Alayna does not take her leave so quickly, after all

As you had hoped, the Sultan's story pulls attention away from Queen Alayna's slip of the tongue, and by the time the platters of the honey-sweetened cakes make their appearance, she seems to have relaxed and perhaps even forgotten it herself. Indeed, she even partakes of another goblet of wine.

"Sire," Lord Duncan says as he finishes the last of his tea, "I fear that the excitement of the day and the richness of the feast have taken their toll on this frail and ancient body. By your leave, I should like to retire, that I might reserve sufficient energy to participate in tomorrow's parade."

"By all means, Lord Duncan," you reply, knowing that he has no intention of going to his bed; Duncan will no doubt be consulting with his various informants to learn all he can about Queen Alayna's recent campaigns, and then haunting the castle library late into the night researching whatever he can find about the house of Beaumanoir and its downfall.

"Lord Duncan, would you mind asking Sir Calloway to report to me as you depart?" Alayna asks.

"Certainly, Your Majesty. Sire, noble guests... I bid you all a pleasant evening."

Not two minutes after Duncan leaves the table, Sir Calloway comes to attention behind Alayna's shoulder. "My Queen," he says softly.

"Ah, Sir Calloway. We will be spending this night here in the castle, by King Xavier's gracious invitation. Send a rider to the camp to inform them."

Calloway's eyes flicker toward you for a bare instant, but he simply bows and says, "As you wish, my Queen," and then departs.

A young serving girl approaches in Sir Calloway's wake, and curtsies to you. "Sire, you wished to know when the sweet cakes had reached the last table... they have been served."

"Thank you, Maria," you reply. "Everyone, please remain seated if you would, this will not take long." You rise from the table holding your goblet, and make your way around to the center of the room. The conversation goes quiet as you hold up a hand.

"My people!" you call out. "Honored guests, Lords and Ladies, citizens of Elyssia and visitors from distant lands! I hope I speak for all present when I say, that was delicious!"

A brief cheer rises up from the crowd, and you raise your goblet toward the kitchens so as to acknowledge the efforts of the cooks.

"I do hope that we are not all so stuffed that no one among us has the strength to dance, however!" you continue, and the hall laughs in response. "Minstrels, if you would, provide us with a lively tune... let the celebration continue long into the night!"

Goblets are raised and drained throughout the hall, and as the musicians begin a song of revelry, many of your guests rise up from the tables and make their way closer so that they may enjoy the music. You return to the head table and find Queen Alayna standing there, waiting for you.

"My Queen, I recall that you had thought to leave immediately following the feast, but could I persuade you to stay a bit longer - especially now that you need not return to your encampment?"

"It seems only right that I should enjoy your hospitality, King Xavier," she says.

"That being so... might I be so bold as to ask if you care to dance?"

Alayna's eyes go wide for just a moment. "I fear I have not danced since I was a child," she says.

"I have found that those who practice the sword are also the most accomplished dancers. The skills are not so different, after all. But I will take no offense if you wish to decline, Alayna."

Alayna ponders for a moment, and then smiles. "Perhaps... it is time I allowed myself to remember," she says, almost to herself. She nods then, places her hand in yours, and together you walk to the center of the hall.

She hesitates only a heartbeat as you turn her to face you, and places her hand upon your forearm as your hand goes to her slim waist. You can feel her sword belt there... which is certainly a first for you, as you have never had a dance partner with such an accessory! Alayna's first few steps come haltingly, but it takes only a few seconds before she finds the rhythm, and before long it is as if she has been dancing every night of her life.

"I would not have thought it would come back to me so readily," she says, smiling again. "You are quite right, Xavier; dancing is simply swordplay with music, but without the weapons and blood."

"Yes, well, the maids complained of having to scrub the floors so often, so I proclaimed that excessive bleeding would be forbidden in the Great Hall," you reply. "I find it hard to believe that I am the only man who has asked you to dance since your childhood, Alayna. Surely, you have not spent all your days on the battle-field since then... there must have been occasions such as this when you have attended events hosted by lords and kings."

"Most men, it would seem, are intimidated by a woman who wears steel rather than satin," she replies. "And, it has been my practice to arrive late and leave early from such affairs. I find the company of royalty to be insufferable, for the most part."

"Present company excepted?"

She almost laughs at that. "You, King Xavier, are a rascal. Do you know that?"

"I have been told as much before."

She looks you in the eyes, deeply, as if searching for something there. "You... you are not intimidated by me, are you? There is no fear at all behind your eyes; and yet, it is not because you assume that as a woman I am inherently weak. You see strength in me, but it does not threaten you. You recognize me as a warrior, but also as a woman. There are men who have seen me as a challenge, and in their conceit imagine that they are the ones to quicken my heart of stone... but no, that is not you either. I confess, I have never met someone quite like you, Xavier."

"I can safely say the same, Alayna. I have known strong women, brave women, women who have dedicated themselves to a cause which they believe is righteous. You have told me that I am not what you expected... I have found you equally surprising. I expected the Warrior Queen to be both fierce and grim, emotionless but for a seething rage held in check by sheer **** of will. Instead, I have found you to be a woman of quiet strength, but also a ready smile and cheerful humor, beautiful in spirit as well as face and figure. You are... extraordinary."

For just a moment, her smile fades, her eyelids slide slightly closed, and you feel a sudden quickening of the pulse and a rush of blood to your cheeks as you anticipate that she might actually be about to kiss you. Indeed, she leans slightly forward as if that is her intention... and then, she pulls away.

"You go too far, King Xavier," she says, in a softly dangerous whisper. "Do not assume that Queen Alayna is so easily charmed!"

"I do not apologize, Your Majesty, for speaking only the truth as I see it. But if you would not hear it, then I will keep such thoughts and feelings to myself."

The minstrels conclude their song at that moment, and you pull away from Alayna, bowing to kiss her hand. She looks at you with unreadable eyes, then tips her head forward slightly in acknowledgement, and to the applause of the guests you both depart from the dance floor. Others move in to take your place there, and soon the remaining order of the hall has dissolved into a more free-flowing party atmosphere.

"Perhaps it is best that I take my leave now, King Xavier," Alayna says. "As Sir Calloway has not returned, I would ask that your Captain provide an escort to my rooms."