Mr. Hops arrives, following Jules.

3 Thrax Guards leaves, following Jasher.

2 Whitehawk Guards, Cabbit, a nub-tailed tabby cat arrive, following Bedivere.

Octavian, a silken spaniel, an aid in Kennex livery, 2 Kennex corsairs arrive, following Zoey.

Zoey has joined the a gilded sofa near the hearth.

Lord Bedivere shows up fashionably late with Cabbit on the shoulder of his knightly tabard which ultimately indicates he is of the Knights of Solace, of course. He does not speak but does give a curt nod to those he knows.

Yvette sits curled up in a plush seat by the fireplace, fixing a frayed braid in her red hair, and she looks up curiously to study people as they come in.

Zoey sneaks in about as well as someone with an entourage can. She finds a seat for herself at a gilded sofa, then tries to subtly wave Mikani and Rysen over.

Esme suangers into the area and then looks around the area to find a seat. Her smile radiates to any that might look in her direction, but she seems eager to hear the tales.

Arriving at the Gilded page is Iroh, a recently returned member of House Keaton. He looks at the many faces who are already present, but he finds a seat for himself to be in a good spot to listen to all of the stories and maybe even tell a few himself.

Esme has joined the window seating by the stacks.

Yvette has left the overstuffed armchairs around the fireplace.

Jules enters into the Gilded Page silently and with a cane, there's not much of a limp but a little bit of one. His eyes scans about as he moves into the area and looks for a seat among the crowd.

Yvette has joined the overstuffed armchairs around the fireplace.

Bedivere has joined the overstuffed armchairs around the fireplace.

Rysen and Mikani enter the Gilded Page with Lygeia and Mikani's enormous entourage. The Crovane lord has lent his arm to his wife, and the pair seemed steeped in conversation, "...actually put it to your mouth? Gods and spirits, I hope we never hear the history of all the hideous stains carried by that rag. I hoped Lady Zoey might get him to burn it, but -" Catching the wave of Zoey, Rysen laughs warmly, and he and Mikani make their way to the Lady of Kennex's side. He bows, and says, "Good to see you as always, My Lady."

Svana walks in and searches for a familiar face in the crowd. Seeing Jules, she smiles at him and waves before moving to choose a seat. Something a bit more solitary would suit her but she saunters over to a seat like a cat getting ready to bask in the sunlight, keeping her head held high.

As Lord Bedivere takes a seat in one of the arm chairs, Cabbit hops down from the man's shoulder to his lap where that cat perches with a glance to those who join them there before lifting up and licking one paw. Meanwhile, Bedivere pets said cat with his left hand (which proves to be his only hand, even).

Svana has joined the overstuffed armchairs around the fireplace.

Mikani laughs, "I swear to all the Gods and Spirits that's what he told me to do. I even have a face mask that would have done the same thing. It's the reason I have one." Mika assures Rysen before she greets Zoey with a warm hug. She isn't the one for formality.

Ilsa, despite having not visited the library before, seemed to know the trick of such places, and she both kept moving *and* kept a weather eye out for a place to sit. As she walked through the room, her expression brightened, something between relief and surprise, as she made a beeline for the fireplace, promptly and unceremoniously plunking herself down beside Yvette, offering the Lady a winning smile. That done, she leaned in to whisper, before she turned to watch the parade of people also stepping inside.

Skaldia slips in quietly, casting a quick glance around. She offers a little nod of greeting to the room in general, and a curtsey to those entitled, and the sidles over to the window seat, tucking her legs up with her.

Mikani has joined the a gilded sofa near the hearth.

Skaldia has joined the window seating by the stacks.

Briar, a quiet young woman arrives, delivering a message to Esme before departing.

Ilsa mutters, "This ... the ... ... thank the spirits for a ... face, Lady ..."

Ilsa has joined the overstuffed armchairs around the fireplace.

The sound of different pieces of plate touching each other indicate Gaspard's entrance. The knight briefly greeting those already there as he moves to take a seat nearby the catalog in a quiet study of his surroundings.

Gaspard has joined the table and chairs by the library catalog.

Yvette grins in similar relief when she sees Ilsa come in, and plumps a pillow, tossing it into the seat next to her, for her Crownsworn friend.

