~23~ Let the Courtial Battle Begin

Biana stomped through Everglen, trying to find Keefe, with Dex, Linh, and Tam close behind her.

"Why isn't he with you?!" Biana yelled at her brother, kicking his door open. Fitz was peacefully sitting on his bed reading through the paperwork Elwin gave him.

"Uhh, who?" Fitz asked.

"Keefe! You two are always together figuring out something stupid to do, where is he?!" Biana snapped.

"Okay, wow, wasn't exactly expecting to be called out like that. But Keefe actually snagged an internship in the Elvin Headquarters. The Council just left for some diplomatic mission, and he was asked to attend as an assistant."

"What?!" Biana gaped.

"Yeah, I believe he is Oralie's assistant. I think she feels bad about Sophie and gave him the job just to ease her nerves. Why, what did he do now?" Fitz asked. Dex fished a pamphlet out of his bag and threw it onto Fitz's bed. Fitz's face slowly dropped as he looked through it.

"This is Keefe's art style," Fitz muttered, looking it over.

"Every single elf in the Lost Cities got one of these things, the Council apparently confiscated as many as they could before they went on this mystery mission of theirs," Tam explained, leaning on the threshold of Fitz's door. Fitz stared at the back of the pamphlet, rereading over the snippet.

"What is it?" Linh asked.

"I recognize this," Fitz muttered, tapping his pencil against the paragraph on the back.

"What? It looks like-"

"It's human poetry." Fitz started, getting up from his bed and moving to one of his drawers. It was one he always kept locked, and as he opened it, Biana realized why.

It was full of a bunch of Sophie's belongings and trinkets they shared between them. Notes and telepathy inside jokes between them, random elven mind games and even-

"Is that Ella?" Biana asked, pointing to the blue stuffed elephant. Fitz glanced at it, chuckling slightly.

"Yeah, Sophie gave it to me a while ago when I was having a hard time, and Mr. Snuggles was out of commission." Fitz looked away, "The Neverseen took her before I could return it." He muttered. A little more digging, and he pulled out a small book.

"Sophie really liked this American poet named Maya Angelou when she was in the Forbidden cities, and she got both Keefe and me this collection of some of her poems. I found them fascinating and read the book three times over again, but Keefe only liked a few. One in particular..." Fitz flipped through the book, scanning the pages.

"Ah! Here." Fitz grabbed the pamphlet and placed it side by side to the book.

Fitz read the paragraph from the poem, the exact same section from the pamphlet.

"Why would Keefe choose a human poem?"

"I think it is less who wrote the poem and more what it is about," Fitz explained. Biana leaned over her brother's shoulder to look at the name.

A Brave and Startling Truth- Maya Angelou

"A Brave and Startling Truth... Keefe is trying to tell the truth? Of what? Is he telling the truth of the Assassins, is he breaking their trust?" Dex asked.

"No, no..." Linh tugged on her silver-tipped bob, "He is trying to tell the truth about the Vatarians. How they aren't a species of monsters." Linh looked at all of them, "He is trying to tell the truth about what we know, and to humanize the Vatarians, show they aren't beasts."

"Why would he have taken that internship? He is trying to become a teacher, not a Council worker." Dex asked.

Biana answered.

"The Conference." She breathed.

"What? How is that possible? The Vatarians were so quiet about it." Tam countered.

"There is a traitor in the Assassins." Biana stated, "They are the one that planted the crystal in the nursery so Vespera could get away."

"Keefe knew that the traitor was probably going to contact the Council... so he got into the council," Fitz answered.

"So the traitor isn't loyal to the Neverseen, nor the Council. They are rogue, doing what they want to complete their goal in any way possible." Tam sighed.

"And their goal is to bring down the Assassins. Why?"

"To know that, we need to figure out the traitor."

"Who could it be-"

"Biana! Your friends are here!"

Biana squeaked, her hand flying to her mouth.

"I can't believe I forgot!" Biana cursed.

"Should I go stall them?" Linh asked, standing up.

"Wait, who is here?" Dex asked.

"Linh and I ordered one of our matchmaking scrolls a while back, and we invited the girls to come over to look through them together."

"Wait, you two ordered your matchmaking scrolls? Why?" Tam asked.

Linh smiled, wiggling her eyebrows, "Why? Are you curious if Biana and I will get someone we know on there?"

Tam averted his eyes quickly, grumbling.

Biana and Linh ran out the door, but not before Biana popped her head back in.

"Keep an eye out for Keefe or anything stupid. We still need to hold up this charade-"

"Biana! Come on!" Marella called out, Maruca's voice and a few others heard in the background. Biana ran back down the stairs, and her brother stared at the pamphlet.

