The King's Court at Runestone

[The Smith]

The King and most of his court arrive at Runestone.

[Flex]

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Even before ther servant reached him Daeron was up on his way to Joanna's rooms. He did not even knock, just entered. "Joanna! How are you?! Are you okay?" He asked, walking over to her immediately.

[Marie]

She didn't look well. Clothed in a simple gown with her hair pulled back, she had dark shadows under her eyes and there was unhappiness in her face. She made an effort to smile at her brother, though.

"Terrible," she said. "There is no light in the world any more, only darkness."

[Flex]

"Tell me, what happened? Who was it!?" Daeron looked angry, then tried to calm himself. "They will pay."

[Marie]

"Yes, if we can find out who did it," Joanna said. "i don't know who they were. They wore no lord's sigil, only plain plate. Bastards. Either they were mercenaries hired by some lord or they bleong to some lord but he dressed them in plain armour for the purpose of the attack. Either way, I cannot begin to guess who would hate me so much as to want me dead. And Jon has no enemies that I know of."

[Flex]

Daeron bit bis lip in concentration. "Maybe it doesn't have anything to do with Jon. Someone wanted to remove you... but why?" Daeron stepped closer to Joanna. "Have you caused that much of an uproar at court?"

[Marie]

"No," she said automatically. "Why would I?"

Then she paused, remembering.

"There was one incident but that is a personal matter and I fail to see why anyone would want me dead as a result. The only people who truly suffered as a result of that were myself and Jon and he forgave me in the end."

[Flex]

"You mean the horse?" Daeron asked, completely serious.

[Marie]

She stared speechless at him for a moment.

"How did you learn about that?"

[Flex]

"How could I not?" Daeron replied, a little angrily. "Anyway, her grace the Queen cannot be too happy about that."

[Marie]

"It has nothing to do with her!" Joanna exclaimed, but his tone made her pause. "You think Morgan is responsible?"

[Flex]

"She certainly has a motive." Daeron replied bluntly. "Can you think of anyone else?"

[Marie]

"No. I supported Marianne over Steffon in the matter of her marriage but Steffon has too much sense to risk crossing Deamon thus. Otherwise..."

Joanna shrugged.

"I have no enemies that I know of. That is the problem. I have no recollection of having recently offended anyone. Perhaps it was Morgan. I don't want to think her capable but who else is there? Unless it is an enemy of our house in its entirety but our parents and their allies made many enemies all those years ago."

[Flex]

"Well someone does not want you at court." Daeron replied. "I will have a poke about and see if I cannot find out anything that could help us."

[Marie]

She hugged him.

"thank you, Daeron. I hear your wife has given birth to a daughter. I am pleased the two of you were able to come to terms with one another. Does the child have a name?"