Most meals in the legion were simple affairs. Armsmen gathered around cooking fires and ladled the evening stew or roasted game onto their plates. There was also bread and vodka, both made from Altieri rye. And, if supply allowed, they might dip into the barrels of pickled vegetables or crystallized fruit.

    This night, however, the legion feasted. For the moment, there was something of a surplus of supplies for the first time in weeks, and it would be more advantageous if a good deal of it was packed into stomachs rather than wagons. That it allowed Shan Alee to provide hospitality to the visiting Espallans was all the better.

    Most of the hallah were within the camp, sharing fires and trading war stories with the fey and Aleesh armsmen. No matter where one was in camp, the deep and booming voices of ogres could be heard as they sang their songs of great heroes performing worthy deeds. Enfri came to learn that language barriers weren't quite enough to stop warriors from boasting to each other over a keg of strong alcohol. Though she would rather they not overindulge, it did her heart good to see her brave soldiers laughing and raising their mugs to one another.

    Her own feast took place beneath an expansive canvas awning. Rugs and cushions covered the soft ground, and their food was laid out upon low tables. The Dragon Lords and other high-ranking officers and officials were in attendance. A pair of bonfires roared just outside the canvas, providing both light and warmth against the evening chill. A number of dragons reclined in truest form in a protective ring around Enfri's banquet as they enjoyed their own meals, and a small cluster of the Emerald Knights' megarachs huddled together nearby to soak in the warmth of the bonfires.

    Enfri's table had more options than she could eat in a week. She settled on skewers of wine-marinated pork, chopped cabbage fermented in red pepper and oyster sauce, a small wedge of sharp yellow cheese, and a plate of sliced avocados dusted with coarsely-ground salt and pepper.  Enfri had also discovered the most marvelous food she'd ever tasted— something Ban called yeda. If anyone had told her a month ago she would soon become ravenous at the mere thought of dried fruit wrapped in roasted seaweed, she'd have called them a madman. Enfri was also growing rather partial to the cherry cordial they'd acquired from the Nadian trade lords.

    It was early into the meal. The opening blessings had only been spoken a few minutes earlier, and Enfri's stomach was still growling around the first bites she'd had.

    Enfri glanced sidelong at Darian as she finished off her first yeda. He sat on her left at the head table to facilitate his role as temporary translator. Whatever else the man might have been, he was one of the few people at her disposal who knew more than a few words of Espalleese. However, Enfri was more interested in his bruises than his linguistics. Dark, unsightly splotches formed at the inside corners of his eyes. If Reyn would've hit him an inch lower, she'd have shattered his nose.

    What's wrong with me? she wondered. I should be fetching him a compress. When'd I get so petty?

    Darian held out his cup for the serving girl pouring wine. He barely even looked at the girl before downing it all in one go. That had been his third.

    Is it just me, or does he look as confused about Reyn giving him a drubbing as I am?

    Not her father nor anyone else answered her question. Though, she had the odd sense that one or two of them gave her the mental equivalent of a shrug.

    From the other side of Darian, Chamek of the Hohk'ita said something in Espalleese. Enfri looked to Darian for the translation.

    "He says he is impressed by your soldiers, Your Majesty," he said, "and he wishes to thank you again for granting them the opportunity to inspect your legion. All the hallah'ha saw it as a great honor."

    "Thank Jin," Enfri said. "It was by her advice I offered."

    At Enfri's other side, Jin inclined her head. "I will pass their compliments on to the knight-marshal, Lord Darian."

    "A Karst, correct?" Darian asked. "Will he not be joining us?"

    "Bannlyth the Karst, yes," Jin replied. "I am sure he will make an appearance, but he has his own affairs to see to tonight."

    "The second prince regent of Altier Nashal? Last I heard, Niklaus was the Karst, and Bannlyth was still Knight-General Kastus' apprentice."

    "There's a lot there that needs correcting," Enfri said. "There is no Altier Nashal anymore, Ban's no longer prince regent, Kastus was a vile traitor, and Niklaus was murdered by Rodrik Karst."

    Darian blew out his cheeks. "I'm afraid I've been out of touch with politics for the past couple months. Seems I turned my back for a moment and the world's gone topsy turvy."

    "It has at that," Jin agreed.

