CHAPTER 9

	Tia had seen several Elves before, but had never heard one 
speak.  She found the Elven Prince's accent and musical voice 
enlightening and beautiful, almost as enrapturing as Lorina's 
brother, Yeourg.  From the time she had met him, Yeourg had 
become more of the man she had always wanted:  Strong, 
dangerous, and decisive, with wealth and power beyond what she 
had imagined as a little girl.  In the back of her mind, Pahl's image 
nagged her, but she quickly brushed this aside and watched Yeourg 
with the same awe as their first meeting.   
	"Jahradan was not actually killed,"  Yeourg said, speaking to 
Lorina, but making the comment general.  "The Viceroy wanted 
the Magistrate to believe that the Prince of the Elves had been 
murdered by a member of the royal family.  But now we know the 
truth and with Jahradan's testimony we can bring him under 
scrutiny.
	"The difficulty we face now, is how to assemble the 
Magistrate and allow Jahradan to speak unhindered."  Yeourg and 
Jahradan took seats opposite the others.  Lorina marked the Elven 
Prince's grace and mannerisms in contrast to her brother's 
boldness.
	In a sing-song voice Jahradan spoke, "I believe your most 
noble prince speaks wisely, when he proposes our plight.  Your 
Viceroy can be quite persuasive and has many friends.  Why he did 
not take my life previously, I do not know, but I do know that had 
he wanted, I would not be with you now."
	Lord Buranigan shook his head.  "Even Duke Odem would 
have difficulty calling a meeting at this hour.  Had you been able to 
release your father he might have chanced offending the other 
members.  As it is now, we can only wait until morning and 
attempt to convince the Duke that the Prince of the Elves' 
testimony is enough to call an emergency meeting.  Hopefully, the 
Viceroy's personal guards will be too busy searching for his 
valuable escaped prisoner to know what we're doing."

	"There is more,"  Jahradan said making everyone turn toward 
him.  "Your leaders and perhaps even the Viceroy have been 
deceived.  I was sent by our Blessed Father, may he live forever,  
not just because of your King's request."  Yeourg looked on the 
Elven Prince with some suspicion at this statement, but allowed 
him to continue.  "Our people have never been too involved in 
international trade.  We provide for ourselves and only infrequently 
deal with other nations, most least of all the Southern Clans.  We 
find them...less than honorable.  We do however honor the treaty 
set by our forefathers with your nation and in so doing come 
seeking your alliance and aid.
	"Our sources tell us that the once numerous and separated 
clans of the Southland have united under a single banner, under the 
direction and leadership of a great and powerful warlord.  This 
warlord has sent messengers demanding our fealty.  When rejected, 
he warned us to abstain from communicating with you, claiming 
that Nordenland and the Sudkar, as he calls his nation, are one.  He 
has not yet declared war on our nation, but skirmishes on southern 
border are now frequent and have increased intensity."
	As Yeourg began to rise, Jahradan stopped him with a 
restraining hand.  "One last thing, O' Prince of Nordenland.  We 
are most certain that some spell of deception has been placed on 
your Viceroy.  When the messengers from the warlord last came, 
they attempted to ensorcell our leaders.  Our magic is strong and 
we thwarted them, but to even bring such magery into our inner 
circle, speaks of power unheard of in my generation.  Be wary, O' 
Prince, the threat is real."
	Yeourg remained seated, but not without difficulty.  With 
intense emotion common to the young prince he said, "If this is 
true, than both of our nations are at risk!  We must convince Duke 
Odem to hear your words and convene the Magistrate.  If I must, I 
will cut off Lord Bernit's head myself, if he dare stand in the way!"
	"Yeourg!"  Lorina said in shock.
 	"His point is well taken," Lord Buranigan said modestly.  
"From what Prince Jahradan has said, we must act quickly, but I 
believe the  Magistrate will be much harder to convince than Duke 
Odem.  Even if you were sitting at the head of the Magistrate, it 
would take some form of proof to marshal the armies.  No one will 
dispute the Sudkar combined as a nation represents a threat, but 
going to war is not an appetizing dish on anyone's plate.

