105: The Banquet (Patreon)

“Spears Edge, party of… four?” the well-dressed greeter said, eyeing Haymi, Vason, and Vir.

“Our leader’ll join us later,” Vason replied. “Just us three for now.”

Vir stood star struck at the ballroom they’d just entered. Enormous crystal chandeliers hung from the four-story ceiling, illuminated with a myriad of Magic Lanterns.

Red and blue velvet curtains covered the stained glass windows that stretched up—each window was at least two stories in height.

At their base stood the longest tables Vir had ever seen, covered in white cloth and laden with enough food to feed all of Brij. The dazzling display of opulence was staggering.

Several dozen small circular tables were placed nearby, with white cloths and between four to six padded chairs surrounding them. Each of these also had refreshments and wine bottles placed upon them, and off in a corner sat a full orchestra, playing soft, melodic tones.

How much did all of this cost?

Adding to the grandeur, dozens of pairs danced in the middle of the hall, each looking like princes and princesses. Were these warriors, or high ranking Sawai nobility?

And yet, none of the women were as stunning as their own Haymi. Her long dark hair flowed over her one piece emerald dress, which dragged slightly upon the hardwood. With her makeup, the already-pretty woman had transformed into a vixen. Only princess Mina might have outstripped her beauty.

Vason himself cut a dashing figure with his formal white-and-gold attire. Similar to Vir’s getup, Vason wore a single, center buttoned coat that stretched to his knees, draped over pants of the same color. Like Vir’s, his shoes also curled up at their toes. In fact, most of the men at the banquet wore a similar style, just in different hues and with varying amounts of decoration.

The Spear’s Edge group meandered to the circular table that had their names on it and took their seats.

About half the people in attendance sat at their tables, while the rest either danced or conversed with one another. By their prana signatures, Vir determined that only about a third in attendance were mercenaries. The rest looked like guests they’d brought along.

“Relax,” Haymi said, seeing Vir fidgeting.

“Sorry, just not used to wearing clothes like these,” he replied. Despite being mostly silk, he found them strangely itchy. They were the finest clothes he’d ever worn, and yet he couldn’t wait to be out of them.

“Well, let’s go get some food,” Vason said, clapping his shoulder. “Bet that’ll take your mind off the clothes!”

Haymi rolled her eyes, but accompanied them regardless. Vir felt as though her every movement was practiced to be as dainty and elegant as possible. Though refined in their daily life, she’d clearly stepped it up a notch for this occasion, and she looked every bit a Sawai. Vir had to wonder whether someone could so easily step into such a role without enormous practice.

His thoughts were interrupted by the dizzying array of food laid out in front of them. From the rice dishes that came in a variety of colors, stir-fries, condensed soy dishes, to the assortment of breads and the desserts! Vir had never even heard of most of the dishes before him, and so he made sure to sample each and every one.

“You do realize you can come back for seconds and thirds, you know?” Vason said, eyeing the heaping of food on Vir’s plate.

“Oh, right…” he replied, blushing slightly.

Vir savored each of the delectable tastes and textures, and before long, his plate had run empty. Just as he rose to get more, she arrived.

“Announcing the arrival of Tia, leader of the Spear’s Edge, party of four,” said the greeter.

Vir’s eyes turned to the entrance, and he wasn’t the only one. She had half the eyes in the entire ballroom looking at her as she walked to the Spear’s Edge table, her arm hooked around an impressively built man wearing the Ranian navy-and-aquamarine colors.

If Haymi had refined her appearance and mannerisms for this party, it was as if Tia had undergone a complete transformation.

Gone were all traces of her boyish mannerisms. The freckled blonde wore a magnificent white backless gown and walked with the dainty steps of a Sawai lady.

With the crystal tiara that rested atop her head and her enormous hooped earrings, she looked downright divine to Vir’s eyes.

“Don’t fall for her all at once,” Vason said, jabbing Vir’s rib. “Trust me, you wouldn’t be the first.”

