Normally Dinah would make an effort to keep her back straight, remain expressionless, and exhibit the kind of decorum that would make it impossible for anyone to think her unworthy of the title of Champion. She would be wearing open toed gold shoes, and a golden necklace glittering with rubies to aid in teleportation; copper-rimmed malachite rings embedded with emeralds to use telekinesis with ease; a golden circlet, rich with jade stones, for telepathy and scrying. She would carry herself with all the grace and authority she could muster.

Instead, she smiled. With only a black dress and flat shoes, and her hair in a loose bun, she didn't feel the need to impress anyone. In fact, she felt like it was no effort whatsoever to sit upright. Her mood was already in the clouds, and it lifted her body as naturally as the sweet aroma of baked pastries rose from an oven. Even Azazel, as self-centered as he was, had asked after the reason for her good cheer. He looked genuinely interested when she said that she would tell him later. Lady Sita was only too happy to share the energy, and the two chatted amicably about how the food of the Empire compared with the dishes from their respective homelands. It was… nice. She would have to share more conversations with Lady Sita.

ka'Kia silently nodded along, occasionally offering a few syllables here and there, as the ladies spoke. However, once Azazel decided to join in, the conversation quickly became another squabbling match. Lady Sita and Azazel could be confused for lifelong siblings with the way they bickered. Dinah observed the scene with amusement before noticing ka'Kia shrinking back from the rest of the table.

“Your hair is so lovely, ka'Kia,” Dinah offered a warm smile, “I'd love to braid it.”

“Oh, nonono,” ka'Kia rushed her words, waving away Dinah's offer, “don't waste your time doing something like that. I like leaving it down anyway. You don't have to do that.”

ka’Kia smoothed her lavender dress as she averted Dinah’s eyes. The girl really was too shy.

Dinah undid her loose bun, letting her hair cascade down to the small of her back, “I can't say I prefer it, considering the kind of work I usually do, but maybe it would be nice just to let it all hang loose for today. What do you think?”

ka'Kia, as always, seemed at a loss for words when asked anything that wasn't a yes-or-no question.

Dinah leaned toward ka'Kia conspiratorially and whispered, “I was actually hoping you'd be willing to braid mine, like you sometimes do for Lady Sita.”

“Oh, sure!” ka'Kia visibly relaxed once offered the opportunity, “Did you want something loose, like a fishtail, then?”

After nodding her assent, Dinah sat with her back to ka'Kia, and facing away from the two bickering Champions. Her eyes caught sight of Caesar just entering the Bethel Lyceum down below. His face was impassive — steadfast — which meant that there was probably bad news. He surveyed the room with an atypical austerity before finally glancing up at the Champions’ Den. When she finally caught his eyes, he gave her a small smile and a wink. She just squinted her eyes at him, and he nodded slightly before turning his gaze to the platform below.

The Bethel Lyceum was an enormous chamber. Marble walls and pillars stretched up to the heavens showcasing a glass ceiling that seemed to drink and reflect enough light to rival the sun. Hanging from the wall directly below the Champions’ Den was the long silver banner of the Holy Prismatic Empire, the eight pointed star’s insides segmented by the eight colors of the Prisms, with the points colored an alternating black and white. Though they were inside, the banners rippled as though a gentle breeze was breathing life into them.

The ground floor was filled with seats and tables that resembled a cross between an amphitheater and a receiving room. Half the representatives on the floor didn't even use the chairs during the Meet, instead opting to mingle with one another the entire time, and only sparing an ear for the speakers when interested. The other half of the representatives formed cliques, their hushed tones laced with innuendo, cementing alliances and deals that surely fulfilled their desires more than their constituents' needs.

Dinah snorted, giving ka'Kia a start.

“Sorry, dear,” Dinah said.

“Oh,” ka'Kia chuckled nervously, “it's fine. I didn't mean to disturb you.”

“You're not disturbing me, ka'Kia,” Dinah looked down her nose at the politicians below, “they do.”

“Oh, sorry… sorry to hear that…” ka'Kia muttered. Honestly, the girl was just too mousey.

Clearing her throat, Dinah asked, “What do you normally do to relax, ka'Kia?”

“Oh!” ka'Kia played with a bit of Dinah's hair as she thought. “Well, I like to listen to the waves… of the, of the ocean…”

“Do you like the scent of salt water?” Dinah offered.

ka'Kia hummed an assent.

