Srilina
01-30-2005, 12:18 AM
Srilina was bored. Her mother was busy planning the annual masked ball and her father, well, he was probably reviewing the new guards with Master Karn. She angrily kicked a rock in her path, “always forgotten,” she muttered sitting down on a bench in the garden. ‘I could always find Master Fain,’ she thought, ‘I do need to work on fire storm.’
She sighed and looked up into the sky. It couldn’t have been a more perfect day. The clouds were lazily traversing the bright blue sky as the sun cheerily cast its rays upon the earth. A slight breeze stirred the air as the tree-tops surrounding the castle gently moved. Her home truly was perfect, untouched by the ravages of war or famine. It seemed that everyone was happy, almost all the time. Perhaps that was why she was restless.
Castle Avrin was situated on the mountain slopes seperating the kingdoms of Kryta and Ascalon in the small region of Valion. Her family had always lived there, along with other important lords from both countries. It was far from the capitals of both kingdoms but wealthy in minerals and timber, which made the land highly sought after. Soon she would be sent to one of the large cities to be married off to some prince or duke, a task she did not relish. Despite her stubborn nature, her family and that of her betrothed would not deviate from tradition.
Srilina’s thoughts were interrupted as a page rushed into the garden, his boots slapping the stone path.
“My lady, my lady!” he bent over to catch his breath.
“What is it Jory?”
“Your brother, he, Charr, they took-.”
“Calm down boy! I can’t understand you when you can barely breath much less talk.” She said as the stable boy nodded and collapsed on the bench.
“We were out hawking…there was…we…we were in the forest and we had stopped by the stream to water the horses. It was an ambush.” Jory gulped. “It was Charr, they took your brother and killed everyone, I was the only one that escaped.”
Srilina seethed, “Jory you know better than to lie to me about my brother. Charr have not come anywhere close to Valion and they do not take prisoners. You must be mistaken and I will not be made a fool of, so tell the truth now.”
“My lady! I would not lie to you, your brother…he was one of my friends. I would not lie.”
Srilina continued to stare at him incredulously. “Jory, my brother enjoys playing jokes, how do I know this isn’t some elaborate prank? Your story certainly is ridiculous enough.”
Jory nearly sobbed in distress, causing Srilina to become slightly alarmed. “If you won’t believe me then let me show you something.”
“Alright Jory, lead the way.”
The two walked quickly down one of the garden paths and out a gate on the side. He was leading her to one of the largest stables outside the castle. The families best horses, and those of their visitors were kept here. The Avrin’s horse-masters were some of the most knowledgeable in the region, being so far away from the main centers of population the ability to travel quickly was key.
“Wait here.” He said, entering the barn and walking into the dark. He stepped into the light a few moments later, leading a horse by the bridle.
Srilina gasped and fell against the side of the stable. Jory had brought out Luscinia, her brother’s favorite and most valued horse. She was almost a member of the family if you took into account the time he had spent training and pampering the chestnut mare. All that appeared for naught, however, as the blood and dirt that encrusted her once lustrous coat was revealed in the sunlight.
“Of course…she’ll need to be…” he looked down.
“Are you sure?” Srilina moved over to examine the mare, her right foreleg was broken and the wounds looked infected. “No…you’re right, let the stablemaster know?” Jory nodded. “Thank you, you can go now, just don’t tell anyone of this.” The stableboy bowed and took the mare back into the stable.
‘Alright,’ she thought, ‘I’ll have to talk to father, yes, we’ll be able to work something out.’ She stood back up and straightened her dress, stared grimly at Jory’s disappearing back and then hitched up her skirts and ran down the path to the barracks. She vaulted over a low hedge nearing the sound of swords clanging against each other. A low branch tore at her dress as she threw open the gate to the practice yard ignoring the shouts of annoyance from the practicing men and women as she ran into the barracks. Throwing open the doors she hurried to the end of the hall where her father was deep in discussion with Master Karn once one of the most highly regarded sword and combat master’s in the land until age took its toll.
