The Ambassador Arrives

[Kels]

The Alliance between the land kingdom of Korali and the sea kingdom of Telis is a new alliance. Ambassador Lark Sandstone has the honor of being the first ambassador from Telis to any land kingdom. Though that means she has no precedents for which to conform her actions and dealings, it also means that she is the one that will install a great many of those precedents for future liaisons from Telis to the land. Her new role is a great honor indeed, but also a great responsibility. She will shape the way the alliance will work for many generations.

Ambassador Lark Sandstone of Telis was sent to the city of Serenity where her embassy would be built, but there was no embassy as of yet. This was decided mostly without her say and she was informed in a polite way disguised as asking when she reached the capital of Korali if it'd be alright for her embassy to be in Serenity instead of Phenest. Phenest has a river and a lake near it, but it is not a sea port like Serenity and thus is far from the ocean Lark has called home her entire life. The king didn't seem to care where the embassy was built, but his defense adviser, the Lady Kayleen Shikara felt it was best for Lark to be closer to the ocean, even if it's not the same ocean Telis is in. There are port cities on the south coastline of Korali which are closer to Telis, but those cities are not as large and it was voiced that the ambassador would be safer in Serenity due to the Winged Sentinels, the air bound military of Korali being located out of that city. Lady Kayleen Shikara also have a strong invested interest in securing more allies for Korali in her defense position and has extended her hospitality to Ambassador Lark such as others may not have done.

To save time Lark was transported by air to Serenity via a magical floating carriage drawn by griffon volunteers. One of the griffons made a point to inform Lark they were not beasts of burdden, lest she think them no better than horses, but all were sure the Ambassador had not seen griffons before that point. They realized most things on land would be new to her, as new and different as the ocean world would be for any of them if they were to go stay under the waves, where the sun shines less and the pressure is greater. The griffons landed the carriage on the roof of the gate house to Cliff Heights, which is not only the Shikara family castle, but also the academy for the Winged Sentinels. The griffons removed the harasses from themselves and dismissed themselves politely, but without waiting or asking for permission from anyone. Any other time that might be seen as a little rude, but they wanted to make sure the new Ambassador knew they were not beasts of burden but not different in the hierarchy of Serenity than any human or elf she might run across.

One of the griffons looked like a mix between a snow leopard and a spotted hawk. He was mostly white in color with little black spots in both his fur and his wings and some of his longer wing feathers were solid black. He also had a small tuft of black feathers on the top of his head. He had been introduced to Ambassador Lark, as Lysander when they met in the capital city of Phenest. After removing his harness he walks toward a young teenage boy that has darker skin than most other humans of this city, being a bronzed mocha. His hair is dark black, short, and kind of messy. His eyes a bright emerald green. The pair exchange a couple of friendly sounding words, though from the distance Lark would not make out what they are saying. When her eyes pass over the human however he smiles, bows deeply, and flourishes his hand across his waist.

Servants gather the Amabassador's things she has brought with her (minus any gift she presented the king and plus any gift she revived back from him.) They immediately start to take her things down a set of stairs and into the gate house they are on the roof of. A young, pretty maid gives Lark a little courtesy with her eyes downcast and politely asks, “would The Ambassador like to see her room now?”

[Ambassador Lark]

It had been a long journey to Serenity. One that was full of anticipation of what to expect. Lark was young and at times, well more then she would dare to admit, she was stubborn. In fact to come to Serenity she badgered her father until he gave in. She was to the Telis’ Ambassador. It was a rare thing, when a water dweller came to the aid of anyone upon the surface. But times were changing and so must the people of Telis. If they were to gain aid in times of need, why not ask those that might be able to response. Of course Lark knew not why land dwellers would be needed. But it was her father’s will that she was here to see to. Ambassador to Telis, such a formal title, yet it commanded respect when uttered.

Her journey was long and tiring. Her fatigue was natural; making the leap from ocean to air, then land. It was exhausting. Especially for one that wasn’t use to the change in gravity. The weight of the world round her seemed to burden her more so at this particular moment. A combination of the stress due to travel and the change to her body, she just wanted to lie down. Sleep for several days if it were possible, but she knew that was not the case her.

