Welcome to Gaia! ::

With unsure concern, the ranger gently placed the gift in the woman's hands.

Unfolding the cloth packaging revealed six petite stones that twinkled in the light of the room, threatening to roll off their woven tray if not handled with care. Each of the tiny teardrops looked as if they could have belonged to someone's former bangle or the outside ring of a larger jewelry piece.

Lady Isley must have been in a good mood whenever she had decided to send this message.

Upon closer inspection, the color of the six matched Lady Isley's usual pattern of gifts. Her cryptic ways of sending news. Four of the gems were clear as air and one red. There was trouble on the horizon in her parts - the red, but it had not grown to something worth action yet - the white.

But there was one black one in the mix this time and of different shape if that meant anything. She'd never sent anything black before.

The ranger stood back and waited to the side to be addressed again before making another move despite having earlier been asked to sit.

The lady sat down again, carefully tilting the stones so that everyone could see. The younger group looked at them in awe, probably having never seen valuable gems before. Lord Hanuvh rubbed his chin, brow furrowed in thought. Finally he gestured at an empty chair.

"Please, sit," he said, "If the Lady trusts you with such a message you are welcomed - and honored - here. I had heard of rumors of trouble with the Borderlands but it seems there are always rumors of trouble from that area. Hopefully it'll remain something out of our concern. But this black gem..."

He reached out and plucked it out of the rest, holding it up to the air.

"Let the kids sell those," he finally said and the younger crowd looked up eagerly, "Use a fence. We don't want them traced back to anyone. But this one... I need to think on this. A black stone. Tell me - Galanmion - do you know what this means?"

He tossed the gem to Otiian.

"Or do you have thoughts on the meaning?"

Otiian caught the gem as he listened to Galanmion speak and at the idea of finding a swan servant sparked his interest at once. "That would definately be a wonderous happening." He strolled over to an empty chair and sat down with a wary grace. He crossed his legs as if he had all the time in the world. "I myself wouldn't wonder if Lady Isley hadn't found a spy in her little web leaking information to people."

And the ranger's face reflected to Hanuvh a passive and collected manner - only after a sharp, short look in the merchant's direction at his accusation, though it didn't seem she worried about it enough to comment.

"I was planning on taking the next few days to rest and restock before finding the road again," Galanmion answered calmly. "Lodging is unneeded, though if you wish we can continue this at another time before I depart." Her grey-blue eyes passed over to the one that had been deemed Lady Alieasy before returning to Hanuvh's face. "You seem to be rather busy at the moment and I do not wish to keep you late with distracting chatter."

In her glance she had spotted the younger group staring, and she inwardly laughed, trying not to do so in person.

"Of course. There are matters we should attend to before bringing up new trouble. You have my thanks, Galanmion, for carrying this message. Feel free to take your leave and rest. I'm sure Otiian can plan a smaller, more private meeting to discuss what other news you may bring with you. We so rarely get travelers we can speak freely with."

The Lady Alieasy stood, kissing Hanuvh lightly as she did so.

"I take my leave as well," she said, "I've work to do tonight, I dare say, and not bad work at all!"

She giggled and trotted from the room, humming as she left. Lord Hanuvh barely paid her any attention. He seemed torn between staring at the ranger and the restless group in the room. Finally, almost reluctantly, he turned his attention to the young adults.

"I trust your shadowing has not been noticed."

The group was unanimous in their affirmation. Absently, Hanuvh remarked to Jay, "We honor the Swan's day in our own way here. The city guard are quick to clean it up, but word about our... tradition spreads fast enough for our purposes. People need reminding that life is brutal and short and a few black swan feathers here and there only help remind the cattle just what they are. And it's -such- an expedient way to rid oneself of a rival. One a year. Convenient, isn't it?"

He smiled almost benevolently.

"But I'll not keep you. We have some boring details to discuss." And he turned his focus away from the ranger.

"Alright we'll let you know if something happens."
-Micheal walked back to the bed giving Roman a last look and then he closed his eyes and open them through the rangers.-