Rest is needed by everyone. Even by Iudex of Fontaine. Even by one of the Seven Sovereigns.

Quiet nights were rare, and that is why Neuvillette especially valued them. He loved to stroll along the beach outside the walls of the Court of Fontaine, enjoying the shining stars, the glare of the moon and the silence of the night suburbs.

But today everything was different. Having reached the shore, Neuvillette could not relax and immerse himself in peace. Instead of the usual splash of waves and the singing of night birds, the calm mirror of water was filled with the loud beat of drums, laughter and cheerful cries.

Neuvillette succumbed to curiosity and walked along the soft sand towards the loud sounds and bright light. The scene he saw made the Iudex freeze in place.

Unknown people set up camp on the beach. From the speech, the appearance of the tents and clothes, one could guess that this was a caravan from Sumeru. A huge fire was blazing in the center of the camp, and merchants and mercenaries had gathered around it. Someone was loudly beating drums, others were clapping their hands and whistling enthusiastically.

But this was not what made Neuvillette's heart stop in awe. The reason for Iudex's sudden admiration was a lonely figure moving in the center of the circle.

The light from the fire outlined the smooth curves of the girl's figure, sparkled on the ringing beads and dissolved in a silk veil. Hips, clad in spacious trousers, smoothly outlined infinity symbols, and thin graceful arms moved captivatingly in the air, like a cobra dancing. The girl's body curved sensually and skillfully, following the bright insistent rhythm of the drums, teasing and beckoning to itself. Enchanting, wild, fiery.

Struck by this marvelous spectacle, Neuvillette did not notice how he came out into the light, stopping at the edge of the camp. And only when the drums died down and the dancer froze in place, he realized that all the astonished glances were riveted on him.