With the sense of timing born from years of living in an imperial court, Yasminna waited until a quarter hour after the end of evening prayers before she walked the short distance to his quarters and knocked upon the door. She'd not spent much time with the Gods' clergy until Aislinn and Janus, but she'd noted well how they both seemed to need a bit of time to re-acclimate to the real world after their divine communions and she supposed Atreus was no different.

She realized as she raised her knuckles to rap upon the door that she had been looking forward to this meeting all day, but had no time to dwell upon the possible reasons. His firm baritone voice had already called out "Enter!" and, straightening her spine unconsciously, she did just that.

The smell of eucalyptus and mint oil was barely noticeable but apparent when she stepped into his room. Four candles of even height burned in golden holders, and each one had been placed in a cardinal point. His room was more than neat. It was orderly.

"My lord Atreus," Yasminna murmured, smiling a little. "Thank you again for giving me your time this evening."

"Your Highness," Atreus greeted her and indicated one of the two chairs that were in the room. He then moved to take the other one. "I am sorry if I kept you waiting."

"Not at all," Yasminna assured him, folding herself into a chair with unstudied grace. "I put the time to good use, I assure you. Our brief idyll here is nearly done and we must be about the business set before us. Forgive me therefore, for driving directly to the purpose here -- you know my need is as great as my time is short. How much do you and the Knights of Verengaard know of what has transpired in Sundarya?"

"Honestly, your Highness, we know very little. Your sister does quite a remarkable job of keeping information within her borders. We are a bit concerned that she has not considered the threat of the Racewar to be a concern to Sundarya, and all attempts at diplomatic relations have been surface level and cursory at best."

Atreus paused and Yasminna could sense the tension that lay behind his words. She could tell there was a certain amount of frustration no matter how in-check the priest kept himself.

"We can only hope that there is a West for Sundarya to stay part of if she is ever willing to join the fight."

She nodded grimly, leaning back and crossing her legs at the knees in a posture of some thoughtfulness. "It is neither weakness nor cowardice that has kept Sundarya out of this fight, my lord," Yasminna began, assembling her thoughts. "Rather it has been a dangerous game of internal politics. Her Majesty wishes to join the forces of Light to repel the Dragonlords but there is a strong isolationist movement in the country that wishes it to remain neutral. The isolationists use my uncle as a figurehead for their cause and would replace Shal-Azharah, may the desert winds blow softly for her, to run the empire more for their own purposes and profits.

"Il Nasriyah is the secret arm of Her Majesty's effort to expose the traitors within her realm and I too serve my Empress in that capacity. When my Imperial sister tasked me with this quest, Il Nasriyah also began stepping up its efforts to trick her enemies into the open where they could be arrested and held for execution. It has been some months since I left and I do not know what has transpired there since, but if Shal-Azharah still sits upon the Golden Throne in Kughdad (and I pray nightly that Verengaard watch over and protect her), she will send, or has already sent, Sundarya's might to assist in this cause, I am certain of it."

Atreus listened intently to each word that Yasminna uttered. He knew, too well, the intrigue that plagued gatherings of those who desired to maintain or wrest power.

"I hope, for all our sakes, that you are right," he replied. "The last response to our diplomatic errand returned the same response. 'While Sundarya is aware of and sympathetic to the plight of the other nations of the west, she is unable to commit any forces to aid and assist in a war against the Choshu. There has been no evidence of Dolfanc activity against Sundarya, therefore it would be in their best interest to remain neutral in what seems a conflict between the faear and some of the humans.' "

His expression never waivered as he recited the words as if they were burned in his mind. Nor did Yasminna's for all she was younger and had only a fraction of his experience.

"You know the Choshu were not responsible for the High King's death, my lord. I know you do."

"Aye, Your Highness, I do. I also know that this has been communicated to your sister as well, yet she maintains the facade of neutrality." Atreus then rose and began to pace. "I never liked these damnable games that politician play," he exploded. "Especially when the lives of good people hang in the balance or have become forfeit while the game is afoot."

He stopped, and turned to face her. "Forgive me," he said in a much quieter tone. "I should not have spoken so brusquely or frankly. I am certain that your sister has reasons for her decisions, and your revelation of the turmoil with her borders bespeaks of treachery on a new front. Please do not judge us too harshly for my moment of weakness."

