Lion Head Mesa occursus

The soldiers' arrival was noted but not much cared about by Maegi, who had her own fish to fry. She spent much time languishing in her own chambers, detesting every tiny twinge and movement within her. Parasites—no less than the root of all evil, burrowed in her flesh.

She sat up when Germanicus—it wasn't easy to forget a name like that—arrived and gave him a brief nod of her head, which then turned slightly in abstracted query.

What brings you to me? Maegi asked. Perhaps he was only visiting the nobility as a courtesy to his gracious host. 

Nobility. Pah. She'd never felt less regal in her life.