Chapter 9: The Banquet

It had been seven days since princess Cobrantes had docked. No, it was now Queen Cobrantes of Lusidor. None of the guards Saith had sent to scout had come back with any news of her. She was here, he was certain of it. He just didn't understand where and why she was here.

Today was the Banquet of the Moon Festival, a celebration of the Gods. Beside Saith sat his wife, Ifira drinking merrily within the hall. All of the councilors and advisors were chatting and laughing away at the table lined up in front of him. No matter how relaxed and joyous it may seem, Saith could not help but to feel uneasy.

"Heliar, come… drink with me." Ifira raised her goblet to touch his. Her mouth giving off an alluring grin as their eyes met. He could tell she had a little too much wine, because every look she flashed came with a seductive bat of her long eyelashes. He sipped his wine very slowly and chatted with her, all the while staying aware of his surroundings. Something just did not feel right. He didn't know just what yet, but he was sure he would find out sure enough.

"Where is Xilias?" Saith searched around the room for his naughty daughter but could not see her. He knew how inquisitive his daughter was, so he became worried when he did not know her whereabouts. He had always expressed to Cateile that one day she would get too deep into a trouble that she would not be able to get out of.

Saith motioned his head over to Kilik to go search for her. As soon as Kilik stood to go, Cateile appeared in the doorway of the Banquet Hall. His daughter was dressed elegantly in a royal blue gown that pooled around her. It dragged on the floor as she took careful steps towards her seat. Her deep brown hair was braided back and had begun to lighten with patches of auburn from staying in the desert sun too long. It was a rare occasion that she would wear a gown, she normally wore men's clothes to "secretly" practice her archery. He grimaced slightly as she nearly tripped on her skirts. He said she was beautiful, not graceful.

Cateile did a slight ritual bow to greet her father and mother and made her way over to seat beside Kilik. Saith watched as the two sent flirtatious looks and giggles each other's way. He knew that they were far past the age to be married, but the rules of the rest of the world did not apply to the royal offspring. Still, it was due time to proceed with their wedding.

Nara joined in on conversation with Ifira, laughing in merriment. The entire hall was ablaze with men and woman laughing alike. Standing leisurely, Saith raised his goblet silencing the entire hall. All eyes were on him.

"My lords and ladies! It is a wonderful day for our Moon festival. The Gods have truly shown us favor day and day again. We are blessed with beautiful women!" Cheers erupted throughout the room as Saith tilted his goblet towards his own astonishing wife. Then he once again tilted his goblet towards his daughters. "and even more so blessed with beautiful children."

"The Gods have shown us peace and prosperity throughout the kingdom of Kajor! The Gods show ME favor as well, for having blessed me with all of YOU!" Cheers erupted as Saith threw back the remainder of wine in his cup. Taking his forearm, he brushed it across his mouth and beard, laughing as the effects of the wine crept up.

"So here today! I thank the Gods for allowing me to rule and protect our prosperous kingdom!" Kilik was filling up Saith's cup again. The room was cheering and belching hearty laughs.

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! A single clap came from the doorway of the banquet hall. Three hooded figures slowly walked in between the tables upon the rolled-out carpet. The main figure in the middle was a woman, still clapping as she approached. All eyes were on her. Not a sole sound was made, save for the claps that echoed throughout the hall. And then she let down her hood.

"I am sure that you have protected this kingdom…. without the help of anyone else, your lordship." The woman chuckled aloud. Her gaze pierced through the Heliar. Making direct eye contact with the Heliar was considered rude and disrespectful, however her gaze did not falter.

"Come now…do not stop the celebration on my account. Afterall... you didn't pay me any mind for the last few decades. Lost and forgotten." The lady's claps stopped, and a scowl came upon her lips. She was dressed in an all-black cloak that fell to the ground. She wore a sacred headband of rubies that only the wealthiest of the elite could afford. Wearing all black to a joyous occasion was forbidden in Kajor. Black signified death.

"Cobrantes. Little princess." Saith leaned forward as if getting a better look at her and propped one elbow onto the arm of his chair.

