Walden smiled, as Gareth made a quiet apology, "There is nothing to be sorry for, Gareth. You have done me no wrong, nor done me no harm." Walden replied, his small smile now growing slightly bigger, "Like I said, we have all the time in the world. I'm willingly to wait as long as it takes to hear how you feel." Walden added, scanning around the room, secretly wishing to himself a pitcher of wine was in the room. Not because he was bored, but because it had no became a habit of always have a drink in one hand. Walden focused his attention back on Gareth, holding a reassuring smile, as he awaited what next would come out of the young man's mouth.

"I am scared..." Gareth collected a few small, simple words to start himself off. "I..." He sniffled. "Leid is gone... Redwyne is gone... I don't want to lose Sophia, and I don't want to lose you." This much he could support; he had a good reason to worry about them all. He didn't want isolation again, he didn't want to be left alone in the world. Harker reclined a little more, heat rising to his face in the form of a blush as his tension and nervousness increased. He was solemn as he spoke, and his mouth stumbled to form the words. "I wish I knew... what was going on..."

Walden shifted forward, leaning towards Gareth, "Gareth, I'm 58 years old. I've been with the Order since I was 30. I've seen my fair share of deaths, and have had my fair share of cherished ones pass. You'll never get use to it. Ever." Walden started, as he placed a reassuring hand on Gareth's shoulder, "The only thing you can do is keep moving forward, and keep hoping. I had to watch both my parents die in a shipwreck, while I stood on shore. It was the most painful thing of my life, and I was only 16. You're a lot smarter, and thoughtful, than I was at that age. Aye, Karl Lied is dead. Aye, Sir Redwyne is dead. I can assure you, however. Sophia, nor I, will succumb. But we have a job. Not as members of the Order of the Thistle, but as honest people. We owe it to those people to bring justice to their killers. It's the only thing that can make this entire mess worth going through and fighting through. Justice for the fallen." Walden finished, slightly squeezing Gareth's shoulder.

Gareth nodded as he listened along. "You're... you're right..." He put his hand on the hand on his shoulder. For a minute or two, he cried a little more without any words, but given some time he mustered up enough courage to talk again. "And... I, to be honest... I'm upset Thomas wasn't... who I thought he was." Harker didn't quite yet fess up about having a brief infatuation for Thomas, but the hint was there.

"Most men aren't how we first think they are, Gareth." Walden responded, solemnly. "All I can tell you, is after 10 years of serving along side of Thomas, and know much of his past, he is one of the most honorable men I know. Rash, but honorable. Not very men in the Order take their vows as seriously as Thomas does, anymore." Walden added, with a slight frown, "I can't tell you how to feel about the man, but you should know that I trust him with my life, if it came down to it." Walden, hand still on Gareth's shoulder, stood from his seat, "Everyone deserves a second chance to prove who they really are." Walden squeezed the young man's shoulder tightly before withdrawing his hand. Walden began to make his exit from the room, looking back towards Gareth, "You should take the rest of the day easy, young Gareth. Take a break, and calm your nerves. Relax, and enjoy life." Walden said, giving the best advice he could for Gareth. "And give Thomas a second chance, if you deem him worthy enough." With that, Walden opened the door, and exited, carefully closing the door behind him.

Noah nodded to Wallace's advice. His father had told him the same thing. He was far too young to be getting caught up in all the lies and games at court, and far too vulnerable to do such in a foreign court. "Thank you for your hospitality, Sir Regent." Noah thanked Wallace. Noah looked around the room, finding the left over food still sitting on the table to be a welcome sight. Jerky and potato stew was the staple of Northern food, so Noah didn't get the chance for much else. Noah smiled up at Wallace. "I appreciate everything you've told me. My father always said, an honest man is a good man." Noah said referencing how upfront Wallace had been with his explanation with what was going on, instead of sugar coating it. Noah marched forward, ready to assault the food that laid on the Great Hall's many tables. Noah quickly found a seat, carefully picking a piece of meat and fruit, and placing it on the silver plate in front of him. With his left hand, he also grabbed a pitcher of water, and poured himself a glass. It looked awkward, considering he was using but one hand, but he did a good enough job that he still hid his entire right arm, still.