Her arrival at Cliff heights brought everyone out to greet her. She traveled with a select group. Loyal folk they were. A few hand maids to
And advisers, curtsey of her father’s need to help Lark copy or adapt, whichever was needed. Lark liked her alone time. In fact she felt it easier to concentrate without the constant chatter in her ear about what to sign, what necklace to wear with which color of dress. A small smile came to her lips at the thought of her training attire. Which she preferred to formal attire she was often force to wear. Though she was no stranger to such attire, it was not her favorite.

Her amethyst gaze drifted about to those present. She would tilt her head to the side and offer a genuine smile to the griffin. She had not seen such a creature before, but that did not mean she was not aware of them. Stranger things have been known, but the sirens in Telis did have access to the outside worlds. She had not seen one like Lysander. He was truly a beautiful creature. She studied him for a time before allowing her gaze to drift to his rider, or one she presumed to be his rider. She offered a please smile before the maid’s voice catch her attention. She turned to greet the woman, “Yes please.”

[Matt Shikara]

The maid leads Lark down the stairs and into the gate house. The servants with Lark's bags take the same route, but most of them are ahead of Lark now. She could just as easily followed her own bags, but it's just more polite to send a maid to greet her with a smile and lead the way. It was actually Matt's idea to send the maid and also to keep the Ambassador in the gate house rather than the keep. He's just not sure yet how much of his own family he can trust. He's a stranger in this city and in this castle that he once called home and helped build.

Matt is actually home at the moment and the maid guides Lark past a small landing serving as Matt's office. He doesn't have an actual room for his office as of yet and considers it bad taste to keep himself hold up in his room. Also he doesn't get a feel for the rest of the gate house if he never leaves his room. There is a desk in the landing and on the wall where a tapestry probably once hung is a large wall map of the city. The map is enchanted and little different colored dots and symbols move around on the map. Part of this is show and part of it is because Matt needs to know where different groups of people are going. He just likes to let everyone know he's looking. Someone in the gate house is already spreading a warning to crime syndicates, so Matt knows for sure there is a spy among him, he just doesn't know who it is.

Matt sits at a desk that is turned to face the stairs stairs Lark comes down on. The hall the maid is leading her toward is on the same wall with the large map. The map is on Matt's left and the door to the hall just in front of his desk to the left. He wears lose fitting red pants and a red shirt, both in the family color of Shikara. He has on a brown jerkin that is loose fitting and long, stopping about mid thigh. His boots are made of fire drake hide and not only retain the fiery red color of that type of drake, but are slightly iridescent. When the light plays off them one can imagine they are on fire. He has leather gloves of the same hide, but is not wearing them. They are tucked into his belt. He also wears a red cloak with a red hood which he has pulled up so high his face can not be seen. At lucky times of movement and lighting someone trying can catch a glimpse of his chin and even his lips, but the rest of his feature are well covered. And people try to look too, as he has yet to show what he looks like.

There was once a painting hanging of him in the keep, but he had is removed upon his arrival. Some say he's not the real Matthew Shikara at all. Some say he's recently returned from the grave, as he first lived in the city over two hundred years ago and that his features have rotted off. Those also say he can't stand to look at what he once was and that's why the painting was removed. Either way there is a great deal of mystery about him and the very shadows of the wall seem to hug too him like a mother's protective embrace whenever someone carrying, torch, candle, or lantern gets too close.

Matt is leaning over his desk and signing something as Lark comes down the stairs onto the landing. As she gets closer to the desk he suddenly looks up and smiles, his lips actually showing and the smile revealed. He doesn't want her first impression of him to be too creepy, but given everything else that's at stake it could not be helped. He had not intended to be here when she passed but was going to wait until he wasn't making a subtle show of power to the people to greet her. He regrets having to show her this side of him as he's trying to make friends and allies, not intimidate her. His tone he had been using to address various lackeys around softens and is genuinely friendly. “Ambassador! Welcome to Serenity. I do hope you'll grace me with your presence at dinner tonight? I'll answer any questions you have about Korali at that time.” This comments gets a little scoff from a grumpy looking man that sits in a chair near the desk but not behind it. His attitude in his tone and the way he sits lets everyone know he's not happy with Matt. Matt doesn't seem to notice the rude grunt. “I regret I can not go over things with you now, but I just lost a Constable.” He does not go into the gory details, but the constable was found floating face down in the river with his tongue cut out.