"Queen." The scowl not leaving her face, she nodded her head for the other two men to unveil themselves. One man was tall, with dark brown curly hair toppled atop his head in a bun fashion. The other one was…. The guard whom he had thought he ordered killed!?

"Forgive me, Heliar. I could not let you kill one of my men so heartlessly. However, for his lack of fulfillment of duties to spy on me…err my apologies, no, that's not it… to 'protect' me I will punish him myself. Agreed?"

"He is a Kajor citizen, and he shall be punished by…"

"He was of Kajor, but when you abandoned him to Lusidor that made him a Lusidian. Just…like…me." Cobrantes interrupted the Heliar all while keeping eye contact. She could see his eye twitch at the obvious lack of respect in her tone. But what was there to respect? He was not her father. No father could ever sell his daughter like he had sold her. Right?

"Fine. It is a joyous day of the Moon Festival. I shall pardon your insubordinance and disrespect, Queen Cobra."

"Should I stand here all day? Or am I welcome to reunite with my family?" Cobrantes' mouth showed an all knowing smug. She took a moment to look around the room, her head held high. She knew no one in the room and she was sure no one knew of her.

"Of course you are welcome, princ…Queen. Here! Come! Have a seat beside me!" Ifira began to stand but was instantly shut down.

"Save it." Cobrantes shot a dead look towards her and made her way to another seat sitting perpendicular to the king. She motioned for her two men to follow her. Qemor sat beside her and the guard stood directly behind her like a scared pup.

"Come! Let us not stop the celebration! Eat! Drink! Be Merry!"

The servants served food and wine at Cobrantes' table. With Qemor sitting beside her she dared not do anything hastily. The guard tasted her food and wine for her and then after he made sure it was okay. She slowly sipped on it. The room lit back up with laughs and merriment, quickly forgetting her presence. It slightly annoyed her really, at how quickly people can forget. But she could never.

"So, what brings you to my kingdom?" Saith was looking out at the hall of people but had his attention on her.

"How generous of you to forget that this was my kingdom as well, Heliar." Cobrantes stared down at the table before her. She was afraid of the anger building up inside of her at a single glance at him. She could not do anything rash. She must not let her anger at being in this so called "father's" presence show.

"Generous is a word I wouldn't use. You were never forgotten here…"

"Save it.... for someone who cares. Like your beautiful children." Cobrantes trailed her eyes towards the three tables directly across from her. The two girls were chatting away with a man beside them. The only one who continued to sneak glances her way was the one in the middle. The young woman with the flowers that she had seen at the docks.

"You're my child as well."

"I'm your child as well…" Cobrantes lifted the goblet to her lips and took a slow sip of wine. Her eyes never leaving the young woman's face. Cobrantes now knew the reason she was sent here. She had seen it in those visions back in Lusidor. He had shown them to her. "Let us not play loving family here and now. It's too late, sweet King."

"Good, so then tell me why you're here and what you want." Saith's voice quivered slightly with anger. He lowered it as Ifira passed him a concern glance.

"In due time, Heliar." She could feel Qemor's gaze upon her face reminding her to calm down in the presence of the Heliar. The young woman connected her eyes with Cobra's and held them there.

"Cateile, is it?" Cobrantes' interest in Cateile sparked a reaction out of both Ifira and Saith. She saw his mouth open to question her on why she wanted to know but stopped midway as she started again. "I'm exhausted from my travels. I take it you have arranged my quarters?"

She could see Saith's jaw clench as his patience began to wear out. However, instead of pressing the matter further he lifted his hand to usher over a servant to escort her. Cobrantes gracefully lifted herself up with the help of Qemor's hand and turned to leave, passing one more glance at Cateile.

Saith clutched the goblet firmly and looked back at Ifira who's hand was placed over his to steady it. Turning to a nearby guard, he signaled for him to watch her. Deep down he knew that her arrival was not good. He knew that if she were like any of the rumors he had been made aware of, that she could not be trusted.