	"It is late and I think best that you all rest now.  I will hide all 
of you, except for Tia, in the cellar.  From this point forward Tia 
will pose as one of my messenger's.  I cannot trust anyone else 
besides Dibson, and he may be watched.  About midday tomorrow 
I will send Tia to Duke Odem and appraise him of our situation."
	The tired men and women rose to follow Dibson into the 
cellar.  He supplied them with fresh blankets and pillows, except 
for Jahradan who slept in a sitting position with his legs crossed.  
Dibson showed Tia to an upstairs room where she would stay.  
Though small and only modestly decorated, the room provided a 
comfort Tia had never known.
	Late the next morning Tia arose to Dibson's knocking on her 
door.  He led her into the kitchen where she ate breakfast with Lord 
Buranigan.  Dibson assured the two of privacy by having the other 
servants of the estate work outside or run errands. During her 
breakfast Lord Buranigan explained to Tia where she would find 
Duke Odem and how she could contact him.  He made it clear that 
he wanted her to leave after lunch, which would keep less 
suspicion on the purpose of her visit.
	When Tia left the estate she first went to the park directly 
across the road.  She spent an hour there casually roaming through 
the park or sitting at a wood bench in pretended thought.  She took 
notice of the active patrols on foot and horseback questioning 
every suspicious looking person.  When she felt that any prying 
eye had lost interest in her, she walked across the park and slowly 
down the cobblestone street amongst other street goers.
	After traveling almost a half mile through winding streets she 
hailed a coach and instructed the driver to a modest trinket shop 
that happened to reside near Duke Odem's estate.  The ride took 
nearly half an hour because of the afternoon marketplace.  Even in 
the Fall, Surik boasted a large market.
	Arriving at Titleberry Trinkets, Tia tipped the driver and 
entered several other nearby shops, casually inspecting goods.  She  
still remained leery of the Viceroy's agents and did her best to 
appear a casual shopper if she was followed.  When she felt she 
had made an appropriate appearance at the shops she entered the 
trinket shop.

	Several bells dangling from the door's center chimed as Tia 
entered.  Another person was being assisted by a polite sales clerk 
as he looked through several old candle holders.  Tia acted 
uninterested while the buyer and seller dickered over the actual 
value of a particularly tarnished set that bore brass handles.  The 
haggling went on for some time and Tia hoped fervently that other 
customers would not enter the store before she could speak 
privately with the clerk.
	The sales clerk must have noticed Tia's nervousness and 
quickly ended the sale with a final price.  The buyer agreed, paid 
the clerk and left with what Tia would have considered junk.
	Approaching the young Sojourn woman, the sales clerk 
flashed a quick smile and asked, "May I help you Miss?"
	Without wasting time Tia responded, "I am in need of Roast 
Duck."
	The clerk looked over Tia's shoulder and out a near window 
and then responded quietly, "That would be found at Chaffee's 
Broiler, but only for supper on week's end."  The salesman had 
replaced his smile with an intense stare.
	Tia didn't blink and only followed with the next pattern 
statement, "It is week's end, is it not?"
	Finishing the password, the clerk replied, "Yes, follow me 
please."  He turned quickly and led Tia through a locked door 
behind the counter.  The door led to several uninteresting storage 
rooms on the right and an unkempt office on the left.  They entered 
the office and the clerk closed a flimsy door behind them.
	In a soft voice the clerk asked.  "What is your business with 
the Duke?"
	Tia looked directly into the clerk's eyes gauging his intent and 
found little to mark his thoughts.  She stared at him for what 
seemed long moments and finally said, "It is not my position to 
speak to any but the Duke."
	"You will tell me or convince me of your intent or leave now, 
Miss."  The clerk said this with a cold certainty that left no doubt 
in Tia's mind that this man was more than a mere salesman in a 
surely unprofitable tinker shop.
	Not wishing to lose the opportunity to complete her mission, 
Tia offered, "Lord Buranigan has sent me and I am instructed to 
speak only to the Duke."  The man waited and Tia finished, "It is a 
matter of most importance."
