Drake watched them for several minutes, watching the way both of them
delicately tangled, dancing close, then Geoff would spin Grace around
letting the linen lace from her dress flow freely in the air, pulling her
back, swaying in so many movements across the tavern floor. Yet the whole
time they danced, Graces eyes would meet Drake's never leaving his gentle
stare. Drake sighed lightly wishing he were Geoff at that moment. As the
music coiled in its last melody Geoff met with Graces face, meeting with
her sparkling eyes. He smiled faintly at her feeling an emotion that Drake
felt toward Grace since Drake gave half his heart to Geoff in order for him
to live. It almost was as if feeling Drakes pain. Geoff knew that Drake was
upset about something but was clueless to know what it was. After the
dance, Geoff and Grace walked back over toward Drake. " You dance like an
angel" Geoff smiled. " Thank you" replied Grace smiling back. Ronald was
fuming with anger and jealousy of the fact that Geoff managed to dance with
Grace, without any hesitation.
Why did he manage to have all the luck and fame! Ronald thought as the next dance began more slowly than the last. Ronald decided to make Geoff feel the same jealousy and anger. He approached the three slowly interrupting on their conversation. Ronald attempted the same approach Geoff did when asking Grace to dance. As he was just about to ask her to dance, a stranger in a mask dressed in a dark costume appeared by the four. The stranger took Grace by the hand with out saying a word and led her away from Geoff, Drake, and Ronald, disappearing into the dancing crowd.
For a time, both were seen but as soon as Drake, Geoff, and Ronald were distracted, they lost sight of Grace and the tall stranger who lured her away. Ronald sneered," who was that man". He pondered walking away from Geoff and Drake who were searching for Grace in the crowd of couples. The music swayed slowly filtering the air in a love added sorrow surd. Grace was curious to know who the stranger was. But couldn't tell under a mask that was hiding his features. As they danced, Grace stared at the tavern floor, the stranger danced rather close to her caressing his breath on her shoulder, which made Grace feel a little nervous. The dance ended, the stranger lifted the mask revealing himself to her. Surprised Grace stared seeing the stranger who danced so well was Osric right before her eyes. " I must say I would have never recognized you before if I hadn't found you with Geoff and Drake", he added. Grace smiled a little still unsure of what to say. " Grace my dear, may I comment on how beautiful you look tonight?". " Thank you" Grace smiled.
A new dance started right after the last, with a more hurried melody carrying more swarms of people with it. It became difficult more now for Drake and Geoff to find Grace. " I should head back to Geoff and Drake" Grace said. " You've been with them most of the night why not take a look around, the king has still been meaning to meet you and I could give you a tour of the castle," Osric offered escorting Grace from the lived dance. Grace thought for a moment and after all, he had been right. She had spent most of the evening with Geoff and Drake. Delighted Grace replied", I would be honored to meet your king". Osric nodded then lead Grace toward the open court where the king sat proudly on his throne. Osric approached him and bowed, then introduced Grace before him. Grace approached the king bowing in respect showing a lightened smile. After she introduced herself, the king was pleased to finally meet the mystic maiden, knowing now that her name had been Grace.
Afterward he dismissed her and Osric back to the dance. Osric walked along side Grace as they reached the banquet table, he grabbed two wine glasses setting them down, then poured wine into them. " Would you care for a beverage?" holding the glass toward Grace. " Thank you" Grace said taking the glass from his hand. " So dear heart" Osric said starting conversation", what is the costume you wear, it looks stunning".
" Well Drake and Geoff call it dragon-fair " Grace replied. Osric smirked," indeed it suits you, but why be a dragon". Grace shook her head", I'm not sure". " Would you care if I show you around?. There is a place where you can see the stars better than here" he asked. " Sure" Grace answered nervously.
" Drake any luck finding Grace?" Geoff asked. " No I'm afraid not" Drake worried. Geoff looked around the crowd", well we should keep looking" Drake nodded then afterward continued to look for Grace. Osric had shown Grace parts of the castle; he took her to a wide-open balcony, where the night's skies sailed forever. Grace took her steps slowly toward the balcony looking over the edge seeing part of the mountain side the castle had been built on, with jagged cliffs and further down forests and towns leading into the village.
