It was amazing how quickly the long line of superficial congratulations and greetings could cause the excitement of the moment to calm into a bland monotony. At least Soral seemed to be able to entertain himself with whatever hidden thoughts the procession had about the situation. It didn't take long for the most superficial of all congratulations to be given, courtesy of Veclorna.

  "Congratulations," she began like all of the others, "I hope you stay together for a long time. Your vow was especially touching."

  "Vows are meant to be promises between us, so it only felt right that we choose something personal rather than repeat what everyone else does," Ruena replied. She could tell Velcorna was trying to hint at some sort of alliance against the Black Wolf, but she knew that if she had to side with the enemy of her enemy it would be Densooth's help she took.

  "Vows are also meant as a proclamation to your guests revealing your intentions for the future," Velcorna pointed out, "Surely you already knew this as well."

  It was clear that Velcorna intended to drag this out as long as possible. "Of course," Ruena answered, "but you weren't the one who I wanted to hear the message."

  Before Velcorna could retort, Ruena greeted another guest who had come for congratulations. She didn't miss the arm Soral slipped around her shoulders to comfort her. Soral was probably the only one who could tell how every meeting with Velcorna sent her thoughts and emotions into disarray. How she hated her, but a small part of her still longed for her mother who no longer existed in that woman. As it was a party to celebrate their engagement, Ruena let herself be comforted. The closer she looked to Soral here, the better.

  Perhaps catching wind of that thought, Soral spent the rest of the night glued to Ruena's side, bragging about all of their fateful moments and claiming all of his business successes were only thanks to Ruena. Most of the guests seemed to think Soral was laying it on thick, but Ruena knew that in Soral's strange mind he was being entirely serious. Well, that part of him was cute.

  Ruena glanced around to check on the important guests only to find every one of them missing from the venue. Densooth and Velcorna leaving early was one thing, but where had Bastion and Crystal gone?

  ==========

  The entire time he had been there, Bastion kept his eyes locked on Densooth. Velcorna was a threat, but the way even she seemed wary of Densooth caused Bastion's own natural wariness to multiply. It wasn't until both of them had left the venue that he allowed himself to relax and interact naturally with the other guests. So far no one was too suspicious. At least not until the host and proclaimed ally of Ruena approached. The sorceress, Crystal.

  "It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir Bastion,” Crystal greeted, “I am Crystal, the Royal Sorceress of Altea.”

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  “I am Bastion Alodan, Ruena’s grandfather,” he greeted in return. It was clear she wanted something, but Bastion couldn’t be sure what exactly she was after. There was one easy way to find out. “I am always glad to meet her close friends and allies. Would you like to speak more away from listening ears?”

  “I would,” Crystal confirmed, “I have just the place in mind if you would follow me.”

  Bastion glanced back to make sure Ruena was doing fine before following the sorceress out of the hall. He was glad to see it looked she was enjoying her time with Soral, and Soral was doing his part to support her. Only Soral seemed to notice him leave with Crystal.

  “Why did the Royal Sorceress seek me out?” Bastion asked once they were alone.

  Crystal did not answer until they stepped inside what appeared to be a private library. She appeared to be deep in thought as they walked. Bastion waited, eager to discover just how much the closest friend of the Queen knew. Would she recognize his true identity as Densooth had?

  "How much do you know about our promise with Ruena?" Crystal asked finally. It seemed she was more concerned about what it was he knew.

  "If you are concerned about the stance of Alodan changing, I have no intention of getting involved," Bastion assured, "The only reason I have returned is to support my granddaughter."

  "Perhaps not directly, but nothing will stop her from seeking your advice, or you from voicing your opinion," Crystal pointed out, "So long as you are not our enemy, that is enough for me."

  She had no idea who he was. If she had known, she would not have been so concerned. After all, she was the closest friend of the current Queen, and Bastion could feel the fledgling magic of the heir as well.

  "I swore an oath to Altea herself that I would never cause harm to her descendants," Bastion revealed, "Whether it be her children or the line of Queens. You have no reason to fear me as your enemy."

  Crystal froze at his words, and even more at the magic that charged the air as he spoke of the oath. As a sorceress she would know what that meant. Hopefully she would also understand what it meant when he said he would not be getting involved. Either way, Bastion took his leave.

  By now, Ruena would be missing him and he had no intentions of confirming Crystal’s newfound suspicions. Too many people knew as it was, and the more people knew, the more people would seek him out. When they did, they would surely find he was no longer a benevolent Duke, but a person with his own selfish desires that simply happened to have the ancient powers of a Valen Title.

  By the time he returned to the venue, Ruena had already begun to search for him. Once she spotted him, her face was full of relief and she pulled him into a tight hug.

  “I thought maybe something had happened to you,” she confessed.

  “Have you forgotten my identity already?” Bastion questioned with a smile. He couldn’t deny that it was nice to have a family again. Even though she had struggled so much, Ruena was an excellent grandchild.

  “Of course not,” Ruena replied, “but I even worry about this idiot when he goes off on his own.”

  Bastion glanced at Soral who didn’t seem to mind being referred to as an idiot in the least and instead managed to turn the hand she aimed to give him a whack into a nice head pat. He had barely known Ruena at all, yet Bastion already found himself full of the conflicted emotions any grandparent would have seeing their grandchild set to be married.