Dedicaded to Viviloana 'cause she's so sexy and also 'cause I accidently skipped her. >-> Hehe...^^; <3 Vivi

18.

Arcane

Sianna shook her head. "What—"

"All will be explained once I finish my errand here," Aldermeck said and pulled down the blindfold over her eyes. She walked passed Sianna and Reth, deeper into the store.

Deneck stayed behind, a smile on his lips, but Sianna didn't know if it was for her or for Reth. When the blond Rhokin returned the gesture, she rolled her eyes and sighed. They could play best friends while she wasn't around.

Sianna stepped away from them to see Aldermeck talking to the tailor, his golden tooth twinkling between words as he accepted what appeared to be a bag full of coins. He lead Aldermeck to the many hanging garments he had and plucked three of them down: a dress chocked with folds of fabric; a green and ivory doublet with black sleeves and buttons; and a rich brown cassock with red trimmings. The garments were wrapped up in bags of linen and given to Aldermeck. After asking if she needed anything else, the tailor gave one final golden smirk before disappearing again.

As the four of them walked outside, Sianna saw Aldermeck and Deneck had come on foot because no other mounts except her and Reth's horses were there.

"Good. You have horses. We shall share," Aldermeck said as she draped the clothes over Sianna's horse. She hoisted herself on the saddle, Deneck taking a seat behind her, placing the garments over his lap. Despite her blindfold, Sianna could feel the Leitnants eyes on her telling her to hurry up.

She sighed as she walked over to Reth's horse. Several questions burned her tongue, but she knew how the Leitnant worked. She had to wait and while she waited, she had to ride with Reth. It was uncomfortable two to a saddle, but they fit and Reth had the courtesy of allowing her to ride in the front.

"We're going to Black Hollow," Aldermeck said as she nodded her head towards the general direction they were going to take. 

Sianna winced. Black Hollow was the section of the city where most of the taverns and brothels could be found. It got its name from the fire that consumed it a few decades ago when a drunken brothel client knocked down a candle during his session with an equally intoxicated whore. The fire spread and burned for an entire day before it was snuffed out but not before that section of Rorasul was blackened. Though Sianna found the tale hilarious when she first heard it, that was not the cause of her current distress.

"To reach Black Hollow we have to pass The Citadel of Grace," she said.

"We will go through it quickly," Aldermeck said.

So she knows, Sianna thought. 

"Ser?" Reth said behind her. She could hear a hint of distress in his voice.

"We'll just ignore them, Reth, and get through it quickly, just like Ser Aldermeck said."

Sianna felt him nod. "Yes, ser."

They passed the white cobbled stones of Aanoris Circle in silence. On occasion pulled carriages passed by them but other than that the streets were bare. The pathway funneled out into a courtyard that signaled they had entered The Chapel of Grace, the segment of Rorasul named after its Unseeing Chapel.

The north, east, and south sections of it held shrines devoted to each of the three gods where only flowers the color of each corresponding god was grown The western section was where the actual chapel resided with its giant curved roofs and hanging candles. Pathways interlacing the areas together were padded dirt roads outlined with crooked stones. It would've appeared as Rorasul's most serene and beautiful section of the city if not for the crowds of people littering every corner. It was there where the religious zealots gathered. Their days were spent praying, fasting, and doing whatever else it was they did.

Once Sianna and the others embarked on the dirt path the staring began. All eyes fell upon the Rhokin riding behind Sianna. The faces they belonged too looked solemn, longing, or even frightened, but Sianna knew they were thinking the same thing: savior. She learned how the people here believed Rhokin to be the saviors of the land. They were Nata's holy warriors brought to earth. She had blessed the kingdom's wizard with the power to create them so they would come and help her people.

That meant her people liked to touch Rhokin.

The first time Sianna and Reth had crossed through The Chapel of Grace, the people had swarmed on them. Men were tugging on Reth's clothes and women were touching his face, hands, chest, and anything else they could grasp. There was a buzz of phrases and chants Sianna couldn't place but some words like "grace" "savior" and "Nata" were repeated enough times that she heard it through the murmurings. 

Reth had remained motionless through the ordeal, a strange look on his face as his head spun towards every new onlooker. It wasn't till Sianna grabbed his arm and tore him away from the crowd that he started pushing people away from him. 

Now, as they crossed the chapel once more, Sianna expected a repeat of their last incident, but all they received were the looks. Some faces held smiles while others held frowns and most had their eyes closed in prayer, but no one touched them. Perhaps traveling with Aldermeck and Deneck disguised as clergy from the Unseeing had kept them at bay.  

Though Reth said nothing, Sianna could feel his discomfort as they crossed through the sea of faces. She pursed her lips and sighed through her nose.

