Namaari leaned back against the wall and took a deep, slow breath. The hall was lined with tables with chefs from every nation offering their best dishes, and the mixture of smells was starting to make her feel nauseous. She was careful to avoid eye contact with any of the other guests, hoping to avoid any more forced conversations. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone point her out to another guest and start to head in her direction. Namaari quickly hurried toward the doorway to the adjacent courtyard. She randomly grabbed a teacup from a table along the way, hoping it would be something that could settle her stomach.
The cool evening air outside the hall felt wonderful against her face, but her nausea didn't fade. Namaari stared down into the ceramic teacup in her hands, swirling the liquid absently. She brought the cup to her lips and took a cautious sip, then grimaced. It was far too bitter, and the taste settled unpleasantly at the back of her throat.
There was a noise from the other side of the courtyard as several children ran past, giggling as they waved sparkles through the air. A small smile tugged at Namaari's lips as she watched them chase each other around the other side of the building and out of sight.
"Hey." A voice came from behind her, and she jumped, barely holding onto the cup in her hands.
"Wow, you are jumpy today," the voice said again, and this time Namaari recognized it. She smiled as Raya stepped into her view, coming to stand beside her.
Raya held out a plate to her. "Here. I noticed you hadn't eaten anything yet tonight, and these are one of my favorites. They're called butsi."
Namaari raised an eyebrow, looking down at the offered food and then back up at Raya. "You've been watching me, dep la?"
A blush appeared on Raya's cheeks, but she pushed the plate toward Namaari again. "I wouldn't have to if you would just eat something."
Namaari took the plate and handed Raya her cup to free her other hand. She poked at the small balls of fried dough on the plate, picking a sesame seed off one of them to chew on while she waited for her nausea to recede.
Raya sniffed the liquid in the cup Namaari had given her, then made a face. "What is this?"
Namaari shook her head. "No idea, but don't drink it."
Raya shrugged and set the cup on top of the low retaining wall on the edge of the courtyard. She glanced at Namaari, who suddenly remembered she was holding food that Raya expected her to eat. Raya waited until Namaari had swallowed one of the pieces and eagerly went back for a second. "Oh, good, you like them."
"They're definitely better than your jackfruit jerky," Namaari said, smirking at Raya before she ate another piece.
Raya rolled her eyes and gently shoved Namaari's shoulder. "I'm glad you like them. Those ones are filled with shredded coconut, which is the best kind. I wasn't sure if you would like them, though." Raya's brow creased ever so slightly. "Actually, I have no idea what kind of food you like." She stared at Namaari for a second, then seemed to mentally shake herself. "Anyway, before the party, I feel like you were trying to tell me something."
Namaari swallowed thickly, the bitter taste coming back onto her tongue. Before she could respond, there was a loud crash from the hall behind them and a hush fell over guests. Raya and Namaari both moved toward the door, carefully scanning the crowd to see what had caused the commotion.
A man stepped away from the table he had overturned with his hands held above his head. He was dressed in a simple, blue tunic and dark pants, with a clean-shaven face and short, black hair that was cut just above his ears. His face was calm but there was a fire burning in his brown eyes that Namaari did not like.
"Good people!" he said, raising his voice so he could be heard throughout the hall. "My name is Bayani, of Heart, and I have something to say that you all need to hear." He paused, waiting to make sure he had everyone's full attention.
Namaari saw several guards approaching the edge of the crowd, but they hung back, unsure yet if they needed to intervene.
"There is no need to fear," Bayani said, gesturing toward the guards. "I wish only to remind you that our celebration here tonight is premature. Yes, the Druun have been vanquished and Kumandra reunited, but what of justice? Those responsible have not answered for what they did."
A murmur went through the crowd, and Bayani held up his hands until it was once again silent. "You know them. Raya of Heart and Namaari of Fang."
Raya moved to go back into the hall, but Namaari grabbed her arm, pulling her out of sight next to the doorway. "Do you know who this is?" she whispered to Raya as she watched Bayani around the doorframe.
Raya nodded. "I think he's a scribe for one of the Heart council members. But I've never heard of him doing anything like this before."
"Raya and Namaari were responsible for the destruction caused by the Druun," Bayani continued. "Yes, they did eventually fix the Dragon Gem. But what of the suffering that occurred before they were able to repair their mistake? Where is the justice for those who died during the famine, or were killed in the fighting over resources? Or those who were imprisoned in stone for years? Should Raya and Namaari not have to answer for—"
"That's enough," Benja said sharply, pushing his way through the crowd to stand in front of Bayani. "We all know the suffering caused by the Druun. There is no need to remind us of it on this night of peace and celebration.
"Chief Benja," Bayani said hurriedly. "I know Raya is your daughter, but surely you can understand my desire for justice—"
"What you're talking about is not justice," Virana said, appearing beside Bneja with several guards in tow. "What you speak of is revenge. And I will not tolerate anyone making threats against my daughter in my own palace." She nodded to the guard at her side, who advanced toward Bayani.
Namaari ducked behind the doorframe and took Raya's hand. "Come on," she said as the sounds of a struggle came from inside. "I think the party's over, and we should get somewhere safe." She hoped Raya wouldn't notice her trembling as she led them across the courtyard and away from the hall.