"Indeed I do," replied the Royal Guard, dismounting the horse slowly. They raised their brows at the sight of Prince Tol in the distance, letting out a sigh of relief as they looked over the immediate area, with a,
"He hasn't. Uh. Harmed anyone yet? I take it?" Shaking their head, the guard handed over the parchment.
"I believe it may be of interest to you, good sir, as the Queen herself said foreigners were expected. Due to the late hour, it can be assumed she is readying herself as well as the King for audience with. Ah. Whoever this is-- if I'm to be honest, I'm uncertain this is the correct ship, but she has her ways of determine that. Undoubtedly detailed in here?" Shrugging, the guard then moved toward the Prince, calling out,
"Prince Tol! I believe Her Highness requires your presence back at the castle." This wasn't exactly a lie but it definitely wasn't truth. Clearly this guard was trying to prevent a... situation.
Within the letter handed to Head Guard Val, there were very specific instructions to read aloud to the crew-- in the case that any of them were illiterate-- that would act as a deescalation of sorts. It would help reassure them that they were welcome, that the King had expected them, that they were to be treated as honorable guests, and that they needed to be escorted to the castle immediately. Signed at the bottom was the Queen's signature, alongside mention of a reward for escorting them to the castle.
Prince Tol Anzi-de Carragua
@AnyAlexWhile Prince Tol has made a clever plan, the fact that he was gullible pretty much made that plan worthless. He completely believed Marcus' accent as well as his story.
"Ah, very well then, carry on my good man," replied the Prince. Just as he turned to continue down the docks, he noticed Head Guard Val's absence, then found himself turning around again. Was he talking to a Royal Guard? Where had that guy come from? Shaking very subtly, Prince Tol stared at the two, just as the Royal Guard called out to him.
A whine-- like the noise of a hot teapot-- escaped Prince Tol before he yelled back,
"For what?! I am about to handle a situation here!" He was very much whining at this point,
"How do they expect me to go there when I have to handle things here? Look, man, look at this ship! I have to handle this! His Majesty will be most impressed with my handling of this-- even HER HIGHNESS," he said the words with a hiss,
"Will be impressed with my ability to handle this!" Prince Tol shook-- no. No. He was not going back, not now, when he was so close to doing something diplomatic and useful. Abruptly and without warning, he turned and began sprinting toward the foreign vessel down the dock. They never trusted him to do anything-- he was second for the throne! Second. Which meant that he had to at least prove he could handle diplomatic issues. Whenever he had the chance, they never let him, and he was not about to miss out on this one, just because they wanted him at the castle for something silly.