[PRP] Royal Encounter [Uther, Ygraine & Eumann]

[Lithiasaur]

"My lord," the lady Ygraine said softly, following her King with almost no distance between them. She felt safest when she was right beside him, and considering he had gotten separated from her for ages the last time they were too far apart, she wasn't taking any more risks. She wanted him close to her, always, and was rather literal in her efforts.

Uther, for his part, couldn't complain about her being close to him.

"What is it?" He looked at her, hearing the question in her tone, though she hadn't finished saying it. He looked at her with a gentle expression on his grizzled face. He was a warrior, and had earned his place through his muscles and skills. His reputation was sturdy and he was known for being a grump. Except around her. His love for her changed him completely.

She smiled at him as they walked.

"Where are we going today?"

"It is proper for the King and Queen to visit their people occasionally," the King said thoughtfully, "I want to see how the provinces are doing, and I often feel the reports I receive leave out some details. Perhaps someone closer to the people will have more to say." Plus, not announcing his presence would not give anyone time to make up any stories or shows just to impress him.  

[THE Jehan]

Eumann dropped the last fish into the basket and gave a nod to the lions surrounding him. "A good catch today, everyone." He said cheerily. "Take the first three baskets to the store houses. Put the other two with the prison load leaving this aftenoon." Orders given, most of the lions scampered , baskets held tightly in their mouths. Eumann licked flecks of algae and moss off of his feet, scowling at the faint green tint still remaining. He would have to wash that off later.
The white male twitched his whiskers as he strode along the damp roads leading into the main part of Lochlann. Families, just emerging from their dens to start their day, called out their greetings in the cool morning air. Eumann returned each one with a smile and a nod, stopping to chat with a few individuals asking for advice.
The main clearing was much busier. Merchants were already doing business, bartering with their customers and shouting out deals to the browsers. A few soldiers stood guard, postures attentive but eyes bored, watching over the market to prevent any theft. Eumann trusted their abilities, but it wasn't the soldiers he counted on to keep things peaceful. The governor stole a glance over to a young male selling various herbs. The lion licked his right paw leisurely and rubbed it over his muzzle. Eumann sighed happily. There had been no trouble this morning. A slight prance in his step,
Eumann padded through the marketplace, intent on meeting with a few of his scholar friends for breakfast.  

[Lithiasaur]

The market was buzzing with more life than usual, as it quickly spread that the King and Queen were among them. And, of course, seeing was believing. Uther and Ygraine were walking side by side through the market, nodding their greetings to members of the pride. They didn't have soldiers with them, but that didn't mean they were alone or vulnerable.

No one tried anything, anyway. At least not yet, and Uther intended to avoid anything. If anyone was likely to upset the peace, he imagined, it would be a Druid.

He had little patience for them, despite his best efforts.

Ygraine smiled when she saw Eumann, recognizing him. She nudged the large male beside her, who turned his head to regard her thoughtfully. He followed her gaze and nodded, his smile slow in coming most of the time. It didn't mean he was unhappy, he just wasn't the showy sort.

"Good morning," Ygraine said, taking the lead in greeting Eumann with her soft voice and a nod. Uther followed her, nodding his head as well.  

[THE Jehan]

Eumann's ears swiveled at the voice. It sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite place a name to the sound. Most likely one of the newest scholars. There was a new group studying herb lore. His jaw dropped as he turned to greet the lioness. It was the queen, Ygraine, and Uther behind her. The royal family was in Lochlann. Right in front of him. Eumann quickly decided that he should probably close his mouth and bow.
"Your Majesties!" He dipped his head, front legs crouching low. "What a pleasant surprise! What brings you to Lochlann?" Anxious thoughts raced through his head. A surprise visit from the monarchs could only mean bad things. Eumann couldn't remember anything he had done that would cause his arrest. But Uther was High King. If he wanted someone thrown in the prison he wouldn't need a reason to do it.
But as he straightened up, keeping his head dipped slightly out of respect, Eumann noticed the lack of soldiers with him. Ygraine was also here. The Queen was sweet and not, to Eumann's knowledge, a fan of violence. Surely she would not have come along to see someone be captured and imprisoned. Perhaps they had come here for pleasure.
 

[Lithiasaur]

Ygraine smiled at his reaction, honestly amused, while Uther stood beside her with his almost patented expressionless face set in place. He watched Eumann and nodded his head at the return of Ygraine's greeting.

She looked at her mate and wondered at him. If they were supposed to be down here, at his insistence, to mingle with the common folk and make their presence known through the pride to remind them that they were still aware... why did Uther not make a greater effort to even speak to any of them? He seemed content to remain aloof.

He might as well have stayed in the castle, for all the good he was doing.

For her part, Ygraine was getting more into it.

