“Just Lord Daniel, Lady Alexis. He is one of our strongest.”
Keane places a mug of ale on the table in front of me. I turn back in my seat and reach for the drink, bringing the liquid to my lips in small thought.
He’s lying.
I saw another soldier moving smaller rocks that day in the same way Daniel did.
Both men watch me quietly as I drink. I decide not to pursue whatever secret they’re hiding and nod with a smile, accepting the comment as is.
“And how about you, Lady Alexis?” Lord Daniel inquires, “barring any questions of the King and your work for him, how do you enjoy Bardot?”
“Immensely,” I smile back at the brunette Discerni, “call on me whenever you decide to visit,ifyou ever decide to visit. I will gladly show you around.”
The Lord nods with a grin, then brings a hand to his beard in consideration.
“I’ve been told that humans and Discerni of Knowledge don’t mingle as openly as we do here in the Court of Warriors…”
“It’s true,” I answer, “while we have the human village of Loughty just north of Bardot, all of the other cities within Knowledge are dual race.Discerni and humans can and do interact, though those interactions aren’t as often or freely given as I’ve seen here.”
“A shame,” the Lord replies.
I shrug softly, responding with the sentiment so often given by the Discerni in my home.
“You’ll outlive us all. I understand why most of the Discerni choose not to engage so openly with humans. I may not agree with it,” I add after a thought, “but I can understand it.”
“And the capitol,” Lord Daniel prompts, watching me closely, “do the Discerni there choose not to engage?”
My mind takes me to court in Knowledge and to the friends and acquaintances I’ve made over the last years serving in the Queen’s Ladies in Wait.
“Some don’t,” I admit, “but others do. I’ve made many friends with the Discerni in the Knowledge capitol, but also respect those who choose not to engage. It is their right as beings of this Old World, magical or not.”
Lord Daniel watches me curiously, his gaze once again glancing to the Prince behind me.
“Your views on life are not what I expect from a Lady of Knowledge.”
“Which is why you should visit sometime, Lord Daniel,” I offer again with a smile, “most of our court engages in these types of debates nightly.”
“And the people of Woodlands?” Keane asks from my side, watching me with intense, questioning eyes, “what are they engaging in?
I take a slow and long drink of ale, thinking of the few Woodlands Discerni that have visited court in Bardot. Aside from my interactions with Troy, the pale Discerni are fairly uptight, watching the night from afar with cold and indifferent glances.
I grimace and reply with another small shrug. “To be honest, I could not tell you, Your Highness. We’ve had delegations from Woodlands visit court from time to time, but they always sit with their own and don’t engage much with anyone else. I tend to avoid most of them when I can…”
Both men give a small chuckle.
“They don’t even appear at our court,” Keane replies, proud of the statement.
“You’re not missing much,” I nod, taking another drink of ale.
“I think I will take that trip to Knowledge,” Lord Daniel leans forward to look at Keane, “perhaps the next time Prince Desmond visits the capitol.”
“So long as you still come back Warrior, Daniel,” Keane tilts his toddy in response, “I have no problem with it.”
I grin at the two of them excitedly.
“Oh, I can’t wait! You really will have to call on me, Lord Daniel. I’ll introduce you to whiskey!”
The Lord’s eyes alight at my enthusiasm, “I would like that very much, Lady Alexis.”