"We're almost done crossing," she whispered to him over her shoulder.

She saw him nod. "Yes, ser. Thank you."

The faces disappeared as they left the dirt roads to enter the cobbled ones of Black Hollow. Aldermeck led them to the nearest inn and tavern called The Smiling Bear. It was a three story building of wood and stone that had a head of a bear with fangs made of bones hanging over the entrance. 

They entered the place. While Aldermeck spoke to someone about taking care of their horses, Sianna took the time to observe the area. Despite the odd sight of a Rhokin, a Guard member, a Sister, and a Brother standing in the room, no glances were spared at them. It was no wonder. The Black Hollow was a red light district. No questions were asked as long as coin was to be had.

The Leitnant mentioned for them to follow her up the stairs to the top floor. She led them to one of the doors she opened with a key produced from somewhere within her robes. Sianna entered and the first thing she noticed was how posh the furniture looked when compared to the dingy bottom floor with its splintered wooden tables and chairs. Everything was polished and painted with a shining finish. Glossy stone tables were accompanied by padded chairs. Even the bed linens had a healthy and washed glow.

Sianna stopped in her tracks when she saw who was seated at one of the tables. "Iari?"

He looked up from the open book in front of him and beamed a grand smile when he saw her. She noticed his scars were gone and he was wearing the face of his younger brother again. 

"Sianna! Reth!" He stood up and came up to them. "What are you doing here?" 

He took her question out of her mouth. Sianna shook her head and looked at Reth as if he held the answer. He lifted his eyebrows at her, apparently as confused as she was. She sighed.

"What is going on here?" Sianna asked, turning to Aldermeck.

"Much is happening, but it wasn't supposed to involve you," said a woman as she entered the room. She carried a big pouch that required both hands for her to hold. Her red hair and sly smile was familiar. 

"Kota too?" Sianna glared.

Kota smiled at her as she went up to the table where Iari had been reading. She placed the bag on it and the unique sound of coins clanking together was heard.  

"Is this what you two have been doing?" Sianna demanded as she looked between the Nayichi and Iari. "Pick pocketing to afford this place? These clothes and books?"

"It's quite simple to do when you can disappear," Kota said.

Again Sianna's eyes darted to Aldermeck. Did she know this was going on? How could she have allowed all this? What was she even doing here? Sianna's eyes widened.

"Are you even Ser Aldermeck?" she blurted.

The Leitnant laughed. "Meryl, Sianna. Now more than ever you should call me that." She took off her blindfold and cloak. Underneath she had simple cotton clothes and a leather belt. Deneck had already discarded his disguise and was dressed in a similar fashion. Neither of them were armed.

Sianna shook her head, a scowl on her face. "I have no reason to trust Iari and Kota, but I am almost starting to think about my faith in you, Meryl."

Iari's mouth opened, the hurt evident on his face. "You don't trust me, Sianna? But I thought you said you did. Remember? Before we separated at the gates of Rorasul. You said so."

She pressed her lips together. "I only said that so you would let your guard down. I had planned on secretly infiltrating your actions as you went about the city, but apparently a Leitnant does rather dull work that involves staying indoors more than out."

"So you had planned on stalking us?" Kota smiled. Even with her human face, Sianna felt she could see the creature's fangs and haunting orange eyes.

Aldermeck laughed. "I knew you would not be suited for such droll work within the Citadel. I also enjoyed Jabel more than here—"

"I've had enough!" Sianna arms swept the air in front of her.

The Leitnant gave a face that showed how she wasn't used to be interrupted but closed her eyes and sighed. "Fine. Sit, Sianna." She pointed at the chair Iari had been using. 

Sianna eyed Kota, who was still standing next to the table, before doing as she was told.

"Don't worry. I can move." Kota said to Sianna's glare.

She ignored her as Reth took a seat next to her. Iari backed away from them and took root to a spot next to Deneck, an odd look on his face. 

Aldermeck looked at the two in front of her before she started to speak. "All I ask is you listen, Sianna. You will have questions but keep them to yourself after I finish. This—"she sighed"—This is going to be difficult for me to say."

Sianna held her breath. There was something in Aldermeck's eyes she had never seen before, and it made her more uncomfortable than sharing a room with Kota. She nodded. 

"I defected from the Guard," Aldermeck said.

Sianna opened her mouth but even if she had found the words to say something, Aldermeck's glare to remain silent prompted her to close it.

"Before I joined the Guard, I was known as Enita Steinman."

Steinman? Sianna knew that name. All of Dracarr knew that name.

