Elyar quietly walked back toward the center of Val. The sun was still high though definitely on its way down. The sky was clear with only a few whispy clouds. Still no sounds of birds. There were people shopping, but none of them bothered him.
He wasn’t mad at Yonn anymore. He knew that he was only trying to help him. But the nagging feeling that he was going to be left behind still remained. He felt better by the time he reached his destination. Any flickering internal flames had been extinguished. He walked into the keep and headed for his room. He still had time to relax for an hour or so before he had to dress for the feast. He wanted to close his eyes for a moment. Recharge himself before he had to meet his fate: his betrothed.
He opened the door and was happy to see that no one else had been added. Who elese would be put in our room? He shook his head at his own dumb question and counter question. He needed to rest if he was going to survive the coming night. He stripped his clothes which had kept the lovely smell of the stable. He donned a fitted set of clothes and laid in bed. He hoped he would wake in time, but no other thought was consid ered before he fell asleep.
A hand nudged Elyar. He jolted up. A servant jumped back frightened. “Sorry mi lord. I was told to wake you. Lord Edaam feared you would miss the feast.” The servant stood near the door looking like he was ready to bolt. He wore a black cotton uniform that looked sturdy, but still formal. He thought the servants clothes odd compared to those at home. Why did they need to be so formal if they were serving?
“No, you are fine. You only scared me, that is all.” Elyar quickly rubbed his eyes and threw the covers off him. He stood and turned to the servant. “Has my father declared what clothes I am to wear tonight?” A slight hint of sarcasm seeped out of his words. If the servant detected them he didn’t let on.
“Yes, mi lord. They are there on the other bed.” He pointed to a set
of clothes Elyar knew he was going to hate. There was fur and silk and only Theos knew what else. His upper lip curled a little as he walked tow ard the monstrosity.
“My father said this is what I would wear?”
“Yes, mi lord.”
Sighing he starting moving the pieces of fabric trying to figure out how to put it on. After a few minutes, he turned around and saw that the servant was still there. “Do you mind helping me?” He could tell the man was trying not to laugh as he approached.
Slowly the servant showed him which parts were pants, which were for the torso, and what strap went where. finally, after what felt like an eternity, Elyar was dressed. The man moved a part of the wall and a mirror appeared. Elyar moved into the right spot and tried not to laugh at himself. He had light green pants that were tighter than he liked. they were made of a material unknown to him. Kind of stretchy, but still thin. He wore an off white dress shirt with buttons up the entire middle. It had a stiff collar and pocket on the right breast. Around his neck the servant had tied an odd clothe called a “tie.” A light green jacket was put over the shirt, and there were some belts across the pants and the shirt that were useless. Over it all went a red cloak that only went to his knees.
It was stylish, but Elyar felt quite idiodic. The servant gave him one last lookover and declared that everything was as it should be.
“I don’t look dumb?” Elyar asked staring at himself in the mirror.
“No, mi lord. This is the style of Norvethalor. All the young men are wearing such things.” The servant replied with a slight bow. Without a word he turned and left the room leaving Elyar with his “stylish” outfit. Elyar picked at the clothes for a minute more before turning toward the door, taking a deep breathe, and walking out to be ridiculed by his brothers.
He reached the bottom of the steps when he was met by Yonn and Pitre. He stopped up short and a smile crept over his face because they too were wearing the same sort of outfit. Different colors, but the same weird pants, shirt, and jacket.
“Not a single word will be spoken back at the Feud.” Pitre said as the three tried not to laugh.
“No. I swear our humiliation stays here.” Elyar responded. But the three couldn’t hold in their laughter any longer. They all broke out laughing and critiquing each other’s clothes. As they teased each other they began walking toward the large door Elyar had noticed that morning. It was wide open and a large throng of people were inside talking, laughing, eating, and drinking. Everyone was dressed in bright colors.
Now that they saw the crowd, their apprehension died down. Everyone was, as the servant had said, wearing the same types of clothes as the brothers. They saw reds, blues, greens, pinks, and basically every other color imaginable.
For a moment, Elyar was overwhelmed by the colors and activity. He didn’t know how to handle this many people, in such a small space, with servants maneuvering through the crowds effortlessly and musicians loudly playing in the back. Slowly Elyar’s world normalized. He noticed not everyone was wearing bright clothes like him. Only those who looked noble born did. Others wore more mundane clothes. They must be the other members of each retinue. Elyar was not sure when the other nobles had arrived at Val, but it looked like at least twenty different families were here. He didn’t recognize most of them, but there were some he could identify based on his father’s dealings.
A large hand slapped Elyar’s shoulder out of nowhere. He quickly glanced up and saw his father dressed in fine clothes similar to his, and beaming his bright smile.
“You ready for tonight, my son?” He roared over the noise.
“Honestly…not really.” Sheepishly replied Elyar. “I am nervous about…being in such a large crowd.” He lied. But he didn’t want to tell his father he was scared about meeting a girl.