Yasminna shook her head. "I judge not at all, my lord. These are trying times for everyone. You must understand the stakes in Sundarya -- if Shal-Azharah is assassinated or removed from power, Sundarya stands neutralized permanently in this conflict. I have every faith in the head of Il Nasriyah, but he will not move until it is time. If you must have a target for your anger, direct it at those who put their own well-being above the fate of the world. They are the servants of the Lord of Lies, even if they never took oath to him."

"You are right, your highness, of course. Please,let us move past this. I really wish I had some more news about what is transpiring with your sister, but I feel you know more than we do about the workings of your country. Is there anything you wish to know from me so that you may communicate it with your sister?"

Long brown fingers caressed her lips as the young princess thought about that. "I have begun a letter to my sister; the Conclave is providing me with means to insure its secure delivery and I am taking full advantage of it. So feel free to divulge the latest intelligence you have on the dolfanc and Dragonlords -- I am urging her privately to commit all that she can to Freehold so this information will help."

Atreus returned to his seat as he gathered his thoughts.

"Well, you know what we know about the Dragonlords. Tactically, Traugur cannot commit the Dragonlord armies to the war against Nordren and Derugar as long as Northreach is free. Freehold is the very symbol of that freedom. Unfortunately, we are cut off from any aid or supplies once the assault begins. We will be able to hold out for a month or so, but that is about it. Perhaps you can persuade your sister for non-military assistance?"

Yasminna nodded. "That, and more. But do go on, my lord."

"Now, as far as the Dolfanc, we know they have pushed into all corners of the west save Sundarya. They have us divided and fighting them on multiple fronts, yet they have not committed to an all out battle. Traugur and his generals learned much from their defeat in the War of the Dead. They fight with intelligence and not attrition this time. You must convince your sister that if the rest of the west falls, Sundary will most certainly become the target of Traugur. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But he will not rest until he sees all of the west under the rule of his Dolfanc. She must resolve her internal conflicts before it is too late and join the west in war. Praelatus Jovenus has requested an audience with her, but he has been denied. It is our belief that she has never personally received any of his requests. If you could make her aware of his desire to meet, it could prove useful."

"Or she could be saving his life," Yasminna murmured, now dreadfully concerned and aching to get back to her sister and her country; in a rare moment of forgetfulness, she let it show on her face. "Shal-Azharah reveres Verengaard deeply. For her not to receive the Praelatus... my lord Atreus, that is grim news indeed. She either has a traitor in close to her, or as I said, she is worried that he would not survive for long in Kughdad."

Unable to stay in her own seat any longer, the Sundar girl flowed out of her chair and began to prowl the edges of Atreus' chamber like a caged panther. "My apologies, Holy One. This news has put a vise of worry around my heart for my beloved sister. I cannot sit still with it, just now." Oh Azhra, Azhra! Would I were there to protect you!

Atreus watched her pace a moment before he rose and stepped towards her. "Do you trust your sister?" he asked. "Do you think for one moment," he continued without allowing her to respond, "that she would have sent you upon this mission, this quest, if she believed Sundarya would be better served by keeping you close? Do you believe that she would refuse the High Priest of Verengaard if she truly knew of his request for an audience? I do not, and neither should you. Your sister is strong. She is, possibly, the wisest woman in the west. Perhaps she sent you away so that you would not be around during this time, as well as because you were the only one she could trust to send away?"

"I know," she whispered, still pacing. "I know you are right, my lord. It simply does not make the worry any easier to bear, at the moment." Movement helped; Yasminna paced with it until it became bearable, forcing her unruly heart back under her control with unrelenting determination. The ability to master her emotions had been bred into her entire family through centuries of imperial rulership; Yasminna did not sit upon the Golden Throne but she benefitted from the same ancestry her sister did.

Then she did stop abruptly as a thought occurred, and looked at Atreus in chagrin. "I am sorry, lord Atreus. My concern for my sister is overshadowed by the loss of yours." She extended her hands, a plea for forgiveness as well as an offer of comfort. "I can only imagine how good and strong a woman she was by having known Aislinn. Please accept my sympathies, and the condolences of Sundarya in this time of sorrow."

Atreus dipped his head sharply in a gesture of gratitude.

