Arhan sat upon his throne, decorated with flowers and twined vines, smiling as he watched his daughter and Lestor enter the grand hall with a group of dancers preparing for the next set. They positioned themselves at the end, even though many had made way for them to be further up the line, in the position of rank.
The eager smile on Lucia’s face made all the work of organizing the event more than worthwhile. Arhan only had to endure a few more hours of attendance before he could safely escape back to his rooms. By then, with consumption of wine and mead, no one would notice his departure.
He leaned back, tilting his head as he saw Lestor go gracefully to a knee at the beginning of the dance.
Lucia took his hand in response, and the southerner rose back to his feet with an ease that sho
