After she'd got through about three of the persimmon pastries, Rayla heard a knock on the door.
"Can I come in?" Callum asked.
"Sure. You got any more pastries?"
"I can probably find you some." Callum said with a smile, as he stepped through the door. Then he stopped and blinked.
"Surprised?"
"I… uh… hadn't really pictured you wearing anything else…" Callum stuttered.
"I mean, I wouldn't have been, if your dad hadn't sent someone called Sadie to get me through the…" She glanced over at the half-visible tub. "… bath."
Callum blinked several times at that statement. "Um… yeah, anyway. That was why Dad sent me. Because there are things you will need to know. For the feast."
"I'm all ears."
"Uh… well, you can't sit down before my dad does. You also can't enter the room before him, and… er… you're going to be introduced. At the same time as me… if that's ok… erm… I'm sure we can partner you with Ez if you'd rather not walk into a feast with me…"
Rayla felt the very tips of her ears suddenly start to feel warm. "Uh, no, walking into a feast with you is fine by me. Can't think why it wouldn't be. Definitely not. No reason at all."
"Um… ok, anyway, other rules to talk about… so, don't worry about cutlery or anything. There are all sorts of ways you're supposed to use it, but Dad doesn't really care. And he definitely won't care if you don't know how to stick peas to your fork with mashed potato. Oh, and you're only allowed to start eating when he does."
Rayla shook her head, feeling shellshocked. "All these rules, just for a meal? And I thought…" Her face fell, and she looked away from Callum, with tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Yeah, it's a bit much. I have to follow all the rules. Or Opelli will give me a dirty look and lecture me the next day. For hours."
"Sounds a bit like…" Rayla's voice cracked again. "If… I didn't do something right…"
Callum grinned at her. "Do you know what's worse than being a prince?"
"Worse? You get to live in a huge castle, be waited on…"
"That's the perks everyone else sees." Callum admitted. "I'm actually sort of useless at being a prince, really. I can't do strategy, I'm useless at sword fighting… all I can really do is draw."
"I can think of worse skills to be good at than drawing."
"Really?"
"Well, a couple. You could be really good at swimming."
Callum decided not to push on that issue, yet, as Sadie came back into the room, carrying a bundle of fabric.
"Your highness, if you could leave the room, and prepare yourself for the banquet." She more-or-less ordered Callum.
The human left, with a wave at Rayla.
"Now, then. You're decent under the dress?"
Rayla's face coloured, as she nodded, jerkily.
"Excellent. Get it off, and I'll get this fitting properly."
Rayla hauled off the dress, standing with her back to the human.
"Get it over with."
Sadie snorted. "There are some girls who would literally kill to be in the position you are."
"You mean probably exiled from their home, stuck among a different species, and likely about to literally lose both their hands?"
"No. Walking into a ball with Prince Callum, to sit at the King's table."
"Why would anyone kill for that?"
Sadie looked at her in surprise. "Oh, never mind, girl. Hold this, and step into it. Once you're standing in it, pull it up to your chest, and work your arms into the sleeves."
Rayla did as she was told and was suddenly engulfed by a dress.
"Although I thought the colours of whatever you were wearing before were drab… they definitely suit you." Sadie told her. "Hold out your arms to the side, and twirl."
Rayla span, listening as the human commented on a bit needing to be taken in.
"Right, stand still. And don't move." Rayla felt as if she was in her uncle's workshop for a moment, as he tinkered with something, with a needle brushing her skin as the dress was adjusted. "There we go, duck."
Rayla turned around to face a mirror, and found herself wearing a long, flowing ballgown, in dark teal and navy blue, just like her assassin's garb. The throat was cut to the same heart-shaped cut-out, and the sleeves extended all the way down her arms. Further cut-outs left her shoulders bare. The front of the dress was comprised of multiple panels of navy fabric, with a boat neckline. The dress was adorned with peacock green piping, and a navy hood hung between her shoulder blades.
"I like it." Rayla said, admiring it in the mirror, twirling slightly to see how the dress moved. Strangely, it felt heavier than she'd expected.
"It's a style that Queen Sarai and Amaya both loved. Easy to move in, modest and comfortable."
Rayla grinned at her.
"Now, how about you teach me a little about this 'Teng' I saw Amaya talking about earlier?"
Rayla reached for the decks, with a smile. "So, you start off by shuffling the deck…"
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
Outside the great hall, Rayla had tucked herself away in an alcove, content to watch from behind a statue at the various humans milling around. There were a number in dressed that seemed little short of scandalous, with plunging necklines, bright, jewel-like colours, and lace fringes. With her hood tucked over her head, Rayla allowed herself to indulge in a spot of people watching, repeatedly pushing images of her uncle's back out of her mind.
