Scene: Queen's Bedroom, Sun Tower, Royal Palace, Cairhien. Near midnight.

Characters:
Adelina - Queen of Cairhien
Lyren - Queen's brother, hier to the Throne
Miri - Queen's Attendant
Bryn - Commander of the Palace Guard
Corendor - Guardswoman of the Palace Guard (and the only one I might add)

Adelina lays in her bed, asleep, wearing nothing but a shift and the thin silken blanket - white tonight. She's alone, which is a good thing. Though she was foolish and left the window open to let air in. Bad, bad Queen.

The 'intruder' grunts as he pulls himself up and through the window, and his feet hit the ground, then his knees... He remains there, fighting for breath for a moment..

Adelina, always having been a light sleeper, is awakened slightly by the sound. She doesn't move though and does not open her eyes to check and see what it is, or who it is.

The man in black slows his breathing till it's silent again, then, on quiet feet, he approaches the massive bed upon which the Queen sleeps..

Adelina moves slightly in her bed, apparently a sleepy motion, just one someone does when they are stirred or wish to get in a more comfortable position.

Lyren reaches the bed side... a dark, gloved hand slowly reaches towards the Queen..

Miri pushes in a fresh tea cart.

Miri says "The servant made the tea improperly again, Majesty. I took it upon myself to prepare it myself this time."

Miri looks at the man briefly, then her Majesty. "I see. " A deep breath. "GUARDS!"

Adelina starts awake at the sound of Miri entering and notices the man. She blinks quickly and reaches for a knife under her pillow.

The man clad in black freezes, his hand just grasping her majesty's shoulder. His eyes widen from beneath his cowl.. and.. well.. he has no idea what to do..

Miri picks up one of the teacup plates, preparing to hurl it at the man. "I would stand down."

Adelina gets her hand around her knife and holds it awkwardly in front of her. Guards from outside are already beginning to come inside, though most look startled and tired, many are ready to do what must be done for their Queen. There's a lot of distance to cover to the bed though.

The man clears his throat slightly, slowly reaching his hand away from the queen, then slowly up to his cowl.. "I can explain..." begins a very familiar voice.

Adelina blinks and lowers her knife, "Lyren?"

Miri isn't willing to take chances. She hurls the tiny plate at the black hood.

The cowl nearly drops.. but unfortunately certain flying saucers have different ideas, and he's forced to dive to the side with a yelp..

Adelina raises her hand and motions towards Miri, "He's unarmed, stand down." She looks down at the figure, "Is that you, Lyren?"

Miri says "Treason is treason, Majesty."

The figure remains crouched, as if wondering if he ought to risk occupying his hands should another plate fly his way.. The shattered remnants of the maid's first plate lying as now mute testament to how hard she can hurl them.. "Burn me... this is the first time a practical joke has ever backfired on me /this/ badly.." Yup.. that's the prince's voice, alright.

Adelina shakes her head and laughs, "Good going Miri. You finally foiled my brother's pranks. And it is not treason for my brother to grab my arm. He did no harm and he meant no harm." She yells to the guards, "Call off the alarm before the entire palace panics!"

Miri says "This is Cairhien, Majesty. Siblings have done less for an elder's power."

Adelina sighs, sitting in her bed wearing nothing but her shift and holding a knife (it's night time). She looks at Miri, "You do not know Lyren. Do not be that way." She glances toward her brother who is now, "You alright?"

Lyren rises, tentatively, his hands finally reaching to his cowl to drop it and reveal the very blonde and blue eyed features of the Queen's brother. "Um.. I assure you, Miri.. I have no wish to lay my hands this power my sister has fought so hard to claim..

Corendor has arrived.

Bryn bursts into the room (OOC: Hopefully not too late.) sword at the ready. He breaths heavily from running up the stairs trying to get here as fast as possible. Five armored, black-robed guards sweep into the room behind him and fan out as taught. Their various weapons brandished before them. Bryn himself looks confused at the situation as the alarm gets called off. "Your Majesty?"

Miri puts her hands on her hips. "Of course you won't.

Corendor moves in, dagger's drawn, a member of the five that come in with Bryn. She moves quickly, heading towards the far end of the room.

Adelina chuckles and moves to stand up, seeming as if she was fully clothed, which she is not, only wearing a white shift. She does look odd with her hair around her shoulders, "Bryn, Lyren was just being kind enough as to test the Palaces defenses. Thanks to Miri though his little prank was fouled." She moves over and reaches up to ruffle her brother's hair.

Miri gives the guards a.. "Oh. Now you show up." sort of glare. "You guards may go. Her majesty has no need of you. Shoo."

Lyren scratches the back of hiss head as more and more peopl crowd in. He takes a few steps to put himself between Adelina and everyone else.. she is only in her shift, after all.. He's dressed completely in black, by the way, gloves and all. "Light... this is... not how I expected this to turn out..

Corendor frowns, her face clearly showing her displeasure, and her eyes the fact that she's barely containing her anger, "How many times before we begin to fall to a sheep in wolf's clothes, Mistress?" Adelina shakes her head at Miri, "Oh, do calm down Miri. Bryn, you may stay." She pauses, "And you too Corendor. The other's may go. I think it might be wise to question my brother on what our Palace defenses are lacking in, yes?"

Lyren clears his throat.."Uh.. Really... Miri.. you did a great job... I think I might have gotten away scott free had you not happened along.."