Zoey stands to accept Mikani's hug and bounces into a shallow curtsey for Rysen before gesturing for both of them to sit with her on the sofa.

Rysen has joined the a gilded sofa near the hearth.

Kit, the grey fox, Primus, First of Monique's Assistants, 1 Greenmarch Guard, Tertius, Third of Monique's Assistants arrive, following Monique.

When she enters the front room of the Gilded Page, Alessia's drawn to the very comfortable looking arm chairs around the fireplace, making her way swiftly. She smiles at the familiar faces in the room before setting down, removing her cloak.

Alessia has joined the overstuffed armchairs around the fireplace.

Jules catches sight of the waving Svana and waves with his free hand and begins to make his way over towards her at the armchairs near the fireplace. His expression is reasonably cheerful and bows before sitting down next to the group there, trying to be as unobtrusive as possible at this point.

Jules has joined the overstuffed armchairs around the fireplace.

Merek makes a way into the place, looking about!

Rysen's hand falls to adjust his peace-bound swords before glancing over and noticing Jules. He flashes a grin, and pulls a face he oft uses on the battlefield, before striding over to the talented servant. "Ah, the legendary mercenary Jules Fabron. Have you found yourself a new employer yet, traitor?" He tries very hard to supress a smile, failing miserably, and quickly falling into laugher. "How have you been, Master Jules? And who is your friend, if I may ask?" he says, turning to Svana.

Monique arrives, with both Primus and Tertius close on her heels, both assistants laden down with tomes and folios. In her own hands, the Minx holds several bottles of whisky which she judges as she looks to the crowd already formed. "Oh, well. This might not be enough. We'll just raid the special collections room if we get desperate. Hello, all. I'm so glad you could make it for a round of Eurusi tales. What with all the unrest and unsettling talk of crusades, I thought it might be prudent to share what I've learned, though of course it must be said that my knowledge has limits and to keep that in mind this evening."

Ilsa looked away from the cat of the moment, as the clear hostess of the event arrived, calling the crowd, well, mostly, to order.

Ryhalt smiles as Monique greets them and nods to her disclaimer, settled in to listen regardless.


In the back of the gathering, nestled into some cozy corner and using her retainers to intentionally obscure her from view somewhat, Princess Katarina Valardin is quietly observing the gathering. She's almost literally curled up into a chair, striking a decidedly feline posture and resting her chin in one hand, one finger pointing up along her cheekbone thoughtfully. Perhaps she's just curious to learn a little bit about Eurusi culture, at long last!

Monique gets Monique's Thorn Games Rules.

Esme watches Monique as she talks and then looks to listen to the stories that are told. Her lips curve up a bit and she drops her voice to her seats and Skaldia.

Iroh looks up to see the hostess, Monique, finally arrive! He seems to smile a little bit to himself as he watches onwards. He lifts his glass of tea to herin respect to the lady of the house as it were, before he falls back into plain silence.

Isabelle, who is just so tired of everyone's nonsense, Sam, who is a boy and definitely not a princess in disguise, Roland, the worst bard in Arvum arrive, following Niklas.

Isabelle, who is just so tired of everyone's nonsense have been dismissed.

Roland, the worst bard in Arvum have been dismissed.

Ilsa has left the overstuffed armchairs around the fireplace.

Ilsa has joined the overstuffed armchairs around the fireplace.

Rukhnis slips very quietly in through the door of the Gilded Page, stepping to one side of the threshold as she pauses to scan the room very intently. Her dark eyes make one keen pass across the various faces arranged around the different seating areas, and then begin the same searching sweep all over again. The conclusion of this visual inspection leaves the Eurusi woman looking more tense and obscurely anxious than she had when she entered, and she sidles herself over to a spot against the wall in a sort of no-man's land between seating arrangements.

Svana dips her head in respect to Lord Rysen as Jules does the introduction, smiling. "A pleasure to meet you, my Lord."

Mikani watches Rysen and murmurs back to Zoey with a slight smile.

Skaldia murmurs a reply to Esme, voice low, and then straightens a bit, watching with interest as Monique starts to speak.

Rysen smiles warmly at Svana, offering a few quiet words in reply. When Monique begins to speak, he returns to Mikani and Zoey on the sofa, though his eyes pass to Rukhnis, and he gestures and invitation to the sofa, should she wish a place to sit.

