[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/6BdrmS9/banner.png[/img][/center] [hr] At the orcish prince's return of her challenge, Sulhana beamed. Hands clasped gleefully at her front as a slight giggle slipped from her lips. She turned to Annalise with a tilt of her head before glancing back at Gil with an expression of apparent interest: brows raised, green eyes twinkling with mischief. With an exaggerated wave of her arms, the third princess motioned to Gil as if trying to convince her sister. "Now, here, we have someone who knows how to have fun, Lisse," Sulhana chuckled as she stepped aside to let Gil pass by her to take a seat, but not before delivering a gentle slap to his left arm. It was then that she turned to Erick, her expression softening from childish to one of understanding as she offered him a sincere smile. She had heard whispers of this man. Honorable, duty-bound. Death's familiar friend. She wondered how such a young man no older than her could keep it all the shattering fractals of himself together despite the mountain of losses upon his shoulders. And, it was in those anxious eyes of his and the visible tension in his body that she knew that war had robbed Erick of his childhood as it did many others. For while she and her sisters danced in the warm hearths of their parapets of stone, this northern prince weathered the cold to keep Astalia and all of Sahas safe. Men like him would be broken in one or two places, and yet, it was in his imperfections that Sulhana felt a sense of gratitude towards him and the people he protected. Perhaps, she just had a softness for strong yet fractured things. Her hand went up to his shoulder, gentle and soft on the tense muscle there. "I know that friends and companions are often hard to come by when it comes to those who bear the weight of crowns upon their heads," She said before her gaze landed on the serpentine bracelet upon his right wrist. She also caught the unmistakable sight of Lore's jewel adorning the leather bangle on the left. "But, at least, you can consider me and my sisters as your friends. And, friends," Sulhana said, raising her right hand as she backed a pace away from Erick. She made a dramatic show of her right hand as she spun, covering it with a piece of cloth she held in her left hand. And, with a blow of air from her lips, the white cloth caught fire before quickly fizzling it out of existence. And, in the ashen wake of the burnt cloth, there was a small glass of wine which she offered to the crown-prince. "Are at ease when in one another's presence," Sulhana a proud grin before a chuckle overtook the corners of her mouth. "Oh, it is not magic, Erick. Only my sister Loreena is blessed with such a skill, I'm afraid. But, you would be surprised what some cunning swindlers know when it comes to beguiling the senses. A simple... trick, if you would. A sleight of the hand." The third princess stepped back then. "It is as Gil said," She smiled. "Be at ease. You're safe here," Then, with a chuckle, Sulhana began to walk to prince Gil's side. But, not before sparing a look at Annalise as that knowing expression filled her face for the briefest of eternities. It was the clear message that when it came to Annalise's situation, there were only two princes worth her prestige in the most practical sense: the crown-princes of the League and of Jorda. She had a feeling that Vyarin had already set his sights on Annalise with how Sulhana knew his people and the culture that raised him from birth, but between the two, Sulhana felt that Erick may be a better match. Of course, it would still be up to her sister's judgment, but... she did have a few qualms with the Prozdy prince. His lack of a working knowledge of the Astalian tongue was telling of his personality despite the effort that she and her sisters exerted to learning the Prozdy speech. Sulhana, especially, but while she could comprehend more common expressions and the more formal phrases, she dared not to speak it yet. But, it was better off for people to assume she couldn't understand. Men who could not make clear their intentions with words often found themselves using their fists. That much was clear. So, she had already started setting up the stage, but she had a feeling Annalise would be able to catch up quickly soon. Soon, Sulhana had paced in front of the seated prince. Hands on her waist as she feigned a challenging look at the large man whose eyes seemed to bore into hers. He looked easy on the eyes. Quite unlike the stories and whispers she had heard of those with orc blood running in their veins. Pleasantly surprising. "Is it too late to ask that you pull your punches when it comes to me, Gil?" She said, a small laugh interrupting her words. Sulhana turned to the long banquet table, and there, she turned to two golden glasses already sitting there by the large jug of wine. "One of the finest Afdani red, I am told, with a name I dare not butcher with my tongue. But, I am told that it sears the throat. Loosens the tongue. Spills all the secrets of those who succumb to its rich flavor," The princess mused with a chuckle, her eyes affirming the small markings on the bottom of the two glasses that she filled with the strong wine. Then, when both were adequately filled, she sauntered to Gil's front as she began extending the glass to the orc prince. "Fancy a wager? If I am able to drink more than you and still have my wits about me at the end of this banquet, you'll have to teach me all about the braids that the Afdani often wear upon their heads, and to tell me how you got all of yours," She proposed. "If you win, well, I believe it depends on what you would ask of me." As she paused, Sulhana took a breath as she steadied herself and her will to see this little game through. She swirled the liquid in her chalices as she approached. "So, you better ready yourself because," She smirked, and before the prince could obtain the large grail from her hands, the green-eyed princess suddenly raised the cup to her lips before downing both goblets in succession. As the liquid scorched her throat and almost immediately warmed the length of her back and her chest, Sulhana uttered out a shaky sigh before she opened her eyes in defiance at the prince. She waited until she could grip herself once more. Oh, she hoped there would be no mistakes in her preparations for this evening. "You're already two drinks behind." The princess turned to the array of lights shining by the sea, and with a tilt of her head, she motioned for Gil to follow her to gaze out upon the ledge. "Come, walk with me while we wait for the others to come," She grinned as she started walking to the stone railings, and as she passed by the curtain of vines and roses, she gave one of her cups to a passing servant. It was then that she heard twin bird-like calls that seemed to have echoed from the walls. Like two songs melded into one. [i]Vyarin and Jin have met, have they?[/i] Looks like things were unfolding as she had envisioned for now. The pieces were moving, and only time would tell how their destiny would unfold. Eight had been gathered in Astalia today. Eight years had passed since the Empire had intensified their aggression against Astalia and her people. "To just fly against the heavens, and just look at the world below without a care," Sulhana remarked to herself with a wistful look on her face as she stared out against the rolling waves. The stars looked down upon her in affirmation of her sorrow, and they, in turn, reminded her of the freedom she had lost long ago. "The things I would give..."