I step up and give a bow, "Your Majesty, we thank you for your hospitality and understanding. In our last meeting you were not afforded the chance to meet a few of our number. This is Jonathan, a warrior of considerable skill, Rachel, the heart and soul of our company, and her bonded companion, Ceasar."

I take a step back and nod to Rachel.

  My pulse races as my turn to speak has arrived.  Smiling at Jason i step forward with Caesar.  I curtsy and smile my best smile when I look up again.  Caesar bows as I have been working with him and steps back a few paces. 

  " Your Majesty, it is a distinct honor to be allowed into your presence.  We have travelled from afar to speak with you. We come from the newly founded kingdom of Lord Douglas. My companions and I are scouts and emissaries for our lord.  Our kingdom's goals  are to build good relations with our neighbors and to work on trade agreements. We have trade goods that you would be very much interested in. From all we have seen and heard your kingdom would be a valuable ally in this world and we offer great value in return.  We seek to live and trade in peace for the betterment of all kingdoms. My companions can provide more details on what trade goods we specialize in if you are interested. " I nod to Jason and Jonathan. 

As Rachel is speaking she can see that the council woman that they had met before is not looking to pleased that she is speaking.  The king sits there listening to Rachel and when she is through he stands up and looks about the room.  "It has come to my knowledge brought to me by these Emmisaries of the Lord Douglas far across the inner waters that this new found lord and country is taking great steps in the war with Merklin.  If he is able to keep those armies at bay then I see no reason why we cannot trade with them.  Maybe send a few mens ourselves to help with the battle against such a foe.  I have discussed this greatly with the council and they are pretty much in agreement that we make peace with this lord Douglas and that we seek to make sure we are on friendly terms.  Setting up trade with both of our countries is a must if we are to be able to freely come and go from the western shores of the seas.  Our war ships will be much better spent out on the sea seeking to find and sink any of Merklins ships before they can get close to our land.  This will also make our country more peaceful and the called up young men and women can go back to their families and spend their time once again at home.  The brave knights of this land will still recuit and keep the peace now that we will have a ally whom will keep Merklin at bay."  At this the audience erupt in praises of joy and clapping.  Many of them look towards your group with hope and more interest than before.  Scanning the group however you can see that a few are neither clapping of happy with this news.  (I need everyone to roll a d20 spot check.)

    I grin joyfully at the Kong's response.  Noting that some in the crowd look a bit unhappy I scan the crowd for anything unusual or possibly dangerous. 7

  Caesar eyes the crowd warily as he always does.  20

After the applause and clapping die down the king continues, "I believe and the council agrees that it would be prudent of us to send a emissary with these fine emissaries back across the inner waters.  After much discussion with the council these past couple days I have decided to send my second son Srathan with them.  He will be accompanied by five guards and three servants to see that he is protected and served as he travels to this new kingdom.  It is both my desire as well as that of the council that we make a faithful gesture to this Lord Douglas and hold out a hand of peace and well tidings in our effort to be friends and allies with the Lord Douglas.  I am sure that we can come up with items to trade between our two countries.  As well as better communication sharing news as well as goods between our new friendship.  Knowing the Lord Douglas will be a front line country in keeping the likes of Merklin at bay I feel we can send them some arms and armor or fine steel stock to his country to be able to keep his army fit and well protected.  It is with this that I have talked to captain Saswalg who says that he will be ready to depart on the morning of the second day from now to travel back across the inner waters.  I feel that the sooner we can make formal contact with the Lord Douglas then the better we will be able to help him if needed as he keeps Merklin at bay from both himself and us."  Again loud cheers and applause greet this news as the king looks down towards Rachel.  He quietly asks if the time allocated is enough for them to be ready to head back across the inner waters. 

I try to keep concern off of my face as I hear this. There was no reason to believe that the journey by sea would be problematic, but the lands between the trading post and the stronghold were still dangerous. Keeping the prince alive and safe could prove to be a major challenge. Unless... 

Get a message to the stronghold, have them waiting with a strong escort when we arrive. Possibly an ambassador to send back on the same ship if the King agrees to such. Yes, that could work.

I nod to Rachel if she looks to me for confirmation. I see no reason for additional delay, and if something does come up tomorrow, plans could change.

  Glancing at Jason I see him nod. I turn back to the king.  " Your Majesty, that will be more than sufficient time for us. Thank you so much for your hospitality and willingness to treat with our kingdom. " I look out over the crowd and notice the councilwoman glaring.  I smile at her and think about the importance of making the return trip safely. 

As the applause dies down again the king continues.  "So with the date and time now settled we will be sending our delegation to the Lord Douglas one the morn two days hence.  Let us all now rejoice in this news and celebrate with friends and family alike."  He claps his hands and severs start coming in with platters of treats while others have goblets on them followed by some with pitchers of liquid to pour into the goblets.  People that have been standing about come forward to greet you and talk about the news of the two countries becoming friends.