The first pair of eyes to meet hers, predictably, were General Amaya's. Towering above the frippery and flash of young noblewomen like a battleship amongst a Sunday regatta, her dress was simple but elegant. Making sure she had the elf's attention, she tapped her belt, which, to Rayla's annoyance, bore both her blades. Then she smirked at her, standing with her back to the wall.
Rayla began to leave her refuge, before hearing the clatter of spear-butts on the floor as the level of sound in the room dropped. Looking over at the main doors, she saw the royal family step through them. Harrow was wearing a surprisingly straightforward red doublet, although it bore gold trim. Both of his sons were wearing similar garments, with less trim than their father's. Callum, in particular, looked ill-at-ease, as the doors to the hall were flung wide open. The revealed hall had broad oak pillars supporting the roof, walls clad in red and gold tapestries, and a high table hung with the royal colours.
Rayla jumped, hands reaching for her missing blades, as a strong grip wrapped itself around arm. Twisting, she saw Amaya standing behind her, grinning at her. The general hustled the elf out of the alcove, and more or less deposited her next to Callum, before taking up station next to Ezran.
Callum leant over to whisper near Rayla's ear. "She's threatened to… well, seriously discomfit the herald if he goes through her awards and titles."
Rayla grinned. "I need to learn those, then." She whispered back, as the first notes of the fanfare rang out. At the top of the hall, on a dias, Harrow was standing next to an ornate chair.
"His majesty, King Harrow of Katolis, welcomes you to this feast." The herald announced, once the fanfare had died away. Ezran and Amaya entered the hall, more or less unannounced. Callum put his hand on her arm, briefly, to hold her back.
"On behalf of His Majesty, I have the heartfelt and deepest honour to present to you all, Rayla, an elf of the Moonshadow kindred, to whom his majesty owes his life."
Callum pulled down her hood, and led her into the hall, forcing the cherry-faced elf to walk at a stately pace. "Smile." He whispered, as they reached the high table.
Rayla forced a smile onto her face, as she was led to a seat to the left of the King. A similarly ornate chair to the King's stood at his right hand, empty, with Ezran and Amaya to the right of it. The rest of the nobles filed into the hall, finding their way to their seats with the assistance of heralds.
Finally, the King rang a small bell for silence.
"Honoured guests and countrymen, I bid you welcome to my hall. Today, we are here to celebrate, and to mourn. During the attempt upon my life, my dearest friend, Lord Viren, High Mage of Katolis, fell in battle. He departed this life with a spell upon his lips, wielding his power with great skill. His attempts notwithstanding, my life was saved by one person, who came to my home to be my assassin." There were gasps at the statement. "Rayla, having hunted my sons through the corridors of their home, seeking rightful vengeance, discovered a secret that had been kept from all but a few. That the egg of the Dragon Prince, far from having been destroyed, remained. Having discovered this, Rayla immediately put up her arms, and attempted to negotiate with her kin to stay their hands. Tragically, she did not succeed. Blades were drawn, and the Crownguard laid down their lives in my defence, with the High Mage's son at their head. Many noble souls fell on both sides, under the full moon. Ultimately, in my defence, Rayla struck down one of her own kin." Harrow bowed his head. "Without her, I would not be here today. She is a lesson to all of us. That hatred does not have to win, and that humans and elves can be something other than mortal enemies." He turned to her, gesturing to the room, as she turned the colour of his doublet.
"Erm… thank you, your majesty. As he said, I'm Rayla. Um… and I hope that humans and elves will stop fighting… and I'm not really a public speaker."
She almost sat down, unable to face the room further, as polite applause rang out.
"Now… Harrow said. "Let us eat, drink and be merry. In sharing in this meal, let us be truly thankful, for the good things we have, for the warm hospitality and for this good company."
The words were echoed through the room as the king sat, and the room followed suit.
The first course of the meal was surprisingly simple. A thick stew of wheat, boiled with vegetables, and thickened with almond milk was served. Several attempts by Rayla to hide under her hood were foiled by Callum, who repeatedly, and gently, flipped it down, sitting at his stepfather's left hand.
"Touch my hood again, and I'll snap your hand off." She threatened, after a few repetitions of the cycle.
Callum leant away, his hand raised, as she got on with the important business of eating.
The next courses were an equal surprise to all. A giant marrow was hauled into the room on a trestle and carved with great ceremony. Following the marrow, skewers bearing glistening slices of vegetables were carried in on trays, coated in a variety of glazes. Finally, the room filled with the scent of fruit, as platters bearing a broad range of fruit pastries were carried into the room. The royal table largely received persimmon tarts, although several other flavours, fresh from the oven, tickled Rayla's tastebuds.
Then, most of the guests rose, allowing a small army of servers to swarm over the tables. The benches were moved to the walls, as the tables were dismantled and hauled away, leaving the floor clear. A sudden flash of bright colours on a balcony resolved into a string quartet, who began to play, as the Royals descended to the floor.