"What's wrong?" Tam asked.

Fitz sighed, "He is risking a lot being with the Council right now. I just hope he doesn't screw it up for all of us."

The Inner Circle followed as Maria navigated away from the base and towards a small shed a few blocks away. Maria knocked on the sandalwood door four times, and Lilac's little head popped out as she unlocked it.

"Lilac?" Sophie rushed in, picking her up, "What are you doing here? I thought you were staying with your friend Giana while I was gone?" Lilac looked at Maria as everyone scuffled in, leaning into her sister a bit more, her eyes sleepy.

"We rode all last night to get here. I was supposed to come alone, but she insisted that she came." Maria explained as she checked all of the nooks and crannies for intruders.

"Mom, what is all of this? Why are you here?" Alexios asked. Maria sighed, shaking herself out.

"I kinda lied when I first told you why I was here, but I didn't want any of the Assassins to overhear."

"What is so bad that our own men couldn't hear?" Nour asked. Maria sighed, crossing her arms.

"Leto didn't send me, but he is the reason I am here. Leto, his health is... deteriorating." Maria sighed.

"What?!" Everyone asked, except Maha, who looked extremely confused about this Leto she never really met.

"He came to my boutique after the Battle of Foxfire, we all sat down, and he just tried to recollect everything. The last time he was in Inalia, it was on fire. But he was muttering about Kynareth, how he died during the Fall of Inalia, and it seemed so sincere, I almost believed him. But he was sickly, and he just... Amalia, do you know what is happening to him? Something from elves since he was with them for so long, maybe?" Maria asked.

Leto wasn't going mad, he was going through the realization of what Kynareth really did.

"I-I..." Sophie struggled with words. Gods above, just tell them! They won't judge you-

"I don't know," Sophie whispered, leaning against Lilac's sleeping head and readjusting her in her arms. Maha stared at her, her eyes analytical, running her hands over her palms.

Maria sighed, looking hopeless.

"He mutters how Kynareth is growing impatient, he says that you have involved Amalia. He says she won't let you go, she won't either of you go." Maria looked so defeated, "I grew up with Leto, and now that I finally see him again, he goes into a delusional fever. He has a high temperature, the shakes, and a lack of appetite."

Sophie held Lilac tighter, a feeling eating her up inside. Was it guilt? Worry?

"He just keeps repeating... she is growing impatient." Maria whimpered. Alexios sat next to his mother as she put her face in her hands, whispering gentle words.

"Do you believe anything he says?" Sophie asked quietly. Maria scoffed, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Why should I? I haven't seen Kynareth, and even if I do meet her, I have some choice words for her if she is even real." Maria spat. Sophie looked away from her aunt, pacing with Lilac in her arms.

"I came to inform you about Leto's health, and also to hopefully find a cure. He isn't diagnosed, but we have a physician and Filomena looking over him right now. I heard rumors Queen Arsinoe has extremely talented healers. I am going to ask her about it during the Conference." Maria sighed.

"You are attending the Conference with us?"

"I was invited to attend by Arsinoe when I contacted her about physicians, saying she could help me during the Conference. Not to mention how she is rearranging the Conference, she thought you would need me."

"For what?"

"It is no longer just a private get together, it is a political gala. And, it is well known, I'm the only one in this family with a sense of class." Maria bragged, tossing her hair behind her. Sophie glared, but Alexios snorted in agreement.

"I am here to make sure we are taken seriously," Maria admitted.

"We are going to be taken seriously-"

"How are you arriving?"

"Uh, walking-"

"What are you wearing?"

"I thought my armor was going to be fine-"

"How are you going to handle the nobles? Flirting? Charisma?- Actually, no, you should leave those to your brother." Maria spout. Alexios gave Sophie a victorious smile, and Sophie scoffed.

"I can deal with the nobles just fine-"

"During the last ball, you threatened to cut out a nobleman's tongue if he kept flirting with you," Nour stated.

"Who's side are you on?" Sophie snapped at him.

"However, Amalia, you are going to be taken more seriously. You have weight behind your name, and you are generally a person people gravitate towards. If we play this right, the Morretti family will be on top." Maria explained. Sophie and Alexios glanced at each other.

"Alright. We will follow your lead." Sophie answered. Lilac mumbled against Sophie's shoulder.

"And what about you?" Sophie cheerfully whispered to her little sister, "Why are you here?"

Lilac yawned, rubbing her eyes, "I was worried about you." Sophie faltered.

"I know you have been having trouble lately, and I missed you," Lilac whispered. She didn't have any life-altering information, she just missed Sophie, and the at least semi calm lives they had before all of this.