	"We shall see," said the clerk.  He instructed Tia to face the 
door and after what sounded to Tia like wood grinding on stone he 
allowed her to turn back around.  A hatchway leading to a back 
room at the Dukes estate lay open to her.

	"Wait in the antechamber on the other side,"  the clerk stated 
flatly. With only a slight lifting of one corner of his mouth he 
added, "Not often that the Duke deals with Sojourns."
	Tia could not tell if the comment was sarcastic or good 
natured, but she smiled and thanked the man anyway.  No sense in 
making enemies unnecessarily, she had enough of those already. 
	Entering the unremarkable room from a short corridor that 
connected the estate with the shop, Tia immediately reviewed her 
options should this prove a negative event.  She quickly found that 
they were few and none would prove very effective should the 
need arise to escape.  Resigning to the knowledge that she had 
gotten here without arrest, she found a comfortable sofa and 
relaxed.
	Dim oil lamps lit the antechamber where Tia waited for over 
an hour.  Growing up where patience often saved one's life, she 
remained calm and alert.  Several times she had heard footsteps in 
a presumed adjacent hallway, but no one had entered the outer 
room since she arrived.
	Another hour went by and Tia began to wonder if the Duke 
actually knew she was there.  She debated the thought of going into 
the main room, but decided against it after finding the door locked 
from the outside.  She felt confident that she could pick the lock, 
but explaining the act might lose some credibility with a noble of 
Duke Odem's stature.
	Several voices and light entering from under the door to the 
main room brought Tia to her feet.  She stood quietly and felt a 
hint of nervousness as the lock on the door clicked.  Brushing one 
hand through her hair, she prepared an appropriate greeting.
	The door swung open easily and two finely dressed men of 
middle age entered the room.  They inspected Tia briefly and then 
one stood on each side of the doorway allowing a larger, older man 
to enter.  The older man wore a simple blue robe over silk breeches 
and shirt.  He had a medium sized beard and mustache and though 
large, he was not obese and he held himself in a way that showed 
he still commanded a physically fit body.  His eyes were soft, but 
his face reflected years of difficult decisions that would cost him 
longevity.  
	Tia studied him and knew immediately that she stood before 
the second most powerful man in the Kingdom--the Duke of Surik, 
Chairman of the Magistrate.  She assumed correctly that the two 
men on either side of Duke Odem were body guards and although 
unseen, they probably had access to several deadly weapons under 
their loose clothing.  Bowing low as she had learned from Lord 
Buranigan, Tia paid respect.
	"Greetings, young Sojourn,"  Duke Odem said kindly.  His 
voice flowed smoothly and with the resonance of a practiced 
speaker.  "I am the Duke Odem, of which I assume you already 
knew, and these are my companions, Dellen and Rey.  I apologize 
for the wait, but I have been quite busy of late.  Please, be seated 
and we shall discuss what brought you here."

	The Duke indicated that Tia sit were she had previously and 
she obliged.  Dellen brought the Duke a chair from one of the 
corners and then he and Rey remained standing on either side as 
Duke Odem seated himself.
	"Please, speak freely messenger," Duke Odem said.
	"Um, thank you, your Highness," Tia fumbled.
	"Your Grace, is the appropriate title," corrected the Duke 
without chastisement.
	"Yes, I am sorry, your Grace," said Tia taking a deep breath to 
compose herself.  "I was sent by Lord Buranigan to inform you of 
Prince Yeourg von Allmen's whereabouts and the well being of 
Jahradan, Prince of the Elves."
	If the Duke was surprised by the revelation he hid it well.  
"Continue," he said. 
	Tia cleared her throat and said, "The Prince wishes to speak to 
the Magistrate on the matter of Jahradan's disappearance."  When 
the Duke made no comment she added, "He feels it important that 
the Elven Prince speak and relate his story of possible war with the 
South."
	After a moment’s pause, the Duke asked, "And what do you 
think?"