“And the call of the birds wandering the shore?”

ka'Kia hummed again.

“Do you like glazed pork?”

“Oh, absolutely!” ka'Kia enthusiastically answered.

Dinah turned around and looked right into ka'Kia's blue eyes, “You must come to Nucifera with me. You will love it there.”

“Oh,” ka'Kia seemed genuinely surprised, “um, sure! I mean… when?”

“Anytime,” Dinah smiled. “I will be having much more free time after today. My duties have been preventing me from getting the chance to get to know you all, and I aim to fix that.”

ka’Kia nodded with a demure smile on her face.

Dinah looked over ka’Kia, noting how small she looked with her shoulders hunched forward, and her black hair pulled straight down to nearly cover her face. Dinah reached a hand out, causing ka’Kia to pull back in sudden alarm.

Dinah flinched, “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

ka’Kia shook her head, “No, sorry, that’s my fault. I just didn’t notice your hand there, haha… I wasn’t paying attention and then it was just there. Sorry…”

This girl really needed a backbone. But she was so jumpy. How could Dinah get her to open up a bit?

Hesitating for a moment, Dinah finally said, “When I first became a Champion, I was terribly excited and hopeful.”

ka’Kia looked up at Dinah with interest.

Dinah laughed softly, a bit of sadness and scorn leaving the sound staccato and hollow in her ears, “What a foolish, silly girl I was...”

“Don’t say that about yourself,” ka’Kia whispered.

Shaking her head, Dinah continued, “I know, I know. It was just a small comment — something I only noticed now that I’m no longer that way. Rest assured, ka’Kia, I’m doing much better now.”

With a stern nod of her head, ka’Kia said, “Good.”

She couldn’t help herself, Dinah laughed, “You’re so kind and encouraging, did you know that? I should have spoken with you more often instead of hiding away these past three years.”

“Oh!” ka’Kia fanned her hands, as though to quickly brush aside the compliment, “no, I just speak without thinking sometimes. I don’t — I’m not trying to tell you what to do or anything.”

Gently grasping one of her hands, Dinah reassured ka’Kia, “Well, if I did have someone like you telling me what to do when I was only wallowing in self-misery, then I’d probably be a lot better off. I was pretty overwhelmed at the start, and have thought about how stress-free and easygoing my life would’ve been had I not accepted becoming a Champion.”

“Yeah,” ka’Kia spoke softly with her eyes downcast, but her words carried a familiar emotion, “I’ve… I thought about those things before, too.”

The tone of ka’Kia’s voice echoed Dinah’s recent past. It was the feeling of loneliness. Isolation.

Dinah held ka’Kia’s hand more firmly, causing the girl to look into her eyes, “You’re stronger than you think you are, ka’Kia. Even now you’ve managed to lift my spirits with just a few words.”

ka’Kia immediately looked away again, a small blush coloring her pale skin pink.

“Anyway,” Dinah didn’t want the girl to feel too embarrassed. Dinah knew she hated whenever anyone focused too much attention on her, “we’ll have more time to talk and enjoy the wonders of the world in the future. For now, let’s just try to tolerate this whole Meet together.”

Humming in assent again, the young woman continued braiding Dinah’s hair. As that was happening, two familiar men entered the Champions’ Den.

With high cheekbones and a towering figure, Sermon’s face could’ve been considered pleasant if it wasn’t always drawn tight into a frown. His blond hair was pulled into a high top, and his hazel eyes scoured the room like a hawk. As usual, he wore his ceremonial prismatic armor, glowing faintly with the pulsating green light that was indicative of his Prism. Standing a head shorter than him was Ciarlare — a contrast in every way — with dark skin, dark hair, dark eyes, and a small, all-knowing smile. He was dressed in a dashiki suit woven with a myriad of blues like ocean waves. The kofia atop his head was embroidered with the shape of his Prism: a tetrahedral pyramid. Dinah had learned the hard way that he loved to use it as a conversation starter to show off just how smart he was.

After taking stock of the still bickering Azazel and Lady Sita, the two men sat on the furthest end of the table, still within conversational distance of Dinah. Though Ciarlare seemed to engross himself overlooking the rest of the Bethel Lyceum, Sermon looked down at Dinah with open disdain.

She simply smiled back, “Good afternoon, fellow Champions.”