Monique claims a space by the fire, but she doesn't sit. Instead, she waits for Primus and Tertius to deposit their books before her and then passes off the bottles to her assistants. They circulate, offering Nightgold's Finest to all, and taking stock of the faces present. "No Prophet?" Monique teases, before lifting her own glass of whisky to the room. "I thought we'd start with the very basics. The current Dune Emperor of Eurus, Emperor Al'alah'ryk, whose story is most closely tied with our land, born as he was to the name King Alaric III."

Yvette glances up from what seems to be: playing with Cabbit the Cat at the seats around the fireplace, giving Rukhnis an openly curious look and a slight head tilt.

2 Pravosi Honor Guard, Intruder, a juvenile Oakhaven bloodhound arrive, following Sebastian.

Merek notices Rukhnis, his longcoat offered to Meeka and he makes his way to the woman, with an incline, and a wave, while he finds a place to settle in to listen, "Heya," he says, blinking a bit at Monique's words.

Ilsa's eyes tracked Rukhnis's movement through the room, lifting a hand in friendly greeting, just as the stories began, indicating a seat that was still free by the fireplace. The gesture did not need words. She was welcome to join.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Esme before departing.

Ras skulks in, both hands pocketed, and looks around slowly from under the shadow of his hood. He catches sight of Rukhnis by the wall, and takes a few steps in her direction, but then notices Rysen wave her towards the sofa and pauses awkwardly.

"Gods and spirits, Lady Monique," mutters Rysen when the Stonedeep whiskey is passed his way. Glancing at Mikani, he says softly, "Is there anything better than wisdom and whiskey?" He raises the glass to his lips, and Mikani whispers something to him. He suddenly begins to cough violently - forcing himself to breathe slowly for a moment, watery-eyed, before turning to Mikani and rasping, "Is she certain?"

A little smile touches Iroh's features when he hears that the first story will be that of Emperor Al'alah'ryk. He remains silent though, but as he looks about the room, he locks eyes with several people and gives each of them a friendly nod here and a kind wave there. It should certainly be interesting to see how this one is told!

Esme laughs at something asked at the seats with her. Then she glances towards Monique. "Way to jump right into that one." Her lips curve upwards to that as she looks around a bit. Her green eyes are flashing with delight at how this is starting and she's watching reactions.


Katarina, while remaining safely away from the center of attention, does sit up from her kittenish slouch at the announcement of the story's subjects. Her golden eyes stay fixed on Monique, and there's a very faint furrow in her brow -- not from upset, but from sheer attention.

Surely no one's surprised by Sebatian's lateness: one could almost time him by how long past the start of any given event he might turn up at. Sweeping into the room in his usual silks, declining the offer of whiskey from one of Monique's assistants with a wry look towards the Lady Monique, mouth twitching, before he strides towards the window.

Brows shooting up when Monique drops that bombshell, Alessia glances around. "How... did you find this out? I knew he was Arvani... and King Alaric did go missing..." She pauses as she takes this in.

Sebastian has joined the window seating by the stacks.

Gaspard lifts an eyebrow upon listening to the name of the Dune Emperor, almost letting the glass of whiskey pass by him unnoticed. As Monique goes on, he can't help but raise the second eyebrow, she has his full attention now.

Mikani laughs softly, "Considering I have to pass up the whiskey ...." She frowns a bit before murmuring something to Rysen and then something to Zoey.

Standing on Bedivere's lap, Cabbit the Cat bats away at the trinket taunting him via Yvette's hand.

Skaldia stops whispering long enough to glance towards the fire, brow furrowing. Did she just hear what she thought she heard. Confusion written on her features, she's clearly listening to hear more about how exactly that can be true.

Rukhnis's eyes flicker among those various acknowledgements, and she makes a vague courteous head-tilt that seems to acknowledge them in turn. Rysen in particular gets a long and perhaps contrite look, but one in which she also seems to be trying to convey something to him without words -- doubtless with a complete lack of success. She shifts her weight uncomfortably, but it's then that Ras comes in the door, and her gaze snaps very swiftly towards him instead and fixes him with a look of muted concern.

