The music swirled around me, twisting through my head and pulling me towards the dance floor. My dress floated around my legs, and for a second I leaned back and soaked it in. After all, it isn't every day that I attend a court ball, much less one that is hosted by the king himself. Tonight was going to be fun.

As I made my way over to the refreshment table, pushing through the chattering crowd, I reached through the slit in my skirt and brushed my fingers over the hilt of my carefully concealed dagger. Everything is going smoothly, and I am in high spirits. If my timing is right, Vel should be in his majesty's chambers right now, placing the poison.

I snatch a mound of chocolate from the table and move to lean against the corner of the ballroom. The chandelier above me sways, sending flickers of bright candle light shooting across the walls. The whole expanse seems to be whirling with the music, laughing and dancing. I can't help myself; my foot is unconsciously tapping along to the quick violin and flute. Taking a bite of the dark chocolate, I grin. If I can say one good thing about this king, it's that he sure knows his delicacies. The table full of refreshments probably costs more than my life.

A light shadow falls across the hem of my dress, and I look up to see a young man standing above me. He wears the mask of a white bird, but I can catch the glint of nervousness in his eyes as he extends his right hand.

"Excuse me, miss. Care to dance?"

I look him up and down, considering. The music is inviting, and my feet have been longing to take me through the steps of a fondly-remembered quickstep. 

Oh, what can it hurt. If something goes wrong, I can simply excuse myself.

I smile and slip my black-gloved hand into his silk one. We dance swiftly, frolicking around the room in what I hope is a graceful manner. I haven't danced in years, of course, but I have fought. And, I suppose dancing is a sort of fight if you think about it. My feet fall back into old patterns, and though at first it's a struggle to keep up with him, eventually I get the hang of it. When the song ends we both end up winded and laughing.

A slow waltz begins, and he once again offers his hand to lead me off the floor, but instead I pull him closer to me and begin the steps. He is flustered for a second, but soon recovers, and we match the rhythm of the music, twirling sedately around the floor.

"So.." he looks down at me, and I can see soft lashes and dark eyes through the gaps in his mask. "I suppose I should introduce myself, since you seem to be so eager to get to know me."

I smile sweetly and cock my head. "I suppose you should."

"Very well. Cede Firath- nobleman, courtier, and charmer of maidens, at your service." Cede pulled away for a second and performed a sweeping bow, then popped upright again and grinned crookedly. "How was that?"

I raised an eyebrow and then tapped my chin, thinking. "Don't you think the bow is a little much?"

He put his hand to his chest, dramatically offended, then swooped me back into his arms and continued circling, a smile growing wide on his face. "Well, you see, I can't proclaim myself 'charmer of maidens' and not be charming, now can I? And if I happen to overdo it, well, it's a risk that comes with the job." He attempted to look nobly burdened, and at least partially succeeded.

"But wait now, you haven't introduced yourself. I should think that I am owed at least that much. Come now, I gave you my dramatic performance, and now you shall give me one in return."

The music shifted slightly, and he led me into a slow promenade turn, hands against each other and walking in a circle. "Pray, fair lady, tell me your name, that I may whisper it in my dreams." His free hand once more went to his breast, clutching his heart.

I snorted in a most unladylike manner, but obliged him as we switched directions. "Indeed, my lord. You may call me Tir, but I am in no one's service but my own."

Cede looked rather crestfallen for a second. "Are you sure you cannot tell me more? Your parentage? Title? How shall I speak with you after tonight if I know nothing more about you than a single name?"

I looked away, rather saddened with the sudden rush of remembrance that this was nothing more than a scheme, and that I was no longer the nobility I was pretending to be. I would not see Cede again after tonight. I should not get too attached.

"You shall have to manage."

I pulled away, weaving through the waltzers and leaving him on the floor. I had a duty to perform, and my idle dreams could not get in the way. The king would die tonight, and no more innocent lives would be lost. I would complete my vow, and be free.

I slipped through the balcony doors and stepped into the moonlight, suddenly glad to be away from the noise and chatter. A cold breeze sailed through my hair and flicked tendrils across my face. Wrapping my bare arms around myself, I leaned over the railing and looked down at the city lights. Lamps and candles lit up many windows, and the sky granted enough light to see the poverty that lay there. I felt like a hypocrite for standing up here in my expensive gown and pretending to help them. I should be down there, laughing with children and washing clothing for tired mothers. That was where I belonged now. Not here.

I had never belonged here. Even then, it had only been a game of pretend. Now it was a more elaborate game, of deceit and lace and poison. I felt tired.

Only tonight, I reminded myself. Only tonight, and then it will be over. Then I can leave. I touched the mask that hid my features, sliding it up onto my forehead and letting the air cool my hot face.

