From Bud to Bloom

by Rose of the Noble Castle

Three sisters travel to the castle of the Himemiya clan to discover their fate. But the Prophecies say that one will fall . . . Act II FINALLY UP.

2. Intrigue

From Bud to Bloom

An original RPG log based in the Utena Universe
Brought to you by Rose of the Noble Castle

Rose of the Noble Castle is: Katie, Cat Who, Music-chan, Jenn, Kevin, Diana, Jessie, and Haruka

Act II log by Cat Who

Our chance encounter, outside of time, was an active necessity
Going beyond a lonely lifetime, I shall free my heartbeat to the wind
Now we revive the memory of the rainbow days of yesteryear
Where we only chased our wishes wherever in the fields
--Two Mix, Beat of Destiny

---

* * *

"Rumors you say? I guess that depends on which rumors you mean. There are so many of them that I have long since given up trying to keep them in place. What have YOU heard, young one?"

Sophe mused on how to answer without upsetting the beautiful woman beside her. She had just opened her mouth to speak when suddenly the mare beneath her reared and gave a sudden scream as if possessed. Sophe, normally very good with all animals, especially horses, let out a short shriek herself, and dropped down over the reigns, trying to calm the beast. But Dewdrop was having none of it; she took off for the nearby woods with Sophe clinging tightly to the back of the charging beast. "Stop! Please, please stop!"

Sophe tried to keep her voice calm, but was failing miserably. Carefully, she leaned forward, still clinging to the galloping steed as Orange chased after her through the brush and over streams. Her fingers tightened in Dewdrop's crisp mane. It could have been moments or centuries later that the sudden burst of inspiration and power hit her.

"Heed me," Sophe whispered in the terrified horse's ear. "And slow." She pressed forward with her mind; the smallest of mental tricks really, and told Dewdrop that she REALLY wanted to slow down. She fed the rioting horse images of a warm stall and soft, sure strokes of the curry brush. The images grew into thick, creamy meal and sugar cubes, if only Dewdrop would slow and stop.

The horse, tensed under her, and slowly began easing to a stop. It took a few minutes, but soon her frantic gallop had slowed to a trot, and finally a full stop. Coral pulled up beside Sophe just as Cassie's mental shout broke through the clearing with all the power of a thunderclap. Sophe turned and leapt at Coral, knocking both she and the woman off their horses as a large bolt of green lightening blazed from the sky and incenerated their mounts. Both steeds vaporized without a whinny. The pair of women lay gasping on the ground, mere inches away from their certain death.

Coral gained her feet quickly; she dragged the young bride to a standing position as she scanned the area for a possible enemy. "Your horse did not bolt by normal means," she whispered harshly, bits of grass and leaves caught in her loosened mane of hair. "It was spooked by unusual magic. But apparently the perpitrator has chosen to flee rather then face us."
She paused a moment, then her bright anger dimmed to a slow smile. "That was a wonderful use of power for one who claims to have none," she complimented. "Even Elise has been at the mercy of a bolting horse." She squeezed Sophe's arm lightly and the pair began walking unsteadily back toward the castle. Sophe could feel them coming, the members of the Council and the servants of the Himmemiya clan. What a mess she looked!

In the dim forest, cloaked by a high-powered illusion spell and VERY far away from the youthful prying eyes of the Council and Keske, two ice-cold figures watched.

The first was taller than the second, and obviously masculine. "She did better than you expected."

The second snorted in a very unlady-like manner. "That she did. But we shall see how the other two hold up. One will fall and fail. It is written."

"So I see."

"So it shall be."

Silently... they vanished.

* * *

Sapphire sighed and rubbed her ears, now on the ground once again next to Cassandra. She looked like she had a headache, which wasn't far from the truth. For the moment, her playfullness was gone.

"I know you care for you sister, Cassandra, but next time, couldn't you not yell so loudly? Some of us are rather sensative to such mental manipulations." She practically danced next to the girl and glanced up at her; Sapphire was perhaps the shortest one here, standing well below anyone else's height. "Your sister is fine. In fact, I think she did great. Now, shall we return to the castle? The maze can be explored some other day."

* * *

Only seconds after Crimson left did the mental screem echo through the castle. Emerald winced and pressed his hands against his ears, as if that would help. Of course, he knew better but there were some habits that were hard to break.

Miranda had leapt out of her seat as the telepathic scream resounded throughout the area.

"Your sister, I presume?" Emerald said drily.

"Cassandra! Sophe!" she cried, running over to the edge of the library to look out the window facing the locus of the scream. But she saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Then they all felt the violent lash of magic, and Miranda saw the green lightning bolt flash from above.

"My gods," Miranda said, gripping the windowsill. "Someone is trying to kill Sophe." Without thinking, she ran over and grabbed Emerald's arm, and practically started dragging him out of the library. "Come along, we have to find her!"

"OW! Hey! Watch what you're doing!?" The green-haired man hadn't been expecting one of the brides to be this forceful and for a moment, he was so taken by surprise that Miranda easily lead him out of the room. The pair was out in the hallway before Emerald managed to compose himself enough to pull his arm away and smooth out his robes. Now it was HIS turn to grab the girl's arm and hold her in place.

"Look, she's fine. If you three are supposedly as good as magic as you're suppose to be, you'd realize that no human lifeforce was disrupted." He paused, then started walking the oposite way down the hall. "But we can go check it out. Still, you were going the wrong way. The exit is this way."

Cool and collected once more, Emerald guestured to Miranda and walked for a large marble staircase that just seemed to appear.

Miranda followed Emerald, calming down from her initial panic. Of course he was right, Sophe and Cassandra were both safe, but that was one burst of powerful magic.

Emerald moved swiftly across the lawns, and Miranda had to step quickly, almost jogging, to keep up. Others were converging on the scene of the accident, including Queen Elise and her entourage. They all arrived about at the same time.

Sophe was being held up by Coral. Miranda left Emerald's side to take her sister's arm. Sophe looked as cool and perfect as always, but she was giving off a shaky mental picture.

"I'm all right," she assured everyone. Just then Cassandra burst through the growing crowd, having run the entire breadth of the estate in a matter of minutes. She huffed to a stop next to her sisters.

Sophe flushed as everyone rode up and glanced once at Coral as the woman stood serenely beside her. Elise cantered up and took in the scene with a focused gaze. "You aren't injured." It was a statement, not a question. Both the girls shook their heads and Elise glanced over at the youngest of the sisters appraisingly. "That was well done for such a young student."

