Some time later, Jane lay on her bed, unable to sleep. Her mind was troubled by the decision she had to make; to leave the continent, possibly for good – or to watch her best friend sail away. Would her absence doom him like her uncle thought?

Delphi relished in the comfort of the regal appearing chair in his reception, reading one of the favourite books that he'd brought from home. A knock sounded on the door. "Come," he said absently. He hadn't sent for anyone, but was even more surprised when Jane nervously pushed open the door, obviously agitated. Snapping the book shut, he stood and moved to her. "What's wrong?"

Jane closed the door behind her as Delphi advanced, obviously concerned. "Nothing," she said at first.

"Much," he finished, looking down at her. "Come on, sit down," he said, ushering her to one of the chairs and stood behind her, gently massaging her neck. She relaxed, feeling tension slipping away. Some of it.

"Delphi, do you want me to leave with you?" she asked suddenly. Might as well get it out in the open. She felt his hands stop, and he moved around the chair to crouch in front of her, his gaze intent.

"Is that what's bothering you?"

"Do you?" she repeated; this was one question he was not going to be able to evade.

He sighed and looked down at his hands clasped in front of him. "I don't know. For you, I don't want you to give up everything you have at home, in Delphi, especially for some half-mad adventure over the oceans. But for me?" He looked up, gazing boring straight into her eyes. "For me, I don't want to leave you behind. I would like you to come with me, Jane, but if you don't, I'll understand."

He looked away again and closed his eyes. "I had thought that if you weren't going to come, I'd stay here as well – your uncle can find someone else to lead this expedition. But he's right, I probably have the best chance of making it work – and that's fact, not ego." He looked back at her, pain evident in his eyes. "Much as I'd prefer otherwise, I can't just think of what I want – your uncle's nailed me in place. And, well, you have responsibilities back home, as the next governor, should you wish it."

"I could also help you as governor of the new city," she added, trying to divert his thought.

"Did your uncle tell you that?" he asked. "Yes, you could help me – and I'd certainly appreciate it – but so can any advisor the Kahn chooses. Don't let your responsibility decide – my hands may be tied, but I pretty much did the knots myself. Yours aren't – on any side of the ocean. What it comes to, Jane, is whether you want to leave or not. And I don't think that's really something I can help you with – it's got to be your decision, without my bias."

She nodded slowly. She'd guessed what he'd say, almost word for word – except for wanting to stay with her if she didn't go, that had come as a surprise. Her eyes narrowed. "You'd considered not going if I didn't?" she asked.

He looked uncomfortable. "That's right."

"Why?" she asked directly.

He definitely looked uncomfortable now. "Well, because, I, well, didn't want to leave without you."

"Why?" she asked again – she wanted a proper answer, not one of his clever half-answered evasions.

"Because I didn't really like the idea of not seeing you, or hearing from you, for years on end, or forever." His answer came easier that time, though he almost choked a bit on the last.

"Why?" she asked once more after a pause, her voice softer this time.

"Because I love you, that's why!" he burst out, finally breaking. Rising, he spun and walked to the window. "What else did you expect?" He leaned his hands against the wall astride the window, head slumped against the glass. He looked defeated.

Standing, Jane walked softly over to stand behind him. "Say that again?" she asked softly. "Please?"

He straightened, turned, and looked her straight in the eyes. "I love you," he repeated softly. He looked about to say more, but Jane silenced him with a kiss, her hands sliding around his neck. He was surprised at first, but soon responded, snaking his arms around her waist.

Breaking the kiss, both breathing heavily, Jane looked at Fox. "That's all I wanted to hear," she told him, "the truth; not another of your infuriating dodging answers." At least he had the good grace to look guilty. She kissed him again. "But I love you anyway." She rested her head against his chest. "I don't want to leave you, either," she murmured.

His only reply was a gentle tightening of his embrace; she knew he wouldn't answer – he didn't want to pressure her decision. She was of two minds about that; it was considerate, leaving the choice up to her, but it would be so much easier if he would just insist she go with him – but she understood why he would not. It was her dilemma alone; even though it did affect him, she knew he would abide by whatever decision she made.

Unable to stop herself, she started crying softly. "I don't want to decide," she sobbed. "I don't want to go, I don't want to stay; I just don't know."

