That night, the throne room of Balwar Kingdom’s royal castle was abuzz with nobles sitting at the tables with a small number of soldiers at their backs for protection. The table of navy blue had empty seats, while Alistair, his queen, Irina, sat on their thrones. On the right of the king, in a smaller throne, sat Xema in pink dazzling dress with jewels and her long brown hair let loose showing more of her beauty. The tables were covered with luscious food like the roast Ruby Boar only found in the woods of Balwar Kingdom and the fresh fruits picked from the Malagoey trees that sparkled in the light of the throne room. The wine made from ripened Miragun was aged perfectly making it a perfect for this gathering.

Alistair sat on his throne with anticipation in his face as his wife held his left hand tenderly. The door to the throne room soon opened making all silent. Through the doors entered King Shuyu of Azseldo Kingdom with his trusted retainers, Raul Zia and Kaysan Liam, behind him.

Raul Zia, age twenty-two, was a trusted retainer of Shuyu since they were teenagers. Raul entered the academy of Azseldo Kingdom at a young age and excelled in the arts and knowledge of the kingdom. He entered the palace only to serve Shuyu when he would take the throne. He had short white hair with traces of red and brown eyes that matched the clothes he wore.

Kaysan Liam, age twenty-two, was also a trusted retainer, with knowledge almost as great as Raul’s, but unlike Raul, he never entered an academy and gained his position in the palace by proving his worth to the previous king by defeating the previous king’s scholars through wits and defeating the captains of the guards through strength alone. He chose to serve Shuyu when the previous king surrendered the throne. He had long black hair, brown eyes, and wore emerald green clothes meant for a retainer of the palace.

Besides the retainers, there were no signs of soldiers entering with Shuyu. Alistair rose from his seat asking, “Is it only you three, your majesty?” Shuyu nodded adjusting his sword on his side.

“My retainers are good enough protection for me within your kingdom, King Alistair,” stated Shuyu. Alistair nodded and held his hand to the table of navy blue.

“Please have a seat,” stated Alistair. Shuyu chuckled saying, “I rather make this visit quick, my king, so please tell me what you want from me?” Alistair clenched his hand in nervousness as did his queen, while Xema seemed to be on cloud nine as she looked at Shuyu with sparkling eyes and reddened cheeks.

“I need your help to win this war against Chuluan Kingdom.”

“My help?”

“That is correct. I won’t hide it. We are losing this war and if the enemy reaches this castle then my kingdom and my family will be lost,” stated Alistair, his voice beginning to shake. The nobles and Irina were silent with seriousness in their faces.

Shuyu noticed the seriousness surrounding the room and sighed glancing at the king.

“Are you asking me to make an alliance with your kingdom, so you can use my troops to defeat the enemy?”

Alistair nodded and stated, “I will do anything to save my kingdom and family.” Shuyu smirked crossing his arms.

“You know my father refused the alliance during his reign, so why would I feel obligated to make the alliance now?”

Alistair bowed down surprising all in the room.

“Please make the alliance and save us all. I will do anything and I mean anything.”

Shuyu chuckled saying, “I only came to be polite, but I have a thought.”

Alistair raised his head with a puzzled look.

“Let me marry your daughter and the alliance will happen and I will save this Kingdom from destruction.”

Alistair smiled brightly, while Irina and Xema had wide eyes and reddened cheeks. Alistair shot up saying, “It will be done.”

Shuyu nodded saying, “Then I agree with this alliance.” The throne room was then filled with applause and cheers.

Shuyu glanced at Raul and said, “Please present the agreement I gave you to the king.” Raul nodded and walked pass Shuyu to Alistair. He unrolled the parchment in his hand and held it to Alistair with a feather pen saying, “Please sign your majesty.” Alistair took the pen and signed right away without reading what was on the parchment. Raul closed the parchment and returned to Shuyu’s side.

Shuyu nodded and then glanced at the food on the navy blue table.

“Since we have an alliance, now I feel obliged to feast with you,” stated Shuyu. Alistair nodded with a smile as Shuyu, Raul, and Kaysan headed to the navy blue table. Shuyu sat at the head of the table taking a glass of the wine to his lips as Raul filled his plate with delectable food and Kaysan tore off a leg from the roasted Ruby Boar.

Alistair held his glass up filled with wine and announced, “To the alliance.”

“To the alliance!” all echoed.

Xema looked at Alistair with bright eyes and asked, “Is this really happening?” Alistair nodded and smiled at Xema saying, “It is thanks to you for this alliance.” Xema smiled with bliss in her face at the thought of marrying Shuyu.