"She is so like Sarah," he said. "Yet she has no idea. The old druid was wise to bring the child to my sister, and the world is a sadder place for her passing. Thank you."

The Knight of Verengaard stiffened again as he turned and walked the table to pour some water for them both. The young princess stood silently and gave him the space he needed to re-master his grief, which she sensed was still quite fresh. He was an attractive and powerful man; pity would never sit well with him and she did not offer it. Just a quiet respect, overlaying a yearning she didn't quite understand and had no time to explore.

"I understand your desire to rush to your sister's aid when you sense the darkness closing in on her," he said without looking at Yasminna. "Sometimes, however, we have to trust the gods. Trust Verengaard in this, Yasminna, and stay the course that your sister has set for you."

"As much as I may wish to rush to her aid, I would not, Atreus," she replied, knowing her sister Falima would scold her for ignoring the older man's lapse in etiquette. "Obedience to her authority is bred in me as deeply as my love for the desert sands and southern jungles. I will see this through, because Shal-Azharah has tasked me to do so."

Yasminna accepted the cup of water from him with a graceful gesture, murmuring the traditional Jabalsk prayer (which translated to "may you never know thirst") before she sipped, meeting his eyes over the rim. "The sharing of water is a blessing in my country. I thank you for it."

Atreus smiled ever so slightly and Yasminna saw something of a familiar twinkle that must be a family trait. "I am not so crass a northern barbarian after all, am I?" he said.

"No, you are not," she agreed, smiling wryly.

"You have the strength of the desert sun in you, your highness, and the wiles of the desert fox pale in comparison. Your sister truly chose well. I have known many an advisor to king that would benefit greatly from your example."

"Aheh, yes, well," Yasminna chuckled, unable to help herself. "I suppose all the rebellious wind got sucked from my sails the day Shal-Azharah found value in me, and showed me that she believed in me," the girl went on, eyes searching his face as she spoke. "She... saw my gifts, showed me how they could serve her and Sundarya... I have never really been the same, since."

Atreus looked at her as she scanned his face. He was intrigued by her, she could tell, but his eyes gave no ground. "Why is it," he asked, "that you were so surpised by your sister's faith in you, your skills, or your devotion to your country? Is faith something that does not sit well with you? You are very bright," the priest continued, "and far from ignorant. You must know your worth. Why is it that your sister's recognition of those qualities came as a surprise? Or is there something more?"

Atreus had his own theories, but the Sundaryan woman intrigued him, and she was a joy to be around.

That smile flickered at the corners of her mouth -- he'd seen the same expression at dinner, when some private thought amused or delighted her and she wasn't worried about letting it show.

"I am the youngest of my sisters, and was only five years old when my parents died in that barge accident." Amusement gave ground to a brief flash of grief, the kind that would never really leave her, but it was familiar ground, quickly traversed. "Largely left to my nurses and tutors, disregarded by most of the court. Shal-Azharah was consolidating her power -- at seventeen -- and my other sisters were preparing for their marriages or just too young to see beyond their own grief. I know this now, but then... well. Pranks and mischief got me attention when being good at my studies and obedient to my nurses did not. It rather escalated from there."

Yasminna's expression softened. She was not the beauty that Aislinn, Li-eira, or Sanyangia was and likely never would be, but in these unguarded moments her face and bearing took on elements of the beauty for which her imperial sister was renowned. "So I spent my youth being told I was disobedient, dishonest, feckless, untrustworthy, a shame to my family and my sister, no better than my ne'er do well uncle, and other things that are painful for even a defiant child to hear. I took it all in stride and nothing much changed until Shal-Azharah finally consolidated her power and turned her attention to her youngest sister.

"It was she who had me watched by Il Nasriyah, slowly had me introduced to them in ways that wouldn't cause me to rebel." Her mouth curled up in an amused grin. "And when I finally confessed to her, at age 18, that I'd been training with them and going out into Kughdad on `secret' missions, she did not laugh at me. She... became.... the Empress, the transcendent mantle of power flowed over her as it always did during state functions..."

The grin had metamorphosed into an expression of wonder as Yasminna relived that moment. "She was majestic and terrifying and so unutterably beautiful. Atreus, I sank to my knees in awe, thought my heart would explode in my chest, and I cried out, fearing her and adoring her all at once. Then she said, and I will never forget this as long as I live, `A princess cannot escape her destiny, Yasminna al'Sundarya. You were born to love and serve this land, and now you will do so in my secret service. Put away your childhood, My Sister, and take up your duties at last.'"

