Silverlight Terrace blue

Must he? Elk wasn't so sure, but he knew that he would surely like to. In his homeland, these things were done solely through men, so it was Sunman or his sons that he would eventually have to speak to. But Elk's preference was often to speak with women, and he was eager to meet more of Callyope's blood.

"I would love to," he replied, hoping an offer to introduce them might then be extended. Instead Callyope spoke different words, and the herald's brows popped with palpable delight, though he made a good show of playing it cool. He was an easy read, this young man. Not one thought in that pretty head that could not be read just as easily on his coal-smudged face.

His smile then was shy, almost.

"I hope that you find him," he replied, his tone leaving room for himself in the equation. This was not his reason for coming and it was not at all proper for a young lady such as herself to speak of such things without her father present — but he was as enamored with the misbehavior as he was scandalized. What a rebel! "And a kingdom worthy of your name. I admire your ambition."

And truly, he did. To the marrow of his bones. It gave him ideas, which made him sweaty. Or sweaty-adjacent, since he didn't really sweat. There was a sheen to his eyes like he'd just run a very far distance when he asked,

"What would you call it?" with a boyish sort of excitement.