Cassie licked her lips and tried not to glare at the queen. Now was not the time to be discussing her powers as one would horseflesh. "Sophe," she cried, throwing herself into the middle child's arms, "are you okay?"

Calmly embracing first her younger, then older, sisters, Sophe told the tale as simply as possible. Ryu's lips tightened once at the mention of green lightening, but that was all. Elise, however, was not so composed. She actually went so fare as to narrow her eyes and sneer in the direction of the forest. "I wouldn't be surprised," she said, "if there were assasins after the three of you. After all, if Keske should be wed and bear a child . . ."

Ryu signaled for silence and all grew still. "All members of the Council and the three Brides are to remain within the confines of the palace proper until the perpitrator has been found." His tone was final. Both Sophe and Cassandra sagged at his order; Cassie had yet to see the maze, and Sophe desperately wanted to be let loose from the gilded cage that was the palace. She needed the sunlight and dappled shadows as much as the air she took in or the water she drank. Such a penalty for her safety seemed too much to bear. However she recognized the neccesity for what it was; it was protection. But why the Council also?

As if hearing her thoughts (who knew, he might have) Ryu answered that last musing almost coldly. "Both horses were vaporized, Sophe. Coral was also shot at. Or did you forget in your worry for your freedom?"

Personally affronted by his harsh words, Sophe drew into herself and stood taller. She kept her face a mask of carefully schooled calm, but let her eyes flash momentarily. "I had not forgotten, my king," she replied, "but it never occured to me that Coral would need protection as well. She is much more powerful than I and has been taking care of herself since childhood."

Sophe felt Coral stiffen beside her and look strangely at her, but did not move to meet the girl's gaze. It didn't occur till much later to wonder how she knew such a fact about the cool beauty at her side. They had spoken only of Sophe in their ride and Coral had been very cautious about letting things slip.

* * *

Cool, cerulean eyes opened suddenly in the throes of pleasure. She smiled up at the servant-man above her, while scowling in her mind. Now their restricted areas included outside the walls as well, not just the main floor.

A sigh parted her lips as she kissed the man, her eyes closing, as if nothing had happened. Her window curtains, a soft red color, fluttered ever-so-slightly, parting to show those, who were paying attention, the scene below, where the members had gathered.

I'll comfort the girls when they're more relaxed, she thought to herself. Surely the others must be doing their best to accomplish the same goals . . .

* * *

Miranda escorted her sister back to their room inside the castle, shaken as were the members of the Council by the nearly fatal attack. Cassie had on her 'brave' look again, but Miranda knew her sister well enough to understand that she was actually scared witless.

How had Cassie known of the impending attack? Her mental shout had been enough to be heard even outside of the lands of Rosehamlet, that was for sure. One of the rules of the clans who knew magic was hard and fast -- never let the secret out. If rumour got out that witches and sourcerers ruled the timeless land, the results would be disastrous.

Sophe followed at a close distance behind them, escorted by several people. Coral refused any aid at all, and her cold looks warned the others away.

"Ne, Cassandra, we need to talk," Miranda whispered to her baby sister as they entered the palace. "You too, Sophe," she said. The beauty looked back at her with pained eyes. Someone had tried to kill her today . . . and no one really knew why, despite what the King and Queen had said.

"Let's find someplace quiet."

The three sisters walked to an empty drawing room with comfortable chairs, and Miranda began to mother her younger sisters, finding a licquor cabinet and pouring Sophe a much needed shot of brandy. She took it gratefully.

Assuming Big Sister mode again, Miranda sat down on a plump settee.

"All right, Cassandra, Sophe." She took a deep breath, and permitted herself a small cussword for the sake of emphasis. "What in all the seven Hells just happened?"

Sophe turned her face away and shook her head. "We were just riding our horses and . . . I don't know. Coral and I were riding in the forest when my mare was spooked by something. She went mad with fright and I soon lost control. I tried everything I had been taught to in order to calm her, but nothing worked until I tried some persuasion magic." She flushed at Cassie's surprised look. Persuasion magic is very difficult practised on humans, who have the ability to change their minds; even more so on animals. Even an animal with a human-type mind like a mammal is rather difficult. It was odd that Sophe would show such strength right then. Odd, but fortuitous.

Sophe cleared her throat and continued on. "Coral followed as best she could. The mare finally stopped and as Coral approached me something -- I don't know what -- told me that she was in danger. I leapt at her just as Cassandra's shout reached us. The horses were vaporized by some kind of green lightening, and then you all showed up."

Cassie closed her mouth and settled beside Sophe. She lay her head on her sister's shoulder and sighed. "I was in the maze with Sapphire. She was being particularly . . . well . . . I mean . . . she told me she'd answer my questions, but then she didn't. And we were just talking when I just knew you were in trouble. I didn't expect you to hear me, really. No one was more surprised than I that I projected so far and well." She blushed.

"I hope we don't get in trouble."

"I don't think we will," Miranda said, thoughtfully. "There are people out to harm us, not the other way around. I think . . . I think that the queen was more angry at herself for not thinking we'd be in danger." Startled by that sudden insight, Miranda paused. The queen was a very proud, very powerful woman, and this sort of oversite on her part would probably irk her to her deepest nerve. Married off like a piece of chattel (Miranda did not dwell on the fact that the same thing would happen to one of them, too), she had little left but her outward pride.

"And the Council has been confined as well. Whatever they are planning, they need us all safe."

And just what were they planning? What would be so powerful as to lure at least five people into giving up their lives?

Cassie frowned. "I don't know. Elise creeps me out. There's just something . . . about her."

Sophe had no comment about the queen; what disturbed her was the obvious lack of knowledge they had about one of their future spouse...Keske. "You don't think Keske would try to, well . . . you know, in order to be rid of his obligation to us? Do you?"

Miranda started to bite her cuticles nervously before she caught herself. "I don't know. If we're all dead, though . . . would he even be free to choose his own bride? If he is . . . and he's already in love with someone . . ."

Miranda remembered the flash that had been in his eyes that morning when he glanced at her. No, even though she had no powers of premonition, she had a pretty good feeling that he wasn't interested in her. Just as well. She was all but on the shelf anyway, and she'd never relished the idea of childbirth, which was the whole point of marrying the prince off anyway.

Miranda collected herself and sat up a bit straighter. She'd just do her best to keep her sisters safe, prince or no prince. "No matter what, we all have to be careful. Someone is obviously out to kill both us and the Council. We need to stick together."

A knock sounded on the door.

"Come in," Miranda said, wondering who it was.

