There is only one type of person in the world, Urien Katatarre thinks absently, chewing on the tip of his quill. People are people are people. Humans with patches of pure white, and shadows of the darkest black - but most of it is grey, different smudges and shades of grey.
Luckily, Urien’s thoughts are private. When you are the heir to the Kingdom of Zoran, you are to be supportive of your father, and his potential war. You believe solely in good and bad, and nothing different.
Urien’s sigh echoes in the large empty room. The king of Dysis, and his family were to be here tomorrow to negotiate the events that were causing such an uproar.
Apparently, a gang of Syamas, called the Chandra, had attacked the city of Zeferino. They had destroyed a trail of villages in their wake. King Anatolius Katatarre thinks it only makes sense that they came from Dysis. There are several facts to support this theory: Chandra came from the direction of the Zoran-Dysis boarder, and Dysis is closest nation of Syamas. King Anatolius believes the King of Dysis is plotting his death. Urien finds this theory a bit melodramatic. However he acknowledged that the Chandra are a problem.
There is a knock at the door, which disturbs Urien’s thoughts. A servant enters once Urien gives him permission to, and calls him down to dinner. Urien closes his books, and bottles his ink, resolving to pick up on his thoughts later.
***
The Sanuye arrive in a ten carriages drawn by six cheetahs each. Urien tries not to seem shocked or awed, but it’s unlike anything he’s ever seen before. He wonders if the Sanuye normally traveled around Dysis by cheetah-drawn carriages, or if it was only for long journeys - or only for this journey.
He understood why his parents were so particular about the way they presented themselves. They were all wearing new clothes, made especially for the occasion.
A Zoranian guard had met the Sanuye as they entered the kingdom. Their golden flags matched harmoniously with the burgundy of the Dysis royalty. It was a sunny day, and the silky material flashed joyously, blessing them all.
Four of the carriages pull away to the back entrance of the castle. Urien guessed that they carried the luggage.
Two of them empty themselves quickly and quietly, preparing the entrance for the Royal Family of Dysis.
The seventh carriage pulls up, and one of the burgundy-clad servants announces the arrival of the royal daughters of Dysis.
In a briefing, Urien had been informed that there were six Sanuye daughters, and one son. All of them would be traveling with their father except for the two eldest, as they were married, and concerned themselves with their husband’s kingdoms.
One of the footmen rushes to open the door of the carriage. The vehicle has a velvet exterior, with golden accents, and rubies embedded in the metal. One of the servant busies himself with helping the girls out of the carriage, and another announces their arrival. A small boy rolls out a carpet and a cluster of men play foreign horns. A group of ladies-in-waiting, mixed with guards stand by the entrance, waiting to join their royalty
“Under the order of King Xenocrates Sanuye I am pleased to present, the royal daughters of Dysis,” shouts a portly man, dressed in rich clothes. Urien marvels slightly at the exotic accent of the announcer. His words word musical, but at the same time, he seemed to stumble over them accidentally. Urien had never met anyone from Dysis. He wasn’t even sure if they spoke a different language or not.
“I introduce to you Princess Wakandrielle Sanuye,” the announcer continues.
The princess who steps out is a young girl with blue eyes. This contrasts greatly with her dark Sayama skin, and curly black hair, which is braided down her back. Her wide eyes seem to meet with each member of the Katatarre, penetrating, and curious. Urien feels a shiver as the pale ghostly eyes stare at him.
“Princess Fridie Sanuye.”
The next daughter is corpulent, and awkward with the start of adolescence. It’s a strange contrast to the small, effortless grace of the first daughter. Princess Fridie’s eyes are an innocent brown, small, and too close together. She seemed nervous, but kind.
“And lastly Princess Adamara Sanuye.”
Adamara is a tall willowy girl. Her black hair falls straight; however it’s intricately braided to frame her high cheekbones, and large forehead. Her eyes are dark, critical and hard. She sizes up the Katatarre, simply, holding her ground, and looking bored. She joins her younger sisters in a line.
Servants lead the carriage away to make room for the next.
“Presently, I will introduce you to Queen Airica Sanuye, and her youngest daughter, Bala Sanuye.”
Queen Airica exits the carriage holding Princess Bala, in satin shawl of dark fuchsia. Queen Airica a beautiful woman, with a thin oval face, and thin eyes.
The horns burst into a fanfare as she walks away.
“Now, I will present to you, the next heir to the thrown of Dysis Prince Rhael Sanuye.”
A young boy of about fourteen or fifteen summers steps out. He’s tall, strangely enough, even though his features are still clinging to a bit of baby fat, giving him a good-natured, boyish look. His eyes are a lighter shade of brown, and his hair is rowed close to his scalp in ornate swirls.
“And lastly, it is my honour to present to you the Ruler of the Kingdom of Dysis, Xenocrates Sanuye.”
King Xenocrates wears a chuncky crown of gold on his shiny bald head. A cloak of crushed velvet is lined with the fur of a white Siberian tiger. War metals flash over his chest, and he catches King Anatolius’ eye, nodding.
The Katatarre bow, and the Sanuye return the favor. Over the empty space Urien’s father shouts, reluctantly, “Welcome to Zoran.”