	Tia was taken aback from a question she had fully not 
anticipated.  She thought for a moment and then said, "I think it 
wise to meet and resolve the threats.  I have lived most of my life 
in South, your Grace, and I have heard what the Elf Prince has 
said.  He is right."
	"Well stated, young Sojourn," Duke Odem praised, "you may 
become more than what you hope someday."  Tia flushed from the 
compliment.  "I will prepare the meeting for the seventh hour.  Tell 
Lord Buranigan to have the Princes meet at Two Gulls tavern at 
this time.  My personal guard will escort them to the meeting."
	Tia said, "Yes, your Grace."
	Duke Odem said, "Dellen will hail you a coach, but make 
several stops on your return trip and purchase a few items.  We 
want to keep the dogs off the trail, you see."
	"Clearly," Tia said and felt elated by her accomplishment.
	Following the Duke's instructions, Tia left his estate and went 
to the market place purchasing goods that would give her the 
appearance of a servant buying for supper.  She only had two hours 
until the meeting so she did not waste too much time before going 
back to Lord Buranigan's estate.  When she arrived, Dibson 
quickly ushered her to the same back room where they had 
previous meetings.  Yeourg, Lorina, Lord Buranigan, and 
Jahradan, waited seated around the room all looking anxious for 
news.
	"We were beginning to worry," Lord Buranigan began.
	Tia shrugged.  "I worried too after two hours in a back room 
waiting for the Duke."
	Yeourg leaned forward, "What did he decide?" 
	A smile lifted the corners of the young Sojourns mouth.  "He 
has agreed to convene the Magistrate."  Tension in the room eased 
dramatically.  "Furthermore, he instructed me to tell you to meet at 
Two Gull's tavern, by the seventh hour.  His guards will escort you 
to the Magistrate."
	"Excellent!"  Yeourg said standing.  He rubbed his hands 
together and said, "We may defeat Bernit's plans yet.  Lord 
Buranigan, can you prepare the necessary arrangements in short 
order?  We haven't much time."
  	"Consider it done, Milord."
	Yeourg smiled.  "Good then the rest of us will wait here until 
called upon."  He turned toward Tia and said, "Tia, you did well."
	Tia took a deep breath, and looked toward Lorina who smiled 
at her warmly.  She looked back at the Prince  and with a curt nod 
she said, "Thank you, Milord."

	Two compliments from the most influential men in the nation 
and especially from one as handsome as Prince Yeourg von 
Allmen, sent Tia's self esteem through the roof.  She floated on air 
for the next hours while everyone prepared for the meeting.  She 
did not know whether she would be invited to attend the meeting, 
but it did not matter.  She would be satisfied serving as a dish 
washer for the Buranigan estate for the next week.
**********
	Yeourg sat next to Lord Buranigan at a small table in the 
corner of Two Gull's tavern.  Across from him and to the right 
Dibson, Lorina, Tia, and Prince Jahradan ate a modest meal and 
spoke in light tones.  Prince Jahradan wore a dipping hat that 
covered his ears and cast a shadow on his upswept ears, hopefully 
detracting attention to his elven features.
	Against the chance that the meeting would go awry, Yeourg 
thought it best that his sister and Tia come with him.  If anything 
did happen negatively they would fall back on their plan of escape 
via the harbor.  Another reason why Yeourg thought the meeting at 
the Two Gull's would prove effective--it was a sailor's pub near 
the docks.
	The doors to the tavern swung wide and four armed men 
entered led by one Yeourg recognized as Dellen, Duke Odem's 
personal guard.  Yeourg rose quickly and greeted him and then 
motioned for the his company to exit.  Outside, several heavily 
armed horseman surrounded a coach with a driver and two 
crossbowmen standing post.  Other foot soldiers stood strewn up 
and down the street, bringing curious looks from passerby and 
residents.  All of the soldiers wore a blue leopard insignia on their 
chest, marking them the Duke of Surik's men. 
	Lorina, Tia, and Prince Jahradan entered the coach while 
Yeourg mounted a brown gelding next to Dellen.  Yeourg wanted 
to ride into the Magistrate in full view of everyone.  Without delay 
the procession began and anyone still on the streets at that hour 
cleared the way.