Sophie smiled, bouncing Lilac in her arms.

"The Conference is tomorrow evening. Alexios and I were assigned an additional mission from Arsinoe, but we finished it last night," Sophie explained,

"So that gives us today to prepare," Maria muttered.

"What should we do?" Mansi asked.

Maria explained everything. Mannerisms, arrival times, political opponents, what they should be conveying.

"Everyone with the last name Morretti should ride in the main carriage, everyone else in the Inner Circle should find a way to already be in the Conference, scoping things out."

"Alone?" Maha asked.

"Probably would be the best way to go," Sophie admitted.

"Wait, but, won't the Avriman King be there?" Maha asked, standing up from her seat.

"Yeah, he will. Maha, what's wrong?"

"I-I..." Maha clenched her fists, words not coming out of her mouth. She sighed and tucked aside one of her braids.

"Nevermind." She whispered.

"No, Maha, I want to hear from you. Want is wrong? Why do you not want to be alone with the King?" Sophie asked. Maha glanced around, and straightened, her eyes wet.

"You are my friends? Right? You are my family?" Maha insisted. Mansi sat next to her.

"Of course, Maha," Mansi whispered. Maha glanced outside the small windows of the shack, swallowing.

"I can't let the King see me." Maha loosed a breath.

And Sophie paled as she whispered, "-because I'm an Avriman fugitive."

Utter silence.

Everyone was deadly quiet, but Alexios finally spoke, "What?" He growled.

Maha shuddered.

"Not a traditional fugitive, I didn't commit any crimes. I ran away." She whispered. Sophie held Lilac in a tight grip, who was now awake and nervously glanced at Maha.

"Why-what? I don't-"

"I was abandoned on the steps of the Temple of Byzanthar when I was a baby. I was raised by two priests there, who I call my fathers. But after I was discovered, the King didn't react how I thought he would. He praised me, thought of me as a gift sent from the gods. I was all of a sudden overwhelmed with all of these people suffocating me and harassing me."

Maha took a deep breath, "My fathers saw how it was just... killing me. So in the middle of the night, they found a carriage to stow me away in and sent me away. I was never to look back, never to return." Maha let out a pathetic chuckle, "Little did I know that very cart was going to be jumped by the Neverseen two days later." Maha muttered. Maha never spoke about Avrima, she never went back to tell her father's she was alright.

"Maha, why did the Avriman King take such an interest in you?" Nour asked. Maha didn't answer, rubbing the palms of her hands.

"Maha-"

"I can't tell you that," Maha muttered.

"We won't tell anyone, we are your family," Maria assured. Maha violently shook her head, tears forming in her eyes.

"I can't." Maha took a hiccuped breath, "Please, don't make me go near him alone." Maha begged Sophie.

Gods above... it was all starting to click. She refused to talk of home; she never returned to her fathers; she never really wore or talked much of Avirman culture.

"I want you by my side the entire night, Maha, you understand?" Sophie asked.

"What?"

"Everyone else is going to be doing their assigned positions, but your position is by my side. I don't want the King getting close to you under any circumstances."

"What is he sees me?"

"He probably will. But I dare him to try to take you away if he does, he is going to face the full wrath of our family. And he knows we are going to bring the wrath of the gods down onto him." Sophie answered. Maha nodded, swallowing her quaking voice, fiddling with one of her golden tipped braids.

Maria took a deep breath, "Come now, all of you, we have work to do."

"Mom, we don't have any of the regalias we need. We were planning on arriving in our armor-"

Maria held up a perfectly manicured finger, cutting her son off, "Ah, ah, ah. I know that I am your radiating savior, and playing into that role, I come prepared."

"Of course, you have." Mansi laughed as Maria struggled to drag out her boxes. Alexios and Alvar grabbed them for her, carrying them and propping them on the table she pointed to. She broke them open and started handing out dresses, suits, fans, shoes, makeup, and everything else under the sun.

"Uh, may I have a pair of gloves, please?" Maha shyly asked.

"They weren't really in my plans for you, but..." Maria shuffled around in the crate and pulled out a pair of purple-ish pink lace gloves.

"Here you are, my love." Maria smiled, handing them to Maha. Maria finally turned to Sophie, a wicked smile gracing her cheeks.

And then she pulled out Sophie's dress.

"Oh, auntie, it's beautiful!" Sophie breathed, taking the dress in her hands.

"Who is it for?" Sophie asked.

"You, silly." Maria chuckled.

"Maria, I don't think I could-" Maria put a finger on Sophie's lips, stopping her from talking.