    Darian's eyes flickered to and from Jin's face. She clearly put him on edge, but Enfri supposed that was to be expected. He'd spent most of his life hiding from House Algara, and now he sat two settings down from one at banquet.

    Chamek and Roash sat on the other side of Darian. The three place settings at their table intended for Lita, Hagen, and the executor remained empty. Enfri wished to see the executor again. The woman of Jade, named Ku Ji Min, had so much presence, and her manner of dress gave her an extraordinary aura of mystery. An hour of strolling around the camp hadn't been nearly enough, and Enfri hadn't posed a fraction of the questions vying to be asked next.

    For whatever reason, as soon as Enfri extended Shan Alee's hospitality, the executor became hesitant to proceed further. Enfri had no idea of where Ku Ji Min was now or when she'd join them again.

    Must be exhausted, Enfri concluded. Winds, but I know as well as anyone how much the desert takes out of you.

    Deebee chose that moment to arrive. Her appearance drew the attention of the two hallah'ha present, and they didn't seem to know what to make of her. They gaped at her as if she were a goddess one moment and tensed at the shoulders as if she were about to transform into a scale lion in the next. They'd been acting like that with the mighty ever since they arrived— fear and wonder in equal measures.

    If anything, Deebee appreciated the attention. She assumed her tiny form as she approached and alighted on Enfri's shoulder. Her arrival caught Darian's attention so thoroughly that he forgot about his wine for the moment. He stared at her with open astonishment.

    Deebee caught sight of Darian's staring and fluttered her wings at him. "My lord, I recommend blinking on occasion. Mortal ocular organs are more fragile than one would expect."

    Darian shook his head to snap himself out of his awestruck state. "Apologies for gawking, my lady. It's only that one seldom has the chance to witness such beauty in person."

    "You'll win no wars through flattery," Deebee said haughtily, though it was belied by a pleased ripple of her scales.

    "I've spent my life researching the secret history," Darian said, looking around him with almost childlike awe in his eyes. Whenever his gaze landed on a dragon tearing into a side of beef, his smile grew wider. "Two months in the Imperial City, and only then did the Empire of Scales seem like it was ever a real place once. But it was a dead empire in a dead land. Now to see it resurrected and in the flesh..." He glanced at Enfri. "Stones take me. I can't believe it to be anything but providence."   

    Enfri took a small sip of her cherry cordial, then promptly spat it out as the most blood-curdling shriek she'd ever heard erupted from a few paces behind her.

    Jin was on her feet with her sword in hand in a flash. Deebee returned to her human form and cast wards over the group. Knights readied weapons all around. Enfri barely paused to think before she snatched her spear from where it lay behind her and jumped up into a guard stance, butt-end of the spear braced against her back foot. Her eyes scanned around her for where the threat was coming from before she identified the scream's source.

    The hallah'ha had their hooked swords drawn and ran to join Hagen and Lita, who looked to have just walked up on the awning. The four of them together clustered protectively around Ku Ji Min, crouched down in a huddled ball with her hands covering her veil. She was shaking like a leaf.   

    Enfri took deep breaths once it became apparent there was nothing leaping from the shadows. She couldn't fathom what had frightened the executor so badly. Hagen of the Amak'talan whispered something to his charge in Espalleese, and Ji Min raised a trembling finger to point past the bonfires.   

    At the megarachs?

    "Winds," Jin muttered, sheathing her sword. "She's got some lungs, doesn't she?"

    After the previous night, Enfri could understand why her people were on edge. She noted the hallah'ha peering with interest at her and her spear. Blushing, Enfri came out of her stance and set it back down.

    "Shal Aleesh kem hallah jakah," Hagen muttered. The other Espallans' eyes remained on Enfri, and they all nodded in agreement.   

    She didn't have a clue what he said, and Darian was too preoccupied with calming down the executor to shed light on it. After a few exchanged sentences, Darian assisted Ji Min to her feet, and if Enfri didn't miss her guess, there was amusement in his expression.

    "The megarachs, Your Majesty," Darian explained. "It seems there's nothing like them in the far west, and seeing spiders the size of bulls came as a shock."

    Enfri covered her heart with a hand. She could still feel it racing from the surge of adrenaline. "You can never anticipate every cultural difference, can you? I'm sorry for startling you with our livestock, Executor. I'd have them sent away, but once megarachs bed down for the night, they tend to stay where they are."

    Ji Min nodded hesitantly and spoke in Espalleese.