"Yes. I was from House Steinman. I was the firstborn and only born which meant I had to be wed for the family name to continue. Of course there were several suitors, but I wanted nothing to do with them. I was, as my father put it, too manly.

"I enjoyed swords over flowers and horses over carriages. I liked many 'manly' things indeed." She grinned. "Unfortunately, it was not about what I liked but about what would give our House prosperity. I had a duty after all. I was wed to the first son of House Oaklade. He was a sweet man, older than me by a few years but not too old he could not give me a son. Though I could not find myself to love my husband, I did find love for my son.

"I named him Eric. He was my world. I watched him grow. I taught him swords. I taught him riding. I taught him everything. No one else." Aldermeck sighed before continuing. "It was during an outing that we encountered some Magus. It was a small pack of Zlers, almost harmless, but they had scared the horses and had been enough. Most of our Shields were dismounted and it was within the chaos of neighing and galloping horses that I lost sight of Eric."

Aldermeck paused again and placed a hand on her forehead as if the memories of that day were causing her pain. "I returned to the castle alone. I kept sending people to look for his corpse. The corpses of those that died had been found except for Eric's. I kept thinking maybe he had escaped. Maybe he was wandering somewhere, alone and frightened. No one would tell me anything and nothing brought me resolution, so I went out by myself, alone.

"That was when I realized what I was doing. I didn't want this life. I never did.

"I faked my death. I slaughtered a pig and strained its blood. I tore up my clothes and left the pieces and the blood by areas where wolves were known to frequent. I ran away, cut my hair, and joined the Guard. I was twenty." She seemed to force a smile. "I had not thought of this side of my life until the night Kota appeared."

At this, Sianna could not hold her tongue. "Kota?" She heard the Nayichi's hmm? as if this was a simple gossip circle they were participating in. 

Aldermeck pointed at Deneck. She seemed tired. The Rhokin placed a hand on her shoulder.

"That night I had sensed Kota marking you, Ser Rayoss. I assume you already know this information?" Deneck said.

Sianna gave a single nod.

"Yes. I sensed her before anyone else could. When I saw you wake up and walk into the night, I woke up Meryl and told her of the Nayichi. She decided to corner it after she had gone back into the woods. After she had marked you. 

"When I found her, Meryl confronted her and after a bit of coaxing, Kota told us what it was she was doing. She told us what I assume you already know as well, Ser Rayoss. Her need of Iari, yes?"

Again, Sianna only nodded. Though she was attentive to Deneck's tale, she couldn't help but wonder if she had ever heard him call Aldermeck "Meryl" before.

"I need him because his magick can help me obtain an item I need to retrieve," Kota said as she walked up to the circle of humans and Rhokin. "His magick is the only thing that can help me find it. You see, it resides within the possession of the king's wizard."

Sianna frowned and stared at Aldermeck, her only reason for staying in the room listening to all this madness. She smiled at Sianna, an encouraging endearment. Sianna bit her tongue. She was tired of listening to all these explanations. What was the point of listening if nothing made sense?

Then something clicked in her head. 

"The princess' engagement feast," she said her eyes falling on the garments Aldermeck had lain on the bed when they came in. She stood up and looked between Iari and Kota. "You two plan to take the item then."

"Yes, and Deneck and I shall help them," Aldermeck said. 

"That is what I don't understand. What is your role in all this? Why?" Sianna asked.

"My son." Even though it was only two words, they both drained her and lightened her.

"Eric."

"Yes. Kota promised me the item would be able to tell me the fate of my son. I need to know, Sianna. That's why I left the Guard. I faked my death a second time while I was on my way to my newly assigned post. This all had been planned since I met Kota that night."

Sianna's eyes widened and her mouth opened but the words didn't come. "You enjoy dying, Ser Aldermeck," she at last said dryly.

She gave a half smile. "I do, do I not?"

Sianna shook her head for the umpteenth time that day. "Even if this works out, how do you plan to get the item? What even is this item?"

"It is what will free me from my exile," Kota said. She was back in her grey skin with her root-like hair draping down her back. 

Sianna sighed, the sight of her Nayichi form igniting anger inside of her. "I like you better when I don't have to see your damn cunt all the time."

"You get used to it." She smiled but a ball of cloth hitting Kota's face knocked it from her lips.

"I agree with Sianna," Aldermeck said. "At least put on some undergarments. I've told you to wear them when you decide to show off."

Kota sighed. "Humans."

Sianna sat back down, drained by all the thoughts that swirled within her head. Desperate for a distraction, her eyes were caught by the book on the table that Iari had been reading. Though her own literary skills still needed work, she was pleased at being able to read the title. Except for the last word. 

"Autumn," Reth said.

She stared at him.

