The next night Azara felt herself lacking. As much as the clothes which had been given to her at the governor’s expense were nice, she was missing the jewelry she loved - most of which had been left behind in Ursus. It made her feel dull and empty at the formal event. She felt naked without it. She had just the earrings and locket she had chosen to bring with her, as well as her trinket.

It made her feel nervous too. She had left the jewels in Elise’s care. Elise was going to Souster now, to deliver a message for Valerius forces there. Nobody was there to guard them. They could be stolen, or even just messed with. The thought that other nobles were wearing her jewels or that they were being sold to a fence in Ursus caused her to feel angry and nervous - poor, even.

It didn’t help that a great number of Notting's most wealthy had attended the welcome of prince Valerius. A couple of knights, a baron, several merchants with large companies in the city, and a few old war heroes. They brought with them their families, adding to the number of people in total. A few of the daughters had approached Azara, commenting on everything from her height to her fluent Ursulan, and asked a few questions about Aruslan's political situation. Azara entertained it for a while, but had enough when one of them called her out as a mage and asked for a magic demonstration.

After dinner, when more socialization began, Azara slipped out. She enjoyed socializing, but there was just so much she could take of this sort of company and celebration. If the people were actually important and the company interesting, she may have enjoyed the formal setting. Since they were not, however, it would have been preferable, she thought, if they had been allowed to...well, enjoy themselves. She had as much drink as she had dared among the polite society, and then taken her leave of the gathering.

She pondered the beverages of Issawast for a while. The governor had told her it was called "Life Water", and it was similar to what she had had in Midton. It struck her how much the people of a land could be shaped by its climate and history, right down to the beverages they consumed. Just as the plants in the garden around her, the plants used to make their drinks had to be hardy and tough. She wondered if people grew that way too. The thought train was interrupted as she turned a corner. Sitting on a garden bench was Valerius. He was alone, his face looking up at the sky.

The thought to not disturb him entered her mind, but she had never been the person to think much first and act later. Thus, the words went from her mouth faster than she thought to not say them.

"Isn't this whole thing in your honor?"

"Yeah...I suppose so." The reply came in a slow and apathetic manner. "The governor seems quite interested in the trade agreements he wants to make when all this is said and done...it is as if he doesn't realize that this may drag out. There is no guarantee now that we will take Ursus in a single battle as I'd hoped."

"Those old veterans realized that. I could see it in their eyes." Azara commented, thinking back to dinner.

The prince sighed. "And what would you say you saw? Fear, loss, and maybe disappointment? That the new generation is just repeating the mistakes of the old, running to the slaughter?"

"You're scared, aren't you Valerius? Yes, they were worried, but beneath that, I could see a fire in their eyes. Even if they wouldn't get to fight, they loved it. Their souls longed for the battlefield." she said. A warrior's soul was easy to see compared to most peoples. The fire that was hidden behind their stares was terrible. The truth was that most men loved war, for with all its horrors and terrors there were many things worth loving. The triumphs, the glories, the wealth, the brotherhood, and the thrill. The memories made in war were ironically worth more than the memories made in the peace that war hoped to obtain.

"How?" he asked. Then he smiled, a rare expression for the prince. "How do you do that?

Azara felt her heart skip a beat, but she didn't' panic. She almost wanted to answer this question, at least partially.

"What do you mean, how?" Azara asked, innocently.

"You’re always talking like that, as if you know people when you’ve just met them. Like with Gunvar, or with us. Or back in Midton. Can you read minds?”

Azara smirked. "Sort of."

His face darkened. "Wait...I was being sarcastic. Are you really?"

"Well, I'm naturally good with reading people, and there is a bit of magic. It has got to do with...what I am, I guess you could say," she explained. At this moment two thoughts warred inside of her tipsy mind. She could say too much and see how he reacted, or remember how dear her secret was and keep it.

"A mage? I wouldn't think so, to be honest, I thought all of you just sat in towers and read books all day. That was until I met you of course."

"No, of course not. Being a mage doesn’t let me read minds. As for reading books, did you actually think that was all that mages did?" she teased. "I hate books."

“Well, we don’t have a lot of contact with mages here in the north, and we’re usually lead to believe you are an evil sort. Swindlers with no real power of their own. Consulting demons and fae creatures. That sort of thing.” he replied and shrugged.

