The two camps were set up with a bit of difficulty, she could tell. None of the people on the convoys seemed to be the least prepared for a swamp. But she had to give them credit they were managing enough to not drop that sparkle that nobility always held. And they hadn’t had any sign of conflict between them, even if she’d notice their flags being set in almost a taunting war between each other. That being mild she didn’t correct it after all if it did start a brawl, she could send them home.

  Mesa looked between the two flags and chose to speak with Shan’s representees first. They’d been respectful, and the least annoying in the grand scheme of things. It really in her mind couldn’t help to here them out and take her time to think.

  There camp was thread with shades of black, read and silver. Mesa didn’t know enough about Shan to know what the colored braids meant but she knew they were discovered attached to near everything in Shan. A few years intricate accessories were sent to their family as a sort of maintenance of her mother whimsy set bounds. Her mother never took interest in them but used to pass them off to Mesa and her siblings who’d wear them until the thread crumbled away.

  Never at her father’s home out of respect but the trinkets were pretty and they weren’t brightly colored as it would sound. The red was dulled and almost rusted, the silver didn’t shine crisp and bright but was blunt and the black was actually what shimmered.

  Mesa caught sight of similar trinkets as she walked the colors seeming to be everywhere you looked. Including she thought on the some of the residence.

  Mesa caught sight of red hair coming around a corner. They weren’t the one she dismissed the other day but he was also not Igov. His eyes batted when he saw her and he smiled a curly twist of a grin.

  “Hello, my Lady.” He breathed in an airy just short of a lisping tone. Speech impediments never bother her much, living in a group of rag tags and piece togethers with different tongues and education levels. They didn’t all share the same words, or have a full understanding of all the complicated twist of pronunciation, so they’d made their way on making it up as they went.

  Mesa remembered being eight and being rather confused when she found out her mother’s unstructured harem wasn’t actually called a Belungaloo. No one even seemed to remember how the word came to be or who’d voiced it first. It was just one of the things that only made sense in their swamp.

  The man before her had an almost apple cheeked baby face that pulled at the parts of her younger sisters did. Though, she couldn’t say this man was similar to her wildflower set, in anything other then beauty and sweetness. She couldn’t for the life of her envision this man wielding any sort of danger. Then again though at first most didn’t see any potential for danger from her father’s side.

  His ears protruded a bit making the comparison to a child fit even better. He was cute if a bit of a dandy and as he insisted on leading her through to what he called the meeting area he talked her ear off in a glorious arch of beloved gossip. Mesa found him absolutely sweet and comfortable to be around. She wanted to fret over him like she did the youngest of her siblings.

  The meeting area was behind canvas sheets decorated once again in that swirl of red, black and silver. It was set up with a table and chairs that were official but not too uncomfortable. Mesa sat while Kint the boyish Shan representative, wrote on little slides of paper and sending them off on a bird that too her amazement also fit the color scheme.

  Kint sat across from her grinning again his eyes twinkling.

  “You know Nogo has always been a bit thick in the head.” Kint admitted with a little giggle. Mesa couldn’t place the name so she didn’t react either way. “Igov made sure he was sent home to Grandfather with a scathing review.” Kint offered waving a hand like the person no longer mattered. Mesa took that to mean he was talking about the rude noble she’d dismissed and also frowned.

  “Grandfather?” She asked accepting the tea that was presented to her. Kint raised his brows and admitted her that almost all the representatives were the grandsons of the current King.

  “Almost all?” She clarified to not show her bafflement. Kint nodded and leaned forward.

  “Technically speaking Igov is our Uncle. A later… what is a good way to phrase it.” He offered not looking intending to offend simply unaware of how to explain his uncle who couldn’t be much older then himself. Mesa didn’t struggle at all to find the wording.

  “Ah, a fleeting relationship of a leader. I can relate to that.” Mesa offered, it was how each of her siblings were brought into this world. Still even with her understanding Kint flushed even redder then her naturally was.

  “I didn’t mean.” She started to reassure her.

