Rock City · Consul's Palace
"So you think this Little Girl really is Queen Kaila of Xikelaian?" The handsome Youth, dressed neatly and impeccably, sat on a fur-covered bench near the fireplace. A black pipe rested between his lips as he faced away from Rot, watching the flames with a faint smile.
"It is no longer realistic to send someone to Xikelaian to verify it," Rot said slowly. "But two years ago, a trade caravan brought me a portrait of Kaila. Her appearance has not changed much since then."
"But what can a Little Girl who has only just come of age do? Even if she is the Queen of Xikelaian, even if she possesses innate magical talent..." The Youth turned to look at Rot, puffing out a cloud of smoke around the pipe in his mouth. "She is nothing more than a green little brat. She might not even be able to command the regent ministers her parents left behind."
"She is not that bad, actually." Rot held the piece of parchment in his hand and spoke slowly. "And gaining a promise from her costs us nothing. We need to deal with the blizzard anyway."
He walked over to the fireplace, sat on the sofa opposite the Youth, and unfolded the parchment in his hand. "Right now, our..."
Crack--
The small side door was pushed open. A plump figure dressed like a maid poked her head in, carrying a tray.
On the tray were two bowls of fragrant soup and two somewhat hardened loaves of bread.
"Put it there." Rot interrupted the conversation and raised a hand, signaling for the maid to place the food on the small table beside them.
The maid nodded. She glanced at the two men talking, then lowered her eyes to the meat soup