"So that's the deal huh?" Annicri had just walked out of Lord Harken's office with the news that Enora and her lover weren't going to see him. "It is just as you had guessed, my lord." The black harpy, Lord Harken's Steward, responded as he poured a glass of tea. "Tea huh?"
"This one was made with poulpru, so that your beak can taste sweet nectar." Lord Harken looked over at his steward. He couldn't remember how long his steward had been his trusted right wing, but now he would never let Simon, his personal raven, go. "I should really send a letter after all."
"But, My lord…"
"Cut the 'my lord' already. I told you to call me Pier when we are alone just like I told her." The raven frowned, but he heeded his lord's words. "Yes, m-m…Pier."
"Haah…Anyways, what are your thoughts?" The raven placed a wing beneath his chin as he seriously pondered Pier's question. "I think you are caught between a rock and a Bacaw. If I am to be frank, M-Pier."
"Just call me Lord…"
"Thank you, My lord."
"...But you are right. What am I supposed to do? A princess shows up in my county, and the princess is none other than the missing Twilight Princess. She asks me to hide her name and status. It was such a pain to get those birds to be quiet." He held his head in exasperation.
"Yes, My lord, I am sure they appreciate the paid leave…" Lord Harken cast a glare at the steward. "Making jokes now are we? Someone has gotten bold. You can be casual like that, but you still call me 'My lord'."
"Haha, that is but a matter of principle, My lord." As Pier's mug became dry, his servant instantly moved to pour another. "Diligent as always, but that is why I trust you the most."
Ever since Harken had become a Count, Simon had never let him fall behind on paperwork. Lord Harken chuckled as he gazed into the eyes of his servant, who was above all his best friend. "The question has become if I am more scared of his daughter, the queen, or the king himself."
"You scared of anyone, My lord? Laughable…" He said that, but he wasn't laughing. Lord Harken aimed his dagger eyes at the sly bird. "Big Bird is a different story, but at least that menace is dead now. Shall he not rest in peace."
"That is a lot of venom for your cousin, My Lord."
"Cousin or not, I don't care. The bastard is dead, and I say good riddance. At least his brother had the good sense to become a guild master here. Back to the topic of the letter… Big Bird will sour my tea." As Lord Harken finished he swirled the tea in his mug.
"Nothing could sour that tea, My lord. That would be an offense to my honor as your humble servant. You want to send a letter to her father, the king? Is that right, My lord?"
"Yes, I know what I told her, but this and that are different things. I don't want to face the wrath of that man. If he finds out his daughter visited my city, and I didn't make it known to him… I am terrified of what could happen. Bring a quill and a parchment. Annicri will be the one to deliver it. She has always been the fastest of the guards."
"It shall be done, My lord." Simon bowed as he handed his lord the paper and quill, not forgetting the ink. Of course the quill was plucked from himself. As Simon left the room, Count Pier Harken started writing his letter.
Dear Your Majesty King,XXXXXX, Twilight,
This is a matter of utmost urgency. Your daughter, The Lost Princess Enora Twilight, has been found. She made her way into my humble city through unknown means. It was not clear to me how she got here, but it is clear that she is your daughter. It is much to my chagrin, and I regret to inform you, that your daughter is no longer in my County. Her goal lies elsewhere beyond the domain of Kalameet. I have naught an idea if she plans to visit you on her travels, but what I do know is that she has a lover. Please, if you have any complaints, do not unleash them upon Annicri. She is but a messenger.
-Best Regards, Count Pier Harken
-Fallen Kingdom, Fallicri
As the letter was finished, both Simon and Annicri had come back. Lord Harken held the parchment out to Annicri after stamping it with his insignia. "Lord Harkencri, with all due respect… Do I realcri have to?"
"I am sorry Annicri… If there was someone faster… But you are the fastest of the guards, and you are better at talking than most…" Pier looked over at Simon as he said that. Simon simply smiled back as if he wasn't talking about him.
"I understand, Lord Harkencri. I will have it done." He could only look at poor Annicri with eyes of pity. There was no telling what that father would do when he found out about the news. "Thank you, Annicri. You will be rewarded for your troubles, and before you go take this."
Lord Harken reached into his desk and pulled out a coin pouch. The thing was as large as a poulpri and it jingled as he tossed it to her. Annicri caught it easily in her talons. "This is heavycri! What are these? Mythricri?"
She had likely asked it as a joke, but Lord Harken stood silent for a second too long. "CRIII aren't serious!?"
"This is for your travels and your troubles. I won't let you leave this manor with less." She held her head in exasperation before sighing. "Haahcri… I am leaving before cri change your mind, Lord Harken!"
"I wouldn't dream of… and she's gone…" She had taken off like a bolt of lightning out of the hatch on the top of Lord Harken's dome. "I pray for your safe journey and your safe return, Annicri."