Kasimir had been fairly certain he was going to die, for a lengthy stretch there. He did not think Eleanor was honest in all respects, but he did owe her for that, he begrudgingly had to tell himself. He felt the tension trickle out of him, and yet again he wished he had his sword with him. The weight was comforting and familiar, but it seemed to be occupied at the moment as 'evidence' so he would simply have to go without. 

"Very well," Kasimir said, acquiescing. The men formed two columns around Kasimir and Eleanor, and marched them down the stairs and across the courtyard as men hustled forward to bring more news to the Graf. The palace was large, befitting a great city, but the inner nobility were far more curt in their dealings. Had this been altdorf, Kas would have expected to wait in the opulent lobby for some time, made to stand after a long day and night of socializing and nearly being killed twice. Thankfully, within minutes both he and the Brettonian were ushered into the lesser throne room of the Palace of Middenheim. The greater room was for services, knightings, honors, and holidays. The smaller one was more personal, for inquiries such as this. However, calling it 'small' was misleading. The inner sanctum was still larger than most sizeable residences in the city. A red carpet with purple hemlines stretched from the door to the stairs leading up to the robust chair. Marble statues of two wolves framed the entryway, and Ulrican mosiacs, armor stands, and depictions of battles against beastmen arrayed the walls between the stout pillars. Knights of the White Wolf stood with the Palace's elite soldiers, unmoving as if they were statues as well. 

Boris Todbringer, Graf of Middenheim, the Grand Duke of Middenland, the Prince of Carroburg, known as the "Protector of the Drakwald," "Warden of the Middle Mountains" and "Beloved of Ulric" sat in his chair, staring at Kasimir and Eleanor as they were escorted into the room. His right eye was covered by a black patch, but his left eye gazed at them as an eagle might, penetrating and without mercy for those he deemed unworthy of it. 

"Ever since I was given word you had walked under the great gates of Middenheim, I've heard scandal after story after complaint about you, boy." His powerful voice reverberated off the stone, yet he did not shout. Kasimir and Eleanor settled themselves a few strides from the foot of the stairway, gazing up at him as his voice carried. Boris narrowed his eye, gaze honing in on his estranged bastard. "One might have thought you would have learned the art of subtlety in Reikland. I am beginning to wonder why I sent you there at all, boy." 

"I always imagined it was simply to get rid of me." Kasimir replied, as if he was bored of the lecture already. The men that had escorted them looked at Kasimir with a mixture of concern and outrage. Boris snorted. 

"I had forgotten just how insolent you were." He said, as if he was weighing the option to order a late dinner or an execution. 

Kasimir gazed up at him, a hardness in his eyes, as if they were fashioned out of steel. "Oh, I remembered exactly how insolent you are." 

Hands went to sword sheathes as Graf Todbringer suddenly rose from his chair, one eye blazing. He looked like a wrathful spirit of Ulric, come to bring fire and sword to the world at large. But instead of ordering his men to attack or discipline his unruly bastard, he said one simple word: "Out!" 

One of the palace guards approached, his greatsword still at his back. "But, my Graf-" 

"I've never known you to need to hear an order twice, Hemmler." He said. "Out."

Men began to turn all at once, stepping out of their posts and exiting the throne room through the lobby. Hemmler glared at Kasimir before turning and leaving, obedient to his lord. Eleanor began to move away too, but Todbringer said: "Not you, girl." 

When the doors closed with a resounding clang, Boris Todbringer stepped down from his throne, a threat of a smile on his lips. "You've still got the wolf in you." He said with a tone that held satisfaction in it, and he clapped Kasimir on the shoulder. The tension in the room dissipated like spring water in the summer time. 

"I like to keep it hidden, but I take it out from time to time." Kasimir said, and for the first time, he seemed less rebellious and more like a son. Though it was still easy to see a small friction there, as if neither man knew if they should hug or not, or brush it off their first meeting in years so as not to appear weak. 

"And who is this, your woman?" The Graf asked, nodding to Eleanor. 

"No," Kasimir breathed, as if the very idea was humorous. "This is Dame Eleanor of Brettonia. She is...was, Oderick's lover. She is the one who found him as he was." 

"Ah, my apologies fraulein. I imagine tonight must be intimidating to you." The Graf said with the smallest nod, before his eye fixed on Kasimir. "They tell me they found your sword there, bloodied. They say it is not possible for you to have done this, but they also say you slew Clauswitz in cold blood earlier as well. My spies tell me the latter is a lie, but I must ask about the former, boy. Dif you kill Oderick?" 

"No," Kasimir replied. 

"Hrm," Boris said simply, pursing his lips and nodding. It was hard to tell where his lips ended and his great red beard began. "Very well. Good. Now to you..." He stepped passed Kasimir and stood before Eleanor. Even at such a late hour, he wore his colors over a sturdy breastplate, as if he was on campaign for war. His gaze bore into her eyes. "Speak girl and speak true. Tell me exactly what happened when you entered the rooms. You've nothing to fear from me, fraulein. Not unless you lie."