legendofdragoon | Interrupting your teas

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Interrupting your teas

The journey had been a long, exhausting one. Lloyd could not risk being seen in any human towns, even though most would not recognize him, much less know of involvement in the crisis that very nearly ended the world. The stakes were too high, his mission could not be compromised. Eventually, however, he made his way into Capitol City Bale, so far unseen. Sneaking up to the castle was no problem, not for someone who could fly anyway.

Hell they all probably still thought he was dead, that would play in his favor. Now he just had to wait until Albert was somewhere he could drop in unannounced, hopefully without too many guards to contend with. Or any, if he could help it. Somehow he doubted being violent would be a very good way to get the King to listen to him.

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It was a beautiful day in Serdio. The sky was blue and the farmlands Albert could see from the balcony of the throne room where he sat was golden with the hay that was near ready to be harvested he reckoned. Albert sat at a small table with a small breakfast laid out before him. He liked to enjoy breakfast alone. The rest of his day would be filled with appoints and scheduled court and meals with his wife. The morning was the only time he had to himself. So he sat sipping his tea and enjoying the song of the morning birds and the flowing river just behind the palace and the wind that tugged with playful familiarity at his hair and cloak.

Unfortunately this particular morning would not be so peaceful, as an uninvited visitor chose that particular time to make his presence known. Lloyd had a habit of sneaking in unannounced, and there he was, all solemn in his dark cloak and hood as before, leaning casually on the banister of the balcony a safe distance away. Safe enough to avoid an immediate thrashing, anyway.

"Pardon the interruption, Highness," At least he was polite when he was obnoxiously invading Albert's personal time? No, don't get up, keep enjoying your tea.

There was a rather undignified snort and a slight cough signifying that the regent had just narrowly avoided drowning in his morning brew. Albert put his cup down with a little clink and blinked at the cloaked man. After a moment of consideration he spoke, "I am of that fortunate constitution which does not create hallucinations or play tricks on the mind, and while I have been informed by reliable sources that there are such things as ghosts, I do not believe the ghost of a dead man would suddenly appear in my palace with no cause, regardless of the trouble he caused there in his life. You therefore have approximately thirty seconds to tell me why you have alighted on my balcony before I call for the guard and have you forcibly removed from my presence."

Eloquent and level-headed as ever, though Lloyd couldn't help the slightest smirk at having earned even the slightest ruffling of Albert's feathers. He might hide it well, but that near-drowning was enough to tip him off at the King's surprise. Oh yes, just as he'd thought, presumed dead.

"The dead rarely appear without reason, Highness. You, above all, should know that to be true." Even those not truly dead. Still, he was wasting his thirty seconds on being elusive because... Lloyd. "Though I am certain it will be a complete shock to you... I come to you for counsel." Perhaps that would catch his attention? Or just get him some guards called. Of course Albert would have to know that Lloyd would just be increasingly persistent if he didn't hear him out?

Albert laced his fingers together and touched his conjoined hands to his chin. His interest seemed piqued by Lloyd's admission, but he did not speak. Instead he silently stared at Lloyd, his expression contemplative. The seconds ticked down but he made no motion to call the guards just yet.

Finally, he lowered his hands to pick up his tea once more, "I admit I am shocked. If you were here under false pretenses I would expect a more elaborate explanation than what you've offered. Go ahead then, I will listen for now."

Lloyd waited in silence while Albert made his decision, folding his arms over his chest but remaining otherwise still. He was grateful Albert had chosen to listen to him, if only briefly. But, in a way, he'd known that he could at the very least bend his curiosity.

"The benevolent Queen Theresa has fallen under some unknown darkness. Her heart is filled with malice, and mind grows ever more paranoid. She has locked away Sister Luanna, and even Miranda falls under threat of her growing suspicions. This behavior is unlike her, as I am certain you are aware." He paused, letting that all sink in a bit. Lloyd didn't exactly expect Albert to believe him, but... it was worth a shot.

