Cat who ate the canary

"I'll renounce my title and never visit my lands again!" he says fiercely, an eerie light in his eyes that Cuthbert had an odd feeling he'd had also in the past, "I'll willingly take those Vows if only to be with her!"

Oh voy, Cuthbert thinks to himself, seeing "that" look in Aaron's eye flare stronger for a moment.

"Besides, it's perfect." Aaron continued, a cagey look now within his eyes, "If I should disappear off the face of the land, never to be found.....and something....unfortunate should happen to my 'dear' Prince Samuel . . . ."

Have a feeling that he believes that Hengist might meet a nasty end, Cuthbert thinks to himself, studying the young man before him, I myself already think that this "Eric" chap that Samuel is ruling in place of as Regent has already met a nasty end by Sam's hands. Wouldn't surprise me too terribly if Sammy takes a stab at the Zendara throne as well. Strike down Hengist at the right time, appearing all the while to be rushing to his aid in an hour of need after that disastrous battle with the New Amazons and such. Sam's a rather power hungry fiend, I wont.

Aaron's plans seem to go along that line of reasoning, as it turns out. Seems that Aaron is as trusting of Samuel as Cuthbert is, as it turns out.

"....and the only legitimate and proper heir to the throne will be Illura," he finishes up, smiling, "Once there, well.... Of course she'll have the power to advance the cause of the New Amazon not only in Zendara but also in Daria as well."

"Maybe," Cuthbert rasps out, "Depends on how things roll out...as it is said in my land."

Being a resident of this world and more familiar with it's local politics, Cuthbert guessed that Aaron's plans had more chances of success than the wry Gunslinger felt it would have at first blush. Frankly, it sounded a bit...er....wild....but then again.....

And I do believe you're going to be in for a big surprise in all of what you're going to face if you stick to your plans with Joan, Cuthbert thinks to himself as he advices Aaron to not be too hasty in things.

Aaron has a look of stubbornness to him, though. He readily says "he'll think about it" but Cuthbert well can see he's hidebound on his path.

The D'Honaires seem to have such a habit of picking up strays, Cuthbert sighs to himself as he goes over to the magical carpet to get a soothing drink for his parched and sore throat.

"Oh voy," he rasps, uncapping his water sack.

The mages had a theory that seemed to suggest that like called to like as far as analogs go. Being that Manfox Fred had fallen in love hard, his essence seemed to call out for other Fred (attract them in some way) to Terra Prime with a similar inclination. Oh, some of the other "Freds" hadn't fallen yet, but the mages were....curious just when it would happen...

"Matter of time," Cuthbert mutters to himself.

Do believe it's Ka myself, Cuthbert smiles.

His grin then turns wry as he remembers the time he used to laugh at the thought of Ka being real. He'd figured that it was just some excuse used by fools when they got into things they should have known better not to get into....or when young folk rushed into relationships without thought.....

Then it hit him with the relationship with Joan 2....

Joan comes over with news just as Cuthbert finishes.

She herself has a look in her face that is what Cuthbert's new friend, Eddie Dean, would have called "dreamy" when she glances over at Aaron. She then shakes herself a bit and returns to what she came over to do. That is, she's here to talk with Cuthbert!

"I do believe that Astra has won the New Amazon's over towards our side for the moment," she smiles, "If nothing else, they're rather....interested in learning more about these 'new ways' of battle."

"They'd better be," Cuthbert whispers, "They'd better be."

Joan is still smiling, looking over where Aaron is taking care of his horse.

"You look like the cat who ate the canary," Joan 2 observes, seeing Joan's smile as she begins to go over to...lend aid.

She does have a rather satisfied look.... Well, it's two part satisfied and one part "dreamy" again Cuthbert qualifies as he smirks, knowing well indeed how he'd been a few year ago upon meeting Joan 2. From what he'd learn of later, he'd had quiet the effect on her himself....later on....

Looks like things were working a bit quicker here between the two...

That's about the time Synizn comes over. He's left Karen in a trance still (she's just kneeling there awaiting whatever Synizn will do next). The demifox mage looks....a bit surprised.

"Uh, you remember that other amnesia case we had?" He begins nervously, looking back at Karen.

Meanwhile

An enraged Samuel is calling to his generals and ministers when a cloaked figure steps out from the shadows.

"We must talk," the shadowy figure says softly.

Samuel hides a small frown of distaste for this man. He belonged to a secret society that....frowned on outsiders using magic. Samuel himself had been very fortunate to stumble across them indeed and not be eliminated by some of the more reactionary members. As it turned out Samuel could do things for this society more easily than what they alone could do, so a relationship of mutual benefit came about. They'd perform some services for him and he them, but always they were furative and almost bashful in their manipulations with the other kingdoms out there. Nothing overt with them! So the reality of magic was....known to only a few. However, recent events had been shocking and worrisome, indeed. According to his "stooges" in the Cartel, the high mages were VERY worried about some recent activity AFTER that big...er....Disruption....but couldn't track it down! The "echoes" from it were making tracking down the new, suddenly unexpected signs of non-Cartel magery difficult to follow.

As distasteful as it was, something outside ordinary channels was needed.

This robed fellow before him was one of those "reactionary" folks who'd been against him so long ago, but still was probably the best man for this job....alas....

1. Besides, this fool could be....liquidated when his usefulness was at an end....

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