Look who's home today } private, Kaim

[Laurnen Eliana Kiluna]

Queen Laurnen of the fae walked down the streets of Actias, drawing looks from the other people assorted. The way she strode forward, head held high and shoulders back, confident in herself, certainly caught other people's eyes, but it was mainly her escort, two armed fae on either side of her, constantly keeping their hands on the swords on their belts. When she had been younger, she was embarrassed because of them and always felt conscious, but it was expected of a Queen, so she had forced herself to get used to it.

Finally reaching a solitary, large house, colored a light yellow-reddish color from the stone it was built from. Laurnen looked to her bodyguards. "I no longer need your service. You are both dismissed."

Stey's hard grey eyes flashed. He had been her bodyguard for as long as the young Queen could remember, and she had built up a tentative friendship with him by now. Still, he cared more about her safety than her feelings, so they often argued, though Laurnen didn't have the time for it now. "But, Your Highness, it would be best if we stayed with you. After all, the wizard you are meeting today is very powerful, the third most powerful in all of Finalu!"

She glared at him, obviously not in the mood. This time, when she spoke, her voice was crisp, clear, and commanding - even slightly icy. "I an well aware of his ranking as a wizard, Stey. Stey, Jilan, you are both dismissed. Do I need to repeat myself?" The two men looked at eachother, and Jilan backed away. Stey stood very still for a second, then followed his companion away from the house, mumbling under his breath.

Satisfied, Laurnen turned towards the door. It would have been a bad idea if she still had them around her when she visited the wizard - she didn't want to intimidate him and wave her position in front of his face. After all, it would be a horrible idea to offend any wizard, especially this one. She was already arriving without an appointment already, since her visit to Molibor and Actias was rather sudden. But what she wanted to talk to him about was of utter importance.

Smoothing a hand over her pale pink skirt, a nervous habit for the Queen, she stepped forward. Her white shirt had no corset on, but was laced in the back with black string. Her shoes were a light grey kid leather, as small as her feet. She was dressed warmly on top of her normal Queenly clothes - after all, it was wintertime - with a white velvet coat, thick tights, white kid leather gloves, and a grey scarf that had once belonged to her mother.

Queen Laurnen eyed the doorknocker almost warily. After all, it was a wizards doorknocker, and they always tended to be odd and interesting, though some were a bit frightening. This one was a griffin, with it's wings clasped tightly against its body, and its beady eyes seemed to almost watch her. Shivering slightly, and not just against the cold, she clasped it and knocked it twice against the door. When she let go of the silver, it spread its wings wide and opened its mouth. Laurnen took a half-step back, waiting for someone to open the door.

[Kaim Starkhani]

It was quiet in the house. Master Wizard Illyrion had left the residence several days ago in search of some herbs and ingredients for his latest potion experiment (he was currently researching a way to cure a current deadly cough that had been spreading through a nearby town). Kaim had been left to care for his master's home in his absence, as Illyrion had brought his personal servants along with him.

In his earlier days as apprentice, Kaim had gotten used to doing menial tasks for his master, and nowadays they were a lot easier with his skill in magic. He artfully rearranged a few long tendrils of vines over an arching doorway with a few flicks of his wrist and wiped the dust from the carved ivory harp by hovering his fingers just inches away from the intricate carvings on the surface.

Just as he was sitting to pet the sleek grey cat, he heard the doorknocker trigger a series of chimes in the entryway.
"Sorry, Calypso," he told the cat, who blinked her huge blue eyes at him as he stood to answer the door. She scampered as soon as she saw an unfamiliar woman behind the heavy wooden door.

There was a stately-looking fae there, draped in rich cloth and looking at him expectantly. Probably one of Illyrion's many blue-blooded patrons, he thought.

"You need an appointment," he told her without preamble. "Wizard Master Illyrion is not in at the moment." He held the edge of the door, expecting to close it as soon as this woman left. He waited for her to turn and leave the premises so he could get back to feeding and petting Calypso.

[Laurnen Eliana Kiluna]

Queen Laurnen stood, waiting. She did not have to wait long, merely a few moments, before the large wooden door opened silently - probably from the use of a spell or potion. She was greeted by a young, male elf, with black hair and brown eyes. She blinked, trying to hide her surprise. This wasn't the wizard Illyrion, was it? He looked rather . . . young, maybe even younger than the last time she had seen her. Had he finally finished developing that potion of youth and wellness? It was a well-known fact that basically every wizard was trying to create it, but so far, none had succeeded. But no - she doubted it, because if so, everyone in all of Finalu would have heard of it in a matter of days.

Before she could open her mouth to ask anything, the elf said, "You need an appointment. Wizard Master Illyrion is not in at the moment." Ah, so that explained it. She had wondered when Illyrion's hair had gotten longer and his eyes lighter, but this must be someone else. From the way he stood, she assumed he was not just a simple servant or butler. Laurnen's mother had taught her to recognize how people thought of themselves by how they held themselves, which was a large reason she always walked around with dignity and power.

Well, since this boy wasn't a servant, and he obviously wasn't the wizard Illyrion, he must be Illyrion's apprentice, someone she had heard of in some vague rumors. He was supposedly quite powerful for his age, and was advanced in his training. Eying him, the Queen decided that some help was better than none.

"It is a shame that Illyrion isn't here, but then, may I talk with you? You are his apprentice, I assume? I know I do not have an appointment, but would you happen to make an exception for the Queen of fae?" She noticed the way he held the door, as if he expected her to leave quickly - but not if she could help it. Looking behind her, Laurnen added lightly, "If you don't have the time or power to help me, then I can seek out another wizard, probably one with more power. After all, I do not even know if Illyrion can help me . . ." It was bait, she knew, and rather obvious, but she needed the help.