As the evening moves into the desert service there are a series of gifts and tribute unveilings. Paintings of the king, ode's and laments are read or sung, the most moving of which is sung by a student at the College named Vaura Semeti. Her voice brings nearly everyone to tears, including all of the dwarves, and earns her a five minute ovation. She will also perform at the funeral the day after tomorrow. There are also several sculptures the most impressive of which is crafted by Asinjin. The attendees marvel at its construction and there are immediate offers to purchase the work.
After the tribute there is the exchange of gifts among the nations. Itsuwaru quietly tells Asinjin and Parker that this is a time honored tradition with many layers of meaning and complex protocols. Among those protocols is that the gift must be opened in sight of the attendees and another is that the nation making the gift is not announced until it is opened and the accompanying message read aloud so that the recipient will not be prejudiced. "Given the speeches earlier this could be the the most entertaining part of the evening."
After a few minutes a clear pattern develops. Aianna is the recipient of numerous gifts; some are messages to the Republic while others are intended to keep one of her counterparts in her good graces. She is called to the front of the room almost every third time.
In between her appearances a few pointed gifts are given. Gnarland presents the Yellowians an Ice Crystal plate inscribed with the symbols of all the powers of the Counsil and all the good and neutral cults. Asinjin is impressed by the workmanship and notices Allanda's symbol glowing and Mouser's flares for a moment and then winks out.
Thalmeret gives the Pacyrans a replica of the wall that was breached centuries ago. They in turn give the Meretans a painting of Herstal Steelsun, the great general and defender of Cadullon on the Day of Falling Death; also famous for uniting nations in a common cause.
The delegation from Amansky gives the Icefians a copy of their treaty. Icefia was the first nation to recognize Amansky.
Aianna receives every gift with the same grace and formality. Her voice never betrays any frustration or boredom. On her seventh trip to the front of the room she receives a jewel box, ebony wood chased with midnight blue sapphires. The note reads "A momentary glimpse of what is to come." As she lifts the lid the box collapses in on itself and she drops it with a shriek as a perfect black sphere three feet in diameter expands in its place. She recoils from it but not before her left hand turns white like chalk and part of it crumbles to dust. The skirt of her gown too is disintegrated but she pivots away from further harm. The sphere then floats unerringly across the room directly at Elizabeth Toppin. She stands her ground and the it strikes her full on; there is a brief flare as the sphere strikes some type of protection and the sphere's momentum seems spent but all of the flesh of her hands and forearms is turned to dust. You hear a bark of frustration from Luigi and Elizabeth sets herself for another assault but Roland knocks her to the ground, a cloud of dust all that remains of him. Then just as quickly as it began the sphere disappears in a blink.
The room is completely silent except for Aianna'a sobs of pain. A voice of quiet power breaks the silence "Lord Nisoru, see to Lady Elizabeth. Lord Arishimoto, see to Ambassador Cadmurren." All eyes turn to Allanda standing in the door way. The shadows of the room seem to retreat. Some bow, including the queen of the elves, the Sledgehammers back away, their eyes on the floor and most of the rest stammer some form of salutation. "I respectfully suggest that we consider the event concluded and that you return to your embassies and accommodations." With that all of the delegations except the Pacyrans and Destroytians leave quickly, filing out mostly in silence.
Allanda turns to Russell: "Professor do you have at your disposal the spell of my old friend Gonaire that will show us what we did not see?"
Russell nods "Yes Lady" and he begins to cast a spell. Around the room all of the professors, Nisoru, Thale, Midan and the three of you look on in silence.
Russell's spell shows the room in all it's splendor and nothing unusual for a time but as the gift presentation begins the shadows near the door and gift table grow subtly longer, no longer corresponding to the light and obstructions. As Dean Haskra hands another gift off after evaluation the box is placed on the table of cleared gifts seemingly by a hand of shadow. The extended shadow remains during the attack but withdraws at Allanda's entry. Aianna and the Pacyrans watch in silence.
After a moment Aianna speaks. "Thank you Lady Dean. Lord Arishimoto would you and Master Asinjin escort me back to my embassy? I do not wish to send for Lord Firstcrest, word of this must not reach him until he is in a better state of mind. "
