Return to the regent's quarters.

"Regent Seki has the Jarl's father's skull." you tell the bard. "I intend to take another crack at her."

“If I may be so bold as to offer a suggestion, your majesty.” Swain begins. “The regent of the Oro Elide is as the trunk of some great tree. Rooted, steady, unmoving. If you wish to cut her down to size, I'd start with a branch or two.”

“A branch? You mean, her children?” you ask, eliciting a nod from the bard.

“Khaliq is young, untested, ****. The lionesses, why they're more fearsome, but they hold sway in the ranks of the Oro Elide, far beyond any inheritance of blood. They would be valuable allies.” Swain suggests.

“And you learned all this, how?” you can't help but ask him.

“You would be surprised what men will reveal when the ale flows freely, your majesty.” Swain says curtly.

You depart, trudging away from Madeleine's quarters and back towards Seki.

When you finally arrive, you find the place deserted. Your light rap on the door left unheeded, you slip inside. The suite, which Seki shares with her heir, is likewise abandoned. From one of the bedrooms, you hear the sound of feet padding across the floor, the swish of soft fabrics.

Moving with as light a step you're able, you draw close to the bedroom, and peer inside. You're not entirely sure why, but something of the mercenary's manner reminds you of your own mother. You had peeked on her once or twice in your youth, hoping to be afforded another glimpse of her demonic majesty, as you had experienced as a boy.

Your eyes drink in the half-dressed figure in the bedroom. You're aware almost immediately that it's not Seki herself, but the realisation of who it actually is takes a moment or two longer. The dark-skinned figure has their back to you, is clad in only silken undergarments and a wig of dark curls, descending down their back.

The slender framed person considers two gowns laid out on the bed, sizing their options up. As they turn their face slightly, taking in both dresses, you manage to recognise them.

It's Khaliq, the green, untested heir to the Oro Elide. Evidently, the lion cub entertains certain fantasies that he has decided to keep quiet.

You watch on in rapt attention, as Khaliq finally alights on a dress of blue and white silks. It's a pleasing gown, certainly. Hell, you catch yourself thinking that if he filled it out as nicely as he currently was his smallclothes, he'd look pretty good.