Esylana: Elleinad had been busy, as busy as ever. She was going over plans, schematics. She was taking messages as frantic runners came in and out. It was...perhaps, the most busy the Rose Garden had been in a long time. It wouldn't be too much longer before Lorian would return. Her spies had reported his success in catching Esylana, and she was both annoyed and pleased at the same time. He had a bargaining chip now, and she didn't like that. None the less, she had her own plans to initiate, but there was still a problem she hadn't addressed. How to get the army out of the way long enough for her "rebellion" to do some serious damage and require Empire "assistance". She sighed and touched the bridge of her nose as she wrestled with the problem, briefly, a nearby messenger nattering on about reports on some cleric, or rather, (really, why should she care about that, of all things?) when she finally lost her temper, turned, and incinerated the poor fellow. The fire was hot, it burned black, and within seconds he was nothing but ashes, the smoke rising in a weak final wisp of denile. "Somebody clean that up," she ordered, turning back to the map before her.

IgnisAeternus: -From just outside the pavelon Empress Elleinad's personal handmadiens stood awaiting her commands at a moments notice with their heads down and hands crossed over their fronts. They need not be reminded what powers their Empress welded but one was out of place with not only her physical appearence but also her clothing. Unlike the many around that wore heavy drabs of colorful drabs, darkly tanned skin and bright colored hair Romanea was not that. She wore garbs that were open and light with drapping cloths that looked more for appearence then anything with colors of dark browns and lovely detailed blackened gold. Her skin fair and white as frickles decorated her shoulders, neck, cheek and nose giving her a more exotic appearence compared to the others but Romanea's hair always caught peoples eyes. It burned like a fire in the sunlight and only seemed to keep that fiery appearence at night when most seem to see her but today was different. Elleinad had requested her presense in the garden with the rest of the handmadeins. Why, she did not question. Simply did what she was told as the delicate flower of the wilds. As their Empress lost her temper against a messanger two handmadeins did not heistate to grab a dust pan and broom while Romanea did the unthinkable. She stepped up to their Empress, shy as frightened cat, with her head down and so very silent. She spoke to her in a soft gentle tone.-"My Empress, perhaps we should....Walk the garden's path."

Esylana: Elleinad's eyes flashed briefly as she glanced up, but then sighed. There were five handmaidens who held a -very- special place, as everyone knew. And they were Elle's favorites. The one who had spoken just now was one of them, and her face did soften briefly, before she sighed again, eyes falling to the map. Time was of the essence. It was too much work, in too little time, and any wasting of it would result in catastrophic results...but perhaps the walk is what she needed to clear her mind. And so, Elleinad stepped away from her work, took Romanea's hand into the crook of her arm, and said. "Let us, then. Perhaps the distraction will give me the insight I need." The gesture was familiar, a sign of favor, and the other handmaidens bowed as they walked by, not complaining, not daring to look up, or move an inch. Elleinad's will be done.

IgnisAeternus: -As her Empress took her hand into the nook of her arm and spoke her precious words Romanea only nodded her head in return before the other handmaidens had bowed their heads as Elleinad and her began to walk away. As they stepped from the pevelon Romanea's eyes already begun to wonder across the garden in search of any threats as her exteror spoke of a shy frail girl her inner thoughs were of a daring dnagerous woman. Romanea had already begun to notice a few people around. The royal gardener, a spy for the Empress, and a few children wondering about as some slaves worked with bundles of flowers to prepare for tonights dinner which weren't under the Empresses command. As they went along they would drift to the high walled garden maze. It was small, only a mile from start to finish with its complexaty simply enough that a child could figure it out. When they entered she spoke to her Empress very very softly while drifting closer to her so Romanea could feel the very warm of her body.-"You are stressing heavily over those battle plans my Empress. You need not show such weakness at such a peaceful time in your Empire or at least for as long as it lasts."

Esylana: She enjoyed this part of the garden, but rarely had the chance to be in it. The burdens of ruling, even as her husband suffered from his own ailments, left her working more oft than not. Part of her was annoyed by it. The other was extremely pleased - she didn't like having to wrestle over important decisions. But when she'd received word that Lorian Castellan might be making plans to take the throne for herself, it had sent her into a silent wrath that simply radiated as an aura. After all she'd done for Valanice and its peoples, its families, this was how she was to be treated in kind? "Weakness...weakness would be allowing that petty Lord to continue thinking his schemes and plans are effective...weakness would be letting his people hold him on a pedestal, and allow them the notion that the Empire is optional..." She paused suddenly, turning to look at Romanea. "She blew up a volcano...the peoples of Devilin are taking refuge in other lands, and there is unrest everywhere. One "natural" disaster, and suddenly my Empire is on the verge of a civil war..." She pursed her lips. "Am I wrong in my thoughts, Romanea? That I must show what the Empire does with those who would cause unrest and disturb the peaceful balance we've fought so hard to attain?"

