Xerxez felt no enchantment, no hint of a magnetic pull to love again. He had no affection for any woman. But then, the last maiden to dance stood up, and she captivated everyone. Her beauty and grace were dazzling, her every move a magnet for the eyes of every man at the celebration. Xerxez was frozen, transfixed by the maiden's lovely face on the stage. He couldn't tear his eyes away, and slowly, his heart began to fall for the gentle woman. He remembered their last encounter, long ago, but he never truly knew her.
"Who is that woman?" Xerxez asked his fellow kings. He tried to hide his embarrassment by drinking from his cup, but the gulp of sweet, fresh wine was still audible as it went down his throat.
"That's Maviel, a formidable female warrior and the eldest daughter of King Driother," Vhaltimoos replied, seizing a large chicken leg he had been eyeing. He licked his lips in anticipation before sinking his teeth into the fresh, steaming roasted chicken before them.