Apparently the Dune Emperor's identity is old news to Zoey, who appears much more interested in her hushed conversation with Mikani.

Niklas steps in and without bothering to glance around heads over and drops down into the overstuffed armchairs, offering genial nods to those he knows, and one very excitable and potentially embarrassing wave to Zoey, before slumping into a boneless mass in his seat.

Niklas has joined the overstuffed armchairs around the fireplace.

Yvette is very successfully hooked on the story introduction, staring at Monique. Cabbit the Cat takes advantage of this distraction to hook a claw in the hair-charm and she yeeps softly, rescuing her braid from his attention.

At that look, Ras moves to join Rukhnis, edging close, both hands still pocketed as he slumps against the wall. His head seems to shift to watch Monique and listen. It's a fascinating subject! His expression is difficult to see through the crowd in the library and in the darkness beneath his hood.

Zoey grins and waves back to Niklas.

Esme brightens as she sees Sebastian joining her table, although a gaze is tossed towards Gaspar before conversation resumes at the table.

"It is said that King Alaric III died on his return voyage home from the Tyde Rebellion, but the previous Master of Questions, Berthold Ruger, resigned his post so he could investigate 'something deeply disturbing' that he simply didn't trust -anyone- with," Monique elaborates, clearly pleased by all the staring, vain Minx that she is. "And Berthold sailed for the Dune Kingdoms of Eurus for a lead. It was said that his ship didn't make the journey, for such travel has been lost to us until recently. But some time later his daughter received a letter, marked with Berthold's personal seal, and delivered by a close, trusted family friend. It proclaimed that the destruction of the King's Flotilla was almost certainly a hostile act, that the answers lay east, in Eurus, and finally, he wrote 'but fear the return of kings.'"

Atop Bedi's lap, Cabbit jumps slightly about that yeep and tries to hold on to Yvette's trinket as much as his curling paw can, but then he has to let go because human beings are better at acquisition of items than he.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Gaspard before departing.

Yvette scritches Cabbit's ears in compromise, but her attention is riveted on Monique in fascination. She whispers to the cat, "Fear the return of kings? I wonder what that means."

Rysen's expression changes when Monique mentions Berthold Ruger. The Crovane shifts in his seat, and sets down his whiskey: the Minx now has his undivided attention.

Rukhnis studies Ras with the acutely penetrating clinical-physician gaze to which most of her patients are ruthlessly subjected, the set of her mouth tightening faintly. She nods slightly to something he's said quietly to her, and murmurs back to him in response.

Svana is listening quite intently to Monique at this point, her head tilted toward Jules as she enjoys her whiskey. Her eyes have a deep curiosity in them that is fixated totally on the storyteller.

Iroh listens quietly, but he does look over at everyone else as she speaks of this story. Fear the return of kings? Why would such a warning be given in such an ominous manner? Very curious it is.

Merek listens along, while he shifts his attention away from the greeting to the place as a whole.

Ilsa, clearly fascinated by the story, pulled the pillow around to fluff it in her lap, leaning in to listen as this new, to ehr ant least, history of a notable figure was recounted.

Ryhalt listens intently, his face thoughtful.

Seryna, a charming Lycene handmaiden, 6 Grimhall House Guards arrive, following Vanora.

Looking quite shocked, Skaldia is engaged in a hushed conversation with her neighbours; although she does keep one eye on Monique, ready to listen for anything more.

Since he is being taunted by a charm WITH a feather now, Cabbit hops down from Bedivere's lap and makes chase after that, speeding closer to Yvette and making a great leap up into the air with a paw swipe at the feather bit (which is not likely to be caught without just sliding through his claws)!

"Speculation, but it is possible that Berthold is a captive of the Dune Emperor, and not yet dead," Monique adds. "And I wish I could tell you how Alaric III fell to the Abyss, or what happened on the seas, but I'm afraid that part is a limit on my knowledge. And since very few merchants come from the Dune Kingdoms he has conquered, and most only know him as the Dune Emperor, this was not easy information to find. However, a name made its way here, and we have heard that he is Emperor Al'alah'ryk, the Emperor of the Gray Sun, Herald of the West and Bringer of Justice. He Who Was Drowned, He Who Has Been Reborn, Fist of the Prophet, and First Scion of the Mirror, Third of the Greatest. Some merchants say he claims 'the sunset lands of Arvum as his own'."

