The touch even of Kell's boot beside her own brought her comfort enough. She turned her foot just slightly to tap it against his own, enough to provide her gratitude. And there it remained, against his own, leaning on his strength while her own rallied in the - at last - comfortable silence.

She took up her teacup again so she could drink. It hid the brief smile at Kell's long-winded sigh, and allowed her to gather herself so she could focus better.

That was right. Kell had told her about visitors and the Games.

"What, exactly, is the Essen Tasch?" she asked. That was what the guard called them last night. Finally, finally, she looked at Kell for a brief moment. "You told me a little...but not everything." She frowned. "I don't want to stand out, no matter where I am in Arnes." And yet she would, she realized, even as the words stood out. Kell had told her people would sense her power, know she was other. Her ears, too. Her gaze came back to the King and Queen. "If it would be more beneficial to you, I can make myself scarce. I know there are a great many people from elsewhere here and I recognize my appearance is nowhere near fortuitous." In truth, she was another problem. She had no trouble recognizing and putting a name to it. "I would do whatever would be most amenable to Your Grace - especially at such a time."