@DragonSong ----------------
The carriage ride from Reajh was a long one, but being away from the capital was a welcome change of pace for the ambassador. Declan Maddox sat in the crimson and gold coach with the velvet drapes drawn over the windows. A book in his lap, the elf couldn't seem to focus on the historical fiction tale because the eyes of his mordecai companion kept burrowing into his skull.
"You need a book," Declan said finally, not looking up from the words that appeared to blur together.
"I don't like reading," Thera said simply, turning away from him.
Declan looked up with a smirk. "Well, perhaps, if you did, you might be capable of besting me in an argument for once." His comment only earned him a roll of her eyes and a sneer. He smirked, looking back down at the book to actually try to get into the story. That is, until the coach almost collapsed to the left with a loud
CRACK!Thera jumped out, and Declan frowned suddenly, bracing himself with ease. Against his guard's instruction, the ambassador stepped out of the coach to join Thera and the driver. The back left wheel had split in half.
"Get this fixed," Thera spat at the coachman. "Ambassador Maddox, follow me. Less than a mile to the east, there's a house. We'll stay there."
"The house is owned, Thera," Declan said. "We ask permission."
She pulled Necrolight slightly out of its sheath. "This is permission."
They approached the house, and Declan turned to Thera. "Let me do the talking," he said quietly. "You aren't exactly warm and cuddly." She rolled her eyes, and the elf knocked three times on the door.