Meanwhile, Zuriel Castleheart, age twenty-three, was having an audience with his father, Alistair, in the throne room, which was getting prepared for the arrival of the king of Azseldo Kingdom. Zuriel had a look of concern as he spoke.

“I know this looks bad father, but getting help from a Kingdom not aligned with us is just insane,” stated Zuriel.

“I know it is, but you informed me that our troops are now down to a hundred. I can’t afford more men to perish in this war and I especially don’t want to lose you to the enemy,” stated Alistair clenching his hands to the throne.

“I know that, but what if this alliance with Azseldo Kingdom goes against us. We will lose everything.”

Alistair showed a small smile rising from his throne and glanced toward the balcony window that looked out pass the castle walls.

“It is true that the previous king of Azseldo Kingdom refused the alliance six years ago, but there is a new king now and if I remember right, he was quite close to Xema during those youthful days. Maybe that friendship will make him feel obligated to help us.”

Zuriel took a deep breath in and then said, “Xema was the one close to him, but he didn’t seem interested from what I remember.” Alistair chuckled.

“That may be true, but he might be interested now. People do change after all.”

Zuriel sighed clenching his fist.

“This is starting to sound like a matchmaking session.”

Alistair chuckled saying, “That may be so, but you must understand that I am at the point where I am willing to do anything to protect my kingdom and especially my family.”

Zuriel was silent and then bowed down to the waist saying, “I understand father. I will return to my troops for now, so send a messenger if the alliance is successful.” Alistair nodded and then approached Zuriel. He placed his hands on Zuriel’s shoulders making him look him in the eye.

“We will survive this war, my son,” whispered Alistair. Zuriel nodded and then separated from his father walking calmly to the exit of the throne room.

When Zuriel was out sight, Alistair crossed him arms and glanced at the navy blue draped tables that represented the color of Azseldo Kingdom. He ran a hand on the table with a serious look in his eyes.

“This alliance must happen.”

On the other hand, Yanira was in the shrine temple of the castle grounds wearing a pink robe with silver lining and chestnut petal white designs. In her right hand was a steel fan with the design of lotus flowers on the fabric. An orchid hair pin made of gold and lined with clear colored beads like dewdrops was pinned to her short red hair. Light pink lipstick rested on her lips and her small feet remained bare. A small beaded necklace made with oak and feathers said to come from a deceased dragon draped around her neck and on her wrists were silver cuffs painted with gold sparrows representing the symbol of Balwar Kingdom. This attire was her uniform as a priestess in training.

Within the shrine with her was Lucina wearing just her red robe and a steel fan with no designs in her left hand. Lucina approached Yanira and then adjusted the robe on her shoulders.

“I see that you still have problems dressing into your robe,” stated Lucina. Yanira puffed her cheeks in a pout.

“I haven’t grown into it yet,” stated Yanira making Lucina chuckle and pat Yanira’s small head.

“Well you will grow into it, but for now, deal with it,” stated Lucina. Yanira groaned.

Lucina transferred her steel fan to her right hand and faced Yanira saying, “Now follow my movements exactly.” Yanira nodded holding her steel fan like Lucina.

The wind entered the temple through the doors as Yanira and Lucina began to dance. Lucina stepped forward with her right foot pushing her left hand back and unfolded the steel fan in her right hand and swung the fan like a blade cutting through the passing wind and then lifted her left foot making a small spin to the right before lowering her left foot and crouching down like a tiger to the ground and then springing up tossing the open fan lightly into the air and catching it with her left. She sliced through the air again taking three turns to the left. She then lifted her right leg above her head aligning the fan with her leg and then twisted the fan downward before releasing it and catching it with her right hand. She lowered her leg tossing the fan up again and catching it once again with her right. She knelt on the ground touching the fan’s edge to the ground and then leapt up taking three spins in the air making the wind circulate around her form. She then landed back on the ground and knelt to her left knee covering the bottom half of her face with the fan and placed her other hand to her chest. She then bowed her head touching her forehead to the edge of the fan as the wind calmed down.

Lucina glanced at Yanira after the dance and noticed the wind still settling around Yanira, who still had her forehead to the edge of the fan as she kneeled on the ground.

When the wind finally settled, Lucina smiled as she stood up folding her steel fan and stated, “Your movements were perfect, Yanira.” Yanira nodded closing her fan and stood up.

“That was just the Irmazu dance though,” stated Yanira. Lucina chuckled saying, “But you have mastered the other dances as well and now with the Irmazu Dance mastered, I believe we can get to spell casting next.”

Yanira nodded proud that she had mastered all the ceremonial dances of the priestess.

Lucina headed to an altar that held scrolls filled with spells of the priestess, but stopped when the door to the temple burst open revealing a messenger of the king. Lucina folded her hands before her staring at the messenger and asked, “Is there something you need?” The messenger nodded bowing before Lucina.

“My Lady Lucina, His majesty the king has ordered you to dance before the king of Azseldo for tonight’s negotiation as a form of peace.”

Lucina frowned stating, “I would refuse, but I have a feeling that his majesty would be quite persistent, so I will obey. Let him know that I will be ready for this negotiation of peace.” The messenger nodded and ran out of the temple.

Lucina sighed and turned to Yanira saying, “Our lesson will have to wait for another day.” Yanira nodded and was about to walk off, but paused when Lucina added, “I expect your dance to be perfect for tonight, Yanira.” Yanira burst into a bright smile and nodded excitedly.