Benshe waited outside the dining hall noticing all of the people that imparted its doors. At each passing he would nod, bow, and greet-as they to he. The respect he had earned from his peers was not important to Benshe now; however, a useful tool in swaying an opinion. As Master Sensei of Cailiris' defensive force and secret Master and trainer to the elite Gushido there was much respect a man of his position acquired. Being his task at hand was so important, and the growing corruption within the Cetara race (he had felt it for some time now) persuasiveness had become a great tool to him as had his pupils. His thoughts turned to his students. Dario, Garai, and Melora were the quickest he had trained so far and he could see great paths for them to walk later on. Each had their own eccentricities though but each also had their greatest skill. Dario was master of the sword. Hs skill was surpassed by no one save Benshe himself although not for long at the rate he was progressing. Garai's swordsmanship was almost as good as the aforementioned, but his wisdom and reception of the crystal was like none other he had ever trained. It was as if the spirit resided with him but he highly doubted this was likely. It took a very special person to have such a power and they had to have been born with it. Benshe himself had been personally present at all three of his pupils birth. He had felt no passing of the spirit. Melora, his final pupil, was cause for much thought.

She, unlike her peers did not have any extra special ability, a skill that she excelled at above all others. Her swordsmanship was not that great, though as a woman it surpassed any other. At any skill level Melora was a miracle; for it was taboo for any Cetra woman to even think about fighting alongside a man. Cetra women were born for one thing; to reproduce and cultivate the Planet's energy and it's Lifestream. They had no defensive power, yet each was possessed with a or healing wind per say, great healing abilities. Cetra men were born endowed with the offensive power of Holy. Explained as easy to understand, holy would compare to the physical protector of the planet. Melora, as a whole had many abilities, even healing ones as she had been born with but each was at the same level. He saw great accomplishment in this, as when she grew ,all skill and aspects of her chi grew; not just one. Yet so much power, and the likelihood of her skills maxing in one lifetime was impossible. Not one Cetra had ever accomplished this feat or even come close; not any Cetra man and definitely not any Cetra woman. His thoughts weresoon interruptedby his spirit telling him that Garai approached. Benshe's best skill was his skill of sense; that which was physical and that which was not. Furthermore, he could reach out to any trained Gushido mind and connect with it. As Dario approached from the second hall to the left he spoke to him.

"Where are your sister and brother?"

Garai paused before answering. "Dario went to fetch Melora from her room."

Benshe smiled. Dario wouldn't want to miss that sight...she was probably arguing with Moranne about getting dressed...for all the skill that girl possessed she had no passiveness in her at all. He chuckled lightly.

She was becoming more of her mother every day. He was sure the king could see it, but knew not how to approach it. His forcing her to stay was the only reason she saw to be defiant, and be defiant she would.

"Master...?"

"I'm sorry Garai, I was thinking. Could you please retrieve Dario? We will let Melora be a little late.

He could tell that Garai almost smiled. "Alright, I'll be back with him shortly."

Garai turned around and headed back to the stairway leading to the west castle wing. Beshe, now lost in thought though very aware of himself, at down on a nearby bench and opened his communicator.

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About ten minutes later Garai returned with Dario smiling broadly at his side.br br "Master Benshe! You should have seen it-"

He shushed Dario. "Now is not the time Dario. It's important that you are here. Your fathers await you at the banquet table."

He pointed to a very long crescent shaped table set at the very back of the great Dining Hall. As he pointed they saw that their fathers were in fact there waiting for them. Every council member also sat at the table with their royalty and their families. This was an important occasion for the Cetara government and any planets under its rule. The revealing off the council decisions were held tonight along with all of the military and activities of the evening.

Dario and Garai were dressed in their finest attire, Garai in his robes and Dario in his military uniform. Nodding to their master they made their way to the table and took seat on the right side of their fathers. Benshe sighed. He hoped that Melora would come around soon.

