Nelly nodded towards the guard at the door, who had just announced the arrival of Countess Andrea Kurtzmann. The door opened and a lady who carried herself like an aging tigress entered. She still bore the gait of an apex predator, an easy and confidence of movement not easily attained—the only visible symbols of age were some of the skin sagging on her face.
"May the roots of Arbore stand strong. Countess Kurtzmann greets the saplings of future." The Countess said kneeling on front of the two. She stood up at the behest of Nelly and seated herself where she was bid.