“Your brothers were just as nervous about their first feast as well. You will learn to love them just as much as they. Luckily you get to experience your first here at Val. Cane, though he has many faults, knows how to through a feast.” Edaam beamed at Elyar and than began escorting him toward their seats.
There was chaos all around. As Elyar walked toward his seat people dashed around him everywhere. His father strode before him parting the sea of people, but that didn’t stop Elyar from being bumped multiple times. He was not used to this type of atmosphere, and he wasn’t sure if he liked it. They finally reached their seats and Elyar sat next to Pitre and the last of the family. Yonn of course sat between Edaam and Pitre.
Now at the table, Elyar noticed the exquisit nicety of it all. He felt the soft cloth drapped over the table. It was a strong linen fiber with lace and other fancy designs. He peaked below to see the type of table it covered. The table was made of strong wood, but nothing special. He was slightly disappointed. He wasn’t sure what he would find, but he was dis appointed at his discovery.
“What are you doing?” Pitre asked with a hint of “knowing” in his voice.
“Nothing!” Elyar said a little embarased he had been caught. He hadn’t done anything wrong, but he knew it was weird.
Chuckling, Pitre responded, “I got caught almost completely under the table once. I had enough of the sound and wanted to get away. I’m still not sure if father was angry or found my behavior funny.” He shrugged and took a drink from his cup. Before they could continue food was placed before them. More vegetables and baked bread. The smell captivated Elyar’s senses and awake his appetite. He had forgotten to eat lunch and he was ravenous.
About halfway through the meal Elyar felt a nudge from Pitre. “What?” He asked through a mouthful of food. He hadn’t noticed anything but his plate, but Edaam had gathered a few men and was walking their direction.
“My boys! Let me introduce you to some of our neighbors.” Edaam merrily said to the three of them. Elyar could tell his father was enjoying his drinks this evening. He looked at the three men his father had brought. He didn’t recognize any of them. But he had left the Feud the least compared to his brothers. “Yonn, you remember Lord Dale, Lord
Honn, and Lord Brunthin?”
“Of course.” Yonn said while standing. He clasped each of their arms across the table before resuming his seat.
“Now Pitre here is my second born.”
Lord Honn reached out first as Pitre stood up. “Yes, he and I have
had some dealings in the past. Good man. Smart head on his shoulders.” Pitre smiled and slightly nodded. Elyar remembered Pitre saying that Lord Honn was not an unpleasant man. But kind of stale. He snickered at the thought.
“And now my last. Elyar here has just become a knight of the Feud!” Edaam beamed unashamed to show his pride. He also stood and clasped each arm in turn. Lord Brunthin held his arm for a moment forcing
Elyar to stand longer than he wanted.
“I do not mean to speak out of turn,” Lord Brunthin said. “But I would not have guessed you were the kin to these three if I passed you on the street.” He turned toward Edaam with a half smile.
Elyar stood a little uncomfortable. The man had let go of his arm, but he still stood unsure what to do. He couldn’t tell if Lord Brunthin was joking or implying something. Either way he was confused. He quic kly glanced at his father trying to gauge the situation.
Lord Edaam stood quietly for a moment and then with a laugh joked, “he might lack some of our stature, but he makes up for it in wit. The men laughed and Edaam turned them toward the direction of the ale barrels.
Elyar turned toward Yonn and Pitre and said, “that has to be one of the strangest meetings I have had.”
The other two chuckled and Yonn replied, “you get used to it. There are a lot of odd lords out there. Most mean no harm.” They went back to eating and enjoying the music and ambiance. Time passed slowly for Elyar. At least after his plate was cleared that is. He sat there watching the crowed mingle when a slim figure caught his eye.
Flashes of dark green passed through the crowed like a choreographed dance. Elyar couldn’t help looking for the next space green would appear. He lost sight for a moment until he caught sight of it a moment later. Dark blue eyes flashed above the green dress and then they were gone. His heart started pounding just a little bit faster. Those eyes. He thought they would remain in his dreams forever.
Unconciously he searched for her. After a moment of obvious looking he caught himself. His cheeks turned a little more red than they already were in embarrassment. But his mind didn’t stay there for long. Not when those blue eyes lingered in his memory. He took another second to look around, but he still couldn’t find her again. Leaning back in his chair, Elyar raised his cup and took a small sip. He closed his eyes and saw blue ones looking back. His heart skipped a beat.
Without warning a figure plopped beside Elyar’s chair. The movement jostled him out of his stupor. He looked over and saw a flowing green dress. It fit snuggly over the figure of the woman who wore it.
Golden patterns flowed over the material leading the eye over the dress. But the thing that caught his eye the most was the face.
Flowing chestnaught hair framed the most beautiful face Elyar had ever seen. Rosy cheeks sat below ocean blue eyes. Her jaw was firm and only enhanced the smile beaming at him. Her eyes twinkled which enticed Elyar. He didn’t know why he was so drawn to a woman he had ne ver met. But he knew he wanted to spend eternity getting to know her.
“Hi.” That’s all she said, but it sounded like music to his ears. But now she was stairing at him with one brow raised. I should say something back?! Elyar thought frantically.
