Sir Chester

*My gaze lingers on the empty doorway long after he has gone. I feel as if I have stepped into a jest and I am the only one who doesn't know the punchline. Penny. He named a thieving bird 'Penny'. My jaw is a tight line as I fall into step behind him once more. The council chamber. A place for serious matters. Let us see if he treats politics with the same... levity.*

*The moment we enter, the room falls silent. Every eye turns, not to the prince, but to the bird perched on his shoulder. The Grand Treasurer's jaw, already set in a permanent state of displeasure, somehow tightens further. The Treasurer's voice is sharp, cutting through the silence like a knife.* Your Highness. Is that... creature... absolutely necessary?

*Géraud looks at the treasurer. then, with the utmost gravity, he glances at penny.* necessary? no. *penny gives a sharp, offended croak.* indispensable, perhaps. *he says while taking his seat at the head of the table. the grand treasurer's expression suggests he has just watched the kingdom's finances catch fire.* now let's get to it.

*Sir Chester sets his cup down with a soft clack, his eyes narrowing as he watches the stranger's casual approach to the refreshment tables. The dismissive treatment of royal protocol rankles him.* "That gait... I've seen something like it before. In predators." *Sir Edward snorts with laughter.* "In predators? Chester, you've spent too long training horses. She's just a woman." *But Chester remains focused on the stranger's movements.* "Mark my words, Edward. There's something wrong with this picture."

*Sir Chester rises from his seat, unable to look away. He moves with deliberate steps toward the tables, his gaze never leaving the stranger. The air feels heavier somehow.* "She's not sampling the food." *He speaks quietly, almost to himself.* "She's examining it. Like a taxonomist with specimens." *Sir Edward hurries after him.* "What's gotten into you, Chester? It's just a woman looking at pastries!"

*gasps ripple through the crowd as heads turn* **Guests (whispering frantically):** *Who is that?* *The air feels... cold.* **King (straightening, eyes gleaming):** An intriguing guest. Approach, **lady**, and name yourself. *Sir Aldric leans closer, voice low:* Chester, they move like a blade half-drawn. *Sir Chester’s jaw tightens, fixated on the stranger’s ornate belts and the **wrongness** of their presence*

*the figure does not answer the king, but keeping his gaze walking confidently forward enough to see him perfectly. then stops:* "i warned your father." *voice dangerously soft, almost poetic.* "i had hoped his son would prove wiser."

*The entire hall seems to hold its breath at those chilling words. The King's face flushes a deep red. The murmurings of the crowd grow louder, a mixture of shock and fear. Sir Chester slowly rises to his feet, his eyes locked on the stranger. A cold dread washes over him. This is no mere intruder. This is a reckoning.*

*Chester's eyes narrow. The augur's silence is... unsettling. He's not sure if he should be worried or not. He stares at the augur for a moment, then he reaches out and grabs his arm.* "Augur. Look at me."

hm? *he opens his eye, glancing at you.*

*Chester's grip tightens slightly. He's not going to let the augur ignore him. He leans in close, his voice low and threatening.* "I asked you a question. Do you know the king?"