Author's Note: I apologize, this chapter jumps around more than I'd like. But at least it gives you a little update on most of the characters in the process.

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"Kahal!"

"Greetings, my queen." Kahal stood as the king and queen entered the dining room for the premier's morning meeting.

"Yes, greetings. Greetings everyone." She half-heartedly nodded toward her other sons in the room. "Kahal, why do I hear that you've only seriously met with Lady Biechta one time?"

"I have been exceptionally busy, my Queen."

"Nonsense."

"What your mother is trying to ssy is that while your other obligations are important, this is as well. You need a Queen to partner with and share the burden of ruling and you must make time in your schedule to find one." King Japheth added.

"Lady Biechta is a wonderful female." The queen added. "She has excelled in her education and is well respected among her people."

She is also painstakingly boring, he thought to himself. "I will make time in my schedule."

"With Lady Biechta?"

"I will schedule a meeting with her again, and I promise to be open to such meetings in the future with other potential partners until the right one is found." Somehow, he thought.

"You will meet with her today?"

"I will do as you ask, my queen."

"And go ahead and schedule another within the next three days. I will accept no less than 6 meetings while she is at the grand hall."

"Mother, I-"

"Just try. For me, my son." She glared at him. "Unless you have any other partners in mind?"



~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Lord Kahal..." Lady Biechta's eyes widened before she relaxed them and again became the perfect picture of a young lady. "What a surprise."

"Greetings, Lady Biechta. I apologize for my intrusion but I have a bit of free time and would like to escort you on a walk, if you are free and agreeable to such an activity?"

"Yes, my lord." She said calmly. "That is agreeable."

He nodded and escorted her down the hallway toward the north terrace garden. "I find it hard to sit still after the evening meal, I thought a walk might be an enjoyable activity for us to get to know one another a bit more."

"Oh. Yes. That is a lovely idea, my lord."

Lovely. He was guessing that was her go to word when she didn't know what else to say. He was also guessing that it happened often. "Do you enjoy gardens?"

"Oh. They're lovely, my lord. Especially when in bloom."

Kahal already wanted to scratch his eyes out. He had so many things to do and here he was making small talk with a droid. "Do you have any favorite flowers or plants?"

She was quiet as if in thought.

"It's ok if you do-"

"Oh! Zinels are lovely blooms!" He looked to see there was a row of zinel plants right beside her side of the path. ".. my lord." She added belatedly.

He stifled a sigh and fought to keep his face neutral. "I enjoy getting outside but I've never been one to study plants, myself."

"Oh?"

"No. I simply don't have the patience for it."

"Oh."

"What are your interests?"

"I have studied to achieve the highest levels of education in all of the major fields, my lord. Particularly leadership, management, and historical studies"

"Yes, you had mentioned that at our breakfast. Quite the accomplishments." He paused for a breath, stifling a yawn from coming out. "But what is something you enjoy doing, just for the sake of doing it? For fun."

"I..."

"Yes?"

After a long pause she continued. "My lord, I must admit. I have never taken much time to explore interests outside of my educational studies and learning the skills deemed appropriate for a lady."

Kahal stopped walking and turned to face her. "Was that by your own choice or by your parents?

She looked down and away.

"Or perhaps your uncle?"

"They want what's best for me. We've all worked hard so I may be the best possible lady for my people." She spoke at barely more than a whisper.

"Yes, I see. An admirable responsibility."

We're getting somewhere now, at least. He thought as he began to chip away at her shy, robotic exterior.

"Yes, my lord."

"Tell me, what of when you were a young child. Did you ever enjoy particular games or activities?"

"No, I wasn't allo-"

"Don't tell me." He held up a hand and took a breath as he was now struggling to remain civil, his anger toward this entire situation rising. "Was there ever any particular thing you wish you could have done as a child? If it were permitted?"

She didn't answer immediately but he could tell she didn't have to think a moment about her answer. "I do not wish to seem frivolous, my lord." She whispered.

"I doubt that you could ever seem frivolous to me, lady Biechta. It is safe to share childhood dreams here, among friends." He offered her a slight smile as comfort.

"Well, I.... I used to...". She exhaled and looked away. "No, it's silly. Please forgive me, my lord."