“She just… she looks so different,” Vir choked out. It wasn’t just the clothing or her steps. She commanded a kind of authority he hadn’t seen from anyone else in the ballroom. It was as if she’d just stepped into her natural habitat, like she was born for this.

“Yeah, well, that’s Tia for you. She’s cut from a different cloth.”

“Is she Sawai?”

Vason smirked. “Well, it’s… complicated. Earn her trust, and she might even tell you one day.”

His message was clear; he wasn’t about to betray Tia’s secrets.

Their glorious leader finally arrived. She threw them a small wave, and the man escorting her bowed and took his leave.

“Sorry for the delay, everyone! I trust you weren’t waiting too long?”

Like Haymi, even Tia’s speech and mannerisms had changed to suit the occasion, and Vir could swear he detected a slight accent in her voice that wasn’t there before.

“Not at all. Param and Vason were just gorging themselves on the food like pigs.”

Tia smiled gracefully. “Half the people are here for the food. Tis hard to blame them.” She looked around, eyeing several men who’d approached the table. “Now come. Let’s make the rounds.”

“What do they want?” Vir asked, having noticed the crowd forming nearby.

“What else? To ask me to dance. I’m… well, I’m not in the mood. Rejecting them all would be tiresome.”

“Happens every time,” Vason said. “They usually leave her alone when they see she’s with us, but tonight… Well, you’re looking especially smashing, Tia.”

“Thanks, Vason. You as well.”

The group meandered for a bit until they came across an elderly bearded man with wrinkled tan skin. Out of everyone here, he seemed the most out of place.

“Ser Ahi Ajune!” Tia said. “What a delightful surprise!”

The man in question glanced briefly over Tia, then did a double take, his eyes widening. “M-Miss? I—I was not expecting you here! To what do I owe this honor?”

“You overreact. I’m just a mercenary. The honor is mine. And please, call me Tia.”

“Tia, then. I take it these are your bodyguards?”

Tia laughed demurely. “In a manner of speaking. This is my party, the Spear’s Edge.”

“Ah, yes! I’ve certainly heard of your group. Then… no, it couldn’t be. Don’t tell me you mean to take part in tomorrow’s raid!?”

Tia nodded. “Of course! It’s why we’re here.”

“With respect, your—”

“Tia,” she said, cutting him off. “Please, no formalities. I’m sure you understand.”

“Tia, my lady, please rethink this. What would your brother say if he knew the danger you’d be in?”

“What my brother doesn’t know can’t hurt him, can it? Ser Ajune, I assure you, my bodyguards are quite capable. As am I. No harm will befall any of us.”

Ajune stared Tia in the eye for a moment, before bowing gracefully. “Of course. May Vera be with you tomorrow.”

With that, he took his leave, walking away to mingle with others.

“So, who was that?” Vir asked as the party returned to their table, taking their seats.

“Mm? Oh, he’s the leader of the Merchant’s Guild,” Tia replied casually.

The leader!? Of one of the most powerful organizations in the Known World!?

“And that man over there is the owner of the mining company who’s issuing the contract,” Tia said, gesturing to a man with a handlebar mustache who stood high atop the raised balcony that dominated the rear of the hall.

Vir shivered upon realizing just how many bigshots were in attendance.

This is gonna take some getting used to, he thought.

The man cleared his throat and spoke, holding up a glass of white wine.

“Thank you all for attending this banquet,” he said. His magic-amplified voice filled every corner of the hall, and conversations immediately quietened. Dancers stopped and desperately sought glasses with which to toast.

“Tomorrow will be a great day. Not only for my company, but for everyone gathered in this room. Tomorrow will be a day of plunder, of riches, and personal gain. For too long, these beasts have harassed and murdered my employees. Avians, much like many of you, whose only crime was seeing an honest living. But no longer! Tomorrow, these beasts shall die! To a fruitful hunt!”

The room raised their glasses and echoed, “To a fruitful hunt!”

“No mention of the people about to die tomorrow,” Vason said quietly.

“That’s why they’re hosting this banquet,” Haymi replied, swirling the wine in her glass. “At least those who sacrifice their lives will be well fed.”

