They had passed the workshops and the butcheries of the lower citadel, where craftsmen forged the shields and bronze spear-tips of the palace guards. The sound of hammers mixed with the smell of food and the pungent, unpleasant odor of leatherworkers. Stonecutters carving bossages and more intricate stoneworks as they walked. Two wagons stocked full rolled passed them, likely filled with grain. This was one of the few places where the Calliope and Beren received little to no glances, the teamsters and craftsmen and servants assuming they were important dignitaries, which was not too far from the truth. 

Calliope gave the wagon a glance. Beren caught her eye, the sun catching his hair and eyes and turning them into a rich brass. "There's enough grain in the palace to last a two year siege." 

"Impressive for such a small fort, I suppose..." She temporized, and Beren smiled at her attempt at agreement. She saw his amusement and snorted. "The smallest stones of my Black Citadel could not be pulled away by a team of horses. Not even your oversized shoulders could lift one." 

"You noticed my oversized shoulders?" He asked innocently. 

"A woman in my station always notices things of such quality," she said coyly, walking two fingers over his shoulder. He would never quite get used to her faux-flirtations. She ended it abruptly, however. "-So you can carry my bags, of course." 

"I live to serve," he said dryly. 

"As will all," she said softly. 

"What?" He asked. 

"Hmmm?" She inquired, now the one to feign innocence. Yet seconds later, her act dissolved and she blinked and turned, alert like a wolf. [i]Or like a cobra[/i], he thought. It was such an abrupt change in her demeanor, she need not say anything and Beren noticed. He turned to regard her. 

"What is it?" 

She stayed silent, as still as the obsidian statue he had discovered in that dark chasm. Seconds passed before she declared: "Nothing. I merely thought I heard something." The goddess rolled her eyes. "Let us get on with it. This meeting is important, yes?" 

He looked at her, and conceded with a nod. He was not sure what actually transpired, but she had her secrets. He led her through the stout inner wall, under the grand archway, a sight most normal citizens did not see. The corridor was littered with corbels of reptilian beasts, likely from the legends of the southern jungles. Stepping back into the sunlight, they were in the last courtyard, palms trees giving pleasant shade to them. The palatial royal guard did not acknowledged their presence, their large conical helms and breastplates of iron glinting in the noonday sun. Itt seemed as if word had spread to the palace guards somehow. Either that, or they rightfully assumed anyone unarmed they did not recognize had simply been allowed entrance. The grand entryway lay before them, its massive doors of brass and timber yawning, granting them entrance. 

Within, the throneroom was a vast chamber formed by various colonnades, or rather a single, massive arcade. There had to have been a hundred columns, some topped by carved beams and others by ornate barrel vaults. All were interconnected walkways leading to the back of the room, where an open space ringed by amphore of men battling walking, saurian people with nets and spears, as well as mascarons of snarling leopards above. Palatial guards stood at attention next to each column that surrounded the space, and many courtiers and men of note or wealth spoke amongst one another in their robes or tunics and their kaunakes, fat and jeweled and laughing with their wine. A man with a headdress of many pillars stood before the throne, speaking to the man sitting in it. The former was a priest of Aknu, God of the Sea. Beren recognized the man in the chair, as well... the lugal of Ubta. He was tall and bearded, with a well-formed chin and steely eyes. He did not drink, but listened to the high priest intently. That is, until he saw Beren standing there awkwardly. Politely, he motioned the priest to stop, and stood up from his chair. The king was bear chested and bronzed, and he was handsome. Ironically, however, he was not as physically impressive as Beren, a humble sanguken monk who simply decided not to show it. None in his presence other than potentially his guards would be safe if they tried to portray themselves as more powerful, and so Beren and others like him did well to keep clothed. 

"Monk! What news?" He asked Beren, eyes boring into him. His voice was powerful, and the convex architecture around him allowed it to carry from his throne. "Where is Nestepah? Why has she not come to me?" Beren tried to speak, but the lugal gave him only a moment before he continued. "I will have heard head if she sent you to tell me of your expedition. I commanded her to come to me, personally." 

"She is dead, your highness." Beren declared, granting the lugal a slight bow. Others would have prostrated themselves, but it was not permitted for men of his order to kneel before any man. "She and the... rest of the expedition." 

That last part gave the lugal a skeptical look. "Dead?" He asked softly. "All of them, dead? But you?" 

From behind the throne, a large, striped jungle cat loped out of the ferns lazily. It shook its shaggy head, its sharpened irises gazing about, though whether it was for a meal or a softer place to lounge, Beren could not tell. "Yes, your highness." 

"How?" he asked simply, his voice cold. 

Beren glanced at Calliope, and then began to tell the lugal of all that transpired, omitting certain parts like the finding of Calliope and the more overt magics. He did not lie, necessarily, but when questioned of various things such as Calliope's presence, he formed his words in a way that allowed the ruler believe he met Calliope shortly after the calamity. Even Calliope seemed somewhat interested, for she knew of the tale roughly, but was not privvy to the more horrific details and it filled her with an emotion Beren could not quite read. Once he finished, all of the fine talk of the courtiers fell silent. Only the large cat made a sound, groaning softly as it licked its massive paw. For a long moment, Beren was unsure if the lugal would believe him, despite how close to the real truth he told it. 

"I did not command you." The ruler remarked. "Nestepah and her group collected you, and yet you come to me, when no oath bound you to it... I give you my thanks." 

Beren was pleasantly surprised to say the least, and he gave a more respectful bow, allowing a smile of genuine welcomeness on his face. "You do me great honor, your highness." 

"No doubt you came to impress your noble and beautiful patron with the wonder of my halls." The lugal joked, and the others laughed. Even Calliope gave a soft laugh, though it was more because the notion of being impressed by what she considered a hovel was a ridiculous notion. "You have leave to stay here as long as you wish, you and the princess Calliope. In the southern wing, you will find quarters for rest and respite, and new clothing. Go now, and we will speak later tonight."