“Master Karn,” she said nodding at his bow, “Father I must speak to you, alone if you will Master Karn.” The stocky man nodded at her request and departed down the hall.
“What is it daughter?”
“Luscinia is back.”
“To be expected, is something wrong?”
“Letaon isn’t with her. And father…she was…horribly injured. She’ll need to be put down. Jory is the only one who returned from the hawking party, he says Charr took Letaon.” Srilina sat down on a bench.
“Charr? That doesn’t make any sense dearest. They haven’t come anywhere close to Valion and they certainly don’t take prisoner’s.” Count Avrin said, frowning.
“I know that,” she snapped, “but Letaon has not returned, Luscinia has, and she will have to be killed. Does this seem normal to you? Do you honestly think that something didn’t happen, that Jory might be lying? I know you haven’t always like him, but he is just a boy! And if it wasn’t the Charr then maybe it was something else, bandits, or maybe some other…thing. Did you even think of that?”
“Srilina! Calm down, I never said that I didn’t believe what you said. I agree that he would have been back by now, and he would not have let anything happen to Luscinia. We just need to figure out what to do, and be calm about this.
“Now, we can’t go and tell your mother just yet. She is stressed because of this ball she insists on planning and the entire ordeal would ruin the affair. So we will deal with this tomorrow.” The Count said.
“Father! The more time we waste means the farther he will be away, how do you know they aren’t going to kill him tomorrow? I demand a battalion of men to take with me to go and get him back.” Srilina said heatedly.
“Darling, you are in no state to go running around the forest. It is too early to send anyone looking for Letaon, he may return, that and I will not have you endangering your own wellbeing. So any ideas of yours to go running after him this afternoon are out of the question. You have a duty as our daughter to attend your mother’s ball. I will have no rash actions.”
“You can’t stop me from going after him. You and I both know that I’ll go with whoever you send to get him back. I am the best spellcaster here, Master Fain even says so. Why! I’ve progressed faster than any other pupil. With the men you send after him, because you know you will, I would be fine! And I need to find him papa, you know how close we are. Just…promise me you’ll let me go when you do decide to go after him, please?” she looked at her father pleadingly.
“Srilina, I thought you would be happy here, or in the city. Apparently not.” He cupped her chin in his hand. “I will talk with your mother tomorrow. If she agrees I will let you go with the men. Now go and meet with Master Fain, you are late for your lesson.”
“Lana! Stop it, you’re pulling my hair out of my head!” Srilina squealed as her maid arranged her hair into an intricate mass of curls, pins, and jewels.
“My lady, will you just be patient.” Lana grimaced as Srilina fidgeted, nearly upsetting a jar of powder.
“I’ll be patient once this night of torture, boredom, and hideous gentility ends!”
Lana rolled her eyes at Srilina’s hissy fit, and continued to stick small crystals in her hair. “I am almost done, and I promise to give you chocolate if you just sit still.”
“Chocolate?” Srilina inquired. “Alright then!”
“There we are, finished!” Lana stepped back to admire her work in the mirror.
“Wow…Lana, that is amazing.” Srilina said, examining her hair that now fell in soft ringlets that sparkled slightly from crystals her teacher had enchanted. She focused very strongly and they suddenly turned pale green.
“Now, for your dress!” Lana said, bustling over to the bed.
Srilina glowered as she surveyed the waltzing couples in the ballroom. ‘Hmph,’ she thought as she noticed a group of lost looking girls searching for something, or someone, among the dancers. “Probably looking for Letaon.” She muttered and reverted back to her original mutinous pose. He always had been the most sought after boy in the Avrin castle and village. Girls would fight each other to have the chance of lunch with him. Srilina found it all very silly.