"Then don't," he said softly, gently rubbing her back. "Don't decide, not now."

She didn't answer, her mind a blur. He held her in silence until her tears had subsided.

"Come on," he said gently, "it's late; you should get some sleep." He started to move toward the door to the common room.

She stopped him by grabbing his hand. He looked down, surprised, and she looked back up at him, a mix of determination and plaintive longing on her face. "I don't want to be alone tonight," she said, her voice resolute, but quietly questioning, half fearing that he might refuse her. She moved her free hand up to gently caress his cheek. He nodded, his gaze evaluating and intense, then moved in to kiss her again.

Delphi woke to find her still in his arms. He studied her face in the morning light, etching every beautiful detail forever in his mind. Gently, she stirred, and sleepily met his loving gaze.

"Hey," she said softly, kissing him, then nuzzling into his neck.

"Hey yourself," he said, gently kissing her forehead. A thought struck him; not a new thought, but one with new relevance, realising that he had never been happier, more content, than he was right that moment. "Jane?"

"Hmm?" She looked up, fully awake now.

"Will you be my wife?" It came out as a bit of a rush, so he tried it again, "Will you marry m..?" He was cut off as she kissed him passionately.

"Yes," she whispered.

Much later, after a relaxing bath and a memorable shower, Delphi rang for Karl; he had remembered to mention his wish to be shown around, and the ruler had consented to take Karl off his other duties for the day. Fox had expected to sleep in anyway, though certainly not anything else that had occurred, and so had told the attendant to indulge in a lie-in as well – it was only a couple of hours shy of midday when Fox finally rang.

The attendant gave them the complete tour of the palace and its grounds; although Jane had visited before, she had by no means been able to explore everywhere. They drew a fair amount of attention, and a few whispers of "champion" and the like showed that word of Fox' victorious duel the previous night had spread.

Karl saved showing them the throne room until last; the impressive hall in which the Kahn held court "whenever he hadn't a good enough excuse not to," according to Jane. Karl wisely said nothing to that, but the smile said it all.

It also turned out that Jane had a plan, devious, naturally, but once Delphi learnt of it, he was not in the least perturbed. Indeed, he'd thought of the same himself. At an opportune moment they had themselves announced at the door, silencing the hall as they approached the throne.

"Greetings, my dear, my friend, so nice of you to drop past," the Kahn welcomed them.

"We just thought we'd drop by after being shown around. It really is a lovely day outside," Jane teased.

Her uncle shot her a withering look. "How considerate of you. Delphi, you didn't come here just to torture me, did you?"

"No, though I might have if I'd thought of it first," he said with a laugh. "Actually, I have an announcement I'd like to make." At that, the court hushed, though the Kahn did not appear surprised. "This morning, your niece, the beautiful Lady Pilat, accepted my proposal of marriage. I thought you might be interested to know."

There was a great deal of whispering throughout the crowd. "I take it he's telling the truth, my dear?" he asked Jane. She nodded, beaming. "Then I congratulate you both; we'll have to schedule a royal wedding. Next week I think; that should give you plenty of time to prepare, and for your families to arrive from Delphi. Any sooner might be a touch impractical."

Jane curtseyed, and Delphi bowed. "I expect you're right, much though I'd like it tomorrow, much needs to be arranged. By your leave."

The Kahn, nodded, waving them away regally. "Enjoy the sunshine. Maybe I should hold court outside in summer. See you for dinner."

They nodded and withdrew.

Completing their tour of the palace that afternoon, they then proceeded out into the city. Primarily, Delphi had heard of a show his brother, Tarin, was overseeing, and thought he might drop past for a look. Jane was just as interested; she'd hardly met Delphi's brother before, though he mentioned him often.

The theatre in the Palace district was something of an innovation. As a whole, the building was essentially a large cylinder seated vertically, though was in fact a multi-sided polygon as opposed to a circle. Beneath it's expansive roof was a large auditorium with floor seating and three layers of balconies, seating approximately 50,000 people when full. It was a marvel of modern engineering, and an artistic triumph, and Delphi took particular pride in that his brother had been a strong driving force behind its conception.

Karl was known as an attendant at the palace, and after brief introductions, they were allowed swift entry into the premises, a messenger running off to inform Tarin of his brother's arrival.