Maria rolled her eyes, "It is either this or the pink furball the Council gave you."

Sophie gaped, looking at her aunt, then the dress, then back at her aunt.

"Alright." She mumbled.

Maria smiled, gently running a thumb over Sophie's cheek, "It will look great on you, Candessa."

Sophie took all of the other things Maria handed to her beyond the dress, an outfit created explicitly for her by one of the people she knew best.

"Now, let's all go over the plan." Sophie sighed, gathering everybody close.

The night of the Conference had finally come.

Sophie secured the straps over her shoulders, looking at herself in the mirror. The dress was revealing and glimmering, one of maturity and confidence. The way her hair was done was simple, but it didn't need to be complicated. She was a powerful woman who desired a dress of her standing but didn't need glitter and stones to show her strength. She radiated it in every step she took.

The back of the dress was scooped out, which made Sophie's heart drop. She saw a sliver of Kynareth's marking in the mirror but quickly looked away. She wasn't going to look at it, she wasn't going to give Kynareth the satisfaction. Luckily, at the shoulders of her sleeves were long swaths of chiffon that followed her as she walked. She managed to twist and pull at them just enough for it to hide her back, but she still had to be careful. As she struggled to cover her back with the chiffon swaths, she froze as the door opened. Crap, she shared this dressing room with-

Maha walked in, grabbing her shoes from the end table, humming an Avriman lullaby.

Sophie couldn't turn away fast enough, and Maha gazed upon her half-covered back. Maha froze, her eyes scanning over the tattoo, her humming halting in her throat.

Sophie whirled on her, her eyes wide.

"What was that?" Maha asked quietly.

Sophie didn't answer, her fists clenched as she reeled for a lie.

"Amalia. What. Was. That?" Maha articulated, pointing to her back.

"Something I got a while ago-"

"When? You wouldn't have had time to go to a tattoo artist. And where is the marking you got on the ship back from Cariana?" Maha interrogated, walking forward to try to get a glimpse of Sophie's back. Sophie shuffled away, keeping her back out of Maha's sight.

"It is just, it's a- I got it-"

"Lia!" Maha snapped, grabbing Sophie's arms and turning her around. Sophie was as stiff as a statue as Maha stared at Kynareth's marking. She ran her hand over one of the markings on Sophie's spine, and her mind flashed to the writhing pain Kynareth put her in as she scalded those into her flesh. She squirmed out of Maha's grip, grabbing her necklace from the table and glaring at Maha.

Maha was wide-eyed. She was the first person to ever get a full view of it. Not even Ruy saw all of it, he only saw bits of it under her shirt.

"Who-"

"Not a soul." Sophie snarled. Maha pursed her lips.

"You don't tell a soul. That's an order." Sophie seethed.

"Lia-"

Sophie stomped out of the dressing room, finding a hidden bathroom with a much smaller mirror. She slammed the door behind her, making sure her dress wasn't peeking out from underneath. Sophie felt so dizzy, the world pulling and pushing on her gut, making her nauseous as Maha's small steps coming out of their dressing room. She stopped outside the powder room, as if she was going to knock, but instead just shakily loosed a breath and walked away.

Sophie turned to the small dirty mirror, her tattoo peeking out under the one strip of fabric that wasn't yet covering her back. Sophie took care to not rip the fabric as she tugged and pulled at it, getting it to comfortably cover the abomination inked all over her back. She held back her tears, feeling dirty every single time she saw even a bit of it. Soon, Nour knocked on the door.

"Time to go." He said gently. Just Nour's nature, kindly spoken words unless he was playing into the teasing of others.

Sophie sighed as she secured her necklace, making sure no tears wet her eyes, and pulled open the door.

"Let's go." She muttered, darting past her Inner Circle and to the carriage waiting outside the Hidden One's Base.

Amalia, Alexios, Maria, and Lilac Morretti all rode in silence in the carriage that carted them across Egypitnat. The rest of the Inner Circle had already arrived into the Palace, already scoping everything out. Beside Sophie sat Maha Abara, who was shaking and barely able to speak. She was scared shitless, worried the Avriman King would see her.

She glanced at Sophie's back every once and a while, but never spoke anything. Sophie clenched her jaw, praying that she wouldn't say anything. The people of Egypitnat lined the streets as the various carriages rode towards the Royal Palace. They begged for autographs and air-blown kisses, which Alexios and Lilac were happily giving, enjoying the attention in a way to calm their own nerves. People gasped and whispered Sophie's name as their carriage past them.

"Amalia Morretti!"

"The Queen of Assassins!?"

"She's my hero!"

"The Morretti family?! No way!"

