They were greeted at the entrance to the palace by the king's majordomo. It was at that point that the nature of their escort changed. Marius and the honour guard were dismissed and replaced with a smaller contingent of royal guards. Furthermore, Dralik had his two elites maintain the rear. That left only Dralik and the Awakened Pair from the original escort. Lochlan and Liadra were also there, but they were more companions than guards at this point, given the context.

Before they were able to continue, Dralik, Lochlan, and Liadra were all required to give up their weapons save for one that had to be worn openly. They refused to deny anyone the means to defend themselves, but they still needed to ensure they could mitigate any hostile intent.

As for why they didn't ask Rowan to do the same, she concluded it was due to her nature as an Ardent; even if she was completely unarmed, she was a threat which is why it was so important for the Awakened Pair to be there. Then there was Seres, who was probably overlooked as the mere suggestion that she would threaten hostility could be considered a slight against the Crown of Llen Færa.

The majordomo gave everyone a few minutes to ensure they were not forgetting any weapons and that they were respectfully armed. Once he was satisfied, he motioned to the two girls.

“Right this way, Princess Seres, Lady Rowan'efrii,” he said. “King Dreigan will receive you with Queen Elarin in one of his studies.”

While he didn't explicitly mention Dralik, Lochlan, or Liadra, he did acknowledge them with a slight nod. Rather than say anything else, he turned away from them and started walking. There was a confidence to his gait and the way he didn't look back that said, “I don't need to see you following me as I already know you will.”

He was right. Rowan wanted to follow him and she didn't know why. There was nothing special about him. He didn't ooze charisma like some of the people she had met, nor did he have the intimidating presence of the Al'duur slaver from the caves, or the larger-than-life personality of someone like Dralik. His features were also rather bland and forgetful. Rowan wasn’t even sure if he had given them his name. And yet, she followed.

It was clear he took his job as their guide seriously as he commented on the finer details of the palace's architectural design and decor. Most of it went over Rowan's head, but she was able to make her own observations.

For one, the interior of the Jewel of Heaven was markedly less ostentatious than the exterior facade. It was still, of course, incredibly decadent, but in a way that was a lot more palatable.

Secondly, despite the majordomo leading them down one of the side corridors, the palace was still incredibly open. Seeing it helped reinforce Rowan's overall impression of the city's character, though she was left wondering if the openness of the palace informed the openness of the city, or if it was the other way round.

Rowan's final observation, barring any outstanding opinions on the various decorative elements, lay in the strange layout of the corridor. It curved ever so slightly inwards, with rooms lining the outer edge and other corridors and the odd staircase spiralling away from the inner edge. The exception being at a quarter of a revolution where a corridor intersected it completely at a right angle. There were no more rooms along the outer edge after that point.

When the corridor reached a third of revolution, it started curving in on itself. At the same time, the floor started sloping upwards. It was gradual at first, but the incline increased dramatically over the course of a few rods. Rowan was already starting to feel the strain in her calves and ankles.

They climbed for two full revolutions, after which they were led down another network of corridors, a flight of stairs, one final corridor, and a spiralling staircase up one of the lower turrets. There were three levels to the turret and either King Dreigan or one of his predecessors had the welcoming idea of placing the study on the third of those levels.

The Royal Guard, along with Lochlan, Liadra, and the Awakened Pair, waited in the large open room on the first level while the rest of them climbed the stairs to the study.

When they finally arrived, it was a miracle that neither of them were winded. Had it not been for their physical conditioning, Rowan was sure Seres would have struggled. It was bad enough for her, and she was an Ardent. Surely they could have taken a less strenuous route to reach this point.

Rowan didn't bother asking. The chances of the majordomo giving a satisfactory answer were slim to none. Confirmation of meaningful alternatives would just frustrate her, and the inverse would change absolutely nothing. Add in the fact they were already outside the study, and it became even more pointless, so Rowan just waited for the majordomo to make their presence known.

He did so by knocking rhythmically on the door. Three quick raps with his second middle knuckle, followed by a pause and another singular knock. He repeated the bar three times before stopping. A few moments later, a familiar face opened the door.

Brennan welcomed them in, and the majordomo left after bowing to King Dreigan. Dralik also left after ensuring everything was in order and extending a bow to both Queen Elarin and King Dreigan. Rowan, meanwhile, spent a fraction of a second taking in her surroundings. She recognised Queen Elarin instantly, not least because she dropped all pretences of courtly decorum by leaping to embrace Seres the moment Dralik and the majordomo left the room. Seres didn't even have a chance to finish the curtsy she had just started.

Besides Queen Elarin, Rowan also recognised Princess Yona, Brennan's partner, and Queen Elarin's own Awakened Pair. That left King Dreigan. Despite having never met, or even seen him before, the man who Rowan assumed was King Dreigan was unmistakably the King of Særis. Even ignoring the way the majordomo bowed to him, or the fact that he was the only person left in the room that she didn't recognise, he had midnight blue hair as his daughter that he wore like a cresting wave, and his eyes shimmered like two flawless cuts of aquamarine hiding in a pool of crystal-clear water.

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Besides his appearance, however, the truest indicator of his identity was his aura; he radiated the essence of majesty just by existing. It had to be a Gift because Queen Elarin had none of his aura despite being his equal.

