The golden doors swung open.

I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. *This* was the largest room I'd ever seen, much larger then the King of Yvonhe's audience chamber, plus it was much more welcoming. Great windows adorned one of the longer walls in the room, and on the other wall tapestries hung twice my height. On the wall opposite us and on our wall shields hung, representing - well, I don't know. I was just the foreigner.

There was a high dais at the very end of the rectangle hall, which supported one table with the king and the rest of the royal family. Pages bustled about the room, colorful in their blue and silver uniforms. They darted between the tall columns that stretched the two stories up to the ceiling, which was painted with angels.

Needless to say, it was a little overbearing.

Added to the sight was the noise. No one was shouting, but the murmuring tones of the entire court built up into a roar of voices and laughter. A blast of smells washed over us, much stronger then I had expected.

But as Aiven was announced the room fell silent. A page could be heard pouring wine into a noble's cup across the room; he quickly stopped. Every fork dropped; every head turned. There were hundreds of people, and I could fell every single eye focused on us. My hand rested on the Seer's arm, and as we slowly walked to the dais our footsteps echoed in the huge room. Suddenly there was a scraping of chairs, a rustling of fabrics. (I could even tell which ones, sadly enough.) The entire court of Sontái curtsied and bowed to us. I tried - and failed - not to give a little gasp as their Royal Majesties stood and nodded deeply to Aiven before resuming their seats at the high table. Two young men stood and bowed with them - probably the twin princes. Aiven gave a small half bow, and I curtsied low, burying my hands in the folds of my dress, hoping to hide their shaking. Every instinct told me that this was unsafe; too many people were watching. I would rather slip through crowds like this unnoticed; I would rather not be here at all.

"Lord Seer," the king said.

"Your Majesty. Your Majesty," Aiven greeted them.

"Lady Damslae of Brientlon. It is an honor to make your acquaintance."

I'm not sure if I gawked at him or not. Was this how the king usually greeted nobles? And did he always sound so sincere? I curtsied again. "Thank you, your Majesty. The pleasure is all mine."

"Please, the king said, waving a hand at the two seats immediately to his right. "Be seated."

I studied the royal couple as Aiven sat at the king's right hand and I sat at the Seer's right. The king of Sontái was not a very impressive looking man, when his features were looked at separately. He had a thick mop of graying brown hair, bushy gray eyebrows over baby blue eyes, which were obviously his best feature. They were not piercing as many ruler's eyes are described to be. Instead they were calm and welcoming, like an anchor in a storm. He was only about 5'5, and was somewhere in his forties, I would assume. He had a potbelly and abnormally large feet. Either that or he stuffed his shoes. He had smile lines along with furrows from worrying. Though his presence was not *commanding,* it was strong. When I looked the whole man over there was an aura of power, of solemn dignity and strength. He was not a man to underestimate.

His queen looked ten years younger then him, and *her* presence was commanding. Tall and thin there was a simple beauty about her. She wore most of her light brown hair pulled back in a tight bun, while the rest tumbled down in light curls to her shoulders. She smiled when she caught me looking at her, and I smiled back.

I surveyed the room, checking all possible escape routes out of habit. I noticed, as I looked at the nobles, that most were sneaking glances at Aiven and me. More then a few looked over at me appreciatively, and some of the young lords sat straighter. I hid a smile.

It wasn't that different at the high table. All occupants spent most of their time glancing up at my end, whispering things to their neighbors and pretending they were more interested with there food then the lord Seer and the lady he had brought. I heard a boy whisper to his companion how beautiful the flame haired girl was. "We've not a chance," his friend replied softly. "Why would such a lovely lady look at us - not only does she have princes sitting across from her, she's with the Seer!" Hiding a smile I turned to see the royal princes of Sontái.

The princes were siting to the left of the king and queen, directly across from Aiven and me. Aiven had told me next to nothing about them, other then that they existed. They looked about eighteen. They had their father's blue eyes and their mother's light brown hair. One dressed in the silver attire of a mage; the other wore the apparel of a knight-heir.

