After the fireworks, Valri and Nuriya came back to the Imperial Palace. Valri escorted Nuriya and the whole court had a merry feast: everyone got drunk, they ate freshly roasted game, dancers and other entertainers were hired to perform–it was a wild time.
But they saved the best spectacle last.
His Majesty himself, Emperor Valgad stood up and announced it as he towered over everyone in view. Valri and Nuriya sat to his right with Valri's step-mother, Mineya, and younger brothers sitting at his left.
"Friends and dignitaries of our glorious nation! As you know, my son, Our Prince Valri has recently been engaged to Our Maiden of Mille-Sezanse."
Everyone applauded and the Emperor waved it away until it was silent again.
"And as you know? She is scion of the great House of Sasan. Which for generations has served my house as court-magicians and heart-bosom advisers.
"Well, we are in for a treat today! For you see? Our Lady has graciously agreed to be tonight's main entertainment! She is to perform a dance! While casting for us some of her House's best visual magic!"
Nuriya stood up and bowed before the court. "Friends and benefactors, I am honored to be in yours and His Majesty's presence tonight. I am Nuriya Li-Sasana. I hope my little show delights you all tonight."
Nuriya promptly got ready and made her way towards the center of the grand hall.
She borrowed a sword from one of the guests.
And then she began.
"..."
Nuriya's dance wasn't like the ones the earlier dancers did.
This? Was a mage's war dance.
House Sasan's signature war dances which it taught to only members of its own house or members of the imperial family.
At first? The beginning was simple. Like lighting a candle.
But as she moved and swayed her moves gained more and more momentum–each second she seemed to be getting a second faster.
And then? She sets herself ablaze.
"!"
Nuriya's moves were bold and sweeping.
Rather than a maiden, she looked more like a goddess of war seeking to sever the necks of those in her path of carnage.
With every move she made, people could feel the wind around them vibrate, their flesh seemed to melt into their bones, and the air began to grow heavy.
Then comes the first spectacle.
One flying serpent made of water.
Then another serpent made of fire.
She made them fly around her–until there were suddenly twice more than there was before.
Then three times as many.
Again, and again.
"Impossible…"
Again, and again!
Again, and again, and again!
Until half the hall was occupied by a swirling ball of snakes made of rushing fire and water. People began to sweat, candles began to melt, armor warmed up, and steam was filling the air–and at the center of it all was Nuriya Li-Sasana dancing like she was the heart of the universe.
And then…
Just before the first signs of smoke?
The bursting scream of steam.
"...!...."
Nuriya Li-Sasana took a bow to a stunned audience.
Because what she just showed was a message to the diplomats of anyone who might want to challenge the might of the empire.
"Our Emperor has a mage who, at sixteen, can already cast four times what your best magicians are capable of in their best days. One with such a prodigious control of her magic that our sovereign has the confidence she can make fire and water dance together in front of his esteemed guests and not fear losing face. And our mage? Can do it for fun."
Emperor Valgad stood up and walked to the Maiden herself. And gave her an open embrace.
"Ah, sweet daughter. You made us proud."
Nuriya hugged the emperor back and looked at Valri still in his seat. He was clapping and that made her happy, she then darted her eyes around to look for "him". But he was nowhere.
Nuriya sighed and returned to relishing her moment.
"I'm not gonna let him ruin this…"
...…
Nuriya returned to her palace apartment tired, but refreshed. She lay her back on her bed and hugged a pillow feeling pretty good about herself.
She stood up to get changed out of her kirila into something more comfortable: A light purple evening gown and white night robe. She also loosened her hair except for the few red ribbons she usually wears everyday.
"Oh, how pretty!" Nuriya noticed the moon being especially bright today.
She lit a lamp and did some light reading beside her bed. Something for fun.
She then heard a knock at the door.
"Come in!" Nuriya thought it might be Mafaye or even Valri.
It wasn't.
Instead, dressed in the gold and black of House Sasan, was her brother Isetzar.
"My, this is new," Nuriya said. "What a surprise. I didn't see you at the pa–"
"Spare me, Niya. You don't need me there," Isetzar crossed his arms.
"Indeed! I don't! I don't need you anywhere!" Nuriya answered back with indignation. "So why are you here no–"
"We're being summoned back home. It's from Grandfather. He says he wants us to celebrate your seventeenth birthday in Sali, at the Sasan Main Manor."
"Why? I've already made my place here at court. Why can't The House just come here? I'm sure Ul-Sasan would be welcomed warmly into–"
"He says it's because of health reasons. He begs you to come."
Nuriya put her book down and sighed. "Very well. Let's make our way at once tomorrow so we can actually make the date."
"Let's not go."
"Huh?"
Isetzar took a quick hard glance at the moon. "I said let's not go."
"I thought you wanted us to go?"
"No, you were right. Why not here? We've celebrated here before. Remember? The year before our father died? So why not that again, surely, it's easier than having the Maiden of Mille-Sezanse be absent for a few days."
"OK. I didn't want to go…But you're acting strange. Are you seriously suspecting our family of ill-intent, Setzya? What's gotten into you?!"
Isetzar looked at the moon again. "I…I can't explain, Niya. I can't. Not now. But…let's not go."
"Then why did you tell me about it?"
"Because I was at a Sasan household meeting during the party. In about an hour or a couple of minutes from now, one of our uncles or one of the Sasan family guards they sent with you will come here and tell you the same thing. Now? I am asking you to do whatever you can not to go. Let's ask Valyun, huh? The two of you can go on a trip somewhere. I'm sure he'd be happ–"
Nuriya grit her teeth and rushed towards Isetzar–harshly grabbing her brother by the collar. Isetzar showed no change in expression.
"I love Valri…I do…but I hate how in setting us together it feels like you're throwing me away! It's like you're rushing to get rid of me!"
"I want you to be happy!"
"I am happy! I was happy then too, Setzya! What does my being with Valri got to do with you not being around anymore!"
"Let's not go, plea–"
There was another knock.
"Nuriya? It's Uncle Arbaz? Are you there?"
"Come in!"
Arbaz, also dressed in the gold and black of his house, stepped in. "Ah, Setzya! You're here too!"
"Yes, uncle. I have just informed my sister of Grandfather's request, unfortunately, she's–"
"--Happy to fulfill that request. We can make the trip tomorrow."
"Excellent!" said Arbaz. "Ah…Very well. I should go now. That was all."
"Thank you, uncle."
"You did it again…" Isetzar rubbed his eyelids in frustration.
"It's one trip, Isetzar. One trip. For a man we both love. Surely you can curb whatever worries you've got for a few days."
Isetzar gazed at the moon again. Longer this time.
"A few days, huh?"