Caine sits up to the desk again picks up a pen and begins to write on a piece of paper. "This is just a rough draft, but what I see is in exchange for my sponsorship, you are essentially in my service for, oh let's say . . . two years?"
Lladd downs the rest of his water before standing to read the paper upside down from the other side of the desk. He folds his hands behind his back. "With the stipulation that I will not engage in any activities at your behest which would... compromise my father."
Caine smiles and answers, "Of course," as he writes it into the contract. He sits back holding up the paper reading it over. As he hands it to you to review he asks, "Is there anything you would like changed or added?"
Quirking an eyebrow, Lladd accepts the document and scans it. "Do I need to add a clause pertaining to 'reasonable risk'?" he asks as he hands it back to Caine. His expression is deadpan, but his eyes are laughing as he waves off the question.
Caine saw the joke but replied anyway, "Risk is all relative, and as long as it's your relatives you're dealing with, there will be plenty." He hands you the pen.
"So do you get into Amber city very often?" Lladd asks curiously.
Josh turns to you with a big smile on his face and says, "Yeah, actually me and a few others go down at least once a week. Would you go with us sometime?"
Lladdwyr's eyebrows goes up at Josh's invitation, in pleased surprise. "I dunno, Josh... you promise not to hold incriminating evidence over my head when you manage to get me soused and put me in a, uh, 'delicate' situation?" He gives Josh an innocent look.
Josh pulls a perfect 'Who me?' look and raises his right hand "I would never dream, sir!" And then laughs. "'Course, I can't say for the others." He laughs some more.
"Hm.... well, I suppose I'll have to chance it."
Josh chuckles at his comment. He has pointed out, again, the game room, and other various points of interest. He is about to turn the corner that would lead to the wing where Lladd's rooms are when he yells, "SIS!"
At first glance, the girl that responds looks like just that, a little girl. But then you realize she is just petite. She barely breaks the five foot mark. She has a very light complexion with long dark hair for contrast. When she answers, her voice is soft and pleasant. "Hi, Josh!" she replies. "Who's you‚re friend?" she asks as she looks you up and down.
"Ahem." Josh makes the disapproving sound in his throat. "This is Master Lladdwyr. He is Prince Caine's protégé," he declares with a smile.
Josh's sister manages to stammer, "Oh! My..." as she makes a curtsey and looks terribly embarrassed.
"Cut it out, Sis. He's not that kind. He's normal," he says confidently, giving you an approving nod.
Caine pulls a chair over for you then takes one himself. Random has been watching with an air of curiosity and once you are both seated, he arches a single brow and asks, "What can I do for you, Caine?"
Lladdwyr nods in respectful greeting to both of the other mend before turning to the chair and settling himself on the edge. He turns expectantly to Caine at Random's question, a faint smile quirking his mouth up, green eyes curious.
"Don't play dumb little brother. It doesn't suit you." Caine smirks. He indicates you with a wave of his hand as he says, "This is Lladdwyr. He is officially my fosterling." He pauses to gauge Random's reaction.
Random simply raises his eyebrow again, then nods to you. "Welcome to the family Lladdwyr."
"Thank you, your majesty," Lladd answers with all formality, nodding again at Random, though his eyes are still amused. "I expect to have quite a lot of fun in Amber."
Caine sits back in his chair and props his feet up on the corner of Random's desk. "Now, what do we know so far?" he asks.
Lladdwyr glances at Caine, then looks expectantly at Random, hoping someone will say something to indicate what the group is currently talking about.
Random rolls his eyes back behind half closed lids, then drops his chin to his chest. "Fine. Go ahead Merle. And after you've explained it to them you can broadcast it all over the city as well," he says in a quietly exasperated voice.
Merlin, who had been sitting quietly observing the Elder's exchange, visibly flinches at Random's tone. He stares at him for a moment before clearing his throat and turning toward you and Caine.
"There is an object in the air out over Arden. All attempts to reach Julian have failed," he says quietly. Caine is simply staring at Merlin, possibly expecting more. Random is resting his head in his hands, elbows on his desk.