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Message: <blockquote data-quote="BoldItalic" data-source="post: 6779283" data-attributes="member: 6777052">Fingers went about his business, after making oblique references to broken vases and remarks about the generosity of princesses. Meanwhile, Clotbert said that he would like to visit the temple in the citadel and consult the palace library. He was thinking he might need to be acquainted with the local customs regarding wedding ceremonies, though he didn't explain this to the others. And funerals, too, just in case. Hope for the best and plan for the worst, as it were.BoldItalic accompanied Rylnethaz and Infántilë to see the king again and complete the negotiations. As expected, the king at first refused outright but then reluctantly agreed when Infántilë threatened to burst into tears if she wasn't allowed to go. However, not to be out-manoeuvred, he insisted that a squad of guardsmen should accompany his daughter at all times. They would be led by his most trusted captain, an elf called Mandárion Bluehelm, and would be under strict orders not to render assistance in the quests themselves, but only to act as a royal bodyguard. He made it clear that Rylnethaz had to succeed in the seven quests using his own resources and the king wasn't giving him free soldiers to make it easier.BoldItalic smirked inwardly at the king's demand, but managed to frown and give the impression that this was the last thing he wanted. The king pressed home his advantage, feeling sure that he had blocked a devious and cunning plan to make away with the princess and, probably, demand a ransom. "You must agree to my terms," demanded the king with a look of thunder.BoldItalic sighed and put on a show of reluctance. "Very well, it is agreed, your majesty," he said gravely, "that your guardsman and the worthy captain Mandaríon will neither help nor hinder us in matters relating to the seven quests and in all other matters they are at the command of her highness for the duration."The king glared at him, suspecting trickery but could find no fault with the words BoldItalic has spoken.Infántilë clapped her hands with joy. Turning to Rylnethaz, she said "You'll like Captain Mandárion, he's a sweet old thing and engaged to my lady-in-waiting. That reminds me, I must tell her to arrange with your halfling about my luggage for the journey."That evening, a banquet was held to which BoldItalic and Clotbert were naturally invited. BoldItalic was introduced to Great Aunt Agatha, who was a duchess and who had leanings towards the arcane, and they got on very well. Clotbert was paired with a rather attractive priestess who was so charming that he quite forgot about being shy with women. Fingers wasn't invited but didn't mind because he was in the kitchen sampling all the best dishes before they even reached the tables and collecting unwanted silver cutlery when no-one was looking.Next morning, they all assembled in the courtyard where the Captain was waiting with six elven archers and six elven swordsmen drawn up in ranks. Their mail was polished to a brilliant shine, their surcoats were freshly ironed and the plumes on their helmets were neatly brushed. The swordsmen bore shields blazoned with the royal arms and looked very professional in a cheerful sort of way, while the archers had that fixed expression of soldiers who are forever seeing things in the far distance.The princess herself was dressed in elegant and spotless travelling clothes with a finely-embroidered cape. Rylnethaz noticed that she was wearing a short sword in a green leather scabbard at her waist and asked her if she had been trained in swordsmanship. "Oh, a little," she said modestly, "a sweet old monk called Brother Tranquility taught me self-defence and handwaving. Father thought it might be useful. Of course, I've never had to beat a man senseless, I just let them run away. You aren't going to run away, are you dear? I'm probably faster than you anyway."Rylnethaz coughed.</blockquote>

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