Post 8

Arius looked quickly around the room as Rayna gave their names to the usher at the open doors that led to a grand ballroom. The walls of the huge room were decorated with a soft cream silk and at close intervals hung literally hundreds of lanterns and potted plants. To their right was a raised platform where musicians played for the throngs of dancers that even now swirled throughout the center of the room, showing only glimpses of a pale blue marble floor. To their left punches and food set out were set out, and it was almost impossible to see exactly what type of food with so many people crowded in front of the long tables. There were literally hundreds of people crammed into the room, and the noise from everyone laughing and dancing and shouting to one another was almost deafening to one used to the sounds of the forest.

Arius took a deep breath. Nerves took over and he took another deep breath to steady himself. As the usher loudly announced their arrival, Lady Fairhaven and Baron Brand, Rayna tucked her gloved fingertips into the crook of his arm and he felt her watching him from the corner of her eye. He straightened, standing tall and proud, and he was certain she was the only one that noticed the quiver that ran through him; to all outward appearances he was haughty and arrogant. The noise in the room had lulled once their names were announced- she’d made sure that plenty of rumors had spread about him, and the entire room strained to catch a look as they slowly descended the stairs.

Rayna knew that even without the rumors that ran ahead of them, they would have drawn eyes. She had planned their wardrobe carefully, enhancing not only their individual appearances but also complimenting each other. She smiled graciously as they approached the floor of the room, nodding here and there to people she knew. He looked straight ahead, not smiling, not acknowledging anyone. As they had planned, Jared and Eithna were standing at the bottom of the stairs waiting, and they both watched as Rayna and Arius descended the staircase. In this way, Eithna and Jared shared their support of Baron Brand. The room gradually picked up noise again as people turned to whisper and gossip.

Eithna wore a gown of a similar cut to Rayna’s, but there the similarities ended. Hers was a pale leaf green that flattered her coloring exquisitely, with tiny pale pink ribbon rosebuds embroidered along the edges of bodice and hemline. A wide pink sash was wrapped about her tiny waist, and her glorious hair was pulled back just from her face and then left loose to hang down her back. Long white gloves ended just above her elbows, and a pink rosebud was tucked into her hair behind her ear. Jared was dressed similarly to Arius, in a jacket that matched the color of Eithna’s dress and white shirt and hose, with the same pale pink rosebud in his lapel.

Arius could feel hundreds of stares boring into his back as he kept his gaze focused on Eithna’s smiling face. She met his eye only briefly, and he nearly stumbled at the pride he saw in her face, but he continued on flawlessly. His gaze twitched to Jared, who wore a smile nearly as wide as Eithna’s, and as they reached the floor Arius met his calm, speaking gaze, and suddenly the room seemed to calm around him.

It was not the room that had calmed, of course. Jared’s stare seemed to tell Arius that he could do this, that it was just another evening in his sitting room, just another chess game. Things started to click into place, like pieces of the board, and all the fear and tension left him. It was just another game. He didn’t know why that hadn’t occurred to him before. He could do this. Just as he’d plotted against many of the Lords and Barons present, just as he’d protected the people of Ragged Valley, he could protect them again here, in this room, tonight.

Rayna felt the anxiety leave him, and it took all her willpower not to look up at him. She doused the question from her eyes, and smiled as Eithna and Jared approached them. As one party, the four of them turned to enter the mass of colorfully-garbed people, and Arius put a grim smile to his face as he was greeted by throngs of strangers.

The next few candlemarks passed in a blur; he met more people than he could remember, although he was certain that each face would stick in his mind for later. He danced countless dances with women of every age, shape and size, careful to never dance with any one woman more than once. Rayna had disappeared from his side once he had been dragged to the dance floor, and he’d caught only glimpses of her throughout the night. Somehow, by some means, he’d managed to keep his head up and his wits about him as men and women alike sought his company. Rayna had been right; he’d been an instant success.

The current dance shifted and changed partners, and Arius found himself face to face with Eithna. He held out his hand to her, as the dance required, and she placed her gloved fingers into his. “How are you doing, Baron Brand?”

He smiled tightly. “Well, I suppose. And you?”

She cast a quick glance around the room and then chuckled. “I am suddenly remembering why I usually decline these events.”

Arius winced as they twirled through the next steps. “I apologize.”

She only grinned. “Then again, it’s been quite entertaining watching the long line of women gathering to catch a dance with the utterly handsome Baron Brand.”

He matched her grin, even though his heart quailed at the thought. “If only they knew.” If only they knew he was a criminal, a heartless bastard that would rather some of these Lords and Barons hung at the end of a short rope. He had been forced to act polite to them although he was sure he hadn’t been able to keep the ice from his voice. Hopefully it would be taken as arrogance and not anger.

Eithna threw back her head and laughed as he whirled her into another turn, drawing stares. “You are so right, but it’s their loss. I’ll see you soon.” The dance spun her off in another direction and he found himself face to face with yet another young woman to flutter her eyelashes at him. Now what had she meant by that?