"Lady Biechta." He gently clasped her hand and gave it a light squeeze. "It's ok, I genuinely want to know. Here, I'll tell you this. When I was sixteen cycles I wanted to be a bird keeper. I thought they were beautiful and amazing yet vicious creatures and was obsessed with them. Until about six months later, when I decided I wanted to be a hunter."

(author's note: sixteen cycles would be roughly ten years old in earth years)

"You? ....You wanted to keep birds? And be a hunter?" Her eyes were wide and sparkling and she finally seemed to be more than a monotonous robot.

He chuckled. "Yes, I did. Among many other things. I believe we must learn and explore and know at least a glimpse of all we can. How can we govern over our people to the best of our abilities if we do not have at least some inkling of what our people are doing and experiencing?"

"Oh... I have never thought of it that way." She looked concerned.

"So, tell me. What was it you dreamed of?"



~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You're such an idiot." Rahn muttered to herself as she paced back and forth outside of Poul's, but made sure she was just loud enough so anyone nearby would hear her ramblings. "What are you doing here?"

She stopped and stared at the tavern doors, taking a breath in to channel her inner Lana. "Some creepy male gives you a crazy offer and you actually show up." She scoffed at herself. "He's probably a total perv and just trying to lure you with lies. Or worse, he's a spy for the guard." She shivered at the thought.

"Not in this life cycle." His deep voice came from within the tavern door. He walked out and nodded to her. "I wasn't sure if you'd show up."

"I didn't plan on it." She glanced around.

"Curiosity's a strong adversary." He chuckled.

"Indeed."

"Come." He began to walk down the street.

"We're not going in?"

"No."

"So I'm just supposed to follow a strange man to who knows where as it's getting dark outside?"

"Do or don't, it's up to you." He shrugged

She cursed under her breath but made it a point to do it loud enough for him to hear. She also made sure she glanced around nervously from time to time as they went down the various streets.

"How far away is this place we're going anyway? What's the plan?"

"Impatient?"

"More like I don't trust you."

He chuckled. "Smart. Keep that attitude, it will serve you well."

"So? How much further?"

"We're almost there. Don't worry, no red paint or anything silly like that. Just going to have a chat tonight."

"Couldn't we have had a chat back at the tavern?"

"Too many ears there. And I'm not the only one you're chatting with."

"Really? How many people are supposed to be at this...should I call it a meeting?"

"Just a few, don't worry. We're here."

He stopped and knocked on the door. It cracked open, and a woman glanced around, looking at him. Then her head turned, and she looked at Rahn.

"It's you!" Rahn said, pretending to be surprised. "So you are stalking me."

The man beside her chuckled but the woman simply motioned them in. Once inside the door, it was shut and locked behind them. Well...Rahn thought to herself, I guess I'm all in now.

The woman led them down a hallway before they entered a small room with four chairs, each in one corner of the room. Rahn let out a loud sigh. "This is creepy." She turned to the big guy. "I knew I shouldn't have followed you anywhere." She turned to leave but he grabbed her. She fought him and screamed but made sure to not use any of her advanced training. The man and woman checked her body and clothes over more thoroughly than she would have liked.

"What's this?" The woman said as she pulled a knife from the belt of Rahn's pants.

"A female alone can't be too careful out there." Rahn said angrily at her potential captors. She had made it a point to only bring one knife and to keep it pretty generic. "Obviously I wasn't careful enough." She said as she scowled at the male.

The female nodded in understanding. "Right. Which is why I'm sure you can appreciate our need to take precautions."

The male released her. "Have a seat." He motioned to a chair in the corner.

"What is this? Some kind of secret organization? Am I about to be hazed." She let out a nervous chuckle.

When they didn't respond, she slowly walked over to the corner they had pointed out and sat in her chair. The two others took a seat on the corners beside hers, while the chair in the corner directly opposite from her remained empty.

After several minutes of silence, she spoke up. "Are we waiting for someone?"

She glanced between the two and they just kept their eyes forward, not responding to her at all. So she let out a huff and lay back in her chair, crossing her arms and putting her feet out in front of her as she also crossed her ankles. "I might as well get comfortable then I guess."