Jax'in offered Vera his arm as the two of them traversed the halls towards the Dining Hall where her family awaited them.
"We'll have to come up with a good reason as to why we missed lunch." Vera mentioned.
"Would sleeping count?"
"We were both missing. And that maid definitely noticed the smell in the room."
"We still smell like that, do you want to sit on the opposite side of the table as them then?"
Her hand shot to her abdomen as her face flushed red in embarrassment thinking about how the maid most likely informed her father that she smelt the lingering scent of sex in the room.
"Oh no... Father might get mad thinking that we skipped lunch to have sex..."
"It can't be that bad can it?"
No sooner had Jax'in said the words than a familiar voice came booming from his left.
"There they are, how was the tour of the Palace?"
It was King Ysna followed by Instructor Kubo. Both looked as if they had just gotten back from taking a nap in the sun. They seemed to radiate with calm heat.
"Unfortunately, I had to pass on getting the tour of the Palace. There were a few things I needed to discuss with Vera, and hopefully with you before too long Your Majesty."
"That explains... sniff sniff..."
King Ysna's eyes narrowed as he stared daggers at Vera and Jax'in. Leaving the two shuffling their feet awkwardly.
"Would this 'discussion' of yours be why you two were absent at lunch today?"
"And daughter, did you pilfer your sisters beautification pills without asking again?"
His tone grew with each passing moment. Until Instructor Kubo diverted his attention by placing a hand on his shoulder.
"You can resume this discussion later Your Highness. Supper has started."
And with that, he shooed Vera and Jax'in into the Dining Hall. Nearly pushing King Ysna onto the floor as he struck the back of his head.
"Pfthbt. I AM a King now you know..."
"Did you say something Your Highness?"
This time it was Instructor Kubo whose glare left someone awkwardly shuffling. Which left Jax'in so confused that he didn't even realize Prince Vearus was talking to him. Until he felt a sharp kick hit him in the shin.
"I apologize Prince Vearus, I was lost in thought there for a moment."
"Hmph, I said, after supper Father and I would like to speak with you concerning my sister Vera."
"Might I inquire the meaning behind this?"
"Sigh... of course a whoreson like you wouldn't understand."
Vearus's tone was full of harsh contempt, leaving the whole table speechless.
"Vearus, now is not the time for your petty grudge." Instructor Kubo growled.
"..."
No one said a word. Everyone at the table barely even budged when their supper was brought to them. It was Vera who finally broke the silence.
"Brother... why do you hate Jax'in?" came her soft voice
"It's beca..."
"Vera, sweetheart, I don't think now is a good time." King Ysna interrupted.
"Father... please, I need to know."
In that one sentence, King Ysna felt both her sorrow and anger at her brother. He felt it in his heart, that if she didn't hear the reason she might never forgive Vearus for his attitude today.
"Very well. Vearus, continue."
"Hmph... The reason I despise this, this, embarrassing excuse for a King," he venomously gestured at Jax'in "is because Father and I had already found the perfect mate for you."
"We had already sent him a missive, inviting him to the Palace in one month."
"The day you were SUPPOSED to be coming back from your field training."
Vera took Jax'ins hand as she looked around the table. Not one of her seven sisters, or even her Father would meet her gaze.
"B-but... why?" was all she could manage.
She squeezed Jax'ins hand tighter and tighter. The heat in her eyes had finally peaked as tears rolled down her face.
"You... you never..."
"Father didn't tell you because he knew you'd go off on your own!"
The heat with which Vearus interrupted her was like a slap to her face. Not one of her sisters had been told who their future husband was going to be. And it hurt.
"B-but no one... no one else..."
"Your sisters had already chosen their mates long ago. Even your younger sisters have already found a suitable mate."
"You're already sixty-four years old. You should've picked your mate out when you came of age four years ago!"
"And now you come rushing home, with some bastard whoreson!"
Vearus's voice had steadily risen through his speech. With his last statement his voice had become a yell, making Vera shy away into Jax'ins shoulder.
"And to make matters worse, you already mated with this thing..."
He never got to finish his sentence. Vearus's words had finally pushed Jax'ins anger over the edge.
-Sprint and Windwalk activated-
-Sprint Rank 3 attained ( Increases user Agility by 60% while active)-
-Users Agility increased to 130-
"Hrrk!!!" was all anyone heard as Jax'ins hand wrapped around Vearus's neck.
"If you say even one word more. You will become nothing more than a memory. Understand?"
No one had been prepared for this to happen. Jax'in had already crossed the distance before King Ysna or Instructor Kubo realized what had happened. But they both understood one thing.
This. This was not something they could stop anymore. This conflict Vearus created, had finally reached its breaking point.
The tension broke only seconds later as Vearus nodded. And just as quickly as it had begun, it ended.
"I think I should finish Vearus's explanation." King Ysna's sighed as Jax'in returned to his seat.
"You see, Vera, Jax'in, I am not opposed to your mating, as surprising as it was, considering the suddenness of it all."
"Vearus is correct on one matter, Vera, all of your sisters have chosen their desired mate."
He motioned towards the furthest sister on his left before continuing.
"Your youngest sister, Kori, is fifty-three this year and has already decided on her mate, and is due to wed after her own coming of age ceremony."
"You were the last of my daughters to choose a mate, and I was worried."
"I had your brother search for any viable mate for the last three years."
Vera's sisters all started nodding their heads as their father spoke.
"We can continue this discussion later, it seems that it is time I give you my response to your warning."
The air in the Dining Hall suddenly became much heavier as King Ysna spoke. It was with a shake of his head that he finally told Jax'in his decision.
"I have decided that without proof as to your abilities as a Dreamseer, I will not alert my people."
Jax'in was floored at this. His face became drawn and haggard in appearance. His mind whirred with questions as to how King Ysna had come to this decision.
"I can see that my decision is troubling you." he sighed.
"But it is as I have just said, unless there is viable proof of the dangers ahead, I will not put my people in a panic. This oasis is well defended in any case."
This time it was Jax'in who began squeezing Vera's hand. He had been so sure that his warning would be taken seriously.
He was not prepared for this.
"Instructor Kubo tells me that your warning isn't the only reason you have sought me out, however."
Intrigue soon became the emotion on everyone's face at this second revelation.
"Yes..." Jax'in sighed as he pulled the black book from his tunic.
"This is the second reason I have sought you out, Your Highness."
The confusion that spread across the table quickly became shock as the engraved silver clasp was revealed to the table.
"How..." King Ysna gasped in surprise
It was at this moment that Vearus had finally gotten up off the floor. His anger once again soaring as he noticed the book in Jax'ins hand.
"Princess Zarita Halcion gave it to me two weeks before I crossed into the desert."
Even though this was a truth that could be seen in his eyes, all Vearus heard were lies.
"You lying whoreson! I challenge you to a Rite of Combat!"