Rowan felt like she was supposed to curtsy, but Queen Elarin's embrace of Seres was enough to throw everything she knew about proper protocol out of the window. Then she saw King Dreigan smile. It was only slight, barely a flicker, but it may as well have been a proverbial defenestration of what remained of Rowan's crumbling expectations.

“Please do sit, Lady Rowan,” he said. “Distracted as she may presently be, Queen Elarin has told me much about you and her daughter, and Yona has also briefed me of your plight. A team has already been sent to investigate the caves hidden within Lord Feilan's barony, and measures have been put in place to ensure he doesn't hurt any more girls or young women.”

Rowan nodded awkwardly in response and wordlessly shuffled to an empty seat. A few moments later, Queen Elarin released Seres from her embrace before turning to face Dreigan. “My apologies, Dreigan,” she told him. “I was lost in the moment.”

“Worry not, Elarin. It is only natural for a parent to embrace her child after so long. I would have done the same if I were in your shoes.”

Elarin laughed brightly. “I think that would depend on the shoes. You haven't worn anything with a heel longer than an inch since before Yona was born.”

“And you haven't worn anything with a heel longer than half an inch since Elia was born.”

“And whose fault was that? If you and Lara hadn't insisted on that party, I would never have broken my ankle.”

The exchange was clearly a tangent between old friends. Rowan could sense the history between them, and the looks of embarrassment that Yona and Seres shared made it all the more apparent. Fortunately, Yona also had the foresight to get them back on track before they went too off-topic

While Dreigan was able to maintain a moderately regal expression in the face of being scolded by his daughter, Elarin was looking around sheepishly, as if reminded of her youth. “It seems as if I must apologise yet again,” she said to no one in particular.

“It happens,” Dreigan replied sagely. He then looked to Rowan, as well as Seres, who was taking her seat next to Rowan. “I must also apologise for receiving you both here instead of in the throne room or one of the more standard function rooms back on the ground floor. The Azure Court will formally welcome you to the city tomorrow, but given your reason for being here, I thought it prudent to meet with you privately first.

“Officially speaking, you are here as guests of the Crown in order to train and study at the Azure University. In truth, you will be part of a task force investigating the Good Lords.”

Rowan considered his words. She had come to Særis expecting very little in the way of aid from the Crown. “Forgive me for interrupting,” she started, “but why go to such lengths to involve me and Seres? Besides Queen Elarin asking, that is.”

The question earned her a look of approval from King Dreigan. “For one, your experience with their operation will be invaluable. More importantly, however, is the fact that I know you will investigate them regardless. By involving you directly, I'll have an easier time ensuring you don't get yourself killed or do something that will unduly alert the Good Lords. I also believe the Azure University will do you good. Not least because a certain Ferran lady is in attendance there.”

The implication had Rowan blushing within seconds. How much did he know? Had the news also reached the rest of the Azure Court, or was it just him?

Amidst her momentary embarrassment, Rowan saw Brennan shuffling out of view. He was blushing too. Rowan could feel his embarrassment Resonating softly with her own. Another question. Before Rowan could ask if, however, Dreigan started speaking again.

“The university also has facilities for training Ardents and Stoics. If you are going to be involved in the fight against the Good Lords, you need to be a match for their best, if not better.”

His comment restored Rowan to her senses. With her mind back in the present, she asked, “Who else will be in the task force?”

“I cannot speak for all of the units as they are still being vetted, and their names would mean little to you, but I can tell you about your unit. Before I continue, however, know that this list still hasn't been finalised and it may yet change.”

“Understood,” Rowan and Seres both replied.

“Good. You have already met Brennan and his partner, Revi. Your friends, Maro and Amran have also expressed a willingness to offer their skills, though it is my belief that they will be serving in a more auxiliary role when compared to the two of you.”

“What makes you say that?” Seres asked.

“Due to the nature of the task force, my direct involvement is limited,” Dreigan explained. “I have spoken to the two of them, and they have been vetted, but I am unsure of how involved they will be beyond my first impressions of their character. That will be up to them and the unit commanders.”

“Oh?”

“Maia and Varik Lind. Elarin tells me their daughter, Davra, is an acquaintance of yours. They will probably contact you by the end of next week before the unit is finalised. Lady Alena has also been vetted, so you can include her as well if you so wish, Lady Rowan. That is if you are willing to accept the risks involved.”

“I trust her!” Rowan replied defensively.

“I don't argue that, nor was I suggesting you shouldn't. The risk I was talking about was to her safety. By involving her directly, you risk turning her into a target.”

Rowan shook her head in disagreement. “She's already involved. As for whether or not she joins the task force, I'll let her know about it, but it's her choice to make.”

“Well said,” Dreigan half smiled.

“She does that sometimes,” Seres interjected, her tone only slightly veiling the gentle teasing. Before Rowan could respond, however, she directed a question at Dreigan. “How about Lord Ædarik, Lady Ashlin, or Lady Deilin? Can we include any of them?”

“They are still being vetted,” Dreigan replied. “Lady Deilin is unlikely to be approved for active participation even if she passes the vetting process, as our reports indicate she has a fairly reserved temperament which doesn't exactly lend itself for intrigue or espionage. As for Lady Ashlin and Lord Ædarik, I am unsure either way. With Lady Ashlin being Feilan's daughter, there is considerable risk in getting her involved, which also extends to Lord Ædarik with how presently involved they are. At the same time, they could be valuable assets, so I will be leaving the decision to Maia and Varik. Do you have any further questions?”