As the night drew on the many students that were present began to separate into gatherings of six or more people. Observing this phenomenon lanthim had a smile on his face. Most of the groups were made up of young female students. Not required by the insistence of their guardians to dance with a specific partner many had begun to talk with their friends or make new ones from the students that would be attending the tournament.
"You have not danced much melryn there are many girls without a partner at the moment I am sure you could find someone willing." [Lanthim]
Turning to his younger brother who gave him a weary smile.
"I would like to brother I truly would, however, when they all travel in packs like that everything becomes complicated." [Melryn]
Pointing to a group not far from where they both sat was leinea surrounded by many other young women. They looked to be having an enjoyable conversation as they smiled and laughed as they carried on.
"By allowing yourself to look weaker than you actually are they gain the upper hand in this battle, you should be more confident and never allow others to look down on you." [Lanthim]
Lanthim had seen many times during the party where a few young men who should have had an opportunity to get a partner without help fall on their faces simply because of female supposed superiority. In most cases as they came close to ask all they would get is a glance from someone close to the girl he wanted to ask and it would be done.
"Confidence will not help if you get push away by all the guards that block your path." [Melryn]
Nodding to the same group again, melryn pointed out a few smaller gatherings that consisted of about three individuals each. Looking around the hall, lanthim could see that this practice was employed around any large group of more than twelve people.
"A little extreme these young ladies and here I thought this was going to be a fun party where I could sit back and relax. Not have to play some game of who is better than who." [Lanthim]
Folding his arms as he adjusted his seat lanthim looked for syrelia who he had not seen for some time. Turning to get a better view of the hall he spotted his sister in a group of younger girls who seemed to be looking out of the halls great windows towards the fountains that had been lit for the occasion. She always seemed happy no matter the situation even now as she smile along with the others around her.
There was, however, one contradiction to that statement. Remembering the day that he returned home for the first time in ten years lanthim knew that from the moment he saw her crying then that something was horribly wrong. That thing was one Lanmair Cousrlim who stood as far away from lanthim as he could. Never until today had they met and their meeting was only at a glance from one side of the hall to the other. since that time lanmair had not moved far from where he had started the night.
Putting aside, the piece of filth he cared nothing for lanthim turned his attention to those who sat with him. Eldra had left the table to graze about the many plates of food that had been provided. Leaving melryn who looked exhausted due to the amount of dancing he had bee forced to endure. Leaving the youngest of the three frelimta who had been pushed away by the overzealous sentries of syrelia's group.
"You must forgive our women frelimta they have been long without male's with any significant power to challenge their own. So they can be oh how do I put this pushy sometimes." [Lanthim]
The young man seemed unimpressed by the insinuation that he should be treated like any other human male when he was not.
"I will not say that I am pleased with the treatment I have received during my being here. That being said I will not deny that being in syrelia's presence has had a positive effect on me while I have been with her." [Frelimta}
"I am pleased to hear that there is an attraction of some sort. Would have been difficult if there had not been." [Lanthim]
There was no need for love between the two of them at the present time or, at least, no need to force it. as long as lanthim could keep the two of them seeing each other over the coming years then things would likely play favorably in the end.
"Well if that is all I shall ask leinea for the next dance." [Lanthim]
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"Have fun with that her group has some of the harshest guards of the lot. Unless you are planning on a long campaign I would not attempt it." [Melryn]
Talking half asleep with his face against the table melryn true to form gave his two cents while sleeping wherever he liked. Laughing at his brother lanthim rose from his chair. A few head around the hall turned to see what was happening.
Slowly making his way to the where leinea was sitting lanthim saw from one of the outer groups a young woman had separated from the others and was making her way over to him.
"May I help you?"
The question was politely given though there was a hint of annoyance underneath.
"I would like to speak to my wife she is just there." [Lanthim]
Pointing directly in leinea's direction the young woman chuckled looking at lanthim as if he were some type of fool.
"You think anyone will believe that nonsense. Go back to your table and sit down."
The complete lack of respect did not effect lanthim all that much. Instead of turning around he went straight towards his goal as the guard continued her nonsense. By the time, he was half way to where leinea was now looking directly at him the guard grabbed his shoulder from behind.
"I told you to go back to your table don't make me force you."
Condescending bitch made way for guard dog as lanthim could feel her figures digging into his shoulder.
"You really want to do this now?" {Lanthim]
Not feeling any pain as the young woman's hand began to shake from the amount of strength she was using. Shrugging his left shoulder dislodging her hand the entire group except for leinea seemed to pale at his simple show of indifference.
"My wife, you have sat here for a good while will you have this dance with me?" [Lanthim]
Looking amused by her husband's lack of caring for the situation that had just unfolded leinea stood to walk towards lanthim smiling.
"I believe I shall dance sitting all, this time, has become tedious." [Leinea]
Taking lanthim's hand the two of them proceed to the center of the hall for the next dance.
Two hours later
In the gardens in which the great hall in which the party was being held stood syrelia with frelimta. Having been able to separate herself from the group she had been part of without hesitation pulled her future husband outside.
"For what purpose have you brought me out here?" [Frelimta]
Seeming a little confused by the quickness in which syrelia had asked him to follow her frelimta stood behind her waiting for a response.
" Lanmair cousrlim will not survive the tournament. Your father will see us marry as soon as convenient and soon thereafter you will enter my brothers house for training to become a great power in the world." [Syrelia]
Turning to face him syrelia had a determined expression on her face a look that seemed to suggest that there was more that she would not say.
"I do not understand how is it you know such things?" [Frelimta]
"That is unimportant all you need to know is that you should always trust my brother in all things." [Syrelia]
Confused even more by what he was hearing frelimta felt uneasy about the way syrelia was speaking. As he tried to think about what was being said the sound of someone coming through the hedge snapped him back to reality.
There was not just one person though but seven came out of the hedge line dressed in black with no means in which to describe them. No weapons in hand but frelimta knew well enough that the weapon you did not see was a greater threat than the one you did.
"Who are you what......" [Fremlimta]
A sudden pain came upon him as the feeling of something crushing his skull making him unable to speak. Running his hands to his temples he could feel something like a band had been placed on his head.
'No some kind of seal but how?'
Falling to the ground as the pain intensified the last things he remembered was seeing syrelia being taken and a few words.
"When my brother gives you his sword do not shrink from your responsibility." [Syrelia]