Shall I Play you a Melody My Queen? (Rhiiii!)

[Blue]

This must have been a very nice castle. Built for beauty over purpose, or so he'd been told. Lots of sweeping, elegant architecture he was sure - expensive stones and lots of engravings. And the interior was likely even more decadent. Silvers and golds and tapestries and paintings done in rich, ripe hues. He could only image how intricately woven the rug beneath his feet was, with millions of threads done in the most potent dyes available.
Of course, he had to image it all in his mind's eye.

Standing the grand audience room, Ghost was awaiting the arrival of his most prestigious contractor to date - the Queen of Serendipity herself. Hands behind his back, he was dressed in his usual white garb - a thin robe-like top, loose fitting pants, and a pair of somewhat travel worn boots mostly hidden beneath. Across his eyes was a thick black blindfold - the reason for his inability to see the grandeur of his surroundings. But if he did not have it, he'd have been instantly blinded by the sunlight pouring in through the windows, its warmth felt upon his dark skinned face.
All his long 'white' hair was pulled back into a neat tail at the nape of his neck, the diamond embedded in his forehead catching the light with its facets. At his feet was a small traveling pack - all his worldly possessions held therein, apart from one.
Hidden beneath his clothing was his dowsing stone, a pure lump diamond on a chain, and the only thing of value he owned.

Now, to see why the Queen would request one such as himself.

[Rhindeer]

Ghost didn't have long to wait. No more than five minutes after he arrived, a servant stepped inside the room to announce, "Presenting Her Royal Majesty, Queen Qiana Di'Veera," and Qiana was escorted into the audience chamber by a small entourage.

Gracefully, she climbed the dais and took her seat on the throne, and on a word from her, the guards headed outside the heavy chamber doors and remained posted beyond them. Only one remained with her--both as a formality and a precaution--and he stood at attention by the doors, out of the way but readily available.

Not that any of these formalities would really be noticed by her guest. As Qiana looked upon him, she couldn't help the flicker of surprise; she hadn't realized he was blind.

So, a blind seer, hm?

Sitting straight-backed on her throne, dressed in a modest but intricate gown of reds and creams, Qiana took a moment to study him with interest before she spoke up, cutting straight to the chase.

"Ghost, was it?" she said, still studying him, eyes falling on the gem embedded in his forehead. "I've been told you're an excellent spy and an even better dowser. How accurate are these claims?"

[Blue]

The announcement would not have been necessary, even for one unable to see currently such as himself. Footsteps, the rustling of fabric, clinking of armor and weapons...the Queen's arrival was as obvious to him as anyone with sight.
Without much pause, Ghost dropped to one knee respectfully, head bowed and fists pressed gently to the floor. He would stay as such until otherwise told. One had to tread even more carefully with royalty, after all.
Manners and etiquette were not lost on him.

"Yes, M'lady."
He responded softly, though still just enough to be heard. That question was somewhat odd to him, and he blinked beneath his blindfold. Interesting...how to answer that? Was this perhaps the first test, to find him worthy or not?
"I'm sorry M'lady, but I'm not sure I can answer that. To speak a 'yes' would be assuming I have your trust, that you could take me at my word so easily. I am not so arrogant. I would have to venture then that I likely must show you at least one of my talents and allow you to judge for yourself how accurate the claims of others may be. I leave it to your discretion, M'lady."

[Rhindeer]

Oh, she liked him already. Humble, respectful, perceptive, and intelligent. This looked rather promising.

Smiling at his assessment, Qiana beckoned him to stand. "You may rise. And you are quite correct. I would like to see your skill in action before I make a decision. Do you have anything prepared, or are there any materials you need?"

[Blue]

Her order to rise was met all but instantly, though he kept his head somewhat bowed respectfully. Eye contact was not, after all, much of an issue with his covered as they were. Hands clasped in front of him loosely, he listened again to her words.
It would seem he had passed the first test.

"Thank you for the opportunity, M'lady. Of my two talents, I feel that dowsing would be the easiest to put to the test. If I may, we will do a blind reading...ah, well, it has little to do with my blindfold. You may pick any number of questions with two answers, and you must know the answer. You may ask these questions of me, and I will put my dowsing to the test - the stone will, should I not fail, swing in the direction of the truth. You may choose which direction stands for the true answer for each question. Does this please your Highness?"