She had always liked social affairs, dances especially, it was just that she didn’t like being forced into the position of “Count’s daughter” which she invariably was. That and her parents had a tendency of forcing her into hideously elaborate dresses. This particular one was moss green with an emerald and diamond embroidered bodice. The “thing” as she liked to call it, itched like no other, and didn’t help her melt into the shadows either. Of course, with something that flattered her figure so much it would have been hard to hide anywhere, regardless of the gems or color. That and her parents wouldn’t let her find a mask to wear. This, in her opinion, was entirely absurd as it was a masked ball. But their reasoning went something along the lines of “as a lady of the house you must be recognized…” she ignored them after that.
A figure dressed in a flashy gold and red costume and gold mask glided towards her and stopped with a flourish and bow. “My lady! Your beauty was an arrow that struck my heart, and I could not resist.” He snatched on of her gloved hands and kissed it, eyeing her emerald ring while he was at it. “Why! You must be the fair Lady Srilina, one as charming and sweet as you could not refuse me a dance. My lady?” he said gesturing to the ballroom floor and the couples waltzing gracefully.
Srilina stared at him incredulously. “I sincerely doubt my hand gave you the notion that I was the Lady Srilina, but since you are correct someone must have told you. They also must have informed you that I do not dance.”
“My dear, I fear you must be mistaken. One raised as well as you have, for your parents are quite competent, will have had classical training in dance. In fact, your prowess on the dance floor has spread far and wide, and I humbly beg the chance to dance with your beauteous form.”
‘Gods!’ she thought. ‘I never thought anyone could be this…sleezy!’ she grimaced as he took her hand once again.
“My lady, is that a yes?”
Srilina inwardly cursed her mother’s obsession with parties, but agreed, after-all a good daughter couldn’t let down her mother. “My lord…”
“Elisar.” He offered.
“My lord Elisar, you have remarkable insight, and I would be honored to join you in a waltz.”
“I knew you would agree.” He offered her a toothy smile and led her ostentatiously onto the dance floor as the orchestra began the music to a trendy new dance, a particularly complicated one. Srilina was relieved that she had mastered it weeks ago and would be on par with the rest of the dancers. Of course it started off relatively simply, five steps to the right, cross over, two spins, spin out, pull in and make a ninety-degree turn, and escalating in difficulty.
“You are a wonderful dancer.” Elisar breathed into her ear.
“Why thank you lord Elisar, you dance very well yourself.” She said, wincing slightly as he stepped on her feet, again.
“My dear, do you have something in your eye?”
“Oh no! I’m quite alright, it’s just that…your eyes are so…intriguing.” Srilina mentally congratulated herself at her quick thinking, but then noticed the predatory look on Elisar’s face. ‘Gods!’ she thought, mentally hitting herself on the head. ‘I just had to open my mouth didn’t I.’
Elisar pulled her in more closely to his body. ‘Just what I wanted,’ she thought, looking around the room as surreptitiously as possible for a familiar face to save her from her very undesired dancing partner.
The song ended and Srilina decided to take it as her cue to leave. “Well, lord Elisar, it has been a pleasure dancing with you but I must go back to greeting guests with my parents.”
“But my darling, the evening isn’t even close to being over with, and I’m sure you wouldn’t refuse me more time with your joyous…personality.” He replied pulling her even closer his eyes noticeably lower than her face.
“Really, sir, I must be leaving.” She said, trying to pull herself away.
“Oh no, you don’t want to leave now.” He said, nuzzling her neck and sneaking his hand farther down her back. “You wouldn’t want to offend your father afterall.
“Lord Elisar I must protest, I will not dance with you any longer no matter what the consequences are.” Srilina hissed breaking out of his embrace.
“You are mistaken my lady.” Elisar said, smiling condescendingly as though to a 8 year old girl, and grabbing hold of her wrist.
“Let go of me!” she nearly yelled, drawing glances from the couples around them.
“No my dear, not until I get at least a kiss.” His look certainly gave away his actual expectations.
