in a warmer and reassuring tone almost as if in an effort to banish those cold and grim throughts. 

[b]"But, I am sure it won't come to that. The King will deal with it in time. I imagine my cousin would like to go cut the head off of the snake and put an end to Zakylwe right now. But there is protocol and custom even King's must follow. Formori's abhor kinslaying above all other crimes, our children are few and precious, so to kill a family member is the highest taboo. I myself am protected somewhat from the wrath of the King because we are kin. The same is true with Zakylwe."[/b]

She frowned a little then as she spoke, as if she was questioning the wisdom of what she was saying even as the words passed her lips.

[b]"He is the King's brother-in-law, his sister was Ozragad's first wife."[/b]