Dreamed Into Life

[Illianna]

" Thank you fir trying. The council has agreed to go to war, and his refusal makes it legitimate. Go back and rest there's books for you on the Russ in your room, you'll be joining me next month as we play host to one of their many princlings. Oh and one more thing" I nod and one of my ladies hands him a small pouch of gold " fir your pains" I smile

[Illianna]

It's a month later when Damitri arrives Trevor shows him into the main hall where I sit in my finery my bump just starting to show Ikebrander standing just behind me

"Welcome Damitri!" I say warmly "it has been too long since we have seen each other. You are welcome in my home and amongst my lpeople."

[GamesMaster]

Damitri ignores her greeting, moving a little to the side and bowring ever so slightly before Ikebrander. "Greetings, Lord of the Two Rivers people. I am Damitri, prince of the Rus."

[Illianna]

I rise gracefully but sternly clear my through "your highness my wife Queen ravna has placed me in charge of this. Sir Iekbrounder is one of my knights and ambassadors. You will however be dealing primarily with me."

[GamesMaster]

He looks startled, but recovers well, turning on a brilliant smile and tousling his hair a touch. "What, do you mean they force such a beautiful, graceful creature to do actual work? Were you my wife, I would keep you in rooms of pure luxury and feed you gold flakes for breakfast every morning, the better to enhance your beauty."

[Illianna]

I smile sweetly "you will find friend Damitri, that beauty can enhance ones capabilities and besides" I smile switching easily to Russ "it helps to have someone who knows you're beautiful language"

[GamesMaster]

Switching gratefully, he goes to kiss her hand, adding, "How did such a jewel find yourself sunk to the bottom of the rivers where none can see you shine?"

[Illianna]

"Gods work takes us to strange places, who am I to question his plan? Besides of my father had his way we would have never had this chance to meet and bring about a great future for your people."

[GamesMaster]

"Indeed, for if you had not ended up here, my idiot of a cousin would have had you for his own, and then we would have been like two ships passing int he night."

[Illianna]

"Indeed" I smile again. "Will you join me for tea in the garden?"

[GamesMaster]

"I would be honored."

[Illianna]

I offer him my arm and we walk into the garden shapparoned by Iekbrounder and Trevor. The four of us sit at a table with delicate China and fine settings the Russ love their toes and so peach black is surges with Suggar and cream and delicate tea fancies Ari baked for us. We are scrounged by my most beautiful flowers- on one need know most of which are deadly if used correctly.

"Tell me why the Russ have graced up with such a noble diplomat? I had expected one of the young ones to test their meetle not one so estimed as yourself." I smile plying him with compliments

[GamesMaster]

"It was heard that a change is coming to the Two Rivers clan, one that might make them more... amenable to diplomacy." For some odd reason, he glances at Ikebrunder, but only briefly. Maybe he's concerned about the man listenign in?

[Illianna]

I smile nodding "indeed. Change is coming it's a slow process but diplomacy is the key to such changes." I smile sweetly glancing to Iekbrounder who nods in agreement. Damitri relaxes slightly. My hand idly rests on my bump as I continue "anything worth doing takes time and care. So tell me how might we make better friends and allies with your people?"

[GamesMaster]

Damitri takes the opportunity to get to work, laying out some proposed treaties, some diplomatic ideas. He's clearly a skilled diplomat, and Trevor steps in to negotiate with him, clearly also just as skilled and twice as motivated.