In search of an answer.

[Galdrohk]

Galdrohk had passed uneventfully through Mallar and no one had tried to stop him. He imagined that some one would disapprove of an unnamed rider in times of war but they seemed to neither know or care.
Dragons flew through the air as common as birds and Galdrohk was forced to leave the rather skittish Raish behind. Walking into the city he spotted the castle and started the walk that would end in his father's salvation.

[nyriel]

Gliding through the large, bustling marketplace, Nyriel examind the various vendors. No one suspected who she was, for she wore a long, brown cloak with the cowl pulled up, placing her face in shadows. Her circlet was in her travel pack, and her ring was hidden by the folds of the cloak. She picked up a porcelain doll, her lips and cheecks painted a dainty red, and the eyes a warm blue . It reminded her of younger days, when her room was filled with such dolls. Holding back a sigh, she set the figurine back down and continued to another stand. Glancing towards the street, she noticed a man walking with a sense of purpose towards the castle. Not only that, but he had the looks of a foreigner about him, and he hadn't bothered to take off his leather gloves.

Stepping away from the crowd of shoppers, she followed the man discreetly, stepping lightly. Glancing above, she noticed a golden blur. Nalura would be watching her every step, of course. It was a wonder she hadn't said anything yet.

[Galdrohk]

Galdrohk approached the entrance of the castle.
"I seek counsel with Ellenia, queen of Mallar." he said to one of the guards. "Could you direct me to her?" he doubted that the guard would let him through with as little as that but he had a chance.

[nyriel]

The guard, a rough looking fellow armored heavily, placed his lance across the gate. "What buisness do you have with the queen? And what is your name. I've guarded these gates for many years, and have never seen the likes of you before!"

From her position, a shadowy nich in the castle wall near the gates, Nyriel heard the stranger and the guard speak. However, she was of a mind with the guard. This man couldn't be allowed to just mozy in. Why, he could be an assassin! She crept a little closer, to hear the stranger's response. The guard glanced at her, and she frowned. He was used to her antics, but thankfully never complained.

[Galdrohk]

"War is afoot! Kingdoms are preparing to decimate each other and something has possessed king Phazrick." Galdrohk said. "I believe my buisness to be important enough to seek counsel with your queen." he hoped perhaps that the important news would push questions of his identity from the guards mind. He didn't have time to be troubling himself with politicts.

[nyriel]

"Yes, I am aware of the war brewing, as is Queen Elenia. However, we would rather not be sucked into it. You see, we in Mallar, well we like peace." The guard remained where he was, giving no sign that he would allow passage.

Nyriel's frown deepened. War was an important matter to discuss, and this fellow may well be able to bring it to Mallar if he was denied entry. Shoving back her cowl, Nyriel straightened her shoulders and marched towards the stranger. "Thankyou, Earl, but I will take it from here." Nyriel strode around the stranger and stood before him. She let her ring hang in plain sight. "You seem sincere, and the message you have seems to be of upmost important. I will take you to the queen." She turned around to enter the castle. The guard behind her motioned for others to escort her.

[Galdrohk]

Galdrohk wasn't sure what had just happened but the young woman seemed to have some authority over the guards. She seemed so familiar as well, perhaps he had seen her before at a banquet or such. Who ever she was he decided he owed her some grattitude.
"Thank you." he said cathing up to her in the hall. "I am sure you will be rewarded by your queen for helping this news reach her ears."

OOC: Yeah, he missed the ring.

[nyriel]

Nyriel glanced at him and laughed, not in a mocking way, bu truly amused. Clearly, he had not noticed her ring. "I don't think I could be rewarded by the queen. I'm already her daughter, what more could she give me?" Still laughing, she continued down large marble hallways, her boots clicking lightly on the tiled floor. After a moment more, she asked, "pray tell good sir, who might you be?" It was a question, yet her tone made it more of a command. She passed a servant, and the man bowed respectfully. She nodded her head to him in return.

[Galdrohk]

So that's where I know her. Galdrohk thought. If she was the princess of Mallar they had probably met many times before. They walked further and she asked his name. She was the princess of Mallar and he didn't expect a lie to fall through well.
"Galdrohk." he said. "Prince of Rolidin." he waited for what would come of his declaration.