They moved through the main foyer, toward the grand doors at the end that led to the floor seating. Those doors swung heavily open when they were still some metres from it, and a sturdily built man of average height emerged. His shock of light brown hair capped a face that, although not particularly similar to Delphi's, Jane thought it eerily familiar through some of the expressions.

"Delphi, you scoundrel!" Tarin boomed, moving forward and extending his hand.

"How are you, you old rogue?" Delphi asked his brother as they shook. There was only a small difference in age between them, but Delphi took all the shots he could. If he didn't, Tarin still would – tenfold.

"Overworked, under-appreciated, as usual," Tarin grunted sourly. "Got a major performance to set up for, and they have no idea what it involves, but keep insisting on butting their stupid bloody heads in where they're not capable." He shook his head, then noticed Jane. "Sorry, my lady," he apologised, "but my tongue runs away with me when I'm under pressure."

Jane smiled understandingly. "Quite alright; I'm used to it from being around your brother a great deal."

Delphi nodded sagely as his brother laughed. "I'm sorry, I believe some introductions are in order. Jane, this is my brother, Tarin, as you no doubt guessed. What is your exact title, Tarin? I can never remember?"

Tarin grunted. "Administrator of Idiots, it seems most often, but officially it's Royal Entertainment Engineer. Some prissy idiot at court deals with whoever wants to put a show on here, and they give me the details of what's required for me to set up the props and the environment. Then I've got to try to wrench some order and organisation out of the head-cases whose show it is, and see if I can't get everyone's feet pointing the same way."

"As you can see, he doesn't suffer fools gladly," Delphi said to no-one in particular.

"Oh, I suffer all right," Tarin rebutted, "But I make sure they suffer at least as much." He clenched his fists suggestively. "Anyway, brother, who's the pretty girl?"

"Ah, well this is Jane Pilat, my best friend from back home, and just recently my fiancée," Delphi said smoothly as if it was of no consequence. He quite enjoyed watching his brother's expression move from nodding a greeting to looking at him as if he was crazy.

"You're getting married? What have you done to my brother?" he said accusingly.

Delphi just shrugged. "Yeah, I know I always was an advocate of lifelong bachelor-hood, but hey, she's worth it, wouldn't you agree?" he said, indicating Jane.

"You're damn right she is," Tarin agreed, looking her up and down appraisingly. "Pity you got to her first," he joked appraisingly.

"Oi, none of that," Delphi warned, "Or you'll be getting a taste of what you administer to your crew."

Tarin mock-winced as he laughed, then motioned for them to follow him through the doors, nodding recognition at Karl. "Psilum; good to see they still let you out of that palace from time to time."

"Not often," Karl said, "but one takes what opportunity is available. I'm Head Attendant now."

"Well done indeed," Tarin said admirably. "Shine the Kahn's own shoes, do you?" His opinion of Karl's job was justifiably low.

"On occasion," Karl admitted. "I polished your brothers when he arrived – his good pair, that is."

Tarin grunted. "You mean better pair; he doesn't have a good anything, really – you stole that suit, didn't you?" he jibed at his brother, referring to another of the formal suits out of the wardrobe that Delphi had acquired that morning.

Delphi just shrugged. "It was in the wardrobe, and it fit; what more encouragement does a man need? You and Karl know each other, then?"

Tarin nodded as they moved down the main aisle toward the stage. "He was a novice here a few years ago; I was in charge of him. He wasn't too bad a worker." He looked back at Karl. "Why don't you come back here; you weren't the best, but you're a damn sight better worker than every other moron I command now."

Karl smiled but shook his head. "Attendant pays better," he confided. "And I get free food and board at the palace; what more could a man want?"

Tarin grunted sourly. "Typical."

Jane remained silent, only half noticing the exchange as she looked around in amazement at the inside of the theatre. It was vast. The stage, half set-up for some play or other, was a hive of activity. "When will the show finish?" she asked innocently, looking around still at the enormous viewer capacity.

"It's a one night only performance," Tarin spat. "All this fuss for a single bloody night, two days away, and then we got to bring it all down. One day off then set up for the next one – runs for a week though, so at least it's worthwhile. Why do you ask?"

"I think I found a venue for the wedding," she said, looking sidelong at Delphi, whose eyes widened momentarily, looking around at the capacity.

