Arlese watched as the other hunter’s milled about, spoke to each other or the king. Some seemed to be familiar to each other; the red haired woman was apparently on a first name basis with the human monarch. There was another curiosity. A pale man she had noticed before who was clearly neither elf nor fully human, yet the aura of a child of the Shade was not present so he was not that wither as far as she could tell. Her curiosity began to peak as a man approached her and spoke softly. “"Madam... the king has inquired of you. Would you care to join him at the front for a brief work and introduction?"
As the large male beside the beautiful woman spoke, the King's advisor turned and nodded to the male, acknowledging the truth of his words. "You are right, kind Sir. It has been so very long since we have had guest in our courts. Forgive me." He turned back to the woman, "Might I have your name to present you to my King, Milady?"
Her words were fluid and soft as she spoke despite her otherwise stunted use of the human language as she returned a nod to the human servant. “I am Arlese.”
The advisor nodded politely and turned to walk her toward the king, the scent of her perfume or perhaps essence itself almost floral in nature.’ As they arrived, the advisor bowed to the king and presented the young women. "Sire, this is Arlese, as requested.”
She bowed her head before the king, as she had before her previous companion, but with a bit more clarity. The king had no secrecy to protect and so she could act differently with him even if his presence was drastically less amazing than that of a dragon. As she raised her head she let her face show from under the hood, gleaming a bit in the light of the room and smiled.
“It is honor to meet you your Majesty.”
Arlese smiled as the King took her hand and kissed it, knowing she had peaked the old man's curiosity. Humans live very short lives but even though the eldest human was but a child in years to an elf they respected the elders of the human world; it was not easy to survive in such violence. "I come from White Kingdom." Her voice was quite, still wishing to keep her race an identity till they left the city. "Your...." She fought for words, attempting to think of the correct title she needed. "man was very persuasive."
He tilted his head to the side, his eyes moving across the woman's alabaster face with a bit of curiosity in his gaze. She was something other than ordinary and he found the echoance of his youth wanting to know exactly what that something was. "I am pleased to meet you acquaintance, Arlese." He extended his hand in an effort to take hers for a small kiss on her long fingers. "Do tell me who you represent as you head out tomorrow to assist us in this battle."
He nodded and felt the desire to dig further as if a great mystery sat at the edge of his fingertips, but knew that it would be rude and unbecoming of his position. "Well, I am very pleased that you've decided to join us. I wish you success and bravery as you forge ahead tomorrow morning."
"I thank you good Lord. It is a most worthy task you have given us." She bowed once again and raised her head before speaking with discomfort. "Lord it is rude but my King requires of me to ask. What does your lordship plan to do with the recovered cup?"
The king felt himself stiffen a little. The cup was a treasure amongst treasure and yet to have someone inquire of it wasn't per sae rude, but showed that she felt herself worthy of the knowledge. Interested. "We plan to keep it in our treasury. My father was a knight of the great table of kings and promised that my ancestors would always protect the cup and keep it from its intended use. I will honor that and give my life to return it to my vault where it will stay until my son can protect it and his son after that."
Arlese shifted then and nodded again to show her respect. "That is great mission...powerful promise of your ancestors. I will inform my King; I hope you understand his well idea....intentions."
The king felt his brow lift. "Your kings intentions? And what might those be, Arlese?"
"The same as you my lord, to keep the cup safe from those who might do harm with it."
The king nodded and made a note to himself to speak with one of his own men to watch the beautiful young woman. Things weren't always what they seemed and she was very much point and case. He bowed again slightly and moved to the side of her to make his exist. "Then your king and I would find ourselves on the right side of this battle, my dear. Please do excuse me. An old man needs his rest."
Arlese bowed and waited as the King moved away and then returned to where the dragon stood, her face disconcerted.