“I’m surprised you even deigned to show up, Ukusika.” Sermon looked down at the assembly, “You complain enough about your duties to rival some of these worms.”

Dinah heard ka’Kia’s breath catch behind her. Normally, such a comment from Sermon would earn a good verbal thrashing, but Dinah was in good spirits today. And no one was going to ruin that.

“I’m actually going to have even more duties after today’s announcement,” she examined her nails as she spoke. “After all, someone has to prevent the collateral damage an inexperienced user can cause with the Prism of Destruction.”

Ciarlare immediately leaned into the conversation, but was cut off as Sermon remarked, “There’s a new Champion?”

Covering her mouth with a hand, Dinah laughed lightly, staring Sermon in the eyes, “You mean you didn’t know?”

Gritting his teeth, Sermon pounded a fist on the table, “Out with it, then! Don’t play these stupid games with me.”

“Why are you fighting already?” Lady Sita interrupted, her gaze locked onto Sermon. “Can’t you at least pretend we all get along for the Meet?”

Sighing loudly, Sermon leaned back in his chair while rolling his eyes, muttering something under his breath.

“I agree with Soteria,” Azazel, in his sunset colored chang kben, stepped over to stand between the two groups, “we must make an appearance of civility and exhibit proper decorum lest the masses confuse us for common rabble. Once the Meet is underway, everyone in the Empire will be able to watch the proceedings, and we need to represent the strength and integrity of the Empire.”

“A new Champion, Dinah?” Ciarlare cut in, “From where?”

Everyone leaned closer, even ka’Kia.

Finding herself in control of everyone’s attention, Dinah grinned, “About three leagues, and sixteen hours ago, the Duchess Tamarin was cutting across the Tethys Sea, near a long abandoned fosse.”

Dinah gestured toward a glass and pitcher of water in the center of the table, and Azazel quickly warped a full glass into her hand.

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“The gully it overlooked hadn’t manifested for years — decades, even,” Dinah took a sip, savoring the suspense. “A hail of fireballs erupted from one of the dilapidated turrets in the middle of the night. The sailors aboard the Duchess were experienced yet, and managed to protect their ship from the brunt of the assault. But they didn’t notice that some demons were swimming under the ship itself.”

Walking her fingers up the glass, deliberately clinking her nails with each certain step, Dinah slowly clasped the entire cup in her hands, “They surrounded the ship on all sides, and the crew were forced below deck.”

Everyone was listening with rapt attention — Azazel with a grin; Lady Sita and ka’Kia with their mouths slightly agape; Sermon and Ciarlare with a stern look of concentration.

Suddenly, a ball of lightning bounced around the glass, gliding along the surface of the water.

“A stowaway revealed herself,” Dinah began peeling her fingers off the glass of water as the lightning started bouncing between her fingertips, “and with a degree of control known only to mages who have practiced magic for half a century…”

With her fingers all removed, only the floating glass of water remained, with the ball of lightning hovering above, “…she destroyed every demon aboard the ship, with not a single person harmed.”

“Wow…” Azazel shook his head, sharing a broad smile with Lady Sita.

“You could have skipped the theatrics,” Sermon griped, “and you didn’t even say where she’s from.”

“Well,” Dinah would not be goaded. With a smirk on her face, she added, “She is an elf.”

“Ohhh,” Azazel elbowed Sermon playfully, “maybe someone you’ve met before?”

Somehow scowling more deeply than normal, Sermon swatted away the other Champion’s arm, “We don’t all know each other, Azazel.”

“I should hope not,” Dinah said, “she’s just a child.”

Glaring daggers at her, Sermon leaned forward but was then cut off by Lady Sita, “Who taught her magic? Is she living in the capital now? Is she native from Tyr Vicente, or is she from elsewhere? I heard many elves live in the forests in Shu Veles. Oh! Is she one of those water elves — what are they called — tamashi? Sermon, how many kinds of elves are there?”

Scoffing, Sermon answered, “There are as many elves as there are humans. We’re not a monolith.”

“Oh, please,” Lady Sita adjusted the red shawl that had fallen partway down her head, “you know what I mean. Aren’t your people divided into the four elements? You know, like how orcs are divided by their whole philosophy thing or whatever.”

Drawing himself up even more, Sermon scoffed again, “Don’t ever compare elves to orcs. Don’t even use those words in the same sentence.”