She walked over and sat down beside him on the bench. “That sounds like a child talking about sex, thinking it is just for making children like the barnyard animals.”

He scoffed. “Pfft, well then, I’ve come to puberty and my eyes are opened. What you mages can do is amazing, but you say that it doesn’t let you read minds. So what does? How are you so good at that? Is it from being a merchant? Practice?"

She gave a coy smiled.

This wasn't wise, this whole situation isn't wise, or clever, or smart, or anything.

She couldn't help it.

She had to tease the idea that was forming in her head. She had entertained every since she had first met Valerius.

This is an opportunity.

"Wrong again," she said.

"So what is it? Give me a hint maybe."

"Look at me," she replied. He did so, and soon, within the dusk light, his sky blue eyes met her gold irises. "What do you see?"

"Well...your eyes...aren't like others, but that I already knew that. Are they magic?" he said, and his words and breath came nervously. She was getting to him.

She nodded. "A bit. I was born with them. They help me see what is behind the windows to everyone else's souls. Just a little, anyway."

He nodded and turned away from her to look up at the sky again. "Well then, I-"

"I didn't say to stop looking," she interjected.

"Yeah, but I don't know if I should," he said. "Who knows what you'll learn."

"Exactly why I'd like to try," she said, craning her neck to see his face better.

In a show of either willpower of shyness, he did not return this gaze and instead continued to look skyward.

"You know, I'm glad you took my...reasons for this revolution so well. I'm glad you chose to stay with us even though we hid our true intentions. You said you didn't have a choice, but, I know that isn't true. Kasper was right in his judgment."

She smiled. "Well, you seem to have convinced some allies of your ideals."

"Not really. My father's taxes did that. They just want his burden off their shoulders and that is all."

Azara rolled her eyes. On a normal night, it may have been impossible to see such an expression, however now that dusk had passed and night had begun, a full moon rested in the sky. Its light was bright enough to see by.

"Valerius the point is that you convinced them. That is all that matters."

He sighed again. "I suppose. But I didn't convince you. You're just a bit crazy, aren't you? That's what it is. Always jumping straight into things. Such as - 'No, we aren't just going to kill the governor’s men, let’s cut him down in the street too!'"

Azara gave him a light giggle in reply, and he looked skyward once more. Again he spoke, but the teasing and sarcasm were gone from his voice now, and it gave Azara pause. "You know I sometimes I do wonder if they are looking down on us in guidance and aid...my mother believed in them you know. Most Veyorn do I suppose. What about your mother, what does she think of the stars?"

Azara nodded, but she didn’t like the subject and began thinking of ways to get away from it and back to her objective. The sober and careful part of her was desperately trying to keep her from either, and telling her to leave the situation and go back inside.

"Yes, I think they are looking down on us, and so does she, in a sense anyway. I've met one."

Valerius cocked his head to one side. "Really?"

"Yes, my mother...shall we say, demanded to meet the Paladin's wife. She wanted to prove it herself, to see if she was genuine."

"And? What was it like?"

"Well, I only saw her for a moment, but...it was incredible. She was beautiful, and had this strange presence." Azara explained. "She isn't the only one though. Do you know the legend of Scimi, from Sukarram, and how the sun came to earth and walked with him? My mother once met her, on one of her adventures."

"That sounds amazing." He said, glancing back to her for a moment. “You and your family. Your adventures, your many occupations. It’s crazy. The farthest I've been is from here to Aethera.”

She giggled again. He was naive by comparison to her, wasn't he? He was handsome too. He was powerful and would have wealth.

Valerius then rubbed his hands together for a moment, the chill of the night beginning to set in. He balled his fist up and squeezed them a few times to try and get the blood flowing through his fingers, the little of his exposed forearms flexing as he did so.

"Are you cold? Do you want to head inside?" he asked, looking over at her.

She shrugged. "No...not at all. To tell you the truth I'm never cold, or what, do you want to go inside already?"

The idea in her head, that had just been a nagging thought before, was now definitive a plan and won out over the voice of reason in her mind. Valerius going inside would not fit into that new plan.

He shrugged. "Well, maybe. I just didn't want to keep you out here."