I remembered the dance, and the way Cede's hand had slid on my back. My face grew slightly redder.

Ancients, I was out of practice. This used to be my domain. No single man could have flustered me then- but I was a different person now.

A touch brushed my shoulder, and I spun around, flipping my mask back down with one hand, the other going to my blade. 

"Whoa! Tir, it's just me!" Cede stood before me, a surprised look on his face and hands raised to indicate that he intended no harm.

I relaxed, but kept the mask down. Ignoring him, I turned back to the dismal view. Right now I rather preferred that to seeing his face. Unfortunately, he didn't seem to get the cue, for instead of leaving, he leaned on the railing next to me and began to speak.

"Why'd you leave me like that? It's rude to leave someone on the dance floor, you know. You're going to ruin my reputation with the ladies."

When I didn't answer, he shifted his tone to a more serious one.

"Did I say something that hurt you? If I did, I'm truly sorry. I assure you that I meant no harm. I know that I sometimes joke too much, but I can't help it. Are you alright?"

I managed a nod, but still kept my gaze turned outward, refusing to look at his earnest expression.

"No, you're not. But it's ok, you don't have to talk. You don't mind if I keep you company here, do you? It's lonely to stand inside alone, and I'd much rather be out here with you."

"I don't mind. You can stay."

We stood there, in the dark, for a couple seconds, drinking in the noises of the party and the town. What a remarkable contrast they were to each other: the debauchery and the death. Or perhaps, they were more similar than I would care to admit- for having lived one kind of life, it was nearly the same as the other in everything but material possessions.

After a while, Cede again broke the silence. "You miss it, don't you."

I looked at him, startled. Did he know...?

"What do you mean?"

Cede turned fully towards me, reaching up to pull off the feathered mask and holding it in his hands.

"It's just that- you were in your element, back there in the dance hall. It was like magic, the way you danced. And somehow, I broke the spell. Do- do you want to go back in?"

I sighed, relieved. He didn't know.

"No, actually. I enjoy dancing, but I would rather not shove through the crowds and noise in order to do it. Besides," my voice softened as I turned back to the view.  "I like the moonlight."

Cede stepped back, standing in the center of the small balcony. He stretched out his hand to me and smiled gently, setting down his mask on the wooden railing.

"What if we danced out here, under the stars?"

Surprised, I tilted my chin up.

"Actually, that sounds... perfect."

I accepted his hand and we began to sway as the lilting tune of a new piece filtered through the glass doors and out on the wind. I let him lead me as the melody took my feet, and I found myself staring at his face.

Masked, he was mysterious and interesting, but unmasked, he was beautiful. Not that all of his features were perfect, but the way he moved, the way his smile lit up his whole face. It was fascinating and enchanting, and I found myself lost in his eyes as they reflected the candle and moon light, mixing gold and silver into warm brown.

As we danced, he didn't speak. There was something between us, something I had not felt in a long time. It was as if a tight string held us together, so that we could not separate, but we were hesitant to come nearer.

A spell, perhaps you could say.

Then, the music ended and the dance was complete. Laughter and applause clattered out, but we stood as though frozen.

* * * * * * * * * *

"CEDE!"

A voice shouted from inside, shattering the enchantment that bound us. I was once again grateful for my red fox mask, as it hid the blush that was quickly spreading. Cede grimaced, one hand going unconsciously behind his neck.

"I'm sorry, Tir. It's time for the king's toast- I have to go."

Giving me an apologetic smile, he slipped back through the doors, leaving me once again alone. I staggered back to the railing and recovered my breath.

Right. Toast.

Time to move.

As I turned to go inside, my hand brushed against something.

His mask, I realized.

With a slightly guilty glance, I grabbed it and slid it over my sheath. If there was time afterwards, I would perhaps return it.

Perhaps not. I wanted a memento of tonight, to keep as a treasure for myself.

Ok. Enough time wasted, Tir. Let's go.

I slipped through the doors, standing in the back of the crowd. I was supposed to keep an eye on the guards and make sure nothing interfered with the plan.

I couldn't see, so I began moving closer to the raised dais.

There was Vil, dressed as a servant and holding the tray of poisoned wine.

There was the King, standing in all of his finery and cruelty, accepting the cheers of his puppets like it was the sunlight that kept him alive.

And- wait. Why was Cede on the dais?

Something was up.

The King accepted a glass, holding it up as he began to speak. I wasn't exactly paying attention to his words. I needed to get closer.

I shoved roughly through tight-packed clusters of nobility, muttering apologies as they cursed me with their glares.

"Excuse me. Sorry. Move please-"

I wasn't going to get anywhere at this rate. Glancing back up, I noticed Cede looking at me. I tried gesturing subtly to ask him why he was there, but he mistook my gestures as waving, and waved back. A confused but happy smirk twitched on his lips.