Miri dips a curtsey. "As you wish, Majesty. Forgive your servant for a small measure of loyalty.

Corendor closes her eyes, reining in her temper, and her face, save for her eyes, when she opens them is calm. Emerald gaze finds the Heir, and from the look she gives him, she's a hair's breadth from flaying him alive. She moves easily enough as she resheaths her weapons.

Adelina sighs, "Miri..." She trails off and shakes her head, "My brother is loyal, and I trust him with my life. And nothing anyone says or anyone does will change that." She pokes her brother in the side, "Isn't that right?"

Bryn frowns at the command from Miri, but recovers to bow at the command from Adelina. "Your Majesty, of course." With a wave of his hand as he brings himself upright, the remaining 4 guards leave the room quick enough with quickly sketched bows to both Adelina and Lyren, though the latter receives a scowl as well from most."

Lyren looks extremely uncomfortable, unable to meet anyone's eyes of course. "Ah.. yeah.. right.. congratulations, everyone, on your rapid response.."

Miri moves to her majesties dressing room and returns with a dressing robe. "Majesty. I know the standard of modesty differ here, nonetheless, it is a bit improper...

Adelina takes the robe without any concern and puts it on, "Miri, if he was a real assassin would you want me to take the time to find a robe before getting out of bed to defend myself?" Just a question, not expecting an answer. She turns to Lyren, "So, how exactly did you get in here?"

Bryn moves forward with a frown. "Yes, I am curious about the answer to that myself, your highness." He speaks to Lyren.

Corendor stays where she is, making no move to come away from the far wall she stands against, arms crossed over her chest. In typical Domani fashion, it's...a sight, but she doesn't seem to notice anything amiss, her eyes still leveled angrily at the Heir.

Lyren clears his throat again, raising his fist to his mouth.. hiding his expression from everyone else? "Ah... well.. I think you may want to make sure the window between the patrolling guards is a bit smaller.. and maybe change the lighting.. the supports that the vines grow on seem to have a fair bit of shadow covering them..

Adelina sighs and shakes her head, "And I need to close the window more often, it seems. I usually like having air moving around the room."

Bryn sighs himself and nods making a mental note of these facts in his head.

Corendor's jaw clenches as she listens, her fingernails digging into her upperarms, through the shirt, and she doesn't look the least bit amused. Indeed, she looks even more angry.

Lyren finally sighs, spreading his arms to his side.. "Light.. what more do you all want from me? Would you rather that I would have actually been an assassin, sneaking in here tonight?"

Adelina pokes her brother in the stomach again, "You used to make a lot more noise when you'd sneak into my room. You're getting better." She reaches up and feels at her hair, not used to having it down so long. "And no Lyren, it's alright. It's good that you test our defenses at times."

Corendor doesn't bother replying, knowing anything she does say will have Bryn opening her back with the whip before daybreak.

"Oh yeah.. those guards ought to be realizing they lost me again, right about now.." Lyren admits, as though he'd rather not admit it, but feels he probably should..

Miri says "I heard him pass my window, Majesty. It is why I came. I presumed it might be a lover. Which is why I brought tea."

Bryn frowns and turns over to Corendor and says, "Guardian Corendor, find those guards straight away and relieve them of their duties until morning. Inform them I will be speaking to them shortly. Send up another pair of Guardians for his Highnesses amusement." He shakes his head at Lyren, though this time humor appears in his eyes.

Corendor's eyes snap to Bryn, and there's a slight softening to her expression as she nods, and with a bow to the Queen, and a noticeably absent one to the Heir, she turns to head out of the room, "I will send them up."

Adelina shakes her head, seeming very amused, especially for someone woke up at so early a time, "I don't think it will be necessary to take any sever action against those guards, Bryn. Because in fact every guard assigned to Lyren since I became Queen has been ditched by him. So if you punished them you would have to punish almost all the guards."

Corendor has left.

Lyren sighs, stripping his gloves off and looping them in his belt.. "All I wanted to do was give you a fright, Adelina..." Lyren explains, almost pleading.

Miri scowls. "Next time I won't miss, scamp."

Bryn nods. "I will exhibit a small bit of leniency your Majesty. Though I am still less than pleased with their performance."

Adelina chuckles at Lyren and her Queen's Attendant, "Miri, why don't you go get some tea for me and my brother. I think we need to have a short talk." She nods to Bryn, "Bryn, I understand. But Lyren has simply been ditching his guards since he was ten. He's nearly profected it as an art form. You know that from having worked with our family for so long."

Miri doesn't see any reason to not continue with the tea service. She pours her majesty first, offering the cup to the Queen.

Bryn smiles with humor. "Yes, unfortunately I do."

Lyren can't help but feel a small measure of pride well up.. somehow he resists the urge to buff his fingertips. That would most certainly not be wise.

Miri pours a second cup for the .. heir.. "Your Highness."

Adelina motions towards one of her couches, "Please, have a seat, Lyren." She moves to sit herself as well. after taking her glass from Miri.

Miri says "Shall I leave, Majesty?"

Aw crud. He's in for it now. Lyren takes the cup of tea from Miri, and sits down on the closest couch, prepared for the worst.

Adelina nods at Miri, "It might be best, yes. I do not think anyone likes to be scolded in front of people."

Miri says "As her Majesty wishes."

Miri curtsies deeply and scurries out. She still behaves as a maid.

Adelina smiles as she watches Miri go, then turns on Lyren, putting on a frown.