"I know you have trouble with that word, ser. It holds a silent letter."

Sianna glowered at him but her wrath subdued as she recalled the other countless times she yelled in frustration at him during their late night reading lessons. "Thank you, Reth," she said instead.

"Of course, Ser."

"Well." Aldermeck smiled. "Look at you two."

"No. Don't change the subject. I am still waiting to hear about this item. Why is it needed to break an exile? What exile? And you still haven't mentioned how you plan on stealing something from the creator of Rhokin and Armadura without him finding out about your deed." Sianna felt breathless after her spew of words.

"She was not supposed to be part of this," Kota said to Aldermeck with a snarl. She was dressed in the simple gown Aldermeck had thrown at her. "Why did you even bring her here?"

Aldermeck shrugged. "Perhaps it was because I missed her."

Sianna frowned. She didn't appreciate being talked about. "I am part of this now."

"Not if it has the potential to hurt you, ser," Reth said. His voice was solid and cut through Sianna's distress like ice on her skin. She gaped at him.

Deneck smiled, a matching grin on Aldermeck's lips.

"Reth, if it is dangerous that is where you come in. I am bringing you along for a reason," Sianna told him.

"It is true I am here to protect you and that is what I am doing now, ser. If there is potential for danger, I will protect you by preventing it," he answered.

Aldermeck and Deneck shared a laugh that put Sianna on edge, making her feel like a child being scolded. She stood and was about to turn on her heel to leave the room when Aldermeck placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I will answer your questions," she said, "but you must promise to not interfere during the feast. Attend it. Have fun and then meet us here after it is finished. By then, we will have the item and we will show it to you. But only then, Sianna."

She studied her Leitnant—No. She is no longer my Leitnant. No longer a Leitnant.—and the blue eyes which looked at her. Sianna could at last put to words what it was that she had always seen in them. There had always been a veil behind Aldermeck's stares and glares, and Sianna now knew the story behind it.

"Okay," she said, placing her hand on top of Aldermeck's, "it is a promise."

Aldermeck's eye brows went up but there was a smile on her face. "Thank you, Leitnant Rayoss."

◌-◌-◌

Sianna knew she should've asked the tailor how to wear a dress. The damn thing was a jumble of layers and flowing sleeves. She didn't know if the bodice was supposed to be outside the blouse or inside, much less how to lace it.

"Saints curse these fucking things!" Sianna's arms ached from tugged on the laces on her back that refused to cooperate with her.

Reth took a step towards her. "Ser—"

"No, Reth. For the third time, I don't need any help. Just let me..." She sighed and glared at the Rhokin.

She envied his simple yet elegant attire. His tunic was a dark red. An ivory vest dotted with light green patterns was over that and a brown belt around his waist secured the pieces together. 

"I should've asked the tailor to make me one of those," Sianna grumbled.

She turned back to the mirror that was too small to show her what she needed to see; she needed a full sized one that showed her entire body. Better yet, five of them all encased around her so she could see what the hell was poking her now.

Sianna sighed and wiggled her hips, trying to detect the culprit, and realized it was the hoop–skirt that was jabbing something at her. She lifted her skirts to find it and discovered one of its rings was broken, the splintered cane scratching her skin. She was not going to put up with that all night.

"Reth, I need your help now. Look here." She turned to him. "You see that thing with all the rings?"

"The farthingale, ser?" Reth asked as he stepped up to her.

"Is that what it's called? I don't care. Just take it off. I'm not sure how I even put the fucking thing it on, but I have no idea how to take it off now. Just break it. Cut it. I don't care. Just get rid of it."

He kneeled in front of her and placed a hand on the broken ring. "Ser, are you wearing breeches underneath your dress?"

"Of course I am. I'm not going to—are...are you laughing at me, Reth?"

Though no sound was coming from his lips, this was the first time Sianna saw Reth's smile show off his teeth. It was an odd sight but it also caused her to stare in awe. Until she remembered what it was he was smiling about. She released her skirts and brought them down on his head.

"This is difficult enough without your fucking smirks!" Sianna said, tempted to give him a kick while he was down by her legs.

She gave a small jump when she felt the touch of his gloved hands on her waist. His fingers traced a path to the small of her back where they fumbled with something for a few seconds. She felt a weight fall from around her as the hoop–skirt fell to the floor with a clang. Reth emerged from under her skirts, his hair ruffled, as Sianna kicked the farthingale across the floor.

"I don't think this was a good idea after all," Sianna said. Without the support of the farthingale, the skirts pooled around her feet like a huge puddle.

Reth scanned her dress for a few seconds. "Ser, if I may?"

"What are you going to do?" She gave him a look.

