"Your Highness." Amharic ran into the room, almost tripping on the rug at the doorway.

Vana, sat atop her throne, twirled her dagger in her hand.Her velvety voice dropped with sarcasm. "Thank you for making a fool of yourself, honestly, that was the highlight of my week."

Amharic twiddled his thumbs while Vana laughed.

"But, seriously, why are you here? Are you lost?" She stood, wavy blonde hair falling to one side of her shoulder. Her dagger, still in her hand, gleamed in the moonlight.

"Prince Xavier-" Amharic was immediately cut off by Vana.

"What about him? Does this have anything to do with anything that would concern me?"

"He's begun a journey to Ithia-"

Again, stopped short by Vana. "I'm going to give you two minutes, you need to explain to me why I should care about the prince going on vacation to a market town."

"I will, your Highness." Amharic bowed his head. "He's begun a journey to Ithia, a few days ago because King Leon ordered him to. The king says that a Dragon Singer was located there. Says she'll increase the military force or something."

"WHAT?" Vana nearly dropped her dagger. "WHAT. DID. YOU. JUST. SAY?"

"They've found a Dragon Singer-"

"I know what you said." Vana snapped. "Why are you telling me this? You work for Yna, this is treason."

"Your father saved my life, I couldn't repay that debt to him, so I'm paying it to you. I fear the Quillsnakes plan to kill you during your stay."

"Those rats!" Vana wheeled around, "I was willing to join them! I was going to sign a treaty! Not anymore. They want to play games, I'll give them a game they'll never forget." She hurled her dagger toward her throne, hitting right where the head would be. "Amharic, is it? You are to head back to Viâna, gather more information, report back to me."

"How? I've probably already raised enough suspicion."

"Hold on." Vana ran behind her throne, to the desk where she kept her parchment and ink. "We'll use these." She handed Amharic a piece of parchment and an ink well.

"Parchment?"

"Try writing something on it."

Amharic wrote out his name, watching the ink transfer into the parchment Vana held out in front of her, then slowly disappear of his parchment.

"This is how you will send me information on Yna. Succeed by giving me useful insight, and you will be rewarded rather generously. Fail, and well," Vana chuckled. "I believe I've already demonstrated my accuracy with a knife. Now go."