"We're going to want to bring this to a witch." Kalaya says, turning the relic over with Petony as they look inside. "There may be some meaning to these trinkets they can tell us."

The animal bone is of interest, but only passingly. Far more worryingly to her are the items that speak of specific intent or links to the Kingdoms. The coins of Chrysanth, and the blue veil - what could they mean? She pauses as she retrieves the final item.

-==-

Kalaya runs down the hallway, her sandles clapping echoingly on the tiles. She can hear the festival music all around the palace, but the unfamiliar layout almost guarantees that she's taken a wrong turn. Huffing in irritation, she looks around, trying to see anything which might indicate which way leads to the balconies above the river where the fireworks display will be most visible.

"Give that [i]back [/i]Lin!"

Frowning, Kalaya heads towards the muted voices and sounds of movement. While whatever is going on is probably none of her business, the anger and pain in that shout piques her curiosity. A few moments later her feet bring her out to a secluded garden, closed off from view from most passers by. A young girl, probably within a year of herself, is lying on the ground while an older boy stands over her. One glance is all it takes to know what's happened here.

"Hey!" shouts Kalaya, turning heads towards her. Stepping forward into the silence, she continues. 

"You heard her. Kindly return what you've stolen."

"Oh yeah? Well come get it then." The boy smirks. "But you better run along little princess, before your pretty dress gets ripped."

"I said, give that back." she says, starting forward but the boy just grins and reaches out to grab her.

Flashes of movement, Kalaya's reflexes kick in - twisting away and pushing his arm out, but the boy has clearly had training - as well as the benefit of a couple of years' growth. She lands a solid kick to the boy's stomach in the scuffle but soon has her face pushed into a wall, arms pinned behind her and head spinning from the impact.

"Nice try." he huffs, grinding her cheek against the masonry. "But you princesses belong locked up in your towers or playing your stupid games. Leave the real fighting to the [i]real [/i]knights."

Kalaya tries to squrim free, only earning further pain before there's a grunt and the pressure on her is suddenly gone. Blinking, she's steadied by smaller hands as the other girl comes up beside her. The boy, Lin, is now standing a few feet away, trying to balance despite a noticeable limp, and glaring figurative daggers at both of them.

His hand makes for a literal dagger on his belt, fist clenching and unclenching on the hilt. Meanwhile Kalaya and the other girl both stare him down. Arms folded, backs straight, but both acutely aware they are unarmed. For a moment, everything teeters on a point.

"Bah!" he spits, turning away. "You aren't worth it."

Once he's gone, the two girls let out the breaths they'd been holding and turn to smile at each other.

"Kalaya." she says, offering a hand.

"Ven." smiles the other, whose expression turns from relief, to confusion, to surprise as she feels what Kalaya passes her.

"Yeah, he was strong, but wasn't really keeping a close eye on his pockets." she grins.

Opening her hand, Ven can't believe what she's seeing.

-===-

A small earring of pink and yellow. The symbol of Snapdragon.

"Petony" she says, voice rigid from shock. "this is ... can I take this? I ... I need to get this to a witch right now."