Neria had training in court, he knew, but it was different to see her in action. Strange, too, to see her use it on his family. While Kell could be formal with them (and often was) they were still the people he'd grown up with, and watching her put on the mask of courtly manners was... jarring. Strange.
Even if it was necessary, for now.
For the King and Queen this was old hat, and their most comfortable way of relating to others.
"The Essen Tasch is roughly translated to the Element Games," Maxim explained, in his low and steady voice. Kell's shoulders relaxed; it was a story he knew well. "It is a tradition borne of the end of the last Imperial War. The neighbors of Arnes are the empires of Vesk and Faro. The Games are meant as a practice of peace and friendship between our countries, a way to foster alliances and healthy rivalries."
Meant to be, perhaps, but Maxim was not giving voice to the obvious; that peace was clearly tenuous.
"The royal families of Arnes, Vesk and Faro do not often meet," Emira added. "While we are in communication with them through our emissaries, and our ports of trade are open, the lands are still very insular."
"They also provide a way for us to test each others' strength without true aggression." Maxim was more grave, folding his hands. His fingers held very old scars, the sort one would get from wielding a blade.
Kell set down his teacup, filling in the rest. "In practice, it is like a holiday. It lasts for five days and nights. The days are for the tournament fights, the nights are for the balls, for the celebrations held all over the city.
"The Games themselves are magic duels. Rhy can explain how it all works-" Kell shook his head, gesturing with one hand, not quite meeting anyone's eyes. "He's the one in charge of hosting the Games this year."
Though Kell said it casually, it was a monumental bit of responsibility, and far from one to take lightly.
Maxim, thankfully, was not looking too critically at Kell for the moment. Instead he was looking Neria over.
"Kell mentioned your heritage, but you appear to be human."
no subject
Even if it was necessary, for now.
For the King and Queen this was old hat, and their most comfortable way of relating to others.
"The Essen Tasch is roughly translated to the Element Games," Maxim explained, in his low and steady voice. Kell's shoulders relaxed; it was a story he knew well. "It is a tradition borne of the end of the last Imperial War. The neighbors of Arnes are the empires of Vesk and Faro. The Games are meant as a practice of peace and friendship between our countries, a way to foster alliances and healthy rivalries."
Meant to be, perhaps, but Maxim was not giving voice to the obvious; that peace was clearly tenuous.
"The royal families of Arnes, Vesk and Faro do not often meet," Emira added. "While we are in communication with them through our emissaries, and our ports of trade are open, the lands are still very insular."
"They also provide a way for us to test each others' strength without true aggression." Maxim was more grave, folding his hands. His fingers held very old scars, the sort one would get from wielding a blade.
Kell set down his teacup, filling in the rest. "In practice, it is like a holiday. It lasts for five days and nights. The days are for the tournament fights, the nights are for the balls, for the celebrations held all over the city.
"The Games themselves are magic duels. Rhy can explain how it all works-" Kell shook his head, gesturing with one hand, not quite meeting anyone's eyes. "He's the one in charge of hosting the Games this year."
Though Kell said it casually, it was a monumental bit of responsibility, and far from one to take lightly.
Maxim, thankfully, was not looking too critically at Kell for the moment. Instead he was looking Neria over.
"Kell mentioned your heritage, but you appear to be human."