peerless_thayet | (no subject)

(no subject)

Summer in Corus can be punishingly hot, especially in the enclosed banquet halls and galleries of the palace.

Thayet has taken to indulging in a morning visit to Milliways, just to slip outside and have the cool Scottish breeze dance off the lake and through her hair, cooling her down for at least a little while.

Today she takes a large glass of iced tea along and chooses a spot underneath a tree, listening to the leaves rustle above her head and the whinnies of horses turned out in the paddock.

Milliways is enchanting in the morning mist.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Oh, yes." A wicked grin. "Though our reports on the number of pickpockets goes up and down. There's more honest opportunity, but I'm afraid some see the influx of people and goods as an opportunity of another sort."

Like Alanna, Thayet has a soft spot for certain thieves.

"Here we are, then," she says, as two attendants, moving in perfect harmony, open a set of double doors.

The sun is bright, making the queen blink rather a lot. Beyond, the royal stables, where Jon and Thayet's personal mounts are kept. There aren't as many people here as in the main courtyard, but there are still quite a few liveried servants hurrying about. Thayet approaches one such man, who snaps to attention and bows.

"I'll be needing a carriage brought around. We'll be visiting the University today."

The man blinks. "A carriage?"

Thayet nods patiently. "A carriage."

"Very well, Your Majesty." He sends Amy a curious look and turns toward the stables, shouting orders.

"I usually ride," she explains. "Buri should be down with the trainees. We'll stop there first."

Amy's smile to the man is equal parts Hello and Graciousness and Of Course I'm Meant To Be Here.

It's a skill.

"I'm more than content to let you set the itinerary," she tells Thayet with something of a grin.

"And I suppose that's something else to consider. What sort of things would have to be provided to support a university, and the area it's in. Like security."

Though Ambergeldar really has very little crime.

"I almost feel as if I should be taking notes."

"Security, educational supplies, room and board..." Thayet nods, a smile in her eyes if not on her lips. "Planning committees for each was the answer."

She nods, amused at Amy's comment.

"I have many left over of my own I am more than willing to share."

As they wait, Thayet tells Amy of how they decided on different programs, how they recruited instructors and how they began providing regular meals for the vast quantity of people who were suddenly occupying that part of Corus.

She is still talking about the food when the carriage arrives and they climb inside.

"Do you have a location in mind?"

"There's a spot, not quite on the edge of Amber, lovely site. Just along the river, right where it turns, and just a little way from the last of the bridges in the city. Nice sized piece of land, just a few buildings currently standing on it. It used to be an estate, but it was forfeited to the Crown not too long ago.

"Our Protocol Officer's. He was in on a plot to take the throne.

"He'd be completely horrified that that's what happened to his lands. It's just not what's done. Of course, the same can be said of high treason.

"I shall have to make sure he hears about it . . . "

"Horse Lords, I should think so!"

It would pain her to admit, but Thayet's expression turns from interested friend to Very Indignant Royal at the mere mention of treason.

High treason is something she has witnessed first hand. Amy might have heard the highlights from Alanna or even from Thayet herself, but as they wind their way from the Royal palace to the banks of the Olorun with only a brief stop for Buri, Thayet recounts what happened the day of Jon's coronation just as she experienced it.

It isn't something she talks about much, but it's important to establish what was and what might have been while Amy sees for herself what is.

The tour itself is a success. The staff of the University -- even the most persnickety masters -- are eager to impress, and Amy does the same with practical questions about everything from how it is run to daily budgets and construction costs. Thayet answers when she can and seeks out others to answer when she cannot.

A good two hours later, the sun is high in the sky and Thayet takes the Dean of Magic up on his offer of tea service on his office balcony.

"I think you've made a fan of Harailt," Thayet smiles at Amy, waiting for her tea to cool, "even though none of your questions pertained directly to the Gift."

Amy smiles. "Genuine interest and fairy-given Charm do have their uses," she says, Cheerfully.

"Thank you, Thayet. I suspect I am about to go home and talk Perry's ear off for a few days, but I think I have a much clearer idea of what we'd need to do and arrange and so on."

"I do hope he won't be cross with me before we've even met," Thayet teases. "But I'm glad it helped. I'll give you my mountains of notes when we return to the palace. Hopefully they will be of use."

She lifts her cup, smiling over her tea.

"You know, I was thinking while that Master of Legal History was rambling at you about the establishment of the Provost's Guard: you're the first proper friend I've brought here from..." her eyes dart to the room behind them, checking that it's clear "...Milliways." Her smile widens. "It's fun."

"Isn't it? I love bringing people to Ambergeldar. I notice things I'd never notice otherwise, talking to people for whom everything around them is new."

And Amy's Court is rather used to the Queen's odd friends materializing from the ether.

"I'd love for you to come visit some time.

"Certainly once there's a university to show you, but before then, too, if you'd like."

Because it's likely to take a little while to pull together.

Her smile wrinkles up her nose. "The Master of Legal History did ramble a fair bit, didn't he? I'm reasonably certain he reached his point in the end, but not completely."

"I would," Thayet smiles.

Perhaps Jon and Perry would also enjoy getting to know someone with similar royal responsibilities.

"At least we aren't required to attend his lectures," she notes, "though he looked rather hopeful that we would. It would be entertaining to see his face, should you tell him why exactly you've no need of our detailed history."

The thought very nearly makes the Queen giggle.

"Yes, a rather successful day, I think." Holding her tea higher, she toasts, "To the universities. Long may they fulfill our hopes for them."

"To universities," Amy repeats.

"And to friends.

"Wherever we are so fortune as to find them."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only