Alanna scowls at the Master Informer but nods all the same. “Unless it’s from me.”
“She’s not fond of you, Alanna?” the Prince grins, “are you too brazen for her Knowledge heart?”.
“No…” the blonde Discerni frowns in thought, “and that’s the thing. She shows no signs of unease when I undress, and her replies and banter are easy and what I would expect from someone of our Court. She’s comfortable around men and doesn’t care that she’s seen spending most of her nights with them, and she wears her fluorite visibly and unashamed. Take away the green and gold she wears and I’d be convinced she’s Warrior.”
The Prince slowly lifts his hand from Alanna’s shoulder, his previously playful features now turning indifferent. “Interesting.”
“Very,” Desmond states with a serious look, “and that’s not the most interesting of all.”
Keane leans forward in his seat, nodding for him to continue.
“She carries a green agate dagger on her, brother, and she knows how to use it. Father is aware and has given his blessing.”
“What?” Alanna turns swiftly towards the Master Informer, “you ass! Thanks for warning me.”
Desmond just shrugs in return.
“Where is her buckle?” the Prince asks quietly.
“Left bicep.”
“How did you come about this information?”
“The girl threw the blade at me from across father’s study. Her aim is impeccable.”
Prince Keane runs his hand over his jaw again, his gaze angled toward the fire in thought.
“There’s one more thing,” Desmond adds, “I can’t scout her when Golem is nearby.”
“No surprise there,” the Prince nods, “we’ve seen what he can do when he’s with our father. Golems are known to have their own set of magic.”
“That thing gives me the creeps,” Alanna mumbles.
I turn my head to the side and smile at Golem in apology, but the magical creature is too intent on the conversation to care about Alanna’s remark.
“Do you know if the transfer occurred?” the Prince asks his brother.
“I do not,” Desmond shakes his head.
“Find out,” he commands, “I’m not asking you to go against our father, Des, I just want to know if he expects Golem to be returned to him after this trip.”
Desmond gives him a brief nod and looks back into the flames.
“What of her time at court? In the past few years?” Keane continues, “you’re in and out of Bardot all the time. What have you learned of the nature of her travels? What was she doing before our father’s employment?”
“She was originally a Lady in Wait for our mother,” Desmond stares into the fire, “joined the moment she turned eighteen. She attended all the parties and festivals and spent time with the other ladies, though I’ve been told she would oftentimes be caught skipping out of the daytime duties. I know she’s familiar with the full of the court and speaks with both Discerni and humans on a first name basis. She makes it an effort to attend whenever her travels bring her back to Bardot, and she’s quite popular amongst the men there.”
“Suitors?” the Prince asks.
The Master Informer nods his head before turning to the settee.
“Many, brother. Have you seenheryet?”
Keane’s hand flexes over his jaw, his eyes searching for something in Desmond’s as they watch each other in silent conversation.
“Haven’t had the pleasure,” he finally says.
Desmond clears his throat before continuing.
