17th day of the Tenth Moon

The Queen Consort walked swiftly through her gardens, hands clasped together. Only Ser Raymun's leaden step followed her, and the girls of her entourage were no doubt still dressing up for the day.

It was a morning like many others, and the beauty of autumn was beginning to show - the leaves in the gardens were steadily browning and the sun was growing cooler. The fresh air was filled with the pleasant smell of a recent rain. Alyce was growing accustomed to her black gowns - they were rather unflattering, making her look terribly pale - but they made her remember. Remember the hardships their city was facing and the good people who met the stranger ahead of their time.

It was still early for most of the courtiers to be out and about, and the well-nigh empty park was the most lovely of sights.

At that time of the day, she could only find those who, like her, enjoyed solitude, and the gardeners and servants who worked in the courtyards of the Keep. Just the people she needed.

She walked towards an old gardener, a rugged man but somewhat dignified and respectable. His name was... Jack or Jon? she couldn't remember, really. They spoke often, but mostly about her private gardens and how she preferred to have them that season.

Hopefully, they'd have cause for new topics of conversation, soon.

"Good morning to you." She said, softly.

"Your Grace." He promptly replied, reverentially, taking off his large, straw hat and setting aside his pruning scissors. "How does this morning find you?"

"Well enough, you're very kind." The Queen went, pleasantly. She had felt better, in truth - but there was no point in telling him. "I merely wanted to inquire about the roses in the gardens."

"Oh, well." The man started, recollecting his thoughts, stroking his gristly, grey, beard. "The Summer Roses aren't flowering no more - and I was pruning the Autumn ones, preparing them for their season." The Gardener lowered his voice and looked around suspiciously.

"As for the other... roses, I have not reported anything out of the ordinary - but of course, I shall come to you as soon as I do." "Both the golden roses and the... red and purple cross-breed have yet to flower, here."

The queen nodded, expecting as much. "Very well. Make sure you do." And so she smiled, gathering her skirts and taking her leave.

She hoped she might find Cassana already awake and about - if not, she'd visit her chambers. They had matters to discuss: pregnancies, weddings and world peace. The sooner they talked about it, the better.

((Open to Anyone who might meet Alyce around the gardens))