Shuyu, on the other hand, took a bite of a fruit as Kaysan leaned toward his ear and asked, “Is it really wise to make an alliance with this kingdom?”

“I don’t mind as long as I get to marry her.”

Kaysan sighed asking, “Is she really that great?” Shuyu nodded taking another sip from his glass.

Alistair suddenly clapped his hands getting everyone’s attention. Alistair stood up and stated, “Since this alliance was successful I want to grant all of you the sight of the priestess’ ceremonial dance.”

All the nobles applauded, while Shuyu raised an eyebrow in question.

The lights in the room dimmed and then the lights lit up only the center of the throne room. Lucina, dressed in her ceremonial red robe, stepped into the light; and then to everyone’s surprise, Yanira, wearing her pink robe, stepped into the light as well. Both were holding steel fans in their right hands. They both stepped forward with their right foot and at the same time the wind entered through the balcony window and began to surround their forms.

All gasped in amazement, while Shuyu, Raul, and Kaysan jumped from their seats with wide eyes.

Yanira and Lucina began to do Irmazu Dance in sync making the wind move along with them. Lucina’s white hair danced in the wind as did the short strands of Yanira’s hair. Their movements were graceful and yet strong.

Shuyu couldn’t tear his eyes away from them even as the wind blew in his face. The wind began to spin as Yanira and Lucina spun in the air with their fans and then landed on their left knee with their left hand on their chests and the fan covering the bottom half of their faces.

Shuyu stared at Yanira’s golden eyes before they were covered by the steel fan.

The wind settled around Yanira and Lucina at the end of the dance.

The lights filled the room once again and all applauded in awe. Shuyu smiled and clapped the loudest out of all of them.

Yanira and Lucina stood up and then bowed.

Alistair looked at Lucina and stated, “I didn’t expect you to bring Yanira here.”

Lucina smiled stating, “I wanted you to see how much your daughter has improved.” Alistair nodded saying, “You are a marvelous teacher priestess.” Lucina nodded.

Lucina placed a hand to Yanira’s back saying, “Yanira and I must rest now since the dance is done.” Alistair nodded and watched Lucina usher Yanira toward the door.

Yanira glanced back at Alistair, Xema, and Irina and smiled saying, “Good night, father, mother, big sister.” They all wished her good night, but then Yanira met eyes with Shuyu, who hadn’t tore his eyes away from her. Yanira smiled at him saying, “Good night, Shuyu.”

Shuyu smiled with a tint of red in his cheeks and said, “Good night.”

The doors closed behind Yanira and Lucina and then the room was once again filled with the voices of the nobles.

Raul glanced at Shuyu and stated, “That young girl priestess was very talented for her age.” Shuyu nodded. Kaysan also looked at Shuyu adding, “Did I hear right that she’s the daughter of King Alistair?” Shuyu nodded again.

“I guess she decided to be a priestess since she wouldn’t gain the throne of Balwar Kingdom,” stated Shuyu. Raul and Kaysan stared at Shuyu and added, “Did you meet her before?” Shuyu nodded with a smile and stated, “Don’t ask too many questions and enjoy the meal. We set off tomorrow to get the troops ready.” Raul and Kaysan nodded and then continued their meal.

On the other hand, Yanira was walking down the hall rubbing her eyes and yawning. Lucina smiled at Yanira saying, “You should head to bed. I’ll retrieve you in your room tomorrow for your lessons.” Yanira nodded and then asked, “Can you lend the scrolls of spells to me tomorrow as well for me to read?” Lucina nodded and then pushed Yanira forward saying, “Now get to bed.” Yanira nodded and then wobbled off, while Lucina headed in a different direction of the castle.

Yanira stumbled into her room and flopped onto her large bed tossing off the jewels she wore. She didn’t bother changing out of her robe as she crawled under the covers and snuggled against her pillow. In a matter of moments, she had fallen asleep wondering what spells she would learn.

Meanwhile, Shuyu left the chamber he was assigned for the night after the banquet and headed to the garden of the castle. He entered the maze turning many corners until he reached the chestnut tree that never withered. He stared up at the pink and white leaves of the tree and placed his right hand on the trunk.

“You granted me the precious stone and since then all my wishes for my kingdom has come true. Now I hope to get another one of my desires. Grant me this wish.”

Shuyu removed his hand from the chestnut tree and then walked away back into the maze.

Unknown to him, the chestnut tree gave off a shimmer as a being clad in white and long white hair and golden eyes sat on one of the tree’s branches. He glared at Shuyu’s retreating back and sneered before vanishing from the tree.