Chapter III
Serena grinned at herself. It worked! She had successfully sent a whore in to distract her husband – which she did. The woman had also followed Serena's direct instructions correctly. She had stabbed him to death and thrown him into the river.
And now Serena was in Corus. In her quest for Arram.
Her antagonist, Varice Kingsford, had told her that Arram was presently living in Corus, as a mage to King Jonathan. So, she packed her bags and went.
She was standing in a room in an inn, regarding her reflection in a full-length mirror. She was wearing the tough, leathery clothing of the K'miri Horselord – Chavi West-wind.
A maid had told her that the Midwinter's banquet had a theme; gods and goddesses. Serena had rushed to a tailor's and got one of the last costumes available. And, because she had a rank that gave her the freedom to go to the banquet, she departed to the palace.
A hostler met her there and escorted her to the banquet hall. He sat her between a giant of a man and a stocky brunette. Serena avoided their conversation and concentrated on the food.
She had time. She could afford to wait
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Daine leaned over her plate, narrowly avoiding getting her curls into the soup. Alanna copied her, eyes squinting as she looked for a person that she didn't know. Finally, she sighed and pulled Daine up.
What's wrong? she demanded her young friend.
Daine looked confused. Wrong? Why wrong?
Alanna fixed her with a stare, you have an annoyed look plastered on your face, as if the bug you hated most had just landed on your cake.
Daine shook her head. I'm just looking at that woman over there. She gestured to the dark woman sitting between Raoul and Buri. She's dressed like a Horselordbut she doesn't look K'miri.
Alanna found the woman and frowned. Does she have to? After all, I don't look like your mother.
That earned a slight grin from Daine. I'm honored that you chose the Green Lady as your goddess.
Alanna shrugged. The Mother was taken by Thayet, and I know how you feel about your ma. Alanna took a closer look at the woman. She doesn't look familiarmaybe she's visiting nobility.
Does it matter? Daine asked. Look at Numair!
Alanna did, and found herself grinning. Looks like he disobeyed your orders on dressing like the Dream King!
Daine shook her head, a blush creeping on her cheeks. Of course, the god he chose had to be The Lover!
Alanna snorted. Daine joined in, laughing softly.
Numair, having the acute senses a mage possessed, looked up from across the room and blushed a deep red. He was dressed in tight black breeches, knee length boots, and a loose white linen shirt that opened down his chest. His hair was loose, framing his tawny face.
Daine returned to her eating. She had made a decision and forced herself to eat meatbut only for this particular banquet. There were hardly any plants served during winter, so if Daine didn't want to starve – which she did not – she had to eat meat. Nevertheless, she had apologized to the meats' surviving relatives (*A/N erris that the right way of saying it? Never mind*)
After dessert was dancing. Daine slunk off to a corner, feeling uncomfortable in her almost-not-there-but-there-but-so-light-you-can't-feel-it-clothing. She wasn't a very good dancer, excelling only in the dances done individually, and always felt odd in a large room full of twirling people.
Numair approached her, carrying two glasses of wine. He grinned down at her, eyes sparkling.
Well, well, well.
Daine glared at her lover. What do you want, Numair? I'm already angry with youdon't make it worse!
The mage feigned innocence. What did I do?
Let's seeyou disobeyed my orders!
And they were? He cupped a hand behind an ear. Daine rolled her eyes.
You told you to come as Gainel! But no, you had to come as the Lover, didn't you?
Numair swallowed his wine and handed Daine hers. While she sipped it carefully, he replied,
I though it would be best if I came as someone I know knows how to do stuff that I'm especially good at.
Daine blushed. Are you calling yourself an expert?
Numair didn't answer with words. He swooped down and pressed her to the wall, kissing her passionately. Daine was careful to hold her glass of wine above her head. Finally, Numair pulled away.
I guess you are, Daine answered herself, breathing hard. Numair chuckled.
Ooo, I can't wait until Jonathan dismisses us! That reminds meI have to make sure the embers aren't too hot, he muttered.
He left, Daine staring at him incredulously.
(*A/N now, do the couples jump over the embers at Midwinter, Midsummer, or during Beltane? Oh well, doesn't matter. I'll just say it's Midwinter.*)
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Serena twirled with her dance partners, ignoring the loving glances they sent her.
In the name of the Goddess, they act as if they've never seen a beauty like me before, she though angrily. The vain part of her mind answered, well, that's because they haven't!
The music changed into a lively foxtrot (*A/N okay, okay, I know, I know! They don't have foxtrots in Tortallbut who gives? I had to think of something.*) and Serena found herself being passed around the room. She ignored her partners, concentrating only in finding Arram.
Suddenly, the music ended. Serena's partner stopped and accidentally tripped, sending Serena stumbling to the refreshments table. She collided with a tall, slightly muscular man.
Oh, I'm terribly sorry - are you al the man turned, ready to help her catch her balance. Serena looked at him; his brown eyes widened.