Albert set down his cup again and let out a disappointed sigh, "I did expect better. If such a thing were to happen we would have had word from Miranda. At the very least such news would have come trickling out of Mille Seseau through Fueno into Tiberoa and would have reached my ears. What do you hope to gain through this deception, Lloyd? Is this some new plot to ingratiate yourself with the throne again perhaps? Those days are over, Lloyd." Albert stood and turned toward the archway that led into the throne room, "Guards!"

"Were news leaving Mille Seseau at this time I am certain you would be right," Ah, he'd hoped it wouldn't come to this, but alas. He really wasn't very surprised. In the few moments it would take the guards to reach him, Lloyd tossed something in the direction of Albert, an object far too small to be harmful.

Wink's ring, before he himself absconded over the balcony. No time to get himself captured, sorry Albert. He has far too much work to do, but his only hope was being rather exceptionally difficult.

Not that he could blame him.

Albert snatched the tiny object out of the air and opened his hand to look down at the thing in his palm. His expression darkened.

The guards trundled onto the balcony to find their king staring down at a ring in his hand. One prompted him with a hesitant, "Sire?"

Albert sat and placed the ring on the table before him. His fingers laced together once more as he contemplated it, "Minister Lloyd is somewhere in the city," he finally says to the guards. "Find him. Bring him back," He pauses for a moment. "Make sure he knows he will not be harmed. Go."

The guards salute and leave the balcony.

Lloyd was, of course, a huge pain in the ass to find. He led the guards on a merry chase before finally relenting and allowing them to capture him... once they'd assured him no harm would come. At first he didn't believe them, and still didn't, but... It was once again, hos only hope.

Perhaps Albert would be so kind as to allow him to send a letter to Wink to let her know he'd failed. He was putting a great deal of faith in the honesty of the guards, and Albert, though he doubted the King would pull something so underhanded as to lure him with a promise of not being harmed.

He hoped his instincts wouldn't fail him this time. Especially since he even let them disarm him without argument.

Yes, Lloyd was that desperate for Albert's help. Humiliating.

When the knights returned Lloyd to the castle they took him directly to the throne room. Albert now sat upon his throne, examining the ring in his hand. He did not look up when Lloyd was brought in but motioned for the man to be released once he was before the dais upon which the throne stood. The guards stepped back but not so far as to not be able to grab Lloyd if he tried to make a break for it.

Eventually Albert looked up from the ring to the Wingly, "I am assuming that this signet was given to you and not coerced from its owner. If your story is true then these are grave tidings, but you've never been an altruist, so why do you bring me this news? What is it you want?"

Lloyd made no move to escape, he wouldn't have let himself be caught in the first place if he weren't willing to give Albert a chance. At least they weren't restraining him anymore. He did cast the guards a disdainful look, brushing off his robes with a huff. Such a haughty wingly.

"Your aid, Highness," He was being unusually honest. No tricks this time around, nothing to gain other than Wink's favor, and that he already had. But... well... he probably wouldn't have given much of a damn if it weren't for her. "This situation is too delicate to approach in the usual manner." Which is to say assassinating the Queen to eliminate the threat would kind of just cause a lot of problems. Lloyd wasn't stupid.

"The usual..." Albert blinked slowly. "Right..." Albert idly fiddled with the ring between his fingers, his eyes never leaving Lloyd. "So you seek counsel. Very well. Something similar to this has happened once before, if you'll recall. Once long ago you had the Princess Emille replaced with a doppleganger that looked exactly like her but acted in a completely different manner," He closed his hand around the ring and leaned forward. "But you would have thought of that already. No, you're here because that is not the case in this instance. Queen Theresa shows legitimate signs of something being very wrong and will allow no one to do anything for her. That is why there is no news, no one outside the palace knows. That is why Miranda has not contacted us, Theresa will not let her. Am I wrong?"

Lloyd gave a simple nod. You see, that's why he came all the way out to Serdio. They weren't exactly on good terms, but Albert had a sharp mind, he wouldn't waste time asking the obvious questions that Lloyd had already investigated. He needed a new lead. "Precisely correct, Highness. Were this Wingly magic I would have already found the source, however whatever it is, it is foreign to me." Which might be saying a lot considering he's been all over the world doing who knows what.