Crimson smiled and pushed the door open, her eyes glancing over all three of the girls at once. 'So these are the mice.' she thought to herself as she stepped into the room, her red chinese-style dress hugging her body. "Are you girls allright? I'm sorry I couldn't get to you in the fields after the attack. I was preoccupied somewhere else at the time." Her eyes skimmed the trio, and smiled a little bit more, "I believe I've already met Miranda, but you other two are... less familiar to me?" She looked at the two girls whom she had yet to meet. "Sophe and Cassandra, correct? I'm Crimson."

Sophe looked at Crimson for a long moment, the antagonism springing to life as naturally as a flower blooms. There was something in this woman that grated on her. Certainly they would probably need another allie, but this woman... oooh, she bothered Sophe on a level purely instincitive.

Cassie merely nodded. She thought Crimson was rather pretty, if a bit stuck up and arrogant. "Yes. Pleased to meet you."

Crimson smiled at Cassie, "As it is to meet you." She curtsied a bit, then stood again. "I take it you've all recovered well from the attack?" She stood slightly in front of the still-open door, hands clasped in front of her, "For, if you were, I was hoping to invite you to the dressmakers." a light, almost sincere, smile crossed her face, "It's a place where I can take my mind off of bothers, and obtain a lovely dress while I'm at it."

"But of course, if you're going there, you'll have to invite everyone as well."

The light, airy voice came out of nowhere but as Sapphire's spirit-like form slipped in THROUGH a wall, it was obvious where it was coming from. Doors? Who needed doors? The blue-haired woman laughed, a bell-like sound even in the small room, and did a twirl. "Hello Sophe and Miranda. I don't believe we've met. I am Sapphire. I had another name once but I became bored of it so I threw it off like yesterday's cloths. Of course, some of us cling more tightly to them than others."

The Fey glanced at Crimson, her blue, gem-like eyes glimmering with hidden meaning.

"But yes, let's DO go to the dress makers. I AM in need of some fun!" Still laughing, she hooked her arm through Sophe's and led the girl from the room. She was all sunshine and laughter. It was almost like being outside when she was around.

* * *

In another room, somewhere in the castle, Gold was balancing a sword on his finger as Emerald sat a short distance away, of course reading a book. The boy (he indeed seemed a boy, though he was much older than he looked) sighed with bordom and flipped the blade in the air and once again balanced it.

"Emerald, you are one of the most boring ones here."

"Mmmmm."

"Don't you do anything but read?"

"Nnnnn."

"You're not even going to tell me about what happened, are you?"

Emerald just shrugged.

With an annoyed grunt, Gold threw the short sword directly through Emerald's book so that the point was just bare inches away from the man's nose. With narrowed eyes, Emerald glanced over the edge at the boy.

"Do you have nothing BETTER to do than hassal me? Some horses were killed. We're confined to the castle. You know that. What more should I tell you?"

Another sword, a dagger this time, appeared in Gold's hand and he started balancing that as well. "I don't care! Just do something less-boring than reading all the time!"

In the blink of an eye, Emerald was out of his chair, behind Gold and had a long, curved blade pressed up against the boy's throat. Gold blinked and opened his mouth, but no word's came out. After a few seconds of shock though, he grinned.

"So you ARE as good as they say."

"What of it?"

"You decline fighting."

"I DISLIKE fighting. I am easily provoked though."

"I'll keep that in mind.....for the next time I desire a fight."

With a snort, Emerald removed the blade and pushed Gold away. The sword disappeared a moment later and the blond boy laughed. Emerald dismissed him with a wave of his hand and returned to his chair....and his book which had mysteriously healed itself in his absense.

"Go play with your toys elsewhere, Gold."

"Don't mind if I do, Emerald."

Still chuckling, Gold disappeared leaving Emerald alone . . . for the moment.

* * *

Miranda glanced at her youngest sister, and she and Cassie shared a look that no one else in the world would understand. With a sigh and a smile Miranda stood up, and she and Cassie followed Sophie, Sapphire, and Crimson out of the room.

Although their clothing was all decidedly frumpy compared to everyone else's at Rosehamlet (except for Sophe, who wouldn't look frumpy even in a rice sack), they didn't really need new clothes, as what they had was serviceable enough. But after coming in looking like refugees from a feudal war that morning, perhaps one or two new dresses wouldn't hurt, and as they were currently under the hospitality of the Himemiya, they'd be paid for by them, too.

"I don't like Crimson all that much," she whispered to Cassie, making sure that they were out of earshot of the red-haired woman who was leading the way. "She seems so . . . authoritative." As they walked down the hallway, Mirdanda absently touched a plant hanging from the ceiling. At her touch, the plant suddenly stood up straighter, and looked a little greener and happier. Miranda smiled to herself. She needed . . . she needed to find the castle gardens, soon. She might as well make herself useful.

Fully aware that words were being whispered of her, though unsure of the words themselves, Crimson simply smiled to herself and crossed her arms over her chest, walking behind Sapphire and Sophe. She didn't know the words Miranda had muttered, but she knew what the girl thought of her. 'We all have reasons for being, Miranda. What is yours?' she thought into the girl's mind as she walked along the velvet-carpeted floors.

Turning along a hallway, she nodded to a servant, who blinked and, in turn, ran down the hallway toward the seamstresses' hall. The women would need to know of their coming.

Cassie winced as soon as Miranda's words passed her lips. She knew that Crimson would flaunt her power and listen in on their conversation any way she could. She just seemed like that type. She was not disapointed when, a moment later, Crimson's mental voice clearly sounded in both their minds, though it was intended only for Miranda. Cassie wondered mildly about that, all their powers seemed to have improved by merely being in Rosehamlet. It made one wonder exactly how strong the Council had originally been, or had their months at Rosehamlet improved their powers considerably...?

Sophe, on the other hand, ignored the crimson haired woman and glided elegantly along. Though normally a peaceful woman, Sophe sensed that there was much, MUCH more to the story behind Crimson than met the eye. It made her nervous, not having everything out in the open as she was accustomed. Their family could be harsh at times, but they were always loving and open. Their own mother, Antoinette, had once been a part of Elise's court and had left the woman's service upon her arranged marriage to Souji Ken. They had hated one another at first; the stiff, formal man and the elegantly playful lady in waiting... but after a few years of living away from the magical castle they had grown to respect one another. And from that respect and friendship had grown a strong and true love.

From that love had grown three talented and lovely daughters... and one son. Sophe turned her face away momentarily and stopped by a window as the quartet of ladies continued on their way. Cassie stopped a few steps later and returned to her side.

"Sophe? What's the matter?"

