Outside in the garden, Menyar turned to Ramnd carefully veiling his anger. "My lord, I cannot - "

The punch took Menyar completely by surprise. For a man of such corpulence, Ramnd moved with startling swiftness. He slugged the ambassador from the Dominion squarely in the face. Menyar was rocked backward, but regained his balance with agile grace. His greatsword, concealed beneath his ceremonial robes, was in his hand and an outburst for the guards on his tongue when Ramnd suddenly burst into raucous laughter and clapped the other on the back.

Menyar stared. Was the man mad?

"No, I'm not mad," Ramnd chortled, echoing his thoughts. "That was for what you did to me fifteen years ago."

Fifteen years ago.... It hit him like a thunderclap. His composure melted away like the ephemeral ice as he gaped at the duke in abject speechlessness.

Ramnd smirked. "Remember me now, boy? Remember all the pain you caused me? By jolly, we'd still make a good team though!"

Menyar regained his calm in seconds. Like a charmed snake coiling to spring, he restrained his temper and let an enigmatic smile creep onto his face. "Yes, I remember you," he said, unable to keep a note of irony from his voice.

"Well, boy," Ramnd said merrily, looking the now full-grown man up and down. "It's been a long time. And if my memory serves me right, you're here and up to no good."

Menyar chuckled. "Your memory's as good as ever. And, no, I'm not up to any good. That's where you can serve me."

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"Lady Cassandra." Elizabeth said, smiling at her childhood friend. "How have you fared?"

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"Fine," she said, smiling. "May I beg a walk with you in the garden?" she asked. "Excuse me," she said to her companions, "I shall return shortly."

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She nodded. "I quite enjoy the gardens, so yes, I shall take a walk with you."

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"Someone's coming," Ramnd said urgently.

Too late Menyar heard the footfalls. He reversed his act of vaulting over the low wall and instead proceeded to a languid stroll. "The flowers here are lovely, don't you think?"

"The aesthetics of the palace really have good taste," Ramnd agreed with a shrewd sideways glance.

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Cassandra walked out of the hall with Elizabeth and proceeded down the path toward the garden. Elizabeth unlocked the gate and held the door open for her to step in. After she re-locked it, Cassandra said, "I am happy for your brother."

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Menyar heard the feminine voices behind him. Grabbing Ramnd's arm, they rounded the bend towards the rose bushes.

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She nodded slightly. "Something seems off about this betrothal, however. It seems more rushed than a usual one would be..."

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Cassandra shrugged. "Such is the way of things. The king probably desired an alliance with her family."

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"Perhaps... Father said that would be a benefit of their marriage.."

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Cassandra nodded again. "I thought so." She looked over at a bench and said, "I remember that bench....Philip pushed me over it when we were making daisy crowns....I was six then...."

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"This place is a maze!" Menyar swore viciously as he stalked down the paths. Ramnd smiled and said nothing.

"My dear boy..."

Menyar's glare silenced him.

"My dear lord," Ramnd amended with a mocking cough. "I believe we have..."

They stopped face to face with two of the young noblewomen from the ceremony.

"I was about to inform you that the paths of the garden wind in circles," Ramnd said with a smirk.

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"Yeah I remember that..." she said with an amused smile.

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Cassandra started quickly as she came face-to-face with two men. "Excuse me," she said firmly and authoritatively, "But this is a private garden. Excuse me," she finished, nodding curtly, perhaps even coldly, and brushing past them.

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Ramnd was literally quivering with rage at the pertness of the girl. Now it was Menyar's turn to smirk. "My friend, you must really learn to accept the fact that obeseness is not an attractive feature...."

"We'll go someplace private!" the duke retorted. "Take your garden!"

Menyar sighed. "There really isn't much to talk about. Unless you plan to assist me, of course."

Ramnd snorted. "Of course I'm helping you."

"Good," Menyar said pleasantly as they exited the gardens. "Meet me at my rooms at midnight tonight."

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Cassandra shook her head at the behavior of the man. "Wait-" she whispered. She turned around quickly, then back. "He is the man who had a daggar...." she whispered to Elizabeth.

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