It seemed like summers later that he was able to slip from the room through a set of exterior doors that had been propped open and onto a flagstone terrace that was tucked into a well-manicured garden. He took a few deep breaths then ducked down a nearby pathway, enjoying the fresh night air and the lack of eager women battling to dance with him. There had nearly been a brawl earlier when two young girls had fought over who had been next in line. He’d been able to find the amusement in the situation, of course, to think of them skirmishing over an opportunity to dance with a commoner, and he was sure he’d appeared disdainful as he’d watched the two hustled from the room. It had only been a heartbeat before another woman had stepped up to take her place on his arm.

The pathway was lined irregularly with lanterns, and he was able see enough to pick his way across the bricks. A short ways off, Arius found a little gazebo and he ducked into it through some climbing roses. There were no benches inside, but there was another lantern here to cast a dim light, and he leaned against one of the support columns then slid down to sit, propping his hands up on his bent knees before him. His hose and shirt were damp; he’d never realized how much work dancing could be. The music was still playing on, but it was faint out here away from the gathering.

Soft footfalls tapped on the bricks outside the gazebo, and Arius froze, fastening a sharp gray eye on the entrance. He pushed himself to his feet abruptly when he saw who approached, heart sinking to his boots. “What do you want?” He reached for his sword, to realize that he hadn’t been allowed to wear it to this event. He’d asked, only half joking, and Rayna had simply pinned him with a deadpan stare.

Sarena- he was sure her name was Sarena- glided into the gazebo on slippered feet, lowering her head to examine him from beneath thick dark lashes. A cat-like smile spread across her lips when she glanced around the little gazebo and realized he was alone. She reached up to loosen the laces at the front of her dress and laughed throatily. “I simply want a little bit of your time.”

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.” He moved away from her, feeling his chest tighten. One thing this woman made his feel was certainly not desire. Contempt, maybe; scorn even. And a whole lot of fear.

She purred softly. “I could care less what you meant.” She stalked him across the little space, determination set in those bright blue eyes. “All I care about is what I want. You’ve been very difficult to track down. First, changing rooms like that, then spending all of your free time with…” Her upper lip curled in distaste. “With her. There’s been no opportunity to get you alone.”

“If I wanted to be alone, or with you, I would have made that happen.” He was creeping along from support post to support post, and had nearly reached the entrance to the gazebo when she lunged across the space, throwing herself against his chest. Instinctively he wrapped his arms around her, and then realizing his mistake he thrust her away from him. She tried to snatch the rose from his lapel, and he blinked in confusion as he twisted to avoid her slippery clutches.

“That- that wench cannot have what I want!” Sarena nearly spat with fury.

“This wench will have whatever she wants, with no regards to you.” Rayna stood regal at the entrance to the gazebo, Eithna and Jared peering over her shoulders with wide eyes. “But I think the more important issue here is what the gentleman wants, don’t you think Lady Eithna?” Arius had never seen a more welcome sight.

Eithna nodded, and Sarena nearly hissed with narrowed eyes. Jared was struggling to keep a grin from his face as he met Arius’ stunned gaze. Eithna seemed to gain her composure then, and she stepped neatly around Rayna and smoothed her skirts. “You, Baronetess Sarena, will be stripped of your rank and title for accosting my father’s guest. You will be lucky if you are allowed to act as an undermaid when I am finished with you!”

“He wanted me, you simply interrupted us.” Sarena straightened, chin held high and blue eyes flashing cold fire. Arius straightened to refute her claim, but Eithna spoke up before he could open his mouth.

“We clearly heard the gentleman tell you otherwise.” Eithna met her glare with her own cool green gaze.

Sarena hissed softly again and then shoved past both Eithna and Rayna to stalk away. Arius rubbed the back of his neck, and the ladies both started laughing. Jared shrugged, grinning, at Arius’ questioning look. “Are you all right?”

He shrugged back uncomfortably. “I just needed some air, and suddenly there she was. I’ve never felt in such danger before, even when facing a whole horde of bandits!” That was the biggest understatement he’d ever uttered.

This brought more laughter from the ladies, who were now clutching each other and trying to wipe tears from their eyes. Arius watched them warily, while Jared just continued to grin. Finally Rayna caught her breath and wiped her cheeks dry. She patted Arius on the cheek gently. “I’m sorry, Ari. The look on your face was simply priceless. Don’t worry, she’s gone, and I believe that Eithna will be sure to take care of her. She’ll leave you be for now.” He wanted to scowl, but he was too relieved. If this wasn’t a sign that he shouldn’t be toying with Court intrigue, he didn’t know what was. Of course, Rayna would argue otherwise.

He frowned. “Why was she trying to grab this?” He touched the rose in his lapel carefully.

Eithna sighed. “While you wear it, honor dictates that no other woman try her hand at you. At least, not seriously. It claims you as Rayna’s, and apparently even Sarena has some pride.”

At his frustrated look, Rayna tipped her head curiously. “Is it all just too overwhelming?”

He shrugged uncomfortably. “No, I guess not.” So she’d tried to remove the rose before- before what? Jumping on him? It still made no sense to him. It was hard to play the game when he didn’t know all the rules.

“Well good then.” She grabbed his hand and tugged. “I haven’t gotten a dance yet.” He groaned but let her tug him back towards the ball room.