Part 2
It was now time for the hunt to begin. Orlais loved their Grand Game and played it well, the tricks and lies that were woven so beautifully along with the music that played, bards that sung and dancers that knew where to step. But in Antiva, the Crows played it a bit differently, correction, they didn't play. They loved the thrill of the Hunt. It was no secret that the assassins liked to dress up and attend the parties as well, or throw one themselves, for all knew when they went to those that if said House really wanted to, they could kill everyone there.
The slowing of the carriage jogged Alessa out of her thoughts, sitting up straighter to glance out the window, only to remember that they were tinted. Steffen who sat in front of her put a hand on her knee, a calming pressure that grounded her wayward thoughts.
"Todo estara bien." He said. "You are worrying too much again."
"Yeah. No pressure." She muttered when she heard boots from the outside walk closer. "Just a palace full of nobles and the royal family. Oh, and maybe half a dozen Crows with status to back up their namesake and House."
Steffen lightly chuckled, not envying the former warden one bit. "You'll do fine. I would advise talking to one of the Valisti siblings… Maybe Illario Dellamorte too. He is not at his best at the moment from the loss of his cousin, but you two should get along quite well, I think." He added the last bit with a look.
Just then the door opened, light from the fire basins and lit lanterns shining brightly into the night sky. When Alessa stepped out fully, she had to force her jaw not to drop in astonishment.
The area she and her guardian stood had a huge round a bout for horses to pull the carriages to, golden metal gates behind them in which they entered and exited from. A beautiful off gold color carpet lined the step leading to the double doors made from expensive looking burgundy wood, trimmed with gold. But it was the palace itself that had her in awe, for nothing in Denerim could have compared. It had to of been five or even six stories high, a pearl color painted building with custom designs carved into the stone. If this was the royal palace from the outside, she really wanted to see what the inside looked like.
She had walked up the very steps she had admired and towards the double doors that would lead her inside. Steffen had already tapped her arm in his customary way of saying he was off, for his job would be easier if the spotlight wasn't on him as well. She did feel a chill go down her spine when she no longer felt his calming presence but knew he would keep an eye on her and would watch over from the shadows. But that did not change the fact that she now felt many eyes on her. It was a tad uncomfortable.
When the doorman let in another group of guests, she slipped her way in to follow them to the ballroom. She grinned to herself a bit when she thought of how this was starting to thrill her, senses she thought were long dead came back alive. When the group came to a stop by another set of impressive doors, she focused on centering herself and expanding her senses. This must be the ballroom, she thought. The announcer could be heard when a man dressed in a red suit of the latest fashion opened the door to take the invitation of names for those who would go next.
Alessa waited patiently for her turn, eavesdropping on the various conversations around her, but none held any merit. For the few minutes it took for the couples to be called in and announced, a few young noblemen that stood off to the side of the hall caught her eye. The taller one of the three looked strikingly familiar… her heart dropped for a split second. He looked like tanned version of Vaughan Kendells, the former Arl of Denerim's son. The very man she killed that fateful day; a wedding that turned disastrous, then a blood bath, then ultimately what made her be recruited into the Wardens. When it came time for her to give the announcer's servant her invitation, she quickly handed it to him, trying her best to not look back at the three nobles who were now laughing loudly. The servant opened the sealed paper and briefly looked puzzled before nodding for her to walk in. She wanted to comment what was wrong but quickly shut it when the doors opened for her and the view of the ballroom was revealed.
It may not have been as vast as the one on Orlais, but it was just as every bit grant and breathtaking. The announcer stood a little off to the side while half a dozen steps led down to the multicolored tile floor below. It had to of been as long as it was wide to that of its cousin in Orlais, the design not too dissimilar with the dance floor ending where the King and Queen sat on the rubied throne. But instead of a balcony, it was a slightly raised stage like area, two statues on other side of a small gate where a white stone like fence as high as one's hip separated the royal family from the guests,
The elf's heart started to beat faster than a racehorse after winning the trophy, she was so focused on not tripping down the steps that she almost missed what the announcer said… an almost did exactly that.
