When Jon had first taken Numair away, they had gone straight to Jon's study where Numair was thoroughly looked over until Jon was completely satisfied nothing serious had happened to the mage. Jon then let out a single sigh before firing question after question about Numair's battle with Hadensra. Numair dutifully recalled the battle for his king before, halfway through, Jon began to notice Numair's story becoming increasingly incoherent as Numair began to doze off. Jon then told Numair that they would continue later and banished him back to his rooms.
Once there Numair had sunk into the hot bath that had been set on the hearth before stumbling right back out and collapsing on his bed without even bothering to put on his night-shirt. His last thought was of Daine as he surrendered his consciousness to a deep sleep.
Now, six hours later, he was sitting at a stuffy table with numerous people next to him all questioning him about each and every little technicality of his magical battle.
Numair sighed internally acknowledging that this was going to be a long evening.
He opened his mouth to begin the long sordid tale when he was distracted by a presence in the entry to the dining room. Then he promptly forgot everything he had been thinking.
Daine stood framed in the doorway, a perfect symbol of radiance. She looked demure and beautiful but a sense of unruliness seeped out almost flaunting the wild magic that she just couldn't hide. As he watched, her gaze found his and she smiled, her entire face lighting up.
Numair's heart swelled.
Then Onua emerged pulling Daine away to a table all the way across the room. For ten minutes Numair and Daine pretended to converse with the people seated at their respective tables without ever truly looking away form one another. Each simply carrying out a semblance of propriety while their minds were on only each other.
Finally Jon stood up at his seat at the head of the hall and asked for everyone's attention.
"Alas my friends, the war is over! I know you are all hungry, so I will do my best to keep my speech short." Light hearted laughter came from various corners of the room. "Our enemies, Gods willing, have finally been defeated and we have come out victorious! The Carthaki, dealing with their new emperor, shall be far to busy to bother us any time soon. Those immortals that wished us hardships and pain have been banished to the divine realms and we are free at last!"
The room erupted in cheering before Jon once again called for everyone's attention.
"Yes, the war is finally over. And it is all thanks to you, my friends, that it is. If not for each and every one of you, we may not have won the war; we may still have been fighting; we may have been fighting a losing battle. Let us also not forget the brave men and women who have died fighting for our righteous cause and remember their sacrifice every time we bless ourselves for surviving. Let us remember our brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, aunts and uncles, who have joined the Black God's Realm and no longer walk among us. Let us never forget their sacrifice; let us promise to never renew the mistakes that that led us to their untimely deaths. A moment of silence and reflection, if you please, in honor of our fallen comrades."
Silence descended across the hall. A woman somewhere sniffled and silent tears rolled down stoic faces filled with memories.
Finally Jon looked back at the room, eyes glistening.
"But now my friends, is not a time of sadness, but of celebration! It is over. There is no more pain, so instead let us feel joy! May the feast begin!"
As his speech commenced pages bearing lush foods emerged from out of nowhere and placed mouth watering dishes of duck, chicken, and pork before the guests. Thick and creamy soups, fragrant steaming buns, and rich delectable wines all passed by Numair without him ever registering any of it. Throughout the feast he had eyes for only one thing. And that was;
Daine.