Morning saw Vanyel up before Stefen. Old habits die hard, he thought ruefully, climbing over the haplessly sprawled Bard to face the morning chill. He was about to pull on his clothes from the night before when he saw a bit of Heraldic white peeking out from Stefen's closet.

Without opening his eyes, Stefen mumbled, "I had Savil bring me a set of your spare whites… just in case… mph," he finished, snuggling further into the pillow.

A smile touched Vanyel's lips and he bent to give Stefen a quick kiss— which led to the Bard pulling Vanyel back into bed for a brief, but enjoyable, continuation of the night before.

"Running a bit late, Vanyel?" Jisa remarked dryly as he settled into the second-to-last empty Council chair, next to hers, and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "Not sleeping as well as usual?"

:Very funny, child.:

:I don't know about child, Father. I'm the same age as a certain Bard you've been keeping company with.: Her mindvoice was tinged with laughter.

:Yes, well, Stefen and I are just good friends. We like the same music.: This is not the time to discuss Stef and I with Jisa, he thought, looking over the morning's agenda hurriedly.

This time, her mind voice was almost hysterical with laughter. :Father, it's written all over your aura. Any strong Empath can tell exactly what you've been up to all night.:

He looked at her, startled. "You see that?" he said aloud, then covered his mouth.

Shavri shot them both a sharp glance then narrowed her eyes at Vanyel's slightly mussed state.

:I can Hear both of you: she Spoke him, with a hint of good-humored reproach. :And don't forget, I'm an Empath too.: She exchanged a quick smile with Jisa, then looked back at Vanyel. :We're so happy for you, Van. Just—don't get too distracted. We need you, very badly.:

He sighed. "I know," he said aloud as the Lord Marshall hurried in, still sweaty from his morning arms practice. I'm an Empath; I suppose I could Sense such things too, if I really wanted, but I'd have to actually extend my Gift… he narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Jisa, who had on her very best innocent child face.

"Trouble, trouble, and more trouble," the Lord Marshall said as he sat down heavily.

"Rumors of holy war?" Vanyel hazarded.

"More than rumors," a Border lord rumbled, placing a parchment roll on the paper. "We have regulars in uniform sighted this side of Rethwellan, carrying a new sort of holy medal and acting anything but friendly."

Vanyel caught Shavri's eye. :Randale's got to hear this.:

With a quick nod, she left, and Vanyel gave the man his undivided attention. "Go on."

Exiting the meeting, Vanyel stifled a yawn as Jisa met him just outside the door. :Father, I've a bit of a surprise waiting in your rooms.:

He looked at her bemusedly. :For me?:

:Well, not only for you…. Just, it was me, okay? No getting jumpy about traps. And say yes.:

With that, she smiled and turned to walk off with Treven. He looked after her, a slow smile building on his lips, and turned to walk much more quickly toward his chambers.

A surprise? What in the Gods' name could those two have come up with?

Pushing open his door, he saw a yellow rose with a parchment pinned to it lying on his bed. He peeled it off to read:

You are invited to the Royal Wedding

Of Sir Treven to Lady Jisa

To take place in the Companion's Field barn at the next full moon

Casual dress required.

Please bring gifts (song or food preferred).

A laugh burst unchecked from his lips at the casual dress part and the pseudo titles.

:I hope you're planning on going: Yfandes Mindpoke him gleefully. :We've got it all planned so nobody who isn't invited knows what's happening.:

:Of course you do: Vanyel replied, Mindvoice tinged with exasperation. :Jisa's been able to rope you stubborn horses into anything since she was old enough to walk.:

'Fandes snorted in reply. :I'll show you a stubborn horse next time Randale sends you out on a mission!: She paused. :Jisa and Treven haven't had it easy. They need this celebration.:

:'Fandes, love, I'm going. I wouldn't miss it for the world.: Vanyel replied. :I love Jisa more than I love virtually every other human being in Valdemar, Rethwellan, Karse, and beyond.:

:Save Stef: Yfandes corrected him.

:I could never love anyone else like I love Stef: Vanyel replied absently, reading the invitation again. Next full moon—that's in four days. I hope Stef and I can get free of Council early enough.

:You'll just have to find a way: Yfandes said calmly. :You both need this. Forst Reach was hardly a vacation, and nobody can stand never having any fun!:

:And you're right, they deserve this.: Vanyel agreed. :They deserve to see their love acknowledged by their friends and family.:

:I'm glad you see things my way.: Yfandes replied, a hint of smile in her voice.

:As if I had a choice.: Vanyel replied sardonically, falling into his chair to look over the treaty from the Council meeting that still hung in his left hand.