"No, don't worry," she said, scooting closer to him on the bench. She then picked up one of his hands, and brought it up to the top over her chest, near her neck, letting it rest there and then slide down a little way. She then leaned forward onto him and laid her cheek against his shoulder. "I'm very warm."

And it was true, the feeling of her skin was like the warmth of a hearth.

"Azara, are you sure you are alright? Do you have a fever?" Valerius asked as nervousness and confusion crossed his face.

She giggled and pressed herself even closer to him. "No, you dork."

"This is the alcohol then isn't it," he said, his tone wavering. She could get him, she knew that. He was like a nervous virgin. Maybe he was. Regardless, he would break.

"No." she replied firmly, nuzzling closer. "It is not the alcohol. It is not at all."

Firm in the partial lie, she then looked up and into his eyes, locking her gaze. His own eyes did not waver, and for a moment they simply stared forward into one another’s eyes. This time, however, there was more than a simple analysis. Azara was acting upon something else. He wanted her. Something was making him hesitate, but it was overshadowed by everything else. He was in awe of her and had been for some time.

The kiss that she gave surprised him, but after the initial surprise, he reciprocated. The second was slow, tender, and sweet. The next was more passionate. Then like a chain, yet another.

The thought in Azara's mind at this time wasn't so much affection though, or even lust, but desire. Here was the handsome prince of a country, an ambitious one at that, naive and new to a world she surely understood better. She could have him if she wanted. If she had him, she would have a country, and much more. There would be no end to the spoils of such a catch. No one, even her mother, would be able to deny the success in that venture.

So she kissed him again, and again. Passionate and without reserve. As she stopped a moment, she caught his eyes again. His inhibitions were completely gone. Her experience in this regard was paying off.

Moving quickly, she put one leg across his lap, straddling him in front. The dress she wore, did not make this easy, but she didn't care. Her height also didn't help, as she was taller than most, and only a couple inches shorter than he - but even that was not going to deter her. It would just make things a little less easy. Whatever the case, she was not going to let up. Like a predator having caught its prey by surprise, there was not going to be a chance for him to escape. So she kissed him again, and again. She reached up with one hand and pulled the hair stick from her hair, letting the golden flax tumble down her back and shoulders. Some strands even fell into her face, getting caught on her lips as she kissed Valerius.

His hands started to wander, and she not only let them do so, but she helped direct them. After a moment her own hands began to reach for indecent places.

"Val? Val? “Irinia’s voice cried out, close, "Va-"

Azara’s heart skipped a beat as she spun around just in time to see Irinia walk around a hedge in the garden. Azara felt blood rush to her face, and in an instant, her body felt like it was on fire out of embarrassment. Valerius then pushed her off of him, practically throwing her to the ground with his reaction. He stood up, disheveled, and shocked.

"Irinia this is- I," Valerius said, stunned, as the Veyorn woman stood before them in similar shock. Her eyes were wide. She looked over at Azara, who met her gaze for a moment. At that moment, an understanding passed between them, and Azara got a good look into a soul that was so shy it had concealed things even from her.

"I'm sorry Irinia I - " Azara began, realizing her mistake, but it was too late, and Irinia turned and walked away.

"Damn it!" Valerius said, as he began to walk after Irinia. However, he stopped. He turned around for a moment and looked at Azara, who still was sitting on the ground. "What was that? I - why?"

Azara shook her head, unsure of how to respond. "I- well I- you wouldn't...I have to go."

She quickly stood up, and pulled part of her dress that had fallen down her arm back over her shoulder. She then turned and walked away as fast as she could in her formal wear. What she had just done, and what she had just been about to do, started to register in her mind.

She had fallen for it. The boredom, the desire. It had let the temptation slip in. Worse, she had stepped where a claim had already been made, and that was unacceptable. She should have realized it too.

Sometime in their journey, she should have seen it. How Irinia and Valerius spoke to each other, she should have seen something there - at the very least on Irinia’s side.

She had seen it, she concluded. Not well, but she had. Perhaps the two had not yet confronted it themselves, but it had been there. She had ignored those signs though. The way Irinia spoke of Valerius, as her childhood 'friend". The way the two spoke to one another, and how Valerius tried to speak for her when she was too shy to do so.

But she had ignored these signs, because she had wanted something that was not hers, like a thief that coveting jewels and riches.