Divine Move

FIFTEEN

The arena is filled with laughs and cheers. The king and queen sit on their throne with the high priestess on the far end near them beside Saya.

"Do you believe in love, Tanya Niruha?" Saya asks looking at the couple. He knows something happened. There was a change in his father's demeanor. Is it love?

"Love?" Tanya repeats. "I don't know.." she answers honestly.

"You are the one who mentioned love in the ceremony," Saya pointed out.

"Love is defined as an extreme affection for someone. A feeling so strong it just .. make you do crazy things." Saya said harshly. He remembers Saenare. He was ready to leave this place. To run away with her. He loved her. Does he love her still?

Tanya looks at Saya lost in his own thoughts. She glance at the king and queen. Do they love each other?

How do they know its love?

Unconsciously, she looks far and saw the Daekan warrior with Mubaek among the soldiers. She feels her heart quicken. It always does with him. Does she care for the warrior? Feeling her stare, the warrior suddenly looks straight at Tanya. The priestess looks away, cheeks heating up.

No. I can't possibly be.

"Tanya?" Saya looks at the flushed priestess. "Are you alright?"

"It's very hot today isn't it?" Tanya said evasively, fanning herself when she notice Saya looking closely.

The guests start coming one by one to the king and queen. They brought gifts, chests of treasures and exotic animals Tanya doesn't know exist.

The guest in view is tall with regal bearing. He wears a high collar yellow fine cloth and black pants of silk quality. He too brings chests containing something shown to Tagon that Tanya can't see. He does seem pleased as he smile at the gift.

Tanya was curious of the next guest as he is wearing a cloth like a long robe tied by cloth straps swaying softly as he moves. He is old but with wise eyes. He too stand tall with an aura of strength that maybe comes from experience. He brings a long sword sheathed in fine leather and jewelry. He bows his head in respect to Tagon.

Another followed with the same attire but is a bit younger and walks with arrogance. He bows his head and says he bring slaves as gift to their marriage. Tagon laughs at the man and nods his appreciation.

A lot more came with their gifts and greetings. After a while, everyone dispersed to come back for the celebration at the fortress.

"Niruha, the ceremony was very sweet," one said. She smiled.

"It was perfect. Their vows of love," another said. The young women laughed in excitement and thrill about the ceremony. Tanya walks away and stands by the alcove deep in thought.

Yangcha searches for the priestess. He wasn't able to accompany her back to the fortress as Mubaek need more men in the field earlier. There were more people than they expected. They had to assign locations for each clan that came to setup for the night.

By the time they finished everyone was gathering in the fortress of the king and queen for the celebration. Along the way he was hearing comments about the priestess.

"The high priestess is very beautiful," one guest says.

"Indeed, I want to have a talk with her," the other guest voice out.

Gitoha laughs overhearing some of the comments . "Yangcha, you have to guard Niruha more. She has admirers now from across the land." The warrior gives a cold look at Gitoha. Mubaek laughs.