Suddenly a masked man in black and green appeared at her elbow. “Is anything wrong?” he asked Srilina.
“Yes.” Srilina said as Elisar said “no” at the same time.
“I was just about to leave, actually.” She said to the masked man.
“She wasn’t, my good man.” Elisar said bowing to the stranger. “You know how women are, they can never make up their minds! You always have to tell them where to go and what to do.” He said smiling at Srilina who was getting angrier with every word that came out of his mouth. But the man stepped between them before she could give him a good kick.
“I believe the Lady, here, does not want your attentions sir. I would suggest that you leave her alone now.” His tone spoke volumes.
“And what if I do not?” Elisar asked defiantly, puffing out his chest in an attempt to appear taller and stronger than the new arrival.
“Then I will be forced to take action, and don’t believe that I will not.” He said, as the two suddenly became locked in what appeared to be a stare down. Given the opportunity, Srilina yanked her arm out of Elisar’s grasp and carefully touched it, wincing at its tender state. As if on cue, both men turned around to look at her, Elisar moving forward as if to claim her for his own. She backed away from him and moved closer towards the other man.
“I want you to go away Elisar.” She said.
“Well I think that’s settled then…Elisar! The lady has spoken her mind and it would be wise of you to head it.” He said grinning slightly as Elisar turned away huffily and rushed off towards Srilina’s parents.
“I’m sorry you had to see that.” Srilina told the man, who had for all practical purposes, come to her rescue.
“Oh it’s no problem, I saw the two of you…dancing, if that’s what you can call his attempt at standing on your feet. He looked slightly undesired.”
“Well you guessed correctly.” She looked around at the couples still dancing around them. “Would you like to dance?” she asked. “It’s the least I can do to repay one willing to stand up to that man.”
“Oh, well, I don’t like these sorts of dances.” He said.
“I understand.” Srilina replied, slightly downcast.
He got a worried look on his face. “Well it’s just that I don’t like balls very much, but would you like to go out and walk in the garden? It is a beautiful night.”
“I would love that.” She said, smiling up at his face still covered by a black satin mask, as he gently took her arm and led her out the doors and into the starry night.
She sighed and looked up into the sky. It couldn’t have been a more perfect day. The clouds were lazily traversing the bright blue sky as the sun cheerily cast its rays upon the earth. A slight breeze stirred the air as the tree-tops surrounding the castle gently moved. Her home truly was perfect, untouched by the ravages of war or famine. It seemed that everyone was happy, almost all the time. Perhaps that was why she was restless.
Castle Avrin was situated on the mountain slopes seperating the kingdoms of Kryta and Ascalon in the small region of Valion. Her family had always lived there, along with other important lords from both countries. It was far from the capitals of both kingdoms but wealthy in minerals and timber, which made the land highly sought after. Soon she would be sent to one of the large cities to be married off to some prince or duke, a task she did not relish. Despite her stubborn nature, her family and that of her betrothed would not deviate from tradition.
Srilina’s thoughts were interrupted as a page rushed into the garden, his boots slapping the stone path.
“My lady, my lady!” he bent over to catch his breath.
“What is it Jory?”
“Your brother, he, Charr, they took-.”
“Calm down boy! I can’t understand you when you can barely breath much less talk.” She said as the stable boy nodded and collapsed on the bench.
“We were out hawking…there was…we…we were in the forest and we had stopped by the stream to water the horses. It was an ambush.” Jory gulped. “It was Charr, they took your brother and killed everyone, I was the only one that escaped.”
Srilina seethed, “Jory you know better than to lie to me about my brother. Charr have not come anywhere close to Valion and they do not take prisoners. You must be mistaken and I will not be made a fool of, so tell the truth now.”
“My lady! I would not lie to you, your brother…he was one of my friends. I would not lie.”
Srilina continued to stare at him incredulously. “Jory, my brother enjoys playing jokes, how do I know this isn’t some elaborate prank? Your story certainly is ridiculous enough.”
