Chapter 110: Egos and arrivals.
The morning sun burned across the private beach, softened by the transparent wall around it. The rainbow specks were very bright and beautiful, falling on the enclosed summit grounds. Guards lined the perimeter of the entrance, tails stiff, weapons at attention.
Sienna stood under an umbrella with Queen Serenya, both dressed in ceremonial robes that looked far too heavy for the seaside heat. Flanking them, and behind them were attendants who were protecting them and ensuring their comfort. Aunt Linera was among them, weapons strapped to her waist. She had painted a fierce scar on one side of her face, to look like some kind of mercenary for hire.
"Day one," Sienna muttered, fanning herself. "This feels like standing at an airport in the arrivals section." She recalled a moment when she was in high school, and her school hosted a foreign diplomat. They had stood outside for two hours, under the heat, holding flowers and doing too much bowing.
It was the same as this situation. She had been doing too much polite bowing. But the same courtesy was extended to her, especially because she was standing with the queen. "If I keep bowing, my neck is going to break." She whispered.
The Queen smirked. "You are hosting the summit. Bowing is mandatory. Besides, beast lords love making an entrance. Watch."
As if on cue, the King arrived with members of the royal family. They were donned in red and golden robes, their manes shimmering like polished crowns. Their entourage banners so tall they nearly toppled in the wind. King Leon’s chest was puffed and he paused to roar so loudly that some sand on the beach was displaced.
Then, he winked at his queen, accepted a bow from Sienna, and moved on.
"Like I said, grand entrance." Queen Serenya laughed. "Now, that roar and wink moment is going to trend on the BeastNet for weeks, months, maybe even forever."
Sienna smiled. The king really knew how to make his mark.
"Now, watch the wolves." The Queen whispered to her.
The wolf lord and his entourage arrived in synchronized formation, their tails swishing like banners. They were decked in jewels and tribal tattoos on their arms. Their howls harmonized into a chilling chorus.
When they walked off, they had smirks on their faces, grinning mischievously.
"Wow!" Sienna exclaimed.
"Every year, the tattoos change." The queen snorted. "They think we don’t notice, but we do. Those tribal markings are as fake as the scar on your aunt’s cheek."
Sienna stretched her neck to peek at the tribal tattoos before the wolf beast men disappeared. But Queen Serenya cleared her throat.
"There are cameras on us, Lady Veythar. Lingering looks could be mistaken for inappropriate interest." Serenya whispered. "Try not associate unnecessarily with these Lords and their guards. Some of them don’t have issues with destroying the honor of a noble Lady."
The warning she sounded, had already been sounded by Lady Abernathy, Mrs. Miller, Grandma Byra and even Lady Cadelaria, who had made Liman pass on the message. Basically, seduction was an art of war that some of the Lords were willing to use to blackmail Elias in the negotiations or just humiliate him.
It was because of such incidents that most of the Beast lords did not attend the summits with their significant others. And when they did, these partners had to walk with guards wherever they went.
"I remember," Sienna responded. "Trust me, I remember."
The eagle lord and his entourage arrived. Above in the sky, fire works exploded, followed by the cry of an eagle that was heard by half of the city. They carried themselves with pride, in their brownish golden robes and staffs. And when the eagle lord stared at Sienna, it was with intense dislike.
"I get the feeling he does not like me." She muttered, as that group moved on.
Serenya laughed. "That is what happens when you suggest a noble eagle beast man be put in a room of naked mouse beast women."
Sienna gasped.
The queen laughed softly. "I have to give you credit, it was a wonderful plan that was executed beautifully in another city. The Eagles could not even blame it on Elias because he was all the way here when it happened. Your hostages were released and they saved their dignity.
Those in the know were very curious about where such a nefarious, shameless plan came from. Imagine their surprise when it turned out to be you!"
"How did they find out it was me?" She shrieked.
The queen replied with a smirk, "You didn’t exactly hatch the plot behind closed doors dearest. Next time you want to do something like that, do it in a locked room and make sure those in attendance are limited to two or three."
Then came the falcons, flying and twirling in the sky, showing off their skills. Their wings beat dramatically. Their fathers glittered, and one falcon shrieked so loudly that everyone had to cover their ears!
The falcon lord stopped before Sienna, smiling gently, as if he was her elder. "We will have to talk later, after the summit."
Sienna nodded, smiling falsely. "I can’t wait."
The arrivals continued: bear beast men lumbering with drums. Serpent beast men with jeweled crowns. Tiger beast men with more good looks than Sienna had ever seen.
Monkey beast men who showed off their flexibility and offered Sienna a basket of mangoes and bottle of fruit wine. Along with a note requesting for some honey to take back home.
Each tribe flaunted its pride, its power, its absurdity.
Sienna muttered to the Queen, "its like a parade of egos. Day one should be renamed tail and feathers exhibition day."
The queen sighed and patted Sienna’s back. "I know it sucks. It is not what you were expecting and you did not sign up for it. You have been brilliant so far. Endure for another hour, and we will be done."
Sienna nodded. "I can do that." If the queen could endure, so could she. This was probably the easiest day of the three. She had a feeling that drama could not be avoided in the two that followed. As long as nobody died, she would be happy.