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Niklas before departing.

Merek nods a bit while he listens, then notes a few things.

Yvette has to be careful when playing with the rambunctious cat- the charm he's after is attached to a braid in her hair. But with great skill she manages to listen to Monique and entertain the tiny creature simultaneously.

Iroh mainly just falls into a silence as Monique speaks of Alaric the third and the Abyss, but he seems to ponder for a moment. "So it would appear a new threat is on the horizon, hm?" the comment is all but a mutter as his hand rises up to stroke his chin.

Rysen listens to Monique as she speaks. His grey eyes then shift for a brief moment to Niklas.


Katarina stays sat up in her chair, tucking some of her long curls back behind one ear, as if that might somehow improve her hearing capacity in some extraordinary way. The Valardin Princess's expression is a hard one to read, which is odd, for her. Though 'someone listening very intently to a story, and thinking about it as she listens' is probably a good guess!

Gaspard bides his time to process all the new information, trying to memorize all the names for future reference. "I'd say the threat has been there for a long time, my lord." He remarks to Iroh's comment, "But now we can name it, which helps dealing with it properly."

Mikani sips her tea as she listens to Monique.

Ilsa *was* listening. Even if she did lean back now and then to speak to the small group with whom she was sitting. Whatever the ominous nature of the story, it was interest and intense curiosity that brightened her expression.

Vanora has joined the window seating by the stacks.

Ras shifts against the wall, and unpockets both hands to fold his arms loosely. He continues to watch and listen quietly from beneath the cloaking shade of his hood.

Alessia has left the overstuffed armchairs around the fireplace.

Nallah, a buff-looking tortie cat with green eyes, Sirra, a very quiet maid, an indeterminate number of cats, 3 House Mazetti Guardians leave, following Alessia.

Nallah, a buff-looking tortie cat with green eyes, Sirra, a very quiet maid, an indeterminate number of cats, 3 House Mazetti Guardians arrive, following Alessia.

Alessia has joined the overstuffed armchairs around the fireplace.

Monique settles on the overstuffed arm of a chair by the fire and signals Primus, who steps forth with a sheaf of papers. "Here, Primus has a war report from Eurus, that tells us the status of what I most currently know of the Dune Emperor's conquests. I cannot promise it is the most up to date information, but, better than nothing, I hope, to aid in telling this sad story."

Rukhnis listens to Monique in somewhat brooding silence, the expression in her eyes dark yet lit with an obscurely ominous smoulder. Folding one arm in front of her, she props her elbow in that hand and rests her chin in the other, but this very partial obscuring of her face doesn't do anything to conceal the tension in her form.

Ryhalt nods slowly as if some picture is coming together for him.

Although there's a distribution of whiskey over by the window, Sebastian shares it to those with him, and deliberately doesn't claim a glass for himself. When Monique's assistant comes around with the paper, he gives the man a brilliant smile, thanking him by name.

Merek looks like he's taking notes with a journal book which he keeps with him, it looks like a tome though is sized alright. He does write along, nodding a bit. He doesn't offer input while the information sharing is being offered as well.

Rukhnis raises her chin from her hand to accept from Primus a copy of the report, which she peruses with a stony look. Her mouth twists faintly and at one point in her reading she practically vibrates with a pronounced tension, but then just as suddenly it seems to subside and she simply frowns down at the floor.

"So, you see the spread laid out before you. The Emperor is not well loved by all, but he is feared by enough. And he has powerful friends. The Prophet of the Sands, the fractal known as Obsidian, is chief among them. He leads the Magisters of the Mirrors on behalf of the Dune Emperor. Perhaps, and this is only a theory, mind, but perhaps he is the true power, and the Emperor a figurehead. I can only speculate on this. But he is not the only friend the Emperor possesses and his story is the story of another night. The White Singer, too, for another night after that! But let us speak now of the Emperor's Vizier, who travels with him wherever he goes. They say that he is a man whose voice echoes of death and emptiness. A powerful ally to have, no?"

