[Aylwen Dreamsong]

The primary silence in Siamak's room felt awkward for a moment, but Gjeelea adjusted to the tenseness that had settled over her and her brother. In the moments before the Emissary entered, Gjeelea wondered how things had become so estranged between her and Siamak. She almost felt as if there had always been an animosity between them. Gjeelea had been three years old when Siamak was born, and she remembered little of that time.

Gjeelea snapped out of her thoughts when the Emissary arrived, so she smiled pleasantly and put on her usual business-like façade.

Siamak took control of the conversation immediately. Gjeelea did not show her surprise in her brother’s suddenly straightforward manner, but the younger sibling had impressed her ever so slightly. He is learning, Gjeelea thought absently as the Emissary began to respond to the Prince’s questioning. But poor Siamak still has to learn, and he is learning too slowly. Father will have to choose between a slow learner and one who already knows.

The Princess expected the sort of answer given by the Emissary - it answered Siamak's question, but vaguely in a sort of rough, outlining thesis. It was the kind of answer Gjeelea had used many times in response to questions she did not like; questions that especially had answers that she knew were less than desirable in total truth. The Emissary spoke of trade mostly, and then he spoke of friendship in an uncertain world.

It would be foolish to just ask 'why?'...Gjeelea thought, musing on what she might say in response to the Emissary's words.

"How is our world uncertain, Emissary, that we need to have alliances with as many nations as possible?" Gjeelea pondered aloud, not meaning to sound so vague but unsure for a moment how to phrase her question and unwilling to spend more time rewording in her mind. "Surely there are times in life...which, perhaps, require more preparedness than others. Those times when one needs to be prepared for the worst in any situation. Those are the times when we are uncertain of which outcome will occur, knowing the best or the worst could happen. Yet, I think, you speak of a danger that we know nothing about at this time. Or perhaps I take your words too literally?"