"I am simply going to help you with your dress." He smiled, a small grin compared to his earlier one.

A slight sense of fear crept up her chest but Sianna nodded. "Fine, but hurry up. Abt will be here soon."

He nodded and stepped behind her. She felt his hands tug and pull on her bodice, loosening it so that it hung around her waist.

"Ser, please gather your sleeves and hold up your arms. This shall not take long," he told her.

She made a face but grabbed her bell–shaped sleeves in her arms and lifted them out of Reth's way. He again knelt by her skirts and start folding the cloth within itself, holding it all in place with one hand while the other one worked.

"Ser, would you please hand me your belt," he said.

"My belt?" Her face wrinkled with worry at what he was doing as she handed him the leather belt that was on the vanity in front of her.

Reth grabbed it and gathered the folds of cloth in his hand high around her waist. He looped the belt around them and did the buckle tight enough for Sianna to let out a hiss of protest. Reth apologized but was not done. He scooped up the dress' top layer not belted around Sianna's waist, folded it in half, and stuffed the hem into the leather sash to hide it.

"You can place your arms down now, ser," he said.

"Are you almost done?"

"One more thing, ser."

His fingers were on her bodice again. She felt the tug of his work race down from the top of her back to the bottom. He finished lacing her with a pull that had Sianna seeing starts.

"Is that how you're supposed to wear this thing?" she gasped.

He blinked at her as if surprised she didn't know that. "Yes, ser. It's supposed to be shapely."

"Shapely? What the hell does that mean?" Sianna looked down at herself and found out. "Shit. I have actual tits now!"

The bodice pushed out her chest and outlined her waist. Sianna poked at one of her breasts that popped out at her. She looked up to see how she looked on the mirror but it instead captured her midsection where Reth had placed and hid her belt.

He had split the top skirt to reveal the other ones beneath it which was also split in the same fashion to reveal the skirt beneath that one. Behind her was the rest of the fabric laid out like a small train, the three skirts layered on top of each other. The red dress was complimented by the ivory and green underskirts which Sianna just realized were the same colors as Reth's outfit.

There was a knock on the door and Sianna knew it was Abt.

"Sianna, dear. Are you ready?" he said through the door.

"Shit!" She tried to walk but succeed in stepping on her dress.

"Ser, you have to—"

"I know, Reth! Just go comb your hair. You got it messy while fixing this damn thing." Sianna gathered her skirts, revealing her bare feet and realizing she didn't have any formal shoes to wear. Her eyes darted to her casual leather boots. They would have to do. No one was going to see her feet anyway.

Seconds later, Sianna opened the door to see Abt and Sophitia garbed in rich colors and fine cloth.

"You look beautiful, my dear." Abt smiled and took her arm

He led them to a waiting carriage that took them across the Citadel to Baerston Keep where the king's castle resided. As they rode, Sianna stared at the dressed up Rhokin, Reth in his tunic and Sophitia in her lilac dress and lace collar. They could have passed as humans. 

"It seems we missed the toasts and presentation of the princess' fiancé," Abt said as the carriage pulled up to its destination. "The accompanying Thimalist banner men that are seated outside the walls have already started feasting. We probably missed some of the many courses as well. Sorry for having you wait for me and making us late."

Sianna shook her head as they stepped out of the carriage. "No. Trust me. It was not you that made us late."

In the darkness, Sianna could only see the silhouette of the towering structure. The moonlight cast a silvery outline on it, giving shape to the towers and walls. They went past the seated banner men to the doorways that lead to the festive hall. One of the Shields standing by them opened the doors for them.

This was the second time Sianna had attended a feast, and she realized the first time at House Gabard did not prepare her for what she saw now.

The room seemed ten times bigger with a hundred times as many people. It was impossible to hear any music over the loud talking and laugher or perhaps it was a combination of everything, for the noise felt like a physical wave upon her ears. The smell of meat and pie and fruit and nuts and gravy and bacon and wine and sweat and perfume assaulted her nose and attacked throat. As Abt lead her to a table, she felt like she was walking in a stew of human lather.

They sat furthest from the royal table, but Sianna could see waves of gold and red from where she was. She could tell where the king and queen were seated by the grandeur of their chairs. The tall backs curved over their heads and from the chairs' "ceiling" several hollies were hanging, crowning the king and queen with their believed luck. The berries between the leaves were painted blue, yellow, and white: the colors of the Unseeing.

To the queen's left were the other two younger princesses, also adorned in gold and red, but Sianna could not get a good look at them other than the shine of light on their black heads. It was to the king's right where the guest of honor, Prince Jorster Kull of the Thimalest Kingdom, was seated and to the prince's right was Dracarr's betrothed princess, Clera.  

