Alaric gazed at the Princess in curiosity. She was to be his playmate for the next 8 months. He startled when she turned to face him suddenly. When their eyes met both felt a wave of dizziness pass over them. Unknown to everyone in the hall a soul binding connection had just snapped into place. The Prince and the Princess were now linked to eachother for life. The two young children started at eachother with clear eyes and an understanding passed between them. It was an immediate friendship and affection. The Chieftess stood up and greeted the caravan. "Welcome to the city of the Moon. Please be at ease to wander our home. Escorts will take you to wherest you wish to see, smell, or taste," her eyes shone brilliantly with an inner light. She seemed to be amused by what she had said. Sun tribe was notoriously known for their lack of skill in good food and many of the politicians would feast for several days before coming to their senses and attend to matters of Court. She didn't mind. Tallohah bowed respectfully to her. "I thank you kindly Lady Lumen, Chieftess and our most gracious Hostess." Chieftess Lumen laughed heartily* "Oh Tallohah how you always find new ways to flatter me I don't know! Who is the young lad by your side my dear?" Tallohah stood up with a wry grin before introducing her Prince. "This is Prince Alaric of the Sun tribe my Lady. If I may be bold I believe his father sent a surprise ahead of us for him?" The Chieftess smiled in delight clapping her hands. Two servers ran out of the hall. "Ahh that he did. Chief Tansin also sent my daughter a surprise but I made her wait till you arrived! Young Prince Alaric, may I present my daughter Selena. Now both of you please come clasp each others hand in greeting and then close your eyes with your hands out." Alaric nervously looked up at Tallohah for reassurance. At her nod, he let go of her hand and walked to the daise and held his hand out to Selena. She daintily took his hand and firmly gripped it as she stepped down from the daise. Alaric only then realized the daise was pretty tall and Selena was a few years younger than him and so quite shorter. Without thinking about it, he brought his other hand up to her waist and helped her hop down securely to the floor. Selena grinned at him gratefully. Only when she was steady did Alaric let go of her and turn to face the door the servants ran out of earlier. Both children closed their eyes and held out their hands excitedly.
The servants came in walking carefully with two paper wrapped parcels. The Chieftess smiled as they were placed in the children's hands. "Okay you can open your eyes now". Alaric and Selena grinned and eagerly tore into the paper to reveal the surprise within. Two delicate but very sturdy dolls were revealed. They were images of the Gods. Unrah and Anuit the Sun God and the Moon Goddess. Selena tenderly stroked Unrah's face in happiness. This was her first doll. Previously she had only wooden carved animal toys, but no dolls. Unrah was a unique doll, made from a secret material in the Sun tribes land. So too was Anuit the Moon Goddess Doll. Alaric looked askance at his Doll. In his mind he should have gotten the male doll. He was a boy after all. Selena was very happy that she had a doll. "Thank you Mama!," and turning to Tallohah, "Please thank the Sun Chieftain for me." Tallohah smiled and nodded her head. Then she saw Alaric's expression. "You were given Anuit so you can learn how to take care of a girl. Men are the caretakers and protectors of women. While yes here in the Moon tribe you may see mainly women warriors, it doesn't mean the men are not as powerful or as strong as the women. From what I have seen," Tallohah looked to Lumen for permission and got it," The men are in fact stronger! They are usually just much to busy defending the far Western border from unnamed clans. To Keep the Moon tribe safe, the women took up weapons and became strong enough to protect their home while the main fighting force is away. So do not be upset Princess Selena got the Unrah Doll. She too similarly was given him to learn how to take care of a boy. Paired together, you can learn how to care for your Dolls." (And in the end eachother), she finished silently in her head. Alaric wasn't too sure about it but he smiled at Tallohah anyway. "I will thank father when I get home. Thank you Chieftess Lumen for the gifts." Lumen smiled broadly. She was already thinking about the future. Now that she had met Alaric she definitely felt he would be a good mate and husband to her precious daughter. But she wouldn't push them together. That was between the two of them and the Gods. "You are quite welcome. With your father's permission you may call me Auntie if you like. Now Selena, go help Alaric take his luggage to his room and show him around your favorite places." Selena bounced on her feet excitedly. "Okay Mama! Come on, come on! You'll like your room! It's in the same hall as mine!" Selena grabbed Alaric's hand and pulled him out of the meeting hall at an excited run. He looked back at Tallohah helplessly. She giggled at him as he disappeared from sight. Then Tallohah and her wife were excused from the group. The politicians in turn had an audience with Chieftess Lumen before heading to their rooms. Many of them were very familiar with the palace and had semi permanent rooms within the city. After all, the politicians rotated every 8 months. To the Senior Staff, some of them were going to be in the process of retirement. Some would choose to move to the Moon tribe and officially become members of the tribe, others would choose to travel and rarely a few wouldn't ever be seen again. Many were reaching their 300th year and would not make it to their Homeland before they passed on. But all were content with their lots in life.