Sophe frowned and chewed her lip a moment. "I was just... thinking... on Tama."
Cassie's eyes widened and she paled, thinking of Miranda's twin brother. "Don't! We'll get in trouble in this keep of telepaths! Mother and Father..."

Waving a hand Sophe cut off Cassandra. "I know. I know. Which is why I speak rather than... Nevermind. But do you ever wonder, Cassie? Do ever just lie in bed and pray that he...he... he is okay?"

Cassandra was in due distress. Speaking of Tama always did this to her. Their father and mother had send Tama away from their home at a fairly young age for his own good. They hadn't seen him since Sophe was eight and Cassandra six. Miranda refused to speak of him or even acknowledge he'd ever even existed in the first place. It was as if she'd forgotten that she had shared their mother's womb with any other.

"Sophe," she murmured, tugging her sister toward the small shop, "we have to go. Don't think of these things. Tama was a strong young man. They had to send him away . . . or else Ryu . . .It was a neccesity. And now we're here."

"That's the point," Sophe whispered dreamily, "Remember how he would always stand up for us? Never let the others bully us despite our powers? He wouldn't stand for this marriage. He would have done something about it."

"But he's gone. And we're late. Now clamp on those thoughts NOW."

With the final words the younger girl propelled the older into the shop with a little more force than neccesary. She hated to censor her thoughts as such, but as she had said earlier, they -were- in a keep of telepaths. If Ryu or Elise ever found out about their brother . . . well, many heads would roll. Their entire clan as a matter of fact.

Once again, Sapphire slipped into the middle of things and practically danced with Sophe as she slipped by into the middle of the hall. Her gauzy, light-weight clothing practically floated along with her, making the woman seem less and less real with every passing second. But her voice was unmistakable as she passed Sophe and her eyes were serious.

"Watch your thoughts, young one. If I hadn't been sheilding you, you would have been in trouble. I cannot be there all the time though. Let it satisfy you to know that the one you think of is well and leave it be."

How Sapphire could know this, it was impossible to say. Many people questioned Keske's judgement for asking someone of Sapphire's blood to be a part of the council. The same people whispered even more at the woman's immediate acceptance of the role. Only trouble could come from this, they said.

But perhaps Keske knew something that they didn't. It was hard to say because both the young prince and the blue-haired woman were closed-mouthed and closed-mind over the whole ordeal. Not even Elise or Ryu knew the details of the matter. And that upset the Queen to no end.

At the moment though, Sapphire certainly seemed more welcoming than some of the other Council members. The real question was; would she stay that way?

Crimson paused at the doors of the tailormaids' room, glancing back at the trio that strayed. The only one who was even close enough to her so that she could feel her immediate prescence was Miranda. She smiled a bit at Sapphire, the fae-woman. As much as her whimsical and lofty person annoyed Crimson, much like a feather refusing to be caught as it sailed off into the breeze, she couldn't help but appreciate the aesthetic beauty that the woman (or was she more like a child?) always had.

"Let the girls get their momentos of their first day, first!" She smiled at Miranda, and pushed open the doors to the tailormaids's room.

The room itself was large, much larger than one would think from standing outside it.. It seemed almost as large as the foyer to the castle and almost thrice as tall, with as many floors as a tailorshop for the whole nobility of Rosehamlet should need. Three. The main floor was diveded into two main areas: the fitting rooms and the holding rooms. The fitting rooms were where the young ladies would be fitted for their clothing, while the holding rooms were rooms filled with racks of clothing. The next floor held several workers, bent over sewing machines, or musing around mannequins. The topmost was most likely the less chaotic, for that's where the tailormaids' rooms where, as well a small dining area for them to take their tea breaks. Like all of the castle it was neat and efficient. And ancient.

"Well," chirped Crimson as she stepped into the buzzing room, "We're here!Oi! Sapphire, the dance isn't until after dinner!" she called to them, to her, with a light, teasing voice, as Saphire did a complicated whirl around her. Crimson's smile was genuine now. She wasn't always authoritative. And the tailor's shop always lightened her mood.

Sapphire laughed and twirled again, now facing Crimson. Her hair seemed to float around her head, a mermaid's hair that wouldn't sit still in the currents. With light, un-slippered feet, she dance next to Crimson and made a full circle around the woman.

"That is where you are mistaken, Crimson my dear. All of life is a dance. The sooner you realize this, the happier you're be."

She giggled and was soon lost amongst the tailors and bolts of clothing. Innocence in form, intelligence in mind. Somehow, the woman gave off the impression that she knew nothing and yet new everything at the same time. Keeping her still was like trying to nail down a sunbeam.

Sophe had blanched at Sapphire's concerned interuption. She hadn't realized that she had been projecting that clearly. Apparently with the power amplitude around this place she'd have to learn to dampen it a bit better before she suffered for it. Unlike her sisters, even the strongest of her mental screams would be fairly unheard, thus she'd never had to learn the trick of erecting a mental wall around her thoughts.

"Arigato," she murmured absently, following the group into the shop. It was only as Crimson and Sapphire taunted genially back and forth that she could take a moment to truly appreciate the richness and beauty of the castle keep. The dressroom itself was an indicator of how much plenty there was to be had with the Himmemiya clan.

Here, Sophe was in her element.

"Ladies," murmured a voice and they all turned to find Emineth standing only a short distance away. "Preparing for the ball tonight?"

Cassandra smiled widely. "Yes! Have any suggestions?"

Sophe stiffled her smile at Cassie's eagerness, but the butler didn't seem to mind giving his opinion in the least. "I think you would look lovely in red, Milady," he replied.

Flushing, Cassie grinned and nodded to a nearby seamstress. "You heard him," she giggled, and was happily carried off.

Sophe, for her part, chose an exquisite futuristic gown of ebony black that set off her dramatic coloring as a diamond on velvet. Her skin seemed all the paler for it, her eyes all the brighter and sharper, and her lips the darkest smear of crimson red... it looked almost as if she'd feasted on nothing but blood and cherries all day.

Cassie was delighted with the seamstress's old-fashioned choice of a full-skirted scarlet gown of silk. The skirt was composed of layers on layers of tuille and crinoline under the gathered swaths of silk, yet the bodice clung enticingly to her slender figure like a second skin. It was sleevless, but had a high enough collar to entice rather than detract. Overall, it was a good choice.

Crimson smiled as the hearts of the girls apparently changed once they set foot within the shop. Do they have anything like this from their home? she wondered to herself, walking in further into the shops. They must not be used to it, poor dears. But eventually, they will be.

