Huli and Kaida were sitting next to each other in the ballroom on their knees. Kaida yawned as she watched the people in the hall. She was already tired of all the greetings and wanted wine or something stronger.
Huli looked like a statue and greeted everybody the same way. She wondered if he even know how to smile.
A man with green long hair and pale green eyes walked up on them. He had on a cloak embroidered with a snake on it. He had a necklace with a pendant of a snake and on his writs bracelets made of snake leather.
A lady with purple hair and green eyes walked on his arm. She also had a coat with a snake embroidered on the back. She also had a necklace with a pendant of a snake around her neck.
When Kaida saw them she got up and hurried to the woman.
"Mamushi you came! I've missed you. I Have not seen you since the war? "
In the meantime, the whole ballroom was silent and you could hear people whispering in the background
"why did she get up?"
"Does she not know the tradition of the foxes tribe?"
"It is costum that everybody walk to the bridal couple to greet them "
Kaida looked around. What did I do wrong? Why does everyone look so weird. Do they expect me to sit there all evening? She was not even allowed to get up when Her Uncle Kai came to greet them.
Huli stood beside her and looked at her as he grabbed her hand. He addressed the man.
"It is been a long time Salmus, it is good to see you in good health. I have heard that you were crowned king of all snakes tribes last month. My congratulations. You are the last official who came to greet us and congratulate us on our upcoming wedding. I suggest that we enter the dining chamber "
Salmus laughed
"thank you old friend and you congratulations with your upcomming marriage. I see that Kaida is already embarrassing you. Believe me when I tell you this is nothing. But her heart is pure, plus she helped my wife with the battle for the crown of the snake tribe. "
Huli led Kaida on his arm to the dining room. He leaned over to her and whispered in her ear.
"You could not control youself, before the party started? I have told you it is not allowed to get up. Some officials see it as an insult and a form of disrespect. You are lucky that we know them "
She sighed
"since I woke up, you are watching my every step. You have too many rules, I could not even greet my uncle normally. Even Rei and Kyro who were there already needed to officially gave us their congratulations. And where is the wine, I am bored. "
Nana stood in the corner of the ballroom with anger in her eyes. How is it possible that he reacted that way? Normally this would have been a situation where he would have become angry or let her resolve it herself.
Haya walked ove to Nana
"come walk with me then you can sit next to me. I can not wait until it is time to start with the entertainment. I heard that this evening we will start with word games."
......
The dining room was large and in the middle hung a crystal candlestick. The dining tables were placed in a U-shape and delicious dishes were on the table.
In the middle were Huli and Kaida. On the side of Kaida, sat the royal family and officials of the dragons tribe and next to them the royal family and the officials of the Wolf tribe.
On the side of Huli sat the royal family and officials of the foxes tribe and next to them sat the royal family and the officials of the snakes tribe.
Everyone was happily talking to each other. Kaida was happily talking to Rei. She was in a happy mood because she finally got what she asked for. She drank a wine made by the foxes tribe and it was delicious.
Nana got up and raised up her glass against.
"A toast to our bridal couple, our belly is full I suggest we start with a riddle. If I may start, I direct mine to the crown princess of the dragon tribe. I do not know if you're familiar with such games so I'm starting with an easy one"
Huli looked at Nana and his mother. He wondered what they were planning. He thought back to her reaction when he said what amusement he had in mind. It was clear that Kaida did not feel like it at all, and besides, she had drunk quite a bit and she did not seem to stop drinking.
Kaida waved to Nana that she could start and started drinking again. Huli grabbed her hand and whispered in her ear.
"I think you've drunk enough now, the night is still young."
She looked at Huli and made a fake laugh
"we of the dragons tribe know our limit, nobody needs to tell us. Do not worry, I'll help you up when you have pass your limit. Let us focus on your great meaning of entertainment "
Nana saw that Huli and Kaida were fiddling and began to laugh happily.
" let's start. my riddle is: Whats greater than god, Eviler than the devil, The poor have me, The rich need me, And if you eat me you die. "
The entire dining room was quiet and all eyes were focused on Kaida. Kaida took a sip of her drink and looked around the room. It is not that difficult, she really made it easy. Just as she wanted to answer, Nana opened her mouth
"Take your time to answer, if it is too difficult I can also propose another one"
Kaida looked at Nana and raised her eyebrows. I really can not stand her, I wonder who that is. I also can not remember that she came to greet and congratulate us. She looked up and said
"nothing"
Nana looked up in amazement at Kaida. What did she say?
"Sorry you can repeat that again, I did not hear it that well"
"I said NOTHING. I assume that the intention is to give the answer of the riddle right miss... sorry I do not know your name because you have not given us your greeting and congratulations. But I see that you are on the side of the royal family and the officials of the foxes tribe. So I assume that someone has done that in your name "
Now everyone in the dining room looked at Nana.
"Even though she is the princess of the Northeast tribe, she herself must greet and congratulate them"
Nana clenched her fists with anger. How dare she put her on the block! Reluctantly she bowed
"my name is Nana, I am the princess of the northeast tribe. Like all guests here, I greet you and wish you prosperity and happiness in your marriage. "
Then nana sat down and looked away.
"I assume it's my turn? And on the basis of the previous riddle I assume that no theme has been established so I just propose one "
Nana was now ferious with anger. She does not even respond to my greeting and congratulations! She does not even thank me. I'll get her back for this!
Kaida continued
"mine is also not very difficult and actually obvious. My riddle loud: I am both hungry and rich. Cross me, and feel my breath. Follow me, and know my wisdom. I am armored, but I do not wear it."
Everyone in the dining room was quiet. Kaida had not addressed the riddle to anyone. and even though the answer was simple, it was clear that the riddle was a warning to anyone who had bad intentions.