  “Didn’t mean what, Berry.” Igov asked in a thin dangerous tone contrasted by the rather affectionate pet name. Finding herself protective of the aptly nicknamed Berry. Mesa leaned forward.

  “No need for that I was having a far more pleasant conversation with Kint, than I had with Nogo.” She assured then she leaned back. “But he did happen to bring up the topic that between you and I we share similar parentage circumstances; he thought I might be offended that he didn’t make that connection right away but I am not.” Mesa explained with ease brushing off the negative connotation on her end and watched to see if he would be offended.

  Igov looked for a moment confused on why it would be an issue he shrugged his shoulders.

  “My father decided after his life partner died that he’d have a causal relationship that resulted in me. It never bother’s my mother, and my father has always been respectable so why should it matter to me?” He asked when Kint paled at her candidness. Kint blinked and looked hesitant and surprised by his words.

  “You never mention it and you don’t introduce yourself as one of us. So we all thought it bothered you.” Kint admitted softly. Igov raised his brows and shook his head.

  “I keep my mother’s name because it’s traditionary in their people and I don’t introduce myself as a relative because the lack of an answer often allows me to do my role easier.” He explained to Kint. “But it has never bothered me that we are related.” Igov offered. Kint seemed to relax and offered a genuine smile, just for it to fall when another entered.

  Mesa kept herself from releasing the put upon groan as the man came in dress to the nines in clothing that was only existent to impress. He stood like he was used to being in charge. So when Igov motioned toward a seat.

  “Penton, please sit.” Igov commanded, the man sucked in a breath looking at Igov as if he were something slimy and unpleasant but did in fact with flourish sit.

  Mesa looked Igov over again getting the feeling that at least on this trip Igov was the utmost authority and considered the last-ditch effort. Mesa though didn’t agree with the evaluation of the man. Nogo had been pompous and thoughtless grating on her patience. Kint was sweet and she did like him but she couldn’t imagine him handling the day to day in the swamp, just like she could never imagine her younger sisters being happy staying in the swamp. And the one dressed the nines sitting like he owned the world, she couldn’t see touching anything resembling grime with a ten foot pole and she could see him being rubbed the wrong way by the people around her. Igov though had appeared in a standard hunting unform not built for this terrain or climate but managed to make various alterations that were honestly impressive.

  Mesa rolled her eyes at her own ever-practical thoughts but that was another thing about herself. She cared about the practical. Especially seeing as a unification contract was not the same as what Cerano was offering. It wasn’t made under some ruse of flutter romanticism. It was cut and dry and practical. An exchange and if she were willing to accept the exchange she would want someone who wouldn’t be miserable.

  Mesa had to admit she preferred the type of offer given by Shan. At least their offer wouldn’t add to the rumors. Even if she denied both offers she’d be left with people claiming she had herself a harem.

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  “What title do you prefer?” Igov asked her. Mesa met his gaze and smiled.

  “Well my mother is Enchantress Shorvetize to outsiders. My sister whose abilities are most similar to my mother also got by Enchantress only she would be Enchantress Denivel. My brother and I most go by name but those who insist of some sort of title call my brother by Entra and me a simple Tres will do.” Mesa offered not letting the truth of the title exude from her being. Entra and Tress were never said with any level of respect. Some even called her sister Enchantress in a condescending tone.

  Nobles didn’t see them as worth much. Her mother’s territory wasn’t official, Delrin and Mesa were by no means her mother’s intended heirs and though Tasari was her mother’s heir, she wasn’t the one who built something out of nothing but intensity and sheer power of will.

  “Tres Shorvetize.” Igov offered bowing his head. It was so very strange to hear the title said with a tone of respect. Mesa turned the rather large teacup in her hand. She was about ready to get this over with so she didn’t have to feel so out of place with these people trying with her.

