Jaer raised an inquisitive brow. "Princess Elia?" He chuckled. "High praise from a daughter of Sunspear. I'm surprised she's still around here- plagues aren't quite the party she prefers." He sat back in his chair and considered the girl's words. The whole city- and quite possibly the kingdom with the number of ravens flying around- knew about Gwyn Stark, the little sleeping princess. "So you went to one of the vipers and they sent you to me?" He let out a low whistle. "You wouldn't be the only one being paranoid if her princess-ship is suggesting help outside her usual circles."
Seven hells. If he got into the palace under this guise, Elia had damn well better know what antidote was called for... but of course, if it was poison he'd lay good odds Lazralene had sniffed it out long since. But he had to admit it would make a good entrance- give him a spot from which to observe and learn. As long as Polonius Haine didn't get too close.
He regarded Toria through slanted eyes, studying her again. It was a very pretty little head, but he knew well enough the sorts of things that could go on in those. Elia and Aenyris were nothing if not excellent teachers in that respect. But Elia had trusted the girl to have brains enough to handle this bit of intrigue, however unwitting she might be about the full truth of it. "How well compensated? The Red Keep of yours has a foul reputation, and a man's got a lot to live for outside those walls."