Zandria Reclaim: Thoran to Dinner

The dining hall was well-lit with candelabrum and decorative garlands of mistletoe. Servants were ordered this evening to service the wine and dishes. The only person missing was Ikrah who simply disappeared. Thoran was the guest invited to sit by Legran's side which was opposite to Little Phoenix who eyed him with almost the fear of seeing a rival's replacement. The King and Queen were sitting at the one end of the table together. Their son was to their right with Solaren beside him. Wine glasses clinked as they toasted to commence the meal. Thoran cleared his throat. "Speak up, Thoran," Stone Bird said. "There is no formality here, not this small gathering." "Small?" He nodded. "It most certainly is small, all right." "Why do you say that?" Little Phoenix asked, setting down his glass. "I had thought Lady Ikrah would be here, but surely she is running late for some reason. Are we actually going to eat without her?" The elders could see plainly Ikrah has a new champion. Solaren laughed coldly, taking a sip of wine, designing to be a shrew altogether. "She's probably angry that we talked about her being afraid of the dark. It'll pass." The parents threw shocked glances at the couple, then landed their eyes on their son. They were speechless. "Fear of the dark is not a common thing, your Highness." "Well, I think it's silly." Thoran eyed the couple thoroughly. "Let me guess. You asked and he answered." They reacted uncomfortably. He looked to the King on his right. "Your Royal Majesty, please grant me the ordacity to speak bluntly. Unlike Aquine with all his finesse, I don't sit very well around people who think being afraid of the dark is a silly notion." Legran gestured with an open palm for him to have free reign. "You two are the worst brother and sister I have met----" "Sister?! We're married, you dote! How dare you!" "Oh pardon me," he mocked heavily. "But from how I see you nested in your seat, you are trying to steal her man while she's been away on a diplomatic mission to fortify Tare. And you," he faced Little Phoenix. "How can you go on telling her deepest and darkest secrets to another woman and think it's all right? We Gorrans don't even walk in the harem with that kind of attitude." "Why did you do that?" Stone Bird asked her son. "We didn't even know she was in the bath chamber eavesdropping," Solaren replied. Their guest crowed a laugh in mockery. "Oh, do tell me she came out all wet and naked." "Thoran!" Legran snapped as warning. The man spread his palms in the air. "She was cleaning up for a romantic hello-stranger-your-darling-is-home, and he slaps her in the face with another woman in the bed." "Thoran, enough!" Stone Bird rebuked, but it was too late. "No! With all due respect, your majesties! Before I came here, with how she was praising her Lord as this godly man safe-guarding her heart, I knew I didn't stand a chance. But now, I dare say that I do. She's not your true wife as recognized properly. Princess and Prince. I see why the titles fit. Only Lady of Tare. Lady. I will make her more than that, I can assure you." Little Phoenix stood angrily. "Touch a hair on her body, and I will kill you." "And what if she stands in your way?" Thoran challenged, eyes glimmering with the voracity for battle. The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes, steaming where he stood. "I doubt she developed that kind of rapport with you." "You assume too soon, Crown Prince of Zandria. It's that waiting throne that holds her back. I intend to free her from your chains." "And what have you got to offer her?" Thoran relaxed pleasantly. "My skills come from my hands. I will serve her daily, which is more than you can provide. I handle my every sword... delicately. I labor in hours with pleasure. Never heard a complaint ever." Stone Bird laughed hilariously. The young couple could only stare at her sudden outburst in puzzlement. She couldn't stop laughing, sending Legran a telepathic message as he was itching her mind with the question. He broke out and laughed, too. "I gave up my House for her. What will you give up to keep her loyal?" Fire blasted from the candles into Thoran. He turned with his arm up to hold the force that threw him out of his chair. Rolling into a pose on the floor, right leg astride as his body sat balanced on his left ham and a hand to the surface, he squared the Crown Prince in the eyes as he rose to his height. No one was laughing now. Though with the short sleeve maroon tunic that had yellow embellishment on the edges and hemline over his black shirt and pants with matching boots, he was impressive looking. "You're not playing fair, Crown Prince." "Hmph, I don't have to. I intend to kill you." "Little Phoenix----!" Stone Bird called out. "No-no, your Royal Majesty. I intend to show him what I do with fire." He got up evenly. "This, I have got to see," Legran said taking a sip of wine, then speared a piece of ham to his mouth. It was the only entertainment of the evening to what could have been a boring dinner. Another fire blast came his way. He spun away from it. And another, another until it was a series of which he danced around on the floor. Eventually, he changed direction spanning his arms far and wide catching the fire blasts and guiding them into the fireplace. When he stood with his hands in place, they saw he had a strange weapon made of strands like a net hammock. With a gratuitous smile, he gestured his hand flourishly and bowed. "Are you boys done playing?" Stone Bird asked. "Dinner is getting cold." Thoran returned to the table. "It helps to digest with a little exercise." "Mind your manners. We elders never gave you permission to court our daughter of Tarenne." "I can still be friendly," he remarked picking up his wine. "I don't break women and forget after unpackaging a gift. In fact, I don't even mind leftovers." "You must had plenty of leftovers," Little Phoenix retorted. "Leftovers are delicious when you're hungry. And I am famished."