A true investment

To princess Vedinia, I hope this letter reaches you well I know we have had our differences and my judgement of you was harsh and uncalled for, but i have lived along time and I have seen what the old empire could do and i assumed you were of that same kind, it was harsh and wrong and unbecoming to someone of your status, i write this letter to you now to give you my deepest of apologizes, Adolfo and the Talidd saw something good and just in you, and from what i have heard about you regarding your adventures in the island off of Maladon and how you seem to be championing nature and all of her bounty this and the fact you are showing yourself to be a great and just woman in these hard times, I ask that we can meet so that i may show you the plight your people are facing and hope that in doing so you can see the worth in not only being the champion of nature but helping the empires children also. with great respect  Mindartis   

A letter of response arrives back via a post boy. He's dressed rather nicely, and hands off the message to Mendartis before leaving. The seal is unbroken and bears the insignia of the royal family. Thank you for your letter Mindartis. The ink has reached my eyes, and I do hope that your endearing words are more than just flattery. Unfortunately though I have been quite busy with important matters concerning the future of Haven, and don't expect any relief of that soon. With that said I have some business to attend to at the inn of the Brotherhood of the Rose soon. On the 18th of Sunmar I have a meeting scheduled there, and afterwords I can spare some time to meet you over lunch. I pray you will make good use of my time. Princess Vedinia Julianus of the Valmar Empire second of her name, and daughter of Vedin of House Julianus

The 18th of Sunmar comes the streets of the high town is busy with people enjoying the sun and the pleasantness of the day, the people of the rose inn are lively music, laughter and general merriment is to be had this inn is the place to be for all the well to do nobles of haven. A tall elf walks into the inn proud and sure of himself he wears fine black robes with fine crimson trim, the man walks over to you holding a parchment with the broken mark of the royal family, he bows to you and says ( i must thank you princess for agreeing to this meeting with such a busy schedule, if i may, ) Mindartis sits down (I am glad to hear you are working on the future of Haven, for in truth the future of Haven is exactly the thing i wish to talk to you about and you couldn't of picked the best place, ) he smiles ( you see princess this place needs change from the inside, as it stands the needs of the people are being forgotten and i believe with your support we can help make Haven and her people become free from the oppression of the old ways of the empire and you maybe able to bring things to a new path, ) he calls over a serving girl asks for a drink and offers you one. He looks at you with strong emotional eyes, ( you see Vedinia if you don't mind me calling you that, but what do you see when you look around here? What do you see when you walk around the guild or temple district? Rich well to do nobles who were sent here for reasons, well that might of lead them to come out of favor in the empire much like most here or maybe to make a new start, now i know im coming off hard not all are like that and people will always be people but i see in you Vedinia someone who went through something, well magical something that would of likely destroyed a lesser person, but you are a strong person i see that and from what i heard its more then true. ) He takes a sip from his drink and sighs, ( I have seen alot of pain in my long life and coming here, well was a shock that the empire would allow its people to live in filth and squalor, to allow men and women to die starving on the streets for orphans to have to steal, beg and resort to other deeds just to make it through to the next day and for the empires young women to have to sell themselves just to make ends meet. I have seen it all here and i have walked through it all for the past two years of being here. ) He stands up facing you ( but these words mean nothing from me for i have a way to buy food and to defend myself, but let me show you what the real Haven is like princess let me show you what the people must go through everyday, away from the nobles who simply wish to say yes to gain your favor away from these walls that only show one side of a bigger problem, and please let me show you the main reason why i called this meeting words will not do for anything i say could be miss understood i believe you must see it for yourself, ) he holds out his hand and bows slightly ( it is a humble request that could change the future of haven forever. )

