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Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown Ch 7.2, Un-Escaping

Theo had spent enough years in the University to have thought he'd seen every last 'relic under glass' in existence, and probably twice as many 'one of a kind inventions' on display-- the Princess' mansion proved him wrong... very wrong. The sitting room was laid out more like a museum than a lounge, but that suited the scholarly Ermine just fine.

Although the more primitive artifacts were far too esoteric for him to puzzle his way through he surprised himself at how many of the numerous technical devices he recognized. Machinery was, in general far too mathematical and 'cold' for his liking, but he hadn't spent so many years rubbing elbows with Earth and Fire Scholars to have not learned at least a basic understanding of their craft... that, and having worked on more than a few projects with Air Scholars had opened his mind into how some machines could help his own field of study.

Sanmer was much less scholastic and much more pragmatic about the items strewn about the room, "Wow... most people with stuff like this keep it all locked up."

The Fox had just reached for the glass casing of what looked like a golden knife of some kind when the door to the study opened and the Princess' handmaiden Lilian entered carrying a fine service with a dozen tea cups and saucers. Although Theo had never been much for Soyrian Spiced Bread he recognized the scent immediately, and he had to admit that it actually smelled much finer than most of the cheap stuff he'd encountered in Market Square.

Lilian set the silver tray on the large gathering table at the center of the room, "My Lady will be along shortly. Please help yourselves to the refreshments."

Theo moved to the table, joining Enarork, who was already looking over the offerings. The brown Bear helped himself to several pieces of finger-sized slices of various fruits but didn't bother with the bread or the tea. Roaring-Flood looked ready to join him, but Sanmer held the big black Bear in check with a comment too quiet for the Ermine to hear.

Thankfully, Roaring-Flood had much less tact. "Poison? Why?"

The comment caught everyone's attention but, before anyone could respond, Princess Noriene strolled into the sitting room. She was freshly changed and wore a day coat and house dress-- despite both being 'casual', either was certainly far finer than anything Theo owned but, then again, so had her traveling garb. She laughed with mirth, "I would not be so droll as to poison my guests... besides, why would I seek to eliminate allies?"

Sanmer was quite matter-of-fact in his response, "There are plenty of people out there who tend to look at allies as disposable... suitable only for the trash can once their usefulness is done."

The Wolf's smile disappeared, "I assure you I am not one of those people. Besides... we have still not yet finished conducting business, and I believe that every man and woman in my employ as a valued resource that never runs out of uses."

The Fox crossed his arms, "How... genteel."

Theo cleared his throat and adjusted his spectacles, feeling a little self-conscious with members of his group coming within a fur's breadth of insulting their royal hostess in her own home, "Ahem... Princess? I cannot help but admire your collection here. Some of these items are quite rare."

Her easy smiled returned quickly as she made her way to the table, pouring herself a cup of tea, "There's certainly no secret that I am well-received by the University. You should definately know that, Professor."

The Ermine immediately felt himself flush beneath his fur, "Instructor... Professors technically have tenure, my Lady."

Princess Noriene's smile didn't waver in the least, "After the good you have done today and the services you have rendered on my behalf I would be remiss if I did not speak with the Deans... a well-placed word here and there will fix that for you-- of that I am certain."

Enarork stepped away from the table so he could address the Wolf. "What 'good' have we done today?"

The Princess motioned to Kesst, who had chosen a simple wooden chair in the corner of the room as his seat. "You have helped find Kesst and bring him to me. He has been in grave danger, as I'm sure you've come to realize."

Sanmer spoke up, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "And he's so much safer now.... here... where you can keep an eye on him... is that it... Princess?"

The Wolf smiled, "I really do believe I like you, Mr. LeMarre... very few men have the bullocks to actually speak their mind around royalty."

The Fox's tail flicked with an unmistakable hint of mirth as he fired back, "And very few courtly ladies would actually speak the word 'bullocks'."

Sanmer tipped his head to her, and remained a good distance from the table. Theo cleared his throat again as he tried to maintain a degree of goodwill. "Princess... Kesst's true danger is in people seeing him as a pawn... or some kind of treasure to own and exploit."

The Dragon's talons scraped in agitation against the arm rest of his wooden chair, "My TRUE danger is the Church."

Princess Noriene motioned to Kesst, "And there you have it. The Church is after Kesst... and, considering my standing, as a royal, a noble, and a patron of the University, I feel that I am well qualified to protect him."

Sanmer snorted, "Out of the goodness of your heart, I'm sure."

The Wolf continued, ignoring the Fox. "It is to my benefit that the Church not capture Kesst, and, as he desires the same, in that we are allied. If my desire is to see their hunters fail to catch their quarry, then what is the harm in that?"

Sanmer stepped forward, ears trained in on the Princess. "If that was your ONLY desire? Well... at that point I'd be surprised."

Rather than seem displeased by the Fox's constant jibes and quips, the Wolf seemed more bemused than anything else. "You have quite a keen attention to detail, Mr. LeMarre. You are very correct: my motives and desires are much more complex than that. The Mechanists have a vested interest in Kesst's safety and well-being."

Theo was taken aback by the Princess' disclosure. "The Mechanists? I'd heard RUMORS about them... but what do they have to do with any of this?"

Princess Noriene laughed, "They have everything to do with almost anything, Professor."

The Ermine murmured, "I never knew if they were even a real organization."

The Wolf smiled, "And that is the way they prefer it. But, let me reassure you, they are as real as me standing before you... I am a Mechanist, after all... or, more specifically, the HEAD Mechanist here in Newport."

It was readily obvious to anyone who took time to notice that few people in the room missed the weight of her reveal-- Enarork was one of those individuals. "What does that have to do with the Order of Blades? They were after Kesst."

Princess Noriene showed the first indication of the night that something bothered her. With a scowl and a faint sneer, she slowly stirred her tea with a small silver spoon. "The Mechanists hired them to resolve a series of issues in Newport... apparently they decided to change the terms of their contracts. I suppose that is simply a sign that no organization is fully worthy of their reputation."

Enarork grunted flatly, "Or the contract didn't read what you thought it did."

It took a moment for Theo to remember that the tribal Bear was a business man; it certainly made sense that he would consider such an angle. He opened his muzzle to add his own two copper to the discussion, but just then, the doors to the sitting room opened and a serving woman entered; the words froze in his throat.

She was a white Ermine, just like he. She was perhaps a half dozen years younger than himself, and had a subtle, subdued bearing that reminded him of his childhood... of a little sister that was always careful and cautious around an overbearing, abusive father... she reminded him that he hadn't been able to save her... he hadn't been able to save--

Princess Noriene looked up from her cup, "Evelyn? What is it, my dear?"

Theo froze. "Evie?"

The serving woman paused, confusion evident on her face... and then she did a double-take. "Theo?!?!"

A small, white furred head poked into the room from behind the door-- a young kit, probably less than ten years old. "Yes, mama?"

The scholar paused, looking to the little one, "Wha--- Theo?"

The boy smiled, "Hi."

The serving girl remained where she was. "Is it... you?"

Theo was just as shocked. "Evelyn? You're... alive?"

The little kit walked into the room, "Mama... who's that?"

Princess Noriene glanced between the two of them, one ear staying on each of the Ermines. In the end, she simply smiled. "Hmmm."