Jory nearly sobbed in distress, causing Srilina to become slightly alarmed. “If you won’t believe me then let me show you something.”
“Alright Jory, lead the way.”
The two walked quickly down one of the garden paths and out a gate on the side. He was leading her to one of the largest stables outside the castle. The families best horses, and those of their visitors were kept here. The Avrin’s horse-masters were some of the most knowledgeable in the region, being so far away from the main centers of population the ability to travel quickly was key.
“Wait here.” He said, entering the barn and walking into the dark. He stepped into the light a few moments later, leading a horse by the bridle.
Srilina gasped and fell against the side of the stable. Jory had brought out Luscinia, her brother’s favorite and most valued horse. She was almost a member of the family if you took into account the time he had spent training and pampering the chestnut mare. All that appeared for naught, however, as the blood and dirt that encrusted her once lustrous coat was revealed in the sunlight.
“Of course…she’ll need to be…” he looked down.
“Are you sure?” Srilina moved over to examine the mare, her right foreleg was broken and the wounds looked infected. “No…you’re right, let the stablemaster know?” Jory nodded. “Thank you, you can go now, just don’t tell anyone of this.” The stableboy bowed and took the mare back into the stable.
‘Alright,’ she thought, ‘I’ll have to talk to father, yes, we’ll be able to work something out.’ She stood back up and straightened her dress, stared grimly at Jory’s disappearing back and then hitched up her skirts and ran down the path to the barracks. She vaulted over a low hedge nearing the sound of swords clanging against each other. A low branch tore at her dress as she threw open the gate to the practice yard ignoring the shouts of annoyance from the practicing men and women as she ran into the barracks. Throwing open the doors she hurried to the end of the hall where her father was deep in discussion with Master Karn once one of the most highly regarded sword and combat master’s in the land until age took its toll.
“Master Karn,” she said nodding at his bow, “Father I must speak to you, alone if you will Master Karn.” The stocky man nodded at her request and departed down the hall.
“What is it daughter?”
“Luscinia is back.”
“To be expected, is something wrong?”
“Letaon isn’t with her. And father…she was…horribly injured. She’ll need to be put down. Jory is the only one who returned from the hawking party, he says Charr took Letaon.” Srilina sat down on a bench.
“Charr? That doesn’t make any sense dearest. They haven’t come anywhere close to Valion and they certainly don’t take prisoner’s.” Count Avrin said, frowning.
“I know that,” she snapped, “but Letaon has not returned, Luscinia has, and she will have to be killed. Does this seem normal to you? Do you honestly think that something didn’t happen, that Jory might be lying? I know you haven’t always like him, but he is just a boy! And if it wasn’t the Charr then maybe it was something else, bandits, or maybe some other…thing. Did you even think of that?”
“Srilina! Calm down, I never said that I didn’t believe what you said. I agree that he would have been back by now, and he would not have let anything happen to Luscinia. We just need to figure out what to do, and be calm about this.
“Now, we can’t go and tell your mother just yet. She is stressed because of this ball she insists on planning and the entire ordeal would ruin the affair. So we will deal with this tomorrow.” The Count said.
“Father! The more time we waste means the farther he will be away, how do you know they aren’t going to kill him tomorrow? I demand a battalion of men to take with me to go and get him back.” Srilina said heatedly.
“Darling, you are in no state to go running around the forest. It is too early to send anyone looking for Letaon, he may return, that and I will not have you endangering your own wellbeing. So any ideas of yours to go running after him this afternoon are out of the question. You have a duty as our daughter to attend your mother’s ball. I will have no rash actions.”
“You can’t stop me from going after him. You and I both know that I’ll go with whoever you send to get him back. I am the best spellcaster here, Master Fain even says so. Why! I’ve progressed faster than any other pupil. With the men you send after him, because you know you will, I would be fine! And I need to find him papa, you know how close we are. Just…promise me you’ll let me go when you do decide to go after him, please?” she looked at her father pleadingly.