Ras has unfolded an arm to receive a copy of the report from Primus, and tips a nod to the tall man that sways the edges of his hood. He takes a little longer to read the parchment than most might, but lifts his head to listen to Monique again - and there's a slight twitch of anticipatory tension in him even though his face remains mostly concealed.

Ilsa would take the reports as they were passed around, reading in silence and obvious thought, but she forestalled any comment or question she might have been inclined to offer. Now as the time to pass information. Questions were clearly for after.

Merek checked willpower at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

Merek looks thoughtful with the information he is given, and nods a bit, but doesn't show a lot of emotion, still he frowns a bit.

Ethan had arrived a little bit late, but, when the reports are passed his way he takes his time reading them, gleaning as much information as possible -- and, scribbling a note or two with a small pencil he carries with him on a piece of his own parchment.

Iroh seems slightly disturbed by the words that have been spoken. Though regardless, he listens as the stories continue to unfold. He accepts the reports that are passed around and he reads them diligently.He doesn't seem intimidated all the same, but this was quite the serious information to reveal.

Yvette probably SHOULD be disturbed by what she's hearing, but the nineteen-year-old just looks blatantly fascinated, as if she were hearing a fairy tale and not what is likely the cause of countless state officials' sleepless nights.

Mikani looks up from her notes as Damien steps forward and whispers something to her. She murmurs something to Rysen before she quietly slips off.

Mikani has left the a gilded sofa near the hearth.

Damien Pierce - A Charming Assistant, 1 Redreef Warden, Vagari The Cinder Cat, 1 Order of the Firebird, 2 House Crovane Guards, Biorna - The Protective Mastiff leave, following Mikani.

Alessia has left the overstuffed armchairs around the fireplace.

Nallah, a buff-looking tortie cat with green eyes, Sirra, a very quiet maid, an indeterminate number of cats, 3 House Mazetti Guardians leave, following Alessia.

Nallah, a buff-looking tortie cat with green eyes, Sirra, a very quiet maid, an indeterminate number of cats, 3 House Mazetti Guardians arrive, following Alessia.

Alessia has joined the overstuffed armchairs around the fireplace.

"Now the Emperor sends Prince Damik'uhl'daja with a fleet to Sungreet, but who is this Prince Damik? What do we know? Precious little, I'm afraid. He is one of many Princes and Princesses, all clamoring and bickering and fighting one another to be chosen as the Emperor's heir, but he is not the Emperor's son. Rather, Prince Damik is the son of the Vizier," Monique adds on, her crimson brows drawing together. "And it is highly likely that they may all be tainted by the Abyss. This is not a certain thing, but it is a likely thing."

Ryhalt frowns to hear this, but nods slightly as he hears Monique's supposition.

Ras remains near the wall beside Rukhnis, and doesn't move very much except to fold the report in one hand in half and stow it inside his vest. There, he folds his arms again, watching Monique from beneath the shadow of his hood.

Finally, now seemed the time to ask questions, and so, looking away from the fire and towards Monique, Ilsa spoke up, "And what is known about this Dune Emperor's family? I do not mean what you've shared, but his own sons and daughters."

Primus moves to share copies of a folio with those who desire it, and she offers, "This is the work of the Archscholar Sina, who I have worked with to discover this information, and to her a great gratitude must be given, for compiling the information to be shared. There is, of course, much more to be known of the Dune Emperor's allies and enemies, but those will be stories for another night." She finishes of her whisky, and turns to Ilsa. "I'm afraid I've not studied his lineage, but of course, chiefmost would be our own King, King Alaric IV, who is his son. But I think perhaps Grayson would be able to tell you his lineage better than I."

Monique is overheard praising Sina: A font of knowledge and wisdon

"Abyssal or not," interjects Prince Niklas, "I pray that Duke Ivan gives the Templars reason to storm Sungreet and put the whole family to the sword." He sits back and crosses his arms. "I only wish I were there to see it happen."

Ras checked composure at difficulty 10, rolling 15 higher.

Merek checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

There's the barest shift of Ras' hood towards Niklas, but he does nothing else.

Yvette checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 10 lower.

Merek looks Niklas' way too, and just squints a bit at his words.

Yvette stares at Niklas, her mouth hanging open by an inch before she closes it again.

