sic semper tyrannis

ad hoc

On the day of the banquet, there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The caravan was bustling as usual and, if not for the feast preparation and decorations that lined the place, it may as well have been any other day.

Any other day except for the king stood at the entrance of the caravan with a frown on his lips and his arms crossed in disapproval. His brows were furrowed and his fingers dug harshly into the fabric of his clothes, hugging himself close. With a soft sigh, he let his expression soften and glanced over to Alhaitham standing beside him.

"I don't know if I'm ready," he murmured, offering a small nervous smile and extending his hand as an offering. "What if I mess something up?"

Alhaitham took hold of his hand, lightly squeezing it. "You won't, I'm sure. And even if you do, just pretend it was planned. They'll never know you faltered if you don't show it."

"I..." Kaveh let out another sigh followed by a soft laugh. "Of course. Thank you. I'll do my very best, okay? We'll do this."

Alhaitham nodded to him, letting go of his hand. "Good luck."

Kaveh laughed some more at that, more genuine this time. He began to walk into the caravan, waving a hand behind himself as he went. "I don't need luck! I think I know how to do this now!"

He made his way up the steps at the entrance of Caravan Ribat, not stopping until he got to the highest building which was surrounded by a wall twice the height of a person. The enclave was a good meeting place, one the Eremites often used to conduct business, and even from several steps behind him, Alhaitham could tell it was swarming with people.

It grew quieter when Kaveh approached. Heads spun toward him and then bowed upon seeing the crown sparkling in the early morning air. Kaveh beamed through it all, taking a step back to glance at Alhaitham as he climbed the remaining steps and took his place at his side once more. "I get to sit at the head of the table now," he said in a hushed tone, though it didn't mask the excitement within it. "Isn't that awesome? You can even sit beside me if you want. I know sometimes you just like to linger behind me, but it'd be okay if you wanted to eat with everyone else."

"I don't," Alhaitham answered simply. It simply wasn't a good idea given the events to come—if he could get anyone else, preferably someone such as Candace, to sit by him in his stead and hold his words accountable, that would be best. It'd be good in the eyes of the public as well.

Forgiveness, mercy, and then everlasting peace. It all needed to be exemplified here.

Kaveh huffed, rolling his eyes as if he didn't get it. "Fine, fine. To save face, right? Don't worry about all that. It'll go great regardless."

"I'll be close by anyway," Alhaitham replied.

"Of course," Kaveh murmured. He sighed heavily then slowly made his way to the head of the table. He sat down without making eye contact with anyone, leaning back in the chair and folding his hands in his lap. It was early anyway and the few people about were mostly servants in charge of the preparations. No need to act formal and polite yet.

With Kaveh seated, Alhaitham took a glance down the steps leading toward the marketplace. Any desert folk who walked about were just conducting business. He supposed Candace would arrive later.

Satisfied with the view of his surroundings, Alhaitham made his way further inside the enclave. Where Eremites had mostly minded their business in years prior, the Sumeru City army now roamed the place. In the corner, crates of food and decoration had been opened and inspected before being laid out on the table and one of the Sages (not the Grand Sage this time, though he had apologized for his inability to attend) walked around approving or disapproving of every little thing.