"Why are they here?!"

Lilac leaned against Maria, who gently wrapped her arm around her and adjusted her golden dangling earrings.

"Are you going to be okay?" Sophie whispered to Maha. Maha swallowed, shuffling her face behind her hair in attempts to not be recognized. This was unlike Maha; she was a kind, talkative, brilliant person.

"As long as you stay with me," Maha returned the squeeze of her hand, "I will be."

Maria listened to their quiet exchange, and she leaned forward, taking Sophie's hand.

"Candessa," Maria whispered. Sophie turned to Maria, the golden claws gently sitting on Sophie's fingertips grazing Maria's palm.

"O aderfós mou tha ítan tóso perífanos gia séna agápi mou, kai eímai perífanos pou o kathénas tha boroúse na katalávei."

My brother would be so proud of you, my darling, and I am prouder then anyone could fathom, She whispered. She took Alexios's hand and ran her thumbs over the backs of their hands.

"Tha ítan perífanos kai gia tous dýo." He would be so proud of both of you, she shuddered. Maria swallowed, trying to not lose her composure.

"Afoú échasa tous pappoúdes sas, ton theío Claudio, kai ... theoús, tósa pollá perissótera apó tin oikogéneiá mas prin apó chrónia. Kai tóte ótan échasa ton Allesandro? Ímoun tóso tromagménos. Étsi anisycheíte gia to méllon sas, gia to ti tha échoun oi moíres sta schédiá tous gia emás. Ostóso, edó eímaste, zoúme, akmázoume. Óla sas efcharistó. Kai eímai perífanos gia to poú pigaínei to ónoma tis oikogéneias Morretti,"

After I lost your grandparents, Uncle Claudio, and... gods, so many more of our family years ago. And then when I lost Allesandro? I was so scared. So worried about your futures, about what the fates would have in their plans for us. Yet here we are, living, thriving. All thanks to you two. And I am proud of where the Morretti family name is going, Maria let go of their hands to hug Lilac tighter, smiling at all of them, "Epeidí oi treis sas tha anoíxete to drómo gia éna néo méllon gia ólous mas" Because the three of you are going to pave the way for a new future for all of us, Maria whispered.

The three Morretti children, the new generation paving the way for the future of not only their family name but the future. Sophie swallowed down her tears, and she nodded as Maria took a deep breath. Maha smiled at the family, enjoying the gentle words shared between them.

"Just because I love you doesn't mean I won't be harsh on you guys." Maria clarified, pinching Alexios and Sophie's cheek.

"Why aren't you this hard on her?" Alexios asked, pointing at Lilac and pulling away her fingers from his pink cheek.

"Because I do the dishes when it's my turn," Lilac answered, crossing her arms. Alexios stuck his tongue out at her, Lilac returning to the gesture.

"Not to mention, she models for me when I'm tailoring, and she does it without needing to be strapped down." Maria snapped, her eyes pointed at Sophie.

"But it takes so lonngggggg, and it's boringggggg," Sophie whined. Maria rolled her eyes, muttering something about maturity to Lilac.

Sophie's nose crinkled as she smiled, and she tried her hardest to relax in the carriage. She focused on the sound of the clopping horseshoes pulling their carriage, her hand next to Maha's gloves one, the jingling of her necklace in her low plunge neckline, on the warm Egypitnat night kissing her skin, the way her bare hips tingled against the velvet seats of the carriage, the smell of citrus and myrrh wafting through the streets, the light-catching in the silken fabric of her dress.

It did little to calm her nerves.

The courtyard in front of the Palace was massive, huge palm trees are expertly grown on the sides and center as carriages slowly pulled through. The stone in which their horses trotted over was polished so sheenly that Lilac leaned over the edge of their open-roofed carriage, smiling at her shiny reflection in it. The sound of the nightly cicadas could barely be heard by the muttering and music coming from inside the Palace, and the desperate fans outside the gates.

Don't be intimidated, you got this, you're a bad bitch-

"Please tell me I'm not the only one scared shitless right now." Sophie squeaked. Alexios muttered an agreement, trying his hardest to readjust his sash with his shaking hands. Maha just looked at the Palace with a blank face, her sapphire eyes scanning it over. Maria even looked slightly frightened by the massive Palace they neared. Even then, Maria shook her self out and turned to everyone.

"Now, you know the rules. My brother may have taught you how to explore and fight, but I taught you a whole different sense of fighting. The courtial and the noble battlefield is not one you can wield your abilities or weapons in. The battlefield is one of the stuck up noblemen and leeches prying to anyone with the most status. You hold up your stories and do not break under any circumstances."

