King Rodrick's Court

[The Smith]

"You are returning to Sunspear today?" Rod asked, "Are you sailing or riding?"

[Tristy]

"Hadn't thought that far ahead," she answered honestly, with a shrug.

[The Smith]

"You are an interesting woman, Milday Lost." Rodrick chuckled, "And I can sense a brush off... well eventually." He laughed more deeply.

[Tristy]

"I never brush off married Kings," Ephira answered matter-of-factly, and then she added, "I was on the hunt that celebrated your betrothal, my Lord--but this was a pleasant game, if one of the stranger ones I've ever played."

[The Smith]

The King laughed, "Indeed. I was really hoping to met a lady who did not know who I was. I must go into the city in disguise some day. It was fascinating." He looked away for a second and then turned his gaze back to her and added, "But if you knew it was me, why the brush off? Don't you know it is unwise to tease the King."

[Tristy]

"Perhaps, but it seemed my fasted ticket to the privy at the time, and 'tease' is such a harsh word--you played a trick on me, and I a trick on you--it was a harmless game, my Lord, and what would people say if they learned their dear King had such a poor sense of sportsmanship that such a game would insult him?"

[The Smith]

The King laughed, "Probably no worse then they already say, Lady Delinal." Rodrick winked at her, "If you have been here for three years you must know that I am not popular with my own lords. Why except for your beloved Dorne, the rest of Lords tried to kill me just a year ago."

[Tristy]

"Well, I believe the motto down there is 'Why kill the King when you can simply marry his daughter, and accomplish the same goal with none of the violence, and probably much more sex involved?'"

[The Smith]

The King looked at her and raised an eye brow, "You do not sound overly fond of that motto? Whats wrong with my daughter?" He played with his thick beard as he studied her.

[Tristy]

"On the contrary;" Ephira snorted, "I wish you had an extra for me to marry," she smiled and shook her head ironically.

[The Smith]

"You want to marry a princess?" His smile widened, "Well that is very interesting. I think my daughters are claimed, but I have a couple sons left. I can make no promises, but with your father who he is." He shrugged.

[Tristy]

"Well, make it the eldest one, if you please, lest my husband's older brothers all perish under mysterious circumstances--I am not a power-hungry woman, my Lord, but if you give me an opportunity, I would be remiss not to take it happily." She smiled, satisfied by her own cleverness.

[The Smith]

"Selwyn is a good lad." Rodrick laughed, "You are probably a touch too much woman for him. He is ten now. Could you wait until he was old enough to fulfill his husbandly duties?"

[Tristy]

"And if I said a husband of mine has no duty but to follow directions?" she raised an eyebrow in a playful challenge.

[The Smith]

"I would say you sound like my wife." Rodrick chuckled, "How would you direct my son? 'Carry this over there. Go get me milk. Give Braaovs exceedingly good trade deals. Slide closer, I am cold'" The King's voice had shifted into a high falsetto which cracked often.