“You do realize,” she whispered, “I am a grown woman and quite capable of caring for myself?”  She phrased it as a question but meant it more as a statement of fact.  He looked down at her knowing she was right but refused to agree.

“You think you are but you never know what ends some men will go to in order to accomplish what they think is right – or in their own best interest,” he whispered back. 

Her smile waned for she knew the truth in what he said all too well.  “I may know that far better than you think,” she whispered more to herself than to him.  She stared off over Tramadon’s shoulder as she recalled the seething pain that was the result of political desires.  She had seen it happen to others and it was rarely good or decent.  Depending on how ruthless a man was would determine the outcome of a political conflict.  Kestrian politics always had a way of distorting a man’s vision causing him to consider depravity as a way to the higher rungs of the political ladder.  The women that supported their husband’s ambitions were even more ruthless.  It never failed, someone always died in some horrific fashion.

“You, of all people, should know how well I know this to be true.  However, you also run the same risk as I, if not more so being the king.  I know you can’t just be solely concerned for my own wellbeing.  There must be more to it and you must have an idea what that ‘more’ is,” she insisted.  She watched him as he switched his gaze from her face to the faces of those couples closest to them and back to hers.

“I feel I am at a disadvantage, Marshall,” he said formally as one couple swept a little too close for comfort.  He changed the direction of their dancing and whirled Kaylan back across the floor to the opposite and less populated corner of the hall.  “My apologies,” he whispered, “I know you do not enjoy these galas but I have to do this in order to keep those two at bay even if only temporarily.  So long as I keep them engaged in the frivolities of court life I do not have to entertain their questions in private.  As I said, I believe I am at a disadvantage.  I am not certain but I believe my son may be involved in this somehow.”  He looked saddened by this revelation but managed to keep his composure.

“Why do you say that?  He’s never made any indication that he was interested in kingdom politics before.  To my knowledge, he hasn’t voiced any concerns as to my whereabouts previously.  While it’s no secret he was less than pleased upon my appointment to Marshall, I thought it was because of my unknown parentage.  In the past he has been more than happy for me to be out of his immediate vicinity.  Why would he take an interest now?” Kaylan tried to puzzle this out in her head as she asked the questions to Tramadon.  So much of what they were discussing seemed fragmented.  She felt there was a piece of this puzzle, well, several pieces actually, she was missing. 

Tramadon attempted a gracious smile as several couples floated past them.  He sighed, looked deep into Kaylan’s eyes and whispered, “He has always been interested in kingdom intrigues.  Even among his friends, he would stir things up to see how loyal they were to him.  I never felt he would plot against the crown and it grieves me to think it now but his actions give me little room to doubt.”  Kaylan’s confused expression gave him reason to continue, “Kensington greeted those two vultures at the Keep Gate upon their arrival to the Fortress, before they presented themselves to me.  I don’t think he is aware that I witnessed their extensive exchange.  I have not approached him about it because I doubt he would admit to it anyway.  When they came into the receiving hall they all three acted as if they had never met.”  Tramadon sighed again thinking of the possible treachery in which his son could be involved.

“Well,” she said softly, “I do pray that my Lord has some kind of ingenious plan concocted to ferret out their scheme and to keep me safe,” she grinned coyly at him.

“Actually, I have been thinking about it ever since you returned this afternoon.  I think I may have a solution, though I’m not quite sure yet how I’m going to execute it.  I’m also fairly certain you’re not going to approve.  Now knowing that you need to travel to Vacchón only makes it a little easier.  Whatever it is that you are searching for seems to have created a mad frenzy among certain groups.  I was serious when I said I am at a disadvantage.  I know nothing about your search and have trusted you enough not to question it.  Now, however, I have been sucked into the middle of something that I would prefer to stay out of.  Because I fear your life is endangered here at the Fortress, I will do my best to find a way to get you out.  Just know, whatever I do or say or command, it is for good reason,” he stated earnestly.  He knew for a fact that she was not going to like what he had in mind.  The situation being what it was presently, with Cahill and Jamison breathing down his neck and knowing Kensington was involved to some degree, did not provide him with many viable options.  “You are welcome to challenge my orders, of course, it would be unlike you not to do so, but you must abide by them regardless.” The hard look he gave her left her no room for argument.

“Of course, your Grace, but for the record, I do despise dancing around politics,” she replied just as the music ended.  Tramadon smiled at her twist on words but made no mention of it.  They came to a stop in the middle of the dance floor wherein Tramadon proceeded to escort Kaylan back to the huddle of men and women that awaited the king’s return. 

“My lords and ladies,” Kaylan bowed low to the group, “if you will excuse me, I fear I must find a drink to quench my thirst.”  A few inclined their heads to acknowledge her dismissal while others ignored her completely.  She noticed Cahill and Jamison watched her warily while Tramadon simply raised his hand to indicate she was released to go about her evening as she pleased.  She restrained herself enough to not mutter or grumble audibly as she worked her way through the crowd toward the hall doors.  She scant even noticed the path they created as she wove in and around the brightly adorned clusters of courtiers.  She scanned the faces as she passed them trying to keep a mental file of those present, however, the press of people became almost too overwhelming. 

Kaylan searched out the most open space available closest to the hall doors.  The air was cooler there and the people were fewer.  A server, dressed in the king’s deep royal blue and silver, handed Kaylan a goblet of deep red wine.  She studied his face curiously which in turn made him flush a bright red against the white of his shirt collar.

He stared at his feet trying to find his voice, “My Lord wished me to make sure you found that drink to quench your thirst, Madam Marshall.”  His voice did not quiver as she thought it might but his cheeks were still flushed as he bowed to her, turned and found his way back through the crowd.  Strange that he did not go in the direction of the king and his entourage, she thought. But then, perhaps he had been given different instructions upon delivering my drink.  She smiled at Tramadon’s concern then decided it was probably just more politics.