Sophia nodded with a smile when Thomas thanked her for her cooperation and explained that they would be allowed to leave soon. She didn't sense any deceit in what the man said, but she reminded herself that some people were good liars. Still, she hoped that Sir Thomas spoke the truth. She frowned when Thomas and Gareth began arguing, her eyes drifting to the window. As Gareth agreed to leave, she threw a parting glance towards her friend. Thomas moved the conversation forward. He mentioned the letter being a sort of safeguard against Lyoki interference. She grimaced slightly when Taura was mentioned, and she noticed a look of pain cross Eva's face as the servant stood in the corner of the room. Still, Thomas was right to be worried about such a situation. Logic be damned, if her youngest daughter perished on foreign soil the Empress would likely level the entire country if it meant finding her killers. Sophia didn't make any comment, however, nodding along with what Thomas said about the letter. If they were to leave as soon as he said, there would be no problem.

Sophia's mouth fell slightly agape as Thomas revealed how Redwyne had died. A Lyoki serpent. What a way to paint them red. She shook her head. "No, Sir Thomas, I wasn't aware of how it had happened. I can assure you though, neither myself or any of my entourage had anything to do with this scheme. No serpents or poisons of any kind were brought with us, I can promise you that." She nodded when Thomas explained the situation in which he had found Jezin. "Yes, I understand why such things would look suspicious, but I assure you Jezin only sought my safety, nothing more. As for the courier, I only met her this morning. She seemed to have gotten stuck here when the port closed. Nothing she said to me seemed suspicious, but I imagine you will learn more about her when you question her yourself." Sophia kept her voice smooth, her nervousness being abated by sheer force of will. "I understand that you are just doing your job, Sir Thomas, and I am willing to help with this investigation in any way I can." She paused for a moment, glancing out the window. "In addition... I'd like to apologize for what Jezin said earlier. He has a sharp tongue, and he tends to go a bit overboard with things. I beg of you, please do not take such slights to heart. He's always been that way. He can be harsh, rude even, but he is the most loyal man I've ever met. I have no doubt he'd die for me in a heartbeat. So please, allow me to make the apology he'll be far too stubborn to make on his own."

Thomas smirked while listening to Sophia's apology for Jezin's words, but chose not to address that part of her answers, "Very well. If I have anymore questions for you, I'll come back here. That's all I needed to know from you." Thomas replied, as he stood up, and began to make his way for the exit of Sophia's room. Suddenly, Thomas stopped, and turned around to face Sophia, "I mean it when I say I hope for your quick transit home. Children have no place seeing and experiencing such things as this." He commented, quietly. Thomas paused for a moment, and looked down at the ground, before looking back up at Sophia, "Hopefully you'll be on your way home tomorrow afternoon." He then turned, and opened the door, shutting it behind him as he exited. While Thomas truly meant what he said, he also wanted to get Sophia home for other reasons. Detaining royalty longer than necessary would prompt some sort of action, diplomatic or military. Thomas knew they'd chose the military approach to getting their daughter back home, which would not end well for either side. Thomas was determined to prevent any kind of violence on either side. Thomas sighed, as he walked down the long hall ways, making his way to the Tower of the Thistle, to write his own message, and to send both of them.

Sophia nodded with a smile when Thomas said that her questioning was over. The knight got up, and had begun to leave, but turned before exiting the room. The princess looked at him quizzically for a moment, waiting for him to speak. She listened as he spoke, with what seemed to be utter sincerity. She couldn't help but feel that regardless of what the man had done, there was good in him. She gave a slight bow and looked up at the knight, her yellow eyes glistening in the light. "Thank you Sir Thomas, I deeply appreciate that." The princess stood in silence for a moment after Thomas left, before her servant spoke up. "Your Grace... I saw what you did." Sophia nodded, turning towards the window and staring out across the ocean. She had deliberately sealed the letter with an inverted seal. The flag of the Empire was only flown upside-down in times of distress, and inverting the same sigil on a letter had a similar meaning "I thought you would notice." Eva took a step forward. "What do you think it will cause?" Sophia sighed. "If Thomas is telling the truth, and we're allowed to leave freely tomorrow, it will cause nothing. We'll arrive shortly after the letter is received. If not... then I do not know." She had inverted the emblem to give a bit of insight into the situation they were actually facing. The words Thomas had dictated sugar-coated the situation in a way, and if the worst happened, she wanted her mother to have an idea of what was going on. Eva joined the princess by the window. "I think I might have some idea." Sophia glanced towards the woman and then looked away. She, too, had an idea of what might happen, but it wasn't a concern for the moment. If everything went well there would be no need for worry.