[nyriel]

Nyriel stoped suddenly. Of course! That would explain his bearing, noble and assured. Ashamed that she hadn't realized it sooner, she bowed deeply to him, then straightened. "Is it not your father who has declared war against Narishma? I hope you have not come here to deliver similliar news to the queen, Prince Galdrohk" Her heart quickened its pace. Was he here to declare war against Mallar! She barely noticed the guards as they tensed. Calming herself, she began walking again. If he does, I can always eat him. Nyriel kept herself from rolling her eyes at Nalura's responce.

No, that would not go well.

[Galdrohk]

"That was not my father." Galdrohk said. He watched as every one around him tensed. "I come of my free will to ask for help. You see, my father is not himself." They were walking again. "Something is possessing him and I am to rid every one of the foul being who forces my fahter to wage war on friends."

[nyriel]

Nyriel raised an eyebrow, skeptical but alarmed. "This is grave news indeed. I don't know how Mallar can help, but I'm sure the queen will listen to you earnestly." As she finished speaking, she stopped before a large bronze door. Engravings of dragons and former queens and kings decorated the door. One of the guards slipped inside to speak with the queen. He returned and gestured to Nyriel to enter. "Allright, I should mention to you that Laurel is inside. Don't be alarmed." Quickly slipping off her cloak, she threw it to a guard who caught it deftly. Her ornate tunic would have to do. Pushing the doors openn, Nyriel walked into the throne room.

It was a vast room, with high walls gilded in gold. A large hole was carved into the ceiling, leting sunshine spill across the center of the grand hall. At the far end, three large thrones sat together. They were all alike, with high backs and white cushioned seats. The legs were made to resemble those of a dragon. Seated in the center throne sat the queen. She was incredibly beautiful, with blond, nearly white hair. Her eyes were a merry brown, but they were also noble and calculating. The sight that may have most caught anyones attention, however, was the immense white dragon curled around the thrones. It lifted its head and growled lowly.

"Silence Laurel, that is no way to treat a guest, especially if he is prince Galdrohk!" Queen Elenia spoke with a light, confident voice. Her eyes turned to rest on her daughter. "Nyriel, come, sit with me."

Nyriel gave Galdrohk one last look, then walked to her throne. Laurel had to lift her tail so Nyriel could get there. She sat in the throne to her mothers right. Elenia spoke again. "Prince Galdrohk, what news do you have for me?"

[Galdrohk]

Galdrohk stood in awe of the great dragon and ornate thrones for a moment before he realized the queen just spoke to him. He gave a low bow.
"Ah, queen Elenia, I don't believe it was my fahter who waged war on Farishma." he let the words sink in. "He is possessed by a force beyond my comprehension. Something dark is forcing him to wage war with Miraz, a man I considered to be family." he paused again. "If this war continues my father may die and we will never know what happened. I want above all else the knowledge of what possesses my father. I came to you in search of that knowledge and perhaps your help to make sure no innocent man must spill his blood for the detestable fiend who keeps my father a wicked man."

[nyriel]

Elenia considered Galdrohk's words. "What you ask of me is difficult to provide. I know not what evil possesses your father, although I am sorry to here of it. He was a good man." She looked away from Galdrohk and considered. "You have my word that I will not lay a hand against you, or for that matter against Farishman. Mallar is a peacful land, and I would keep it that way. However, I will say that, if you employ mages, particularly druids, you may find your answers there. They are dark people, druids, and I wouldn't put it past one of them to have possessed your father." After another thoughtful pause, she added, "If you think we can help you in any other way, please name it."

Nyriel couldn't help but feel sorry for Galdrohk. If her mother was taken away from her in such a way, she wasn't sure what she would do.

[Galdrohk]

Galdrohk hadn't seen a druid before but he guessed it was probably a good thing.
"Well, do you know where I could find a powerful druid?" he asked. His ambitions of becoming a paladin were drawing him deeper into this quest. "And, if it would not be too bold of me to ask, some one to aid me."
Even though Galdrohk was confident in his powers as a cavalier the druids he was looking for seemed more powerful than he could imagine.