Harrow bowed to Amaya, before they began to dance around each other, gliding with their shoulders level in an intricate, slow waltz. Rayla watched them dance, enthralled, for a few moments, before Callum stepped in front of her.
"May I have the honour?" He asked, with a low bow, as she stood there, frozen.
"I… guess."
He took her hand, leading her through the steps, although his awkward motions were a far cry from the elegant flow of his father's. She soon lost herself in the motion, vaguely aware of a slight heat in her cheeks. Before long, it almost seemed natural, as they twirled and flowed, mimicking the steps of the better dancers.
Suddenly, she found herself facing Amaya, as Callum found himself partnering a young noblewoman, who, Rayla noticed, was a much better dancer than him. As she moved with the human general, her hands made several attempts to reach her blades, tantalizingly displayed within arm's reach. Her grabs were repeatedly batted away or found the blades had moved beyond her reach, as Amaya taunted her with them. And then she was passed around, dancing with Harrow, briefly, followed by several young noblemen. Their skill at dancing was much greater than Callum's, but she found herself missing his earnest enthusiasm, replaced by perfectly drilled, emotionless motions.
Somehow, she contrived to dance with him again, finding that he was, if anything, less coordinated than before, but more earnest. She felt an unaccustomed tingle where their hands were joined,
After that dance, she stepped off the dance floor altogether, returning to the Royal table to sit and watch, listening to the music, as she pulled her hood back up, and poured water into a bowl.
I dont look any different. She thought, starting at her reflection. I'm a traitor… a kinslayer. And yet I look exactly the same as I did before we came to Katolis. A bit leaner, without Ethari's moonberry surprise regularly, but I'm still the same elf.
Harrow slid into the chair next to her, much to Rayla's surprise.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
"How can you tolerate having me here?" Rayla blurted.
"Because you're the future, Rayla. Or I certainly hope you are. You're an elf who was trained as an assassin, filled with all the horror stories about humans, most of which are entirely justified, and sometimes slightly understated. But when you found yourself facing a person, staring a terrified enemy soldier in the face, you stayed your blades."
Rayla looked away, staring into the bowl of water again. "He was young… and scared."
Harrow nodded.
"And then, without really thinking, a day later, I killed my mentor. He was my uncle. Moon, he practically raised me from a wee elf. Taught me everything he could. Had… faith… in me, that I was ready for this mission. And I repaid him…"
She bowed her head, staring at her reflection. Waiting for something to change.
"I understand, Rayla."
"How could you understand? You didn't literally stab the man who may as well have been your father in the back. To save the life of someone you'd sworn to kill."
"Do you think I haven't done things I regret as a King, Rayla? Do you think sitting on a throne is all about feasts and glory? I've ordered hundreds of deaths. I've sent thousands of men to theirs, willingly. And I often knew when I was signing those orders that very few of those loyal men were going to return. But it was my duty to give those orders, sign those warrants."
"And it was my duty to kill you, and Ezran." She held up her hands, where the bindings were visible peeking out of her sleeves. "And I went back on that duty when I found…"
"When you found that my oldest friend had been lying to me."
"Aye. That."
"So, what do you want to do now?"
"I need some air." She stood, crossing to a balcony looking out over the woods where she and her comrades had camped the night before the attack
Harrow gave her space, and she leant on the balcony railing, looking up at the sky, tracing constellations. She could hear Runaan's voice in her ear, feel his hand guiding hers, as he showed them to her, naming each one.
She cried, at that point, hot tears rolling down her face.
I'll miss you, Runaan. She slightly admitted. I'll miss waking up in your arms after a bad dream. I'll miss you and Ethari bantering. And I know that you'll miss out on so many things you should have been there for, because I wasn't what you tried to make me. Sure, I was fast, and strong, and brave. But I wasn't a killer. I didn't have whatever you had inside you, that let you kill someone in cold blood. Or I thought I didn't. I guess that I found what it takes to get me to kill, in the end.
She shook her head, staring into the gloom, as she noticed a glass by her hand. Raising it, she sniffed it, briefly, before bringing it to her lips. There was a sweet, honey flavour, with a slightly spicy undertone. She sipped at it, beginning to relax slightly as the fluid filled her with warmth, and she began to drowse, sitting back onto a stone bench, and letting the soft music fill her mind.
Suddenly, her conscious mind snapped into gear, as she began to slump forwards, feeling as if her heart was slowing. The stars were suddenly joined by yellow spots, surrounded by an corona, as she fought her slowing heart to stay awake.
Finally, her wineglass dropped from her fingers, landing on the stone floor with a crash of breaking glass. She was aware of hands suddenly touching her, turning her over, as she slipped out of consciousness.
AN: I'd like to thank TheFranninator for their review of the last chapter, and encourage anyone with thoughts about the story to drop me a review or a PM.