The Empire When Given the Chance

[Nilofer Saladin]

Annuakat
House Saladin Estate
Afternoon

Spoiler: OOC Music

It was truly happening.

House Saladin of Annuakat was joining with House Strand of Vel Anir by the marriage of their children: Grendel Strand and Nilofer Saladin. The two families had different traditions and came from different backgrounds, but the marriage of Nilofer and Grendel would form an alliance of sorts between the two Houses.

It was all Lord Saladin could talk about. Whenever the Saladin Estate recieved guests, he would show off Grendel and Nilofer and talk about the glorious future to come. Lady Saladin was beside herself as well. While her husband talked off power and strength, she talked of the grandchildren to come, something that made both Nilofer and Grendel uncomfortable. But Nilofer, at least, was able to hide it and pretend she was excited about it all.

The extended members of the Saladin family were travelling to the main Saladin Estate for the celebration of the wedding announcement. There were some that Nilofer hadn't seen in ages and some that she felt as if she would like ages to go on before she saw them again. Family was not the only guest- other noble houses of Annuakat were coming, and there was even a rumor that the royalty from both Ragash and Annuakat themselves would be there. Nilofer had no idea if that was true, or if her father was just making it up. Either way, the pressure would be high, and not just for Nilofer.

Nilofer's attendants and her mother were helping her get ready. She was dressed and bejeweled to the nines- the only time she would look better would be at her wedding. Raha Saladin had allowed for Nilofer to have some say in what she wore, and it was in part why she was dressed in turqouise, her favorite color, and was not made to wear a veil covering her face. Her mother had been strangely... sweet to Nilofer ever since the engagement had been settled. Nilofer supposed after eighteen years her mother was finally admitting to herself (and Nilofer) that she would in fact miss Nilofer. She was glad for it, but she resolved to herself that she would not treat her own children the way her mother had treated her for all of her life.

Once she was deemed ready by her mother, Nilofer was led out of her chambers and to the courtyard in the shadow of the house. The shadow and a soft breeze helped ease the heat of the afternoon. Family was already gathered and mingling, and she was met with an abundance of stares as all heads turned to watch her arrival. She was met at the top of the stairs by Grendel, whose own mother stood behind him. A gracious and demure smile was upon her face and her nerves faded as she pretended she did not have any.

Grendel Strand

 

[Grendel Strand]

Grendel felt the time had passed too quickly. Not that he did not wish for the wedding. Nilofer, in the time he was given to know her was a person not unlike himself. Beneath the calm waters of her demeanor was depth unknown to him and what he was able to gleam from their all too brief interactions he found most agreeable.
The true measure of their affection was yet unknown but for now they were comfortable in each other's presence.
At least Grendel thought so.

Seeing her at the top of the stairs he felt a tad underdressed.
Always her gowns were magnificent. Decorated in jewellery and silks the like of which it would take Anirian dressmakers a lifetime to produce but one piece of and without a veil he could finally try to judge her moods, though he knew she was masterful at concealing any unpleasantness.

For himself he wore his best garment of black silk and gold trim. Simple but well made boots and a gold broche of a spear through a shield. The symbol of house Strand. He knew that for each look he got Nilofer received three. His job was to be presentable, her's was to be a marvel and she was succeeding.

Flanked as they were by their respective mothers they made their way into the masses of guests to greet and be greeted formally as a unit and not individuals.

Nilofer Saladin

 

[Nilofer Saladin]

Nilofer was nervous and though she hid it well, upon seeing Grendel, she calmed somewhat. He had a way about him that put her at ease, especially now after several days in each others' company.

She did not miss the look in his eyes as he took her in; that soft awe, as if she were worth noticing. She hoped it never went away.

The two walked through the crowd, Lord Saladin drawn to his wife's side, his voice loid and boisterous as he greeted his family and friends. Nilofer knew enough of their family history to know that half of the Saladin family was in debt to her father and the other half had never had enough money or power to go into debt in the first place. Hakim Saladin led House Saladin with a gold-plated fist.

A few cousins on her mother's side offered their congratulations. Her father was an only child and so Nilofer had no cousins from her father's side. She wondered if Grendel knew any of this- if he had studied the history and traditions of not only Amol-Kalit and Annuakat but also those of House Saladin. They tended to take any traditions and intensify them.

Nilofer's lips were sealed the entire time, a pleasant smile painted on her face, her arm inches from Grendel's. The Imperials looked upon him with barely masked suspicion and disdain. The rivalry between Vel Anir and the Empire was not news to anybody. The words people said of congratulations and surface-level conversations were a fuzz in Nilofer's mind.

Grendel Strand

 

[Grendel Strand]

For his part Grendel spoke little and replied less.
The initial meeting and greetings were a trial all themselves and while he was not unused to barbs from his countrymen to face it outside the bosom of ones homeland was an altogether different task.
One made comment on his size, excusable only because manners dictated so.
Another spoke of the rebellion and how anyone could live through such a terrible thing. He did not correct them that many did not.
Before long he felt very tired and wished for the night to end and to recover in bed but when he saw Nilofer beside him, so calm and quiet he felt compelled to keep going, to put on the brave face, show these people that they could not break him.

Mercifully, they got a break and stopped their relentless march through the throngs of folk under the shade of a great palm.
He wiped his forehead, stress and heat made poor company.
"Well, this is, something eh?"
He asked, hoping to break the tension somewhat.

