Spinning on her heel, Maiya left the Sanctum. Rani was far—too far for a flight today, and her duties would not allow it. She was due back at Sonam, and she dared not be late, lest they revoke her flight privileges.
Unlike what the head handmaiden had implied, Maiya returned to Sonam only to deal with more chores and training. But eyes were taking notice. Important eyes. The day she would meet with Princess Ira drew nearer and nearer.
But she couldn’t bring herself to be sullen. After all, she’d found Vir’s trail. And, like Neel, she’d relentlessly pursue it. The world wasn’t large enough to keep the two of them apart for long. Not nearly.
“Just a little longer. I’m coming for you, Vir.”
13THE BANQUET
“Spear’s Edge, party of… four?” the well-dressed greeter said, eyeing Haymi, Vason, and Vir.
“Our leader’ll join us later,” Vason replied. “Just us three for now.”
Vir stood star struck at the ballroom they’d just entered. Enormous crystal chandeliers hung from the four-story ceiling, illuminated with a myriad of Magic Lanterns.
Red and blue velvet curtains covered the stained glass windows that stretched up—each window was at least two stories in height.
At their base stood the longest tables Vir had ever seen, covered in white cloth and laden with enough food to feed all of Brij. The dazzling display of opulence was staggering.
Several dozen small circular tables were placed nearby, with white cloths and between four to six padded chairs surrounding them. Each of these also had refreshments and wine bottles placed upon them, and off in a corner sat a full orchestra, playing soft, melodic tones.
How much did all of this cost?
Adding to the grandeur, dozens of pairs danced in the middle of the hall, each looking like princes and princesses. Were these warriors, or high-ranking Sawai nobility?
And yet, none of the women were as stunning as their own Haymi. Her long dark hair flowed over her one piece emerald dress, which dragged slightly upon the hardwood. With her makeup, the already-pretty woman had transformed into a vixen. Only Princess Mina might have outstripped her beauty.
Vason himself cut a dashing figure with his formal white-and-gold attire. Similar to Vir’s getup, Vason wore a single, center-buttoned coat that stretched to his knees, draped over pants of the same color. Like Vir’s, his shoes also curled up at their toes. In fact, most of the men at the banquet wore a similar style, just in different hues and with varying amounts of decoration.
The Spear’s Edge group meandered to the circular table that had their names on it and took their seats.
About half the people in attendance sat at their tables, while the rest either danced or conversed with one another. By their prana signatures, Vir determined that only about a third in attendance were mercenaries. The rest looked like guests they’d brought along.
“Relax,” Haymi said, seeing Vir fidgeting.
“Sorry, just not used to wearing clothes like these,” he replied. Despite being mostly silk, he found them strangely itchy. They were the finest clothes he’d ever worn, and yet he couldn’t wait to be out of them.
“Well, let’s go get some food,” Vason said, clapping his shoulder. “Bet that’ll take your mind off the clothes!”
Haymi rolled her eyes but accompanied them regardless. Vir felt as though her every movement was practiced to be as dainty and elegant as possible. Though refined in their daily life, she’d clearly stepped it up a notch for this occasion, and she looked every bit a Sawai. Vir had to wonder whether someone could so easily step into such a role without enormous practice.
His thoughts were interrupted by the dizzying array of food. From the rice dishes that came in a variety of colors, stir-fries, condensed soy dishes, to the assortment of breads, and the desserts! Vir had never even heard of most of the dishes, and so he made sure to sample each and every one.
“You do know you can come back for seconds and thirds, you know?” Vason said, eyeing the heaping of food on Vir’s plate.
“O-Oh, right…” he replied, flushing.
Vir savored each of the delectable tastes and textures, and before long, his plate had run empty. Just as he rose to get more, she arrived.
“Announcing the arrival of Tia, leader of the Spear’s Edge, party of four,” said the greeter.
Vir’s eyes turned to the entrance, and he wasn’t the only one. She had half the eyes in the entire ballroom on her as she walked to the Spear’s Edge table, her arm hooked around an impressively built man wearing the Ranian navy-and-aquamarine colors.
If Haymi had refined her appearance and mannerisms for this party, it was as if Tia had undergone a complete transformation.
Gone were all traces of her boyish mannerisms. The freckled blonde wore a magnificent white, backless gown and walked with the dainty steps of a Sawai lady.
With the crystal tiara that rested atop her head and her enormous hooped earrings, she looked downright divine to Vir’s eyes.
“Don’t fall for her all at once,” Vason said, jabbing Vir’s rib. “Trust me, you wouldn’t be the first.”
“She just… she looks so different,” Vir choked out. It wasn’t just the clothing or her steps. She commanded a kind of authority he hadn’t seen from anyone else in the ballroom. It was as if she’d just stepped into her natural habitat, like she was born for this.
“Yeah, well, that’s Tia for you. She’s cut from a different cloth.”
“Is she Sawai?”
Vason frowned. “Well, it’s… complicated. Earn her trust, and she might even tell you one day.”
The warrior’s message was clear—he wasn’t about to betray Tia’s secrets.
After chatting with several people along the way, their glorious leader finally arrived. She threw them a small wave, and the man escorting her bowed and took his leave.
“Sorry for the delay, everyone! I trust you weren’t waiting too long?”
Like Haymi, even Tia’s speech and mannerisms had changed to suit the occasion, and Vir could swear he detected a slight accent in her voice that wasn’t there before.
“Not at all. Param and Vason were just gorging themselves on the food like pigs.”
Tia smiled gracefully. “Half the people are here for the food. Tis hard to blame them.” She eyed several men who’d approached the table. “Now come. Let’s make the rounds.”
“What do they want?” Vir asked, having noticed the crowd forming nearby.
“What else? To ask me to dance. I’m… well, I’m not in the mood. Rejecting them all would be tiresome.”
“Happens every time,” Vason said. “They usually leave her alone when they see she’s with us, but tonight… Well, you’re looking especially smashing, Tia.”
“Thanks, Vason. You as well.”
The group meandered for a bit until they came across an elderly bearded man with wrinkled tan skin. Out of everyone here, he seemed the most out of place.
“Ser Ahi Ajune!” Tia said. “What a delightful surprise!”
The man in question glanced briefly over Tia, then did a double take, his eyes widening. “M-Miss? I—I was not expecting you here! To what do I owe this honor?”
“You overreact. I’m just a mercenary. The honor is mine. And please, call me Tia.”
“Tia, then. I take it these are your bodyguards?”
Tia laughed demurely. “In a manner of speaking. This is my party, the Spear’s Edge.”
“Ah, yes! I’ve certainly heard of your group. Then… no, it couldn’t be. Don’t tell me you mean to take part in tomorrow’s raid?”
Tia nodded. “Of course! It’s why we’re here.”
“With respect, your—”