	The pounded of hoofs and clanking of weapons brought many 
residents to their doors and windows to see the commotion.  
Several citizens recognized their prince at the front of the cortege 
and some of the more vocal began shouted his name.  A number of 
residents were decommissioned soldiers from the garrison and 
these donned their uniforms and joined the procession.
	Before long, the citizens and decommissioned soldiers 
following Prince Yeourg had outnumbered Duke Odem's men.  
The prince looked back to see that his entourage had grown into a 
veritable parade.  The people apparently felt that this march 
represented the end of Viceroy Bernit's oppressive reign.  Yeourg  
replaced his smile with a grim look of determination--his people 
would not be disappointed.

	The Viceroy's own men guarded the entrance to the courtyard 
that housed the Magistrate, however, several of Duke Odem's 
guards could be seen throughout their ranks.  Yeourg halted his 
procession in front of the gates.
	Dellen shouted, "Stand clear and allow your prince to enter!"  
 	If the captain of the guard harbored ideas of resistance, he 
abandoned them and ordered his men to open the gates.  The 
shouts and cheers of Yeourg's followers assured the captain that he 
had made a wise decision.
	Entering into the courtyard, Yeourg dismounted and led his 
sister followed by Jahradan and Tia into the main building.  At the 
same time the courtyard filled with soldiers loyal to the prince 
mingled with those of the Viceroy, but the citizens of Surik and the 
decommissioned soldiers now numbered in the hundreds which 
dwarfed the size of Viceroy guards.
	Yeourg pushed past ceremonial guards gaining access to the 
Congressional Hall that now held the Magistrate in session.  
Several members stood as the prince entered and disrupted an 
argument between the Viceroy and Duke Odem.
	"Traitor!"  Shouted the Viceroy when he saw the young 
prince.
	"Hold your tongue!"  Admonished Duke Odem.  "I am still 
Chairman of the Magistrate and I called this meeting."  Noticing 
the lack of his own personal guards, the Viceroy refrained from 
further comment. 
	"Your Highness,"  Duke Odem said standing and formally 
bowing.  "Welcome to this emergency session held at your request.  
I believe you have some important news for the Magistrate."
	All eyes focused on the prince as he descending the steps to 
the main floor followed by an elf and two women.  Dellen and 
several guards remained on the upper level as custom required.
	Yeourg von Allmen looked at each member of the Magistrate 
that he had grown up with before addressing them.
	 "I and my family have been scrutinized by this one man,"  
Yeourg said pointing to Viceroy Bernit.  "And many of you have 
listened to his quite warnings and shadowy dark words.  I ask that 
you now to listen to the voice of reason and the truth."  His words 
were powerful and commanding filling the room with emotion.
	"Standing beside me is the testimony against our true 
enemies," Yeourg continued.  "He will shed light upon those who 
stumble in darkness.  He him and judge for yourselves!"
	Prince Jahradan stepped forward and bowed low before the 
assemblage.  "I am Jahradan, Prince of Elvandan, and high ranking 
emissary to the Nordenland.  I have condemning words for your 
Viceroy and difficult truths for all of you.  I beseech you to listen 
to what I have come to say."
	In the musical voice common to his kind Jahradan began to 
explain the plans of the Sudkar and the Warlord as he had at Lord 
Buranigan's estate only with more detail.  When Viceroy Bernit 
tried to interrupt he was silenced and remained quiet throughout 
Jahradan's dialogue.  The elven prince then testified to Bernit's 
involvement to the astonishment of most of those in attendance.  
He explained the real reason for the Viceroy's reluctance to meet 
with the elves and how sorcery and magic played a major role on 
the development of the Sudkar.

	Many within the assembly had already witnessed or heard 
rumors from their own hometowns about the strange happenings in 
the countryside.  This, coupled with the elven prince's testimony 
brought belief of the southern threat closer to many of their hearts.