Something of that moment and those words rang in the room in the silence that followed, then Yasminna shook herself back into the present and smiled. "Of course I did. Swore my oaths to her and to Il Nasriyah then and there and have worked hard ever since then to make sure I never, never betray her faith in me."

The light of the thousand candles burned brightly in the chamber as the very young man knelt upon the marble steps. Inch by inch he crawled upon his elbows and knees as he made the submissive journey to the light of the "Sancursallus" that floated above the altar. The pain of the journey was liberating as the young man uttered one of the hundred devotions while he moved to each new step. Finally, the light bathed him and a new world opened to accept him within its embrace.

Atreus shook his head to return him to the present. So wondrous was the story that he felt the urging, the calling of his own youth. "Destiny," he whispered. "And duty. Cur lux pro tu vitae" he whispered. "My life for your light."

Yasminna nodded. They understood each other, it seemed.

"Your sister is a born leader it would seem. You do both your sister, and your country great honor, Princess Yasminna Al'Sundarya. You are most deserving of your sister's love and your Empress' faith and loyalty."

"As you are of Verengaard's," she replied quietly, eyes searching his face for something she wished and feared to find. "May the stars fade into nothingness before either of us finds it in ourselves to betray that." Her hands lifted the cup in tribute to the words and she sipped again, thoughtfully.

Atreus's mind wandered to that spring day when he was at the crossroads of his life. She stood before him, ready for his next move yet not even aware of her own precarious position. He stood before her in the fork of that road. He hadn't thought of Agathail in a long, long time. He hadn't thought about that road in even longer. He felt the warmth of the Sancursallus within him now and turned down the same path of that road again, and for the final time.

Atreus turned away and paused a moment before he looked back at her. "You care deeply for my niece. This is plain for me to see. I am grateful that she found you and calls you tafadhali, friend."

After a noticeable moment of thoughtful speculation, Yasminna replied. "I confess I am a bit concerned about Aislinn. Her understandable grief over her mother's death did not run a true course before it was... subverted," she went on, not going into details. "I fear that it will return to weaken her at an inopportune moment, but I have neither the time to aid her, nor the knowledge.

Atreus then laughed. It was a pure laugh, deep and resonant, yet full of joy and life. There was no sarcasm in that sound, and Yasminna smiled in spite of herself. She watched as the young man became the fatherly priest of Verengaard, and the wisdom return to his eyes.

"You have the knowledge, daughter of Sundar, princess of the desert, and sister to the Empress of the Sands. You simply deny it. Yes, her grief will return, and there is never an opportune moment for it. You, of all people, will know what to say or not say. You, the spoiled rebellious child turned lone hero to Sundarya and confidante of an Empress will be the only one that can truly speak to her. You are not that child any more, and the strength of the Sun is in you. I have only been more certain of one thing in my life, and that is the path I chose to walk. Then and now."

`Then and now.' Dark eyes sparkling, Yasminna laughed with him. "Well then, it appears I must justify your faith in my as well, my lord," she said, and the renewed formality suddenly felt like a return to safer ground. So much to consider in this, and no time! "Will you spare me some moments more to tell me what I must know of Freehold? I am to go there with Tob ap Huwyll, as you heard at dinner. I have a few names of safe contacts, but more are always welcome. I must know what you know of the seedier side of the city, for if there are agents of the darkness there, that is one likely place to find them."

"Your highness," Atreus dipped his head again in the formal manner that was a comforting blanket to the Sundaryan woman. Had she ever thought that formality would be more comfortable than a walk along a precipitous ledge? "Once we are within the walls of the Temple of the Sun at Freehold," he began. His hands thoughtlessly touched his heart and head as spoke the temple's full name. "You and Tob will be brought to a secret passage that will take you from the temple, into the sewers."

The dismay barely registered on her face. Why must it always be sewers?

"From there, you will be able to make your way to the Market District. If there is anyone in league with the Dragonlords as a spy, it is there that you will find them. We have rooted out all that we are aware of, but that does not mean we have rooted all the spies out of Freehold. The Inn that Coren mentioned is in the Market District, for that is where the mercenaries would congregate for tales and drink. The sewers will allow you to enter the district without being seen leaving our Temple."

