[i][b]"Yes, indeed so, my lady. A pleasure to meet you, Sir Irina."[/b][/i] Leaning forward to have a better look at her, the man in dark, flowing robes, as if clad in the very shadows of evil itself, sneered ever fiendishly towards Irina with an insolent snicker towards the knight. Clearly he was amused by the sight of a woman in armor no less, but it was just that spark, that menacing gleam about his yellow serpentine eyes that sent shivers all through the disturbed and mildly frightened woman. Never before had she felt such an overbearing presence of mange upon her, the malicious essence almost choking her lungs of their very life-breath, and as rude as it may have seemed, it was unintentional, her silence towards this malevolent figure looming over her. For even if she could, no words was she able to speak, as if the very presence of this man had wired her jaw completely shut. A moment or so passed as the fiendish Varros eyed her intently, on occasion his eyes glancing over her sword....which she really wished she could draw at this time, but still...no need to make a scene.

Finally, the creature of a man let up, another malicious snicker exchanged before he bowed to the King, [b][i]"Your Majesty, I must thank you for a wonderful afternoon, but I am due to return to Narsil shortly. There has been word of a rebellion against the Royal Council, and I must see to it that my men are ready to face whatever may come of it."[/i][/b]

[b]"Dear Goddess in Heaven, Lord Varros. I do hope everything goes well, and there are no serious casualties. Please have a safe journey home."[/b] The King replied most humbly and most concerned towards this leviathan in disguise, who in turn gave a curt nod to him and nothing else as he vanished behind the corner, his black robes ever trailing behind him like the insidious whisps of a phantom. Even Irina could see through this man's deception. He had something planned, something far sinister for even Irina to calculate, and she was sure of it. In truth, she would have to stay beside the Princess at all times, especially with Varros free to prowl about the castle however he may please. The King stood by watching as Varros departed, but once the man was out of earshot, a deep sigh of relief he gave as he turned to his daughter and Irina, [b]"Oh...and dear Goddess in Heaven he leaves. That man, as noble as he may be, he certainly gives me the shivers."[/b] He paused a moment, fishing out a handkerchief from his flamboyant robe to dab at his brow before resuming. [b]"Sir Irina, I couldn't help but notice you did not reply to him. Are you feeling well?"[/b]

And finally once that man was far gone...for now....Irina was able to break from her terrified trance, "Hmm? Ah...y-yes, Your Majesty. Forgive me for my rude behavior towards your esteemed guest. I was....a bit flustered at the moment." A lie, yes, but Irina didn't just want to flat out say she was horrified by this infernal being and that Varros was nothing to her but a monster waiting in the wings to strike. She almost thought the King didn't buy her hasty excuse, as his bushy eyebrow rose slightly in suspicion, but then her returned, [b]"Ah well you are forgiven, Sir Irina, but next time, please do not be rude to Lord Varros or to any of our guests. I will let you off with a warning, but next time...I fear I may have to take more stern discipline. Now, where be Pindel and Versetti? I was sure I had seen them a moment ago. Did they just...vanish into thin air? How odd?"[/b] Merely Irina watched as the King carried on rambling to himself as the elder man returned to his majestic castle, leaving her with his daughter in the wide open courtyard. Soon, after yet more silence, she turned to the girl and sighed with relief, almost as her father had done, "I have a great fear in me about that man, M'lady." Her voice was hoarse, deep and indeed serious. "He looked to me as more of a warlock than a noble lord, and I have a feeling he is the one who sent those men after you."