by Rowan Bree
“I know,” he says. “And I should have stopped it. If only I’d reserved more of my magic. I was only thinking of Tyven and having to fight the Order tonight.”
“Then let’s finish this,” you say. “Destroy the Order. We’ve both sacrificed too much to give up now.”
Jasper nods.
He starts to get up and you help him to his feet. He doesn’t look okay at all, though the blood on his temple has disappeared and the cut seems to be closing. You’re glad you’re still going to the feast together. You don’t want to be apart from Jasper. Not tonight.
As you near the castle you hear horse’s hooves and the clatter of coach wheels, then the cheerful voices of the arriving guests. The castle courtyard is bathed in light streaming out from the hall, illuminating the king’s grand and varied guests. A centaur trots past you, nodding as he does so.
“Invitation?” the guard asks you. Jasper hands him a pair of envelopes and he welcomes you inside.
The great hall is already lively with celebration. The long dining tables are packed with guests, while more congregate in standing groups under colorful floating lanterns. The castle’s serving staff weaves among the tables pouring wine and refilling platters of food.
Jasper squeezes your arm. “I need to make a quick sweep of the place first. I’ll be back in a minute. I promise.” He kisses you on the cheek and leaves you standing by yourself unsure of what to do.
But you are not alone for long. A gorgeous man in a perfectly fitted suit comes to introduce himself.
“Prince Sy of Ollvyn,” he says bowing and kissing your hand. His blue eyes sparkle under a swath of curly dark hair. “I don’t believe I’ve seen you before.”
“I’m no one special,” you say, wishing Jasper had given you instructions or at least a false name.
The prince laughs. “It’s fine to be coy, but I don’t care who you are. I’ve made both queens and serving girls beg for mercy just the same.”
He bites his lip and you believe his words are true.
“There’s a private party upstairs,” he says quietly, moving closer to you. He smells of shaving soap and rumpled sheets. “I’m an intimate friend of the person in charge, and it’s only for those of us who deserve something better than all this.” He glances around the hall looking bored.
You look around the hall too, but in search of Jasper. The rogue is nowhere to be seen. He told you he would only be gone a minute.
The prince waits for your response.
Go to the private party.
Stay in the great hall.
Your decide to follow the prince upstairs to the party. He takes you into the upper reaches of the castle, through the quiet and secluded corridors that only those intimate with the castle would know.
You pass through a stone archway draped with black curtains. Beyond is a room filled with guests in black robes and others like you from the feast. Half-dressed slaves move amongst them, serving wine and submitting to the guests’ whims. Red candles are placed on different surfaces and in sconces, and an open space has been cleared in the middle of the room. A circular symbol is carved into the stone floor. A deep foreboding tells you that you have just found yourself amongst members of the Order.
As you cross the room you notice a thin, pale man in the starched robes of the Order. He has silvery hair and violet eyes.
You don’t know him.
Recognize Vale.
You decide to go with the faun. He takes you out of the hall and out of the castle. The guards warn you they will only keep the gates open for a short time. The faun tells them not to worry. You won’t be long.
The courtyard is quiet, though you can still hear the echoes of the revelry going on inside.
“So who is this mystery man I’ve stolen you away from?” the faun asks as you stroll through the castle grounds. “Wait, don’t answer. I’ve got a sense for these things. Let me guess.”
You stop by a fountain in the shape of doves taking flight. Moonlight reflects off the cascade of water.
The faun holds your hand, looking deeply into your eyes. “He has silvery hair and violet eyes. His body is lithe and pale, and he is a powerful mage.”
Your body trembles as he describes Vale. You try to take your hand away but he holds it tightly.
“I know who you are. You’re the one that brought me from my world into yours. It’s a pity you don’t remember me, as I did enjoy our time together.”
You glimpse something in the fountain’s pool. A large shape looms up behind you in the water’s reflection. He has a goatlike face and horns and stands on two legs. Standing beside him you are as small as a child. Terrible flashbacks fill your mind.
You look back to see the faun same as he was. But you know it wasn’t just a trick of the light. Suddenly you want very much to be back in the castle amongst all the guests.
He pulls you close to him. He strokes your hair. You try to hide your trembling to keep him from knowing how scared you are.
He suddenly lets you go. “You didn’t participate willingly, did you?” He takes a step back, regarding you with suspicion. “No, you’ve turned your back on the mage Vale. You dislike what this world has become. You’re useless to me.”
He snorts in disgust and stalks away towards the castle. You wait until he is long gone before going back yourself. But you’ve waited too long and the guards won’t open the gates for you. You’ll have to find another way in.
You walk around the grounds looking for a side entrance or perhaps an open window, and find a wooden door standing slightly ajar. The hallway beyond is dark but you should be able to manage. You leave the door open behind you just in case you need to find your way back.