Turning to the nearest girl, someone she didn't recognize, she bowed, her hair barely sweeping the floor, "If you'll excuse me, I like to have my dresses tailor-made." Standing, she waved with one gesture, "I hope you find something to your liking while here," expecting her entourage to still be with her. But then she saw that the girls already had. Crimson smiled at the dress Sophe chose- a dress that rivaled the darkness of midnight- a dress that Crimson herself requested to be made, but was made slightly slimmer than her figure. Instead, the dress went to the racks, where all the decided-nots and copies hung, and Crimson got a different elegant gown, designed to surpass the original.

She turned and walked toward the fitting rooms, "You know where to find help." Crimson stepped into one of the free rooms, and waited for a tailor to come in. "Ah, Misimine," she smiled at the young seamstress who entered the room. Apparently the new girl had gotten her favorite seamstress for her. A wise newbie. "Please create me a dress that echoes the night," she asked.

"Don't you already have one?" Misimine asked with a knowing grin, taking out her measuring tape.

"I would like this to be... slimmer.. per se. No full skirts. And an open back, if you can?"

"Of course, Crimson."

Crimson smiled at the girl as she got to work measuring her. Yes, Juna's replacement was much better. Misimine and Crimson had hit it off immediately, unlike Juna, who had thought Crimson snobby.

Miranda thoughtfully sorted through the racks, unsure of what color to choose. She usually for a nice, serviceably black, but now that Sophe had chosen black, anything that she wore in the color would look plain. Perhaps something in lemon . . .? The warm color would contrast nicely against her dark skin, and make her long, dark purple hair stand out that much more.

She caught a faint trace of Crimons's thoughts -- and while she hated to admit it, they *didn't* have anything like this at home. Their mother had taught them to sew at an early age, and while not all of their clothes were homemade, the vast majority of them had been sewn by themselves. It wasn't that the Soijiou clan was poor; on the contrary, by anyone's standards they were pretty well off. But when one has command of magic to make needles dance and threads swim through cloths of their own volition, it's pointless to purchase too many clothes.

But that was where the difference lay, she thought as she swung out a lemon silk dress, and held it up against her. She'd never have been able to make something as exquisite as this. The pattern was vaguely Chinese, but not quite entirely. In this timeless place, it could have well been a Chinese design from a thousand years in the future. The soft, lemon yellow silk would cling gently to her petite figure, and just lightly brush the floor. Embroidered on it were thousands of tiny, deep purple roses the exact shade as her hair, and stamped on the three buttons on the side of the neck was the device of Rosehamlet, in gold.

"Ne, Sophe?" she called to her younger sister, who was already trying on the black dress. "Do you think this one will suit me? I trust your opinion more than anyone."

Sophe tilted her head and regarded the dress with a trained eye. The yellow would indeed set off Miranda's flawless skin and dark hair rather well... though something about the way she was holding it disturbed the younger girl greatly. Images flashed before her eyes; Miranda's hands clasped tight against her bosom, a darkening stain spreading across the right thigh...

Shaking herself slighly, Sophe, nodded once. "I think it'll suit you wonderfully," she replied, as she glided over. "What do you think of this? Will it suit the Princes' fancy I wonder?" The last was said with an impish grin and a flash of her eyes. Both she and her other sisters knew Sophe couldn't care less if Keske took the slightest interest in her dress or not. He was too busy saving the world from itself to be bothered with the fashion of his brides...

"If eyes could eat, any male would devour you in that," Miranda proclaimed emphatically, and it was true. "Heck, I'm sure quite a few females would devour you as well. It suits you perfectly. Although, are you still sure you can't spare me an inch or two?"

"Sparing height" was an old joke between Miranda and Sophe. Since Miranda was as diminunative as Cassie, as soon as Sophe had sprouted up to half a foot taller than her, she'd started asking to borrow a few inches of height so that they'd even out.

Miranda didn't really mind being tiny, though. People made the mistake of underestimating her. She did come in at a good five feet, but even Cassie already had at least an inch on her.

"Only if she gives me an inch too," chirruped Cassie as she joined the sisters. Sophe was a 'lofty' 5'6, an unusual height for their clan.

* * *

"I don't want to go, Terpsichore."

In another room of the castle, Keske was drapped across a chair, his hair hanging limply around his head. He was very obviously exhausted and the coat of his "official" outfit was drapped across his bed, dusty and wrinkled.

"It's Sapphire, young prince. Remember that." Laughing, Sapphire stepped out of the shadows, her bare feet making not a sound on the cool, stone floor. "I have cast away my old name in order to take on this one. You know that as well as I."

Keske nodded slightly, his head resting in his hand. He was too tired to argue; too tired to complain about being tired even. Sapphire gave the young prince a sympathetic look and was soon at his side, soothing him with a lilting, faery-like song. The prince closed his eyes and rested his head in her hands, letting the ancient words wash over him.

When the song was over, Sapphire danced to the bed and sat facing Keske, her eyes bright and her smile infectuous. The prince couldn't help but smile back, though weakly.

"He's giving me more and more to do, Te-, Sapphire. It's such a burden."

"And once you get married, it will be all yours to care for."

"You're not helping."

"I tell the truth."

Keske sighed and stood, moving to the window. "I don't know how he takes it."

"He doesn't. At least, not very well. When he was younger.....well, your father was a different person."

Angry, Keske turned and faced the blue-haired woman. "I won't be like him, Sapphire! I won't!"

Tilting her head to the side, the Fey looked at the prince with liquid eyes, knowing everything and nothing at the same time. "If you believe that, then it will be so."

Nodding just once, Keske turned again. "I still don't want to go tonight. I have to, but I don't want too. I'm tired. I don't want the girls to see me when I'm tired."

"They'll see it eventually. Best early on so they know what they're getting into."

"Whatever. They're going to miss you if you stay away too long."

Laughing again, Sapphire was on her feet and towards the door. She was just about to the door when Keske's voice stopped her.

"Oh, and Terpsichore.....thank you."

Sapphire nodded, understanding. "You're welcome, Keske."

And with that, she was gone.

* * *

They waited patiently while Crimson was fitted for her dress. Then Cassie noticed it first.

"Ne . . . Where's Sapphire?"

The girls blinked and looked around.

"Right here, of course."

Laughing, Sapphire stepped out from behind a rack of cloths, wearing a dress that was absolutly stunning. It defied any sort of style. It was somehow futuristic and historic at the same time. Thick blue folds of velvet were drapped around her body. They clung to her tiny waist and top and flared into a drifting, floating skirt with long slits randomly up the sides. A shawl so thin that it spoke strongly of cobwebs was drapped across her shoulders. And everything glittered, as if sprinkled with stardust.