“It’s more of a publicity stunt, but Haymi’s more or less right,” Tia replied. “By hosting this banquet, even if several mercenaries perish tomorrow, they’ll be seen as having given back to the community. It’ll soften the blow for the mining company.”

“Alright, well, I’m gonna get some more food,” said Vason, heading off to the platters of food.

“Oh no,” Haymi said, just as he left.

One mercenary who’d been eyeing Tia earlier finally mustered the courage to approach their table. The man was built like an Ash’va, and only the barest veneer of courtesy veiled his true nature—that of a brute.

“Hey there, pretty thang,” the man said in a drawl. “How’s about I honor you with a dance?” He extended his arm out, expecting Tia to accept.

She ignored him, making him turn red. “Now look here. Just cuz ya’ve got a pretty face dudn’t give ya the right to act like a chal. Now c’mon and dance with me.”

“I refuse,” Tia said calmly as she leveled her gaze with the man, forcing him to take an involuntary step back.

“Y-you can’t refuse me! Do you have any idea who I am?”

The man reached out to grab Tia’s shoulder, but before anyone could react, Vir appeared in between them, grabbing the man’s wrist, holding it in place with Empower.

“Didn’t you hear her? She doesn’t want to dance. Back off.”

“Oh? You think you can take me, little man? Let’s see about that!” The burly man raised his voice. “I challenge you to a duel! If I win, the pretty lady dances a round with me.”

“And if I win, you’ll not bother us again. Deal?”

“Fine. We do this right here, right now. We fight to first blood.”

Out of nowhere, stewards appeared with steel rapiers.

“A duel has been announced!” the owner of the mining company said, his amplified voice betraying his excitement. “I’m only surprised it took so long! After all, you are all warriors, are you not? Come! Let us enjoy this spectacle!”

Well, that guy clearly has his hinges loose, Vir thought.

“Look at you, defending my honor,” Tia said with a wink. “I don’t doubt you’ll win, but please don’t injure yourself for my sake.”

Vir smirked. “Don’t worry, I got this.” He’d already analyzed the man’s prana signature. He was a mejai with lesser affinities for Wind and Fire.

“Just so happens I’m pretty good at taking out mejai.”

The man began precharging his orbs on the sly, but Vir hardly cared. This would be over before it even began.

People cleared the dance floor to give the two combatants room. Vir hefted the rapier, but found it to be completely at odds with his preferred fighting style. Nevertheless, he’d make good use of the weapon.

“The fight shall be to first blood, or surrender,” the mining company owner announced. “Combatants, are you ready?”

They each nodded in turn.

“Then let the better man prevail! Fight!”

Vir’s opponent sheathed his blade and brought out his orbs, one in each hand, but Vir hardly noticed.

The moment the fight began, Vir switched his grip on the rapier, launching it with an Empowered thrust at his opponent, who stood gawking in shock.

Vir then followed the blade, Leaping right after it.

His opponent dodged the blade, but he couldn’t avoid the human projectile right behind it.

Vir kicked his enemy, sending him crashing to the ground. Giving the man no time to react, he took his back and snaked his arms around the man’s neck.

Then he squeezed. Tighter and tighter. The man writhed desperately to escape, but there was no escape from Vir’s chokehold.

His enemy’s spasms slowly petered out, then stopped altogether as he fell unconscious.

That was a bit anticlimactic… Thought he’d put up more of a fight.

Vir got to his feet and dusted off his coat, carefully inspecting for damage. If I messed anything up… he didn’t even want to know how much the rental place would charge him.

“And we have a winner! W-well fought?”

Vir looked around, but found no cheers, and only a few solitary claps. The crowd regarded him with looks of awkward amusement. As if they were embarrassed for his sake.

Vir shrugged and returned to Tia as the crowd dissipated.

“I’m, uh, thankful that you defended my honor, Param.”

Vason was less diplomatic. “You do realize that duels are supposed to be fought ‘honorably’?” he said, prompting Tia to look away awkwardly.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means you either fight with magic, Talents, or your rapier.”