  Igov nodded as if reading her mind though she didn’t think that was true. She usually was pretty good at hiding what she felt behind diplomacy. Then again everything about the convoys irritated her past her carefully line defenses so maybe she had given something away. Igov dismissed the staff and before he went to speak she held up a hand pausing him. Mesa held out a hand a rather simple magic though none in the swamp would admit that too anyone swirled to life in her hand.

  It was murky and moss filled water it was small contained but created just enough background noise that anyone possibly listening in would have a hard time decerning anything.

  “What is it for?” Kint asked curiously.

  “It will make it difficult for people to listen in.” Mesa admitted. Kint looked amazed.

  “What a interesting trick.” He breathed.

  “It’s simple magic.” Penton corrected lifting but a finger and creating something that looked similar. Mesa smiled at him and didn’t point out the differences.

  “Thank you.” Igov offered to her sending a glare toward Penton who let his spell fall and sat back. Igov then turned his full attention to her. “I am afraid I have to be rather blunt, Tres Shorvetize. Our request to you come’s from our King, pertaining to information he receive that you have the ability to entrance things like your mother.” Igov offered to her his brows raising in a silent request for confirmation or dissuasion. Mesa looked into the tea that was red while the cups were black and silver. Mesa put down the cup and smiled at him.

  “Your highness.” She breathed and he scold wrinkling his nose at the title which amused her. “I am afraid I have to inform you my abilities are not the same as my mother and I have to correct you. My mother does not entrance, entrancing gives off the idea of something pleasant and gentle. What my mother does is enrage, frustrate and baffle and yet people will still follow her to the ends of the earth cursing her name along the way.” Mesa explained it was command, something her mother didn’t fully control, it exuded from her as naturally as breathing.

  Igov frowned holding her gaze as he seemed to evaluate her words. Everything about him seemed calculating and he seemed aware that she was judging and evaluating him as well. Igov slowly in took a breath before nodding.

  “And your abilities, Tres?” He asked his tone changing not to disrespect but more eased, guessing or reading correctly that she didn’t prefer titles much. Mesa shifted though at the thought of what she did and how to explain.

  “You will hear often that my mother was born a leader whether she wanted to or not. That’s because her abilities are so natural that she can’t exactly choose when to enact them. My abilities are more subtle, and I have more control over them.” Mesa offered. “My ability we have come to the conclusion is not in any means command.” Mesa offered. “I will be honest it’s easier to show then explain.” Mesa admitted knowing that was something most didn’t trust.

  Mesa had varying opinions of her abilities. She’d had people tell her they were beautiful, she’d had some tell her they were useless compared to her families and some had gotten so viscerally angry at her even when she warned them as best as she could. It made Mesa always a bit hesitant.

  Igov stood and crossed to her place, he lowered to the ground kneeling before her. Mesa hesitated.

  “I am sorry ahead of time if it makes you uncomfortable.” She breathed. She set her shoulders wide and knowing she always had an over all bulk that had people thinking that she would have some brute force ability. People expected her to cause problems or if she tried to solve them, they would be violent.

  She never understood why it was so difficult to accept that she was quick to respond and preferred a gentle approach. What strength she had was to support, to understand. She’d trained, she fought, she learned so she knew what someone needed when they were in that place.

  She’d joined the explorations to know the threats of the swamps. Mesa could tell that the man in front of her had been hunting. She’d guessed he got into a spin with a beast. Most likely a Dolinta, a giant walking fish that liked to disguise itself as a young sapling poisoning their victims with thorn like spines.

  He didn’t look like he’d been poisoned but he was a bit scuffed up.

  Mesa could tell that the people in the room were getting restless by her silent observations but she didn’t rush through her analyzation finding it much more affective when she used every facet of her possible empathy.

  Finally Mesa slid out of the chair and holding a hand a breaths width away from Igov’s cheek. She could see his constant analyzing, how he was always on guard. And she could see he hadn’t even expected to ease to the point that he was not considering every way she might be a threat.

  She circled him shifting fabric, making sure to do it thoughtful to modesty using an ability that was not naturally construed but studied for hours and hours to build up. The wounds closed as she focused on them. She understood how disconcerting even easing could be when it pacified so truly, which was why she didn’t often do it, preferring to keep things to just offer bits of ease, like with the waterfolk and the Water horse. Just enough to get out of a storm.

