"Likewise. Princess, your daughter is protected by the Priesthood but it seems there are those who wish to separate her from you. We could return her but we can meddle no more." He spoke directly to Kyera. There was an underlying note to his words of great sadness. The honor and laws of time bound them and Kyera felt am uneasiness in her heart.
"The laws must be kept, whether they be the old laws of your time, or the new laws of my own." Kyera agreed, knowing how fragile the order could be.
"Indeed Princess, you are wise as your mother." The Priest was unaware of the blunder he had made. Kyera felt a soft growl escaped her lips, despite her efforts to hide her displeasure. Clovis slid his arm around her waist.
"There is no such creature in my heart." Kyera replied coolly. The Preist raised an eyebrow.
"She is the Queen Of the Shadow Dancers, whether you recognize her or not, she is your Queen Mother." The priest tried to caution Kyera who smiled sweetly.
"The moment the Queen submits herself to father's judgment or at the very least does her duty as queen, I will call her Queen mother again. Until then she is a disgrace, simply one I have chosen not to hate." Kyera replied softly. Her truce did not heal her heart.
"Kyera, we came to apologize to you. We can do nothing more and pray you will forgive us." He whispered and bowed low. Her anger turned to unease again.
"There will be a death, one I will wish to stop but I can not." Kyera concluded aloud and judging by the slight flinch from the man across from her, she was right.
"My Lady we had to choose between guiding Raina or stopping what's to come. My son made the decision for us." He replied still low in his bow.
"I thank you for taking care of my daughter. I will bare the consequences for her safe return." Kyera reassured him with a determined smile. He nodded at her, knowing he was forgiven as were his men. They turned to leave but his son looked up at Kyera.
"Princess, May I address you directly?" Hayden asked and Kyera nodded.
"I recognize you, Priest Son Hayden." Kyera agreed graciously. She hated all these rules of speaking and formalities, but they answered to the old law. She could not disrespect their rights to their traditions.
"Forgive me for saying so, but there is a traitor in your inner circle. Though the person may not intend their actions to be as such, they have spun a wheel that can not be stopped except by blood." He told her, concern in his eyes. Kyera felt the truth of his words deep in his bones. There were things hidden from her, she could sense it in the air. The sensation almost toxic.
"No forgiveness necessary. Stay safe no matter what should happen young Hayden." Kyera replied as the boy took her hand and bowed his forehead to it.
"I will do my best, Princess but I have my own Part to Play." He replied gently, his words almost resigned to it. She recognized his look as one she had seen on soldiers who had their orders, but no intentions to obey them.
"Do as you must, first be true to you. Everything else will come in time." Kyera replied before taking Clovis's hand and guiding him back to the high table.
"Who were they? Traitor? What just happened, Kyera?" Clovis was lost and the torrent of questions came as soon as he gained distance between himself and the Order.
"They are Panthers, the lot of them. The Panther Tribe has 2 factions Order of the Shadows and Order of Order. The pair can only cross each other so far, by the old law. Because of those lines and restrictions they must choose their actions carefully." Kyera explained as they took their seats again. Clovis frowned.
"They gave us vague warnings. Why didn't they come out with it?" He asked and Kyera smiled as her eyes focused on the dancing people before her. A glass of tea had been placed before her spot after she left.