“You are warmly received, Lord Korvaelis.” Talon bowed his head slightly. He was joined by Aoren who was keeping a keener eye on him following his moment of lapse. When Korvaelis revealed himself to be a man of medicine, a veterinarian, Talon’s interest was piqued but he shook his head.
“It was a momentary distraction. I am better. Thank you for the gracious offer. However, there may yet be something you may do, if you are of the mind? One of my siblings is very much interested in learning the healing arts. They are fascinated by the Icewings in the Dahshida aviary. Perhaps, if you have the inclination, you might share what you know?” Talon loved the great birds of Kalzasi. Though he had never had the chance to seek out one in an attempt to build a relationship and possibly ride one, as a boy his father had often taken him soaring in the skies upon the back of his ice phoenix. Just as he was about to say more, the announcement for a new arrival came and stepping forward was a face that was not familiar to him. The woman beside him was however. When the man introduced himself, Talon blinked. He opened up his senses and attuned his vision to the crystalline winged man. When the aura came into focus, Talon was surprised at the vast growth in its aetheric weight. There were aspect of it that he did not recognize but the underlying currents that he knew quite well.
“The Hero of Udori Lake?” Talon spoke almost breathlessly. Emotions surged inside of him as he recalled the horrors of that day and recounted the stories of the bravery displayed by many. Namely, the bravery of a man who saved many lives by fending off the elements brought to ruin in the aftermath of the catastrophe. Talon set his drink aside. He stepped up to Hyoga and immediately pulled the man into a tight hug. Talon squeezed firmly but gently and then stepped back. He marveled at the transfiguration that took place in front of him.
“I always knew the kind of man you were and are, Hikami-Hyoga. Our people were spared greater horror that day because of you.” Talon tipped Hyoga’s chin up, despite being shorter than the mighty warrior. He smiled warmly at him.
“Stand tall. Stand true. You belong here. Never forget that.” Before he could say more, a voice interrupted gently.
“My prince?” At that moment, Tarshenna stepped forward. The ever faithful attendant that had served his mother for as long as he could remember. She bowed low before offering a nod to Korvaelis. “His Majesty would like to propose a toast to the guests and give honor to the occasion. He is requesting that you and Prince Aoren join him at the main table.”
Talon inclined his head. Beside him, Aoren chuckled.
“That is going to take some getting used to.” Talon turned and placed a kiss upon the side of his husband’s head. He wrapped an arm around Aoren’s waist and hugged him close before releasing him. To Korvaelis and Hyoga, Talon offered a kind smile.
“If you will excuse us, Lord Korvaelis? Hyoga, my friend?” With that, Talon turned and with Aoren beside him, the two of them began making their way toward the main table to join his father in making the evening’s toast that would spark the night’s festivities.
---
“Speak of him and he shall appear!” The golden winged Avialae nodded to the newly arrived crystalline winged man. “He is going by another name following his bravery at Lake Udori but it is still him. I had heard the stories of his transformation but they are a marvel to see up close.”
The man commented with what appeared to be genuine interest and curiosity shining in his eyes as he watched both Korvaelis and Hyoga interact with Talon and Aoren. When the man introduced himself, the golden winged man gave a bow.
“Ah! Forgive my manners. Karam Senue. Heir of House Senue. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Ser Baudric.” Straightening, Karam looked to Kala and Kaus offering a friendly nod of his head. He did not interrupt as Kala spoke in response to Baudric earlier questions. The man nodded in agreement.
“The Lady Leukos is correct. Prince Talon is known for his kindness.” Karam seemed to watch the interactions going on for a moment longer before speaking almost as an aside to Baudric. “Your accent, if you were wondering. I have never been to the Imperium but I have met several people from there. You sound much like them.”
The evening seemed to be winding up as more guests filed into the reception space. Conversations were rising. The attending staff was getting busier. Karam however, followed Kala’s gaze. His expression momentarily hardened before it smoothed. He watched as Sahfri interacted with the Zaichaeri delegates before she turned away and continued on with whatever business awaited her.
“The Zaichaeri must be blessed indeed to still be alive after a brush with our Iron Queen. It is no secret that she has a particular disdain for them and their…culture.” His eyes followed the Siltori elven procession before returning to the delegates. After that short commentary, a servant stepped forward with a tray of fresh drinks.
“Refreshments? His Majesty the Shokaze is going to propose a toast.” Karam reached forward and accepted a drink with a nod.
“And so the evening’s festivities are about to begin. Hopefully they prove memorable!” He smiled at Kala, Kaus and Baudric.
---
“And here I thought you might have something interesting to say.” Sahfri’s face remained devoid of any meaningful expression. She shook her head, seemingly disappointed in something though what, she did not say.
One of the elves beside her leaned forward and whispered into her ear. Sahfri nodded. She moved to leave but as she turned she stepped closer to Brenner and looked into his eyes. Her gaze narrowed.
“What I am left to wonder, Commander, is why a man so entrenched in the power of science is brimming with so much aethereal potency. Could it be there is more to you than meets the eye?” She appraised him as though inspecting something upon one of her laboratory tables.
“I had hoped your presence here meant you were a symbol of the progress you so espouse. Yet all I see is another shining example of Zaichaer’s hypocrisy.” With that, Sahfri collected her gown and left the Dornkirks without so much as a glance back. Just as she left, one of the serving attendants approached and offered up another tray of drinks.
“Refreshments, Your Excellency? His Majesty is preparing to offer a toast.”
---
“I know.” His voice was soft. There was no anger or mockery in it. Lyra’s emblem almost seemed to evoke a feeling of being wrapped in the shadows. They coiled around the darkness of her dress almost embracing her beneath the silken fabric. He stepped in front of her then and took one of her hands gently within his grasp. Bringing the back of it to his lips he kissed it softly.
“Long ago, I made a promise to you, Em’fala.” The word flowed from his lips as easily as the first time he had spoke them millennia ago. Shadow dancer. “I promised that Sol’Valen would be broken. It is broken. The times of the Hytori ended and their kingdom was toppled, brought to heel by the very mortals they so detested. I promised you the world would be changed. And so it has.”
He took Lyra’s hand into both of his.
“I told you there would be pain and suffering. And so there was. Have I not delivered on all that I have promised, Em’fala?” He looked into her eyes, his gaze steady and unwavering.
“Now I must deliver one more promise.” Leaning forward, the Dark One threaded his fingers into Lyra’s hair in an almost tender caress. He pressed his lips to her brow before resting their brows together in a solemn moment. “We will dance again. Soon. But not tonight.”
He stepped back. Whether he was seen by others or not was unclear. There was no denying that he was clearly before both Lyra and Naila and yet he seemed to become more and more immaterial by the second. He stepped back into the gathering crowd of people as an excitement was building among them.
“Tonight the shadows eclipse the light. Tonight, the world hears the Ar’Eon’afiel.” The shadow of one of the moons passed over the sun, swallowing the form of the Dark One. A party-goer walked in front of him as though not seeing him at all and between that moment and the next, he was gone.
---
Standing at the main table of the reception, was Savien, Shokaze of Kalzasi. He was dressed in formal attire befitting a man who had once served as a military officer and was now King of all Kalzasi. He stepped up so that he could clearly be seen and picked up a glass as he saw his son and his new son-in-law making their way toward him. He nodded to one of the attendants who picked up a glass and gently tapped the side to get the attention of those gathered.
