“Understandable. Even the finest of artifacts can’t compare to life’s most precious gifts. At least that’s what I’m told but I believe nonetheless.” He wouldn’t fault Cathrine for putting some of her passion elsewhere for the time being. Her children were important to her and Kyrel would respect that wholly. [“Hopefully once my expedition takes off, you’ll be able to add some of the items I found into your collection.”

At some point before his leave, he was sure that he would bump into her daughters since they were in and out constantly. He was a man of his word; both sides would benefit from his travel and would do his best to convince the other Queens to favor the idea like Cathrine did. It looked like he would be pulling a late night in getting himself prepared to present to them tomorrow.  Fortunately he had all his parchments and such; it was just a matter of getting his ideas together and organizing them properly. “I do wish to thank you for your hospitality. It won’t go unrecognized, I assure you, milady.” The food and wine were delicious, and he graciously took his fill of them both. “Then let us pray that I am allowed to seek out the ruins then.” He rose his glass at her before downing the last bit of the wine.

Kyrel thoroughly enjoyed Cathrine’s company throughout the night as they talked. He felt more and more at rest in her company and the time just flew by for him before she went to bed. He walked with her and waited until she retired into her chambers before he retreated to his own. “Good night…Cathrine “

He went to his stuff and unloaded the parchments and quills as he started to work for the next couple of hours before he went to bed and caught some sleep. When the morning came, he quickly got dressed in a dark blue shirt and trousers and was about to lace his boots when he heard the Queen’s voice. “I’ll be right out in a moment.” Once he was prepared, he gathered his things and came through the door. “Do not apologize. It’s fine- I work better on an empty stomach anyway.” He smiled and saw her appearance. “If you don’t mind me saying, you are rather dressed beautifully today. Is this a part of the customs or no.” Then it hit him that he was going to be around her sisters, who might as well be just as pretty as she was. He was getting slightly nervous over this, but his mettle would merely be tested by it. “I am ready whenever you are.”

“Don’t we all?” She chuckled just slightly at the empty stomach comment as she smiled towards his compliment. “No, not at all. Though I raised if you are going to appear in the Courts you should at least dress the part. Something my parents tried to teach all of us, some of us weren’t so lucky to learn it.” She had Toya’s face in her head as she made the comment.

The Purple Court Queen took his arm in hers as they made their way through the courts. “I DON’T WANT TO GO BE WITH THOSE STUCK UP BITCHES IN DRESSES. BLAINE YOU PUT ME DOWN RIGHT NOW,” Toya was slung over Blaine’s shoulder beating his back as he carried her towards the castle.

“Oh… and it begins.” Cathrine said it as if someone had died. “That is Toya, she is the youngest. My parents never got a chance to properly raise her and she is a tad wild… like the fire that runs through her veins.” The eldest chuckled a bit.

Strolling behind Blaine and Toya were Angela and Lily whispering to each other and laughing while they watched the show with their youngest sister. “The red head is my sister Angela and the blonde is my sister Lily.” Lagging behind them was the newest queen Kirika and she was more like a shy doe as she watched her aunt throw a tantrum. “That is my niece Kirika. She just became queen of the Black Court not that long ago. By far she is the best person to hold a conversation with when wanting it to be serious.”

Once inside the castle, the five queens took to their seats which were circular around each other. Toya was more plopped into her and she was sitting with her arms crossed glaring at everyone. Cathrine put a chair next to her for Kyrel. “Toya don’t look so miserable. You won’t die…” Cathrine chuckled.

“Blow me, you damn well know I don’t want anything to do with being queen.” Toya spat out as she glared at Angela.

“Well… The spirits seem to think otherwise so until your happy ass dies you better damn well like it,” Angela smirked at her as she leaned in the chair. “It would be boring without you. I think I’ll keep you alive forever.”

Cathrine rolled her eyes a bit and made a noise. “Attention savages, if you will please listen to the proposal that Master Kyrel has for us that would be wonderful.”

“Savage is a little harsh isn’t it sister?” Lily spoke up. “The only savage here is Toya.”

“I don’t know… Aunt Angela prods her enough to warrant being called a savage too…” Kirika spoke up with a laugh before making a motion at her aunt Cathrine to continue. “Sorry, you can say your proposal now Mister Kyrel. I am afraid that we’re all a tad wound up this morning.”

"I wanna be in my god damn bed." Toya was heard hissing out almost silently.

Kyrel smiled and followed Cathrine’s lead as they went to the main castle. He was a tad nervous having to deal with so many royals at once. Especially when he had to get the approval of most, if not all of them. He was able to handle dealing with one, maybe two of them at a time; but five? This was going to be a challenge with all of them relatives and apparently their attitudes clashing.

One of which he had the luxury of encountering en route. He saw a strong looking blonde man manhandling a much smaller woman. A very crude woman at that. Kyrel kind of grimaced as he watched them go back and forth. “Now, now, a few hours won’t kill ya. Then afterwards, you can proceed in your damn gossiping about husbands and lovers and what may you…” Blaine groaned as he continued to fight with her to get inside. “A lively one, I see”, he whispered to the eldest sister. “Maybe if I’m lucky, she’ll want to agree with my plan so that she can get out.” He chuckled a bit at his joke before taking notice of the rest of them. “Angela…Lily…Toya and Kirika. Maybe I’ll have my work cut out for me…but I can pitch it.” His nerves would have to be steel right now.

Inside, Blaine stood by on the sidelines, and watched as the Queens got settled down into their seats as well as their new visitor.  

Waiting for the festivities to die down, Kyrel moved to begin the meeting with all eyes on him. “Yes, I came here from Mamlak to propose the deal that I made to Cathrine yesterday. I am part of an agency there that collects and seeks out ancient artifacts. In any sense, we have acquired information of some ruins of a palace that is located in the desert. It is actually in Sularia’s territory and before we can start an expedition, I was sent here to gain your approval as we do not want wish to disrupt any future relations between our cities.” He undid some of the parchments and maps and showed them off while pointing the location of the palace, the estimated size, and some of the history they had reported. And then he explained the deal of offering an alliance, trading and whatever they would be able to find there.

“I do hope that you think well of our proposal and if you fear that anything may go wrong, then I’d like to request that Lady Cathrine come with me then. That way, she can foresee the expedition herself.” His eyes went immediately to her as the words left his mouth, knowing that she could likely use this as a way of setting her foot out of the city and explore.