“That’s what I did, didn’t I? I used Talents!”

“You, uh… grappled with the enemy, Param,” Haymi said. “That’s how barbarians fight. At least, according to the Sawai.”

“Oh,” came Vir’s reply.

Giggling, Tia took his hand. “I loved it! That wasn’t so much of a duel as a one-sided beat-down. My favorite kind.” For a moment, her boyish smile shone through, and Vir found himself returning it.

“Thank you for defending my honor, Param. Now, may I have the honor of a dance?” Tia said with upturned eyes, and just like that, Vir’s elation was forgotten.

“I, uh, don’t really know how to dance, Tia,” he said, hooking arms with her and walking to the stage. Guess I don’t have much of a choice.

“Just relax,” Tia said, holding his hands.

So soft, he thought, his mind going blank. Not only was Tia drop-dead gorgeous tonight, but all eyes were on the pair as the music started up.

“Follow my lead,” Tia said, guiding him through strange movements.

The motions came awkwardly, stilted, and he could swear he heard snickering from behind him.

“Just think of it like combat,” his partner whispered into his ear. “Flow from one move to the next.”

Vir refocused and pretended he wasn’t dancing, but rather practicing a Kalari form. Almost immediately, his movements changed. His steps grew slightly more polished.

“That’s it. That’s good. But don’t look at my feet,” Tia said.

“Easier said than done…”

“Param? Look into my eyes. Look up!”

Vir found the experience incredibly discomforting. Without his eyes on her feet, he was afraid he’d step on her toes. Not only would that hurt her, it’d be incredibly embarrassing.

“Trust my lead,” Tia said. “I’ve done this a lot. It’ll all be fine, so long as you trust me.”

Vir ceased resisting and allowed the beautiful blonde to guide his steps. It wasn’t hard—all he had to do was stare into her bright blue eyes, and everything else just seemed to melt away.

Before long, they were dancing as if it was their hundredth ball together.

But after gazing into her eyes, Vir found something he hadn’t seen before. Sadness.

“Tia?” he whispered. “Can I ask you something personal?”

“Sure, but I can’t promise I’ll answer.”

“Why do you hate demons so much?”

For the first time, Tia’s steps faltered, but Vir covered for her, taking the lead. She allowed it.

“When I was young, feral demons killed my parents,” she whispered. “They slaughtered them both.”

“I-I’m sorry, Tia. I didn’t mean—”

His partner shook her head. “It was a long time ago. But I’ve never forgotten. Demons may be considered Ash Beasts, but they’re far more cunning. They lack a conscience, Param. All they ever think about is destroying humanity. They must be purged.”

Vir fell silent for a moment. She probably harbored similar feelings to demons as he felt toward Hiranyan royalty. Then again…

“Demons are used as laborers, aren’t they? Even if these ‘feral’ ones exist, they’re not all bad, right?”

“Maybe so, but one cannot tell. Best to be rid of them all. What if you let them go, only to find out they killed a human? We can’t risk that. Don’t you agree?” she asked, staring into his eyes.

“I wouldn’t know,” Vir said, breaking the gaze.

They spent the rest of the dance in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

“Thank you,” she said at last.

“For what?”

“For defending my honor. For… being someone I can be open with. Haymi and Vason are great, but there are things even we don’t talk about. It’s nice. I don’t get that opportunity very often.”

And what would you say if I told you I was a demon, Tia?

Would she retaliate, abandoning him? Would she strike him down where he stood? Or would she be reasonable, recognizing that the person before her was no different from anyone else?

Vir wanted to know. He wanted to know more than anything. Because if she accepted him… he’d finally have a place to belong. Friends he could call true friends.

But tonight was not that night. It was far too risky to divulge his secret. Perhaps one day…

He could hardly believe how lonely he felt, being next to those who couldn’t accept him. Far more lonely than when he traveled alone.

“We should head back to the Brotherhood,” he said at last. “We’ve got a long day ahead of us.”