As Mindartis approaches Vedinia she finishes an interaction with a rather plump man of noble birth. Clearly the two had just finished some sort of interaction, and the man takes a bow as he makes his way out from the inn. As Mindartis approaches and passes on the letter the young princess gives him a forced smile, and generic greeting. Her tone of voice has an air of elegance, but it is quite clear she is only partaking in as much as is necessary to be polite. As the elf takes his seat and begins to speak Vedinia listens quietly only to interrupt abruptly part of the way through it. "It's Princess Vedinia." After that interruption the girl returns to her silence, and continues to listen to Mindartis' speech. She seems to take every word in, but at the same time not a hint of emotion spills across her powdered face. Even when the man speaks of the pain and suffering of the city's poor Vedinia doesn't bat an eye, nor waver her expression. There were certainly times in the past that this young noble lady had shown deep bouts of compassion, but this was not one of those times. Finally as the speech comes to an end she doesn't put forth her hand, but instead opens her mouth to speak. "I think you misjudge me Mindartis. I have no desire to deeply change the Empire, nor save those who do not possess the power to provide for themselves. I do not like to see death, but it is a part of nature as is everything. The strong survive, and the weak perish in their wake. I serve the Empire and seek to protect it. I am afraid there are much larger pieces in play than the content of a few of its citizens. When it comes to matters I concern myself with I have an obligation to look at the bigger picture." Vedinia pauses for a moment before standing up, and calling over a waitress to bring her some food. As the waitress leaves she looks back to Mindartis once more. "So Mindartis, what is it you want? Or should I say what do you want? No games, no semantics I genuinely am curious on why you came here today."

Mindartis looks at you a smile across his face genuine and thoughtful, ( well princess Vedinia protecting the empire is a good course and what i said would only protect it for what is the empire without its farmers and common people, they are the backbone of the empire help save them and you would be protecting the empire itself, ) he stands tall speaking softly but with purpose his violet eyes never flinching and show more age then his soft ashen face would suggest. He points to the door ( what i want princess or should i say what i would like, is to take you and show you what i mean words can only reach you so far and as nice as letters are i fear our past interactions taint any words i might say to you, so i wish to by pass them and simply show you what i mean because seeing things with your own eyes over comes anything i could say to you at this point, ) his eyes narrow and he sighs, he then speaks in a soft gentle tone words you understand as Sylvan ( you speak of an obligation to look at the bigger picture, but this is the bigger picture for i have walked in the ashen void and i have seen the taint that breaks this land that pushes through the vale of a frozen plane wearing a crown made of frigid disdain, i am simply saying one grain of salt will not melt the snow to come, we must be together and help those so they can have the tools to be strong, ) he pauses then speaks in common again, ( you speak of nature but there are laws in nature, a mother will protect her young, an alpha will protect his pack and guardians will protect their territory and all that lie within, but in mans world there is no law how can the weak ever try to be strong when the laws and rules change to keep them weak and their leaders and guardians plot only to strip them of any strength, for mans world has no balance and is harsher than nature could ever be, but this is what i want princess Vedinia simply to ask and to show you with this bigger picture if the backbone falls so to dose the body, i want only to show you what i speak of. )

Vedinia listens to Mindartis' words quietly, but once again her expression remains blank and uncaring. The entire speech seems to run deaf to her ears, or perhaps in spite of it her previous convictions remain in tact. As the man finishes with his words the princess once more rebuttals softly, though this time in Slyvan. "You speak as if you are, but a child in the forest. You run to your mother crying of shadows, yet you lack the comprehension to understand what truly threatens your life. I am not here to tend to every scab that sits upon the Empire's knee. I seek to stop the swords, daggers, and arrows that might pierce its heart. There are things in this world much worse than death, and I shall not allow my home to be taken by them." As the last of the words leave the girl's mouth she gives the man a harsh stare. Her deep ruby eyes bear a piercing look as if she is gazing into his mind, but before long they divert their attention elsewhere. Finally she speaks in Low Valmari one last time. "I am truly glad you have come to me with this matter. If you truly find it in your heart to believe such small matters are the concern of a princess than you have lived a blessed life indeed. I pray that when real trouble walks upon our walls I will be able to protect you so that your blissful ignorance can continue." With that Vedinia returns to her meal quietly.

Mindartis's violet eyes stare back at you as you stare into his seemingly doing the same with you, after Vedinia speaks her last words Mindartis simply smiles ( thank the gods Princess your here to protect the children and to give such a thoughtful offer of protection when the real trouble comes, ) he smiles ( thank you for your time Princess, this truly was a splendid meeting ) he takes his leave.