	When Jahradan finished, Duke Odem, took the floor and a 
unanimous vote stripped the Viceroy of all power.  Subsequently, 
several guards took him into custody and in a final bid to redeem 
himself Bernit told the council that the royal family were under 
protection at his own estate.
	That night, for the first time in weeks, the von Allmen royalty 
sat together in the palace.  Although the King's illness remained, 
the uniting of Lorina to the family gave him recuperating strength 
that would eventually bring healing.  The palace servants prepared  
a splendid dinner and the family ate alone together. Duke Odem, 
Lord Buranigan, Prince Jahradan, Tia, and several other nobility 
ate in a separate dining area celebrating the return of the crown.  
By princess Lorina's order, Tia would remain in the palace in a 
guest quarters.
	Earlier, the king had declared to the gathered citizen's that a 
royal festival would be held in the palace courtyard tomorrow 
ushering in the lift on martial law and a re-establishment of the 
royal garrison.  This brought cheers and cries from those who had 
felt the oppression of the Viceroy.  Because Viceroy Bernit had 
been Marcus von Allmen closest friend for many years, the king 
passed only limited sentences upon him, virtually banishing him 
from the capitol and removing his titles and properties--a light 
sentence by anyone's standards.
	  Celebrations visited the city of Surik late into the evening as 
word spread of the coming festival and demise of martial law.  In 
the palace Tia sat alone on a goose feathered bed in a colorful, 
immaculately decorated room.  She could scarcely believe that she 
was part of the last few days of adventure and friends of a royal 
family with seemingly unending wealth.  Never in her life had she 
imagined sitting in a palace room in the largest city of Nordenland, 
with a royal princess as a friend.  Her only friend, Tia corrected.
	Lorina.  Why did she become my friend? Tia thought.  She 
thought of herself as nothing more than a poor Sojourn who grew 
up in an environment in stark contrast the Lorina's.  Furthermore, 
her own people had captured the princess with the intentions of 
slavery.  Nevertheless, during the weeks prior to meeting the 
young men from Aubon, she had grown to love and respect the 
Nordenlander.  It was almost a welcome decision for her to release 
Lorina when the time came.  And now she had met her idol,  
Prince Yeourg, Lorina's brother.  She fell asleep thinking of ways 
to seduce the handsome prince. 
	Alone with his eldest son, Marcus von Allmen lay resting.  
The king, though ill, wanted to speak with Yeourg about the 
difficult matter of the elves and the Sudkar after they had discussed 
all that had occurred over the past weeks.  He knew that a council 
would be convened over the next few days to decide a course of 
action, but he wanted time to impress upon his son what he thought 
would prove most effective.

	"It is good to see you, Yeourg."  The king spoke slowly, still 
weak from the illness.
	"And you, Father," said Yeourg, sitting in a chair next to his 
father's bed.
	"You have done well, my son.  You have impressed me with 
your ingenuity."  Yeourg said nothing, not used to his father's open 
praise.  Marcus von Allmen always treated him with kindness, but 
theirs was a house of royalty and compliments were sorely earned.
	"Though I wish it could be different, I think that you may 
need to accompany the elven prince to his homeland,"  the king 
paused momentarily.  "The queen will not like my decision, but 
you have proven yourself as a capable leader and contact.  Besides, 
it will give you experience in international relations."
	Yeourg smiled at his father.  "I have also been thinking about 
going with Jahradan.  Lorina and I have talked about it."
	A frown clouded the kings face.  "My youngest daughter has 
already been gone too long on cross country service.  You mother 
would not allow it."
	"Lorina is quite capable, father," Yeourg pressed.  "I think she 
has already told Jahradan she is going and bringing her charming 
thief friend."
	The reference to Tia lightened the king's mood, he had 
already heard of her capabilities and brash attitude.  "Me thinks 
that young Sojourn has been a bad influence on my royal 
daughter."
	Yeourg laughed openly at the comment.  He knew that Lorina 
had changed considerably since before she went to the orphanage.  
She had grown up and matured in ways his other, older sisters, 
may never learn, despite their being married.
	"It is late, Father, you should rest."