The King was finishing his speech, and the crowd was applauding. Finally I listened.

"-and so, my worthy gentles, it is because of these people that we stand here in such comfort today. Let us raise a toast to the working sods underneath us- may they always be as prosperous as they are now."

Laughter and cheers floated up around me, and I gritted my teeth, shoving my elbow into the person in front of me a bit harder than was strictly necessary.

A fitting toast for him to die to, at least.

There- a chair. I clambered up onto it, trying to remain inconspicuous. Not exactly difficult when everyone around me was too drunk to distinguish me from the chair.

There was movement on the dais as the king had finally stopped the cheers.

But he had not yet drunk the toast.

He was gesturing towards Cede, of all people.

Then it hit me. There was only one reason someone like Cede would be up on the dais during a toast.

The winetaster.

How could we have been so foolish?

He was raising it to his lips, eyes scanning the crowd. He seemed in a hurry to get this over and done with so that he could find me again.

I stood up.

I had to act now.

Tearing off my mask, I drew my dagger. If I aimed for the King, Cede might die. If I aimed for the glass in Cede's hand, I might hit him. There was something else I could do. I desperately hoped it would work. I dropped the dagger and lifted my hands.

"CEDE! LIGARE!

I focused my entire energy on him and only him, binding him in place. If a single drop spilled into his mouth, he would be dead. I had to hold him.

He had looked up, shocked, and then froze in place, as I had commanded him.

We were bound together now, and his will was contending with my own. I could tell that he was stronger. He would soon overpower me and break free.

Something heavy hit my arm, and I felt it like a shockwave. Then I screamed. I was losing my grip on him. One second more- using all of my willpower, I forced him to drop the cup.

Our bond shattered. The pain in my arm came over me in waves, and I looked down to see an arrow going straight through, near my shoulder.

My vision seemed to bend at the edges.

People were screaming, running.

I had failed. At least Cede was still alive.

Suddenly Vil was there, grabbing me roughly and dragging me to the doors.

"Tir, we need to get out NOW."

Somehow we mixed with the throng of people and made it to the dark streets. Vil called for backup and I was taken back to the base in a haze.

Somewhere far away, I thought I heard a voice shouting my name.

There was constant pain, blood dripping. I sat in a chair, and more rebels were there. An erupting, burning, slicing pain, I was screaming- my arm was on fire.

Then darkness.

* * * * * * * * * *

I woke in a beam of sunlight, with a slight throbbing in my right arm. I was still in the red dress, which was now splattered with darker drops of red. Looking at it made me feel a little sick.

What had happened? I didn't remember much after getting shot, but I could remember the dances in crisp detail. I chose to focus on those.

Of course, those made me think of Cede. I prayed he was alright.

There was a knock on the door, and Vil slipped in, her white shock of hair tangled and dirty as always. She looked at me with uncharacteristic tenderness.

"Hey, Tir. How are you feeling?"

I shrugged. "Much better than yesterday. Vil, what happened?"

She looked at me, pride puffing up her chest. "The King's dead. I killed him while everyone was distracted."

I smiled weakly. "Good job. Honestly, I'm glad it wasn't me. But I wanted to know about the boy. The winetaster."

She gave me a strange look, as if I hadn't just asked a perfectly reasonable question. "The boy? I don't know. He seemed to be in a bit of shock. I was focused on, you know, getting you out alive, so."

I met her eyes sincerely. "Thank you, Vil. You did save my life, you know. Pretty sure if you hadn't grabbed me the guards would have shot me again. They probably wouldn't have missed a second time."

Vil looked away, a bit uncomfortable at the frank praise. "I suppose so. Anyway, if you want to find that boy, I'm sure we can send out some scouts."

I nodded quickly, then winced. My head still hurt. "Yes, please. Find him. I need to talk to him, but for now just make sure he's ok."

Vil acknowledged my words and turned back to the door, stepping though it. Just before closing it, she poked her head back around. "So Tir, tell me. What's so important about this guy?"

I fiddled with my blanket and hesitated. "I-I'll tell you later, ok?"

She accepted this rather reluctantly, but left, closing the wooden door behind her.

I let out a breath and leaned back into the bed frame, running my hands absentmindedly over my dress.

Suddenly I stopped and reached into my slit, with the empty dagger sheath. I must have left the blade at the palace. Shame.

But- there. Slowly, I pulled out the mask. The pristine white feathers had been stained with my blood, but I avoided that part and instead turned it over.

Along the edge, in cramped script, was his name: Cede Firath.

I grinned like a schoolgirl and hugged the crumpled mask to my chest before setting it gently beside my bed.

Perhaps this was an omen. After all, what else does a white dove stand for, but peace?

And maybe I, along with the kingdom, could now find peace.