Hello, hello. ^^ Glad to see you're all still reading. Ooh, I see some new faces there, too! Hi! Wow, from Ireland and Bolivia. I feel honoured. That's a grand total of 21 countries. We're slowly going international. ^________^ Keep up the good work, readers!

This will likely be the last update on Ellipsis for the next week, so heck, I hope you like it. It's short, and it's nothing special, but it does have Ranulf. And Ranulf is excellent.

Please give me lots of nice reviews while I'm away? Oh, and recommend me to friends, too! I love watching the little hit counter slowly going up (yes, I have no life). =D

By the time they reached the castle gate, Soren's stomach was gnawing away at itself in anxiety. The castle, while far enough away from any nearby town, was big enough to be a city in itself. It towered over the mercenary company, completely dwarfing them despite their numbers. Soren briefly wondered if the dominance of the structure was due to the size of the king himself, or whether it was merely a showy display of wealth and power. He could not linger on his thoughts, however - they were easily interrupted by the glares of castle guards as they walked past. Soren returned their glares.

"These are your rooms, along this corridor," Ranulf said, addressing the entire company. "Make yourselves comfortable. If you need anything, just whistle - someone will attend to you directly." He turned to Ike, his voice returning to its normal volume. "Princess Elincia is waiting for you upstairs. However, King Caeneghis would like to meet you first of all. I believe he wishes to discuss Daein's invasion."

Ike smiled. "You've suddenly started speaking very politely, Ranulf," he noted, amusement showing in his voice.

"Was I impolite before?" Ranulf raised his eyebrows. "I'm meant to represent Gallia's king. I have to act properly while we're inside the castle, at least. Being formal isn't in my nature, though." He suddenly realised that Soren was still standing there. "Are there not enough rooms? I'm sure I asked for enough to be put aside."

Ike interrupted before Soren had a chance. "Soren's my tactician," he explained. "He'll be accompanying me in any meetings. That's not a problem, is it?"

Ranulf scratched his head. "Actually, it might be." His gaze lingered on Soren. "He might not be entirely… welcome."

"Stop tiptoeing around," Soren said, his anger starting to surface. "Ike knows."

"I know what?" Ike frowned in confusion. "…Wait, is this because of your Brand?"

Ranulf spoke quietly. "You'd do well to keep your voices down, both of you. It's better not to cause more trouble than already has been."

"What?" Disbelief resounded in Ike's voice. "How can Soren's parentage cause so much of a fuss? I thought your king was in favour of improving relations between beorc and laguz."

"There's a distinct line between relations and relationships," Ranulf replied. He turned to Soren. "I'm sorry, but you won't exactly get a warm welcome here."

"I was hardly expecting one."

Ranulf turned back to Ike. "Look, Ike. You're the king's guests, and that's the only reason people aren't expressing outrage at Soren's presence here in the castle. It's asking too much to give him an audience with the king. It would be considered a disgrace."

"What? But--"

"It's fine. Leave it, Ike." Soren met Ranulf's gaze. "My very existence is considered taboo here. That's why even though they can sense me, they'll ignore me. Giving me an audience with the king would mean admitting that I exist, so they can't allow that."

Ranulf turned away, looking uncomfortable. "Look, if it were up to me, I'd allow it. But as a representative, I can't. I'm tied to my duty. I hope you understand."

"I don't," Ike said bluntly. "I don't understand how you can support rebuilding relations between beorc and laguz and yet have such prejudice against someone who represents both races."

"Because the Branded aren't seen as half of either race," Ranulf explained. "They're seen as half of neither."

"And because of politics. Those in power have ideals to gain popularity, not to get anything done. That's the way it is in both cultures." Soren didn't bother to keep the disdain from his voice.

Ranulf frowned at him. "…I'll speak with the king, but I make no promises."

Ike smiled. "Thanks, Ranulf. I appreciate it."

"Yeah, yeah…If I get fired, I'm blaming you."