"Lady Damslae," the mage twin across me said as Aiven became engaged in conversation with his parents. The pages below began to serve the nobles; squires served the first course at our table. "It is a delight to be gifted with the view of you this dinner. You are the lord Seer's - companion?" He raised an eyebrow. His brother was also listening in.

I haven't had much luck with the one prince I had known, and perhaps he had prejudiced me against others of his rank. Though I must admit that it did not seem likely either of these twins would want to marry me.

"Actually," I said, taking a sip of the disgustingly sweet wine, "the lord Seer is my escort. To my uncle in Bast." It had been my uncle, hadn't it? Hmm. Maybe it had been my cousin . . . or even my father . . .

"I would be honored to give you a tour of the palace and city," the heir said.

What could I say? "I would be honored if you would, your highness."

The younger twin seemed somewhat annoyed at his brother's invitation. "How long will you be staying here?" he said, smiling charmingly.

"As long as you wish," I replied with a similar smile, long eyelashes fluttering.

The knight-heir leaned towards me. "Then stay here forever," he said, blue eyes dancing.

I sighed dramatically. "If only I could, your Highness. But I am afraid my uncle awaits me in Bast.

"Would be that I could be your escort," the mage-prince said, sipping his red wine.

"Surely I am not worthy of such an honor," I said, with a little laugh. Were the princes really this empty headed and flirtatious? I doubted it. An act, probably, and a good one.

"You are worthy of so much more," said the heir, catching my hand as I reached for my spoon.

I tried to pull it away discreetly and quickly, but knocked our joined hands into a small wooden sugar bowl instead. The bowl started spinning smoothly down the table, somehow managing to stay clear of all obstacles. It overturned a decorative bowl of marbles further down the table, and they spilled onto the floor. The three of us - myself and the twins - watched in horror as the squires entered to bring us the second course.

The first two squires entered brilliant in their blue in silver livery. They had no chance. They slipped, twisting and falling on the rolling marbles, unable to contain a yelp. Most talk at the high table paused as we regarded the falling squires - and the falling platters.

I had no time to watch as a pitcher of red wine flew from the air, directly towards me. I pushed to the side, knocking into the lady to my right. The wine pitcher broke against my plate, splattering Aiven, the younger prince, the unknown lady and myself.

We did not fare the worst. Some of the tables other occupants wee drenched; one had broccoli in her styled hair while her dinner partner wore a pie slices on his chest.

The princes and I exchanged looks. I tried to cover my amusement with dismay, but stopped when I saw the twins' eyes glint with merriment.

It was like a tableau for a moment. Everyone was still, from the squires on the floor with cheeks as red as wine to the nobles at the very end of the hall. A few muffled laughs could be heard, along with gasps of horror. Slowly every eye again focused on Aiven - though I doubted many had left him during the meal.

Aiven rose slowly from his seat, wearing a cold icy look - sort of like when he'd found me whispering instructed to his horse to throw him on the road, and promising an apple. Only worse.

"Your Majesties," he said icily. "I believe I shall retire to my rooms now." He did not need to indicate the red splotches on his pristine robe. The king and queen rose, the princes a second later. Uncertain, I remained seated until Aiven shot me a look that would have made a dead man rise. "Til the morn," he said, inclining his head. Without so much as waiting for them to answer, he swept out of the room, bringing me along with him. Again, everyone sank into a curtsy or bow. The doors swung open in front of us; we had turned a corner before I heard them close.

I dared not say anything. Aiven probably knew it was my fault, and I was still stunned on the fact that he had walked out on royalty in front of their court - and no one had tried to stop him. The implications of that were enormous.

"What are you?" I whispered as he pulled the door shut in his chambers. "What - who are you to be able to act so?" I stared at him, golden eyes wide and my hands clenched behind my back.

"Oh, don't acted so surprised," Aiven said irritably, collapsing in one dark green chair. His face was I little paler today, his brown eyes heavily lidded. "I haven't turned into some terrifying, majestic figure who eats little babies for breakfast."

"No, you always were one," I retorted. "Except I'm not so sure about the majestic part."

