Celebration!

It is unlikely that Elyssia has ever seen such wild revelry, and such is energy of the people that it would almost have made sense if this was Lord Velimir's plan all along - to get the entire population of Elyssia so riled up with joy and merriment that they end up sacking their own city in a drunken riot! Fortunately, though the pandemonium in the streets is unprecedented, the people seem to be behaving themselves for the most part; the City Watch certainly has its hands full, but the general atmosphere of good spirits prevents anything from getting more out of hand than an overturned horse trough, or a couple of brawlers who need to be separated. It has probably helped the situation that as a measure to conserve resources, the ale has been watered down to only half its usual potency.

Much to the dismay of Captain Navarre (though he strains mightily not to show it), Lady Katyana insists upon mingling with the people in the square as discussed during the council meeting, even though it seems almost no longer necessary for her to ingratiate herself to them. As are most who have practiced the art of fencing, she proves a superb dancer, and the men seem to be practically lined up to have just a moment to spin around the city square with the woman who shall be their new Queen. Lady Trina also stays nearby at the ready, in case any of the people misbehave. You have found that while Sir Magnus is definitely one to have on hand when a violent situation has already broken out, Trina has a way of defusing a bad situation before it becomes worse. Perhaps it is because most men would rather back down gracefully than get into a physical confrontation with a woman - and then lose, rather badly. Lady Katyana herself could doubtless give nearly any man in the crowd a good thrashing, but for the moment the people seem to have forgotten that she is the offspring of the Warlord, and you would very much rather that she not need to remind them.

Or, perhaps it is precisely because of this that the people seem so elated. Hatred of Lord Velimir runs deep among many of your people; more than a few of them traveled to Elyssia because the Warlord's campaigns saw their homes burned and their kin slaughtered, and to see his own daughter renounce him must have felt like a measure of justice. Insofar as your plan to draw him out, you really couldn't ask for more; Velimir would have to be made of stone not to become utterly enraged at the reports which will reach his ears this night!

Of course, there remains the matter of the second part of the plan: what to actually do when Velimir makes his appearance. Your advisors all agreed that none of his spies or other underlings would be likely to do anything without his direct orders, as they would all be far too afraid of taking action which would meet with their master's disapproval. That leaves tomorrow as the earliest time at which you might expect anything to happen. For a moment, you wonder if it is actually necessary to go through with the wedding, as Katyana's announcement to the crowd is likely sufficient to bring her father - but strangely, the idea of getting married to Katyana for its own sake has become rather more appealing. Watching her dance and laugh and have what must be the time of her life, she seems a completely different person from the cold, reserved tactician who first came to the castle gate.

After what seems like hours, Katyana finally puts up her hand to politely refuse a dance, clearly exhausted; you were compelled to sit down and rest some time before, due to the growing pain in your shoulder. Katyana comes over to you and sits down upon your lap, gratefully accepting a large flagon of water from a young servant.

"I don't think," she says to you once she's able to catch her breath, "that I've ever had such a wonderful time in all of my life! I doubt I could ever even have imagined it. Xavier, how did I live without such joy?"

"I hope you understand, this is not how we spend every night in Elyssia," you tell her.

"Ah, well, that will have to be my first proclamation as Queen, then - that every night must be spent in joyous celebration of simply being alive!" She laughs out loud, and hugs you tightly about the neck, which hurts your shoulder but for the moment you don't particularly care. This may be the first time she has celebrated anything except one of the Warlord's victories on the battlefield, and you cannot imagine that her father would have allowed her to truly take part in such revelries.

"I imagine you could use a moment's rest," you suggest. "One of the advantages of being King is that we can go anywhere in the city, however crowded it may be, and find that room is made for us. We could visit the tavern, the bathing pools, whatever you like."

"Let us make our way out of the square, and see what seems best once we've escaped this great crowd," Katyana says.

You allow her to rise from your lap and then stand up as well, but you are barely able to take two steps before a young maid approaches you. Her hair is long and dark, her look exotic, not quite like anyone you have seen before.

"I beg pardon, Your Majesty... my companions and I wonder if it is your wish to dance some more?"

"I fear that my dancing is through for the evening, my Lady," you tell her - certainly you would have the endurance for one dance, but not for the dozens more with other maids which would inevitably follow!

"I am but a simple maid, Your Majesty, and not a lady," she says shyly. "I am called Yuri."

"For tonight, by order of the King, you are a noblewoman," you tell her, kissing her upon the hand. "And so, Lady Yuri, may I introduce to you the Lady Katyana, she who shall become Queen of Elyssia."

"Your Majesty," Yuri says, curtsying before her.

Katyana looks momentarily taken aback, and then smiles. "You are the first ever to call me such, Lady Yuri," she says. "And so, I believe I shall remember always this moment when I met you. I do hope I will meet you again."

"My companions and I are only visitors here, but we do seek to remain in Elyssia, if that is possible," Yuri says.

"If any object, you may tell them to come and have words with me," you tell her. "As far as I am concerned, Lady Yuri and her companions may call Elyssia their home, from this day forward."

"Oh, thank you!" Yuri gushes, and then she suddenly steps forward kisses you on the mouth! She seems to realize what she has done even before you have a chance to object, and backs away with her eyes wide with horror. "Your Majesty... I didn't mean... I beg your forgiveness, Sire!"

You hold up a hand to halt Captain Navarre, who advances presumably to escort Yuri away. "I imagine that you may have had a bit of wine this evening, Yuri," you say in a reassuring voice. "But no harm is done, and as a rule I do not become upset when I am kissed by a beautiful woman. I must remind you, however, that I am now promised to another." You nod slightly toward Katyana.

"Of course... Your Majesty, I feel so dreadfully embarrassed!"

"Allow me," Katyana says, and to your astonishment she steps forward and kisses Yuri in the same manner as Yuri did to you! "There," Katyana says, "for the crime of kissing the King without his leave, you have now been duly punished. May this serve as an important lesson to you, Yuri."

Yuri seems unable to speak, and so at last she curtsies again, and you indicate with a nod that she may take her leave. She rushes back to her companions, who start bombarding her with questions as they are squeezed out of sight into the crowd.

"I wonder if you will continue to surprise me so as we get to know each other," you say to Katyana.

"One can only hope," she replies.

Even with the Kingsguard creating a path for you, it is slow going to the edge of the square, and so many of your subjects take the chance to bid you good fortune and to congratulate you both upon your engagement. Not everyone seems overjoyed, by any means - you see more than one frowning face further back in the crowd, and it is clear that Katyana will have further work to do in winning over the people. It will take time, of course... assuming that Elyssia has the time.

"I see that we have reached the Tavern of the Dancing Maiden," Katyana says when at last you break through to the Market Street, "and there I also see the entrance to the bathing pools. I would be pleased to spend the next hour with you in either place, dear Xavier."