The afternoon is as beautiful as their happiness. Joran continues howling so loud. Nima couldn't get him to stop and continue laughing even when she tried. It is somewhat embarrassing when people are walking along the roads. They journey to the city of Argusa.
Nima sees a shop across the street called Art of the Flame. Joran shut down the bike and see her looking at it and all the dresses. He smiles while she goes up to the glass and looks at their beauty. She notices a couple of familiar faces in Tilain and Melrina. Both of them have many younger girls come in trying to get both their autographs. At the same time, they go to them for questions when it comes to fashion.
"I figure we stop here first and pick you out a dress of your own."
"My...own...dress?"
"Something you would like to wear. Something you think is special."
The bell on the door goes off. It is quite busy inside as many girls their age ask about what they wore at the dance. They hope to get the same design. Several orders are put in. Tilain and Melrina both spot Joran and Nima in the back. They stand back and watch as they complete assisting the girls.
While they do the bell to the door goes off again. Nima pays no attention to it. Joran glances over and looks for a second. He immediately goes to look again and find a surprise on his face to see someone who is not Premderian but a very well known on their planet by reputation.
"Trelphas?" Joran questions and the Warden hear his name and look over and see Joran.
He didn't think anything of it and walk to get in line next. Tilain brings several fancy bags that have clothing inside and other things. He put down twenty gold Drolins in nice stacks. The two are happier than KIng shows. He shakes hands as Premderians do by gripping each other's forearms. With that, their business concludes and opens the door to leave but stops. His eyes look at Joran one more time for a brief second before leaving.
Joran turns around and looks over his shoulder and sees Trelphas walking down the streets. People recognize him and move out of his way. All except for one. Joran sees his father standing there. Kalsor looks up at the Federation Grand Champion and smiles. It is clear the two don't like each other but there is a level of respect. The two shake hands like warriors and nod at one another to acknowledge one another. Nothing more than that is done. Joran finds his attention back on his love as Tilain and Melrina greet her with touches of the forehead, then do the same for Joran.
"What brings you guys here?"
"Nima is here to pick out clothes for herself," Joran says with a smile as he takes hold of her hand. "And something special for tonight."
"For tonight?" Tilain questions and Joran nods before giving a more specific reason.
"Something for a ceremony."
Both of them are shocked and begin screaming in excitement. Nima is easily startled by their reaction. Joran didn't expect it either. The two of them hug both Joran and Nima. While they both smile, Nima shows her surprise at such a reaction. Tilain asks an important question when they settle things down
"At the Suminari Falls?" She asks and Nima looks confused. "It is a beautiful waterfall above the hideout."
"Special...place?" She asks Joran and Nima is happy.
"Joran, leave," Melrina says and he turns to her. She opens the door and Tilain pushes him out. "Come back in a few hours," she tells him before slamming the door in his face.
"That's...funny," Nima says with a small smile but tries to cover it because Joran can still see her.
He didn't mind in the least bit. Joran smiles back at her because he finds it fun as well. He watches them take her by the wrists and pull her away. She has a laugh as they did and not look back while they begin showing her different dresses. One by one they put a dress in front of her but none match what they see in her. There is one dress that catches Nima's eye. It is similar in terms of the dress style she wears at the dance. It is not too flashy or exotic. The colors match that of the rare flower Joran retrieve for her. The green is the main color. A line of golden yellow across the bottom like flames in design. Along the edges of the golden flame is silver. The straps of the dress are red with golden lines intertwined.
"You like that one?"
"Beautiful...like...flower," she says and that interest both of them.
"What flower?" Melrina asks out of curiosity.
"Flower...from...mountain...Joran gives it to me," she explains to them.
"He journeyed the mountain for you?" Tilain asks with shock and she nod. "And saw Levanor?" She asks and Nima nods with a shy smile. "Then that is certainly the dress for you," Melrina tells her with great enthusiasm.
As Melrina and Tilain get her fit for the dress, Joran walks the streets. He comes to the school where the class is dismissed for the day. Joran waits outside and finds Derisior and his colleagues. They say nothing and keep walking which makes Joran smile. He is caught off guard by Traur leaping onto his back but they laugh as he shakes him off. Joran did take notice of his extremely tired eyes.
"Did you not sleep last night?" He asks Traur and his tired friend just smiles and shrugs before laughing. "I am sure your mother enjoyed that very much seeing you like that."
"Not really, but was well worth it after the night I had. What are you doing here? Here to tell her something you know that she doesn't?"
"Not exactly," he says trying to contain his small smile and Traur didn't take long to figure it out. The two laugh about it. "Am I crazy after only two nights with her?"
