Kal sat thoughtfully a moment longer, Serell hovering to the side of the throne, the scribe fidgeting with his writing instruments.

The throne room was relatively empty, no other audiences had been scheduled for the morning, and other than the alert guards flanking the doorways, the only other person in the room besides him and Serell was a maid sweeping up the dust in the corner. 

Kal had always liked the stories of the Hobin Rude as a child, the grumpy-yet-kind bandit king who defended the innocent and fought injustice. He had fantasized about being Hobin's trusted ally, and when he was young he would play 'Knights and Bandits' with the other noble boys at the court, with Kal always taking the role of the bandit leader.

It wasn't till later that Reinoldus told him his soldering tales about dealing with bandits, cruel men who were too dumb or twisted to be able to be a functioning member of society, instead resorting to self-serving violence to get their way. And after what Tamlyn (Son of George) had said, Kal was dubious that the 'Turnip Bandits' would be gruff yet honest champions of the meek. 

	[color=00a651]"Brother? What did you say to that farmer? He practically threw me against the wall as I passed by him."[/color]

Lifting his head, Kal turned and saw his younger sister, Drevala, enter the throne room and stride towards the throne, the green skirts she wore as a sign of her order rustling behind her.

Only three years younger than him, Drevala had been one of Kal's closest confidants and playmates growing up, and he had missed her sorely when she left ten years ago to become an ordained priestess of Spaldi, the kingdoms patron god. Even though Kal had known her fate growing up, all of the eldest royal daughters must become ordained, her leaving had come as something as a shock to him. 

Despite the separation, the two continually sent regular correspondence to one another, and Drevala returned to court for important events, including her brother's birthday. 

Springing up out of the throne, Kal rushed down the steps and embraced her. 

	[color=f7941d]"Hello, sister, and a good morning to you to."[/color]

She laughed, a bright sound that made Kal wince and regret his hangover. Kal noticed the strength of her embrace, the muscles in her arms were far more defined than he would have expected. What sort of training did these priestesses have her doing?

	[color=00a651]"Forgive me, Kal. Mother wished to speak with you, and I volunteered to find you. It seemed important, though she didn't say what.[/color]

A slight cough came from behind Kal, and he turned to look at Serell, who was once again fidgeting with his implements, and struggling to make eye contact with Kal.

[color=00aeef]"Aah, forgive me, sire, but I feel it necessary to remind you that Tamlyn (Son of George) will likely be wanting to hear your solution to the Turnips soon, lest he take slight. [/color]