The woman's feet were bare, as usual, but silvery-blue ribbons wrapped around her heals, around her ankles and up her legs. Similar ribbons were wound 'round and through her hair, drifting down past her shoulders. Now, more than ever, Sapphire looked more like one of the Fey.

"Oh, I AM glad you got dresses that fit you. You look gorgeous, girls. Now, what ELSE should we do today?" She said the last a bit louder, directing it toward the other council member a few feet away.

Crimson sat in the white room as the servants upstairs raced to make her dress complete. Her eyes shut, she smiled as she realized that the other girls were waiting for her. Even Sapphire, though Crimson knew very well that the imp went off to pester someone else. 'I wonder if she'll look like a farie princess again tonight' she idly thought to herself, not caring who heard her, and already knowing the answer.

The door opened, and a servant ran in, panting, carrying a long, black gown. It was the newbie from before. "You're slow," Crimson stated, standing.

"I'm sorry." the girl panted, "One the sewing machines broke."

"Ahh. Very well then. Put it on."

Within moments, Crimson was wearing a form-flattering black gown, with specially placed sequins here and there, so that, if one looked carefully enough, they could see the night sky in her dress. There were no sleeves and no back, allowing her to show off her shoulders and back to those who saw. Not that she had any preferences as to who saw her like this . . . she just preferred the feel of air on her skin.

If not for the constraints of society, she might go around naked all the time.

But, she was a lady, and must behave as such.

Stepping up to the young girls, Crimson smiled, and did a small twirl, "Well, how does it look?"

Sapphire laughed and clapped her hands. "Oh, it looks wonderful, Crimson darling. You always look gorgeous in anything you wear."

Just then, a bell rang. All five of the girls turned around with surprise.

Emineth stepped forward. "You shall do nothing else my ladies. Dinner shall be served in fifteen minutes." He gave an unreadable look to Sapphire, who winked at him and nodded her head ever so slightly to one side.

Crimson smiled at Emineth, and bowed to him, "Thank you." She stood and turned to the girls and fey-queen. "Well, now that we're dressed, what do you say we go prepare ourselves?"

"Well, I guess dinner comes sooner than I thought. Shall we go, my dear? Don't worry, this will be great fun. All the Council members will be there." Sapphire put her arm through Sophe's.

Not even waiting for an answer, the woman let Sophe from the room and down the hall. Walking with Sapphire was like trying to wall with sunlight, though, and despite the fact that her arm was through the potential bride's, Sophe found herself wondering if she was going to slip away like some sort of dust mote or a sunbeam.

Miranda felt a little uncomfortable in her dress -- after all, she normally never wore something so clingy and tight. In fact, most of the time she preferred to keep herself downright frumpy looking. Black was the most serviceable color, and long full skirts with lots of pockets were the most handy.

But the dress she was wearing now didn't have any pockets. Miranda almost felt naked without them. Fortunately, one of the dressmakes had whipped up a tiny wrist-bag in the same lemon silk, and she had taken her most vital things out of her pockets and put them in the bag.

They had left their old clothes in the dress shop, to be picked up tomorrow, since they had no time to go to their rooms. The group of five women, escorted by Emineth, made an exotic procession -- they were each beautiful in their own way, although Sophe and Crimson dominated the group.

Like a cluster of butterflies, they gathered outside the door to the dining room. The other Council members were already there, and by some unspoken prearrangement they all fell into a procession, the Council members up front, somewhat paired off, the three Brides in the back. Crimson was with Emerald, Gold with Sapphire, but Coral stood alone, aloof, proud.

"How formal," Miranda murmered to Sophe, who of the three was the only one who really knew what was going on.

"No one can enter until the King and Queen have," Sophe whispered back. "Mir, didn't you remember anything of what mother taught us?"

"Barely," Miranda replied with a tiny, embarassed shrug. "All these . . . formalities bother me. And I don't like crowds."

A trio of trumpeters and a gong -- how much more multi-cultural can you get? Miranda wondered -- announced the arrival of the king and queen, and their son.

Cassandra remained fairly silent. She -did- know that they were supposed to wait for the king and queen, but past that, nothing else. Sophe, however, graciously took the lead and began the formal walk to their seats as Ryu held out Elise's chair for her to be seated.

Careful to keep her voice very, very low, Sophe chanted for Cassandra and Miranda so they would be able to keep up the complicated rhythem that went with court seating arrangements. "Step left, step side, step front, and pause. Step right, step front, step left, and pause." There was another two beats and then she squeezed Miranda's hand, indicating it was okay for them to now be seating.

Servants appeared as if from thin air with steaming piles of juicy meats and dinner concotions of a million different eons. As for herself, Sophe chose the choicest cut of chicken and waited while Cassandra made a frantic decision between salmon and veal. It was only after all the guests had been served that the drinks were passed round. The Council, used to this ritual, drank deeply of the draught and thought no more of it when their glasses where immediately refilled. Likewise, both Cassandra and Miranda, in order to hide their discomfort, dived into their beverages... thinking it was simply cider, of course... but Sophe's keen nose picked up a very odd scent...and a very familiar one.

*She wouldn't* the young woman thought, looking through her eyelashes at the Queen. But...if she did... how incrediably duplicitious. No magic involved, just one simple herb that was added to make the spicy, heady brew all the more tasty. Only those that had been trained by Elise herself would know of the plant the spice had been harvested from. Only those...and the daughters they trained in court ways.

Sophe caught herself nearly smirking. She'd heard tell that Elise would do such things in her early years in order to discern friend from foe. The properties of the spice brought out either the best or worst in those that injested it. But Elise hadn't used the potion in over a century. Ryu himself had forbidden it; or so the story had gone.

Sophe smiled. Then, very deliberately, she put down the chalice and returned to her plate. Elise's eyes didn't so much as flicker, but Sophe was suddenly overwhelmed with a feeling of accomplishment. She'd scored a point somehow.

*Very clever, your Majesty* she gently projected, certain that only Elise would understand her meaning even if anyone else was rude enough to listen in.

The Queen nodded only once in responce, and turned to her own meal.

Crimson, who had been seated between Emerald and Gold, drank from her cup before either of her neighbors had. The veal was exceptional that night, she thought, licking her lips lightly. While waiting for a refill on her she, she picked up a fork and a knife, she went to slice off another peice of the meat, but found the knife slipping from her hand before she could get very far. She frowned, and picked it up again. 'How embarressing..' she thought to herself, though open for others to pick up. She tried again, but ended up getting her fork caught against her knife. "Maa.." she whispered, noticing a light-headed feeling beginning to creep up.