The conversation quickly became a rapid series of disputes about race and politics — two things Dinah wished she didn’t have to deal with on a day to day basis.

However, soon enough, a series of chimes and bells rang out, indicating the Meet was about to begin. Quickly tabling the discussion for later, all the Champions stood up from their table to stand at the balcony of the Champions’ Den. Taking her place beside Azazel and Sermon, Dinah wore a polite smile on her face and mentally prepared herself for a marathon.

As the assembly went to their respective areas to stand at attention, the room magically brightened so that no corner held a shadow, and the topaz scrying stones alighted themselves above the congregation, ready to move toward any and every speaker during the proceedings.

An unseen concert of strings played softly, layering the room in a blanket of calm, as color seemed to come alive. The Empress — Miriam Constance — entered from the far end of the hall. Dressed in mourning black, as she would be until the Emperor completed his latest resurrection, Miriam was impossible not to distinguish amongst the white marble floors and multicolored apparel of the assembly. As she passed row upon row of ambassadors and senators, they each bowed their head with the respect her personage and station deserved. Finally at the front, the ministers and consulars each gave a nod, and intoned, “Empress Miriam, may you live forever.”

Standing between the two thrones, one with a burgundy cover draped over it, was Caesar. He stood up straight, with a polite smile on his face, and the colorless Prism of Life hanging overhead. The Prism appeared to be an infinite series of cubes somehow folding into one another, as though being endlessly devoured and born again and again.

Once seated upon her throne, Miriam gestured for the assembly to sit, and so they did. However, the Champions remained standing. If there was anything worse than hearing a bunch of politicians speak at length, it was having to do so while standing the entire time. But, of course, they had to appear strong — as if their Prisms and heroic actions weren’t already enough — so standing for hours without rest was required. Although, it wasn’t like they couldn’t just cast a few spells to make the whole ordeal less onerous. She’d done as much during her second Meet, much to the chagrin of Sermon and Azazel. They’d expressed their disappointment for weeks after. Why the men could be so proud of emulating a statue was beyond her.

She could hear the soft whispers of Lady Sita and ka’Kia from the other side of the gigantic Azazel. She’d learned early on that for all the talk he was capable of, he was surprisingly serious and attentive whenever it came to matters of State. She side-eyed Sermon, who stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his smile more a sneer as he looked over the congregation. She wouldn’t be talking to him.

Sighing inwardly, she started to mentally check out, letting everything slowly fade into droning noise in the back of her mind.

But then she heard a soft giggle from Lady Sita.

There was no way she would suffer another Meet bored out of her skull.

She stepped away from the railing, earning an immediate look of reproach from Sermon and one of confusion from Azazel, before she stepped around the burly man and gently pushed him to fill her recently vacated spot. At first, Azazel didn’t move, giving her a look of mild disappointment, but then stepped aside with a sigh.

“Don’t mind him,” Lady Sita whispered. “Welcome to the fun side, Dinah.”

Smiling in earnest, the shorter woman took one of Dinah’s hands and pulled her closer.

The many bracelets and bangles on Lady Sita’s arms chimed softly as she moved. A gold chain of rubies adorned her forehead, glowing softly as they caught the light, but not so bright as the cheer in her brown eyes. An alternating diamond pattern of red and gold flowed from the top to the bottom of her sari.

“I should have come around sooner,” Dinah said.

“Everything is better done sooner,” Lady Sita then leaned closer. “What else can you tell us about the young Champion?”

The first hour of every annual Meet would typically entail an immediate overview of the fosses, the Sluice Gates, their relevant threat levels, the types of demons they faced — to Dinah’s ears, it was the same reports year after year, with requests for more troops and funding.

Instead, she talked with Lady Sita and ka’Kia about the prodigal, young elf, Silva Shyanna. The girl seemed not yet a teen, but that meant she could be anywhere from a dozen to a hundred years old! Unlike the hybrid races, the orcs and elves mostly kept to their own — well, except for the Coeval Orcs, but they only lived in the Alliance — as consequence, few knew much about their cultures except former natives and scholars. They exchanged a few words about that before quickly moving back on topic.

As Miriam said, they had only recovered Silva that morning, and the poor girl was half-starved. After giving her food and water, she just knocked out on the dinner table. Lady Sita recounted her childhood days in Gondwana, learning proper court etiquette and politics when she was Silva’s age, and often wound up eating in bed while studying until she fell asleep.

