A/N: Here's the second, very short part of my double update!

Disclaimer: I do not own the wonderful world of Sherwood Smith. I do own Marscopa Likshen Merindar, Ermiliana Argaliar (although I don't own her last name), Lestran Argaliar,Liselia Khialem, Jhussav of Savona, Norilse the maid, Derec Toarnevdar the third, baron of Orbanith, Dered Toarnevdar the fourth, Mashi Chamadis, King Lourden Merindar, Shandra Argaliar, Inclenius Debegri, Yolandis Astiar, Countess of Tlanth, I own Timerius Astiar's first name, but not the character, SS never states his name, Lorni Chamadis, Inina tha maid, Nori the maid, Lady Morish of Chamadis, and a few various messengers. I have oh so many OCs here...I don't own Alaerec, Elestra, Gladran, Arthal, and the character that I gave the name Timerius.

Interlude: A Book and a Cloak

Ermliana approached Marscopa at Lady Morish of Chamadis' Flower Day Party.

"Your majesty?"

The Queen turned, her bright eyes lighting up as she saw Ermliana. "Yes?"

Ermliana held up a book. It had been one she had read six times, and it was perfectly innocent, only mentioning that Marscopa was a mage and nothing more. "Well, I was reading this book because Lestran—my brother—wanted me to, and here it says you're a mage."

Marscopa's eyebrows rose and her look grew cool, and she took the book from Ermliana's hand, flipping through it. "And?"

Ermliana managed to look a little innocent. "And, Midwinter is coming up, and I need to get a gift for Elestra, my best friend. I was wondering if—if you could make me an Impervious Cloak. I—I would pay you handsomely, and I would provide the cloak."

Marscopa's eyes became bright again, and she gave Ermliana a grin and said, "I would love to. When will you send me the cloak?"

"I'll send the cloak to you tomorrow," Ermliana promised. "I'll pay you when I get it back."

Marscopa extended a hand, and Ermliana, just barely hiding disgust, shook it. "Tomorrow, then," the Queen said gaily, and was suddenly gone in a swirl of bright, full skirts.

It wasn't until she was gone that Ermliana realized she still had the book.

----

Ermliana had borrowed a cloak from Elestra, one that fit her. She, Elestra, and Alaerec sat in Ermliana's sitting room, Elestra pale and nervously twisting her hands in her skirt, Alaerec watching her with that assessing look he had, only it was mixed with worry (Ha! Those two were so perfect for each other!), and Ermliana examining the cloak in her hands.

There was silence for a long time. Ermliana finally looked up from the cloak and said, "Well? Shall I call a messenger?"

Elestra nodded. "Go ahead."

Ermliana pulled a bell cord, and her maid, Inina, appeared. "Yes, my lady?"

Ermliana pinned the note to the cloak, and said, "I need a messenger to deliver this to the Queen. She's making an Impervious Cloak for me."

Inina curtseyed and left. Within minutes a messenger appeared. Ermliana stood. "I need this taken to Her Majesty the Queen. The note is for her as well. Please be fast." She pressed a coin into his palm and he bowed and left.

Elestra looked up at her, good humor alighting on her pale features. "Are you sure your mother would like you bribing the messengers?" she teased.

Ermliana plopped on the cushion next to Elestra. "Ah, she really doesn't care, because she does it herself," she said. Alaerec snorted and Elestra laughed. Lady Jina Argaliar was the most straight-laced lady in Court. Bribing the messengers was out of the question.

Ermliana smirked. Heck, touching the messengers was out of the question for her mother. Her mother was the snobbiest woman she knew. Ermliana twisted a dark curl in her hand, her brown eyes thoughtful.

This better work.

Well, well, well. There ya go.

Reviews:

rubic-cube: EEEEEE!!! I loved your review!! It was soooo nice! (Sorry, I'm a little hyper.) Anyway, here's Ermliana's plan to destroy Marscopa, and as for Alaerec's falling in love (Elestra, too)...definitely next chapter. I have it planned out...I just can't write the damn thing, if you'll 'scuse my Portuguese.

Rowenhood: Thank you! I'm glad ya like it!

FelSong: Did you have a good time in China? That was where you were, right (I thought I read it in Pirate Princess)? I'm glad you thought it was unexpected. I sure did...dear goodness, when Marscopa told me that was what she was going to do, and Thalia, my muse of comedy (she's Marscopa's patron muse, I NEVER would've thought that up...) told me to go along with it, I did...sometimes I really love being controlled my my characters...

Wake-Robin: Here's your answer! Thank you!!

Right. And here are all your cyber-cookies...::gives cyber-cookies::

Anyway, I'll try to get some inspiration for the next chapter...but I have a couple parts written, here's a preview for you all...

Ermliana turned towards me, her face pale. "I knew it wouldn't work."

"What?" I said, not comprehending. Her eyes were bloodshot and suddenly she looked so old, so tired and haggardand ill and so not Ermliana that I wanted to knock her out right there in the hall outside the Throne Room and mae her sleep until she was herself again. And then it dawned on me...

It hadn't worked.

"What?" I said again, this time horrified.

Ermliana shook her head, tears beginning to leak out of her eyes, a tiny smile on her face. She was delirious, I decided.

"I knew it wouldn't work...and it did, oh Lessie, it did!

Hmmm...I wonder what that is all about...hmmm. Note the heavy sarcasm.

nebulia