Common sense rules all. You never take on the king unless you've been watching him for some time. A careful eye can pick out a masquerader. Yes, such actions are premeditated- and can be called off up to the moment they are executed. *simply* the only ''conformity'' is do not kill or do permanent harm to those undeserving of it- only knock out a guard doing his job, or the cook making the meal you wish to poison. make it known an outsider did it, so as not to bring unneeded harm down on the innocent. Do not steal what must not be stolen. Heed the laws- know them well- so you will know when one is trying to bend them to their own purposes. I'm certain even where you're from the innocent have been trampled into the dirt because someone used the law to forward his or her own ends. Laws, morals, people...nothing is infallible. You simply design your own personal set to fit what you must do in your life. *a slight snort at wiping out the line of a king* the present king is a kind and gentle soul...but is father before him was a brute and a bully, running his kingdom into debt to forward his pleasures and wishes. The Lucitanians- for all their faults- do have a variety of good sayings...''Let not the son pay for the sins of the father- let him instead repay the debts''- read: don't kill the son for what his bastard father chose to do if the son can repair it without bloodshed. I can agree with you on some levels, on others disagree. circumstance and situations are heavy determining factors in such a thing.

*Rikky swings his legs over the ledge of the sill to stretch them… so long, and long since cramped up. He grins at Gieve and nods, head tilting to the side, enjoying this, even if the topic is dry. It was at least passionate for many. His soft tenor floats over the harp music and settles around Gieve’s ears, for him alone* / You simply design your own personal set to fit what you must do in your life./ Exactly what I was getting at. You have given me -your- morals, but not answered the questions I put to you. Perhaps there is no answer, perhaps it is all subjective. There is no truly set standard, always a variance. And as for your king, his enemies would not agree with you. Good, bad, bastard, a gem. It matters not. His line having been wiped out would have secured someone else, some-where- else, either a good night’s sleep or something of equal value. I am not speaking here of the wonderful things a king can do for his country and people, but the advantage another would gain by executing his line in its entirety. An enemy could manipulate the situation, put their own into office, and rule the country in such a way. One must /care/ for such saying to mean anything. Do you understand what I am trying to get across?

*shrugs as he pauses to give his fingers a rest again. he eyes them critically- then begins to set the harp in it's case. When there is a fine rim of red visible under the nail, you've been playing as long as you can.* oh, they have tried. and I know quite well what you are saying. I've countered the tactic many times. *Gieve having that lovely little position in the government that only a select few know about and one enemies should fear.* it always boils down to what you inherently believe is right. But in the end- that's all you can rely on. I answered your questions the only way an individual could... *for one thing- knows many /more/ people would sleep far better if Gieve himself were dead than if Arislan was. Arislan isn't the one they have to worry about slipping into their bedrooms at night or into the kitchen at dinner.* If your way of seeing things clashes with so many others- that is when it is usually time to step back and rethink your values. It's those who are dead set that their values are the ultimate right you need worry about...just like the man who must assure those around him daily he's sane.

*Rikky laughs lightly, watches the man, and smiles brightly* I was not trying to -trap- you Gieve, I was merely interested in your views. And you certainly gave me those. *Not that Rikky could really do what Gieve suggested.. step back and reconsider things. That wasn’t allowed him. Besides, his views didn’t clash with the people he knew, hell, they’d instilled his morals, as they were, in him to begin with. He reaches upward, stretches arms to the top of the window* You are quite an interesting man, Gieve. There is a lot to you… loyalty notwithstanding. *Rik nods, grins and lowers his arms, straightening his clothes again, the snug black top and sheath-like pants he wore* Your king is fortunate indeed.

*a grin- just a hint of feral amusement hidden behind it* if the king knew- I doubt he would agree so readily...*the day Arislan catches a clue about Gieve's true function in his court was the day Pharangaze accepted Gieve's affections…the two were as likely.* you are quite interesting yourself Aerik…*namely in that he STILL had no idea what Aerik WAS- and that he'd felt the need to ask these questions.* *a short laugh and a grin* I am fairly opinionated, I know. *shouldering the harp case.* but it's better than being naive, hm? *Unlike a certain king...but, then…that was half of Arislan's charm.*

*Rikky answers the grin with one of his own, and hops down from the sill, outside again, leaning into the kitchen as he had when he first arrived* I do not doubt it… and thank you. *Flashes of images.. just a few, soft ones… a woman, lovely, with black hair… and the young king again, but there were certain.. affections… attached to the female. Rikky hides a smile, ducking his head* Naïve is certainly not a word to describe you, Gieve, no. *he looks up again and straightens, pushing away* Forgive me, but I must be off now. It has been a pleasure. I do so hope we can speak again. And soon. Farewell, Gieve and… *he winks slyly* Good luck.

*Raises an eyebrow at the ''Good luck''- and suspicions are starting to do more than just stir. Gieve is no idiot-and the pattern was noticed.* Good luck in your own endeavors as well. Farewell , Aerik…I think I'll be here for some time. *namely because he's lost...again…ah, the joys of picking a random direction to walk in.*

Another time then… *he grins and knows… knows Gieve is becoming suspicious. He doesn’t mind. But he pushes away from the window, waving a hand once, flippantly, in farewell* Good day.. *and he walks out of view, well away making sure no one sees him, scanning for it, then vanishes back to the HQ, still smiling*