[RAY VILLAGE]
[The Night Before]
All the preparations for the defense of Ray village were completed in accordance with the plan. The south gate was rebuilt with stronger wood, reinforced with steel plates, and thick crossbeams. The palisade wall was rebuilt on the north end, and damaged beams along the east and west sides were replaced. In addition, the sticky mud that Arthos and Nevariel discovered was hauled over to the village as an adhesive to keep the logs tightly knit.
A dozen catapults along with an arsenal of rocks and flammables were stocked and prepared to fire. A deep trench was dug all around the exterior gate. In addition, a sniper tower was built in the middle of the village that gave a sniper 360 degree vision and clear shot in every direction.
Hundreds of bows were prepared along with thousands of arrows and hundreds of wooden spears. All the preparation were done…except for one.
A banquet.
The villagers proposed a special banquet to held that night…in case they died the following day, they would have one last special memory. Kay and Hector went into the forest to look for game and returned shortly after with two large deer and 1 large boar. These were cleansed and prepared for the banquet by an army of expert cooks.
Spending her day in intense training with Percy, Elencia refused to attend a banquet without first bathing and washing properly. Nevariel agreed saying that it was not proper for a lady to attend a social event without looking her best, doing so was an insult to the host, the other guests and the family name. On this issue, Elencia and Nevariel firmly agreed. Kristan, on the other hand, did not see the big deal but was forced into joining this "lady ritual."
Unfortunately, the village did not have a proper bath house. The best they had was a large room with one sizeable pool used for ceremonial purposes (similar to baptisms). The two princesses agreed this would make do and arranged for hot stones and hot water to be brought there. Within a short time, the room was converted into a bath house.
"Umm…girls…unfortunately there is only one room and one pool…I think we will need to share." Kristan said somewhat embarrassed by the idea of sharing a bath with two almost strangers.
"That ok with me. Honestly, it doesn't bother me…I have been bathing with my maids since I was a child." Nevariel said confidently as she removed her towel and stood in the middle of the room nude. She had the figure of a Greek goddess and was completely comfortable standing nude in front of the other two girls. She made no effort to cover herself…she just stood there for a moment arranging her beautiful silver hair into a neat bun.
She slowly and confidently walked to the pool and got into the water. That was followed by an "aww" sound as she enjoyed the luxurious feeling of a warm bath after a long day of work.
Princess Elencia said, "I don't mind either…I'm used to my attendants helping me bathe." She removed her towel and stood in the middle of the room completely nude as she arranged her beautiful long sky-blue hair.
Similar to Nevariel, she walked confidently towards the pool and entered into the water. It was followed by an "aww" sound…it was a clear testament of the fine quality of the bath.
Kristan's face grew red…this was uncomfortable. She had never been nude in front of anyone since she reached age four. She thought for a moment how to avoid this unpleasant situation. However, being a competitive person she couldn't stand the idea of somehow losing or being unable to do something the other two princesses could.
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath.
Then removed her towel in front of the other two girls and stood nude in the middle of the room as she arranged her long dark hair into a ponytail. She figured this was a rite-of-passage of sorts into a sisterhood…something she had to do. She walked slowly (and very uncomfortably) into the pool. The water was indeed relaxing and very welcoming.
"Kristan, why were you so embarrassed about undressing in front of us? You have a beautiful figure, and your breasts are very large. The largest among us. I wish mine were larger." Nevariel said casually as she caressed her figure.
"They are indeed beautiful and very large. May I touch them?" Princes Elencia asked politely.
"No! Please don't touch them…I feel uncomfortable with being…well with being nude in front of you girls." Kristan said embarrassed.
"Really? Why? You are so beautiful; you are basically perfect." Nevariel said earnestly.
"I don't know…because it's my body…and I'm private about my body." She replied meekly.
"Have any of you ladies been with a man?" Princess Elencia asked with a devious smirk.
"I see spending the days with Percy has been a bad influence on you…I will have to knock some manners into him." Kristan replied somewhat surprised by the question…coming from a princess and all.
"No. Never. Not even close. Men don't see me as a woman. They see me as an ATM, or a purse full of coins because of my family's wealth." Nevariel said with a certain sadness.
"Me neither. Men are afraid of me because I am the princess. They always avoid eye contact and most avoid speaking to me altogether. Except for Percy, he is just rude. For some reason that man annoys me so much." Elencia said with an irritated tone.
The tree girls laughed. It was nice. It felt nice bonding with other girls.
"Me neither. There was once a time I lived on the streets and scores of men tried to touch me. I quickly learned how to break hands and arms to defend myself." Kristan said openly.
"Well, you may have been an orphan, but now you have a family. I've been around men all my life and I know when a man defends a woman because of duty. Your men defend you not because of obligation…they do it because they sincerely care for you. That is truly special." Princess Elencia said with a bright smile.
"Despite your tough exterior, I know you are a loving and caring person. I see that when Arthos, Wain, Hector, and Percy look at you. They all love and trust you…and in case you didn't know, you are a very, very special woman. Any man would be luckily to have you as their princess." Nevariel said with sincerity.
"It's settled then. From this day forward, by the power and authority granted to me as the Princess of Camarax, I appoint you as Lady Kristan of Camarax."
The three girls laughed with excitement.