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Winter of Storm and Shadow: Interlude #8
For King and Country The knock at her door is soft, but the door opened on its own accord. "That's so creepy when you do that, Daryth," comes her cousin's voice from the doorway. C'oiavanina turns from the letters she was writing. "Long time no see." "Hey there Princess Short Stuff." Xanalis's grin spreads from ear to ear as he steps inside the room and leans against the wall. "Shivenshallos wants to see you at dinner tonight. Something about sending you somewhere." "Where? He's not still angry is he?" Nina sets down the quill and stands. "I doubt it. He doesn't stay angry for long, especially at you. He said something about you finally doing your job," Xanalis shrugs. "It's about time he let me do something worthwhile instead of staying inside with the books and the tutors. He's been in such a foul mood lately." Xanalis straightens and steps back to the doorway. "I don't know. Anyway, I'll see you at dinner." With that, he leaves and the door closes behind him. Later in the evening, C'oiavanina arrives in the family's dining room. Xanalis and Shivenshallos are already there. As usual, Shiver is at the head of the table and his brow is furrowed. A scowl covers his face, but he looks up when his sister enters. "There you are, dearest. You look nice tonight. I'm glad to see you finally taking all this seriously instead of embarrassing us all with your little outbursts." Although it was probably meant as a compliment, it hardly comes out that way. Before she can say anything, Xanalis speaks up. "Oh come on, Shiv. You know she's had a hard time of it. Locking her in her room with books and tutors hasn't helped." Again, before she can utter a word, the King replies, "There will be plenty of time for playing in the dirt later." He motions for his sister to sit. "But I will admit you do need to get out more. And I need your help with a very important matter." Quite pleased with the outcome so far, Nina sits and places her napkin in her lap. "You know I'll do anything I can for you, brother." "Good. Because I need you to accompany one of our diplomats to form an alliance." "OH! So that's where you're sending me. Am I going off to the Oytwood to talk with the Sages?" Her eyes twinkles at the prospect. "That's not quite what I had in mind." "Of course. You're sending me to speak with the Prince of the Dim Forest. How silly of me." "We have others there. Besides, it's too dangerous for you there. They're in the middle of a war." A soft cough is heard from behind the Princess's seat. "So you're sending me to the human court then? To talk with the Brenin?" "Well, no... " "Well then it must be to speak with the Thane. I hadn't really considered the dwarves, but forging an alliance could be very lucrative. You are so much more wise about these things than I am." The tips of Nina's ears twitch slightly and she reaches for her wine glass. Shivenshallos sighs. As much as he loves his sister, sometimes, she just didn't understand. "Just hush for once, would you? No. I'm sending you to Clear Sky to speak with the half orcs." The words may as well be a sledgehammer coming down on her. Her wine glass falls to the floor and shatters. "Oh." 
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