my father’s colors, complimented my eyes well. At first I did not understand, but then I saw that they did it for most people they liked or respected. These people enjoyed it. It was a social responsibility, to say nice things that they thought people needed to hear, even when they didn’t believe it. I find very little flattery to be honest. The other thing that annoyed me was when people would tell little lies that were meant to protect my feelings. Things that they felt I was better off not knowing the truth of. I grew up in a society where engaging in polite small talk would get the families of any eligible bachelors arranging a marriage. I had to know everything that I could in order to prevent little misunderstandings. What someone might think better left unsaid in my exalted presence, might be the key to preventing a betrothal. You would be shocked to know how many times I extorted or threatened my way out of matrimony.” The way Em’risi looked expectantly at Redzyn when she had finished her oration left little room for him to misunderstand her meaning.
“If we ever take any prisoners, feel free to assist the interrogators. I doubt that even the most loyal of Reigns’ hounds could resist revealing all his secrets to you.”
“I can’t compel you to tell me. There are others that could, but I won’t ask that of you.” Em’risi smiled slightly as she leaned against a rampart beside a guard tower.
“Red hot pincers don’t compare with that little smile of yours. Very well, I will tell you. I suppose you have a right to know in the first place. The Asgare isn’t your common brand of brigand. More like the prince of thieves, or in his case, prince of assassins. Not only in that he is the best among them, but that he comes from a noble house. An heir, or so I am told.” Redzyn paused momentarily as he thought about the possible consequences of telling Em’risi the rest.
“What house?” Redzyn twitched like he was feeling the aforementioned red hot instruments of torture searing his flesh.
“I was just getting to that.” Redzyn averted his eyes when he saw Em’risi’s eyebrow rise questioningly. “House Safrym…” Em’risi started giggling at this point. Redzyn uncomfortably waited for her to regain some composure.
“Uraken of House Safrym. My mother’s brother. A tragic tale, to be sure.” Em’risi still wore a smile that Redzyn found slightly mocking.
“You knew?”
“Balinor told me and if it makes you feel any better, he wasn’t able keep it secret from me long. However, I must ask, why haven't you lectured me on the unsavory reputation of the man claiming to be my uncle? Or were you also just getting to that also?”
“I felt that such cautions would have been insulting to someone with your… skills at reading people.”
“That is truly one of the nicest things that anyone has said to me in quite some time.” Em’risi flashed a smile before entering the guard tower and taking the spiral staircase to the bottom.
“If you already knew, why did you want me to tell you anyway?”
“A test of sorts. I wanted to know if you would tell me. The others that were at that war council were quite spiteful about the Asgare’s title. You are almost… indifferent to the fact.” From Redzyn’s perspective, Em’risi’s eyes almost sparkled as they stepped out of the dim building into the sunlight.
“I have no reason to be threatened by his noble blood. If anything, it binds him to you. And now, if you'll excuse me, there are matters that I must attend to.” Redzyn gave a bow and at a nod from Em’risi, departed. Em’risi was about to return to the Sea Fort courtyard when a shadow shifted at the place the guard tower and wall meet. Turning, she was shocked to see a figure dart towards her. There was a knife in his hand and he moved as fast as Arkis. With only a split second to react, Em’risi threw a tangle of energy at him. Fortunately, it resembled Alvin’s energy enough that the man was deflected from his path. Unable to physically respond fast enough to turn her head and see where he had gone, she slipped into her sixth sense. He was a dark blur ringing slightly off pitch at her left. This time, she was able to construct a better weave of energy. It shifted to a gray color tinged with purple