	"I should, indeed," agreed the king.  "Tell your mother that I 
await her pleasure."
	"I will," promised Yeourg.  "But, considering she gossips with 
three daughters, it may be awhile."
	The king smiled closing his eyes.  Yeourg rose and exited his 
father's chambers.  Outside the room he spoke briefly with a page 
and then instructed the guard to remain diligent.  The guard saluted 
and stood his post.  For the next weeks the palace would be filled 
with high security until the last of Viceroy Bernit's influences were 
squelched.
**********
	It took a week after the festival for the high council to remove 
the martial law and restore order in the city and four more days to 
finally agree upon an initial set of plans regarding the Sudkar and 
the Elves.
	After that, most of the higher nobility left Surik returning to 
their own provinces.  Their home cities demanded their attention. 
Since martial law was instated and chaos prevailed at the capitol 
they had to remain to ensure their own interests survived.  That 
need had now passed and a veritable exodus from the crowded city 
began when the nobility and their consorts left.

	The initial plan was set that the royal army would begin 
organizing into several large factions that would be supported by 
the four major garrisons at the largest cities with the main faction 
stationed south of Surik.  Duke Odem was named as Knight-
General and several sub commanders had been named, but as yet, 
not appointed.  A winter barracks would be built to house the large 
army, much larger than the conventional army.
	Part of the plan included a small delegation led by Prince 
Yeourg and Princess Lorina would accompany Prince Jahradan to 
obtain a critical alliance with the elves.  Another delegation would 
be sent to the mountain dwarves apprising them of possible 
southern conflict and asking for committed alliance--although a 
loosely held alliance had already been in place with the dwarves it 
did not include full scale war.  
	Yeourg wondered how his sister was able to obtain approval 
from the queen and join the delegation.  He guessed that it had 
something to do with a mother-daughter meeting that occurred one 
night and lasted several hours.
	Still, Lorina impressed him, and her new friend had become 
quite the sultry young women.  Everywhere he went, Tia seemed to 
materialize and the attractive young Sojourn was beginning to gain 
his attention.  She was different than the other giggly girls that 
tried to gain the princes attention.  Tia was sensuous and cunning, 
with a outlook on life vastly different than the court norm and body 
that stirred the imagination.  If Yeourg did not watch himself he 
thought he might find himself in the young girls embrace before 
too long--which wasn't an unpleasant thought.
	Yeourg wanted to depart immediately, but his trip demanded 
planning and securing the necessary supplies to complete the 
journey safely.  Lorina's plead to delay for another day also slowed 
the process.  She wanted to wait for Hawk and his companions, but 
they should have arrived the day before and Yeourg could not wait 
indefinitely.  He finally promised her that he would leave word 
with the palace guard that would instruct Hawk how to catch up 
with them should he arrive.  He knew the promise was for naught, 
because he could not risk sabotage to his mission and leaving 
directions of their journey would allow for ambush.
	On the final night before their departure, Yeourg spent time 
with Jahradan asking his opinion of their preparations and whether 
he had forgotten anything necessary for success.  He found that 
Jahradan was invaluable in assisting him in the preparing him for 
his first journey into Elvandan, the realm of the elves.  Before 
leaving, Jahradan promised to teach Yeourg several greetings in 
the elven language to improve his elegance.
	Alone, Yeourg looked up when he heard a light tapping on the 
door to his room.  He wondered what the guard wanted and arose, 
somewhat distracted.  When he opened the door, the guard was 
gone and a scantily dressed Sojourn stood in the doorway.
	"Tia?"  Yeourg asked, finding it hard to keep his eyes on her 
face.
	"I thought you might like some hot tea,"  Tia said, shaking her 
hair back from her face and holding out a tray with cups and a pot 
of steaming herbal tea.

	"That would be nice, but where's the guard?"  Yeourg asked.  
	Tia smiled,  "Chasing a little boy I paid to aggravate him."
	"You are quite resourceful, you know."
	"Yes, I know, now can I come in," she purred.
	Yeourg looked at the ceiling and asked more to himself than 
then young woman, "Do I have a choice?"