"Not if you two are aligned. I have no doubt it happened the moment you saw her. One day can feel like a thousand if it happens. Two I can't imagine. I could see that the day I saw you two look at her. The way she looks at you and the way she gets you, the grimmest bastard I know, to smile. The fire that burns inside you both is something we all desire to have," he says to him before they touch foreheads. "I am happy for you, my brother."
Traur's heartfelt words mean a great deal to Joran. He wraps his arms around him, and he has a small smile. In response, he pats Joran on the back and returns the embrace. It is odd to Traur to see Joran show emotions like is. He finds it good for him to do so.
"Are you going to have it at the falls?"
"A private ceremony at the falls, but want you to attend with the others," Joran says before looking to the doors of the school. "I just hope your mother will let you attend."
"When the odds are against Joran..."
"Never bet against him," Joran says along with him and they laugh. "What happened with Marsuna?"
"I don't want you to be jealous," he says while walking away waving goodbye to him. "If she doesn't approve, I will still see you at the falls anyway."
Upon coming up the entrance he watches as Tivas walks out smirking at the sight of Joran behind him are four of his agents. For Joran, says nothing and goes past him. Tivas laughs and doesn't let him walk away so easily. No without jabbing at Joran with words of his own.
"As I recall, you are not a cadet here. Are you hoping to fulfill your lust for blood by fighting more cadets?"
"If you would like, I can always fulfill it by spewing yours on these steps?" Joran asks before looking at the agents. "Excuse me, please."
Tivas motions for them to move and Joran walks inside. The senior agent looks over his shoulder still having a smile before continuing his walk inside. He stops for a moment feeling something uncomfortable. It makes him look down each hall. It is suddenly cold from where he stands and a chilling voice echo.
"Let me in," it whispers and continues to do so. "Let me in," it says and becomes louder making Joran look in all directions as it shouts at him. "Let me in!"
Joran draws both of his swords and looks in all directions. He stands ready for a fight but sees nothing. The voice starts laughing at him but is everywhere. Joran feels a sudden hand on his shoulders making him jump back and get in a defensive position. He comes to find Dileos and Lorphiel standing there surprised by his actions.
"Joran!" Lorphiel shouts seeing him breathe heavily while looking around but have a crazed look in his eyes as he does so. "Joran!"
Joran gasps and falls to one knee having to use his swords to hold him up. Lorphiel rushes to him before he loses his grip on his weapons and falls face down to the floor. He breathes heavily but gets back up on his own.
"You alright, kid?" Lorphiel asks and Joran nods.
"Sorry," he says to them and they are uncertain what to think of such a random event. "Did you hear something just now?" He asks and both of them shake their heads. "Guess I am hearing things," he says before picking up his swords and putting them in their sheaths.
"Yes well sit down," LOrphiel says and he help him sits down.
"It would seem trouble lingers wherever you go, Joran. Drawing your blades on Federation officers and rumors of a Premderian matching your description, embarrassing Derisior in hand to hand combat. Today he has been rather quiet as have the rest of his friends," Dileos jokes.
"Maybe they learned to act like true Premderians," another says and Joran turns to see King Andor present while having a small laugh. Joran goes to show his respect and bows his head fast. "Can't say I am surprised. They definitely had it coming," he says while while looking down at Joran with a smirk. "From what I hear, you are quite the fighter yourself. I wonder if I will see you fight sometime."
"Unfortunately I am unable to compete in the Pure Premderian Fight League, sir. You know that," Joran says in a humble manner. "But when I am old enough I plan on going on an excursion to fight where I am allowed, and become Champion one day."
"Then what?"
"I keep winning championships until the fighters beg to fight me."
"Ambitious. Like his father," Andor says while patting Joran on the side of his shoulders. "But I am sorry, I believe there was something you were going to ask the Lieutenant." The compliments make Joran forget for a mere second before turning his attention to her.
"With permission, ma'am, I was hoping you allow Traur to attend my ceremony when I become eternally bound tonight."
"You? Eternally bound with someone?" She questions and shakes her head. "Yet more evidence to prove how reckless he is like his father." Her words are only in fun as she places one hand on his shoulder rubbing it.
"Premderian magic works on so many ways. Many at a younger age have found their eternal beloved. This is no exception," Andor says with a big smile.
"She is quite special, sir," Joran says with great enthusiasm. "I would do anything for her."
"That is without question, sir," Dileos adds to help Joran's claim. "The two are truly a match from what I have seen."
"Then I strongly suggest allowing your son to attend, Warden," Andor says and Lorphiel bite her tongue but give in to the suggestion.
"Very well. I will allow Traur to attend."