Maria smiled at Maha and Lilac, "I'm not worried about either of you; don't worry, darlings."

Maria whirled back to her niece and son, "You two, however, are a different case entirely. If I hear that either of you slit a neck tonight, you both are getting smacked with the *sandáli. Am I understood?" Maria snapped.

Sophie and Alexios stared at her wide-eyed, instantly nodding their heads.

"Good," Maria sighed. She ran her hands down her dress as the carriage came to a stop outside the Palace. They all poured out of the carriage, Egypitnat attendants helping them out. Around them, Egypitnat citizens begged for their attention, a pack of girls nearly fainting as Alexios winked at them.

Sophie ignored the whistles and roar of the citizens and focused as she started up the staircase. People gushed about her dress, about her beauty, about her strength-

"I hate this," Maha muttered to Sophie as they all trekked up the stairs.

"No kidding," Sophie replied. She felt like a dancing monkey on display, people to ogle and talk about. This is unprofessional, this was a conference of the world's future, not the damn Met Gala-

Sophie finally breached the top of the stairs and took her first steps into the center court.

The gentle classical music from the symphony Arsinoe commissioned for the party did little to calm Mansi's nerves. Mansi was clinging onto Alvar's hand, running her thumb over his engagement ring as she swished her apple juice in her glass with the other hand. They were handing out champagne, but seeing as Mansi was... carrying, she decided to stay away from alcohol. She managed to talk to one of the busboys to bring her apple juice in a champagne glass instead.

Mansi glanced at Arsinoe, who was atop her throne at the front of the court, assessing everyone before she went into the fray. It was the only covered part of the courtyard, servants waving massive fans to keep her cool.

Arsinoe's royal Palace was absolutely breathtaking. Open roofed courtyard surrounded by high polished walls draped by traditional banners and art. The Conference took place during sunset, so the sun was just right and worked well with Mansi's hair and dress. Maria made it for her, and Mansi fell immediately in love with it. It started as bright turquoise. The silks pulling this way and that, slowly transitioning into a burning red, just like the very fire Mansi wielded. The dress turned into a loose crocheted net in the middle of her abdomen before transitioning to her ombre skirt. It looked like a burning fire raging over her curve muscled body, making her feel almost immortal.

If you looked closely enough, you could see the start of a baby bump in her stomach, but you had to stare at it. Mansi prayed no one would take notice, especially Alvar. Her hair was in a loose half updo, making sure not to include any braids. Braids in Wampanoag culture meant that a woman was single, and though when Mansi was Inalia, she didn't care much, she made sure she wore her hair properly around her native people. But now that Mansi was engaged, she could wear her hair down to show her status.

The Vatarians that littered the Palace were of the highest stature. Inalian Nobles, Avriman aristocrats, Carianan ambassadors, and more. Mansi felt so suffocated, the leeches of rich and entitled drowning her. Alvar didn't move from her side, gladly talking to her about little things to calm her down.

But then the Chieftan of Wampanoag approached.

Alvar tensed, his hand clenching even tighter around his fiance, but Mansi smiled at him. Nobles tried to approach him, trying to kiss up to him, but his guards kept them at bay.

"*Wuneekeesuq, Mansi." The Chieftan said gently. He was a massive man with large burly muscles with broad shoulders and a sharp, authoritative nose with a square-shaped face. He wore his hair long with beads dangling from the parts behind his ears. He wore a massive feathered headdress, which Mansi knew he only wore on special occasions. He wore loose leather pants with a deerskin knee-length skirt over it, a beaded belt holding it at his mid stomach. His reddish-brown skin was the slightest bit darker than Mansi's, and his hair looked as if it were night itself, not Mansi's dark brown that lit up like embers in the sun.

Mansi gave a slight bow of her head.

Though she lives in Inalia, Mansi frequently visits her old tribe, and Chief Massasoit was the one who legalized her paperwork to live in Inalia with her adoptive parents. He was the one Alvar went to when asking for Mansi's hand.

"Chief Massasoit, a pleasure." Mansi smiled. Chief Massasoit glanced at Alvar, who was as stiff as a statue. He then glanced at the glittering ring on Mansi's finger.

"It seems the proposal went well then." He chuckled, his deep voice soft. Mansi nodded, and Alvar relaxed slightly.

"We plan to get married as soon as the opportunity arises." Alvar breathes. Chief Massasoit smiled, noticing his guards around him grumbling about being here.

"I'm sorry about them, none of us are quite used to leaving the Sacred Lands."

Sacred Lands, another name for Wampanoag territory.

"I am happy you are here, Chief. When were you elected Master Chieftan?" Mansi asked, taking a sip of her juice.