Wallace returned Noah's smile and watched the prince leave for the tables. "It is my privilege." It was a shame really, the nobles without a direct interest in the crown's affairs had bled out of the palace in short order. Now, they were arriving again almost as if to spite him. That was ignoring the latest escapades around the capital, slowly filtering back to him from his remaining eyes. The boy's words came back to him one last time as he turned to leave, it'd been a while since anyone had called him honest. That reminded him, he had some loose threads to tie off. He left the prince and the great hall for the palace corridors. The prince's arrival was turning out to be a valuable reminder that at some point the king would need to be returned, regardless of what opposition the Order would put up against him. To make that growing conflict worse, he could no longer count upon Redwyne and the stability of his administration.

Gareth rose from his chair after he could mentally guarantee that Walden was long out of the corridor. He exited his quarters through the door which he slowly and steadily shut abaft himself with a click of the lock, and the blue-eyed boy ventured elsewhere outside the gates en route to his recently vacated home. Streets were packed at this hour, and on the main road headed east, he barely found the crowd budging. With patience, however, Harker soon found himself back at the property. He had no need for the furniture there anymore—what he really sought were his personal belongings. Busied hands rushed to gather clothes, knick-knacks, heirlooms, and books into two boxes. The first of the two was light, containing only the most portable of items, and the latter was slightly weighted. With a small amount of effort they were stacked and taken into his arms, but he didn't carry them out for long, for he left them just out the door for a moment. In some time, he produced a note indicating his recent move and that the house was open to live in, and he was off on his way to the castle again, him taking longer this time with some weight to maneuver around.

Noah took a huge bite of the peach he had placed on his silver plate, enjoying the taste that was considered a delicacy in the North. As he chewed, he saw the man whom had stormed out of the Great Hall earlier walk back into the Great Hall, then walked out the door. Noah guessed the man had work to do in the town, or some sort, but he did look a little more calm than before. Noah placed the peach down, and grabbed a nearby fork, poking a piece of the meat and placing it carefully in his mouth. While the food had been out for the while, it did not bother Noah. Hot meals were not common in the North, nor were meals where a wide variety such as the one in front of him. Noah was determined to enjoy the every bit of food he could get his hands on. The 3 weeks it had taken him, and his entourage, to make it to Mullen all he had eaten was winter wheat bread, and stream water. Not a diet he was fond of. As Noah feasted on the wonderful food, he would occasionally shrug his right shoulder forward, just making sure his right side was completely hidden.

Thomas eventually made it to the Tower of the Thistle, unlocking the door to the tower, and climbing the many stairs, until he reached the door of an study, which he opened. Sure enough, Sir Jason sat in a chair, reading through a thick book, without his armor, "Sir Jason, I need you to have this message delivered to The Empress of Lyok, as fast as you can." Thomas ordered, tossing the sealed letter in the lap of Sir Jason. Sir Jason brought his head out from the book, and looked up at Thomas, "Will that be all?" Jason responded, his voice dull and low, "I also need you to write up a letter telling the Empress that we will oversee her personal leave from the continent, and write that we wish to not make this an international incident." Thomas replied, leaning against the door of the study, "That will be it, my lord?" Jason turned the letter that Sophia had written over in his hands, frowning as he witnessed the upside down seal, "My lor-" Jason started, before being cut of by Thomas clearing his throat, "I know. Write a letter of mobilization to Taggerung and the Rose. I just want them alerted." Thomas ordered, once more as he began to leave the study. Jason looked back down at the letter, and the upside seal, fearing for what the future may now hold for Mullen, and the Palace. Thomas shut the door of the study, as he left, making his way back down the stairs, now heading to the cells of his 4 prisoners.

Sophia had returned to the Great Hall, Eva in tow. She wasn't to be held in her room, so there was at least one thing to be thankful for. She wondered when the knights Thomas mentioned would arrive, and how intrusive they would be. She imagined having a constant shadow of armed men would impede any kind of privacy she might have had, but she didn't really have a method of avoiding the situation. As she entered the Great Hall, she noticed a newcomer, a boy, probably around her age, who seemed to be devouring all the food the kingdom had to offer. Seeing no familiar faces, she decided to introduce herself, taking a seat across from him. Eva took a seat beside her. "Well, you're new here. Sophia Octavia, of Lyok." She grinned, extending a hand towards the young man.

