"I see. So she has connects with the forest then? A strong base with the Shifters as well as with the villagers?" Prince Clovis seemed to be musing more than actually questioning her. Mally thought about angles for several moments, trying to find a sinister reason to ask these questions. She couldn't find one. Even though she had to admit these were odd questions. She was more than happy to answer.
"Yes, she also has fantastic external relations." Mally offered kind of offhandedly. For a split second she wondered if she had made the wrong choice in saying that. Clovis turned two very bright curious eyes on her.
"Oh, She does? How so?" Clovis asked and Mally had a feeling she had just dug a very deep whole. Even through the haze, for a half second she questioned her choice, but it was a fleeting second.
"Yes. Kyera has always been one to travel with our teacher. She has met many very important guests over the years." Mally added with a smile. Clovis nodded slowly, this seeming to make him think. She had a feeling Kyera was going to kill her. She wasn't sure why, she had a feeling something wasn't quite right about this situation.
"Do you think Kyera would be able to handle herself around a room full of Nobles?" CLovis asked taking a sip of the now barely warm tea his servants had provided earlier. The liquid was soothing and wonderful in this cool weather.
"Yes, she is quite the little social kitten. Despite her normal nature, she can actually navigate the larger groups rather sweetly. I've never seen a forester who can get prince's to recognize her as a treasure quite so well as my little sister. You should have seen her when The Prince of Shadow Veil fell ill." Mally chuckled as she remembered the shock on the young Prince's face to find his salvation was in the hands of a 9 year old little girl. The effects of the warmth in her belly was slightly loosening her tongue. The memories were more easily accessed with the alcohol's assistance.
"Oh? What happened there?" Clovis asked curiously, knowing she was lost in memories. The little smirk he saw curve her lips was fascinating. It was nothing like the pretty little meek angel he had rescued from his elder brother at the time. Now there seemed to be something beneath the facade this girl had designed to survive in this palace.
"Well, Kyera had been practicing for years already at the Master's knee. So she was already fantastic with healing and magic. Master was called upon to go to Shadow Veil because his only son was poisoned. They thought they were going to lose him. Master brought Kyera along, and she figured out what was wrong with the Prince almost instantly. She managed to draw the worm from him and cleanse him of all the toxins. She used a lot of her inner power but he was able to pull through." Mally explained rather simply, but then she shot him a grin. "Thing was, the Prince couldn't believe the nine year old little girl had healed him. Kyera looked him right in the eye and told him, 'that's fine sire. I would be more than happy to place the worm back where I found it if you wish?'" Mally started laughing once again. She never tired of this story and Clovis couldn't help but chuckle.
He couldn't easily imagine the look of shock on his brother in law's stoic face. Even as a child he had been so serious. Being humbled by a sassy little girl had to have been interesting to say the least. Mally smiled at him but sighed softly.
"Kyera has always been like that. Such a beautiful flower born from such a bloody past." Mally said whisfully, she stared into the liquid in her cup. The pain in her chest was numbing, but her mind was focused on the little girl she was so worried hid within the fierce warrior her sister chose to be.
"A bloody past?" He asked softly, remembering the ghosts in those golden eyes. That sense of deep set sadness. Mally nodded sadly before glancing up at the skies.
"Yes. Kyera… She was a very tragic little princess." Mally began before draining her third cup of the evening. "Her mother left when she was little. The witch doesn't even deserve that title. Her father was never in the picture." She scoffed setting the cup down. Clovis looked at it for a moment, and filled it to the brim with straight tea. There was something in her tone that made him think perhaps she had a bit more than her limit.