[Manardariel]

"What is the matter with you?"

Tessa shook her head at Averyll, Vieana and Elen, who all swung round like children caught doing something very, very, naughty. The three had been crowding themselves beind a small window of one of the turret rooms, apparently looking out of the window.

"Brilliant day, is it not?" Elen asked, sounding breathless.

Tessa raised both eyebrows. "Yes, right...is there anything else to see down there? Oh, and Averyll, what have you got to do with that stuck-nose Pelien woman?"

The effect of those simple, casually spoken words was far more than even Tessa had intended. Vieana turned pale, Elen blushed furiously. Averyll stared at Tessa like she´s just turned into a fluffy, white bunnyrabbit. "How...How do you know?" she asked, her voice hoarse.

"I just saw your "messenger" return. The poor girl asked me to give you her message, for she had to return to the kitchens as soon as possible." Tessa smiled cat-like, letting her eyes wonder over a stummering Elen, a chalk-white Vieana and Averyll, whose lips were closed very tightly.

Vieana shot the other two a quick, inquisitive glance. Averyll barely visible shook her head, cleared her throat and turned to Tessa, apparently trying to look relaxed and casual. She was failing miserably. "So, what was the message she asked you to pass on?"

Tessa grinned. "Congrats, my dears. You´re invited for tea and refreshments. Tomorrow, two hours after noon. Honestly, what are you three up too?"

"Oh, nothing." Elen said, maybe a little to quickly. "We´re just...socializing. Meeting new people. You know."

"No, I don´t know!" She was getting annoyed. "Look, I don´t know why you want to meet that robed and jeweled general of a woman, but listen to this. Remember last year, the whole sea-captain affair? It was people like your lady Pelien who wanted to abadon Finduilas from court, and do you know why? To make their own daughters more powerful. Woman like that are snakes. They think of their own interests- and usually those aren´t very healthy for other people. So, if you are convinced to go to that little tea-party, be my guest. But if either of you end up poisend by that snakes fangs- or, as a matter of fact, her tea- don´t say I didn´t warn you!"

She stared at the others, her eyes glittering menacing. They had better tell them what was happening here. Tessa wanted to know. Tessa needed to know.