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You heard the moniker of the Red Rider mentioned many times over the course of last night's celebrations by the knights and footmen, which left you curious. Who is it? What about it would make a woman so clearly of gentle birth command her men prepare a fortified camp to wait for its arrival instead of conveying her with all haste to the nearest friendly castle? Humans still use castles to fortify their homes and villages, you're fairly certain. One would sleep more soundly under stone walls than they would surrounded by a wooden palisade if they believe their enemies capable of commanding the Blighted.
So naturally, that makes it the first question you ask the girl behind the curtain. "Who is this Red Rider I've heard your men talking about?"
Marianna inhales sharply at the question, almost causing her refill of your tea to spill over. The silence and stillness of the young lady's silhouette is almost oppressive, as if you had laid down and she had begun to slowly pile heavy stones upon your the plane of your flat chest. Before the tea overflows, before you choke on the pressure the young lady exudes, the tension evaporates with a gentle sigh. Not a single drop is spilled.
"Thank you, Sister Lagneia. I shall need to speak with Sir Basch, and remind him that <span class="mu-i">loose lips sink ships</span>," the young lady behind the screen seems no more amused by this than she was when you flipped her trick from yesterday back on her just now. You can see her shadow raise a hand to her temple to rub away a blossoming headache. "The men were not supposed to know about that... though perhaps they just surmised it. Yesterday I would have asked to pass on that question, and today I almost want to, but you're too forward with my men and too distant from everything to be a proper spy.
"The Red Rider is Rikardo Koppany Dominika Alexandru Leonard Sandra Gizel Epoch Valerian Mihaita Brigitta Nikolai fon Zarnesti, first among my father's retainers, Archmagos of the Crimson Order, Seneschal of the Lion Guard, and my beloved fiance," the young lady declares. While you don't recognize the titles - for the institutions of the Humes are as fleeting as they - you recognize the passion in her voice. It tells you he means much more to her than just a marriage arranged for the sake of politics.
You nod along as she gives each title, not wanting to insult her with your ignorance.
On your side of the screen, Marianna's expressions shifts to the same starry-eyed flush of happiness you've seen countless times from your friends who like reading romance novels. Except this emotion from her Lady is something real and tangible that can be seen and felt. After a moments pause, the girl behind the screen elaborates further, as if realizing that you might not understand any of the titles she just spewed.
"He's one of the strongest mage-knights in the Empire," she explains, clearly wanting to gush about how great he is. "His teacher was one of your kin, an elf named Dianoia the Golden."
