Tanique nodded
"I'm not that familiar with the previous Monarch, I'm afraid, but I'm glad our current one is working better.    Enjoy your day, Lord Altoon"

He nods to her, "You as well."

Thadeus, "Bye bye birdie."

Tanique laughed with delight at the playful bird, and headed to the castle

You make it back to the castle and see it has been decorated somewhat differently as servants hustle and bustle about making last minute changes or refinements.

Tanique looked around,  admiring the decorations, making suggestions where she could

Two of the Storm Claimed silently march down the hall dressed in armor and bearing the colors of Queen Morrigan. The failed attempts of those who tried to become Storm Lords were stark reminders of one of the fates failure could have.

They were outfitted as guards and as they passed by the sound of quiet thunder and the crackle of lightning could be heard as well as the scent of ozone in the air. The lightning in their eyes was one of the signs of the Storm Claimed. Empty husks of the Queen and the Storms will.

Tanique watched tue Storm Claimed go by, feeling sad but respectful
She didn't know these two, but other acquaintances of hers had failed in their attempts to master the Power of the Storm,and had been claimed by it.
There was a bit of an ironic respect for these creatures.  On one hand, they represented failure, where someone was too weak willed or indecisive to master the elemental power of the storm, but on the other hand, they were able to serve the crown and kingdom in their "deaths", which was admirable.

Still, she remenbered cheering on Lord Aberforth, a young nobleman who loved beekeeping and was known for making a delicious apple mead.  Now, though, he was just a near mindless defender of the realm.

The pair walk past silently yet for the slightest rumble of thunder within them.
They make their way to a bend in the hall and disappear from view. Servants quickly make way for the two hustling to not be around the silent sentinels.

Tanique is left to her own thoughts in the hall again. As things seem to return to a semblance of normality.

Tanique always felt a bit guilty whenever she saw the Storm Claimed, wondering if she only managed to master the Storm because of the Amber blood coursing through her veins. So she worked to help the Storm Claimed when she could, even if it was to just dispel their negative reputation amongst the population.

She walked on, heading to check in with the queen, knowing that she owed the Storm Claimed to help out when she could

"Ahhh good Lady Tanique, the queen is busy for the next few hours, is it an emergency or would you like to make an appointment to see her ?" The steward smiles pleasantly.

Tanique smiled at the steward
"No meed, sir.  I was merely stopping by to offer my help with the upcoming festivities.  If she's busy and content, however, I'll leave her be."

"Ah she is in her element, all the people coming and going, preparing for our guests. She loves when there is a chance to show the realm to outsiders well, outsiders she wants to impress. Though something is strange with this meeting, Chaos has not sought to visit us till now. Usually, we have sent representatives to the Courts." He shakes his head slightly.

"It has been a most distressing experience, with the even more wild and ever changing nature of the courts."

Tanique frowned in concern
"Distressing and strange?  That sounds unsettling.    Do you suspect some kind of Chaosian shenanigans?"

The steward motions her closer his demeanor becoming less jovial and more serious and businesslike.

She leaned in, covertly

"Rumors are there is some civil unrest in the Courts. I tell you because you have blood ties to the monarch there. Just keep yourself safe, I am glad your father is here, as I don't know on which side of the unrest our visitors are on." After his whisper he goes back to shuffling his papers, "So will that be all ?"

"Thank you for the information.   I'll try to keep abreast of what's happening and share any revelations "

He gives her a nod his smile returning.

"I would appreciate that. Take care then Lady Tanique."

Nodding to the steward, Tanique decided to head for the practice range to do some combat training.   Her recent encounter with the Storm Claimed reminded her of her responsibility to protect the kingdom

She heads out again finding the range yard and targets to herself. There are the standard bullseye targets as well as ones that are more designed to look like humanoids. Several charred marks on the ground indicate areas where Lords or Ladies may have been refining their mastery of directing lightning. A few servants are ready to help move targets, fetch arrows or bolts or more exotic ammunition and perform other duties for her.

As she is looking around a shadow over her left shoulder catches her attention.

Going into her combat state, she looked over

It seems to be a small bird a jay of some kind. It looks like it wants to land on her shoulder.

Being curious, and a bird lover besides, she offers her shoulder

The Jay lands on her shoulder. It gives her side eye then sings a bit.

It then says, "Hello Tanique, I was sent to find you by your mother and deliver a message. I was wondering if you might have some food though first ? It was a long flight."

A seasoned bird watcher and bird friend, Tanique reached into a pouch of seeds and produced a small handful