  Mesa finished and stepped back holding her hands behind her back to hide the fact that her heart was thrumming in a fear of how he would react.

  “I guess you could call what I do entrancing.” She offered softly.

  Igov placed a hand on the chair blinking out of the trance. He steadied him then he looked up at her and could see his own mask chip away to show bafflement. Mesa looked away. “I don’t normally like to go that far with the trancing but I figured if you were asking to see my abilities I should give you an apt demonstration.” Mesa offered.

  “Do you think you can entrance a rampaging shadow beast?” He asked her not rising from the floor. He didn’t look in the least angry but she wasn’t sure if that was because he’d place the mask back so well or if he wasn’t affected by it. She relaxed though, either way it wouldn’t cause immediate problems.

  Then Mesa took in the question and her mind snapped it right into her curiosity.

  “How large? And why is it rampaging?” Mesa asked, dropping back in the chair crossing her legs leaning forward fully dedicating her interest. Igov paused for a bit looking surprised. She waited through it.

  Kint though answered first.

  “Well, you see it was a bit of an issue with a spell and the shadow beast panicked. We haven’t been able to calm her down in the least, just contain them and they’ve destroyed most of the area of the castle we did.” Kint explained. “She’s a bit smaller then a deer but her energy is described as very large.” He offered. “Grandfather want’s this delt with in the safest way possible for Aleste.” Kint admitted.

  The name sparked recognition in her mind.

  “Aleste? As in Aleste Mersiro?” Mesa asked. The room did not hide at all well the fact that she wasn’t supposed to know that.

  “How do you know Aleste?” Kint asked looking around his eyes begging them to realize he didn’t intend to tell her. Mesa considered whether to tell them. Then she just laughed flinging herself up not expecting Igov to start to stand at the same time. They nearly collided and she side stepped out of the way.

  “Sorry.” She breathed. Then she frowned. “Your King was willing to offer either one of his grandsons or son in exchange for something so simple?” Mesa asked in utter bafflement.

  “Simple?” Kint asked blinking. Penton snuffed glaring at her.

  “Grandfather wants this handled yes. But he also has been searching for a way to tie himself to the Enchantress Shorvetize for a while. He would have prefer the route of your sister but this situation arose.” Penton offered boredly.

  “Penton.” Igov turned growling sharply. It though was a relieving revelation.

  “Oh, I did think it was rather odd.” She admitted then her mood dropped remembering the complications this caused. “It is rather frustrating that it resulted in me getting a request from the Destron King’s Grandson to join my nonexistent Harem.” Mesa hissed shaking her head. Penton narrowed his eyes in an intense glare.

  “You wouldn’t insult out lands by one of them over us.” He hissed sounding even more disgusted by her. Mesa didn’t know whether it was the connection to Aleste but she wasn’t offended, she let out a laugh and crossed her arms.

  “Well, I can’t say either you or Destron haven’t seemed to insult me in some way. And now I’ve found I have ties that mean something to me from both sides but the one from Destron mean’s more.” Mesa offered weighing in front of the pompous rose. “I also hadn’t even been thinking about any sort of request before your Kingdom’s request provoked one of the Destron King’s Nephews to race my mother to my location interrupting my time with one.” She tisked shaking her head. “Despite how little I was interested in any sort of deal. I believe in hearing someone out before denying them.” She offered cutting him with a raised browed glanced.

  He pierced his lips and enjoyed watching Penton trying to figure out if she’d deny them.

  “I will be denying the offer of a person in exchange for my assistance. But I am more then willing to help Aleste and because I like Aleste I will only charge you King our standard commission rates for how ever long it takes.” Mesa informed the group. “Now if you excuse me you’re highnesses I have another offer to here through.” Mesa informed.

  And she swore she felt the eyes trailed her as she left.

  She felt that meeting ended rather in her favor.