"Thank you for coming with me, Ashima. I'm learning these outdoor walks really do help clear the mind and help one relax."

"Definitely." Ashima smiled. "Anything in particular you're needing to clear your mind from?"

Biechta didn't respond, seemingly lost in her thoughts on the matter.

"How are the piano lessons going?"

"Oh." Biechta glanced at Ashima. "I must admit I would prefer to be much further along."

"I'm sure these things take time."

"Lord Othen has said the same."

"And I'm confident he knows what he is talking about." Biechta nodded and shortly after Ashima suggested they sit on a fallen log overlooking a small field.

After a few minutes of taking in the scenery in silence, Ashima asked. "How is Othen as a teacher? Is that aspect going well?"

"Oh, he's a wonderful instructor. He's very patient and very kind. I'm sure I sound much worse than he says I do."

"That does sound like him." Ashima chuckled. "He's a wonderful male." Biechta simply nodded and turned to look at the field instead of her friend. "In fact, I'm honestly surprised he is yet to be paired. I'm sure he would be a wonderful partner for some lucky female." Ashima commented as she kept her gaze on Biechta as the Qarthan female looked down at her hands in her lap.

After a long moment of silence, she responded quietly. "Yes... I imagine he would be."

"You and Kahal are no longer an option, right? You both agreed to just be friends?"

Biechta turned and looked at Ashima in surprise. "Yes."

"So... you're free to consider other prospects, right?"

Biechta simply stared at her.

Ashima sighed. "Maybe I'm not meant to try to skirt around the subject, so I'll just say it. Do you like Othen? Meaning as in a potential partner?"

Biechta's mouth gaped open and her eyes rounded before she quickly schooled her features and looked out toward the field again. "Lord Othen has been kind enough to help me during my time here but he is not interested in more than friendship."

"How do you know?"

"I..." She thought of the times when she thought they were having a moment of connection, where she felt flutters within her abdomen that she'd never felt before. Then remembered how he had always pulled away as if he could sense her longing and it repulsed him. Of course she did, how could she ever be good enough for a male such as him? "I just know."

"Did he say that?" "Of course he didn't! We haven't discussed it."

"Why not? If you're interested, why not ask him?" "After he undoubtedly rejects me in the most patient and polite manner possible, I'm confident I would not be able to face him again out of sheer embarrassment. And of course he would no longer wish to be in a room with me again either. No, it is best I simply be thankful to have his friendship instead of nothing at all."

"You don't know he would reject you."

"Yes." She said firmly as she stood and faced Ashima. "Yes, I do."

Ashima stood as well. "Did something happen?"

"I wish to return." Biechta turned and began walking back to the Grand Hall.

"I'm sorry, Bi. I didn't mean to make you upset. I promise I was only wishing for your happiness. And for Othen's as well. I care for you both.." Ashima said as she rushed to catch up with the woman's much longer Qarthan legs. "I won't bring it up again. I'm sorry."

Biechta glanced at her as she continued walking but slightly slowed her pace. "I understand, Ashima."

"We're still friends, right?" Ashima asked.

Biechta stopped and turned to face Ashima. "Yes, I would still like to be friends. I apologize for getting so upset."

"Don't apologize, of course you have a right to be upset. I overstepped."

Biechta nodded at her friend. "Let's simply forget it."

"Of course."



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



"No word?"

Thuq shook his head at Kahal as he entered his office. "No, my lord."

"It's been too long."

"Perhaps it is something similar to the last time she was not able to communicate with us."

"Perhaps. Find Kietnan and send him to my office." Kahal said before he entered his study and closed the door behind him.

Half an hour later, Kietnan entered Kahal's office and the elder brother filled in the younger on the situation.

"The Lords and ladies have already started arriving. My mothers grand meal is tomorrow, and the opening of the big production is the next evening. Wwe have no idea what is being planned by this group, and yet you are just filling me in on all of this now?"

"You were on leave when all of this started, taking care of Ashima as she healed. Of course, I didn't bother you with any of it. Besides, even though you will be the one to take our uncle's position when he retires, it is my responsibility to bear the burden for the time being."

"That doesn't mean you couldn't have come to me for Support or counsel. Ashima has been better for weeks. And I may not be General yet, but I am second in command ."

"You can berate me later, let's focus on what's happening now."

"So what is the last correspondence you had with her?"

"Contact was made four days ago. She had nothing new to report then. No contact since."

"I had written her a letter, as Thuq, inviting her to be Thuq's date for all of the upcoming festivities. It will give her an excuse to return here and be around everything as it happened. And also, since we know they were reading our letters. It might force them to rely on her as part of their plan. Giving us insight."

"Four days is hardly a long time to go without contact from an undercover operative." Kietnan pointed out.

"I know that, I do. But we have run out of time. We have no real proof they're planning on anything over the next few days, but it would make no sense for them to miss this opportunity. There has never been an event during our lifetime when every single lord and lady will be all in one place at the same time."

"I'm sure mother wasn't thinking about security when she came up with the idea." Kietnan sighed.

