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"Determination" (L'Renouille) It was late when Jillia arrived in L'Renouille, but she immediately proceeded to the throne room, demanding an audience. "Lady Jillia," protested the seneschal, "The Kind has already retired." "Then wake him," she replied with a glare. "If the King wishes to pull be around this continent like a puppet, let him endure the fruits of his labors." The little man scurried off and Jillia watched him leave, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. The man who called himself her father would not get the leisure of putting off the completion of this little 'extra curricular activity.' Messengers would be on their way to the border before anyone in this castle got any sleep. The King soon arrived and they proceeded to hold full court, even summoning every sleep-eyed advisor. "The Ambassador of Peace, Lady Jillia Bright," she was announced. Jillia walked to exactly twelve paces in front of the throne before curtsying deeply (knowing full well how the cold formalities hurt him). "Your Majesty," she said in a clear voice, "I have just returned from the Jowston City-State of Muse under the orders to write up a treaty of peace between our two peoples. I now present to you the final treaty." She handed the package of papers to a page who delivered it to the King. This session of court was very different than those when she was a child. At that time she'd walk right up to him when she had something to say or show him. Often she would sit on his or mother's lap for the rest of court, quietly asleep by the time it was over. And the courtiers would say how adorable she was and comment on how Ruka had been the same way. And now the man sitting on the throne was not a daddy, he was a King. A King that one treated only with respect, however superficial, and formalities. The King had finished looking over the treaty, just long enough to pretend he'd read it all, and said, "We thank you, Princess, for this new peace. First thing tomorrow morning we shall send word to the troops along the border." "No." The one word surprised the entire court. "The people of Highland deserve to know the state of their homeland, just as the mayor of Muse deserves to have the treaty agreements carried out as soon as possible. I suggest," meaning demand, "that messengers be sent immediately to all border deployments." "I must agree with the Princess," said an advisor who was among those wanting to be on her good side, "Highland must comply with it's treaties if peace is to be maintained." "I disagree, Lord Grey," replied one of Ruka's supporters, "It shows weakness to back down so readily." "Perhaps you forget, Lord Talon," Jillia cut in, "That we have not been backing down for many years. Or perhaps a time longer than this one's life does not seem long at all to one of your advanced years." Oh yes, that one cut deep. The man turned scarlet, but sat down. Suddenly everyone was renoticing that horrible comb over he had. The King finally spoke his decision. "Messengers will be sent to the hostile areas to the south west tonight to relieve the troops located there. In the morning additional messengers will be sent to the other parts of the border." Typical, Jillia thought critically, try not to get on anyone's bad side. But it was satisfactory. "Thank you, your Majesty," she curtsied again and left. Once out of the throne room, the weariness from travel took hold and she continued directly to her rooms.
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