Inside the throne hall that was still bustling with festivities, the first huge table was occupied by the royal family: The king - Thorne Leviathan (god of thunder) a well respected king that rules the entire seven realm with strict laws. Axis Mundi was the highest realm among all the god realm. It was the capital where the king and the high lords (deities) resides. Although other realm maybe independent, they are still subject to Axis Mundi.
And on his right hand is the queen - Katherine Leviathan (goddess of ice) the all-devious and cunning goddess. Her surreptitiousness and devilish beauty has scared many in subjection. Then the rest of the seats in the table was occupied by the princes, with the king's ward -
Lady Cassandra (goddess of beauty). She is to be Ivo's wife, who was said to be a walking temptation.
The second huge table was occupied by some powerful dieties, then the rest was filled with Zander's men who were merry and tipsy with ale.
Zander was glad to see his men's mood lighten, and their faces aglow with mirth which was a very rare thing to witness. But unlike them Zander couldn't get himself to lighten up and enjoy the celebration. He was here to only be in attendance. He was physically present but absent minded. He was a little startled when the king cleared his throat and raised his goblet.
"Cheers to Axis Mundi and the great impaler!"
The crowd chorused, "To Axis Mundi and the great impaler!!", they all gestured towards Zander.
He forced a smile as he raised up his goblet, and a loud cheer rose from the crowd.
"The people seem to be quiet pleased" Queen Katherine whispered to her husband.
Thorne drank from his chalice, "I don't see the reason why they shouldn't be, we won a mighty war" he told her quietly
Katherine sighed, "I take it that your bastard son is growing more powerful, doesn't that bother you" she said.
"Try to abstain from your hatred towards him, Katherine. Perhaps just tonight" Thorne said as they looked at each other. Katherine torn her gaze away from him, and smiled slyly before she carried up her chalice, she paused the rim of the chalice on her lips and said, "We both know that's not possible."
Meanwhile on the other side of the table, the third prince and the fifth prince - Theo (god of memories) busied themselves by observing every god and goddess present, just for the purpose of having fun.
"It looks like the god of air, has chased all the goddesses away with his awful attire" Theo whispered to Kal, grinning widely.
Kal smiled, "His dressing is indeed horrid" he said as he picked up his chalice.
"He looks more like a clown" Theo added, and Kal almost choked on his wine while trying to hold in a laugh.
"Enough with the jokes, Theo. Or else I might actually choke on this ale" Kal informed as he placed his chalice down.
"Well, I was being sarcastic" Theo said.
"Facetious" Kal corrected.
Prince Theo was known for his mischievous nature, no one could actually predict his next actions. Because he was anything but transparent - he hides a lot within himself, to him that was his strongest feature - being unpredictable.
He glanced at Ivo, before he smiled and whispered to Kal, "If eyes were arrows, then Ivo would have killed Zander with it, a long time ago" considering the fact that Ivo's face is always edgy, his facial features were like that of a sharp blade - he never smiles, at least a sincere one.
Some would say that his long brown-blonde hair and his sharply edged face blends with his serious-minded self. His cold image has made both the dieties, guards and servants refer him to as the 'Grand prince'.
Kal nodded, agreeing with Theo's words - Ivo loaths any god that dares to stand up to him, and Zander...well let's just say that the great impaler says and does what ever he wants, irrespective of whom it may Irritate.
Just then a middle aged man with sliver hair, walked out and stood in front of large table that was occupied by the royal family.
He bowed, "Long live the king" he greeted before he continued, "I'll like to entertain the great house of Leviathan. I present to you the flying dragons!" he said with a loud voice and a raging cheer arose from the crowd - then the flying dragons (a group of gods and goddesses that have great dancing skills) twirled their way out into the center. And then after a stricking pose, they started their dance, every move they made synchronized perfectly - the way their bodies went in sync with the music amazed every single one.
Theo glanced next to the empty seat besides him, and a soft sigh escaped his lips. Damien - the sixth prince (god of death) was absent tonight, and Theo had no idea why, but he was guessing that it is probably because of his connection and power with death - he is the god of death after all. But Theo was actually missing his presence and also with the fact that Damien loves the flying dragons. Theo turned his gaze back at the dancers, as he watched, enjoying the dance.
The great impaler has heard about the flying dragons but he has never experienced their dance before. But now that he was watching them, he was simply amazed because they were very good.
Just then Ian entered the great hall and approached his lord, his face morose. "My lord" he greeted with a bow when he reached where he was seated.
Zander slowly torn his gaze from the flying dragons to his right hand man. He was now remembering that he has sent Ian to find out where the Xamor's Valkyrie has fled to.
"The locator spell has tracked down the Valkyrie, in a village in the mortal realm" Ian informed with a firm voice, because the sound of the music that raged inside the hall made it difficult for others to hear them.
"Are you certain?" Zander asked
"Aye, the witcher confirmed it" Ian said.
Zander shifted his chair back, "Where in the realm of men?" he asked
"Aztlan, my lord" Ian answered before Zander looked at him, a look that clearly says 'we have to go find that Valkyrie. Yes, even if it meant leaving this celebration'.
Without any delay Ian bowed, "I'll prepare the horses" he said understanding the look perfectly because he was the ideal right hand.
Zander exhaled slowly, everyone was distracted with the dancing that was going on, so he stood up slowly and left. It was a shame that he was leaving his party - but in the same time he was glad because he needed a break from...well everything, and killing a Valkyrie would do perfectly.
In addition also that the Valkyrie might cause a huge problem in the human world, it will surely search for preys and Zander has to make sure that no one is hurt or worse killed, because the Valkyrie's escape was partially his fault.