Tamalyn: Journey to Herself

[Lord Palatine]

"I'd say that this latest raid was from some of our friendly robber baron merchants," he grinned.  "Using the fighting as a cover to steal the cargo."

[Milady Kim]

"Probably true" she admitted knowing they needed the spices so badly that they would want to believe in an improbable shipment. "So, now what? I am at a loss as to what I should do other than listen to reports and worry about what might happen" Tamalyn admitted to Amrick.

[Lord Palatine]

"There's not a lot more we can do," Amrick replied.  "Not and remain neutral."

[Milady Kim]

She sighed, "I know, and I working to keep my frustration about this under control. My father said to learn from this, so far" she considered, "I have learned not to use armbands."

[Lord Palatine]

"At least you have," Amrick shrugged.  "Apparently they are being most obliging to our archers in that regard."

[Milady Kim]

"I would hope that I would have figured that out on my own" she smiled at him. "I am going to go watch things then read this trashy book I found today" she held up a book titled 'The True Tales of the Men Stormy Loves. The unapproved unauthorized biography.' "It looks terrible and completely inaccurate, but it is selling like hot cakes in the district."

[Lord Palatine]

"Going to learn how to be famous enough to get your own bodice ripper written about you?" Amrick laughed.

[Milady Kim]

"It isn't a bodice ripper" she shook her head, "it is all about her being in love and spurned by my father" she smiled at him, "apparently everything she has done had been in reaction to how he treats her. Like I said it is inaccurate, but from the brief glance I had the time line of her life is fairly correct." Tamalyn shrugged, "I think that it will be interesting to see how events can be altered by misconceptions. Good night Amrick" she said taking the book and turning to leave, "if I find out anything good during my watch tonight I will let you know" she promised leaving. Tamalyn went up stairs and collected Whiskers, "tonight" she told the little dog, "you get to come upstairs with me. I have missed you" she said carrying the squirming dog.

Once in her room she relaxed on the bed and pet whiskers while letting her mind wander about the rebels looking for the rebel commander in the city. Tonight she was pushing harder in her efforts to locate him, always before she had only done coursey examinations into the city rebels.

[Lord Palatine]

"Eventually she found a small group of men, all sitting around a table with a map stretched over it and reading scribbled notes and pointing.

[Milady Kim]

She read the notes and studied their map, she also identified the men in question.

[Milady Kim]

After she did this she turned her attention to her book. She tried to read it as if it was correct, but found herself smiling and laughing at some of the suppositions. There was much of it that Tamalyn knew was false, but there were times when she could understand where the errors could be seen as true. All in all, Tamalyn found the book oddly enjoyable, but she would never recommend it to anyone else.

As she finished the book she smelled the distinct scent of her special blend of tobacco. Tamalyn closed the book and picked up whiskers then made her way to Oldwine's room.

[Lord Palatine]

Oldwine was relaxed, sprawled in a chair in a state of nature, his feet soaking in a small tub with herbs floating in steaming water as he puffed on his pipe.  He grinned at her as she entered and reloaded his pipe.

[Milady Kim]

Tamalyn accepted the pipe silently and lit it. She laid down on his bed on her stomach her head facing the foot of his bed and facing him. Whiskers was st next to her. She took a second toke, then handed it back to him. She laid there silently resting her head on her hands eyes closed.

After an hour of silence she finally spoke, "I found the cities rebel commanders" she told him everything she had found and observed.

[Lord Palatine]

"That could be tricky," he replied simply.

[Milady Kim]

"I didn't tell you so we could do anything about it" she said turning over and rising from the bed. "I told you so you would be forearmed" she picked up her dog. She kissed Oldwine, "now I am going to bed. Thanks for sharing your pipe with me. Good night" she said running her hand up his chest and over his shoulder. Then she slipped from the room and went to her own room and climbed into bed.

In the morning Tamalyn reported the same information to Amrick. "I want to go surprise someone today" she said changing the subject completely.

[Lord Palatine]

"Someone?" he asked, "as in anyone or a known someone?"

[Milady Kim]

"A specific someone" she nodded, "you said that people like surprises, he requested a surprise" she shrugged, "we are at a standstill here until things calm down. It seems like a good time to go pay a surprise visit. I will be back in time for dinner, so no one even needs to know I am gone" she added.

[Lord Palatine]

"Do I get to know where you're going?" he wondered.

[Milady Kim]

She gave him a long look, then cocked her head ever so slightly. Finally she spoke directly into his mind. 'I plan to go to the palace to surprise the king, I will probably have tea with the queen as well.' She sat at her desk and outloud she said, "I finished that book, it is funny in many ways. For instance, did you know that Stormy went to work on The Lucky Lady because my father told her to leave the country because he wanted her away so he could court my mother in peace?" She grinned at that, "like he would have needed to do that. Also, the reason she and my mother are not closer friends is because Stormy is jealous that my mother won my fathers heart. Like I said, it is kind of funny."

[Lord Palatine]

He nodded at the unspoken portion.  "Whoever wrote that book actually never met anyone in it."

[Milady Kim]

Tamalyn nodded her agreement, "but they have good dates and general timelines, at least for Stormy. They are less accurate on my parents timelines. But then this isn't a book about them" she added with a shrug. "It was probably written by some obsessed fan of hers. I am not entirely sure how Stormy handles having so much attention given to her." Tamalyn turned to him, "did Breecher or Oldwine tell you about the people yesterday? They were waving and cheering to me, I had to pass candy out to little kids because they were following me. It was a little nerve wracking to have so many eyes on me. Stormy has to deal with that no matter where she goes, I don't know how she can do it every day."

[Lord Palatine]

"Get used to it," he shrugged.  "It'll happen to you in time.  Why do you think your father rarely walks in public."

[Milady Kim]

"He walls in public quite often, just not as himself" she admitted, "I will keep that option in mind." She considered something, "if I bring guard someone might know I was there or gone from here, I think they should both remain here. I should be as safe there as I would be here, safer probably" she added.

[Lord Palatine]

"Don't get in any trouble," he said with a slightly sour face.  "Things are going so well, under the circumstances and I don't want that to go to shite."

[Milady Kim]

"I am not making this trip to get into trouble, I have never attempted to cause trouble or avoid my guards. I do not plan to start now" she assured him, "I will bring then to me if anything happens or I will return home. Which ever will keep me safer and cause the least amount of an issue." She smiled at him, "I don't think anyone would describe me as a trouble maker or risk taker" she leaned closer to him, "in fact, this is probably the biggest risk I have ever taken. The though that I might be discovered is very daunting" she considered carefully, "and sort of why I want to do it" she explained. "I am sort of at a loss as to how to start though" she admitted, "if I tell him first, it isn't a surprise. If I just show up, it could be too much of a surprise. Should I let him 'feel' me for a moment or two before I come?" Tamalyn felt silly asking, but didn't want to get caught or create a scene.