"I will be sure to do such."
And he watched her go, pleasantly, as if nothing were amiss... and that was the apparent truth, to those that were none the wiser or otherwise capable.
I shall be waiting.
*****
Night had fallen, and went deeper as the hours between sunset and present set the times at a great distance from each other. The activity within the city walls had died down considerably to where there was the dull roar of the nightlife composed of chatter that lost its inside voice to a drunken state, and other more sinful and salacious activities. The citizens were, after all, only human... or some approximation thereof, if that. Mars did not begrudge them their indulgences, for there were those activities he himself partook in - nothing like the usual interests of a mundane existence, however. It was activities of the variety in the predator's interest that led him to remain here, at the luring of another privy to those ends. While the princess had not promised much in specifics, she spoke the language, knew the right words to communicate possibilities and intentions.
At the Festival, however, there had been more than just her. The power base was not beyond him to discern. For although she had apparent skills, they had been learned from another, and he knew with certainty that she was rather bent to the will of that master, whoever that may be. Not completely, but close enough. Over time, situations evolve or devolve. Which would happen within this court, in time? That was something to be observed.
Mars kept to himself. An occasional straggler or harlot eyed him with passing interest and scurried along faster when the unease secured itself to them from a moment's too long of staring at the above-average height and handsome features. There was something looming about him that warned off any that could be so easily influenced as such. Otherwise, with his eyes observations continued and he remained near to the outer walls. Just a lone man, seeming to care for nobody's business but his own.
If only they knew...
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