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Upstairs, Melora balked. She didn't feel like going. She had just told Moranne in no uncertain terms that if she came at her one more time to try to dress her, she would throw her. And she did. Moranne got up from the corner pulling her hair out of her face rubbing an arm that she had landed on.

She sat with her back to Melora at the table. Neither spoke for long minutes until she distinctly heard Moranne sniff which was then pursued by a stream of barely audible sobs. Melora was convicted. Though her pride would not allow her to apologize, she felt that throwing Moranne off of her had been a bit extreme. Well, I did warn her. And she didn't listen. She deserved it. Yet the more she thought, the less convinced she was.

She finally spoke. "Moranne please don't cry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Moranne wiped the last tears from her face and silently moved over to the bed where Melora sat. Sitting down next to her and taking her hand into hers she spoke.

"All I've ever done for you is to help raise you as a lady when your mother died. God bless her soul." Melora opened her mouth to speak but though twice and let Moranne continue. "I feel as if I have failed." She started to sob again and Melora began to feel guilty. "Now I'm sorry I could not live up to your mother's standards. I've tried to have a good relationship with you so that you would listen to me. I've always done what your father has ordered me to. But I have failed your mother in garnishing you to be a lady....and for that I am truly sorry." She sobbed again and Melora could take it no longer.

"Moranne...it's not your fault. It's me. I'm a terribly selfish child. I-I just don't like wearing dresses that's all. They're uncomfortable."

Moranne nodded. "But every Cetra lady will be wearing their finest. You are the princess of Cailiris and the last heir to the throne. This is a very important night for you. All the young men will be there."

Melora's jaw tightened. She hated this speech. If anything, she felt it was wrong for Moranne to try to force her into marriage, though she knew she was only doing what she'd been raised to do. Every Cetra woman knew only a few things; being born, cooking, cleaning, healing, cultivating the land, marrying, bearing children to further the cycle, then passing on to the lifestream at a healthy age. Melora was different. She wanted more. So far, she had been able to do more than any other Cetra woman had been able to do but was stopped short now. She was still being forced to marry and have children; by Moranne by the council, by her father, and by every Cetra who lived and believed in their culture. She sighed her voice catching in her throat. It wasn't fair.

"Moranne you know how I feel. I don't want to have this discussion with you. If you or anyone else is going to try and force me to find a suitor tonight...I swear I will leave this castle and not come back."

Moranne looked at her intensely then softened her voice. "Please princess, if anything, do it for your father. He has done so much for you and in my eyes he has earned that much respect from you. After all the trouble you have given him-just do it this once for him.

"
Moranne looked at her hoping that she had gotten through to the strong-headed girl. Melora sighed thinking back to the earlier conversation she had with her father that morning. Remembering his words, and the sadness in his eyes as he told her of the passing of his throne, she balked. As much as she hated being teased by Dario and succumbing to the ideals of a race that paraded their women as objects, she hated to see her father suffer so much because of her. Though she never showed it, she loved him dearly, and didn't want to see him dethroned on account of his wildly stubborn daughter. Holding back a scream of anguish, she sighed and bowed her head turning away from Moranne.

"Alright...but this is it, the ONLY time I will. Hurry up before I change my mind."

With an excited cry of triumph, Moranne jumped up and ran to the closet.

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An hour later, loud music and many voices could be heard from the dining hall. The laughter and merriment that emanated from there was not shared by some however. Melora's father, being harassed by the nearest councilmen about Melora's apparent absence, looked over to his right to council Gelane and his son Garai. Garai shook his head no to tell him that he had not seen her, then dropped his gaze downwards suddenly very interested in his food. He got the same reaction from Dario's father, and Dario looked at him apologetically. Sighing, the king turned to the council. He stood, ready to start the proceedings in her absence. Tonight was the night the council requested him to step down. He really hoped that he had gotten through to her this morning; evidently not.

