Snowflakes of Airyglyph

AN: There aren't enough Alnel fics out there and yes this is one! To all the others that reviewed my Beyond the Twilight fic thank you all so much:o)

Part 1 – Invitations…

The man bolted through the halls of the castle, darting left and right, careful to avoid knocking over any one in the process. However, the guards that were chasing him had no such consideration. They thundered as a herd behind him.

'Hey you!' They shouted. 'Where are you going?'

He ignored them and darted around the corner. This was going to be a whole lot harder now that there was a squadron of the Wall Legion chasing him. His goal was right there, at the end of the marbled hall. A simple oak door with the rune of spirit carved upon it. He forced his tired legs to run even faster as to put a slightly bigger lead between him and the soldiers behind him. He skidded to a stop as he reached his target and pounded on the door. 'Lady Nel!' He shouted.

The soldiers behind him instantly skidded to a stop and backed away a few feet. They whispered amongst themselves until the door opened a fraction. With out hesitation the guards bolted crying out prayers for the fool's soul.

'Yes?' A smooth voice asked opening the door completely. She stood there with one hand against the door frame. To most people that would have been intimidating but the messenger just smiled and handed her a small envelope.

'I take my leave of you my lady!' He turned and ran off in the direction he had come from. She poked her head out the door way and watched him retreat around the corner.

'Who was that?' Clair asked her friend as she shut the door.

'A messenger.' Nel answered sitting down and examining the envelope. Clair knew not to push the matter but suddenly thought differently as Nel's face drained of colour.

'What is it? You look as if your worst nightmare has just materialized in front of you!'

She tore the envelope open as fast as she could; pulling out the small piece of paper inside. Her breath caught in her throat. 'Um… It's an invitation…'

'An invitation?' Clair asked her. 'To what?'

'It's an invitation to the Ball of Winter in Airyglyph castle…' Nel started.

'From whom?'

Nel looked again at the paper and coughed nervously. 'From Albel.'

Clair's face suddenly went blank before she burst into laughter. 'Albel the Wicked sent you an invitation to the Winter ball!'

'Some friend you are…'

The lone figure stood outside on the balcony watching the first snowflakes fall onto the street below. One metal claw gripped the railing. Children ran through the streets excitedly, 'Winter is here!' They shouted.

'Bah…' He started looking back inside. The winter seemed almost peaceful but he knew there would not be a rest for him when that messenger returned. He just wished it would be sooner rather than later.

'What's the matter with you?' Woltar asked. 'Usually your 'bah's' have more hatred and venom in them! Did you lose your touch, or are you just ill boy?'

Albel ignored him and sat at the desk, touching the leather bound book in front of him gingerly incase it might disappear. 'I invited someone to the ball…' He answered lounging back in his chair.

'Oh really?' Woltar started sitting down smiling. 'Could it be that Albel Nox, the wicked one, has had his heart stolen by a beautiful young woman?'

'No.' The young man answered sighing. 'I have something that belongs to her, that's all.'

Woltar was taken aback, 'What? No insult? No witty remark?' It was unlike Albel to be quiet if something was said that might tarnish his precious reputation.

'I have none to give you.' He answered leaning back in his chair.

'All right, so whom might I ask, is the unlucky young lady?' The old man asked a small smile appearing on his wrinkled old face.

Albel paused. 'Nel Zelpher.'

Woltar's face drained of colour. 'You invited a woman that would slice your throat open rather than dance with you?' He suddenly burst into fits of laughter at the irony. The fact was that they hated one another and yet Albel had something so important that he would risk his very life and reputation on that item.

'Shut up, worm.' He answered standing up and flinging a huge pile of paperwork at him. 'It has nothing to do with you!'

The old noble man steadied himself and forced himself to stop laughing. 'You realize that she might decline that offer don't you? What makes you think that she would accept any invite from you? She might think it was a joke!'