Nilofer Saladin

 

[Nilofer Saladin]

Nilofer could tell Grendel was feeling the pressure as well. After gods knew how long, they paused under a tree. The sun was gratefully on its descent, but even Nilofer's skin was damp with sweat. The two of them had been quiet, letting their parents speak for them. Nilofer's face hurt from smiling, but only when she was sure the only one who could see her was Grendel did she let it slip.

" 'Something' is certainly a word for it," she replied faintly.

There were mixed feelings about tonight from her family. Some were glad for the opportunity to form a sort of alliance with the Anirians, while others were overly suspicious of the Strand's motives in going through with this marriage. None of them, however, expected any sort of sweeping romance, and they wouldn't need to, because Nilofer would be far away in Vel Anir, away from Kaliti gossip.

Grendel Strand

 

[Grendel Strand]

Seeing Nilofer's smile relaxed was a relief. She was working as hard as anyone in this and she hid it far better than he could hope to. Against the darkening sky the world was getting quiet. He enjoyed the sunsets greatly here. They held much more colour.

"Is it too soon to attempt to retire?" He asked half heartedly knowing that it was much too soon. There was the feast to go yet and that would be its own trial.

It did not escape Grendel how much more reserved Nilofer became in the presence of others, especially her parents. It made him anxious to get her away from them sometimes.

Nilofer Saladin

 

[Nilofer Saladin]

Nilofer did not remove her arm from Grendel's; she thought if she did she might keel over. His suggestion of retiring was sorely tempting, but she knew she wouldn't be able to. They were lucky Nilofer's parents were letting them rest this long.

They were still being given looks- they would not be alone for another few hours. They would have to put up with the judging looks as their parents discussed the upcoming wedding.

"Yes, unfortunately," she replied. Her smile crept back onto her face as her father gestured for the young couple to rejoin the crowd.

Grendel Strand

 

[Grendel Strand]

That made Grendel smile. Nilofer had a dry wit which she filtered sparingly into conversation. Though their request to rejoin the exhausting celebrations spoiled the quiet moment they had gathered Grendel's face braved and he straightened his back to face the crowd again.

"Oh well. Let's not keep them waiting."
He said making his face a mask of pleasantness once more. As they again returned to the social fray.

Nilofer Saladin

 

[Nilofer Saladin]

A few hours later, Nilofer and Grendel were escorted back into the main house, away from the guests. The last few were dispersing as the sun finished setting behind the sand dunes in the distance.

She could not help her sigh of relief as they were left mostly alone. They were in a room with cushions, secluded from the rest of the main house, where Nilofer's mother was directing the servants as they cleaned up. Her father was talking to Grendel's mother and other members of House Saladin outside in the courtyard. Most of Nilofer's brothers were in the room with Grendel and Nilofer, playing and talking amongst themselves.

She turned to Grendel and offered a weak smile. "It's over. For now," she said softly so only Grendel would hear. Her brothers were happy and clueless.

Grendel Strand

 

[Grendel Strand]

In the cosy comfort of the room, away from the noise Grendel let his ears begin to start the process of not ringing with noise.
A conspiratal look to Nilofer's brothers was made before answering her. He was still under chaperone and he did not want anything to happen that might ruin things now, especially after enduring the last few hours.
"One celebration done, two to go. Heh."
He shook his head and wiped his neck with a hand kerchief. The knowledge that Nilofer cared about as little for this manner of event as he did comforted him well though. They were conspirators in their dislike and that was good.
From a jug on the short table between them he poured water. It was a silver thing of wondrous pattern and the goblets matching but he cared only to quench his thirst at that moment. Sliding the first across to Nilofer he poured the second for himself without thinking much of it and sat back again, pressing the cool metal of the goblet in his hands, enjoying the sensation against the heated warmth of his flesh.
"I think we did well today. Everyone seemed most pleased."
He knew the pleasantries were partly a lie at least. The history of their two nations was not undone by this night but he dared hope that perhaps a few had come to see Anirians as not entirely made up of the ruthless conquerors their reputation made them out to be.
*Live in hope!* He thought.

Nilofer Saladin

 

[Nilofer Saladin]

Nilofer took the cup of cool water gratefully. She was indeed very thirsty. The temperature had dropped significantly now that the sun had gone down and they were within the stone walls.

Nilofer nodded in agreement as she sipped her water. Slowly her nerves eased, and she leaned back a bit against the wall her cushion she was seated on was up against.

"We'll likely leave for Vel Anir soon," she spoke up after a moment of silence. She set her now empty silver cup down on the ground.

Grendel Strand

 

[Grendel Strand]

"Yes."
Grendel confirmed thinking on the journey ahead. He took a drop of water on his finger and drew a line on the table.
"We'll travel East along the Baal-Duru river then North towards the Waystone at Elbion."
Lifting his finger he retrieved another drop from his goblet and began tracing another line along the surface of the table. It was not his map of the journey. This new line was closer to Nilofer's end.
"It will transport us almost instantly over two thousand leagues to the Waystone of the Falwood, just South of the Vels near the coast. Then we travel North again until we reach Vel Hetren, your new home."
There was a sense of finality to the statement. It was only fact but even so Grendel became acutely aware of the fact that neither of them had much choice in this decision. He thought what a terrible thing it must be to have your home made for you, so far from all that you know.
"It will be colder there but greener and the coastal storms are not so bad this time of year."

Nilofer Saladin