Interrupting your teas

[platinum_shadow]

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.

Comments

[trueanddestined]

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?"

[platinum_shadow]

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.

[trueanddestined]

"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?"

[platinum_shadow]

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?

[trueanddestined]

"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?"

[platinum_shadow]

"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.

[trueanddestined]

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."

[platinum_shadow]

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.

[trueanddestined]

"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."

[platinum_shadow]

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.

[trueanddestined]

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."

[platinum_shadow]

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.

[trueanddestined]

"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."

[platinum_shadow]

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.