As he spoke, he reached into his robes, fully expecting guards to be staring at him with the intensity of the sun. But all he withdrew was the delicate silver chain, the lump diamond dangling from the end.
He had full confidence in his ability to foretell known truths. Ordinarily one used dowsing to find things they did not know, but then...that was rather hard to test, wasn't it?

[Rhindeer]

"And these questions, and their answers, will be kept in confidence, yes?" Qiana asked as he explained, watching him draw the diamond from his robes. Such a simple item, and yet so important to what she needed.

Time to see if he was as skilled as her sources led her to believe.

She pointed to the right out of habit, even knowing he couldn't see her movements. "Right will mean 'yes', and left will mean 'no'." Hopefully that made sense to him, but as a skilled dowser she assumed he had a way of figuring out precisely what she meant. "I'll give you a simple yes or no question to start with. So to begin, here's my question: am I with child?"

[Blue]

"As a matter of course, your highness." It would be foolhardy to attempt any different, after all. It was in his best interest not to threaten the secrecy of the court, especially while he was still within it's borders. Regardless, he wasn't in the habit of selling another's secrets so easily - it would never end the way one hoped.

Naturally he couldn't see where she was pointing, so honestly he had no way of knowing if she meant her own right, or his. But it didn't matter. All he need do was channel his energy, and the stone would quite easily do the rest.
Seek the truth
The pendulum began swinging in gentle, wide circles. Quickly those circles tightened, and the stone strained on it's delicate chain to one side. It was pointing to the right which the Queen had indicated by pointing (her right) of its own accord.
"The answer has been given, though I cannot tell which way it is pointing. You need not say if I was correct or not M'lady, as it is only of importance that you know as you are the one testing me."

[Rhindeer]

Very interesting. Qiana pressed a hand over her belly, nodding to herself. She wasn't very far along at all, either; she had only realized it when that month's bleeding never came, when things started smelling more intense and her stomach couldn't handle all the same things it once could. She certainly wasn't far enough along that it was noticeable, so it was intriguing that this magic could pick up on even the barest stirrings of life.

That was why she chose the question; it was a testament to just how strong and sensitive this mage's skills were.

"Very good," she said. That was enough to satisfy that curiosity and prove himself to her, but why not allow herself at least one frivolous question?

"One more, then. Is the child be male or female? Right for male, left for female."

Or maybe not so frivolous. True, she was curious, but once again she was interested in seeing just how much delicate information this magic could suss out.

[Blue]

Well, seemed the Queen was having a child then, otherwise there would be no need for such a question. He bowed his head in response.
"As you like M'lady."
Again the lump diamond was held out, and Ghost took a moment to center and calm himself. A moment later, and the pendulum was swinging rapidly.
After a pause, it swung out to one side as before.

To the right.

It would seem the Queen was to have a son.

[Rhindeer]

A boy.

Qiana released the breath she had been holding and couldn't help but feel a smile spreading on her lips.

Well then! To be honest, she had no preference--her only hope was for a strong, healthy child. This did, however, simplify the issue of names and narrow it down by half. That was useful! Now the question was, tell Rheinallt or leave it a surprise? But would that be lying? Ah, she would think on it and decide later!

"Thank you," she said at last. "Needless to say, you've convinced me, so consider the job yours. Of course..." Her smile turned wry. "If this last question was incorrect in nine month's time, I will have some questions!"

[Blue]

Ghost bowed deeply as he pocketed the dowsing stone carefully.
"I pray then that my prediction holds true, gods willing."
Humble as always, he did not perceive his gift as something of his own doing. He was given the ability by the powers that held sway over such matters, and at any time they might feel fit to rob him of it just as easily as it had been given.
He only hoped it would remain true for the duration of this contract.

Now, as for his other skills, those he took full responsibility for. All he could pray for was luck, but otherwise it was down to his own hard-won skills and ability. Naturally, the Queen had enough tact not to question him on his powers of espionage in the open, but he had no doubt she would soon enough wish to discuss it behind closed doors.

