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The news on Prince Iophan was received with sympathetic ears. “He’s quite well schooled so I’ve heard?” Corky nodded “Then he’s the right age and an ideal candidate for one of the team’s adjudicators. That means, we only have to find one other. I had thought, Commander Serenia.“ Corky was quick to point out that Serenia had declined the first time round. It would seem they would have to find someone else.
Princess Catenia had been advised by her spies of the arrival of Prince Iophan of the Arahi? A quick bit of research and she was impressed. A prize catch indeed. "The council are looking to find extra adjudicators. The intimation is, Prince Iophan will be invited to be one of them." "When are they deciding on this?" "At this very moment in the main hall." Minutes later Catenia had made her way there. Pushing past the sentries on duty.
"My apologies for the intrusion. I hear you are looking for adjudicators? Extra tutors?" She waited to be acknowledged. A Royal, Elder Ket, who had become a tutor. “The arrival of Prince Iophan is indeed fortuitous. A situation we should take advantage of. Most of the Princesses are too young for him. I am spoken for. ‘What a shame’ Thought Corky, grinning to himself. There was a scowl from her. At seeing him so amused? “Prince Iophan, deserves a female, worthy of his status. An alliance, between the Tirkwan and the Arahi would be good.
It would benefit, their worlds and establish trading benefits, plus of course, enhancing the reputation of the Akademy. Encouraging more of their worlds, to submit Kets to the Akademy, thus increasing the revenue and other trading benefits? She was without doubt, a cunning and deviously clever feline. Patin who was one of the Elect however, was not to be conned by her. He couldn’t wait, to see what she, had up her sleeve.
He did not have to wait too long. “I have a perfect choice and one I think Prince Iophan would find most favorable. The Princess Carianne, who is extremely clever, intuitive and a born Queen.” (also, thought Corky, a close friend of Princess Catenia, how opportune!) Let’s not forget, as far as Corky was concerned, that Margise was worth ten of her. Carriane by name and ‘carry on’ by nature. NO one he knew, with any sense, let alone interest in her people, wanted to have her as a Queen. Catenia, was looking at Corky.
“Do you think that makes sense? I would value your opinion.” A sickly, thin veneer of respect, hiding a much bigger slice of contempt? He was to her, everything that shouldn’t be. A commoner, who didn’t demand respect, but automatically had it? So many who thought he had EARNED it? Not that she could recollect among her people. She had enjoyed the chastisement given, however much in moderation, over the incident with the Kets and the mines. Some might have said. ‘Revelled in it.’
But that, had proven to her, given his reaction, which was more or less, nothing. That he was NOT to be underestimated. Cool under pressure. Appearances would show, she was being more than respectful, where he was concerned? That would curry favor with the Council Elect. Corky of course was not the least bit taken in by her. “Someone of your knowledge and understanding must surely, agree it makes sense?” Pause long enough, she’ll repeat herself? Patin smiled.
Corky. was the last one to try and pull. to coin the expression, the wool over his eyes. He had experienced the best and the worst, of deceit. The untruths that unraveled them, like silk from a cocoon. The stupid, know it all, ones who, brash and reckless; ended up dead in battle. Often all too quick, due to their arrogance and blatant stupidity, their sudden deafness to reality or the words of warning, from those considered too menial, ignorant or simply beneath them?
Whatever Princess Catenia, might have thought. Patin and a few of the others, were no fools. They had heard the rumors of the attraction between Prince Iophan and Lady Margise? Understood that she had EARNED her Royal Invocation and the right to be treated as an equal, where ANY Princess was concerned. Privileges, NOT given lightly. He smiled as Catenia as she continued to waffle on. He already knew, of Princess Carianne.
His daughter, had had a run in with her, on Stella Five. (A huge shopping planet with goods from across the galaxies and a lot more exotics.) Princess Carianne, had taken great delight, in bartering over some parfum, the last bottle in fact. Upping the price, beyond what his daughter deemed to be a sensible price. Knowing full well, his daughter Ibi, would lose, the purchase to her. Point scoring over the commoners. Patin said nothing, as Princess Catenia continued, leaving him to his thoughts.
Margise was liked by virtually all of them for her simplicity, her honesty and had become renown for her skills. As a more than capable, Scieste . He looked at Corky and smiled as Corky grinned back, he knew Patin all too well. He wouldn’t mention the ‘Healthy competition’. That it would not be a bad thing and would soon reveal if Prince Iophan truly loved Margise or it was simply infatuation.
Corky could use Carianne to push Iophan and see if he deserved the hand of Margise. Unknown to Princess Catenia, he would meet up with Patin later. “I have great respect for the Arahi, but for Iophan to take the place of his father he must prove he can stand against odds such as Carianne?“ They had both started to grin. Catenia had wasted NO time in telling her friend the news. Bit of a surprise?. There were a whole lot more, where that had come from, headed straight towards her.
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