    "She wonders what purpose they serve," Darian translated.

    "We use their silk to make the aviator harnesses for our dragons and their crews. Megarach threads are strong as steel if woven properly. Dragon Lord Hugin of the Emeralds and Nooka the Artificer developed the equipment used by the Arcane Knights."

    Lita of the Harkh'alash said something further, and Ji Min gasped in horror.

    Darian restrained himself from laughing. "She also expresses incredulity that easterners would eat megarach meat."

    "Boiled and served with butter," Enfri said while smiling to Ji Min. "Nothing better in autumn."

    Darian grinned, and Enfri would've been lying if she claimed it wasn't one of the more charming smiles she'd seen. "I'll assure her she won't find spider legs on her plate," he said.

    Enfri returned Darian's smile. She stopped herself when she remembered she was upset with him. On Reyn's behalf, naturally. She certainly wasn't jealous. Returning to her seat, she gestured for her officers to sit down and pretend the disruption never happened. It didn't take long before they were all back to their food and drink.

    Deebee sat down across from Enfri and eyed where Darian and the Espallans were still talking amongst themselves. "I hope we can get these People of Jade on our side. Imagine loosing that set of pipes on Elise."

    Enfri resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at Deebee. It wouldn't be proper conduct for an empress. She was supposed to be dignified in front of esteemed guests. Her irritation over her dragon's japes were put on hold when she saw someone new approaching the awning. It was Ban, and he had Kimpo and Josy Algara in tow.

    "So it's true," Josy said as she walked up. "I thought all the talk about Espallans was just wild rumor."

    Jin rose to greet her cousin. She took Josy's hand and drew her to sit beside her. "They have the Glorious Emperor's eldest daughter with them also."

    "Jade people?"

    "People of Jade," Jin corrected. "So behave."

    "I'm plenty behaved."   

    Enfri wanted to argue that point. However, even she could admit that ever since Josy arrived, she hadn't so much as said a single rude word to anyone. Coarse words, maybe, but not rude ones. Unthinkable, once, but Enfri found that she was starting to trust Josy.

    The duchess wore her hair free today, though it looked like she'd curled it with a hot iron. She was unarmed, but Enfri had been noticing how Josy seldom went around with her spiked gauntlets anymore. A moot point, as her sorcery and elder magic were weapons enough for anybody, but Enfri appreciated the gesture nonetheless. Though, if she was going to show up in front of guests, it would've been preferable if she wore something less revealing than her midriff-baring leather armor. Enfri supposed she should just take what concessions from Josy she could and call it a win.

    Ban and Kimpo had been exchanging words with Dragon Lord Wallace the Corwyn and Dragon Lord Dulvar Strom. Once Ban was done, he clapped them both on the shoulder and came to Enfri's table. He had his gray dress uniform on, something he normally reserved for council meetings. It even looked like he'd gotten his hair trimmed and stubble shaved off.

    "I say, my love," Deebee said in appreciation to Kimpo, "Are you wearing what I think you are?"

    Kimpo wrinkled her nose. "It's mere clothing."

    "It's lovely is what it is," Deebee exclaimed. "I've gotten used to seeing you in House Yora tabards. This... This is marvelous."

    Enfri hid her smile behind a hand. Kimpo's off-shoulder gown was indeed rather fetching. It was violet brocade with red embroidery that almost seemed to melt into the deep colors. The corset and bustier showcased her shapely figure, and the skirt was festooned with lace and ruffles. In short, it was as unlike Kimpo the Huntress as a gown could be.

    "Whose idea was that dress?" Enfri asked her.

    Kimpo skewered Ban with a glare.

    "Sorry. It was all I could find. It's a war camp, not a seamstress' gallery."

    "My fool Ruby doesn't want to introduce me to his mother until I'm... what did you call it, love? Oh yes. Decent."

    "It was dress you or dress Moon. I took the option that had a chance of success."

    "Lady Ascania," Enfri said. "Where's she now?"

    Ban cocked a thumb over his shoulder. "Seeing Pacifica off. That's where I found the duchess, and we came here together from there. I thought I'd say hello, then we're off to introduce ma to the family."

    He said it with good humor, but Enfri knew him well enough by now to know when he was putting up a front. Ban was anxious.

    Jin turned to Josy. "Why were you seeing them off?"