"Ha. Ha. Ha," he drawled, reaching for a bottle of wine on the table next to him. I snatched it away.

"Oh no you don't. If you drink this, you'll fall asleep, ad then I'll never learn anything."

He let his head fall back on the top of the chair, staring at the ceiling. "No now, Damslae. I just can't handle it right now."

"Can't handle it?!" I exploded. "What the hell do you mean, you can't handle it?" I hook a long shaky breath. "Look, you just walked out on several hundred people, INCLUDING the king and queen of Sontái. And they didn't stop you! Like it's within your rights to do whatever you want. As if your rank is higher then KING!"

"Can I ask you a hypothetical question?" Aiven asked.

"Hypothetical questions are never hypothetical," I responded in a dry, if shaky, voice.

"What if I said 'yes'? What if I told you that I *do* outrank the royalty of Sontái?"

I stared at him, then sunk down to the floor, crimson skirt crumpling beneath me. I drew my knees up to my chest, surrounding them with my arms. Never once did my eyes leave Aiven, still staring at the golden ceiling. "You outrank the *king*?" I breathed, awed. Aiven picked up his head, glaring at me.

"I SAID it was hypothetical."

I stared.

He let his head flop back again. "Yes. Happy? YES. I outrank just about any noble you are ever likely to meet. I take that back. I don't outrank Sair, Mage-King of Bast. Nor to I outrank Prince Tullon, the Mage- Prince you spoke with tonight. He is of equal rank with me."

I puzzled at this. "Even though he's royalty and you're not?"

"Yes, but I'm a *Seer.* THE Seer. And he's only a mage."

"What do you mean, you're THE Seer?"

"What do you think?"

I sighed in exasperation. "Well, are you the only Seer in the entire world?" I shivered. It was a little to daunting - MY Aiven, not this mysterious Seer, couldn't be the only of his kind.

"I wish."

"Aiven, you are so not helpful!"

He looked at me, smirking. "Oh, I haven't heard THAT before."

I jumped up. "I refuse to drool at your feet, waiting til you're good and ready to tell me things before I learn anything!"

"I should hope not. The carpet's very expensive."

I stomped my foot. "Aiven!"

He lifted his and let it drop with force to the ground. "Damslae!"

I glared at him, to angry to do anything else.

"Now," said the uncaring recipient of my anger, "Was there anything else?"

I open my mouth, only then realizing that I had completely forgotten what I was going to ask.

He smirked. "You've forgotten."

"Have not!" I cried, sounding like a petulant child. He ignored me, studying his nails with the utmost care. I dropped down into a chair opposite him. "Oh. Are you the only Seer in the world?" I inquired my voice back to normal.

"Hardly. There's one per country."

"'One per country'? Just like that?" I asked in disbelief.

He shrugged. "Exactly."

I sighed, and we sat in silence for several minutes. I stared out the window, but the only thing I could see was the half moon, it's light fading before it could illuminate more then treetops. "Aiven," I said quietly, "Can we be serious for a moment?"

He shrugged again. "I'm always serious." I resisted my urge to throttle him. Back at Kiyra's the only noise was the cricket's song, hear, there were always people nearby, voices floating from one window to another. If I tried to strangle Aiven, someone would surely hear his screams.

"What will we do once we reach Bast? There was another city I wished to visit, but . . . well, there's nothing in it for me. And . . ." and I don't really want to be a thief again. Not without Johen and Tari and Dein.

"And what?"

I shook my head. "And nothing. There's just nothing in life for me. What will you do, in Bast?"

He was quiet for so long I though he would not answer. Just as I opened my mouth to say forget it, he spoke. "I will meet with Corln, their Seer, and Sair. The Mage-King. There is - " his mouth twisted, as if he was thinking of something distasteful, " - a disaster of sorts. An emergency for with I am needed."

"What of the Eternal daughter of Lah'nayin? Would she be needed?" My voice was so soft it could barely be heard.

Aiven looked startled. "You remember." He closed his eyes for a brief moment. "That was a mistake. I do not like to prophesize in front of the people I speak of. But yes, you would be helpful . . . more then helpful.

