Sergio Delinaal's Festivals of the Four Winds

Bertram was taken aback by her candidness, "Would your shadow let us go off to a solitary spot? Would that be safe?" He gestured nonchalantly towards Ser Bryan, "I would not want to get either of us into trouble."

Bertram thought for a moment before saying, "To be honest, I am unsure of what I would even ask you about. It has been so long, too long. Although I would not mind a moment of rest to catch my breath, shall we adjourn?"

Bertram grabbed a carafe of apple and cinnamon brandy, "Let us tell Lady Kesi so that she may join us if she would like, I still am eager to learn this native dance she spoke of! Having two beautiful women on my arm is something I would like to prolong for as long as possible!"

Kesi smiled and nodded.

"I am being sorry Elseyris, I am not being so great when there are many people like this." She found herself explaining, and looked a little uncomfortable. "Maybe in private will be being much better."

Bertram thanked Lady Elseyris for filling his glass and motioned for the two women to sit with him.

"It is nice to be away from the music and crowds, I can relax a bit." Bertram said, happily sinking back into the soft chair and enjoying his brandy,

"It was quite a stroke of luck that I encountered you both on this lovely evening. I fear I would otherwise be celebrating alone downstairs. Do either of you go to social functions often?" He asked. He knew that times had been tough since the war and was curious to know if the kingdom had been attempting any motions towards increasing the populace's morale. This seemed like such an unhappy city, much like it had been when he left.

It was not difficult for Bertram to see that while both of his friends seemed to enjoy his company, they both had deep sadness within them. Their eyes betrayed it, he noticed the same look on his own face in the mirror for a long time after he was sent away, It took him a long time to be happy in Lorath. Upon realizing this he began to chuckly pleasantly, "I'm sorry," he said between breaths, "I just noticed something we all have in common!" He continued to chuckle, "We are all haunted by something in our lives." He began to calm down a bit and explained, "I don't know details for you both, and I apologize for laughing, it is not necessarily funny, but now it makes sense why we all get along so well."

He hoped that they did not take offense, he truly found it somewhat amusing, hopefully laughing about it and showing them that they were not alone would help ease their minds a bit.

"My Lady Elseyris! You should wear those with pride," He signaled to the injuries he knew about, "Those are badges of respect, difficulties conquered." Bertram rested his hand gently on her injured leg, "Never let battle scars make you think anything less than proof of your strength and determination."

Removing his hand he continued, "I believe I will be attending many of the same social functions as yourself, now that I have come back into the Kingdom's mind and eye, there will of course be responsibilities," he said the last word with a long exaggeration, as a child would at being told to take the trash out, "Consider me a dancing and drinking partner!"

Bertram thought about telling her of his past, of his son, but this was much too good of a night to be brought down with such thoughts. "Someday we will all share our sad stories, but tonight is not for that! I did not intend on bringing up such somber matters. We should be reveling in our wonderful new companionship!"

Bertram drank more of his brandy.

Turning to Kesi Bertram inquired about her stunning blue hair, it looked so natural that he believed it to be natural and did not ask if she dyed it. "I do not believe I have ever seen such a beautiful shade of blue, you are lucky to have such a unique form of self-distinction. Lady Elseyris too, your mother's blood must be extremely powerful to dilute that of a dragon! I am stuck with the eyes and hair, but at least I have a better temperament that most of my kin, I had hoped that it would be different when I returned, but at least there is now one cheerful Targaryen in this place."

Kesi had clammed up a little when he mentioned the sadness that she strove to hide, although Elsey knew a little of Kesi's past she did not trust strangers and tried to cover it up. She smiled though.

"I was saying to Lady Elseyris that I am not really being social... social..." She struggled to find the word that she wanted, but waved the difficulty away with a hand. "I was being told to come here by someone that is being close to me. Maybe they will be found at some point in evening." Kesi then shrugged.

"Blue was being colour chosen in Pentos." She said, taking a stray strand and twisting it round her finger as if thinking. "I am thinking that gold is being too common."

Elsey sensed a weariness in Bertram's sigh, and smiled;

"Do not be disheartened, My Lord. You speak true. I am told that a dragon need not apologise, but I do so if I have dampened the discussion. I should know better than to talk of troubles, especially when you have been so gracious and friendly. Please, forgive my complete lack of grace in this matter. You said you had questions. Please, go ahead."

"I suppose, if a week is a long time in politics, twenty years must be practically aeons," mused Elsey, also finishing her drink and replenishing it. "I would happily tell you the names of the city's prominent figures, though some I know more about than others."

Elsey smiled gently at his offer;

"You are very kind, Bertram. If you happen to have a spare dragon, I would gladly take it off your hands," she laughed. "Or if you can turn horrible husbands into dashing princes!"

She let out a small, sardonic laugh, taking a big drink of brandy and leaning back against a pile of cushions, clearly starting to feel the relaxing and inhibition-lessening effects of the strong liquor.

"You did not mention being a prince!" exclaimed Elseyris, looking in surprise at Bertram. "And you have allowed me to be so ill-mannered!"

In mock horror, she gave his arm a playful jab.

"Wait," she said, sitting up a little, her mind at work. "I'll tell you about the who's who in a moment, but first, if you are a prince, where are you in the family tree? Who are your parents?"

Elsey pushed herself up and returned the bow;

"Your Grace. Forgive my previous over-familiarity. Had I known, I would have treated you with better respect."

There was a look on her face that said she suspected he didn't mind, though, as they reclined again, she eyed him a little differently;

"Now I understand what you meant when you said your father was similar to my husband," she said quietly, thoughtfully. "Was your father's reputation your reason for hiding your status?"

"Very well then, I will not treat you differently... Bertie. Since we are now officially friends, you may both call me Elsey, if you wish," she grinned, shifting cushions and throws so that the three of them could recline close together in comfort.

"Your plot thickens, my friend. What was your crime?"

"I'm sorry, that was tactless of me. It was not what I was expecting," Elsey said, slowly, after listening to Bertram's story.

She looked at him for a moment, sipping her drink.

"I don't think any less of you. The heart is hard to control at times. Twenty years of exile sounds rather severe to me, for that act. I thought you must have murdered a lot of important people or something!"

Bertram shrugged, "My father was not known for his kindness or fairness. Although I would much rather he sent me away than take my head."

He drank some more brandy and smiled as the warmth spread through his body.

"I have learned many lessons but the most important one was that the ordeal was all worth it," Bertram grinned mischievously. "The mysteries of the flesh can be difficult to unravel without an experienced guide." He leaned back and smiled with the memory.