"Now introducing; Alessa of House De'Riva, Master Assassin from the House of Crows."
…
…
What!?
It took every ounce of cool, training, happy thoughts, and all sorts of such to continue walking forward with a calm mask. It's the dress. Yes. The dress that has every fucking pair of eyes on me, she tried to reason in her mind. The beautifully made magnenta colored silky dress that had her left shoulder with a spilt sleeve, a silver slim band woven into it to hold it out of the way at the wrist. With every step she made the form fitting A-line like flowing dress floated like air around her, the right leg split opened to show a tan leg with equality silver sandaled heels peeking out. She tried to ignore the stares she received as she walked down isle of the dance floor to the hierarchy of Antiva. One thing was for certain, the King definitely did not look happy about this discovery either.
I smell someone's ass whooping.
She stopped a respectful distance away from the royal couple, bowing her head while forcing herself to relax into the curtsy. When she stood straight once more the expression on the King's face did not smooth over. Instead, he seemed to study her closer.
"Your Majesties, I am honored to attend your ball on this lovely evening." She kept her face as neutral as possible, but the extending few seconds were trying when nothing was said.
The Queen, having sensed something was off, replied instead. "Welcome Alessa, we hope you enjoy yourself while you are here."
"Thank you again, Your Majesty." The tense elf nodded again before turning to her left to where the tables were set up, breathing in a sigh of relief. But she had a feeling that tonight was only going to get more interesting.
The rouge only got as far as taking a wine glass from a passing servant when she felt a presence creep up behind her.
"What is a beautiful fiore doing here, wandering alone?" A smooth voice said.
She found herself face to face with a chocolate brown haired man, his thick Antivan accent making it slightly difficult to understand, but the way he walked reminded her of a cat on the prowl. He deftly plucked a flower from the long tables that stretched out, spinning it in his fingers. She noticed when his eyes caught her barely hidden by the slits in the sleeve, newly done, tattoo on her upper left arm. He did a fine job hiding his pause in his movement. Gently, she raised a hand, an index finger stopping at his wrist when he tried to place the flower behind her ear. The man just smiled as he returned his appendage.
"And who might you be, senor?" She asked, playing along with his dance. Happy to note that the unknown human in front of her didn't notice when she tensed or shift back. 'You can do this, fight your demons.'
He laughed, "You never answered my question, fiore."
"Nor you." She leaned on one leg. "Can't touch what you don't know."
"Then how about we get to know one another, si?" His smile showing pearl white teeth, a glint in his eye.
"Enough, brother." A woman walking, more like swaying, towards them interrupted. Her equally brown hair pulled into a braided bun. "She is obviously not enchanted by your charms."
When the woman stood by her, Alessa noticed how similar they carried themselves; her cold brown eyes were unlike his.
"The name is Carolina Valisti, this here is my brother, Nicoli." The man mentioned merrily huffed as the sister looked down at the rouge. "I see your new here, try not to have too much fun, you've already stirred up the party enough."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Alessa gave the, well known last name, assassin a look. She really didn't care much for her tone.
"I am not one of yours, find out for yourself." Carolina gave her one last glance before she turned to her bother. "Do try to remember why we are here. She's off limits." With that the navy blue dressed woman walked away, disappearing into the crowd of nobles as fast as she came.
"Well. Seems you got your answer and met my stiff sister." Nicoli beamed, offering an arm for her to take. "Need a tour? I'd be happy to show you."
"Didn't she just say I was 'off limits'?"
"Not in this, I promise to be a perfect gentleman."
She hesitated, looking at him with a raised eyebrow. For she had heard those very same words from another man. The elf slowly put her hand in the crook of his arm, keeping a respectful distance in case something was to happen. She may be civil, and kind, but she was no fool. Assassins were assassins after all.
"So, mio fiore, what is a graceful elven woman like you doing at a stuffy party like this?" He asked as he paced themselves at a stroll. Well, at least Steffen will be happy I did one thing he suggested, she thought to herself, I'm making friends.
"I don't think I am following, Senor Valisti. I thought elves were only allowed here if deemed worthy enough or serving, it is a royal party after all."
