Rodair gave an understanding nod. He scanned the room once more just in case, then went back to his own room. Not long after, Richie and Illana showed up (like I said they would).
"Hey luv, we were just walking up and heard some servants saying Rodair ran in your room. What's up with that?" Richie came in, immediately heading over to my wardrobe pulling out a few dresses the palace had prepared.
"Just a nightmare. Rodair heard me - Gah so stupid huh?" I facepalmed, feeling like an idiot. Screaming in my sleep . . . Just how weak and pathetic does that make me? What Champion has nightmares?
Richie looked over with a knowing look, "Sweetie it happens. Don't beat yourself up over it . . . What was the dream about this time?" Illana was getting some brushes and shoes ready, listening intently to our conversation.
"Same old crap. Although this time I think subconsciously I feel like the culprit . . . What if I'm not doing the right things? What if I'm really the enemy? I AM fighting for the enemy . . ."
"M'lady it was just a dream. You are definitely NOT the enemy - You are the bravest, kindest, most well-meaning woman I've ever met! Don't let your inner demons get you down." Illana popped out sincerely.
I looked over with a kind look, "Thanks Illana . . . Wow you two look really good!" I just noticed that Illana was wearing a very colorful gown showing off her beautiful ebony skin and midnight long hair. Richie was donned in a very ornate looking black tunic with gold threading highlighting his boyish good looks and dazzling blue eyes.
Illana blushed deeply as Richie placed a hand on his hip, using his other hand to gesture at his form, "Yeah, we rocking it tonight! The cutie Baymun is allowing us to attend the banquet as esteemed guests - I guess since we've been tending to your butt this whole time we're deemed pretty important."
I furrowed my brows as I let Richie hold up dresses to me, "Really? What's the banquet for anyway?"
Richie shrugged, "Beats me. The servants said it was celebratory, but they didn't go into detail. Everyone was bustling about and we were pretty tired so we hit the sack instead of gossiping like old hens. There's supposed to be quite a few officials here though, so you may want to watch that smart tongue of yours tonight. Try not to get us in any trouble, kay?"
I rolled my eyes, "What if the banquet is to publicly punish me for the events at our last battle? You know - Where a bunch of our men got killed?"
Richie winced but waved a hand, "Yeah well not everything is about you, you know. I bet the cutie prince doesn't even place you that highly in his handsome little mind to throw a banquet just to humiliate you. Believe you me, nobody goes through all this effort to kill a person, right babycakes?"
Illana's eyes widened, "You don't really think the Crown Prince would do such a thing, do you m'lady?"
I bit my lip. Richie was right - It'd be absolutely ridiculous of Baymun to throw a banquet for such a reason. He'd just place me in the arena and kill me off as sport instead.
"Na, Rich is right - I'm not that important. Let's just get ready, but please keep your guard up tonight in case though, okay?" I replied.
Richie smirked, "Yeah we'll keep our 'guard' up, but you better keep your mouth shut, got it?"
----
The grand hall was decked out in the Bodach colors, filled to the maximum capacity with prominent soldiers, delegates from various territories and royal officials. There were buffet style tables along the longer walls and music was steadily flowing throughout. Everything looked heavenly but for some reason I found it very strange . . . Why were we having a banquet anyway? I suppose I'd find out soon enough.
I made my way into the room with Richie, Illana and Rodair by my side. Rodair actually put on a shirt - A rare sight since he normally went topless with the exception of the two mighty axes he kept holstered on his back. I guess everyone looked a bit different tonight though; All around people were dressed to the nines and I was no exception.
Richie fooled around with a few of the dresses the palace had prepared for me and made sure the thing fit as snugly as possible - Thanks a lot Rich.
Still . . . I was looking pretty good, if not slightly self-conscious with all the people here. I wore a long black gown with layers of green in the pleats. The jewelry consisted of a few simple emeralds to compliment the dress - Heavens I just hope I didn't lose any of the jewels cause I don't know if I'd be able to pay it back. Illana had done an excellent job intertwining black and green ribbons in my hair. I even placed a little tiny ribbon around Snippet's neck to give her a cute factor since she was perched on my shoulder, not that she wasn't already cute enough; This wasn't well received by Richie.
Overall I had to say I didn't look like the same soldier on the battlefield (If Rodair's expression was any indicator). Richie had to close his mouth for him before we could come down to the hall. I knew I looked a lot different than how he'd seen me in the past, but I felt like his reaction was a little over the top.
As soon as we entered the hall, Iren's bubbling voice was made known, "Ezzie! Ezzie! Over here!"
We made it over to where Iren was standing with Toval. Iren looked at me with an awed expression, "Wow! What a sight! My idol is even more stunning than usual!"
I chuckled. This kid.
Toval lifted an eyebrow, "That's fancier than anything else I've seen you in. You look like a girl."
Richie rolled his eyes, "Well no duh Mr. Obvious."
"M'lady looks quite elegant. Toval should be more considerate." Rodair gave Toval a stern look causing the latter to raise his hands, "Hey, you're right. Lady Ezran looks pretty good. Bet if you wore that dress during the Silvantia trials we could've used you as a distraction."
I smirked, "Ha ha. Tell me again, who was the master navigator that managed to get us lost?"
The rest of the group snickered as Toval pursed his lips, "That wasn't even my fault . . ." Toval went into a tirade of defense as we offered sarcastic commentary.
This went on for a few minutes while I scanned our surroundings. The place was full of people, some of which I actually recognized. Across the room was the King of Gorvant with a few of his men, some of the advisors we met in Bargona, and a couple of the delegates from Weemason. There was even Grand-Elder Horace with about four more Elders along with several women. I made a mental note to stay as far away from that pervert Horace as possible.
Actually, upon observing the room I noticed there were far more women present than I would've thought . . . Wasn't this a 'woman-are-objects' society? Why would the Bodach Empire allow so many women to be present?
Speaking of which, I noticed quite a few ladies (along with some old looking men) bunching around a table on the other side of the hall. I couldn't get a good look since there seemed to be a gathering of some sort, but I thought I saw Kovin in the mix. Before too long a young girl scurried away with tears in her eyes as an older gentleman followed in a huff. Maybe there's some type of bidding going on? Just the thought of it made me sick, so I quickly dismissed the idea. Surely they wouldn't be doing any auctions on the dance floor, right?
I didn't have much more time to dwell on it because the herald stepped up on a podium behind me, causing me to turn as he gained the attention of the room.
"Greetings esteemed guests! The Bodach Empire is delighted to have the privilege of hosting this banquet in honor of our grand army! We are sincerely pleased in obtaining a significant amount of new alliances this year and wish great success to our future prosperity together!"
The crowd began to shout and cheer in agreement, effectively causing me to grimace in disgust. I hated pompous speeches.
" . . . Without further ado please join me in congratulating our magnificent army, our new allies, and - of course - the person who made all of this possible . . . "
Ugh, are they really gonna start talking about the demon now? I sighed in disgust while grabbing a cheese filled tartlet from a tray passing by. Popping it in my mouth, the herald chose that precise moment to finish his dramatic pause, "Our Champion, Lady Ezran of Eurosia! She is the first woman to ever grace Bodach's lands as a soldier, negotiator and leader! May honor and prosperity bless us all!"
As everyone began cheering (AND with many people turning my way) I was blessed with the wonderful opportunity to choke on my delicious cheese filled tartlet - The inevitable effect of being completely shocked from the sudden turn of events.
How lovely.