Gareth returned to his small quarters, and he dropped his boxe, which he promptly began sorting through, on a table. The clothes he stuffed in his wardrobe, firstly, but the books he shelved on the wall and the knickknacks he placed somewhat randomly about the room. In the privacy of his room, he wondered whether Sophia was done or not and whether he'd have anything else to do for the day. His inner ramblings were interrupted by the grumble of a stomach that hadn't had a proper meal all day, and he considered his questions answered. He left the room for the great hall, and once there he found a seat and put together a plate for himself from the food prepared an hour ago for lunch. The meal he made had roasted chicken, bread, and mashed potatoes, and immediately the starving half-elf set to work consuming the lunch—with all manner of public etiquette in mind.

Thomas entered the skinny hallway, not bothering to shut the door behind him. He pulled out the small cell key he had used to unlock and lock these before. He unlocked Jezin's cell, pushing the door open, and without a word moved on to Jorun's cell door, unlocking it as well. He finally came to Alia's cell, unlocking it as well, and pushing it open, "Come here so I unlock your manacles." Thomas said, bluntly, as he placed the cell key away, and pulled out another key. Thomas had no more use for them, for he knew nothing of importance would come from any of them, at least nothing that would help the case with Redwyne. Thomas walked back to the entrance of the skinny hallway, and waited, key in hand.

Noah was taken aback by the sudden appearance of Sophia, and another girl, who took seats across from the boy prince. Noah glanced down at Sophia's right hand in the sign of a introduction handshake. Noah frowned, as he placed down the glass of water he had been drinking. "I'm sorry, madam. I can't shake with my right hand." Noah's voice was sheepish and shy, now avoiding eye contact with the girl. Noah attempted to stiffen his visage, just for the sake of trying to appear like the royalty he was. "I'm Prince Noah Ardian, from Cressen." the small boy was now beaming, happily. "And whom are you, madam?" Noah nodded towards Sophia's guest, who had taken a seat without so much as a word. Lyok. Noah thought, having never heard of such a place, but it definitely had an exotic name. An exotic name for exotic women, the young prince thought, trying to hide a smile at his own mischievous thought.

Jezin had risen to his feet again when he heard the door outside creak open. Before he could say anything, however, his own door was unlocked and opened. Jorun's and Alia's followed in short order. The bodyguard took a step outside of the cell, watching Thomas closely. He was just letting them go? Something felt off. Jorun had been woken up by Thomas unlocking the door, and Alia seemed eager to set free, being the first to reach Thomas after the doors were opened, even though her door was opened last. Jezin looked over the knight, holding his manacles outward as the servants did the same. "So that's it?" Jezin sounded unconvinced.

Sophia frowned slightly, lowering her hand. "Oh, I'm sorry." The boy seemed to have been a bit surprised by her sudden introduction. Sophia listened as he introduced himself. Cressen, Cressen. It sounded vaguely familiar. She had been taught some Estovetian geography before she'd left for Keilaudrin. She couldn't remember it's exact location on the map, though. She was more surprised to find more foreign royalty in Mullen, especially after everything that had taken place. Sophia smiled. "Oh, a prince? I suppose we have something in common, then." She grinned brightly. Beside her, Eva smiled and nodded to the young prince. "Eva, Your Grace, Eva Stonewater... of Taura" The Tauran woman wasn't exactly a socialite, but she sounded friendly enough.

Noah's grin increased ten fold when Sophia mentioned that the two of them shared royal blood. "You don't have to refer to me as 'your grace', Eva. I'm a prince, not a king." Noah remarked, smiling at Eva. Noah then hurriedly turned his head back to the supposed Lyoki royalty. "You're a princess?" Noah exclaimed, obviously very excited at the recent revelation. Noah, being young and isolated in the North, had never gotten a chance to meet other royalty. He only wished it was in a proper setting, instead of a table in a cafeteria. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess Sophia." Noah finally added, with a grin as wide as his face. Noah gripped the half-finish peach he had left on his plate, and took a great bite out of, a smile poking out from his full cheeks as he chewed.

Thomas set about unlocking the group's manacles, allowing them to drop to the ground. "That's it." Thomas said, simply, not interested in going back and forth with Jezin at the moment, "Your charge will be guarded at night by four knights of the Order. During the day, starting tomorrow, 4 knights will accompany her wherever she intends to travel." Thomas explained, resting a hand on Harmony, as he took a step back from the group. "Sophia has written a letter to her mother explaining the situation, and I have made arrangements for you two and your servants to leave tomorrow evening, via carriage. The Order knights will accompany you all the way to the the next port that you can take to Lyok, and all expenses will be paid for." Thomas finished as he stepped aside, allowing the three of them to be on their way from their imprisonment.