"Ahh, reserve the titles for my late aunt and uncle; Claudio would have loved you." He flashed her a smile.
"I'm sorry for your loss, your House has been through much. I wish for all to be well."
He did not comment, instead he happily skipped to the next bit. "And as for an elven being here, this is not Ferelden with its serfs, and you are different, si? You may wear your hair down and hide that tattoo, but we know who you really are."
"And who do you think I really am?" She calmly asked, but she had a sinking feeling that he knew.
"Warden. It is not often an Antivan named Ferelden elf woman slays an archdemon." Well, shit.
"But yet in Antiva the name is common, maybe I am a woman that just so happened to have the same name as this hero, si?" She tried to dodge, but the look she got was one that was unconvinced.
"I don't believe so, mio fiore." He patted her hand when it tensed, walking her over to a quieter corner of the ballroom. "I reassure you; I am no threat. Only curious."
She thoughtfully sipped her wine as she thought about what he said.
"Curious? About what might I ask? For I have not done a whole lot to gain the attention of a Third Talon House. Surely?"
"No? Yet my reports say that Zevran's woman has been in Antiva for some time now. Imagine my surprise when I found out." He waved off her quickly hidden surprise frown before she could say anything. "Per favore, mio caro. Walking along one's way and glancing to see the famed Hero in the heart of De'Riva territory is not spying."
"I didn't know one paid so close attention when going about their way." The elf tried to ignore her amor being mentioned, she knew she was in the thick of things, but had no clue exactly what. Playing dumb for now could prove usefull later.
"You should. If you look closer, you'll find more then you thought you did."
"I shall keep that in mind." Her gut twisted, thinking on one important fact; at any time one of the Valisti Crows spotted her, then they must have caught sight of Darren. Nicoli didn't have to say it, but the hint and warn he gave said it all. He knew. And what was stopping from the rest of the House's from knowing?
"But come now," his movements regained her attention before he took her now empty wine glass to set down on a nearby table. "a dance?"
"I'm not really that good." She tried to protest but found his unarming smile hard to resist along the man's little over the top arm sweep to guide her with him, ignoring how she stiffened. He was laying on the seduction tac quite thick.
"I believe different. You do well with words, what is that compared to a few steps?"
She quickly found herself in the arms of the Crow on the ballroom dancefloor that she never thought would ever be possible. The rouge was relieved when she found out that the dance was indeed easier than she first thought. Nicoli guided her the whole way through, where she should step, turn, and raised an arm for her to spin, her flowing dress flaring out like a cape. He ended the dance with a flourishing bow that had her laying back in one of his arms, the other gentling touching her bent up knee. For a second, she could not help but smile, for she felt pretty in that moment, regardless of the many stares and the whispers. She realized with a small amount of embarrassment that it was only the two of them on the dance floor. Their dance having caught the entire ballroom's attention, including a soon to be First Talon. All the while the King watched on with cold eyes.
After hours of walking around meeting people, mingling with the nobles, and spotting a few Crows here and there, Alessa was honestly getting tired. A few times Steffen slinked out of the shadowy corners to check up on her, and during said times he would give the Valisti Crow a suspicious look. She exchanged a few words to reassure her guardian that nothing was happening between the two of them, but that did not stop the gossip he told her that had been popping up. Nor way he glanced about had her wary. The last time he parted he said for her to slip away from the party to make her way back to the front entrance, he would meet her there. Nothing too sneaky to draw unwanted attention but nothing flashy to show off, simple and sweet.
She did not like the secrecy, not one bit. But she trusted him and what had to be important enough to urge her to end the mingling. It was when Carolina came back to inform her brother that it was time to leave, that Alessa was able to part from Nicoli. The man did not look very happy to leave the elven woman's side but complied none the less.
The ball slowed down as the bell rang late into the night and a few couples started to leave, the former warden was able to stealth her way back using the carpet on the stairs to minimize her heels clanking, down from the third story floor. There leaning half in the light half in the shadows on the far wall was Steffen. He looked pleased when he noticed she was indeed alone.
Author's Notes
This is quite late and overdue for an upload. But I am still here and writing!