As was often the case, the hike downhill was easier than the one up it. And when they returned to the Grand Temple, a feast had been laid out.

"Good afternoon, Your Highness! I am Petty King Vasmaonar, and we have put together this feast to celebrate your engagement!"

They were a traditional demon with black skin and red spotted markings, wavy yellow hair dropped close to their head. Their red eyes were as bright as the grin they offered the King.

"I heard you have already had one such feast," Jurao said, shaking Vasmaonar's hand all the same.

Grand Priest Mapek snorted at the statement, but in amusement – giving the petty king a wry look. He was also a traditional demon – one with yellow skin and black wavy markings, though he kept his dark blue hair long.

They waved a hand dismissively, saying, "Yes, but you were not there to enjoy the celebration with us! So of course, when you arrive to search for Mahen's Tears, another celebration simply must be had!"

Jurao considered, then nodded and said, "I had planned to stay up to a week to find Tears, so one night should still be fine."

"Excellent!" Vasmaonar declared and led the King to the head of the main table. It was a very joyful night, with many performances by drum dancers, as well as ribbon dancers known to Scagesmaes. Rather than typical chairs, they were seated on cushioned, legless chairs before much shorter tables, and Jurao wondered if the same could be implemented at the castle for the comfort he found in the arrangement.

Wine flowed freely, and the King also enjoyed that few wished to dance with him – most appearing more interested in performing in some manner. Grand Priest Mapek and Petty King Vasmaonar spent most of the night together – as the pair had a long-established romantic relationship. While Jurao often found feasts and celebrations overwhelming, he did enjoy one supporting his relationship. Even if it was mainly done for the enjoyment of the feast itself.

With the revelry, it was not until the next afternoon that they prepared to fly back to Caslavven.

"Mahen's Tears from Mahen cerself," Exmarre said, "I hope your uncle is as excited to work with them as I am, Your Highness!"

"I hope so as well," Jurao agreed.

"And here comes our last rider," Exmarre said, nodding behind the King as he strapped Oresti down.

"Good afternoon, Your Highness," Petty Princess Mous greeted, offering him a bow. She was a traditional demon, like both her parents, and her skin appeared almost solid black – as her spotted markings were also black. Her blue hair was a stark contrast, and her red eyes also stood out.

"Good afternoon," Jurao replied, "Are you sure you wish to come to Caslavven on such short notice."

Mous laughed and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness, but I see no reason to wait if it means missing out on a wyvern ride!"

Exmarre chuckled and said, "Most are unable to escape the appeal."

"As they should be," Oresti said, smiling.

To balance the weight, most of the bags had been packed into the carriage Souar would be carrying with Gakke and Mame riding within. Mous was seated between Jurao and Oresti – Jurao assumed due to her height falling between theirs. With the hot air around Gevonar, Blue did not need to plummet as far to get the wind under her wings, and the flight back was much smoother with Souar unable to duck and weave as before.

Hujur and Minaz were ready to meet them in the cavalry courtyard. After Jurao had dismounted and approached, the King's steward commented, "You're back sooner than expected, my lord."

Minaz looked between Mous and Souar – setting down the carriage before shrinking to his smaller form – wryly.

"Cegae and Mahen were on Gevonar on the day we arrived," Jurao replied, "We could have returned the same day, but Petty King Vasmaonar wished to host a feast to celebrate my engagement. Petty Princess Mous had returned with us as Scagesmaes's representative – and Petty Prince Gakke and Petty Princess Mame of Naovojo also joined us."

"Mahen gave the King one Tear personally," Exmarre added with a grin.

"Really?" Minaz asked.

"Yes, it was very kind of cer," Jurao agreed, looking past his Right Hand as he spotted his betrothed approaching.

"How was your trip, my heart?" Braelin asked, smiling as Jurao kissed the crown of his head in greeting.

"It was good," Jurao replied, pulling out one of the stones he'd gathered.

"Oh," Braelin said, running a hand over the surface, "I see why you wanted these stones specifically – they are beautiful."

"I assume this is your betrothed, Your Highness?" Mous asked – though she did not wait to bow and introduce herself, "Petty Princess Mous Scafoumae, of Scagesmaes."

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"Welcome to Ae°Calikaslavven, Your Highness," Braelin replied, "I am Jurao's betrothed – Braelin Struud."

Jurao tilted his head.

"I've been practicing my formal greetings," Braelin replied with a chuckle.

"Good afternoon," Mame said, approaching them with a bow of her own, "I am Petty Princess Mame Orugasierges, and this is my brother, Petty Prince Gakke Orugasierges. We will be representing Naovojo."

As was his way, Gakke stepped closer to take one of Braelin's hands.

"Petty Prince Gakke's gift of prophecy can be triggered by physical contact," Jurao explained, "They like to check if those they meet are likely to befall a tragedy as soon as possible to try and prevent them."

"Ah," Braelin said, having flinched at the surprise contact.

Gakke hummed in consideration, eyes a bit distant as he said, "When you see the blackthorn in the sea, you should give the fox a chance to save the branches from being cut."

Braelin blinked a few times – then gave the prince's hand a squeeze and said, "Thank you – I'll keep that in mind."

Gakke nodded, releasing Braelin's hand – only to step over and take Minaz's.

Jurao frowned – the blackthorn sounded like a reference to Jost, but the King could think of no more context.

"Any ideas?" Minaz asked.

