Tiniel Lómelindë's page

"Then altering my memories to lure you into a false meeting..." Tiniel mused.

"Yes, Princess." Without hesitation, the royal bodyguard produced to Alis an ornate scroll case well-lacquered and capped at both end by mithril. A badge in the center of the cylinder bore the royal seal of Ilmarond.

"As you wish, Highness," The apparent maid-servant bowed and stepped back before turning to go, clearing her throat softly to get Sasha's attention.

Sasha nodded emphatically and looked about ready to say something when suddenly she cried out in surprise as Tiniel stepped on her foot. "My apologies, please forgive my clumsiness, Highness, Ms. Nevah..."

With a nod of solemn agreement, Tiniel said, "Of that there can be no doubt. Perhaps she is counting on the storm to shield her against unwanted eyes and undesired encounters after the attempt on her life. Shall I try to seek her out, Highness?"

"Given my junior's love of flight and his other aspirations, I agree with Lady Lammontari's suggestion. Upper-story quarters in an affluent region of the capital would be best. Also, it is only in the field that an agent can gain new contacts. Given his... talents, I believe a long walk would afford many such opportunities to sew rumors and gather intelligence... your Highness."

A raised eyebrow from Alis would not permit Tiniel to get off that easily. "It might also provide him a more discrete location from which to satisfy his... appetites."

"Ouch!" At last Tiniel finally broke down and allowed herself to laugh. Turnabout being fair play, she teased Alis in return, "If you only knew!"

Face growing redder, Tiniel she clutched at her skirt, and answered meekly, "And envy."

The 'maid-servant' turned to face her mistress, pivoting so that she sat on her ankles as she knelt beside her. "After a month in your guise, I definitely have a much more intimate understanding of jealousy and..."

At that a faint blush finally arose on Tiniel's pale cheeks. "If I may be so bold, your Highness?"

"She does seem to be the jealous sort, your Highness," Tiniel noted, "but I believe she demonstrated a genuine desire for both coin and your approval as well."

"Indeed, although if Lady Taurion was indeed being controlled then could it truly be considered folly on her part?"

"Did you have an occasion in mind?"

At this, Tiniel straightened and gave a single, vigorous nod of her pale blonde head. "We could try that if you think it wise."

Tiniel thought back for a moment and nodded. "Are you referring to your divinations, your Highness?"

Tiniel hesitated for a moment, wondering if perhaps she had some hidden weakness against mental intrusion that has gone unnoticed until only today. "Yes, that is the crux of it. An assassin of Shivone's supposed caliber could have easily slain her, or made her disappear. Yet instead we found her in the first place one would naturally look — her very own quarters. It... feels like she is taunting us."

"Yes, your Highness, of course." In spite of Tut's protests, the able-bodied royal agent swiftly whisked the worms away, returning promptly with fresh linens. Once the bed was stripped, searched, and remade, with Jasmine and her kits resting peacefully on their own plush cushion, Tiniel asked, "Your Highness, do you imagine that this Shivone wishes to be found?"

"Actually, I believe Dame Amhranai requested that, your Highness," Tiniel volunteered.

"Politeness isn't what concerns me," she said with a sigh, "and please do not–"

A sharp look from Lady Lammontari cause the words to catch in her throat. "Forgive me, I speak out of turn."

"Please tell me, we shall not be unwrapping Lady Ourson anytime soon, Highness," Tiniel pleaded.

The apparent hand-maiden seemed surprised by her Highness' swiftness, but she made no effort to resist or defy her command. Instead, she simply bowed her head and replied, "Understood, your Highness, I was merely acting according to my training."

Sheathing a previously hidden blade, she turned to Amelia and said, "Forgive me. It is customarily a death sentence for someone to lay hands upon royalty unless bidden to do so."

Tiniel met her Princess' gaze, finding reassurance there before looking back to the dwarf and nodding. "Any insight you might yield would be welcome, Sir Hellhammer."

"Enemies they may be, your Highness," Tiniel said softly, "but would that not be all the more reason for one foe to interfere with the other?"

Tiniel shifted from one foot to the other, concern rightly evident on her face. "It was after the majority of the guests had departed, I had relieved her Highness' pets from Lady Hlokenar's care and was seeing the young lady out when you approached, asking me where one might find the nearest... privy."

Growing increasingly more uncomfortable beneath her superior's glare, Tiniel continued, "After Lady Hlokenar excused herself, you took me aside and stated that it was urgent we hold a briefing session about the state of affairs in Dafar sooner rather than later, and that we should rendezvous at your estate in an hour's time. I then went directly to inform the Princess in the study."

Before the mage could reply, a quiet, confused voice answered in his stead. "Of that I have little doubt, ma'am. You see, the messenger... was me."

As Sindariel grew quiet in thought, Tiniel looked to the mages and asked, "Do we know of any illusions that would allow the caster to engage us in conversation from far enough away that we could not perceive their presence?"

"I was not suggesting an alliance," Tiniel clarified. "Rivals often are such because they contest over similar goals or resources."

Noting that the Princess and the Knight were returning, the 'maid' bowed her head in respect. "Welcome back, your Highness, Dame Amhranai."

Just before the two priestess had passed beyond earshot, they could hear Tiniel offer, "Perhaps those who survived O'beilumanji contacted Avoreen following the defeat of the being known as Lucretia?"

Raising a hand, Tiniel looked to Sindariel and whispered, "Shall I fetch one of the guards that we might examine their weapon?"

When Sindariel nodded, the 'maid' gave her counterpart a momentary glance and a slight shake of her head before setting off. Both scribe and Princess could see that there was something about this that truly did not sit well with Tiniel, almost as if she was wondering what Arion had gotten himself into.

