Coming to a Resolution

[Seven]

Yui & Daryen

Daryen sparked the rowdy laughter that concluded the end of yet another tale of friendship and glory. Shoulders were slapped and elbows nudged. The moment offered opportunity for meat to be slipped from passing trays, and he licked his fingers with the most approving of sounds for the tasty morsel. Nearby, the High Lord’s fingers sped signals to his Voice, who added to the conversation on his behalf. Daryen found he easily conversed with the High Lord through meeting the man’s gaze no matter from whose mouth the response poured. The skill was bred was being raised in the Noblest of Domani houses. He was molded into a culture that ignored servants, and in his youth, to his shame, he walked the paths of the arrogant nobleman he was destined to become. It was why he negotiated so well with the Seanchan ruling class. There were times when he could make them forget his powers and see only one of their own.

Such when a woman deemed a servant found his ear, he easily transitioned back into the man of the every people. 
“Yui!” he declared and rose from his chair. A few eyes followed his movements, but those nearest were accustomed to his embrace of all. He found the woman as lovely as ever, and decided he had gone too many hours without beholding her brightness. “You must try this,” he plucked a piece of meat between two soursa and with all the mindfulness of dripping sauce and flawless complexion, the sliver passed her lips in one smooth motion.The king of Arad Doman sharing his plate was a servant was nothing his court would even remark upon, such was his welcome of all.

It was in that moment of intimacy between smiles of shared appreciation for the skill of the kitchens that he noted the blinks that there was news to share. He made his excuses a few moments later. Kings never needed to relieve themselves. He promised to return swiftly.

He had two guesses which Aes Sedai may show themselves this night. Kaydrienne herself was not among them given they had spoken not two days before to come to mutual understanding. Which meant that he was in for a bit of surprise. He told Yui he didn’t want to know, much to her disapproval that he shouldn’t walk into such situations without warning. “But where is the fun is in that?” he laughed, a sparkle gleaming his bright blue eyes.

At the door, he slipped his hands upon Yui’s shoulders and kissed her once on each cheek. “Please make sure the High Lord does not leave us before I return?” his smile put her at ease, and when she walked away, it was with a head shake that defied her willfulness.

Daryen was a grand dresser. The same opaque silk that often clothed his female Domani kin kissed a rich red cloth over his torso. Hovering like sunset above golden skin, the red was aligned closely to the same attire that Trista presented in, but none could quite decide if the color represented the passion of love or the blood of conquering.

No crown circled the halo of golden hair. He rarely wore such things, but gold birds of flight set in dark cloth swayed the line of his legs as he walked.

He was genuinely surprised by who awaited. The gasp of delight spread like the rising sun across his face, and in that moment, the king of Arad Doman bowed respectfully. “Nythadri Sedai! My Sister! I congratulate you on your raising! A most deserved elevation indeed,” he might have kissed her hand if he knew she would fall to his charms, but he suspected she was of a more touchless nature. Instead, he approached her warmly, coming to stand before her with princely humility and yet kept a respectful distance. A master of reading people.

Of course, he could not help but think of Jai in that moment. The bundle of anxiety in the back of his head was easy to compartmentalize as he was so practiced at walling away. He knew from his sister that Nythadri had been raised for some time, yet this was her first visit to Bandar Eban so much as the king’s eyes and ears knew. Like others, he assumed that there would be no such delay. Then of all days, this evening she visited when her Mother had declared strong boundaries to the contrary.

“How may Arad Doman serve this night?” he asked, a smile ever dancing on his lips.