"Well, it'll certainly be a big occasion. I'm sure your uncle would give us the throne room, though."

"I'm sure he would, but I want it here – I don't think it's been done before, has it Tarin?"

He shook his head. "No, ma'am, it hasn't. No-one could afford it just for a wedding, though if your uncle agrees then I don't see a problem."

"Just how many guest were you expecting," Delphi asked. "I was thinking just the families; nothing on this sort of scale. Jane, we don't know this many people!"

"Oh, I don't want to fill the place," she explained admonishingly. "Only the floor seating. I'm sure there'll be enough well-wishers – my uncle will be here, so most of the court is likely to turn up just for the occasion."

A gleam appeared in Tarin's eye. "It's customary for every guest that attends to bring a gift, is it not?"

Jane nodded. "Otherwise they can be refused entry for not respecting the couple."

Delphi couldn't help but smile. "I don't suppose it matters, but where would we put everything?"

Jane waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, we'll find room; I'm sure my uncle will look after whatever our parents can't find room for, once we've chosen what we want to keep."

Delphi nodded. "Decided then. There's only one small problem." She looked at him quizzically. "I don't have a single thing to wear, don't you know," he explained, feigning dismay.

They laughed and continued toward the stage, where Tarin was more than happy to explain the show they were setting up for. It didn't appear to be a performance that particularly piqued Delphi's interest – a point which Tarin agreed with, but he got paid by the job, regardless of quality; an understandable attitude given what he had to regularly put up with.

"What sort of things would you change about the venue if you could?" Delphi asked his brother, who immediately launched into a detailed description of what the auditorium would be like had he been actually in charge of designing it. As it was, he'd put forward the prospect of such a grand arena, but been summarily ignored when it came to design.

"All this stuff," he said, indicating the various grand statues and decorations placed around the galleries, "looks awful fancy – or just awful, if you ask me – but it plays hell with the acoustics, and really, who notices them when the show's on? They're pointless!"

"And what about the roof; do you prefer that or open-aired auditoriums?" Jane asked.

Tarin shrugged. "Not too worried, personally – shaped as it is, you don't have problems with the sound escaping as much, and a roof – when it's done properly – can be useful for hangings. Not this one though – it's far too flimsy. I prefer the feel of open-air though, speaking personally. Not so stuffy to work in. Weather can be a problem though."

"How about underground?" Delphi put forward. "If you were to excavate an area and furnish it like this, as if it were a structure – what do you think of that?"

Tarin regarded his brother strangely. "What have you been drinking? You always did have nutty ideas. That's not such a bad one though. The work of excavation would be about the same as if you constructed it, and you wouldn't need to worry so much about stability – so long as you aren't on any fault lines. You'd be able to make a stronger roof as well, since you wouldn't have so many support issues. Even canvas on rails would keep the weather out."

Delphi nodded. "That's more or less along the lines that I was thinking," he admitted.

"Why do ask?" Tarin asked curiously. "You having one built for yourself in your back garden?"

Delphi nodded. "Something like that. Have you heard the rumours about an expedition to establish a second Gaian nation across the Eastern Ocean?"

Tarin nodded. "I've heard that you proposed it."

"Correct," Delphi admitted. "And the Kahn recently confirmed it – that's why I'm staying at the palace. More to point, he's placed me in charge of it."

Tarin's eyes widened. "Whoa, aren't you the lucky and important one all of a sudden. Commanding a major expedition; marrying the Kahn's niece – have you bought a lottery ticket yet?"

Delphi smiled. "No, I'm saving my luck for the voyage. We might need it."

"You didn't just say that 'we' by accident, did you," Tarin probed. "You want me to come with you. Why? What do I know about establishing a nation?"

"No more than I do, quite likely," Delphi said, spreading his hands, then gesturing around at the venue. "But you do know your job, probably better than any other. How would you like to design and see the construction of an auditorium such as we've just theorised; an excavated arena, simple, utilitarian, dedicated to its purpose. I can promise your opinions won't be ignored this time – but you will be able to ignore any that you don't like."

"Unless it's made by you, I'm sure."

"Why would I tell you how to do something that you understand infinitely more than I do?" Delphi countered matter-of-factly. "You should know better than that."