"There's no need to stand on ceremony," she said smoothly, feeling at home once again with her status restored. Being in the rogue lands had reminded her that she was really no different to them, save for one title in one pride. But she liked that title, and much preferred this life to the rogue thing.

Uther grunted.

"We are just visiting the provinces, and seeing how things are coming along. How is Lochlann treating you?" He had been elbowed by the lioness at his side, and that managed to get him talking.  

[THE Jehan]

Eumann huffed softly, both in relief and amusement at his initial concern. They had come here for "fun", or at least what seemed like fun to the Queen. Eumann couldn't really tell what Uther was thinking. The King always seemed to have an expressionless mask on, making it hard to read him. Eumann supposed this worked in Uther's favour, however annoying it was in non-political conversations.
The governor relaxed, raising his head back up to a normal position. But, being of a smaller stature then most other lions, he was still looking up slightly to meet the King's eyes. "Lochlann is treating me well, and I hope that it will do the same for you." Eumann replied. He supposed that it would proper for him to show the royal family around. He was quite sure that they didn't know their own way around. Eumann's eyes darted about, looking for a few key individuals milling around the market. After making eye contact with them, the white male smiled at Uther and Ygraine. There would be no trouble today. "If it would please you, I would be more than honoured to show you around the market. We have some fascinating goods that aren't available up in Mkoani." Because the merchants refuse to sell them. Eumann added in his head. But his face still had a pleasant smile on his face, eyes slightly crinkling with the expression.  

[Lithiasaur]

Uther nodded his head at the response, presumably happy with it. He was a large lion, making their difference in size all the more obvious. But he didn't see strength in size alone: he knew better than to underestimate someone because he happened to be bigger than they were.

Not that he had any intention of battling Eumann, but as a warrior at heart the King was always thinking in those terms.

Ygraine watched the males and shook her head, nuzzling Uther by surprise and getting him flustered. He looked at her with wide eyes, like he was shocked she would show her affection so plainly, and in front of everyone, and for that he got a lick on the cheek. He made a blubbering noise and shrank a little, and Ygraine giggled. She had the power over him, it was clear.

Love was Uther's weakness.

As he melted and was distracted, she looked back at Eumann.

"I would love to take a tour! Wouldn't you, dearest?" she said, looking at Uther, who was recovering. He nodded his head, but now he seemed bashful and almost awkward though his pride was fighting hard to win out over it.

"Please, show us your Province, Governor," Ygraine said pleasantly, padding a few steps away to start them up. She knew if she let them the boys would just stand around all day and talk shop, about the pride and about the druids, and she wanted to avoid that. She was there to enjoy herself.  

[THE Jehan]

Eumann bit his tongue to hold back a chuckle at show in front of him. It was nice to see Uther having some sort of real emotion. It was nice to see Uther at all, in fact. Despite having some differences in their beliefs and policies, Eumann supported the King over the Council. The Lochlann councilmen were content to stay in Mkoani with their families, debating politics and gambling with power. Eumann couldn't remember the last time either of them had been back home. And here was the royal couple themselves, here not on business but to see the people. They wanted to keep in touch with their people. Their positions of power hadn't filled them with haughty pride and arrogance.
The white male smiled as Ygraine subtly urged them to get started. "Of course, your Majesties. Please, come with me." Eumann took the lead, gesturing back into the market. It was a good place to start, the market. It showed the unique items created in Lochlann and imported from Uliacha. "Herbs grow very well here. Our scholars have concocted some excellent ointments for all kinds of ailments. Scratches, achy joints, cracked pads, even ones that repeal fleas." Eumann stopped in front of a booth displaying some of the ointments. The governor smiled reassuring at the merchant and turned back to the King and Queen. "Please, help yourselves. My treat as guests to the province." He would be paying for anything "bought" later on, of course, but for now he wanted to keep things pleasant for Uther and Ygraine. He didn't want to have them dealing with the nasty haggling process his merchants were so found of.  

[Lithiasaur]

Ygraine and Uther followed, Uther looking around with interest. He was keen on seeing how the Province was prospering, and so far it seemed to be doing well. The Governor was invested, at least, which was more than Uther could say for the Council he saw far more often.

"Have they?" Ygraine asked with excitement, as Uther lost himself in thought. She looked at him and rolled her eyes, knowing there was no real point in hassling him to pay attention. The King was often in his own world, at least as far as Ygraine was concerned. That world being 'ruler of the pride', of course, and she couldn't grudge him that.

She loved him anyway.

"That sounds wonderful. We should have them bring their potions to the castle, if they're better than what the scholars there can make. Do you agree, Uther, love?"

The male lion looked at her, then at Eumann. It was very clear he had not been listening, though his face was impassive. He nodded his head in his Kingly way and Ygraine laughed at him.

"I should not have brought you," he said to her lowly, though there was some amusement and embarrassment in his voice. He looked at the Merchant, though, "if you make us something fresh and bring it to the castle, we will barter with you there."