“Speaking of which, My Lord. I have a few suggestions on this matter.” Says the grumpy man slouched in the seat near the desk.

The maid that was guiding Lark has stopped since Lark was spoken to and she has stepped back and out of the way while those above her converse. She will not move again until Lark either indicates she wishes the girl to continue, or moves to follow her luggage.

Matt's hand falls to the desk in a loud bang, not so loud as to mistake he's angry, but loud enough to get attention. He's sure it's a gesture that Lark is not familiar with as it's a land dweller gesture, but thinks it's close enough to a more water version of making a wave to get attention. It's the same principal. A vibration was sent out, it's just this one was of sound instead of water. Matt's eyes are on the desk and he does not look at the grumpy older man. He takes a small moment before speaking. Matt feels the grumpy older man is being rude by not greeting the ambassador and instead going straight back to business like she's not there. Nevertheless, Matt answers the sheriff anyway, “I don't need your suggestions, Sheriff. I've already made a decision on this matter.”

“With all due respect, My Lord. You don't know the men like I do.”

When Matt speaks again there is a light tone of a smile in his voice, though his smile this time can not be seen. He's back to the show for the Sheriff's sake. “I'm the new constable.” The sheriff gets so excited he chokes on his own swallow and starts having a coughing fit. Others around them immediately start to mummer and whisper. The maid girl even has looked up in wonder, but quickly looks back down again. It's not her place to say anything on the matter or to have an opinion.

[Ambassador Lark]

Lark had followed in the direction that the maid had gone. With easy she took to the stairs. One hand upon the wall while the other saw to the gathering of her skirts in order not to trip and fall down the stairs and snap her neck. Lark could have seen herself to her room, but it was far easier to have a guide on hand so that she didn’t get lost. A simple but honest truth, Lark was not that good with direction. Land was far more confusing then he oceans, far more confusing. She was actually luck to have been able to walk, and not flop about like a fish out of water. The thought caused her to hold the chuckle in so not to offend.

“What’s this?” she would ask as the woman took her through to the gatehouse. She would look to the maid’s back as she continued along. The woman said nothing then lifting Lark’s bags and clearing her throat. Lark took that to mean she was to continue to follow. Which lark did, that was until they came to a landing that looked to be in use by someone. A man behind the desk looked busy at work. Though Lark found this unusual more then anything else. Her deep amethyst gaze drifted from the man to the walls about him. Why did he not use one of the rooms for his work? It was a question she posed to herself, not daring to let it slip out.

She saw maps that stirred with motion. She did not study it for it was not her concern nor business. However she took note of his attire. Reds suggest of a noble house. Lark knew her ranks and such, and therefore did not question the man no matter how curious she was becoming while standing upon the landing before him. Most of his form remained hidden by the desk he was perched behind. Even his hood hung low across his crow and hide vital parts of his face that would possibly let her know his identity. But that was not the case here. However she did take notice of his smile when he finally realized that she was there, standing before him. Perhaps trying to fathom as to why she was standing there. She could have continued along, but in stead she stood awaiting something.

When he spoke she acknowledged him with a deep curtsy. Her dark red locks curled neatly behind her shoulders. Her head curled forth as she bowed which caused a few loose strands of hair to fall away and rest neatly upon her pale flesh. One would think that a siren held sun-kissed tones, but Lark’s were pale and unblemished. Not a mark upon her was revealed. Her skin was supple and soft, though one could not experience it by merely looking at it. It simply had to be touched. Perhaps that to was part of a siren’s charm. To make others want to touch their flesh. “It is an honour to be invited to your lands, sir.” He was quick. Lark would have figured herself quicker to reply but a pause in order to reflect on his question called for her to accept his offer to dinner. “I would be pleased to, sir.”


Her gaze turned sharply to the man next to Matt. She did not understand his stance of dinner or her having it with Matt. He apparently did not think much upon her visiting for he never even acknowledged her. His gaze did not met her’s. She furrowed her brow and looked to the maid who appeared to awaiting the order to continue. Lark gave a long pause thinking that she would be addressed again. But it was Matt’s hand pounding down upon the desk that caused her to jump. Her heart leapt into her throat at such a sound. They seemed to be having a disagreement of sorts. Lark would turn to them and quickly dismiss herself. Though she needed to gain their attention, upon which was hard to gain for they did not acknowledge her, neither did at this point.