"True," Tarin admitted. "But I'll be sure to remind you that you said that if you try."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Delphi agreed. "So long as you don't dismiss it out of hand – I do have good ideas occasionally, you know – whether I know what I'm talking about or not."

"Yeah, you over-clever little bastard. You sure know how to bait someone, though, don't you?"

Delphi smiled. "Jane taught me everything I know. Thank her, not me; it's amazing what you can learn from women – especially one with authority." He gave Jane a smile as he said it to show he didn't mean it scathingly.

She returned it with one of her own. "We all learn from each other – like how to evade questions instead of giving straight answers."

Delphi put his hand to his chest. "Touché; you shoot well, my lady." He grinned at her. "It's just that straight answers are never properly correct, that's all."

"Sure," she said sceptically, "Whatever."

He sighed and rolled his eyes skyward. "Why doesn't anyone understand me," he said mournfully.

"Oh, I think they do," Tarin disagreed. "You're right, of course, but you only do it because it's annoying; you know that."

Delphi gave him a pained look. "Now, that's not a very nice thing to say, brother."

"It's true though."

"Well, yes, partly, but you don't need to come right out and say it like that, do you?"

Tarin looked long and hard at his brother as he grinned like an idiot, then turned to regard Jane. "You are a very brave, or a very foolish woman, to agree to spend the rest of your life putting up with him." He extended his hand, bending over semi-formally when she took it. "But I wish you the best of luck regardless."

She blushed and moved to hold Delphi's hand. "Oh, he's not so bad," she said as her fiancée leaned to kiss her on the cheek. "But, thank you anyway."

Tarin shrugged. "You're part of the family now, or soon will be; it's the least I can do."

"You know what, my dear?" Delphi asked her.

"No, but I'm sure you'll tell me," she replied teasingly.

"I think we need to find my brother a wife."

Tarin looked horrified at the suggestion while Jane looked at him thoughtfully. "Perhaps; who'd want him though?" she teased the older man.

"Hey, if Delphi can find someone crazy enough to take him, I'm sure I'm in with at least as good a chance," he protested.

"We'll see."

"I'm sure we can find someone," Delphi stuck up for his sibling. "If we can get her drunk enough," he added.

"Was she drunk when you proposed?" Tarin asked, pointing at Jane.

"No, not drunk," he admitted, squeezing her hand lightly, making her blush. She hadn't been, it was true, but the circumstances had been rather particular. "In point of fact, she may as well have proposed to me."

"I did not," she denied. "You asked me."

"But that was more or less what you'd wanted when you came to me last night, wasn't it?"

She blushed as the other men looked around them, pretending not to be listening. "Well, yes, but..," she trailed off as he chuckled, leaning down to kiss her again.

"It's okay my dear, I still love you."

"I should certainly hope so," she murmured, returning his kiss.

"What's the matter, Tarin, Karl?" Delphi asked unabashedly as he straightened. "Let's go see what you get up to backstage, shall we?"

"What a tremendous idea," Karl muttered.

Their tour of the backstage was soon completed, and since the balconies really didn't interest them that much, they decided they'd return to the palace, via the market. Tarin was pleased to accept their invitation to dinner that evening, chafing a bit when Delphi suggested he wear something formal and presentable.

"Why should I?" he demanded. "No-one will be noticing me anyway."

"You may be surprised," Delphi said. "Please, we'll be dining with the Kahn, and I'd really rather you weren't a total embarrassment."

They left him grumbling away to himself and headed toward the market to see what was on offer.

Dinner that evening was relatively uneventful; no-one but the Kahn and Tarin sat with them at the raised table, and the conversation tended toward Tarin's occupation, leading to an elaboration on his visions and plans for a new auditorium in the new nation's capital. The Kahn was quite impressed at the thoughts Tarin and Delphi put forward in this regard, and a bit chagrined that the designers of the Gaia auditorium had not listened to Tarin's suggestions more closely.

The Kahn's worries about who to replace Tarin was met by the simple "That's someone else's problem, not mine," though he did then proceed to mention a few of the more reliable of his crew. He may freely admit that it wasn't his concern, but there was no doubt that he'd put considerable thought into it regardless.

Jane's plans for the wedding came to no evident surprise on her uncle's part, though there were quite a number of surprised and envious glances when he announced the details later in the night. This particular Kahn was to be long remembered for his extravagance pertaining to people he took an especial liking to.