Albel sat back down. 'I don't know if she will accept, but she will know it is no joke… Can you just drop the subject now…'

Woltar had to pause, his features turned serious. 'It is that important to you, that she gets this item?' His only response was a nod. 'All right, then I shall tell all that she is visiting as an emissary then.' He turned to leave pausing only once again to look at the swordsman before leaving…

'Damn!' He swore bringing his claw down hard enough to crack the sturdy timber desk.

She sat on the soft grass of the small embankment that looked out over the lake below and glanced out to the horizon as the sun began to set. In her hand was the small envelope that had caused her so much torment in such a small time. 'What on Elicoor is Albel thinking?' She thought opening it up and reading its contents once again.

'To The Lady Nel of Aquaria,

You are hereby invited to the Ball of Winter. Please give your answer to my messenger as soon as possible. I look forward to your reply.

Signed Lord Albel Nox

P.S. Fool, this is not a joke…'

The last line annoyed her, but she knew that it was definitely Albel that had sent it. 'Well if I go, Clair will never let me live it down… but if I don't… I won't know what he wants me there for… Damn it…' She fell back and listened to the water running below. This place always brought her peace and Airyglyph only ever brought her pain and at best a terrible cold. 'What am I thinking? Albel would have a good reason to invite me… wouldn't he?' She sighed as it began to get dark… 'Well better give the fool his answer.'

The messenger darted through the streets of Kirlsa stopping as he reached his destination. The Nox Manor. After the young lord's father had died he had left it practically abandoned. However, now that the war had ended Lord Albel had taken up residence there again. It was the complete opposite of what any one would think it to look like. Unlike Lord Woltar's home it was not grand in its design or its furnishing. Red roses climbed their way up the bricks and waved gently in the breeze. In reality it looked like a glorified town house. He opened the door not waiting for the maid to escort him anywhere. He climbed the curved stairs and made his way to the lord's study.

'Yo!' He said flinging the door open so hard that it slammed against the bricks behind it. Albel just looked up at him slightly irritated. 'Damn, you could have warned me.'

'Avan, your back.' He muttered sounding less than amused. 'Well?'

'You could have told me Lady Nel was such a fox! Wooo! And Lady Clair, wow!' Avan started slouching in the chair in front of him. 'Wow!' He repeated, his obnoxious smile splitting his face from ear to ear.

Albel growled at him, trying to intimidate him into giving him the answer he wanted, sadly that was totally lost on the dimwit. 'Well what did she say?'

The messenger stretched. 'She said she'd come, but she had a message for you too. She said 'Albel you had better have a good reason for sending me this. If I have come all the way to Airyglyph for nothing then I swear on my father's grave that I will slit you from navel to nose! Worm!"

The Glyphian lord roared with laughter. 'That sounds just like the wench. Tell the maid on your way out that she is to prepare for a visitor.'

'Right! I'm bushed!' Avan answered getting up and leaving. He slammed the door behind him and headed off for his room.

'You like him, don't you boy?' Woltar's voice said from behind him.

Albel growled. 'Cant you stay away for a few days? I know that we live closely together but if I knew you were coming to visit me daily I would have stayed in Airyglyph…' He slammed his fist down on the table. 'What business is it of yours if I like someone or not?'

'It is none of my concern but I know you better than you think. Still I can see why you respect him.'

'Grrr.' Was the old mans only answer. 'Who let you in here?'

Woltar laughed. 'Cant tell you all my secrets now can I, boy.' He straightened his robes and sat on the chair Avan had previously occupied. 'Actually the king is quite eager to see Lady Nel again; in fact he has invited you both to stay at the castle with him during the time of the ball. He will not accept no for an answer Albel.'

Albel just sighed at him. 'You had to go and open your big mouth. Why must you poke your nose in everything?'

'Because I can.' The old man answered standing up and getting ready to leave. 'I will see you in Airyglyph…'

As the door closed Albel muttered. 'Oh how I wish you would just vanish you decrepit old fart.' He touched the book gently again and smiled.He placed the delicate item in his drawer. 'Winters going to be colder than usual.'

There you go yep another story... but maybe I should finish what I was doing first o.O? Well review and tell me what you think please?