Tracing the wall with your hand, you advance down the hallway. The stones are dry and cold under your fingers. You hope you can find a more well-lit passage soon. There is a gap in the wall and you think you can hear noises in the gloom. Perhaps they are sounds from the feast, or perhaps they are not.
Go towards the noise.
Keep following the hallway ahead.
Your decide to follow the prince upstairs to the party. He takes you into the upper reaches of the castle, through the quiet and secluded corridors that only those intimate with the castle would know.
You pass through a stone archway draped with black curtains. Beyond is a room filled with guests in black robes and others like you from the feast. Half-dressed slaves move amongst them, serving wine and submitting to the guests’ whims. Red candles are placed on different surfaces and in sconces, and an open space has been cleared in the middle of the room. A circular symbol is carved into the stone floor. A deep foreboding tells you that you have just found yourself amongst members of the Order.
As you cross the room you notice a thin, pale man in the starched robes of the Order. He has silvery hair and violet eyes. Terrible flashbacks fill your mind and panic takes hold. You have to get out of there.
He starts towards the entrance, so you duck away into a quiet corner of the room to stay out of sight. You’ll leave the party as soon as the coast is clear.
You feel hands on your waist and turn to see the prince behind you. He laughs at your look of surprise.
“It’s funny, isn’t it,” he says pressing himself up against you. “All those nobles in one room. If something were to happen, like a fire or a sudden earthquake we’d lose half the kingdom’s rulers in one fell swoop.”
You can feel the bulge in his pants. He’s hard just thinking about the chaos of a ruler-less kingdom. You think you might want to watch yourself around him. He probably has more than a few screws loose.
You see Vale pass nearby. He still hasn’t noticed you.
The prince bites your ear, growling.
Push him off you.
Let him continue.
Your decide to follow the prince upstairs to the party. It’s not like you’re Jasper’s actual date anyway. He takes you into the upper reaches
of the castle, through the quiet and secluded corridors that only those intimate with the castle would know.
You pass through a stone archway draped with black curtains. Beyond is a room filled with guests in black robes and others like you from the feast. Half-dressed slaves move amongst them, serving wine and submitting to the guests’ whims. Red candles are placed on different surfaces and in sconces, and an open space has been cleared in the middle of the room. A circular symbol is carved into the stone floor. A deep foreboding tells you that you have just found yourself amongst members of the Order.
As you cross the room you notice a thin, pale man in the starched robes of the Order. He has silvery hair and violet eyes.
You don’t know him.
Recognize Vale.
You recognize the mage Vale from your previous encounter with him, and know nothing good would come of him finding you there. You duck away into a quiet corner of the room to stay out of sight. You’ll leave the party as soon as the coast is clear.
You feel hands on your waist and turn to see the prince behind you. He laughs at your look of surprise.
“It’s funny, isn’t it,” he says pressing himself up against you. “All those nobles in one room. If something were to happen, like a fire or a sudden earthquake we’d lose half the kingdom’s rulers in one fell swoop.”
You can feel the bulge in his pants. He’s hard just thinking about the chaos of a ruler-less kingdom. You think you might want to watch yourself around him. He probably has more than a few screws loose.
You see Vale pass nearby. He still hasn’t noticed you.
The prince bites your ear, growling.
Push him off you.
Let him continue.
You recognize the mage Vale from your previous encounter with him, and know nothing good would come of him finding you there. You duck away into a quiet corner of the room to stay out of sight. You’ll leave the party as soon as the coast is clear.
You feel hands on your waist and turn to see the prince behind you. He laughs at your look of surprise.
“It’s funny, isn’t it,” he says pressing himself up against you. “All those nobles in one room. If something were to happen, like a fire or a sudden earthquake we’d lose half the kingdom’s rulers in one fell swoop.”
You can feel the bulge in his pants. He’s hard just thinking about the chaos of a ruler-less kingdom. You think you might want to watch yourself around him. He probably has more than a few screws loose.
You see Vale pass nearby. He still hasn’t noticed you.
The prince bites your ear, growling.
Push him off you.
Let him continue.
You don’t recognize the man, but something about him gives you a bad feeling. He seems dangerous.
You decide it’s probably best to observe from a safe distance. You duck away into a quiet corner of the room to stay out of sight.
You feel hands on your waist and turn to see the curly-haired prince behind you. He laughs at your look of surprise.
“It’s funny, isn’t it,” he says pressing himself up against you. “All those nobles in one room. If something were to happen, like a fire or a sudden earthquake we’d lose half the kingdom’s rulers in one fell swoop.”
You can feel the bulge in his pants. He’s hard just thinking about the chaos of a ruler-less kingdom. You think you might want to watch yourself around him. He probably has more than a few screws loose.
The prince bites your ear, growling.
Push him off you.
Let him continue.
You don’t recognize the man, but something about him gives you a bad feeling. He seems dangerous.
