"Esteemed visitors," Allestyr intoned, "I present Her Royal Highness, Kiara Sharsequin, Princess of Isencroft." Kiara met the ambassador's gaze impassively, but watched him closely, gauging his reaction.

"Your Highness," the burly man said with a fumbling attempt at courtliness, "May I present Ambassador Catoril of the Royal Court at Margolan."

Catoril stepped forward and dropped to one knee, then cleared his throat to prompt his guard to do the same. The older man seemed mortified by his companion, but kept his composure. "Your Highness," the ambassador said. "This is a great honor."

"You may rise," Kiara replied stonily, pitying the ambassador for the performance on her part he must now endure.

The ambassador rose gracefully, while his companion shambled to his feet. Bowing low, the ambassador withdrew a small box from a pouch at his belt and held it out to her with a cautious glance at Jae, who seemed determined to make his presence as intrusive as possible and nearly pecked the man's hand.

"If it please Your Highness," Catoril said, "a gift from Jared, King of Margolan." He opened the box to reveal a ruby the size of an almond, glowing with inner fire. "It is but a token of our king's esteem," the ambassador said as he offered the gift.

Allestyr stepped forward to receive it for Kiara, who maintained an impassive expression. "Her Highness appreciates the gesture," the seneschal replied, whisking the gift away. "Your king is most generous."

"King Jared is a strong king, respected by all our people," Catoril said, and it seemed to Kiara that the ambassador barely kept himself from glancing nervously back at the oaf beside him as he spoke. So, she thought, the guard is here to assure that the ambassador doesn't speak out of turn. How interesting. She looked at Catoril and wondered just what it might be that the man could say which would warrant a guard.

"We have much to discuss," Kiara said formally. "Come, let us find more suitable quarters." Allestyr led them from the receiving hall into a small parlor where a meal for four was already set on the table, along with a small bowl of diced meat for Jae. As Kiara had researched from court protocol, the foods chosen and their presentation were appropriate to the ambassador's rank but did not suggest any attempt to impress.

Kiara waited until they were all seated before she addressed Catoril once more. "You have come a long way, ambassador," she said as the servants poured wine and brought the first course. "Tell me of your travels."

"Quite uneventful, Your Highness," Catoril replied. "The road from Margolan to Isencroft is straight and safe. We did not anticipate any adventures."

He may be honorable, but he's no fool, Kiara thought. Whatever his opinions of his king, he's doing his job reminding me that Margolan is close enough to cause trouble, and no barriers exist to stop them.

"How fortunate," she said impassively. "And how fares your king?" At her elbow, Jae pulled at his meat. Maybe with luck, Kiara thought, they'll think he's my familiar and report that I'm a witch, and unsuitable for marriage. Not likely. King Bricen's second wife was the daughter of Bava K'aa, the most powerful sorceress in the Winter Kingdoms. With my luck, she thought, Jared would like a witch-bride.

Catoril studiously avoided looking at Jae. "King Jared is in fine health, Your Highness," he said, a bit too quickly. "He is quite involved with the hunt these days, as has always been his pleasure." He paused. "King Jared also asked after your father, King Donelan. He is well?"

It was Kiara's turn to remain impassive. "Quite well, yes," she lied, meeting Catoril's eyes. "He, too, is taken with hunting, and sends his regrets that he was not here to meet with you," she continued. "He is in the field a few days' travel from here, and I'm afraid that even affairs of state come second to a chance for a large boar," she said lightly.

"I believe that is a reason King Jared can appreciate," Catoril replied, and if he sensed deception on Kiara's part, the ambassador gave no indication. "I wish King Donelan luck in the hunt."

Kiara inclined her head. "I will pass that on to him. He is usually quite lucky," she said, feeling a pang at the deception. While it was true that Donelan was an excellent huntsman, it was also true that he had not been well enough to hunt all season. Resolutely, Kiara forced her mind from those thoughts as if her guests might read them, and looked back at Catoril, only to find his guard staring at her. Unfazed, she met the rough man's gaze, and the guard looked away. She sipped her wine. The sooner these guests from Margolan were on their way, the better.

The servants set the first course in front of them. It smelled delicious, reminding Kiara how hungry she was. Jae impudently stole a tidbit from the corner of her trencher. "And the royal family, how are they?" Kiara asked, watching Catoril closely. A flash of pain seemed to cross his eyes, although his face remained impassive.

"You did not hear, Your Highness? Several weeks ago, a terrible tragedy struck. Fire broke out in the royal living quarters. I'm afraid no one but King Jared escaped."

"How fortunate," Kiara murmured. Catoril's guard looked decidedly ill at ease and frowned as he watched every move the ambassador made.

Catoril's fine hands fluttered nervously as he spoke, and he dropped his knife.

"But to speak of happier things, Your Highness," Catoril continued, regaining his poise, "I bring you tidings from King Jared. He extends an invitation for you to visit Margolan as his esteemed guest. It would be a great honor to receive you."

"How kind," Kiara replied. "Unfortunately, I must decline until spring," she stalled, watching Catoril closely. "There are religious celebrations here in Isencroft over which the first-born daughter of the king must preside. My father would be inconvenienced were I not to carry out my role, and our people would be offended should I choose to travel from the kingdom at that time."

"King Jared will be quite disappointed," Catoril returned, and Kiara thought she saw a glimmer of nervousness behind those icy blue eyes. "He hoped to show you Margolan's midwinter festival, which is quite impressive."

"Lam honored," Kiara replied. "But I must defer to my people."

"Our princess plays a vital role in our own midwinter feasts," supplied Allestyr. "Our people's devotion runs strong," the seneschal added with a meaningful look at Catoril. "You know that Chenne appeared to Kiara on the battlefield and gave Her blessing. There is nothing the people of Isencroft wouldn't do for their princess."

If Catoril registered Allestyr's veiled warning, it did not show in the ambassador's impassive face. "Indeed," the older man murmured. "Our customs differ somewhat, but King Jared respects Isencroft's devotion to the Goddess. We will plan a spring visit, and take the opportunity to show the princess how lovely Margolan is in blossom."

"You are very gracious," Kiara replied, feeling her stomach twist. She had eluded the invitation for now, but it would be twice as difficult to evade come spring. She would have almost nine months to plan, she told herself, finding her appetite completely gone as the servants removed her untouched trencher and placed a new one of steaming game in front of her. Spring was a long time away.

And so the day passed, with each side probing the other through conversation which appeared pleasant and guileless. When at last Kiara could excuse herself and have her servants ready the guests for bed, she made her way back to her own quarters, exhausted by the sham. Malae was waiting for her anxiously.

"So, my Lady, how did it go?" she asked, helping Kiara removed her gown.

Kiara sighed. "We've postponed the trip once more, but I'm afraid that eventually I'm going to run out of excuses."