IgnisAeternus: -Romanea thought for a few moments as they would walk in silence after such words spoken from her Empress but as she would bring her Empress to a halt she turned to face her and with her true gaze she spoke. The hardened assassin stepped out to speak to to her as it had in the past to help advise her Empress in matters of merciless slaughter.-"If I was to be so blunt. Showing that little matters such as planning for battle will cause you such stress will show weakness. I do not find your thoughts wrong in any manner but right now you need to have a calm mind in order to best lead your people in this time of termoil. If you really want to show what happens to those that disrupt the peace I think its time you level the playing field."-She took a pause as she stepped up with their bodies pressed to one another, Romanea pushing her Empress into the massive bush wall, before whispering to her in such a manner that was only acceptable for lovers.-"I think its time you give the pond a little open time....So that the royals that dare oppose you may play in its calm waters."-These word might seem confusing to anyone that could have been POSSIBLE around, a very slim possiblity, but to the Empress she would understand it. The pond where the monster dwells. A monster with a thousand heads but a single body.-

Esylana: Elleinad's lips curled upwards into a smile. That beautiful smile, that looked so lovely on her face. She was radiant, when she smiled. Even when the smile was at the thought of dark, cruel, and malicious acts. Pressed into the bushes as she was, it would be a miracle for anyone else to even attempt such a thing. But the Empress liked Romanea...well enough. Sometimes her hair reminded her of her own nemesis. She had considered, quite a few times, sending Romanea to go and take care of Esylana herself. If anyone could do it, it would be this hand maiden. And depending on how things played out, she may very well end up sending her regardless. But for this moment, the suggestion that Romanea presented intrigued her. She understood the words, and she leaned in, her own breath tickling the ear of her beloved hand maiden. "Please...what is it you have in mind, my dear?"

IgnisAeternus: -That smile of Elleinad's radiating such a warmth that Romanea couldn't help but bite her lower lip in deep satisfaction of witnessing such a sight even more so it got her highly expected over the fact that it was because of her intent to have so many killed underneath Romanea's blade. A slight shiver spread through her loins as she whispered into her ear befor Romanea whispered back.-"Perhaps during the actions of the weak a few....short children will be able to come into the city and shadow the city in burst of water. Maybe more toward the center of the city. Were the royals play house."

Esylana: She tilted her head as she listened, her blue eyes suddenly narrowing as she considered these carefully chosen words. Her smile once again grew, a nod of pleasure. "I see, I see...such might actually be effective...and if the children play, then...well, surely someone would have to come and see what is going on?" She was looking into her handmaidens eyes, almost nose to nose with her. This sort of scheming was...delightful. And especially delightful was the fact that it was productive. If her hand maiden was interesting in being useful in this manner, then Elleinad would most gladly allow it - she trusted no one as much as the five favorites.

IgnisAeternus: -Oh she was starting to feel her very thighs rubbing against each other just slightly as the delightful thoughts of death, chaos, and destruction filled her deeply. Her Empress always seemed to excite her and with that her dull emerald eyes stare into her's as they now became nose to nose. Her hands dying to reach out and scratch her Empress's body but she resisted.-"Exactly my Empress. Just say the word and I the pond shall be open to all that wish to play in it."

Esylana: Her hands came up to twirl into the red lockes of her darling hand maiden. Her lips held her beautiful smile, but the shadows of the garden fell on her face, making what would seem so light and beautiful, dark, and shady. The cruelty of it all overshadowed any pretense that she might be a sweet lover, or a darling confidant. She was a schemer in the shadows, in this moment. "It suits me, Romanea. And it suits me just...fine..." She chuckles, the tone low and melodious. It would seem her stress was finally gone. For the problem she'd been trying to solve, a solution has presented itself. It almost sends a shiver of anticipation down her spine. "If the gods were still here, I'd be thanking them for the blessing that is you..." She smirks. "Too bad I'm not a pious woman - even if they were here."

IgnisAeternus: -Romanea gave a gentle shakey gasp of excitement as the Empress began to play with her hair as the Empresses appearence became dark and malicious in nature. Her hands couldn't help but shake at her side as she was dying to touch her but Romanea knew better then to touch her after being put in her place. For now her head rose up as she whispered back to her in erotic exictement.-"You do me to much of a great honor my Empress Mhmmm...Please....Reward me after the pond is closed."

Esylana: Ever benevolent. Ever generous. Ever Elle. "Of course, my dear...don't I always?" She brushed her lips sweetly against her hand maidens forehead, before finally brushing past her, letting her body gently rub against her - she was -completely- aware of how her hand maiden felt. It was a power she relished lording over others. The power was lovely. The crown, essential. But to be lusted after? Now that was a power that Elle would -never- tire of.