"The spymaster of Jost was often referred to as a fox," Braelin replied, eyes thoughtful. Then he shrugged and said, "So – something to do with him and Jost, I suppose."

"That's prophecy for you," Minaz agreed.

"Congratulations," Gakke said with a smile – nodding to Hujur without taking his hand.

"Guess he saw you in whatever good thing is happening to me," Minaz snorted.

Hujur smiled wryly as he replied, "I suppose that is not exactly surprising. Ah, thank you, Your Highness."

"Four is a lot," Gakke replied, appearing thoughtful. Though they spotted something that caught their interest in the direction of the castle, and walked off without another word.

"Do excuse us, please," Mame said, offering another bow before jogging after her brother.

Souar waved as he trotted after Gakke, and Jurao returned the gesture. While he supposed the dragon should have asked for his leave, he did not think many would take much note of dragonic rudeness after the ball.

"Did Souar join you?" Braelin asked.

"He happened to be leaving for Scagesmaes at the same time," Jurao said, "And it seems Gakke had a vision of kissing him."

Mous snorted and said, "During the feast, the dragon said he was looking forward to when the kiss happened. I'm not sure he realizes he can just kiss Gakke if he wants to."

"From what my brother courting the dragons has told me," Braelin said in amusement, "One of Souar's other partners will likely point that out to him."

"I am the King's Stewart, Hujur," the man said with a slight bow, "I am afraid due to the short notice we have not appointed a room for you, Your Highness, but-"

"Do you still have burns on your tail?" Mous asked.

Minaz arched a brow and looked back at her partner's tail.

"That was my older brother," Hujur replied dryly.

"No, it wasn't," Mous said, pulling a wide, closed shawl out of one of her bags and draping it over her shoulders, "I mean, his tail caught on fire too – but that's just because Wao's lizard tail was shedding and the dry shed caught."

Hujur mentally counted to ten, as was his way, before he said, "The fur was just singed off. The skin was fine."

Mous nodded and said, "Maemas is still a bully, so he's not sorry or anything, but that's why I walloped him so Dad would make me heir. Not that he actually pays attention to anything important, so long as he has the funds to throw a party every other day."

Hujur's shoulders dropped a little at that – and Jurao realized his steward may have been expecting Mous to make fun of him for the childhood incident. He had witnessed such a thing enough times, though Mous's casual tone had not made him consider that line of thought until Hujur relaxed.

"If your father doesn't mind who the best candidate for succession is," Braelin asked – pausing to watch in amusement as Minaz lifted up Hujur's tail as if to check for burn scars under the fur, "Was a duel necessary?"

"It was necessary so Maemas knew I was going to win if he pushed it," Mous said with a grin.

"Seems like a good way to do it to me," Minaz said.

Hujur sighed, though also appeared amused as Minaz pushed her fingers through his tail fur. After a moment, he said, "The Scafoumae and Orugasierges families visit Mesgaesculs for Rainbow Day – as we visit Scagesmaes for the Fire Dance Festival and Naovojo for the White Feast. During one visit to Scagesmaes, Petty Prince Maemas led my brother and I onto the slopes of Gevonar, where he knew the most active 'poppers' were."

"Small pockets of fire tend to just burst out of them," Mous agreed, "Not usually deadly, but if you're not expecting them, they'll… well. Light your tail on fire."

"So the Southeastern cities are close?" Braelin asked.

"Our cities have a similar bent towards religious piety towards our patrons," Hujur said, "and it seems past kings decided it was better to respect each other rather than vie for power over each other."

Minaz was still holding his tail, but she appeared to be idly petting the appendage, rather than still seeking scars.

"I mean," Mous shrugged, "Vislaelos is Cegae's son, and the Scafomae family are his descendants. Of course, we should honor our brother. And everybody dies. Married?"

"Partners," Minaz replied, "With two more."

Mous nodded and said, "Gakke looks a lot happier, doesn't he?"

It appeared Gakke was taking the hand of each soldier training in the yard. Mame had initially explained, and now one person had struck up a conversation with her as the petty prince made his way from person to person. Souar reappeared – carrying an embarrassed-looking Meir'ril, with a soldier Jurao was unfamiliar with following after them in amusement. The dragon set the elf-human man down next to Gakke – who naturally took Meir's hand next.

Hujur snorted – but his smile softened as he said, "I think most people would be happier when they aren't being basically imprisoned by their own parents."

"True," Mous agreed.

As they all watched, Gakke – seemingly unprompted – leaned down and kissed Meir'ril.

"You want to," Minaz looked at Braelin and jerked her head over, "go ask about that?"

"Gakke did have a vision of kissing Souar," Jurao repeated. Not all who participated in multiple courtships were mutual partners between all participants – two of Jouvi's three partners were friends, rather than romantic as they were with Jouvi, and Goyl and Jaevve had not developed a relationship other than friendship. But many still experimented when a new partner was introduced to an established group.

Meir'ril's face was red as Gakke pulled back – and Mame stepped in to apologize and gently tell her brother he needed to ask to kiss strangers, even if they saw a vision of doing so. Gakke also apologized, and Meir accepted with a surprised chuckle.

Braelin hummed and said, "I'll ask later, unless he calls me over."

As if Meir's hearing had become as good as a demon's, he looked at their group and shot his older brother a smile.

"Please excuse me," Braelin said with a chuckle – pausing to hold out a hand to his betrothed.

Jurao's tail swayed as he took his partner's hand. He nodded to the others, following his partner across the yard and curious as to what they would find.

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