You decide it’s probably best to observe from a safe distance. You duck away into a quiet corner of the room to stay out of sight.
You feel hands on your waist and turn to see the curly-haired prince behind you. He laughs at your look of surprise.
“It’s funny, isn’t it,” he says pressing himself up against you. “All those nobles in one room. If something were to happen, like a fire or a sudden earthquake we’d lose half the kingdom’s rulers in one fell swoop.”
You can feel the bulge in his pants. He’s hard just thinking about the chaos of a ruler-less kingdom. You think you might want to watch yourself around him. He probably has more than a few screws loose.
The prince bites your ear, growling.
Push him off you.
Let him continue.
“Maybe next time,” you tell the prince.
He scowls. “Don’t worry, there won’t be a next time.” He leaves.
Jasper comes back not too long after looking a bit winded, but his injuries are completely healed.
You ask if he’s okay.
“Just barely made it away from a very pushy duchess of so-and-so. She’s been after me for quite some time.”
It looks like you’re not the only one getting unwanted attention here.
“Are feasts always like this?” you ask.
Jasper smiles. “Yes, but don’t worry. I’ve only eyes for you.” It’s all so cheesy, from the way he holds your hands to the look in his eyes. But he makes you feel safe. You’re half laughing even as you kiss him.
“I’m serious,” he says. His green eyes are fierce. “I would never do anything to hurt you.”
“Too bad you already have,” says a man in a dark robe. He stands far too close to the both of you, but you don’t realize why until you feel the sharp point of a dagger at your side. You can see every detail of his face, from his pointed chin to his petulant pout. His eerie violet eyes are partially obscured by long, silvery hair.
You don’t know who this man is.
Recognize Vale.
“Maybe next time,” you tell the prince.
He scowls. “Don’t worry, there won’t be a next time.” He leaves.
Jasper comes back not too long after looking a bit winded, but his injuries are completely healed.
You ask if he’s okay.
“Just barely made it away from a very pushy duchess of so-and-so. She’s been after me for quite some time.”
It looks like you’re not the only one getting unwanted attention here.
“Are feasts always like this?” you ask.
Jasper smiles. “Yes, but don’t worry. I’ve only eyes for you.” It’s all so cheesy, from the way he holds your hands to the look in his eyes. But he makes you feel safe. You’re half laughing even as you kiss him.
“I’m serious,” he says. His green eyes are fierce. “I would never do anything to hurt you.”
“Too bad you already have,” says a man in a dark robe. He stands far too close to the both of you, but you don’t realize why until you feel the sharp point of a dagger at your side. You can see every detail of his face, from his pointed chin to his petulant pout. His eerie violet eyes are partially obscured by long, silvery hair.
Terrible flashbacks fill your mind of what Vale did to you and panic takes hold. What will he do to you for running away?
“Come with me,” Vale says, prodding the both of you towards the entrance of the great hall.
You think of yelling for help in the crowded room but Vale’s dagger would be deep inside you before anything could be done. You look towards Jasper for reassurance, or maybe a sign he has an escape plan.
I’m sorry, he mouths letting Vale lead you out of the hall and up the castle’s main stairs.
Vale leans close to whisper in Jasper’s ear, but you can just catch what he says. “I hope you’ve been taking good care of my dear kitten.”
Jasper doesn’t react.
“I trust you haven’t broken your promise? She still doesn't know who she really is?”
Does Jasper know something more about you? No, surely he would have told you if he did.
A guard passes and Vale smiles innocently. You can feel the dagger poke into your side as a warning to keep silent. You wonder where Vale is
taking you.
“You know I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. The both of you. I’ve missed you. But we’re going to have plenty of fun tonight, trust me.”
Ahead of you is a stone archway draped with black curtains, and beyond a room filled with robed figures along with guests from the feast in their fine clothes. Among them you recognize the curly-haired prince from the feast. Red candles are placed on different surfaces and in sconces. An open space has been cleared in the middle of the room and a circular symbol carved into the stone floor.
“The main course has arrived,” he says. He gestures to the robed figures. “Get rid of the slaves.”
Among the well-dressed guests are half-naked people in chains and dirty linens. They don’t put up any resistance as they are herded out of the room. As you look around you notice a man seated in a plush chair. He is wearing a golden crown and the finest robes coin can buy. Beside him are several stiff-looking guardsmen. Has the king already fallen under the Order’s influence?
Vale forces you into the carved circle in the center of the room. Jasper finds your hand and clasps it tightly.
“Don’t worry,” he whispers. “Our friends are nearby.”
You don’t see any familiar faces in the crowd.
Vale paces in front of you addressing the guests. “Tonight, I’ve prepared a special treat for Doria’s friends. As you know there has been some resistance to the idea that things could change, that Doria could be something more than an old enemy of the kingdom. But you’ve already witnessed just how strong our power is. Tonight I offer you a chance to join us to make the most of this new world.”