"Ah–" For a moment, Tiniel looked as though she was about to blurt something out, before she bit her tongue and whispered, "It was nothing, please forgive me."

Yet in that brief moment, both Alis and Amelia could make out something in a momentary glace the woman gave Arion that belied there was more to it than that.

Good, he doesn't forget himself before strangers...

The Princess' hand-maiden gave a barely perceptible nod before stooping to refill Alis' teacup.

"No doubt the curiosity of many would be peaked by such collections," she whispered.

Tiniel looked to the Princess and voiced her agreement with Amhranai.

Tin'?

The sobriquet brought a flush to the spy's cheeks.

"Thank you... Highness," she whispered faintly.

Not allowing the monkey to distract from her focus, Tiniel whispered softly, "We should assume our defensive stances. I shall remain by your side, Highness."

Putting word to action, the apparent maid-servant adopted a more defensive posture, ready to intercept any who might attack the Princess.

Theme: Battle Resolve

It must have seem like ages — the Princess standing there, pendant clutched to her breast, eyes obscured by waves of blonde hair... Each heartbeat was that much more distance that those with spear and shield in hand could use to increase the distance between the young Vicereine and the ancient Queen of Lies. Each second lost another crack in their valor.

A gasp escaped Tiniel as a pale, blood-spattered hand grasped her shoulder.

"Princess?"

"Highness," Tiniel implored, "we mustn't delay!"

When Alis looked sideways to Tiniel, the look of dire urgency on the petite elf's face was instead replaced by one of surprise. "Highness, the Tear!"

Whether because this was a holy place, or for other unseen reasons, the dwarf's spell, which should have rightly been blocked from reaching most of his allies by stonework or distance instead basked all his allies in a golden glow. As the demoness curled her lip in disgust at the holy spell, Tiniel rushed forward, closing the gap with Alis.

As she drew closer, she could see that the Princess' face and arms had suffered minor lacerations from the burst of glass that had accompanied Wingilmë's demise. Yet where she might have expect to see fear and dismay in Alis' eyes, she instead saw determination. "Highness," she whispered urgently, "we must retreat to safety!"

"Only insofar as to wonder by what Fate your twin now walks beside the Princess save by your ruse."

"No, your Ladyship, neither," the handmaiden hesitated, in spite of her best efforts, Amhranai had the sense she was party to a girl having been caught in some mischief by her schoolmistress. "Her Highness bade me seek Dame Amhranai here after you yourself suggested an alternate venue for rendezvous not 10 minutes ago."

When Amhranai turned to see what was the matter, she was a slight elven woman with pale blonde hair approaching. She was garbed after the fashion of the palace maids.

"Dame Amhranai I presume?" Tiniel asked, the older woman's tattoos making her easy to identify. "If you will be join me, Princess and and Lady Lammontari are–"

When the guardsman said 'this', he offered up an official-looking document with a familiar seal. Tiniel was quick to accept the document, swiftly assaying its authenticity before turning to her mistress. "This missive invites one Amelia Echorn to seek counsel with you, your Highness.

As the hand-maiden informed Alis of this, the guard who had delivered it stood at attention, awaiting further orders.

Tiny golden foxes? It must be some passphrase between the two.

Nodding to herself, behind the closed door, Tiniel answered, "I shall relate you request directly, Sir. As for a meeting place, unless you wish to make your way to Tol Lonnduil before or after the Princess, then I imagine the front atrium would be best."

Hesitating for another moment to see if there would be further reply in regards to his guest, she asked, "Is there anything else, Sir, or shall I be on my way now?"

A woman? Here? At this hour? No wonder he doffed his armor in such a cacophonous manner when he returned!

Filing the revelation away for later, she asked, "Is there anything you require, Sir? Any news I might relate to her Highness on your behalf?"

Although he could not hear it thru the door, Tiniel gave a small sigh of relief that Darvesch, at least, would not cause her mistress any undue grief. She only hoped that Arion had not over-complicated matters last night.

"Her Highness asked me to inform you that we are to join Lady Lammontari at her estate at 4 o'clock this morning (10am) for brunch, and to be fitted for garb suitable for the investment ceremony."

She paused for a moment, considering his close relationship to the Princess before adding, "I believe that matters of national interest shall be discussed over tea..."

Squirming indeed, though she tried not to show it, the spy responded, "Yes, of course. Thank you, Highness," before hastening off, not slowing until her knuckles were rapping upon the door to Darvesch's chamber.

"Sir Hellhammer? It is the Princess' chamber-maid, Tiniel. Are you decent, Sir?"

The petite elven woman straightened as if someone had just poked her in the small of the back. "I– was just doing as I was trained... Highness. It would have been negligent to do otherwise even if the eidolon was in vigil."

"Your Highness," her voice was halting, almost guilty, "you fell asleep before I could finish applying your skin balm. I thought it best I not disturb your rest. Shall I finish with that before dressing you and brushing your hair?"

"Yes, your Highness," she said gently, "of course."

With that, Tiniel began to massage the fine, light cream into her mistress' supple skin, stopping only when she realized the younger woman had not rolled only her back when asked because she had fallen asleep. Quiet as a mouse, she laid a diaphanous white robe over Alis' back before laying down next to her to keep her warm through the night.

Setting the nigh priceless heirloom back in its case, the less curvy elf approached and offered a hand to assist her mistress out of the tub before wrapping Alis' nakedness in a thick, soft towel embroidered with her heraldry. "Your Highness, shall I send word to Prince Amthyrian informing him that it would be inadvisable to voyage to Wildethar with the solstice only a week off?"