She set the fork and knife aside and sat back, accepting the refill of the drink from a servant. Deciding to drink until her light-headed feeling passed, she drank almost half of her cup away until she realized that the feeling wasn't going to pass anytime soon.

A blurred glance around showed Crimson that others weren't feeling up to par. 'Must be the stress from the day.' she concluded, crossing her arms over her chest. She wanted to continue with her meal, and not dishonor her king and queen, but she felt an uneasiness with the food and drink. So, she resigned to eat tiny peices of the meat after a while.

She cast a glance to Keske, to see if he noticed anything odd as well, but when she found she couldn't read his bowed face, she looked at Emerald. "This is going to be a long night, isn't it?"

Miranda sipped her drink at first, but decided that Crimson had been right -- the wine here WAS good. She glanced over at the other woman, who had an oddly glazed look on her face.

"I wonder what she's thinking?" Miranda muttered softly to herself, surprising herself as she did so. She resisted the urge to tap into the other woman's mind for some clue to her state.

Then Miranda saw that her sister hadn't drunk one drop of her drink. "Sophe, you'll slight the king and queen if you don't drink their wine," she said in what she intended to be a low voice, but seemed to carry farther than she'd anticipated.

Sophe gave her an odd . . . almost pitying look.

Miranda leaned practically leaned over the middle sister to talk to Cassandra.

"Ne, Cassie, I think the butler likes one of us," she said in a stage whisper. From his position at the door of the dining room, Emineth stiffened and blushed ever so slightly, but he was in the shadows so that no one noticed.

Miranda, feeling the full effects of the brew now, was at her nosiest, busy-body worst.

"Crimson, are you ready to tell me about your past yet?" she whispered into the older woman's mind. Sophe couldn't hear her words, but she knew that Miranda was not quite with it and stepped on Miranda's foot as a warning.

"Huh!?" Crimson said aloud, sitting back and looking around, eyes darting over each person at the table, looking them over to see if they were the ones who said it. Not a person was looking at her.. nor looking away from her, in that "I didn't do it" manner. She narrowed her eyes a bit, "Who.." she began, before realizing that whomever it was mindspoke to her. Once more, her eyes narrowed as she turned to look at her plate again. Either this person knew she was messed up, and wanted to make a fool out of her, or was sincere, and didn't know of Crimson's vulnerable state. Crimson realized this. Anyone who wanted to could slip past her defenses and discover her secrets. Her eyes widened as she sat upright in her chair. What if they already had? What if they knew? She cleared her mind, and glanced over at the Royal Family. They wouldn't allow that to happen. Would they? She was pretty sure Keske wouldn't.

Nonetheless, Crimson began concentrating on forming a wall psychic steel around herself, so no one could get in to see her secrets. As she did so, though, her hand began to tremble, a sign something was wrong.

'It's all right', Miranda thought to Crimson. 'I want to be your friend.'

She tried to project as soothing an emotion as she could, but something was wrong with her mind-thought. Crimson was trying to erect a mental barrier and failing.

Miranda would not deliberately intrude, but she could not quell her natural curiosity.

'You can tell me, Crimson.'

Elise sat back in her throne and watched smugly as the pandemonium ensued. Most of the court would return to their rooms once the dessert was served; however, the Council and future brides would remain. She would see to it. She had to know who would be true to Keske and who would betray him under duress.

As for Cassandra, she was happily swilling the brew and felt the strangest urge to try high level spells... just to see if she could in such a dizzy and amused state. Only the presence of Ryu and Elise kept her magic in check.

Sophe, for her part, finished her meal and nodded once to the Queen. Dancing would be next, but now would be the time to beg off if she didn't wish to watch the humiliating spectacle of her drunken sisters and tipsy Council. Carefully bowing to the Royal pair and their son, Sophe left the hall as quickly as she could. While Elise was observing the spectacle she'd caused, Sophe would be able to slip away to the stables and spend some time in the calming presence of the steeds. She felt she'd earned it. After all, the morning would bring their first challenges...

Crimson now recognized the voice that was trying to push itself into her mind. 'No!' she replied through mind-speak, her eyes angrily turning to Miranda. 'You can be enough of my friend by leaving myself alone!' She slumped a bit against the table, then saw Sophe leaving, from the corner of her eye. Crimson sat up, and smiled. "Excuse me." she said in a genial, though somewhat drunken, manner, "I would like to get a bit of fresh air." She stood, and turned to go.

Emerald had gotten half way through his drink when he realized something was amis. Abruptly, he put the drink down and eyed the contents warrily, not carring if he was attracting attention. The taste was definitly off and there was an odd smell. Not bad, just slightly sweeter. Suddenly the violet eyes widened with recognition and he spared a glance up to the head table. The queen looked cool and calm as always, but did he notice a glint to her eye? He DID notice that none of the royal family was drinking the same stuff as the rest of them.

*She's tricky all right* But Emerald had to smile. The queen was sneaky and he had to appreciate that in a person. Of course, that didn't mean he was going to drink any more. What he had actually gotten left him with a pleasantly warm feeling, much like when he used to drink with his brothers at home. THAT he could stand. But he wasn't about to go acting like an idiot in front of royalty.

So instead, he gave a little salute to the queen, then to Keske, and camly started eating while the others around him continued to make fools of themselves.

And as for Sapphire? She was laughing and chatting with some of the servents behind her. Unfortunatly, it was impossible to tell if that was because of the drink or not.....that's what the blue-haired woman did every night anyway.

But as Crimson tried to step out of the room after Sophe, a servent moved in front of the doors and locked them tightly. She turned a nervous, if not congenial smile towards the red-haired beauty and announced in a quiet voice,

"I'm sorry, madam, but the Queen requests that the Council stay in the room for tonight. There will be dancing following the dinner."

But up at the main table, Keske was already gone.

* * *

The prince had been yawning all through dinner. Ryu had spared a glance towards his son but had said nothing. They all had to go through it. Even the boy. Elise had said nothing, of course, being too caught up in her own ploy. Even the fact that Keske had merely picked at his food hadn't affected her any.

But Keske wasn't so tired that he didn't notice how strangely everyone was acting after drinking the wine. It also didn't escape him that Elise had something completely different served to her, Ryu and himself. He had heard about this trick, long ago from one of his nurses. How the young queen had drugged the court as a sort of practical joke. And how Ryu had FORBIDDEN her to do so again. What would make her do so now though? And why didn't the King seem to mind? Keske looked across the table to his father and the man looked back, then arched an eyebrow. Something unspoken passed between the two and Keske looked away, suddenly tired. Ah, THAT was why.