He bowed again more deeply.
"I am honored to sign a contract with you. I am yours to command, Highness."

[Rhindeer]

"Excellent," Qiana said, and stood to walk down the steps to a desk that was located against the wall. She pulled a piece of parchment from it, and a quill from the ink pot.

"If you would come this way, I'll have you sign a formal contract, then. We'll also need to discuss your living situation. If you've no objections, I'd like to keep you near and, thus, have quarters arranged for you here."

[Blue]

He listened to her movements, gauging her distance and direction. The rustling of parchment was obvious enough, and he knew he was to sign a formal contract. Not all of his benefactors would do such a thing - it was a paper trail that could be traced back to them. But then, he assumed that this contract was specifically for his abilities as a dowser.

Quietly he moved to her general direction, sensing her emotional aura to avoid bumping into her. Once at her side, he reached out to gently touch the contract.
"I will gladly sign, if you would be so kind as to lead my hand to where you want my signature."
He could sense she had no ill intent - he was not signing anything that was written to take advantage of his inability to see it.
"I would be honored to have quarters here m'lady. A room without many windows, and heavy drapery for those it does have, would be very much appreciated if it is not too much trouble."

[Rhindeer]

With a smile he couldn't see, Qiana reached out to take his hand and, after dipping a quill into the ink, pressed the quill into his hand. Then she gently moved his hand to the bottom of the contract.

"Right here, as best as you can. The space is large," she said, moving his hand over the area so he could feel what he had to work with, before returning his hand to its starting position, "so you needn't worry about marking over anything. Now, if you'll excuse me one moment, I'm going to ensure your room is prepared."

She stepped away from him then and ascended the dais. A corded golden rope hung to the right of the throne, and she gave it a tug that set a bell ringing. Moments later, a bowing servant was ushered into the room.

"See that a room is prepared for our new guest," Qiana told her. "One without many windows, and be sure to arrange the ones there with heavy drapery. The old studio in the East Wing should do."

The servant bowed with a, "Yes, Your Highness," and quickly exited.

That done, Qiana rejoined Ghost. "It should be ready within an hour or two."

[Blue]

Ghost could not help but be very relieved, and impressed by, her thoroughness in aiding him. There was usually a certain degree of awkwardness when others handled his apparent inability to see. When he required assistance, he seemed to throw the other party into a flurry of insecurity and worry.
But the Queen guided his hand firmly and without hesitation, not only guiding him to the signature line, but allowing him an estimation of the width of the parchment. He was very grateful for the effort.
"Thank you very much, my Lady."
He then signed with incredible grace, his penmanship impeccable and beautiful. Placing the quill carefully on the table, he turned quietly to face his new employer. He bowed deeply to her announcement of the arrangements.

"I am very grateful for your generosity. If I may be so bold as to ask another favor, I would like to meditate while I await my quarters. If there is a place so conducive to this, I would greatly appreciate being taken there, Your Highness."
He didn't particularly enjoy having to ask for things right after being given so much, but two hours was awhile to wait. And nothing sounded so good right then as a quiet session unto himself, to ground himself in this new abode and scope out the emotional auras of those within the palace.

[Rhindeer]

Qiana smiled, and hoped he could hear it in her voice. "That is no trouble at all. As you will be staying here, consider the grounds yours to wander, with a few exceptions. I'll have servants appointed to you, as well, who will be able to show you what's open to you--when you're ready and settled, of course. In the meantime..."

Summoning a servant over to her, she spoke to him briefly. He nodded and bowed, then turned to face Ghost, waiting.

"Edmund here will escort you to the gardens. I think you'll find what you're looking for there. It's quiet, and cool--I recommend the large oak by the fountain." For it provided lots of shade, and she'd always found the sound of water, and wind through the leaves, soothing.

"I'll give you a few days to settle in, and then we'll discuss your first assignment. I still have a little research to conduct before I can disclose all the details." Another little smile. "I want to make sure I have my facts straight. In any case, you are free now. Please, enjoy your day, and if you need anything, do not hesitate to ask."