Others, probably other Thimalest and Dracarr guests, were seated by the royal family, but Sianna paid them no mind. She had caught her glimpse of the current and future king and queen, making the wine in front of her more enticing.

Plus it would help her pass the time faster. 

Aldermeck and the others were here somewhere, she knew, but what they were doing was what was making her nervous. She had not seen them since their encounter at The Smiling Bear a few weeks ago.

"No need to put your new position in the Guard in jeopardy, Sianna. You look good in Armadura," Aldermeck had said.

Sianna looked down at the cup in her hand and frowned. This is going to be a long night.

"Ser, perhaps dancing shall help ease your mind?" Reth said, leaning close to her so she'd hear him through the noise.

She smiled. "If I look that tense holding a cup of wine then that means I need two, not dancing."

By the fourth drink, Sianna had her skirts up in flair as she twirled to music that could hardly be heard. Her partners were familiar faces of other Leitnants she'd met her first few weeks in the Citadel. Even a few of the Centurio soldiers under her command came up and danced with her. Sianna wasn't sure if her flailing limbs and awkward spins could be called dancing, but she was too caught up in her laughter to care. 

The new ballad that started up held a familiar beat, one that Sianna recognized but it wasn't till the bard started singing that she remembered it. 

"A young fair maiden

With the earth for hair

Asked of me a wooden

Chair.

'Chair?' says I, caught

In her stare

'Your beauty has bought

My love and care..."

It was the song Sianna's mother had sang to her the night before her death. The last remembrance of the days when Sianna's life was filled with lyrical calm and melodic fantasy. She expected a crushing force to squeeze her lungs. She expected to drag her feet back to her seat and stare at her wine. She expected a marvel to arise within her memories and raw out the lost sounds of her mother's voice that dimmed with each setting of the sun.

But all she felt was the longing to sing along. 

Something Sianna did remember was, unlike her mother, her singing voice was a step above a dying cat choking on a bullfrog, so she kept her words silent on her lips as she swayed with her new dancing partner. That was probably why she didn't notice who it was.

"If I wasn't seeing it right now, I would not have believed it. Sianna in a dress."

She froze at the sound of the voice that made her skin crawl. The ballad's words were lost puffs of air as she spoke. "Lycin?"

He grinned down at her, his eyes appearing brighter than usual. She withdrew from him, but his arms around her kept her close. 

"What are you doing here?" she growled.

"I am still part of the Gabard household and we were invited to this celebration as well. Knowing you might be here, how could I resist?"

"Gabard household?" Sianna cringed at the thought of Lord Gabard appearing with another kiss for her cheek.

Lycin laughed. "Do not worry. My father and Torm are too deep in their cups to even walk."

"Well I am not and that suddenly seems delightful to do right now, so I leave you." Sianna pulled away but again his arms around her kept her still.

"You danced with me before," he said, "and you look so beautiful. That dress suits you all too well. Stay here and let me drink you in."

He drew her closer, his face dipping low towards hers. Sianna's hand curled into a fist. Noble or not, he was about to get a black eye. 

"May I?" another voice interjected.

Lycin stopped and looked at the man that had come up to them. Sianna's eyebrows shot up and her mouth opened. The man was handsome with golden curls on his head that rivaled the sun's. Even though his face held a stoic expression, Sianna felt a radiation of warmth from it. The man stepped between Lycin and Sianna as he took Sianna's hand in his own and led her away from the youngest Gabard. 

"Get back—" Lycin's voice disappeared as Sianna and the man walked further into the crowd.

His steps were hurried, but she didn't mind as long as he took her far from Lycin. Her eyes were stuck on the tall man, admiring the curve of his jaw and chin and the strength of his neck. He looked down at her and smiled. There was a vivacity to it she had never seen. Sianna had to blink to make sure it wasn't the wine giving him this beauty.

"Sianna, it's me, Iari," the man said.

She saw his radiance dull and the warmth she felt from him transformed into the usual annoying adorableness Iari carried with him. "Damn it, Iari! I'm going to tie a bell around your neck."

He pouted, an odd sight on his face that seemed too perfect to house any frowns. "I'm sorry. It's just that I saw you with Lycin and I thought..."

She smiled and gripped his hand, recognizing the clothes on him as the ones that Aldermeck had picked up. They seemed to have grown and stretched along with Iari. "It's okay, Iari. I just get annoyed when you approach me with your damn disguises. I don't like being surprised, especially when it's Lycin doing it." 

"Meryl is going to be mad too though."

"She has you calling her Merly now?" For some reason that gave Sianna cause to trust Iari a little more.

