Roleplay from Selenia JeVondair
Selenia did not ignore Andross or his Forged when they suddenly appeared around her own Fearless and fell in to join her escort. She ordered the carriage to come to a halt and asked the driver to send word to the Duke of Blades to join her. A few moments later, he cantered up, resplendent in his proud arms and armor and a look of grim determination on his face.
"Don't worry, Your Grace, I'm not on my deathsbed just yet." Anymore she thought to herself as she opened the carriage door and beckoned for him to join her. Despite their rather public altercation, her smile was genuine, even though opening the door caused her to grimace with the pain of her wounds. Shadows haunted her eyes, she looked exhausted. Even so, she smiled still.
"Since you're here, we should talk."
-=-=-
Some time later...
When Selenia had returned to Westmore, a flurry of messages baring her royal seal departed for foreign destinations. Among these were missives that also bore her ducal seal, that of Redhaven, and was addressed to the knights thereof. It came as no surprise to the Phoenix Queen that the first among those to answer had been her adopted son, Nemean JeVondair.
Selenia had not taken up a permanent residence in Westmore, but the Royal apartments of the previous monarchy were maintained and made available for her use. When Andross and their combined soldiers had escorted her their, they'd made quick work of settling her in and taking over the local guard detail during her stay. It was thence that Nemean was escorted.
What he found when he was finally ushered into her presence was...new. Throughout his life, he had never seen Selenia as anything other than the picture of vigor. She trained often for most of her life, and it showed. Looking at her now was like night and day. Her robes could not hide all the bruises, all the new scars, from her near-death experience in Bescannon. They could not hide the weight she'd lost wasting away as her body and the healers fought off Death. He'd never seen her look so...weak.
Selenia, however, seemed unaware of her condition, or at best determined not to let effect her. Smiling broadly, she rose and opened her arms to him. He did not miss the wincing as she did so, nor how she favored her right side over her left.
"My son" She greeted warmly, hugging him. "Is it just you then? That's just as well, I suppose. Better, even. We have not had time together lately anyway and there is much to discuss."
-=-=--=-
Nemean was just about to speak when a knock sounded at the door behind him.
"Dame Aria to see Her Majesty" came the gruff voice of the door guard.
"Have her come in," Selenia called over Nemean's shoulder. To him she said "Abide a while, son. I will want to speak with you individually as well"