“Srilina, I thought you would be happy here, or in the city. Apparently not.” He cupped her chin in his hand. “I will talk with your mother tomorrow. If she agrees I will let you go with the men. Now go and meet with Master Fain, you are late for your lesson.”
“Lana! Stop it, you’re pulling my hair out of my head!” Srilina squealed as her maid arranged her hair into an intricate mass of curls, pins, and jewels.
“My lady, will you just be patient.” Lana grimaced as Srilina fidgeted, nearly upsetting a jar of powder.
“I’ll be patient once this night of torture, boredom, and hideous gentility ends!”
Lana rolled her eyes at Srilina’s hissy fit, and continued to stick small crystals in her hair. “I am almost done, and I promise to give you chocolate if you just sit still.”
“Chocolate?” Srilina inquired. “Alright then!”
“There we are, finished!” Lana stepped back to admire her work in the mirror.
“Wow…Lana, that is amazing.” Srilina said, examining her hair that now fell in soft ringlets that sparkled slightly from crystals her teacher had enchanted. She focused very strongly and they suddenly turned pale green.
“Now, for your dress!” Lana said, bustling over to the bed.
Srilina glowered as she surveyed the waltzing couples in the ballroom. ‘Hmph,’ she thought as she noticed a group of lost looking girls searching for something, or someone, among the dancers. “Probably looking for Letaon.” She muttered and reverted back to her original mutinous pose. He always had been the most sought after boy in the Avrin castle and village. Girls would fight each other to have the chance of lunch with him. Srilina found it all very silly.
She had always liked social affairs, dances especially, it was just that she didn’t like being forced into the position of “Count’s daughter” which she invariably was. That and her parents had a tendency of forcing her into hideously elaborate dresses. This particular one was moss green with an emerald and diamond embroidered bodice. The “thing” as she liked to call it, itched like no other, and didn’t help her melt into the shadows either. Of course, with something that flattered her figure so much it would have been hard to hide anywhere, regardless of the gems or color. That and her parents wouldn’t let her find a mask to wear. This, in her opinion, was entirely absurd as it was a masked ball. But their reasoning went something along the lines of “as a lady of the house you must be recognized…” she ignored them after that.
A figure dressed in a flashy gold and red costume and gold mask glided towards her and stopped with a flourish and bow. “My lady! Your beauty was an arrow that struck my heart, and I could not resist.” He snatched on of her gloved hands and kissed it, eyeing her emerald ring while he was at it. “Why! You must be the fair Lady Srilina, one as charming and sweet as you could not refuse me a dance. My lady?” he said gesturing to the ballroom floor and the couples waltzing gracefully.
Srilina stared at him incredulously. “I sincerely doubt my hand gave you the notion that I was the Lady Srilina, but since you are correct someone must have told you. They also must have informed you that I do not dance.”
“My dear, I fear you must be mistaken. One raised as well as you have, for your parents are quite competent, will have had classical training in dance. In fact, your prowess on the dance floor has spread far and wide, and I humbly beg the chance to dance with your beauteous form.”
‘Gods!’ she thought. ‘I never thought anyone could be this…sleezy!’ she grimaced as he took her hand once again.
“My lady, is that a yes?”
Srilina inwardly cursed her mother’s obsession with parties, but agreed, after-all a good daughter couldn’t let down her mother. “My lord…”
“Elisar.” He offered.
“My lord Elisar, you have remarkable insight, and I would be honored to join you in a waltz.”
“I knew you would agree.” He offered her a toothy smile and led her ostentatiously onto the dance floor as the orchestra began the music to a trendy new dance, a particularly complicated one. Srilina was relieved that she had mastered it weeks ago and would be on par with the rest of the dancers. Of course it started off relatively simply, five steps to the right, cross over, two spins, spin out, pull in and make a ninety-degree turn, and escalating in difficulty.