“Ah…hi.” He slowly responded. What an idiot. But she smiled and any frustrating thoughts vanished.
“I’m Kristiana.” She said while looking at Elyar intensely.
Her intensity was slightly weirding Elyar, but he quickly looked passed it. He wanted her to stay. Needed her to stay. “I’m Elyar. But I am
sorry. I do not mean to sound rude…but have we met before?”
She laughed and looked at him with a puzzled expression. “No…you don’t know who I am do you?”
Before he could answer the loud voice of his father boomed behind
him, “I see you found each other! How fortuitus!”
Elyar looked at his father, then at Kristiana, then back at his father. His mouth must have been open a little because they both started laughing.
“Did I not say you would meet your betrothed tonight?” Edaam chuckled. “Well…here she is! Now go talk. Get to know each other!” With that, he walked off again. Elyar was started to not like when his father popped in and out. He looked back at Kristiana with new eyes. So here was the woman his parents had decided to marry him off to. He couldn’t complain about how she looked, but he still did not like having no say in the matter.
“Do you want to go for a walk?” She asked breaking his thinking off.
“It’s so loud in here. I can barely hear my own thoughts.”
He looked at her for a moment before nodding his head. He still was having trouble thinking let alone speaking. With his physical consent she grabbed his hand, stood up, and started pulling him toward the door. He quickly jumped up to not be tugged out of his chair. Together they walked off through the crowed. Everyone parted as if they were a ship cutting through a quiet tide. Elyar glanced at where his brothers were and saw both smirking in his direction. Yonn raised a glass in his direction before he lost sight of them.
Elyar nearly lost his arm as Kristiana tugged his forward. They had
just met, and he could already tell she was on the adventurous side. They exited the hall and quickly passed through the entryway out into the courtyard. The moonlight illuminated the night casting a grey wash over everything. Stars twinkled high above adding their own glow to the world. Their hair danced as the slight breeze increased the tempo. Now that they were outside and away from the chaotic world inside Kristiana stopped pulling, but she didn’t let go of his hand. Elyar stopped and stared at the night, taking in the sights. Especially one sight that stood just in front of him.
With her back slightly turned toward him he could see the side of her face clearly. The moonlight lighted upon her skin giving her a divine glow. He caught himself holding his breath. She turned toward him and cocked her head to the side a little. “Isn’t that better?” She asked.
He had to admit that it was much better. “Yes. I think I like this much better.”
They stood for another moment before she asked, “You really didn’t know who I was, did you?”
Elyar hoped the moonlight did not reveal his embarrassment as he replied, “my father mentioned that I would meet you tonight. But he ne ver told me your name nor what you looked like.”
She thought about his statement for a moment before turning completely toward him, grabbing his other hand. “Well now I am here. You may ask me any question.” She looked at him expectantly.
His mind froze. He could not think of anything important. Finally,
after what felt like too long of a silence he asked, “how old are you?”
She quickly responded, “seventeen.”
That eased his mind a little. He was afraid she would be much youn ger than he. “Where do you hail from?”
“Fisc Hyon. You get one more before it’s my turn.”
He took his time on the last question. He decided to shatter whatever ice he could. “Now that you have seen me and we have spoken a
little, are you concerned about our betrothal?”
She didn’t answer immediately. Finally she said, “No. I already knew what you looked like and I have met your eldest brother, though I was
young. I remember his kindness and how thoughtful he was. I knew if you were half as kind I would be fine.”
Her response was not what he was expecting. It was very mature and thought through. “Lucky for you, Yonn is twice the man I am.”
“Maybe in stature. But I feel there might be kindness below.” She verbally pocked. But her smile told Elyar she meant her compliment. He was used to his brothers standing up for him, but he was unaccustomed to a woman doing it. It felt nice. With that they began to stroll through the courtyard and around the fortress. The moon lit their way and the stars were their guides. There were a few other guests wandering besides them. There were some servants enjoying some fires while relaxing from a hard days work. But none of that bothered Elyar. He barely registered any of it. His whole focus was on the beautiful creature next to him. He held her hand. A hand he wished to never relinquish.
Time stood still. Elyar did not know how long they walked and talked. Nor did he care. Conversation flowed easier and easier the longer they were together. They discussed their childhoods, educations, desires, and fears. Nothing seemed off limits.
They walked until eventually the doors to the fortress came round. Elyar was not sure if this was their first passing or their hundredth. They had stopped talking a little while ago and were just enjoying each other’s company and the moonlight. Elyar had never noticed, but the white be ams seemed to invigorate him.
As the doors grew nearer, they began to hear shouts. These shouts weren’t joyous yells, but yells of aggression and anger. Elyar glanced at Kristiana who looked at him with a face of confusion. They picked up their pace to see what the commotion was about. They quickly rounded the fortress and headed up the stairs. As the got closer to the feast Elyar was able to begin piecing the sounds with what he saw. A circle had been made around the middle of the room. No rope or paint designated its boundaries, just the bodies of those watching. As they got nearer, Elyar made out two persons standing in the center. It looked like they were boxing each other!