"Around three months ago, the various tribes decided I would be best to handle the new problems of the world." Chief Massasoit sighed, rolling his massive staff on the polished floor, "It is an honor, but I'll admit, I never imagined it would have come to this."

Mansi smiled in agreement, about to open her mouth to add something more, but small gasps and muttering gossip made the three of them all turn to the front.

Where the Elven Council was walking down the staircase.

They all looked like everyone else tried to be, traditional stone faces, but Councilor Alina couldn't hide her smirk. Mansi felt her gut light aflame at the sight of them. The audacity made her blood spark with embers, the zero respect alighting her anger, the need to act like they are the heroes-

Chief Massasoit gently placed a hand on Mansi's shoulder, making her meet his face. He seemed to be thinking the same things she was, but his eyes held control and peace in them.

"Impulsivity and a quick temper can be the downfall of all heroes, Miss Shenandoah." The Chief muttered. Even the Mansi's fire roared in her eyes, begging her to throw them out on their asses and burn that stupid smirk of Alina's face. She took a deep breath, and instead leaned slightly closer to Alvar, his hand comforting her.

At the head of one of the big conversing groups was Queen Arsinoe the II, who spotted the Council and started towards them. The other Vatarian leaders started towards them as well, following her lead.

"I should probably go and join them." Chief Massasoit sighed.

He smiled at the two of them, "I expect an invitation to the wedding ceremony."

He then started towards the Council, who were making their greeting and introductory pitches to the silently grumpy Vatarians.

"Where is Amalia, already?! I want to watch her put them in their place!" Mansi groaned, leaning her head against the palm tree behind her. Alvar squeezed her hand.

"It seems, right on time." He muttered.

In time indeed, as the Morretti family descended up the stairs into the Palace, quietly muttering to each other.

Maria really outdid herself.

Alexios wore a traditional Inalian vest and tunic, the vest a dark blue and embroidered with silver, bringing out his eyes. He wore a dark red sash with the Morretti family crest sewn on. He wore sleek black pants and dress shoes, his hair combed out of his face. He wore the occasional golden ring on his fingers, and by his stride, he fitted into his role. The scandalous brother of the Cyevan Assassins is the one who does the real dirty work, the one who gets the secrets and details out of their enemies and even their allies. His sister's closest ally.

Maha wore a dress of dazzling silver and rose. The halter line tight around her bodice and then flowing into a beautiful ombre skirt. The skirt was infused with glittering jewels and bedazzlement, which shone against her smooth dark complexion. Her long braids were tied up at the crown of her head, the golden trinkets instead replaced with silver. She wore a pair of pinkish lilac gloves that matches with the dress.

Maria knew what she was doing, though, as she wore an emerald green ball gown, Inalian designs etched along with the massive skirt and poofed sleeves. The short sleeves revealed her muscled arms from working in her workshop. The golden skin tones were identical to Amalia and Alexios. They both wore a nude lip color but with dramatic eyeshadow, Maria's eye color even including a tad of green on the lid.

Lilac wore a knee-length minty green gown, tulle and fluffy underskirts, making it twirl around her as she happily skipped after her family. She wore a pair of slightly darker mint kitten heels, and her hair was pulled up with large silver flower clips at the crown of her head, matching silver lace gloves covering her palms.

But Amalia, the world just gravitated towards her.

The daughter of Allesandro Morretti, Queen of the Assassins. The power and strength filled the entire courtyard. And by the look she was giving everyone, Mansi thanked the gods she was on her side of all of this.

Her dress was designed to show off her curves, her muscled body, her tall stature. It was made of long strips of golden silk, a long plunge neckline that stopped right above her naval. The silk skirt had two long slits on the sides of her legs that just grazed her hip bones, showing every move of her hips. On the back of her dress were long strips of chiffon, that were expertly pulled to cover the low scooped out back. The chiffon followed her like a cape follows a queen, the Egypitnat sun rippling in the fabric.

She wore gleaming black stilettos that clinked against the floor as if they were made of glass, an ankle bracelet made of golden chain, and matching black gems on her left ankle. She wore long golden like claws on top of her fingers, chains securing them cross her palms, traditional during the Old Republic's rule over Inalia. The Kings and Queens would wear metal claws on their fingertips to assert their power.

It seems Maria had the same idea for Amalia.

Her hair was pulled sleekly behind her ears, where more black and gold jewelry decorated her earlobes and helix of her ears. She wore matte red lipstick as if blood stained her lips. Her face didn't need to be contoured, her cheekbones and sharp jaw were enough to send any weak men running. Her eyes were shadowed with golds and browns, bringing out the highlights in her rare eyes.