"There will be a war," he said, in a voice so different I jumped in my seat. I looked at his eyes - glazed over. "A war controlled by dark mages with elements at their hands. Find the Saint, and ruin her path - be wary of her. Let not the Aevai'in come to be. Be warned and be ware. When the flames come with their demonic glint, foil the hand that plays the cards. The side helped by the Shanti'ilor will undoubtedly triumph. But this will pass from player to player.

"Forget not the Eternal Lah'nayin's daughter for she is the key. Remember her fate."

He was Aiven again; his eyes were clear and his forehead creased. "Stupid," he muttered. "What *is* this cursed war we keep rambling about. "And the Shanti'ilor? THAT'S never been mention before. What in the nine hells is THAT?"

"You don't know what you speak about when you prophesize?" I asked, surprised and delighted that he seemed as dumbfounded as I did.

He looked at me, brown eyes widening as if he had forgotten me. I studied his eyes for a moment; they were usually brown I had realized, but when he was very angry or very annoyed they looked green. Now why was I thinking of that now?

"Don't you dare tell anyone," he scowled.

"What, is it a secret?" I asked, amused. He scowled even more, and I laughed. "It is! Though you act all deep and mysterious, you have no more idea what you're rambling on about then the rest of us!"

He drew himself up. "Yes we do," he snapped. "I can feel things, people, if I'm with them long enough to sense their aura. I can remember every vision sense the dawn of time. EVERY ONE. When some of the prophecies are small or about specific people, I can read then clearly." He raised his head, as if to say, "So there."

I was impressed. Every vision? "What about from living Seer's? Do you know their visions? Do they know yours? Did every single Seer just experience the vision you had? Or . . . was that in fact someone else's vision that you were just sharing. Or are they all COLLECTIVE prophecies?" I looked at him, excited. He, predictably, just glared at me as he rose from his seat.

"You know more then is allowed all ready. Do not ask more." Well, certainly not when he used THAT voice. But there was one thing . . .

"Aiven - am I the Eternal Lah'nayin's daughter? You've implied it - but am I?"

"Yes," he answer was curt.

I waited a moment. "Well? What does that mean? Who am I? Who is the Eternal Lah'nayin?"

"You are not to know," he said stiffly.

I shot him a dirty look. "Oh, I'm not to know, am I? Or is it really that none of you oh so great Seer's know nothing about me and are just trying to hide the fact?"

His eyes were far too penetrating then were comfortable. Not that penetrating eyes ever are comfortable. "I know far more about the daughter of the Eternal Lah'nayin then you have any wish to know."

"Oh no you don't," I protested. "If I'm her, I want to know everything."

"Trust me," he said softly, "You've no wish to know everything."

It was pointless. Aiven was impossible to understand when he was in Seer mode. I wonder how Kiyra dealt with it. Lady knows I couldn't. For some unknown reason I felt like I had to get to the end of my questions, though, so I managed a last one.

"So you will take me to Bast City? I will me able to help against this - coming evil? The Aevai'in? The Saint, and dark mages?" Aiven had to lean closer to me to hear my words, they were so quiet.

"Yes," he responded just as softly. "You need not fear being abandoned."

I looked up sharply into his eyes; green-hazel, but surely he was not angry now? And how had he known what I feared - for I had told no one, not ever.

"Damslae," he breathed, green eyes trapping my own golden ones. Then light as a butterfly wing his lips brushed my own, stirring a feeling I could not even begin to name.

He drew back, then before I could voice a word he had disappeared into his own chambers, and there was nothing left for me to do beside enter my own.

A/N: Just so y'all know, I'm having it so Bast used to be a kingdom, with Bast City as the capital. As the centuries when my, neighboring countries nibbled away bits of the realm so all that was left of it was the former capital city, which was swallowed up and became a city in Ella's kingdom. And yes, I made up the Day of Roses. Just one of those random ideas that floats around in my mind, waiting for release. Now see that lovely little button? Pretty please, press it? ^_^