The Estril and the Mage

:: Iskrin Orin'Darr "Ah, lady Silmariel, I hear congratulations are in order?"

:: Lady Silmariel Quel'silith paused along her walk when she unexpectedly encountered Iskrin. She looked over the First Estril with an appraising eye for a moment, but smiled. "Yes, I suppose they are," she answered him. "The King has given me a seat on his council."

:: Iskrin Orin'Darr smiles. "Always pleasing to see worthy people appointed to his service," he says with some warmth. "Of course, it would be remiss of me if I didn't ask what your intentions are in accepting his invitation. I'm sure you understand why I must ask." His smile remains in place, but there is a noticeable amount of suspicion in his gaze as he measures the mage in light of this new appointment.

:: Lady Silmariel Quel'silith lofted her eyebrow, that golden gaze seeming to see clear through him. "I'm not sure I appreciate your implication," she said calmly. "Suffice to say my intentions are merely to better the city and the kingdom. If the king wishes for me to do so on his council, then I will do so. What were your intentions in accepting -your- appointment, First Estril? I would be remiss not to ask, you understand."

:: Iskrin Orin'Darr cocks his head thoughtfully to one side and studies her for a moment. "It is of no concern to me whether you appreciate my implication, my lady," he says, his voice calm but serious. "I am appointed by the High King to ensure that all his Kingdoms are ruled carefully and with skill. As I said, I am always happy to see someone whom I admire appointed to the Council. And I am simultaneously duty-bound to know why those people are appointed and why they accept." He smiles and offers a shrug. "This is not personal, lady Silmariel. I am personally," he emphasises the word, "very pleased. I am professionally," that same emphasis, "always suspicious." He thinks a moment longer, weighing her question to him, then decides to entertain it. "To answer your riposte: for the same reasons - I seek to better the High Kingdom and I have a particular love for Ansa`fel, which makes this appointment dear to my heart."

:: Lady Silmariel Quel'silith nodded at that. "Then, both personally and professionally, Iskrin," she answered, the hint of a smile crossing her face, "We are quite alike. I look forward to working with you."

:: Iskrin Orin'Darr returns the smile. "As do I," he says. "Of course, your elevation does make you something of a target. Have the Guardians spoken to you about your security? I am well aware of your magical prowess and, between you and me, I doubt they can do a better job of protecting you than you can do for yourself. But there are protocols to follow in these matters and they will need to brief you on Palace security at the least."

:: Lady Silmariel Quel'silith shook her head. "I haven't received such a briefing as yet. I would be quite pleased to speak with them on the matter, however. I could also get into the habit of bringing at least one of my constructs into the city with me."

:: Iskrin Orin'Darr nods. "So long as the mage guild and the High Wizard agree, I would see no issue with you using magic to provide your own security." He thinks for a moment. "It occurs to me that as the manager of the Bank and Trust, and now as a King's Councilor, you are amassing quite some influence within the city. I trust that your love of the Kingdom will extend to sharing some of your insights into the financial status of the great and the good of Ansa`fel. Of course I understand there is propriety to consider, but knowing who is in debt and who could be pressured by our enemies would be most helpful."

:: Lady Silmariel Quel'silith pondered this. "The Charter of the Ansa'fel Bank and Trust is a thousand years old, First Estril, and explicitly guarantees our right to discretion. Every High King since, including the incumbent, has recognized the importance of our role in building the economic strength of this city, and has renewed that charter without change. I can certainly provide my insights, in a non-specific fashion, but I will not break contractual obligations to my clients. Where there is a clear risk to the city I will volunteer that information as I have several times in the past, but that remains a judgement for me to make."

:: Iskrin Orin'Darr nods. "I would expect nothing more or less, my lady," he says, his words dripping with honey. "Indeed, had you agreed to break contracts of confidences, I would have wondered whether you could be trusted with the information the King's Council is privy to." He smiles. "Test passed, if you like." Then after a moment's pause to observe the mage's reaction, he sighs regretfully. "Sadly, though I am enjoying our little verbal joust, I must call it to an end. I am actually on an errand that cannot wait any longer. I look forward very much to working with you more intimately."

:: Lady Silmariel Quel'silith nodded. "As do I. Do enjoy the rest of your day, First Estril," she answered with a smile.