So it was almost like a mutal agreement between the King and the Prince as Keske casually just slipped out the back, despite the magical wards Elise had put in. He was just too tired to deal with those sort of politics tonight. And Ryu understood. So the King calmly sipped his own while as Keske faded from thought and presense, knowing his own spells would work to keep Elise from noticing at least long enough for Keske to loose himself in the castle.

* * *

Crimson pursed her lips as the doors were locked. Something definatly was amiss here. The doors were never locked.. not until now. She turned back into her chair, and sat in it heavily. A quick glance to Queen and King, and Crimson /knew/ that it had to be something to do with them. But why did they let the one girl go? Was she discharged from the trials? A light sparked in her eye, there needed to be three girls to take the trials, didn't there? Maybe.. maybe.. they would need another one!

She knew it was wrong.. she knew she would be reprimanded for it.. that she was Keske's Council, not hers... but Crimson glanced at the Queen, and tries to query into her mind, 'Queen..?'

Elise heard the wobbly queary, but chose not to respond in kind. She merely glanced over at Crimson and waved a hand; indicating that the young council member should take her seat and finish the meal.

Just then a rolicking tune broke through the air and the dancing began. Ryu rose from his seat and took his lady wife in his arms, begining the opening steps of the lively waltz.

* * *

Keske was still yawning as he wandered through the darkened corridors, heading for who-knows where. Bed sounded appeasing and he knew his mother wouldn't bother him once he went to sleep for the night.

But he wanted to see Charger first, his horse. The poor stallion was probablly as tired as he.

So it was with a distracted air that he wandered into the quiet stables, his dinner jacket drapped over his shoulder. So distracted was he that he didn't even see the girl standing in front of one of the stalls untill he ran into her. The force of their impact sent him staggering backwards into a wall and he gasped.

"Damn, I'm sorry. I didn't think anyone else would be here tonight...."

Sophe groaned from her very unelegant spot on the stable floor. The beautiful dress had thankfully not ripped, but there would be stains all over the rump in brighter light, she just knew. "Your highness," she gasped out, trying desperately to stand without toppling over again. "I'm sorry! I... I just wanted to spend some time with the horses! Please don't tell your mother!"

Horrified at the last bit, she clapped a hand over her mouth and blushed furiously. Of course he would tell Elise, it was his duty as crown prince. But that would mean... oh god, she couldn't stand to get in trouble already! Her mother would kill her if she were sent home in disgrace over disobeying a direct royal order. "I'm sorry," she whispered again. "Please forgive my impertinance."

She bowed her head just as the rising moon shone in through a small window high in the stable wall. THe dancing moonbeam slanted across her silvery hair and lit her exquisite eyes with cool fire.

Oh shit. It was one of the brides.

Keske grimaced and helped the girl up, brushing off her dress carefully. Something about the way the moon was hitting her was intruiging though and he tried to remember which one it was. Cassandra? No....definitly not Miranda. It must be Sophe though. Oh yes, Sophe......the well-behaved one. Well, this certainly was an unexpected development, and a rather good one in his opinion. She was brave enough to stand up to the Queen and walk out of the banquet hall. And just now, at that moment, she looked positivly....magical.

"Well, miss Sophe," he paused, then grinned "I'll promise not to tell mother if you promise ME the same thing in return. It may be a while before she notices me and I'd like to make sure she never finds out how long I was gone."

He turned and guestured towards the dozzing horses. "But if you're really in the mood for a moonlight right, I'm sure I can manage to sneak us and two horses out of the grounds."

"Well, miss Sophe," he paused, then grinned "I'll promise not to tell mother if you promise ME the same thing in return. It may be a while before she notices me and I'd like to make sure she never finds out how long I was gone."

He turned and guestured towards the dozzing horses. "But if you're really in the mood for a moonlight right, I'm sure I can manage to sneak us and two horses out of the grounds."

Sophe almost laughed at his frank admission. So he really was a bit of a bad boy after all. It gave him an air of intrigue that she rather liked... if he was willing to stand up to his ice queen of a mother, he couldn't be all that bad.

"Actually, I would like that a lot," she said, smiling. "But two horses is going to be difficult. I can ride bareback if you want to just skip the saddle and take one."

Keske grinned. This girl DID have alot of spunk, didn't she? He wondered if any of the other girls were like her, then decided it didn't matter. Sophe MUST be at least somewhat intelligent to escape Elise's little ruse.

"One horse is fine with me. Hmmm, which one?" Yawning, the dark-haired prince walked down the isles, looking for just the right animal. He stopped in front of Charger's stall for a moment though and patted the white horse's muzzle.

"This is my horse, Charger. He and I had a busy day today. The King has been putting more and more responsibility on my shoulders. I guess I don't blame him. I can see why he'd want to get a break." Patting the muzzle one more time, the prince moved past Charger, not even bothering to look at Sophe's responce. Still, there was a slight slump to his shoulders that a trained eye would be able to pick out and an exhausted air about him that was almost impossible to miss. He didn't want to go back inside though, not to that castle with all it's prying eyes and whispered politics. Being outside, in the stables with a nice, quiet companion was all he really wanted right then.

Finally though, he stopped in front of one of the stalls with a fairly large, black-and-white stallion. The pattern of splotches on his hide were such that it was impossible to tell which color dominated and his mane was similarly salt-and-pepper colored with equal amounts of black and white.

"This one will do. He can hold us both. Come, Vulcan." With a practiced hand, Keske led the horse out of his stall and into the aislway. "Shall we be going then?"

"Certainly," Sophe murmured, taking his hand and, with a small bounce, started to hoist herself onto Vulcan's back. She frowned then. Her dress was much too tight to ride the way she'd intended...unless...

Taking the beautiful skirt in both hands, she yanked on the fabric once until a long jagged tear opened from hem to hip. "The mud ruined it anyway," she explained to Keske's surprised look. "Where to?"

Keske laughed as he watched Sophe finish ripping her skirt, then jumped onto Vulcan and pulled the girl up easily behind him. She was hardly any weight, like a feather, and for a moment, he wondered if he was being too rough on her. But something about her touch, the way she held herself, the feel of her under his hand told him that she wasn't quite as fragile as she looked.

"It's a surprise. Hold on tight." With a snap of the reigns, he moved the horse forward. "Let's go!"

And they were off.

* * *

***End Act II Log***