With some persuading

"And that's what happened," Broden finished his explanation to Mis'Ra. Broden was in his room, working on scouting reports that had been waiting on his desk when he came back from meeting the queen. Also waiting on him was Mis'Ra. She had taken the liberty of stripping and using his tub to get clean. Even as he explained what had happened, she continued to lounge in his tub. When he finished his story she gave a chuckle.

"So you couldn't convince the queen and now you have a date with her daughter?"

"I-its not like that exactly!"

"How scandalous! Do it! Go have your little dance lesson."

"Do you realize how troublesome that could be for us? Not just the ones they know about but everyone?"

"Broden, we follow you because we see what you are. The old chiefs are paranoid little twits that huddle in their tents and scratch for scraps of power. You have the stones to really do something. But you wanted to be soft and we understood. I know how you feel for the queen and now it is time to be hard. If she ignores you then go for her daughter. Make her jealous, make her desire what she worries a younger rival will take."

Broden was silent for a few moments before finally sighing. "I can't believe I'm even entertaining the idea."

Mis'Ra laughed and climbed out of the tub. When his eyes lit with desire, she laughed. "Save your strength for the princess. Go be the Chieftain we vowed to follow."

Mitri was sitting on the bench her mother had previously occupied when he arrived at the clearing in the maze. The lights in the maze were mostly out at the time of night, but the clearing was lit fairly well. Finding his way back in the dark had been difficult but he had managed it in part because he could see the glow of her lanturns. When the princess saw him, she smiled and patted the bench next to her.

"We're waiting on one more so come sit."

"One more?"

"Lethila. I told her what we're doing and she is going to help. She agreed to play music for us so we can prepare you better for the dance."

Broden sighed and shook his head. He was still unsure if this was a good idea but took a seat next to Mitri. A cool wind blew and even though it was springtime, the nights could still be a little chilly. Broden put an arm around her and pulled her closer to give her some warmth. Broden didn't miss the little yelp she gave when he pulled her close or the blush that lit her face. She looked so much like her mother that he could have almost lost himself and kissed her.

"You look cozy together," came a voice out of the darkness as Lethila appeared in the clearing, a flute and a harp in her arms.

Mitri quickly pulled away from Broden with a squeal and looked away from her smiling sister. Lethila set the flute to the side and gave the harp an experimental strum to check its tune. After a few tweeks and experiments, she was ready.

"Well? Stop sitting there like mother caught you getting into the cookie jar and get in position."

Mitri blushed again and finally looked at Broden, who stood and offered her his hand.