The discussion of puting families to sword gets a raised eyebrow from Ethan, but for now the man stays silent, keeping his own counsel on the topic for the time being.

Ilsa's head dipped in a small bow of respect to Monique, "Thank you for your tales and the work of the Archscholar which you have shared. I knew nothing much of these subjects before now. I fear I will feel as though I know even less in the days to come."


From her semi-hidden seat in the back, Katarina is frowning softly. More than just frowning; the lower of her lush, full lips is currently looking slightly less lush and full because she's worrying it with her front teeth. She doesn't even really seem to notice Niklas's comment, or the commotion -- it's only when one of her retainers quietly says something to her that she shows any evidence of being present in this reality at all.

Rukhnis accepts a copy of the folio as the notes are passed around the room, but for the time being she doesn't even look at it, and only keeps her head lowered. Where so many others appear shocked by Niklas's words, she merely looked resigned and as brooding as ever.

Rysen glances at Niklas, and raises his whiskey. "To Ford and Asger. May they see justice." He throws back all his remaining whiskey.

Niklas offers a tight nod in Rysen's direction, but otherwise ignores the looks he's getting.

Noticing the shifting mood in the room, Skaldia looks around, hanging back in her seat by the window, and showing little but curious concern in her features.

Monique looks to Niklas, and her own brow rises, just one. "Have we been friends a long time, Your Highness? And have I not done deeds for you that many others would not? I ask you to take care with your words, lest you fan a flame that might damage any hope of giving our allies in Eurus allies of their own." The words may be slightly cryptic, but the way Monique's eyes catch and hold Niklas's are heavy.

Esme blinks a moment and looks towards Niklas for a moment, but there isn't anything read on her features for that comment. She opens her mouth as if to say something and then closes it. Then she opens it again. A breath. "I pray that we don't lift our swords to any of our own. That breeds only more. Death breeds death. Love breeds understanding. I respect your path, but it is not one that I back. Not that my opinion matters. There is always change. To doom a whole family for one person's choices seems to be the end of paths. The oaths of fealty and honor hold up. Though, I appreciate your sharing of your views." She drops her voice to her table.

Svana has no immediate reaction to Niklas or his words, instead licking her lips and looking toward Monique. "Thank you for a very informative night."

"Perhaps such words would be better offered directly to the Highlord Victus... to whom Duke Ivan owes his allegiance," Prince Sebastian observes from by the window. "Especially if you are putting your hand up for a front row seat, Prince Niklas."

Gaspard has his arms folded in a stern posture, though he nods in agreement to Ilsa's words, "I will be honest and admit I knew nothing about them. I'm glad I was able to be here today and perhaps someday I'll be able to return the favor and share stories pieces of information of my own." He says, turning to observe the situation regarding Duke Ivan.

Yvette twines a silver charm around her fingers as she toys, nervously maybe, with her red hair, glancing from person to person and absorbing the different personalities in the room, as well as gleaning the political situation in tiny fragments.

Sebastian is overheard praising Monique: Wise and generous with her knowledge.

"Prince Victus is well aware of my thoughts on the matter." Nilas glances at Monique and gives the slightest of nods, waving down someone for a drink rather than continuing with the conversation.

Jules has left the overstuffed armchairs around the fireplace.

Mr. Hops leaves, following Jules.

Mr. Hops arrives, following Jules.

Jules has joined the overstuffed armchairs around the fireplace.

"Then I wish you well on your trip to Sungreet, Your Highness," Prince Sebastian says with a smile. "And thank you, Lady Monique, for an enlightening evening." He pushes to his feet, so that he can offer her a bow. "You are truly generous with your time and knowledge."

Monique dips her head to Niklas in return, a low bow, and then turns, smiling for the room. "I thank you, one and all, for coming this evening to hear these stories. I hope they have helped you to understand, at least in part, what we face beyond our borders in the Dune Kingdoms. If you're eager to speak more, find me? I'm only too happy to share my thoughts, as most people know," she adds, laughing softly. "And I promise you, there will be more of these, as I am able, though with the Tournament of Thorns, you'll have to forgive me if they are sporadic."

Vanora steadies herself on Sebastian's arm and rises to her feet as well, looking a bit paler than usual. "Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge." She echoes her cousin in Monique's direction.