She sighed, and it was the sound of resignation. "I see the wisdom of it. Is there a map of the sewers, by any chance? I do not relish the thought of getting lost in them, trying to find my way around."

"No worries about the map or getting lost," Atreus replied. There are placards throughout that will keep you informed of where you are in relation to where you are wanting to be. Or not wanting to be."

"Mmmmm..." Yasminna thought it over, her gaze remaining on Atreus as she did so. She did not read Nartuk, and her ability to parse out foreign scripts was only fair, at best. "I'll need to see the lettering for words I'm most likely to see while we're down there, before we go," she finally murmured, eyes softening as she realized she was staring at the man rather intently. "I do not read Nartuk, though I speak it well enough."

"I believe," he began, "that we can provide enough information on the markings so that you and Tob can find your way around while you are down there. How many and what different languages do you read?"

"I only read Jabalsk, I'm afraid." Her brow wrinkled in determination. She was going to have to fix that, and soon. "I speak most of the human languages of the west though."

"No wonder you are able to blend so easily," the Knight responded. There was more than just a hint of admiration in his voice. "I will have one of my acolytes draw up some rudimentary sigils that will help you decipher the markings in the sewer system."

"There are occasional benefits to having grown up in an imperial court," Yasminna agreed, dark eyes flashing droll humor. "If you want to know what is being said around you, you learn how to understand languages quickly."

He chuckled, then paused for a moment. "Do what you can to help Aislinn through these dark times, Your Highness. I wish I could offer her more solace, or allow her the luxury to mourn for a longer period of time. Alas, though, I can provide neither."

She sobered at that, remembering Aislinn's appearance at dinner and her obvious attachment to Giacomo. Yasminna could not make herself believe that her friend's emotions were so shallow that her grief over her mother's slaughter could be mended by a physical liaison with a man like Giacomo. The grief could only have been temporarily masked and that is precisely what worried her so. The timing was all wrong -- something was going to have to give, and she could only pray it wouldn't be Aislinn's strength of will. The priestess was going to need it.

"My lord, I will do what I can." Yasminna's expression was bleak. "I am deeply concerned for her, and for those of my companions who must depend upon her for the next few days." With a deep breath, she added, "I will speak to Janus about my concerns. It is possible he'll be able to steady her until I rejoin our group at the port."

"She has so much of Sarah in her, and even more of Mathern I think," Atreus said although there was still a touch of doubt on the edge of his voice. "The bard, Giacomo, is giving her just what she needs right now, so do not diminish the power of casual contact for her recovery. The bard is a good man, although he probably doubts that himself. Janus has so much on his mind right now, but I know he cares for her as well. You will only be away from her for a few days, so all should be well. I hope."

"I pray you are right." The words were soft, heartfelt. Her love for Aislinn, once so confused, was now settling into something between sisterhood and friendship but even managing to push that aside, the importance of the world's fate dwarfed all that by magnitudes of signficance. It was daunting to consider, even more daunting to know that their only way through it was by the faith in the very Gods that had chosen them all for these tasks. As Atreus had earlier intuited, faith had never been Yasminna's strong suit.

"I should go. There is much to be done before we depart." She straightened her spine, managing to look a little more like a princess and less like a refugee. "I would ask for Verengaard's blessing, Holy Father. Will you grant it me?"

"I would be honored," he replied. His eyes had softened for a brief moment. Yasminna saw a depth to the priest in that fleeting moment, a depth she never could have imagined. He crossed to her and pulled out the golden Sun disc from under his tunic. He placed his left hand upon the disc and his right upon her forehead.

"Most Holy Verengaard," he started and his voice was powerful. "Guide and guard this child as a father would his daughter. Ever light her way and brighten her steps. May she ever be safe in the dark with you by her side."

"May it be so," Yasminna agreed, feeling the gentle face of the sun blossom inside her at his benediction. She opened her eyes in time to see the last of Verengaard's presence fading from him, and wondered for that fractional moment what it must be like to be held by a God so closely. "Thank you and good night, Holy Father. Sleep well. We shall speak again on the morrow, I am sure."

He nodded wordlessly. As she walked the short distance back to her room, the scent of eucalyptus and mint traveled with her.