He bowed deeply, "Allow me to introduce myself." The man approached, introducing himself as Lord Mortimer, a council member of the Forsythian court. He raised his goblet in her honor.
"After all, few of us dare to be so audacious in these stuffy surroundings. The council appreciates fresh ideas, fresh approaches."
His intervention, while kind, only served to make Rose more determined. Rose's smile twisted as she moved back into her chair, her voice dripping with venom "Indeed, does the council also appreciate the mages who seek advancement through..." Rose paused, her eyes narrowing as she let her words hang in the air, leaving the implication clear. "Through less than honorable means?" She turned to Lord Mortimer, her voice saccharine. "I'm sure Lord Mortimer would agree that the court has seen its fair share of ambitious mages, some of whom have used their charms to gain favor rather than their skills."