“You are a wonderful dancer.” Elisar breathed into her ear.
“Why thank you lord Elisar, you dance very well yourself.” She said, wincing slightly as he stepped on her feet, again.
“My dear, do you have something in your eye?”
“Oh no! I’m quite alright, it’s just that…your eyes are so…intriguing.” Srilina mentally congratulated herself at her quick thinking, but then noticed the predatory look on Elisar’s face. ‘Gods!’ she thought, mentally hitting herself on the head. ‘I just had to open my mouth didn’t I.’
Elisar pulled her in more closely to his body. ‘Just what I wanted,’ she thought, looking around the room as surreptitiously as possible for a familiar face to save her from her very undesired dancing partner.
The song ended and Srilina decided to take it as her cue to leave. “Well, lord Elisar, it has been a pleasure dancing with you but I must go back to greeting guests with my parents.”
“But my darling, the evening isn’t even close to being over with, and I’m sure you wouldn’t refuse me more time with your joyous…personality.” He replied pulling her even closer his eyes noticeably lower than her face.
“Really, sir, I must be leaving.” She said, trying to pull herself away.
“Oh no, you don’t want to leave now.” He said, nuzzling her neck and sneaking his hand farther down her back. “You wouldn’t want to offend your father afterall.
“Lord Elisar I must protest, I will not dance with you any longer no matter what the consequences are.” Srilina hissed breaking out of his embrace.
“You are mistaken my lady.” Elisar said, smiling condescendingly as though to a 8 year old girl, and grabbing hold of her wrist.
“Let go of me!” she nearly yelled, drawing glances from the couples around them.
“No my dear, not until I get at least a kiss.” His look certainly gave away his actual expectations.
Suddenly a masked man in black and green appeared at her elbow. “Is anything wrong?” he asked Srilina.
“Yes.” Srilina said as Elisar said “no” at the same time.
“I was just about to leave, actually.” She said to the masked man.
“She wasn’t, my good man.” Elisar said bowing to the stranger. “You know how women are, they can never make up their minds! You always have to tell them where to go and what to do.” He said smiling at Srilina who was getting angrier with every word that came out of his mouth. But the man stepped between them before she could give him a good kick.
“I believe the Lady, here, does not want your attentions sir. I would suggest that you leave her alone now.” His tone spoke volumes.
“And what if I do not?” Elisar asked defiantly, puffing out his chest in an attempt to appear taller and stronger than the new arrival.
“Then I will be forced to take action, and don’t believe that I will not.” He said, as the two suddenly became locked in what appeared to be a stare down. Given the opportunity, Srilina yanked her arm out of Elisar’s grasp and carefully touched it, wincing at its tender state. As if on cue, both men turned around to look at her, Elisar moving forward as if to claim her for his own. She backed away from him and moved closer towards the other man.
“I want you to go away Elisar.” She said.
“Well I think that’s settled then…Elisar! The lady has spoken her mind and it would be wise of you to head it.” He said grinning slightly as Elisar turned away huffily and rushed off towards Srilina’s parents.
“I’m sorry you had to see that.” Srilina told the man, who had for all practical purposes, come to her rescue.
“Oh it’s no problem, I saw the two of you…dancing, if that’s what you can call his attempt at standing on your feet. He looked slightly undesired.”
“Well you guessed correctly.” She looked around at the couples still dancing around them. “Would you like to dance?” she asked. “It’s the least I can do to repay one willing to stand up to that man.”
“Oh, well, I don’t like these sorts of dances.” He said.
“I understand.” Srilina replied, slightly downcast.
He got a worried look on his face. “Well it’s just that I don’t like balls very much, but would you like to go out and walk in the garden? It is a beautiful night.”
“I would love that.” She said, smiling up at his face still covered by a black satin mask, as he gently took her arm and led her out the doors and into the starry night.