WHEN THE GIFTS CAME, they all came in gold. . .
King Arlon, Lord of the royal House Pierran and Sovereign of the realm south of the Blood Forest: the Summerlands. As a ruler, he had a unique seating area in the Hall of Themis. It wasn't the White Throne of the Palace but it was hallowed above the rest of the seats in the hall.
Placed on the dais wherewith the Grace Cardinal, Cervantes had made his introductions, a seat of brackenwood was set for the King. Polished by the finest woodcarvers of the realm, Arlon's throne for the Ball was no less glorious. Behind him on similar varnished wooden seats was the rest of his family, with the exception of his wife.
Queen Lorraine Manderley-Pierran sat beside her glowing, gilden groom.
As the Royals had taken their seats at the dais of the Themisan Hall, Frater Cervantes had quickly made his exit. In his regard, the Royal Ball was not an occasion proper for a Faithful, much more a Cardinal of the Grace.