“If you’ll excuse me. I have my things to see to. And get settled.” She told Matt as she quickly ushered the maid onward. This was all new to her. The harshness of this realm would take some getting use to.

[Matt Shikara]

Matt stands abruptly when Lark dismisses herself. He feels like the sheriff is interrupting her, but in truth it was she who interrupted them with her arrival. The downside to having his office in a landing. He gives her a little bow of he his head in farewell. “If you need anything, all you need do is ask.”

Aw, look at you standing. How sweet.

A gentleman always stands when a lady leaves the table.

You're not at a table.

Matt looks down at his desk and then back up to Lark -or the back of her if she's already walked off without waiting acknowledgment of her excusing herself. He smiles again and his smile is genuine, but half in response to himself. He's silently laughing at himself. A lady dismissed herself and he acted on reflex rather than conscious thought.

Just keep her safe, this alliance will be needed if Notica attacks either Korali or Telis.

“My Lord? Have you heard anything I've said?” The grumpy old sheriff sounds even grumpier.

“No.” Matt says honestly and flatly. He didn't even realize the man had been talking. No doubt it was voicing his disapproval of Matt taking Constable. He now should report to a man he outranks. Both know he won't.

Why didn't you just make yourself sheriff?

I'm working on it.

For a couple of immortals you two sure like to move fast.

Trouble keeping up with us more shadow inclined creatures?

Don't challenge me, Assassin.

Matt lets out an audible laugh, finding the conversation between Nick and Farla that is going on in his mind to be rather amusing. He's not worried about dissension. It's just banter. Though the image Nick had sent him of pushing the old sheriff off the cliff to take the job was also funny.

Matt sits back down in his chair behind his desk. His first impression left something to get desired, but he vows to himself to make it up to Lark later in the evening. He lifts a hand and waves at the sheriff in the same manner Nick suggested he should have done to Lark. “Stop squabbling with me and go find the murderers.”

“No.” the sheriff replies. Matt turns his head to look at the sheriff. “You go find them, Constable. I'll be interested in reading your report.”

Matt laughs again.

[Ambassador Lark]

Lark stood for a time acknowledging the new Constable and his companion. The hue of her eyes deeps as a siren’s often do when emotions are stirred. Being a lady of the high courts of Telis allowed her the proper graces so not to offend her family or her hosts. She would curtsy deeply again to Matt before leaving him to tend to his business. She could not help but make note of the strange behavior the man presented. A soft ruffle came from the fabric of her gown as she turned to make good her departure. She would glance back at Matt for a moment before setting her sights on the continuing staircase that would take her to her bedchamber. She was hoping to freshen up and perhaps rest.

Dinner, she had dinner plans already. How strange she thought. It was perhaps the custom here. She did not know just whom it was that she was to report to of her arrival. But it seemed that the constable was well aware of her coming. It was late in the day as it was. So there left little time to do all that she wished. Perhaps freshen up and dress for dinner. Now where was she to meet the Constable for dinner? She tapped a finger against her lip as she followed the maid along the stairwell.

With a gentle upsweep of her hair behind her neck, she turned to the maid and thought to inquire about the gatehouse and its inhabitants. But she thought against being nosy. It was her first day in Serenity and she didn’t want to alert the entire city to how nosy Telis’ Sirens were. She gave a soft smile to her thoughts and continues along after the maid. Within a few minutes and a quick short walk they arrived at her bedchamber door. The maid entering with ease carrying a few of Lark’s items as she explained the room was to be use at her leisure. Lark smiled and bowed, the maid returned the bow with a much deeper one to show respect to the lady.

Upon leaving the room Lark quickly called out to the maid. A few quick steps brought her to the closing door. “Might I ask where it is that I am to dine?” She asked but the door was already shut. Her brow furrowed, perhaps the woman had somewhere to be. Lark turned about to look about the room before heading to a truck of her’s that had been brought up. She would find something to dine in. With a sigh, she set to work.