A Tale of Blades & Blood-Chapter 11: A Dance in Fantasy

[Orevian's Point of View]

If there is one thing the south has beaten the north in, it is the quality of wine. The wedding began with the entry of guests. House Ravenhan entered first, with Lord Noran Ravenhan walking down the blue and red carpet, wearing a blue mantle and a black pair of leggings, with his mother, Odelia Ravenhan, who wore a white dress. Beside her was her husband, Nosos Ravenhan, who wore a blue and gold mantle, with his leggings being as white as snow.

The next to enter was our family- The Ballisters. My father and sister went first, and I followed behind them. My sister wore a long, red dress, her hair set free, flowing down to her waist. My father wore a fluffy leather coat, underneath it was a red mantle; he also wore black leggings and long boots. I wore a formal attire to the wedding, with my mantle not being as thick as others, but rather thinner. I wore gray leggings, paired with leather shoes.

The ball room was simply spectacular. The chandeliers glimmered as if they were stars. The ceiling was littered with murals showcasing the stories of Ravenhan and Ballister ancestors, signifying the union of the two houses. The table cloth in itself had intricate gold patterns, and the silverware was made of gold and silver. How many golden heads did Lord Nosos spend? I thought to myself. The band played music so loud anyone outside the room could not be heard.

The jesters played acts on a stage, with dwarfs dancing, clowns making jokes of themselves, and performers breathing fire and walking on two long sticks. The light show was even more magnificent, with torches flung into the air and combusting into colors of purple and pink, blue and red, green and white.

Seriously, how much did he spend on this? I asked myself.

Soon, the spectacles would end, and now came the dance. Couples from all around the four regions gathered together to dance. I was alone; I did not have a maiden of my own to dance with. I could see my father watching closely as he stayed seated. I let out a sigh as I see him that way. Mother died a long time ago when I was only three. I do not remember her face, and father never wed anyone else. Father's loyalty is unmatched, I always told myself.

Noran and Orelia danced gracefully. Although, the Ravenhan groom might be more of a casual dancer than a traditional one. One moment, I would see them doing a swan dance, local to the south, and practiced since the twelfth century. Then, I would see him freely dancing in any way he wanted with her; she seemed happy, though.

Lady Odelia danced with Lord Nosos, and Lord Purock partnered with his daughter, Lady Purela, who had no man to dance with but her father. His sons, Pumos and Puthmos, excluding his bastard son, Purin, were dancing with other fair lady nobles. House Gryphith always disregarded their bastards. Now, Lord Purin only holds the last name Edhard after his true mother.

Who knew a wedding filled with bonds would be so... lonely?

"Why the long face?" asked a gentle voice.

I look up to see... "Lady Norien?" I ask to clarify. What is it now? I ask myself. Surely, she does not bring bad news, right?

"Why are you alone? You should be celebrating with the rest of the families, you know." she remarks. I was never one for parties, just as I never was a fond folk for snow.

"It is a dance, my lady..." I tell her, "...what shall I do if I have nobody to dance with?" I ask, with a tinge of loneliness in my voice. Then again, I always found solitude in being alone. I would always prefer it over extravagant strolls with many friends.

"There are many noble ladies to dance with..." she reminded me. "...perhaps you should go and find your fair maiden, my lord?" she suggested. Why on the name of The Three Men are you asking me these things? Seriously, why?

I stand up, and come face to face with her. "Better to be alone, my lady, lest be dragged into something I might embarrass myself in." I told her. "You go on ahead, my lady. Dance with the other princes if you must. I will be at the other side of the room-"

She pulls me by my hand. "Come on, your grace." she told me, "Don't sulk in a place of joy!" she exclaimed, dragging me into the dancing area. She held me by the shoulders.

"My lady!" I exclaim in surprise. The lady's grip was strong- stronger than me. I could not break free from her hold.

"What is it, my lord?" he asked with a wide, open smile.

"Really, I must leave." I tell her.

"Tell me why, then." she demanded, letting go and crossing her arms, giving me a stare that wanted an answer. Her mere stance made me want to obey- seriously, I am a weak boy, which was unusual considering the house I came from.

"Uhm..." I thought for a while, "I-I do not know how to dance!" I answer. "Yes! Indeed, my lady, I-I would not want to shame myself in front of my family." I told her. That was a lie. For a boy of my age, I loved to dance.

"Just let your heart lead you!" she exclaimed. "For a girl like me, I know nothing about dancing, you know." she explained, moving closer step-by-step.

"I don't know..." I tell her.

"Shh..." she covered my lips with her finger. "Just dance, won't you?"

I pause. WHAT ON THE THREE ISLANDS WAS THAT!? I yelled in my mind. I did not know what to feel- joyous or completely freaked out? Why on the name of The Three Men would she do such a thing? Does she adore me? Does she simply want to dance?