She didn't smile, she didn't wave, she didn't even address anyone as her family walked in. She stuck close to Maha, as she promised in the shed earlier. However, they stayed a safe distance away, enough to seem like Maha was merely Amalia's handmaiden or assistant.

The party was quiet as they entered, whispers graving their tongues as they set eyes on the infamous family. Mansi spotted as the Avriman King set his sights on Maha, and the color bleach out of his skin. Maha didn't make any moves away from him, she just kept her eyes forward as Sophie introduced herself to the leaders.

Everyone was mostly shocked, except for Arsinoe, whose eyes shone with pride at her fellow woman.

"Look around," Alvar chuckled, pointing to some of the men. They were talking in their condescending tones, their eyes fixed solely on Amalia.

"Oh gods above, I want to be there if they try to romance Amalia, it will be hilarious," Mansi whispered as the normal talk began again through the party.

The leaders muttered something in agreement and all dispersed. The Avriman King tried to walk towards Maha, but Amalia tightly gripped her forearm and lead her towards Mansi and Alvar. Nour was nowhere to be seen, and Alexios also departed in order to scope everyone out.

Amalia sighed as they finally stopped in front of Mansi and Alvar.

"That was quite the entrance." Mansi laughed.

"I literally just walked in," Amalia answered, gulping down her anxiety of everyone looking at her. She rubbed her forearms, clearly missing her gauntlets.

"No weapons, we should always have weapons, this feels dumb-" Maha patted Amalia's shoulder.

"Calm yourself, we all remain level headed, and then we can all return to the Hidden One's base tonight and create our own celebration." Maha chuckled, even though she glanced over her shoulder to make sure any Avrimans remained away from her. Amalia still grumbled, muttering about how she should've tucked something on her.

"Oop, Amalia, thirsty boy coming at three o'clock," Mansi muttered. Sophie turned as one of the nobles tapped on her shoulder.

"Hello there Amalia, long time no see." He chuckled.

Amalia just blinked at him.

"Have we met?" She asked, the stern tone returning to her voice and shoulders. The man uncomfortably laughed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I am the Nobleman Eugene? We met at a theater performance of The First Spartan at the amphitheater on the western side of Renisanca?" He reminded. By the look in Amalia's eyes, she remembered him, but she merely rolled her eyes.

"I'm afraid I don't remember." She shrugged.

The man uncomfortably cleared his throat, trying to salvage his flirting attempt. Mansi watched on in an attempt not to laugh.

"Why, my lady, I thought you have a photographic memory!" He nervously replied.

"Yes, about things that are important," Amalia answered curtly.

The man shriveled, and just muttered a goodbye.

Once he was gone, Amalia loosed a breath. Just a role she had to play, Mansi reminded herself, not the real Amalia.

"Poor thing," Maha whispered.

"I have a persona to play here, and unfortunately, it isn't a very nice one." Sophie shrugged again, playing with one of her earings, "Besides, he talked during the entire play. I could barely hear a thing over him bragging about his boring adventures." Amalia replied.

"What time is the official conference starting?" Alvar asked, taking a sip of his drink. Amalia accepted the offered champagne glass and took a large sip of it.

"By the time of the ninth bell, we are still waiting for people to arrive, including the Dunmer delegation." She answered, already swigging the rest of the booze when no one was looking and plainly placing the empty glass on a passing tray and grabbing a new one.

"Gods above, Lia, don't get drunk already." Maha harshly whispered.

"It's going to be a long night! I need as much booze in me to deal with those elven asswipes." Amalia muttered, pointing her nose as the Elven Council.

"But too much, and it will become a recreation of the Eclipse festival from last year," Mansi argued, laughing at the memory.

"Okay, but that night was super fun, so my point stands." Amalia chuckled.

"Ruy and Alexios got so wasted they jumped off the cliffside into the coast, and you yelled at them to do a flip on their way down," Maha argued.

Amalia pointed her glass, as if that answered their worries, "See?! Fun!"

Maha sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, but Mansi and Amalia high fived in agreement.

Another suitor started towards Amalia, and she spotted him. The death in her eyes made him stop and turn around on his heel, pretending like he never saw her.

"Ugh," Amalia muttered, "I hate politics."

"It seems like Maria and Lilac are in their prime," Mansi argued. Amalia turned around to see her energetic little sister babbling to the other children at the Conference, and Maria laughing with another group.

"Yeah, well, I feel they are just as nervous as I am," Amalia muttered into her glass as they all looked over the stuffy nobles.

"Let the courtial battle begin." She whispered to her friends.

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