The subtleties of court were unlike anything else, Erick found it less than enjoyable but he knew it was necessary nonetheless, weighing up his adversaries however, he believed he could be in with a fair chance of securing the first daughter of Astalia as he’d been instructed.

Although, he did loath to consider the arrangement in such a way, but how should this be different than any other campaign to secure Jörda’s future and protect its people?

Annalise initially seemed distracted when Erick spoke with her, he heard her stomach growl and he wondered perhaps if she was famished.. stressed and overwhelmed? He did always anticipate these daughters to be of a.. finer disposition. He observed as Annalise purposefully took a seat opposing him, [i]harder work than he’d thought[/i], he smiled gently as she teased him, and scanned her eyes deeply when she directed her gaze to him - her eyes were glass, with a colour like the waters of a lagoon. The Jörda prince nodded agreeably as she explained the simple premise of their contest, “that sounds like a fair and I think you will find, interesting prize” he agreed before musing for a moment on his own reward, “and if I win” he paused and stood to grasp a flagon of the Afdan wine which he tipped to fill each of their glasses, “you will take a ride with me tomorrow morning, with my horse”, Erick fully expected to win, of course, so it seemed like the ideal opportunity to ensure they’d spend a little more time together.

Erick’s eyes moved to the Elven prince whom had finally appeared in the courtyard, it was difficult to say if this suitor was yet to pose a challenge for him, although by appearances he was tall and fair and bred for battle, the Elven people had some of the finest manufacture of garments and weapons, magic was woven into their kind and an allure seemed to surround them. Annalise turned her attention to welcome him for a few moments, and Erick couldn’t help but let his gaze slip searching for Loreena, where he’d found her taking a seat - he’d missed her trick with the chalice, but listened as she made her brief address, “Hear hear!” he concurred raising his own vessel.