    Josy shrugged and snitched a chicken leg from Jin's plate. "For Saveen."

    "Really?"

    Josy tore into the drumstick and spoke through her mouthful. "Sure. And I made sure Krayson knows to look out for her. She might be a dragon, but she's still a kid."

    Jin cracked a smile. "She is older than you are."

    "Relatively a kid." Josy swallowed. "I wanted to say goodbye to Starra, too, but she was running late or something. She hadn't shown up by the time I left."

    Enfri's brow drew together in concern. "Now what could Starra be doing?"

    Reyn was the next to arrive. "Lady Starra was conferring with me," she explained. "There was one small matter that needed to be addressed before she left for Ecclesia."

    Enfri was glad to see Reyn. She looked none the worse for having been in the stockades for an hour. Reyn would always be beautiful no matter what happened. Enfri noticed the direction her thoughts were heading and tried to get a handle on them before they got out of hand.

    "Nothing serious, I hope," Jin said.   

    Reyn had the strangest self-satisfied look Enfri had ever seen on her. "Time will tell," she said, "but I hope so."

    What an odd thing to say. Enfri was about to ask for clarification when she noted some murmuring going on around the Espallans. They appeared to have finished their own conference and were staring at Reyn. Darian had gone a shade of pale, which made the bruising around his nose stand out even more.

    "Before I forget, Your Majesty," Reyn said, coming to crouch between her and Jin. "There is something you have been putting off."

    Enfri turned to face her. "What is..."

    The rest of her question was muffled by Reyn pulling her into a kiss. Enfri went stiff and let out the most undignified squawk she could imagine. The suddenness of it left her unable to think, and she could feel her balance giving out on her. She grabbed Reyn's shoulders to steady herself. Even as she did it, she could only assume it made it appear like she was pulling her closer. Almost too soft to notice, Enfri felt Reyn breathe into her mouth.

    Somewhere in her head, she heard Yora cackling like a madman.

    It ended as suddenly as it began. Reyn pulled back with a calm and unconcerned expression. "That should suffice, Your Majesty."

    Enfri felt her cheeks heat up. She was furious. Why in the king's name would Reyn do that in front of the Espallans? In front of the executor? Of Ban, Kimpo, and Deebee? The Dragon Lords and officers? Winds and storms, in front of Jin!

    Ignoring the array of shocked and flabbergasted faces around her, Enfri spun to explain herself to her betrothed. What she found was Jin leaning in to get a closer look at Enfri's face.

    "Ah, yes," Jin murmured. "This is the angry blush. It appears to have worked."

    Ban snorted then succumbed to full-bodied laughter. Kimpo and Deebee hid their mirth better, but it was obvious they were far too amused. Josy was goggling at Enfri and Reyn in turn.

    "What in the embrace of hellfire is all this about?" Josy asked under her breath. "Is this what you meant about forgiveness rather than permission, Legs?"

    "As you say, Duchess." Reyn then addressed Enfri. "And I truly must ask forgiveness, and that you listen to me carefully for the next few moments. I believe you shall find that you are now immune to me, Your Majesty."

    Enfri stood up in a huff and planted her fists on her hips. "You might have waited until we didn't have a blustering crowd to see."

    Jin reached up from her seat to poke Reyn in the kidney. "You said you would make it chaste."

    "As chaste as I could, Highness."

    Enfri turned helplessly towards the Espallans. Darian was squinting at her as if he couldn't believe his eyes. The executor was fanning herself, and the hallah'ha had wide grins as they looked at Reyn.

    Hagen pointed at Reyn and spoke over his shoulder to his companions. "Ashakhra."

    The others nodded in agreement, and Reyn inclined her head graciously to them. Her eyes fell on Darian and grew cold. For his part, Darian had that baffled look about him again. It appeared that Enfri wasn't the only one ignorant of what Reyn's issue with him was.

    Enfri tried her best to get her blushing under control. She found that when she looked at Reyn, she still saw a beautiful young woman but not immediately beautiful. Manageably beautiful, and not to the point where Enfri couldn't think for the wild lust pulsing through her entire body. Reyn was just... nice to look at. It came as such a relief that Enfri forgot to be angry.

    Mustering her composure, Enfri smoothed her dress and faced her guests. Reclaiming her dignity might've been a fool's errand at that point, but it wouldn't be for a lack of trying.  "May I recommend the yeda?"