Kahal scoffed. "Likely the furthest thing from her mind."

"We will just have to do our best, with the most heightened security possible. Try to think of everything we can to prevent any possible scenario. Tell me what you have in place so far."

Half an hour later, Thuq rushed in. "She sent a message!" He said as he laid the tablet down on Kahal's desk before leaving the room.

"Well?" Kietnan asked as his older brother simply stared at the tablet.

"All it says is 'I'd love to accompany you! I'll see you in two days.' That's it, there's nothing more."



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Lady Biechta, I'm glad I've found you."

"My lord?" Biechta asked in confusion as Kahal rushed into the room where she and Othen were in the middle of a practice session.

"Brother, would you mind if she took a short break? I just need to ask her about something. We will be brief."

"Of course." Othen nodded as he stood from the piano and walked to his office.

"How are the lessons going?"

"Quite fine, my lord."

"Good, that's good. Are you enjoying your extended stay? Making the most of it?"

"I think so, my lord."

"That's wonderful. I apologize, I don't have much time to chat and I know you are in the middle of a lesson so I will be brief. Would you honor me by allowing me to accompany you to the production tomorrow evening?"

When she showed a look of worry and confusion, he leaned forward and spoke more softly, offering her a reassuring smile. "Simply as friends, of course. To be honest, my mother is insisting that I ask a female to accompany me. I was thinking it might be nice, for both of us, to be accompanied by someone who won't expect any type of relationship in return. That way we can simply enjoy the event with no pressure."

She offered him a slight smile in return and nodded in understanding. "I would be delighted, my lord. Thank you for such an honor."

"Great!" Kahal clasped his hands together. "I am looking forward to the show and I'm sure you will enjoy it as well."

"Yes. I am rather excited."

"Wonderful. I will let you get back to your lesson then. I don't want to invite the wrath of my brother for distracting you for too long."

"Good day, my lord." She nodded and he left the room. As Biechta moved to return to her seat at the piano, she startled when a voice broke the silence.

"Perhaps we should call it a day." Othen stood on the other side of the room.

"Oh?"

"Yes, we've already stopped and I'm sure you will need time to prepare for tonight's feast."

"Ah. Tonight, yes."

He took long strides until he was just over an arms length away from her. "You seem nervous."

"There will be a lot of lords and ladies in attendance tonight. I'm sure you can imagine, I've been quite sheltered away from large groups of people."

He nodded in understanding. "It can be quite intimidating, even if you haven't been hidden away. But the entire purpose of the feast is to mingle and meet new people, just remember that everyone there is in the same situation you are in. Most haven't met each other."

"Yes, of course."

"Go rest before getting ready, and try not to worry. You'll do great."



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kahal woke the morning after the feast with his nerves making his muscles tense. He was relieved he wasn't forced to have a specific female as his date during the first event, since the whole purpose was for him to mingle. Not that he was particularly excited to mingle, but it allowed him to move about more freely and keep a better eye out for anything amiss. He was disappointed there was no valid excuse to have Thuq, and therefore Rahn, attend tonight's event.

What if the group made their move that evening?

Thankfully, nothing had happened. But the downside was that he was so worried about something happening that he barely paid attention to any of the potential partners in the room.

"Greetings Kahal." His family and the rest of the Premier greeted him as he walked into the dining room for Morning meal. It was weird having all four of the other lords of the premier, along with their spouses and children, with them. It wasn't very common that the entire premier we're all together at once. Typically, maybe once or twice a year. Now here they had all been gathered together twice within two months. Kahal was just thankful that all of the other additional lords and ladies within the ground hall would not be with them this morning.

"Tell us, my son." Thala began. "How did everything go yesterday evening? Any potential match?"

He wanted to groan and roll his eyes at his mother for bringing up such a subject infront of others, but before he even had a chance to speak, Lord Teth spoke up. "Forgive me, my Lord. I was under the impression that my niece had extended her stay here because things were going well between her and Lord Kahal as a potential pair?"

"Lady Biechta is a fine, young, female, of course." Queen Thala nodded.

"But she is not being considered for a partnership?"

"It is simply too early to make any kind of commitment. One needs to be sure of such a decision." Kahal spoke up for himself. He didn't want to be untruthful, but he also wanted to protect the young female from any wrath her uncle may bring on her while they were here. "In fact, I have asked her to accompany me to tomorrow evening's grand event."

"You have?" Both Lord Teth and Queen Thala asked at the same time. He simply nodded in return.

"And she accepted?" King Jopheth asked.

"Of course she did, my Lord. She has an excellent head on her shoulders, after all." Lord Teth answered for him, causing Kahal's irritation to rise further.

Kahal simply nodded his confirmation to his mother and father.

"Lord Racht, tell us. How is the luchmak harvest this season? I've heard those southern winds have been brutal this year." Kietnan asked, essentially ending the previous conversation.

Kahal knew his brother well. He had changed the subject on purpose. Kahal locked eyes with his youngest brother and gave him a slight nod of thanks.