[center][h3]The Councilor[/h3][/center]

"Not too long for a friend," Haron responded, clasping Lord Torin on his upper arm. The man looked quite regal in the black and gold cloak that he himself had gifted. The sight pleased Haron. Lord Torin was increasingly becoming a trusted ally. "Come. We should be on our way and I wouldn't want you to miss seeing Illian in all her glory."

The two of them started walking down the corridor towards the north wing, followed by Haron's bodyguards. Haron noticed that Lord Torin was not accompanied by his manservant or his bodyguard, and felt quite pleased. The other councillors would see a lonely but regal Tairen lord at his side and wonder. The few Tairen nobles in Illian would hear of it too. Was Lord Haron propping up a new High Lord of Tear, they would ask. Or was he after something more? Could there be an Illianer-Tairen alliance? That would make Mayene and Altara tremble and might even give the Queen of Andor a bad day. Haron smiled.

At the end of the corridor, it opened to the Viewing Room. There, his honor guard stood waiting. And his wife, the Lady Elise, resplendent in her morning blue gown and a towering hair intertwined with tiny pearls. She wore a high neck and her face wore the usual cool haughtiness.

"Husband," she said in way of greeting. "Lord Torin." She inclined her head in formality.

"My Lady Wife," Haron said, offering his hand to her. "I am happy you will be accompanying us to the Square."

"It do be an honour," she replied without emotion, taking his hand lightly. The honour guard snapped to attention right on cue, spreading out behind them and Lord Torin. They all wore the sigil of House Gregoras - a seagull with a sword - on their cloaks. Quickly, the party made its way outside the mansion.

A crowd had already gathered outside the mansion. As they mounted their horses, the people started cheering. "Lord Haron and House Gregoras!" they shouted. "Illian and the Great Hunt!" they cried. Lord Haron raised his palm in humble acknowledgement, inclining his head to the crowd. His bannerman rode out in front, clearing a path through the crowd.

Illian was ablaze with colours and excitement. Altara had its festival of birds, but the Illianers really knew the art of revelry. Wine flowed freely and not just in the taverns. The commoners were decked in colours that would make a Tinker blush. Music from a hundred different zithers and lutes mingled to create a cacophony that was not quite music but pleasing just the same.

"Witness Illian with her hair down, cousin," he said to Lord Torin over the rising noise as they moved through the Scented Quarter. The smell of the perfumes was particularly strong as the shopkeepers were perhaps breaking them open for the festivities. The strong smell of roses and white flower sent a tingle up his nose.

Within moments, they were within sight of the Square of Tammaz. The hundred marble pillars bordering the plaza shone in the sun like silver. As they neared the square, the noise gave way to the sound of cheers and laughter. Bards and gleemen were enthralling the people with their lavish stories of heroism and magic. Sasara dancers from Saldaea were making hearts beat faster with their seductive moves. Nobles from different nations rubbed shoulders with adventuring commoners come from as far away as Shienar. Haron's guards flowed around him, creating a wide path to the raised platform where the other councilors were standing in wait, their smiles in place. "Lord Haron and the Council!" rose a cry from the crowd.

"The Square of Tammaz," he said in an awed tone to Lord Torin. "Built by King Wilem Tammaz den Bagin nearly a hundred years ago. Of course, it was the Council's idea to have the square extended in the first place. You see, cousin Torin, the best ideas in Illian have always come from the Council."