The Princess' Chambers

[The Smith]

Emelia laughed at her, "No my dear. It will be educational for both of us. And who needs sleep when in the prescence of such sweet company."

[brigida]

"As one who has travelled long to make this company, I believe sleep would do me well." she announced obstinantly, her patience beginning to fray at the edges, where Emelia's trivialities eroded its seems--none-the-less, she indulged her cousin with a cheeky guess; "You met Felryn and decided he was simply too lovely and kind-hearted a person with whom to wage war?"

[The Smith]

Emelia laughed, "That would be an interesting meeting. But no, I just need the men used for a different purpose."

[brigida]

As much as Tristeza wanrted to explain to her cousin how obvious that fact had been in the first place, she narrowly managed to control herself. "What purpose, cousin?" she inquired simply.

[The Smith]

"I am supporting Andry with 20,000 men under Lord Fowler, they are moving up to defend against the Riverland invasion." Emelia smiled, "I am worried about the Far Reach allying with Piers and attack our home."

[brigida]

"I don't blame you for that fear. All this has transpired since I left King's Landing?" Tristeza wondered aloud; "Perhaps my trip was longer than I imagined. And how goes the siege of yours from which you are so conspicuously absent--are you not generally within a mile of the front line, Cousin?"

[The Smith]

"Oh, Fowler is still gathering men. When he marches north, I will go with him." Emelia laughed, "A mile might be a tad close, but King's Landing is close enough. That still leaves my flank exposed to Lord Tarly. Do you think you can help me with my problem, Darling?"

[brigida]

"Emelia." she bade her cousin solemnly, ignoring her the Princess' inquiry "Do you not fear for Nymeria during these intrigues? She is in no small abount of danger--has she yet returned from Casterly Rock? I should like to see her is she has." She had a look of worry on her face, her skin dry from travelling the length of a vast desert, and creased with lines of concern.

[The Smith]

"Nymeria? Do you mean Benedicta?" Emelia looks slightly confused, "My daughter is hidden away. And Benedicta is in the Eyrie arguing for her regency. At some point she has to fly away on her own wings."

[brigida]

Tristeza relaxed slightly--All seemed well. "Perhaps It is time I retire." she muttered in a quiet voice. "I do believe I am more than slightly paranoid of late." She smiled darkly.

[The Smith]

"My dear, you are so inquisitive." Emelia's eyes grow warm, "But I called you here for a reason and catching up was not my goal. You will stay until I am done."

[brigida]

"I apologize." she answered defferencially, "What is your purpose, cousin?"

[The Smith]

"I am going to send you to Lord Tarly in Oldtown. I need to know what is on his mind." Emelia ran her eye up and down Tristeza's body, "Are you capable of diplomacy, my cousin?" Her knowing smile was warm.

[brigida]

"Capable of, yet not enamored by." she replied with the sound of a sigh in her voice--"If it is your will, it is my duty." she added, with a nod of respect in her cousin's direction.

[The Smith]

"I am afraid it must be some one of your station. Close, but not too close." Emelia squeezed her hand again with comfort. "I need to know what they plan. And if they have plans that are hostile to Dorne, you must act accordingly."