They’d roused her from her sleep, and gotten a few mages to look over her, but Silva seemed to have a clean bill of health. She wasn’t terribly talkative, however, and seemed to be impassive but wary. Miriam thought that the girl was probably abandoned at an early age and was forced to survive on her own.

“We won’t abandon her,” ka’Kia pressed. “She’s one of us now, and we’re going to make her feel that way.”

Nodding along, Lady Sita added, “Caesar is certainly a good man, but he won’t be able to teach her how to be a Lady.”

“She’ll be lucky to have you two,” Dinah said. “Just as I am.”

Lady Sita beamed at the compliment, while ka’Kia blushed and turned away.

As the conversation came to a natural pause, they all observed the discussion going on below.

“…forgetting, Minister Daud, is that the Alliance outnumber us, and the Primeval Orcs side with them more often than not.” A woman, with a sharp, military garb, proclaimed, “It is, if anything, unconscionable to deny my request!”

Before the minister could answer, the Empress’s voice rang out, “The Primeval Orcs never venture outside their territory. As long as we maintain our borders, I see no reason to allocate additional troops to Yarmi. The matter is settled, Senator Jara.”

Gritting her teeth, Senator Jara saluted, “Thank you for your consideration, regardless, Empress.”

The scrying crystal that had been hovering over her floated back up in formation with the others above the congregation.

Another scrying crystal chimed softly, and the minister standing directly below it, called out, “We recognize Senator Lorcan, speaking on behalf of the people of Shujae. Senator has also requisitioned additional troops in a bid to finally push the Alliance out of Dimu Skanda. Senator, you have the floor.”

Another man stood, wearing a simple gray vest that left his heavily tattooed arms exposed, and a scrying crystal darted toward him before stopping at arm’s length over his head.

“I don’t have to tell you just how many rare earth metals are in Dimu Skanda,” his voice rumbled in a deep bass, “because you already know. Just as you know that we have just stabilized the Sluice Gates all across the Empire — and those brave men and women deserve a break. But, if we just focus our efforts on one last push, we can secure peace and prosperity for the Empire for the next century.

“I only ask that you reposition the troops from the Imperial Estuary to Dimu Skanda,” he said. Groans and protests permeated throughout the assembly, “These are our strongest, smartest, and most talented soldiers. If I had them for just one day, your Eminence, I promise you that I will give you the entirety of Dimu Skanda.”

“I don’t understand,” Dinah whispered to Lady Sita, “why are they groaning?”

“The Alliance is too entrenched in Dimu Skanda,” the shorter woman replied. “It isn’t a numbers game up there — it’s the geography. The mountains and caverns have too many places to hide. Even if we swept all across the surface, there’s no telling what traps or sluices or ambushes could be in those mountains. The war up there was always going to be long and expensive — there’s no reason to believe that the Alliance wouldn’t do everything in their power to push back just as hard against us if we rushed in like that.”

“I wish there was no war,” ka’Kia despondently added.

“It’s stupid,” Lady Sita agreed. “The Alliance has most of the subcontinent anyway. We can hold at the Kerlaugar river, and just negotiate from there. I don’t understand the need for more of that land when we already have enough.”

Dinah had been in a few battles as a Champion, but had never been on any particular war front. She’d helped the Prismatic Knights fight demons plenty of times, and was happy to protect people from an obvious evil, but the few times she’d helped protect the army from artillery were somewhat unnerving. After all, these were people with hopes and dreams, just like her, and the fights were over territory and resources.

“Why can’t we just end the war and become trading partners?” Dinah asked. “If the black market can do it, then why don’t we?”

“Because not everyone wants what’s best for everyone,” Lady Sita crossed her arms. “They just want to make a name for themselves.”

As the assembly continued, Dinah looked over at Caesar. Of course, there he stood, hands behind his back, right beside the throne with his mother. He glanced at her for a moment, gave one of his small smiles, then went back to watching the hearings.

He always took his responsibilities seriously. It earned the respect of everyone around him, even Sermon and Ciarlare seemed to consider Caesar’s words before they acted. In fact, he was the one who tied the Champions together.

And, although they hadn’t set an official date just yet, he was going to be her husband.

He always did support her. Ever since they’d met, he’d been there to listen, to talk, to celebrate…

Dinah had an idea.