"My fellow councilmen ad ladies and lords, tonight is a very special one for the Cetra on Cailiris and every planet that is graced with our presence. For three weeks the council has convened about the importance of preserving our race and our heritage from those who seek to destroy us. If anything, we have failed to strive the importance of our proceedings to every race, culture, and creature that lives within the Alliance's borders. Many things have started a new beginning, some things are drawing to a close. Tonight we will all learn of ourselves and support our brothers in the decisions that have been made. So drink and eat heartily, be merry and content, for know that we as a council, as a government, and as a race have done our best to protect those that we love. Let us begin the festivities."

A loud applause proceeded as he bowed and sat back down at the table. All of the council's eyes were upon him now, beckoning his resignation. He kept his eyes forward, determined not to lose the respect that he had rightfully earned. Council Zerell spoke first, mostly addressing the members of the council more than the king himself.

"Have we not seen the lady princess Melora grace us with her presence this evening? Is there some dire matter she is attending to?"

The king looked up nonchalantly. "No, I'm afraid Zerell that I have not seen her tonight. For if I had, I would surely have announced it."

Zerell shook his head, eating up the attention he was putting on the subject. "For shame, for the daughter of a king to behave in such a way. She must not deem us to be worthy of our presence."

The king was infuriated. Before the Pratore had a chance to speak, Council Gelane spoke up. "That is enough Zerell."

Zerell pursued. "Well, Gelane we know you would support the Pratore. As his personal watchdog it is in your best interest to see to the throne of Cailiris."

There was a general astonishment from the council at Zerell's boldness. Garai and his father stood. "That was uncalled for Zerell!" He yelled at him from across the table.

Council Zierca of Prepartinia spoke. "Gentlemen that is enough. This is not the place to argue. Zerell is speaking only what every one of us wishes to know. Your majesty," he addressed the king, "where is the princess?"

All eyes were upon him as he had no explanation for her absence. He knew not what to say. There was no getting around her behavior now, it had been brought to the attention of the entire council. He had been publicly humiliated by Zerell, no doubt purposefully, and cornered by the rest of his councilmen. He rose, sorrowfully, holding up his hands to speak.

"I am truly sorry any inconvenience my daughter's absence has caused. I regret to inform you that the princess-"

The doors swung open to the dining hall. Four ladies in waiting appeared. Two hurried to the end of the room where they bowed to the king then rushed to his side whispering in his ear.

"The Princess awaits your announcement, your majesty."

He looked down upon them trying to hide the shock that had overcome his face. Nodding to the ladies, he spoke.

"Thank you. Please send her to me."

They bowed and hurried off.

"Until we were so rudely interrupted, you were going to say something." Zerell's face turned to triumph. "Finish."

Staring him in the eye he continued. "Ladies and lords, respected councilmen, I regret to inform you that the princess will be a bit tardy this evening. However, after attending to some very important manners she is ready to dine with us." He sat down, watching the triumph drain from Zerell's face and turn to anger as he watches the Princess enter. The council, Garai, and Dario all turned to see Melora adorned with the finest gown on Cailiris. Beads and silk flowed to her feet moving around her as she stepped forward gracefully. Large puffy sleeves stopped on her arms at elbow length, and were draped from her shoulders just so to show off her delicate neckline and the large crystal pendant that hung there. The bodice of her dress was adorned with lace and jewels were inlaid in its weavings. Her hair was tied up and pinned to the back of her head with tiny pearl pins, and a veil of lace and sweet smelling flowers which was connected to the extravagant crown adorning her head flowed down her back and met her dress at the floor. All eyes were upon her as she moved towards the table where her father sat. There was no sound in he entire room save her careful steps upon the marble floor.

"Is it that shocking?" She thought to herself as everyone stared at her. Keeping her head raised proudly, she made her way gracefully and respectfully to the table at the center of the room. Meeting the eyes of no one, she took her father's hand as he helped her into the chair next to him. She could not help but see the look he gave her. It made her fee like she was happy and sad at the same time. She wanted to scream, run, cry, and laugh but for lack of a way to do so sat quietly next to him as the noise level in the room started to increase again.