Things had just got a little awkward, to date only one foreigner had ever sat in a full meeting of the Conclave and that was the King of East Moreland, and only then when it seemed Lodja was plunging into chaos after the assassination of Queen Viktoria. Klara had always intended Lodja to be more open but the Conclave was still its inner most government, it was one thing to invite Deborah Thornton to sit in as she was a nobody, a young Achkaerin with no real knowledge of global politics or the inner workings of a government, on the other hand Louis was a visiting Head of State, allowing him to sit in would make a dangerous precident. "My apologise Your Highness" Klara began to explain, "The Conclave chamber is not the most spacious of places, nowhere except the throne room and ballroom is really on the Isle of the Goddess, by the time you've squeezed the Ministers, my Ladies in Waiting and the Priestesses in we'll struggle to even get Miss Thornton in, and we meet Monday and then not for several days as I travel on business of state" she explained, "I think you'll be gone by the time I return?" she hoped to have politley put him off, "Maybe some other time, maybe once I've reshuffled my Ministers" she noticed a suddenly concerned look on Besarian's face, "Oh don't worry, I'd not get rid of you." She placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "I hear you've been doing a good job these last few years, if its not broke don't fix it" she smiled warmly at the Lord of the Conclave, effectively the nations Prime Minister, "Beside I think it'd upset Jasmina too much" Klara watched the Lady in Waiting turn bright red while Besarian just smiled uncaring if people knew about their relationship. "I do however need to introduce some new faces, new positions even" Again Besarian was rather surprised, the Conclave hadn't changed numbers in centuries and he wondered what his Queen was up to.
Klara next turned to Adelheid as the teams began to take the field. "The Isle still has a small stable for the royal horses, I think though Viktoria didn't like riding so the horses were kept in Gaia itself, I'm not much of a great horseman but I do like the idea of riding along the beach when the tides out so I might have one horse brought over......maybe two so they don't get lonely." She mused more to herself than her guest. "I think one day it would be rather sweet to ride the beach at night with either my husband or wife.....who knows get three horses and one of each" she chuckled to herself and then instantly went silent unsure of her guests nations views on her open bisexuality.
The game had begun and the ground shook with the hooves of the horses charging up and down the field. A large crowd had turned out and while it lacked the rowdiness one may associate with many sports the crowd where loudly appreciative of the skill on display. Players were applauded for their efforts and the goals of both sides greeted with polite cheers. The game was 2-2 with only a few minutes left on the clock when Duke Thikon chased after the ball and his horse and that of an opposition player collided, the young Duke was thrown from the saddle and landed heavily leading Klara to gasp out loud. "Somebody go check he's OK" she turned and instructed Lady Anna as the Duke lay unmoved as the other players did their best to gather his riderless horse and lead it clear, one of them sliding from the saddle to sooth the beast while another checked that it was unhurt. As Anna made her way under the barriers and onto the pitch several members of the medical staff had already got onto the pitch. Klara was stood her hand over her mouth as she watched, it took a few moments but Thikon got back up, he was a little dazed but unhurt, he'd fallen from horses many times in his life and figured he'd just been lucky once more. Klara began clapping and those around her did and soon the crowd joined in, Thikon began limping from the field as his horse was brought to him, he took it by the reigns and seemed to be chastising it as he waved to the crowd in thanks for their concern. Anna returned and ducked under the barrier.
"Your Divine Majesty" Anna addressed her sovereign, "The doctors think he's just bruised a few ribs and maybe will have a concussion but he wishes to play on later today." she took her seat behind the Queen once more.
"Tell him he is not to play again today, last thing I want is a Duke dropping dead in front of our guests" she smiled once more, "He is to join us here, tell him it is so I can keep an eye on him" Anna once more bowed and set off to find the Duke as the final moments of the game between the Queen's team and the City of Gaia, it finished as a 2-2 draw. " Ah, I see its your Les Officers Galants" Klara pronounced the team name in her best Némérie accent which she assumed was well wide of the mark. "And they play the Isle of Tar, my homeland.....only 3,000 islanders you know....I think it would be very rude of your Officers to beat my homeland in my tournament don't you" she smiled at Louis, " Seriously though may the best team win" she extended a hand to the Prince as Thikon made his way into the royal box having quickly changed. "Are you ok?" Klara asked as she waved to Lady Jasmina to move a seat back so the Duke could sit just behind her to one side. "Now, you must stay awake, head injuries can be dangerous" she said sternly, "So perhaps you can fill me and Prince Louis in on the finer details of whats happening?" She instructed taking hold of his hand sympathetically as the game began.