"Yes. I like Meryl and Deneck."

Sianna soured again. "And Kota.

He shrugged but the hesitation on his face was evident. "Yes, but I understand if you don't like her."

She waved his words away. "Why do you say Aldermeck will be angry?"

"Because she didn't want me to interact with you during the celebration. And I did."

Her stomach turned to ice. "You mean you haven't gotten the item yet?"

"No. We're about to. Kota is waiting for us outside this room. I was actually on my way to meet Meryl and Deneck right now when I saw you with Lycin."

"Well to be honest, I'm glad you came. If not, Lycin would have been on the floor withering in pain and I may have been on the streets without a job...or a Rhokin."

Iari gave a glance around the crowd. "Where is Reth?"

"I don't know. He is off somewhere or probably still seated at our table." Sianna looked up at Iari. "Is that really you, Iari? Why did you choose this disguise?"

He gave her a confused look. "I didn't get it from anywhere. I just aged myself with my magick and I appeared like this."

"So this is how you will look in a few years?"

He shrugged, a blush on his cheeks. "I guess so."

She laughed. "Saints, Iari. If that's true, whores and noblewomen alike would be paying you to bed them."

His blush deepened. "Sianna," he mumbled.

She laughed again. "I should probably find Reth. With Lycin here, I rather just go to the The Smiling Bear and wait for you there."

He nodded. "We should be there soon. With my and Kota's magick, it should be simple to find the item and take it."

"I hope so," she said and pulled her hand out of his. "I wish you all my luck."

He smiled and Sianna couldn't resist. She went to her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "Whoever you end up with will be a lucky woman as well, Iari."

His entire face turned red as he stammered out a few incoherent words before he walked away. Sianna followed him with her eyes through the crowed. It wasn't hard since he was taller than most. She saw his blond head stop before two other taller people she didn't recognize. Aldermeck and Deneck in disguise, she figured. From far away, she couldn't hear what they were saying but she saw them sneak off towards the back side of the room and disappear. 

As Sianna made her way back to what she hoped was her table, something occurred to her. She had passed by the royal table several times during her dancing, catching good looks at the seated monarchy when she had been twirling with Abt. He had enlightened her with the names of the people seated at the regal table, including those that had gone off to dance, but there was someone Abt did not mention.

The wizard. He's not here. What if he catches them?

Before the rest of her thoughts caught up with her, she was pushing her way to the back of the room where she saw Iari and the rest disappear. She came up to a set of closed doors she figured led deeper in the castle. They were twice her height and as wide, but also unguarded.

Sianna lifted one of the rings which felt like it weighed a sack of stones. She managed to give it a tug but it did not budge. There was no need to lock a door that was impossible to open without the need of a small army. She sighed, letting the ring go. The feast's noise hid the loud crash it probably made. 

"Shall I try, ser?" Reth said as he appeared by her side.

She frowned. That was three times that night she was surprised by someone. She blamed it on the wine despite her clearing head. "How did you even know I was here?"

He stared at her as if that was the oddest question he had ever been asked. "It would be shameful if I was not present when you were in need of my assistance."

Sianna sighed. "Just try opening the damn doors already."

He lifted the ring with less effort than Sianna. She scowled but turned around to keep a lookout. It wasn't necessary. A king's festival was a good distraction. When she turned back, she saw the door open enough for a single body to slip through. 

"How did you do that?" she asked.

"I simply opened it," he said giving her an odd look. 

She shrugged. "So much for Rhokin proof doors. You think the king's castle would have greater security."

"Ser?"

"Never mind. Come."

Sianna slipped through the cracked doors, Reth at her heels as he closed the door behind him. The sound of the celebration was muffled and Sianna was reminded how air smelled and tasted without the scents of grease and sweat. 

"Ser, are you sure we should be doing this?" Reth asked her as they stared into darkness.

"Questioning my motives actions now? You're a little too late for that," she said, "but no, I don't think we should be doing this, but we still are. Now keep quiet."

The castle seemed like all other castles, filled with confusing and winding hallways and staircases that led to endless doors. All the walls looked the same, draped with gold and red tapestries and banners. Sianna counted the seal of Dracarr forty-seven times before she gave up. 

It became darker as they crept along. The torches lined up against the wall were lit every other, sometimes only every third. It was also quiet. Sianna was surprised they had not encountered anyone. Of course that was when she heard the approaching footsteps. 

She grabbed Reth's sleeve, whispered for him to stay quiet, and pulled him up the staircase to their left. For a moment, Sianna thought they were being followed, so she raced up the stone steps, hoping its winding nature would keep them hidden behind the pillar that bore the staircase. By the time she realized it was only the echo of their own steps Sianna was hearing, they were already a good way up.