Other than, you know, beating the shit out of cheating fighters in silly competitions with humans. A guy needs to have hobbies okay?

"But is it magic? If nothing traumatic has happened to the queen, if no new person has entered the court and begun whispering in her ear, then there are only two options. She has either grown addled from some sickness that is otherwise undetectable, or the cause is magical. But what form of magic in this world is foreign to a Wingly?"

"No traumatic events to speak of, and the only new additions to her court are an increase in security," Of course it was nigh impossible for Lloyd to get into more private chambers, especially with the increase in guards. That castle had been built by Winglies, and as such was designed better for keeping Winglies out of private areas.

Unlike Albert's castle with the nice open balconies just begging for a surprise flying visitor. Who uses doors even? "Unless it is an illness that only affects the mind, I have my doubts on that being the case. Unfortunately, as much as we like to think we know all, there are mysteries even to Winglies. It has been a very long time since our reign, Highness." Which sort of meant that he had absolutely no idea and didn't even know where to begin looking for one. Other magical races might be coming into power he'd not suspected capable of doing so. Winglies are really full of themselves you know.

Albert thought for a moment. When he spoke again his words were slow, as though he were tugging at the threads of thoughts which could not form completely in the abstract space of the human mind.

"There is a piece of the puzzle we are neglecting... Luanna. Why would she be imprisoned? If I recall correctly she has a special power she formed after the Black Monster left her blind... She can see into the soul can she not? What if she saw something in the Queen that Theresa, or someone, did not want her seeing? An outside force effecting the Queen."

Lloyd was silent a time, mulling that over. "I have considered that to be the case as well. Unfortunately I have not been able to get near enough to see for myself," After all, Winglies had a similar ability as well that was natural to them. But pinning down Lloyd tended to be a lot more difficult than a blind Sacred Sister that trusted you implicitly. Until you locked her up that is.

"If that is the case, the question is how do we prove it?" Before things got worse, for that matter. He was extremely worried about Wink being left alone there, but he couldn't take her with him. That would be far too suspicious. Lloyd disappearing was normal.

"The only way would be to find the source. Theresa will not let you near her, she would not even let Luanna near her, so we will be working blind, pardon the expression. But I believe we can safely assume it is a source from outside of the palace so we can start there."

Lloyd inclined his head slightly in a nod of gratitude. Albert was going to help him! He knew the King would see reason, and could set aside his ire in the face of a crisis. "You will help, then. Where do you wish to begin?" He'd defer to Albert's lead, as for now he was sorely at a loss for what to do and where to start. Big mess this whole thing was.

Albert was surprised, though he did not show it. He had expected Lloyd to resist his direct aid in the matter, but this was good. He would not have to argue with the Wingly, an act which was never boring but could be very tiring.

Albert stood and moved to the edge of the dais to look down at Lloyd, "I've sent word to Dart, he is in Seles. The others are all too far away to get word to quickly. As soon as we hear from him we should return in secret to Mille Seseau."

Were the situation not so dire he probably would have, but then again he wouldn't even be there if that were the case. He'd be taking care of it himself.

He did look mildly annoyed at the thought of having to deal with Dart, but didn't protest. Just pinched the bridge of his nose as though he were already developing a migraine... That guy. "I will meet you outside the city when you are prepared to depart. That is assuming I am permitted to leave?" He glanced over at the guards boredly. He'll fight you if you try to make him stay damn it. Humans smell funny.

"As you please," The king replied. He lifted the ring, the morning sun gleaming off the band as he did. He said nothing but dropped the ring, fully expecting Lloyd to catch it. "We will meet you directly."

Of course he did, almost protectively. He was actually going to ask, but Albert saved him from having to do so. What is being honest about things like that anyway? He bowed deeply, mostly to hide the protectiveness. "Very well, Highness." And with that he'd turn to leave. It was about time to get out of the smelly human city.

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Interrupting your teas

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