"I'm waiting, my lord." she playfully said.

I sighed. I could not escape the stubborn lady no matter how hard I would try. "Fine. Only this once." I told her, and I reached out my hand. I did not realize I was smiling.

"There is a joyful prince!"

Soon she took my hand, and we danced that wonderous night. Under the glimmering chandeliers, and around the couples who also danced, we danced along. Like many other boys my age, I was unsure what to feel. I was even less sure about what she felt! We performed the dance of winter and the falcon dance. Other than that, it was her that led me. She would dance freely and drag me into her randomness.

To be honest... something happened other than a dance that night. Perhaps this is what my sister felt when she met Lord Noran...

Soon, the dance would end. She looked at me, panting, exhausted from the long dance. "How could a boy like you dance so well?" she asked jokingly.

"You know nothing, my lady." I reply.

Before anything else could happen, something interrupted the moment. Now? Why now? Why must it be now? I thought to myself.

"My lord." a voice called. "My lord!" it called louder than the first one.

I search frantically for the voice. Eventually, I see a head peeking from a corner, his hands gesturing me to come. "My lady..." I began, regret in my voice, "...I shall see you later on!".

I follow him, making sure nobody sees me leave. I hurriedly walk past strangers, and eventually reach the corner. As soon as I was within his arm's reach, he pulled me.

"My lord..." he began frantically, "...I apologize for surprising you. It is just that-"

"What is the meaning of this?" I ask. Really, why did you just pull me like that? Rude. I escape his grasp and cross my hands. He was taller, but I did not care. He also had a mask of gold, so I could only see his eyes- gray and tired.

"You must not eat the cake." he replied.

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I look at him, confused as ever. "What? What is wrong with the cake?" I ask him. "What makes it so foul that you forbid me to eat it?"

"The cake is poisoned, my lord! It is made with the sap of a thorn flower!" he exclaimed, holding me by the shoulders. I take his hands off of me. Poisoned? What does he mean by poisoned?

"So, you accuse House Strix of treason?" I ask him. I did not wait for an answer. "This is outrageous! On what grounds do you have to accuse them of such an act?" I demanded an answer. Why would House Strix betray us?

"A very member of their house told me so, Lord Forien Strix; he met you once..." he began, "...he wanted me to tell you!" he exclaimed. "You must go to the stables before the toasting for the groom and bride. Take all that you want with you, just... go there!" he shouted.

A few eyes look towards us. He hurriedly goes away, but not before telling me again to "go to the stables before the toast". I go back to the ball room, the message still inside my head. Poison? Impossible.

I search the room for Lord Forien. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him, being dragged away by two men in... Strix armor. That is no ordinary armor, I thought, that is an armor of an Elite Bannerman, I realized. For a brief second, he saw me. He shaped the words "Escape now" using his mouth.

I hurriedly go to my father, hoping to have him follow me down to the stables. "Excuse me" and "Pardon me" were the only words I said as I made my way to his seat. I soon arrived after going through the crowd. Father was not there. I look to the stage, only to see him, being accompanied by Lord Forien's father, Lord Folius Strix, who himself was accompanied by two men dressed in the same armor.

No. I am too late. I realize it. My father had already been taken away. Orelia, I must save Orelia!

Again, I began to search my surroundings, now looking for my sister to save. Now I hope that she is not persuaded to eat the cake. I push through crowds filled with strangers talking about all sorts of things. Orelia, I must save Orelia-

"Oh!" was the sound I heard from the man I collided into as I ran.

He looked around the age of forty, wearing a thick coat. A knife falls out of his pockets, yet he quickly hides it, pulling it using his foot. "I am sorry, my lord." he apologized, and bowed to show it. At that moment, I saw inside his coat... Strix armor.

They plan to take everyone's lives. I look around. Soon, I see one, two, three, four and even more men that wore the same coat as him. Strix men, I thought. Then, I saw my sister, being accompanied by one of these men. Lord Noran followed, also accompanied by one of them.

Behind me, another voice calls out my name. "Lord Orevian," the voice called.

I know that voice... that gentle voice. I turn to see Lady Norien, standing innocently among the crowds, standing out. "My lady..." I began, "...you must follow me now- quickly." I whisper.

"What? Why?" she asked.

"I will explain it to you later..." I told her, "...it is urgent, my lady. This is a matter of life and death!" I exclaimed.

"Follow you where?" she asked, her gaze demanding an answer- the same gaze as earlier when she asked me to dance with her.

"Just follow me, please..." I pleaded with her, "...just as I followed you when you asked me to dance with you." I begged. "Did you eat the cake? Please tell me you did not eat the cake!"

"Tell me what is the matter." she demanded.

I pause, and look left and right. I look to see Lord Folius raising a wine glass in the air, about to make the grand toast, along with the consumption of the cake. I look to Lady Norien, and I say the words. "House Strix has betrayed us."