"Might as well continue," she said to Reth.

Sianna prided herself in having greater stamina than most of the other Leitnants in the Citadel, but she soon felt herself winded. The weight of the dress and the tight corset didn't help.

How are noblemen so fat?

She peeked at Reth to see how he was fairing and scowled.

Of course he's not grasping for breath.

Sianna tightened her falling skirts into her arms and continued going up.

I'm going to burn these garments once I take them off.

When at last they reached the top, there was a single door at the end of the stairs. There was no way of knowing what was on the other side, but Sianna would be damned if she had to walk down the stairs. She pushed it open and instead of expecting to step into another endless hallway, she entered a room. 

The walls were hidden by shelves holding crystal vials with swirling contents in every colored Sianna had ever seen. Other glass containers held what looked like weeds and leaves. Deeper in the room she saw more shelves this time holding parchments and books. An entire wooden plank was devoted to nothing but bottled ink while the half dozen shelves below that one held stacks of fresh parchment paper. 

Sianna took a hesitant step inside, Reth mimicking her action. There was a maze of tables in the room. Wooden bowls and plates were stacked on all of them, some of them adorned with powdery residue. Candle wax caked the surfaces of the tables but Sianna was yet to see one.

She and Reth weaved through the tables, careful to not touch anything. When they hit the end of the room, she saw a piece of furniture that wasn't a bookcase or a table. It was a bed, the most extravagant she'd ever seen. 

The bedframe appeared of onyx with white carvings on it that swirled as if alive. The bedposts led up to the ceiling, disappearing into a high canopy of white silk that curled like smoke in the air. Sianna blinked. 

It wasn't silk.

"Reth, there's mist in the air here," she said.

"Ser, this is someone on the bed," Reth said.

Sianna looked. What she had also mistaken for falling drapes of a silk canopy were actually what looked like strings. There seemed to be thousands of them descending from the mist. They spanned across the air, the bright white threads passing by others but never touching. As they fell towards the sheets, they packed tighter together, all connecting to the same suspended object: a human boy.

The strings appeared stuck on him, piercing through his clothes. Several dozens of them were gathered on his wrists, ankles, temples, and hip bones. Most of them, like a sea of tall, white grass, collected over his heart.Though the threads hid his face, Sianna saw his black hair was long enough to hang from his head and touch the mattress beneath him.

"Reth," Sianna whispered, her face twisted in horror, "is this some form of magick?"

He looked at her, confusion clear on his face. "It is magick, ser, but it is a type of magick I have never felt."

"We have to get out of here. I don't know what this is, but we have to leave." 

She turned around only to come face to face with a man. Sianna took a step back and instinctively reached to her side for her sword, but her palm gripped nothing. Her only defense was the Rhokin that stepped between her and the stranger. 

"Not exactly a normal sight, is it?" The man smiled but it seemed strained, making the wrinkles on his face more prominent. 

"Who are you? How long have you been standing there?" Sianna asked. 

The man brought his arms out of his robe pockets. Each of his fingers held at least three rings, the bands all adorned with crudely cut jewels. Dozens of bracelets hugged his arms up to his elbows. The gold, silver, and black charms that dangled from them clanked when he extended an arm out and took a small bow.

"It's only polite I answer your questions. I am Vulharis and I've been here since before you came into this room," he said.

"Vulharis," Sianna repeated. Why did that sound so familiar? She stared at the dark rainbows that decorated his fingers and arms for a few moments until she remembered.

Sianna grasped Reth's sleeve with a tight fist, but her eyes stayed on the man before her. "You're the king's wizard."

"Why, yes. Yes, I am," he answered with another pained smile. 

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Author's Note: Holy shit, guys. Did you see how long it took me to upload? No. Fuck that. No. I hope this lengthy chapter makes up for it a bit but over a month? No.

Thank GOD I found this new website that helps me with my writing. I typed out most of this chapter on that thing in the past few days than the 300+ words I did within the past few WEEKS. This is the website if you're interested:

ilys.com

See the video first. I'm sure you'll understand what the dude is saying about writing. They layout of the website is simple. I thought it was fun to use. 

Bam! Hope that's good news for updates. <3

Anyway...This chapter is NOT edited right now 'cause damn...I was too lazy to edit eight fucking thousand words. So maybe later I'll get to that. Yup. 

For now, enjoy it with all its typos and awkward sentences and stuff. By the way, feel free to point out my typos or anything else. Thank you so much for putting up with my laziness...that totally needs to stop. Now. Sorry for my cussing...so tired and disappointed in myself for taking so long to update. DX