"Thank you," Joran says before bowing his head with great happiness.
"Even if I didn't allow him to, he would have snuck out. Just make sure he is back at a proper hour. He still has a lot of studying to do."
"He will I swear, ma'am," Joran says before bowing then running off.
"Quite the ambitious Premderian," Andor says with a smile and looks to Dileos.
"Very much so, sir."
While Joran runs, he comes across a jewel shop and takes one glance at something that catches his attention. It is a star made of Premderium crystal. In the center of it is a piece of golden Premderium crystal, considered an extreme rarity. In between the two top corner points and the center point are two small holes where there is a small golden chain link. A perfect necklace as a gift to her.
"Excuse me, sir," Joran says and the vendor comes over and sees him looking at the piece. He has bad news for Joran. Joran shakes his head but didn't freak out. "It has already been sold, hasn't it?"
"It has," says Kalsor as he walks up to stand beside his son and Joran didn't stand surprised. "I let you try to outbid me for it and make this vendors day but there is no need. I already paid him three times the worth to make sure he doesn't sell it to anyone else but me," he says as the vendor take hold of the item, place it gently in a black wooden box with the symbol of Premderia on the top, and extend the box to Joran. "A little gift from me."
Joran didn't have the words. He didn't take the box. His head shakes while looking down at the ground. His action is far different from the last time he saw his father. They are the same as he talked with Traur. He hugs his father tight and Kalsor welcomes it with a small smile.
"I was going to ask since your an Honor Guard of Premderia, that you would..." Kalsor touches foreheads with his son before he can finish.
"I will be there to oversee the ceremony, son."
"Thank you father."
Kalsor motiosn for him to get moving and Joran smiles. He takes the box and bows his head at the jewel vendor in gratitude. The young enthusiastic Premderian begins running but stops after a few feet and turns back around. Kalsor holds up his hand and saves his son's breath.
"We'll talk more tomorrow, son," he tells him, and Joran nods keeping his small smile before Kalsor makes a joke. "Just don't get her pregnant, please. Your way too young to be parents and I am too young to be a grandfather."
"I am not sure, father. Your age is starting to show as you are losing hair in the front." Kalsor looks up to his hair and feels it. When looking back to his son, Joran is already running as he waves goodbye.
Joran runs back to his friend's shop very happy. He goes inside after taking a breath but hide the gift in his inner jacket pocket. Inside Melrina is at the desk and has a smile. She notices Joran putting the gift inside his jacket. He sees her eyes and holds up one finger to his lips with his little smile. He then notices a lot of bags full of clothing sitting on the side of the counter. Joran peeks inside and sees the clothes are similar to what they wear.
"Don't worry we will drop these off later at the caves for her. When she said she didn't have any of her own clothing we let her pick out what she liked."
"That is very nice of you two."
"We try," she says before handing him a slip with a price of ten gold Drolins.
"You can't be serious," he says as his eyes widen.
"It makes her happy," Melrina encourages and Joran shakes his head before going under the desk and pulling out a bag nicely wrapped. "This is for you. We figured you needed something special to wear. Couldn't let you go in that same outfit you wore at the dance."
Joran unzips the bag and looks inside. There are new formal boots similar to the ones he wore at the dance. The black pants have a red and gold line intertwining on both sides going down the leggings with a red sash belt. For the shirt, it is black silk but has red and gold going down the sleeves in the same style as the leggings. The jacket is similar in style to the one Arlex wore at the dance but match the same color as Nima's hair.
"We aren't charging you for this. Consider it and her dress as our gift to the both of you."
Joran shows his gratitude by touching foreheads with her. His attention is turned to the sound of Nima and Tilain both laughing as they come out carrying more clothes. He has a sour look towards Melrina who has a cheesy smile.
"We will tally up the rest and send you the bill when we get there tonight," Melrina tells her, and Joran is confused. "We need to make sure she is perfected for this day. I mean there is already no hope for you in terms of looks. So we need to make sure Nima is perfect." Joran drops his head in shame but still smiles finding it humorous.
Nima is quick to rush over and put the stuff down on the counter. The two wrap their arms around one another both smiling. While the two touch foreheads, Melrina pulls out another bag and gives it to Nima giving specific instructions.
"Make sure he doesn't see it until the ceremony, as we discussed."
Nima smile and nods with a giggle behind her lips. The four say their goodbyes before Joran and Nima leave. The two's happiness remains as they go back to the bike where Joran strap everything down tight. He gets on and starts the bike and she gets on behind him wrapping his arms around him. They ride off and Nima laughs with Joran's howling. Absent to their knowledge, unfriendly eyes are watching them.