Tapping the burly man on the arm, Dinah asked, “Azazel, could you conjure a set of crystal stairs that extend to the throne?”

Giving her a look of disbelief, the man gruffed, “Of course, I can. I can make anything. Why?”

She stepped past him, and went between Sermon and Ciarlare, “I have a proposal for you two.”

Ciarlare gave her a considering look, before turning most of his attention back to the assembly, “I’m listening.”

Sermon looked down his nose at her, arching an eyebrow, and saying nothing.

“Silva was abandoned by everyone she ever knew.” At Dinah’s words, Ciarlare actually turned to face her, “I don’t know if she remembers — or wants to remember — where she came from, her people, or her culture. But, if she’s to join us as Champions, then we’re going to welcome her as Champions.”

At this point, the other three Champions stepped away from the railing and joined the semicircle.

“Before that, though,” Dinah looked Sermon, then Ciarlare, in the eyes, “we’re going to have to act like Champions.”

The two men shared a look before Ciarlare spoke, “We work together well enough, Dinah. We don’t have to be friends to do our jobs. You’ve made that abundantly clear by example.”

Pressing her lips together, Dinah was loathe to admit, “You’re right. Most of the animosity between us started with me.”

Ciarlare looked mildly taken aback. Sermon, however, still had his arms crossed, and looked unimpressed.

“I’m sorry for how I’ve treated you so far,” Dinah maintained eye contact. “I know that I can be… difficult… from time to time, and I’ll try to be more patient in the future. But I need you to work with me on this.”

“Why now?” Ciarlare pressed. “Is this really just about Silva?”

Dinah looked down as she tried to gather her thoughts. Someone took her hand, and she looked up to see Lady Sita giving her an encouraging smile.

Chuckling softly, Dinah said, “I’m getting married.”

All the Champions’ eyes widened in surprise.

Lady Sita immediately pulled Dinah into a hug, “Congratulations!”

As the others offered their congratulations, Dinah waved it off, “I know, thank you, really. But, to answer your question Ciarlare, that’s why. Caesar obviously respects you, as you do him — I’m going to try and do the same. It’s about time I really fulfill the role I’ve taken.”

Sermon eyed her for a few seconds before finally sighing, “Does this mean you’ll finally take your duties seriously, instead of treating them like chores?”

“I’ll take them as seriously as I take you,” Dinah smirked.

Just as Sermon scoffed, Dinah extended her hand.

“Let’s build a better future together, Sermon,” she offered.

After a moment’s hesitation, he clasped her hand, “For better or worse, I suppose.”

“For those we love,” Dinah added with a smile.

His face softening for just a moment, Sermon nodded, “Yes, for those we love.”

Offering her hand to Ciarlare, he quickly clasped hers and said, “For a better future, my friend.”

As everyone took in the news, Caesar’s voice echoed in Dinah’s head, “What are you all doing up there?”

“We were just talking,” she thought back, “and we want to come down when Silva is introduced.”

Amusement plain in his thoughts, Caesar sent, “Oh? How did the guys take it? Sermon and Azazel love decorum.”

“We worked it out,” she smiled at the Champions in front of her. “Are they all done begging for troops?”

A mix of exasperation and relief passed through her, as she felt what Caesar did, “Last one. So, what’s the plan?”

“We’ll descend a crystal staircase made by Azazel, and come by the throne,” she thought, “while you announce that we Champions have something important to tell the people.”

“That sounds fun,” another wave of amusement passed through. “It sounds like this guy’s wrapping up, so just do your thing and I’ll follow your lead.”

“I’ll be there soon,” she sent her love to him, “just stand strong.”

A powerful feeling of love came over her, “I’ll be waiting for you.”

She couldn’t help but smile as warmth rushed into her chest.

“Thinking about someone?” Lady Sita grinned.

Clearing her throat, Dinah said, “Caesar was just telling me that we will have an opportunity to come down to the throne after this last speaker. We had decided that introducing a new Champion was too important to leave until after the open forum.”

Everyone nodded at that, and then Sermon stepped forward, “Well, Lady Constance, what happens next?”

Dinah eyed him for a moment, finding it somewhat hard to believe he would call her that seriously, but his face held no hint of disrespect.

“Well, Champion Montis,” she smiled at him before giving a knowing look to Lady Sita, “we’re going to the fun side.”