I still need the spot checks from everyone.

With a goblet of wine in my hand and a cheerful smile, I happily engage with anyone who wants to chat, keeping the sensitive details of our origin, resources and talents concealed, but otherwise happy to discuss technology, magic and other knowledge. 

ooc - Spot if needed otherwise 6

I will make the rounds of pleasantries with as much grace as I can muster. Soon enough though I'll be seeking out someone to discuss a few more details, the King's main adviser, or perhaps the king himself if he seems open to such a discussion at present.

Either way, the message is the same. "I will be sending a message home ahead of our arrival, requesting an escort to await us at the dock on our side. The lands between there and the city are a bit untamed as of yet, a situation we will seek to resolve in a hurry so that a proper road can be established. I would not expect trouble that our group cannot handle, let alone with the support of the men you are sending, but with the prince in our company I would rather have a few extra hands just to be sure. I suspect that Lord Douglas will also wish to name a more long term ambassador to return here with the good captain. Would this be acceptable to you?"

 I enjoy mingling with the crowd.  Caesar stays right by my side keeping close watch over me.  I will drink some wine and have a good time.  It has been a long time since we could relax like this. 

Before the king stopped speaking the only person to see a figure watching you all before slipping away and heading out of the room.  She did not get a real good look at the person besides it looked female even if they were trying to be disquised as a male.

The party goes on for a couple hours before people start to head out and call it a night.  During the party the king finds Rachel and leads her over to a quiet corner.   He hands her a small dagger that can be easily hid up a sleeve along with a small device that would shoot it out into her palm with a flick of her wrist.  "Compliments of our mother".  He winks and heads back into the party.

My eyes widen at the gift and his reference to our mother.  Could it be? He is a druid as well? I quickly hide the dagger along my arm and rejoin my friends.  

If anyone else has anything to add during the party or after please post it. 

The party is soon at the end as the king stands by the door wishing everyone a good night.  As the party approaches he will make sure to shake the hands of the guys and give the ladies a nice warm hug.  He will make sure that Rachel is the last to leave.   As he gives her a hug he whispers into her ear.  Then you all are out the door and heading back to your temporary house as Emissaries.  The night passes quickly and soon morning is upon you.  You have a day now to prepare before heading back towards your "Home".

I make sure the horses get a good stretch before getting stuck on a boat again for the return journey. Packing my things only takes moments. Once I'm set, I try not to go into my pack more then I need to so not to undo the work I've done. Being ready early I take another look around this city we barely got to know and compared it to the level of commitment we were asking the King and Lord Douglas to make. Still uncertain of the actual threat Merklin represents to our lands, I'm fairly glad I haven't gotten too connected to the land on our first visit and look forward to seeing how this "Second Son" Srathan represents his people while he's away from their watchful eyes.

I'll prep as much as needed for the return journey, reminding Rachel that she needs to stick as close to this valuable prince as possible, to be able to make a quick exit if we get involved in danger as seems likely with the mysterious party-goer who exited so quickly. 

Travis, catches up with his horse again getting her ready for a return journey back to Lord Douglas. Then, gather's his gear and things getting also ready for the return trip on the boat again.

I will send Ping winging its way southwest with an update on the outcome of negotiations here, along with a suggestion to have an escort and a more permanent Ambassador waiting for us at the Trading Post.

The next morning I will also seek out those accompanying the second Prince in order to make sure they are apprised of the situation. "The land between the trading post and the city is untamed, there is not even a proper path, although that is likely to change soon. We have dealt with most of the threats in the area, but there is still reason to stay on guard, even if Merklin has not yet chosen to violate the terms of our last stand off. If you were not planning to already, I would suggest bringing strong horses and enough supplies for perhaps a week in the wilderness."

"You should also be aware that Rachel carries in her possession an emergency teleport Beacon that will transport her and one other individual to the stronghold of Lord Douglas. If you do not object, I will instruct her to take herself and the prince to safety in the event we come under serious attack."

 I listen and smile as I leave the king's presence. I make sure to stay close to the others and Caesar at all times.   Knowing I have an enemy sets my nerves on edge.  

  Returning to our mansion I admire my new gown one more time before putting it away with my other things.  I enjoy the bath one time before we leave and don my adventuring clothing again for our trip. Caesar provides entertainment by trying to sneak food from people's plates without them noticing a 9' gorilla.  

Ping departs with the message back towards the main stronghold area that you call home.  With the journey ahead of him it will be a couple days before he returns to find you once again at sea.  The day of preparation goes well for the most part. Jason is able to find and talk to the princes guards as they are preparing too.  They listen to what you have to say and inform you that they will tell this to the prince and let him make that call.  I will need spot checks everyone.