Of Plays & Ploys

4. Now: Familiar and Foreign

"Greetings your highness." Greeted the handsome stranger.
"Greetings to you...?" Ilsea said, flustered yet curious. "...Regrettably, I missed your introduction."
"Joden Wvoenan, your highness." He answered with a smile.

"Greetings to you too, Joden Voenam." "Wvoenam." Ilsea corrected. "I mean no offense, I'm unfamiliar with the pronunciation."
"None taken, your highness. The name is rooted in my nation's tongue, Aovenal." He stated.
"Aovenal." Ilsea repeated, lost in thought.

While the princess was deep in thought, Joden took his sweet time admiring her. Her skin was the sweetest spot between cream and peach, though her blush would tinge her cheeks and ears ever so frequently. He could finally admire honey-colored eyes now that she was too deep in thought. Meeting her eyes proved to be almost too much to him, making his heart beat so violently- it was painful.

Her hair was untamed; flowing down to her thighs. Before, it was either locked into a small ball or braided.

"Aovenal is one of the languages spoken in Ovoamd , if I'm correct." She stated finally. "So that's where you're from, your grace? Ovoamd?"
"Yes your highness. Though I'm surprised you're familiar with Aovenal - it's one of my nation's many ancient languages."
"History happens to be my favorite subject."

Before Joden could reply, a third joined in.

"History repeats itself, Ovoamdian." Chimed in Prince Cossoln.
"How rude, uncle." Ilsea stated.

Cossoln briefly glanced towards the princes, only to glare at her.
"I hadn't heard that the royal family of Paixcin was invited." Joden said.

The royals of both Alewndiia and Paixcin were related, as Alewndiia was formed by a prince of Paixcin, Leerack, after Princess Alewndi's War. The king of Paixcin at the time offered his son a third of the kingdom's land for him to build his kingdom.

Though the land offered was a barren wasteland, Alewndiia flourished rapidly in the following decades - the barren land turned out to be a nest of gems and minerals. Paixcin was by no means dwindling but its prized saltpetre could only take it so far in times of peace.

Within three centuries, tension grew between Alewndiians and Paixcians. The royals of Paixcians had a new solution: a marriage union. The idea sprouted when Cossoln and Ilsea were born in the same day.

They were born together because they belong together. Cossoln's father had written to King Krynn.
King Krynn wrote him a one word reply: No.

Until Ilsea's engagement, King Krynn would receive several letters urging for the marriage. Paixcians had also openly bragged about the seemingly fated marriage - that is until their prized bride found another groom. Now everyone knew of Prince Cossoln's rejected marriage proposal.

"Prince Cossoln is always welcome at my house." Chimed Gireoz. "He doesn't require an invitation."
"So he really wasn't invited." Stated Joden flatly.

Gireoz was caught off guard. "And who might you be? Sir..." Gireon asked.
"Joden Wvoenam." Joden answered.
"Wvoenam? That doesn't ring a bell. Are you a baron perhaps? A merchant? Anything of consequence?" Gireoz asked.

Joden studied Gireoz for a moment. He tilted his head sideways tauntingly and opened his mouth but before he could reply a voice came from behind.

"He's my guest, is that of enough consequence?" Chimed Leordak.

Joden opened his mouth, visibly annoyed. Before he could say anything, the flustered man exclaimed.

"Your highness!" Exclaimed Gireoz. "I wasn't aware. Forgive my tone. A guest of yours is a guest of mine." He quickly responded, offering Cossoln a helpless look.
"Friend," The prince said, turning to Joden. "Could you tolerate a moment of peace, at least?"
"Uncle, you said history could repeat itself." Ilsea said abruptly. "Did you mean any event in particular?"