" You have made yourself very popular here, with out being seen so I hear" Osric said just behind her. " Really" Grace said staring at the stars," I would have never known". " Which constellation are you looking at?" Osric asked. Grace said nothing for a moment then answered," Draco, the dragon". A certain sadness seemed to dwell with in her soul remembering the old story Drake had told her. " It's the most fascinating constellation. Don't you agree?" Osric said his voice softening as he turned toward her. Grace met his dark eyes yet they may have seemed to carry a dark nature; they had a beautiful shade of blue but were eyes that could never break a stare haunting anyone's soul with one look. His hair was dark fashionably creased in jet-black wavy curls that tinted when the moons gaze reflected off his dark silver highlights.
" It is the dragons heaven" Grace replied, a white blonde cherubic curl stringing over her fragile features. Osric hesitated to tell her something but took her hand and placed a tender kiss on the back of it. He then stared into her eyes then registered a warm smile. Something about Grace seemed to astound Osric. Perhaps it was the way she dazzled; yet, strangely the emotion he had shown towards her was only an act and was beginning to take control of him. Never before had he acted with his heart, nor felt this way with anyone. For a time he had forgotten his plans of taking over the kingdom, until he remembered the dove white feathers, the night he invited Grace for dinner. That's when the thought of the dragon-stigmata had come to him. He had been after the gems of the dragon elemental souls and longed to know who had them.
He had also been determined to find out who the chosen one was. The only way he would know was to identify the ancient dragon tattoo's with the signs of their life force on the chosen one's wrist. " It's getting late " Grace said turning away from the balcony and into the darkness of the castle. She hurried her steps worrying that Geoff and Drake might have left. Just as Grace carried forward to the court of the castle, Osric caught up with her stopping her for a moment and took a hold of her left arm turning it over just a bit. Grace gave him a strange look. He distracted her slightly noticing a most shocking sight. Just as his gaze met hers, he turned his head eastward acting as if he heard something. Once Grace was distracted, His gaze turned toward her wrist. Faintly he noticed a tattoo on her wrist and as she looked back at him. His gaze quickly met hers. " Please", he insisted", let me escort you back". Grace nodded, and the both of them carried onward toward the castle court.
Geoff came to meet Drake frustrated and worried. " Drake I've searched everywhere for her no luck", Geoff sighed, then noticed Mansel arrive but without costume. He ran towards him shouting", Mansel! Have you seen Grace". With a puzzling look Mansel replied," I thought she was with you two". Geoff shook his head," well she was but took off with a stranger and is now nowhere to be seen, I just wanted to know if by chance she left back to the monastery". Mansel shook his head;" no I'm sorry Geoff I have not seen her". Just then, Geoff and Drake bent their heads to one of the rooms in the castle noticing Grace with Osric. Ronald unexpectingly appeared behind Mansel murmuring something about Osric. As Osric caught a glimpse of Geoff and Drake, an evil glint flickered in his eyes like a rage of fire.
His gaze easily passed them as he stopped and paused for a moment staring at Grace. Shockingly he noticed a trail of white feathers, feathers that were whiter than the snow on a ravens back, leading from the room from when they entered the court. Grace found Geoff and Drake and her smile brightened. Osric paced behind her looking at the satiny dragon wings on her costume. He looked carefully, peering through the satin as his steps proceeded in slow movement. Then he noticed something that made him silently gasp. Grace hurried toward Geoff and Drake not recognizing Osric was just behind her. Ronald watched Osric oddly and with suspicion. His head turned towards Geoff who was talking with Grace and that made him extremely jealous. Mansel chewed on baked goods, While Drake stepped into Geoff's and Graces conversation," Grace are you alright?". Grace smiled at Drake stars dancing in her eyes," yes I'm alright I suppose I should have told you where I was before running off like that". Geoff smiled giving her a playful nudge", well the main thing is we found you".
Grace winced from the playfully nudge on the shoulder then hurried her features into a smile. No one seemed to notice her wince except for Ronald. He had a steady eye for observation and wondered what was bothering her. Just as the next dance was about to start, Ronald bumped forcefully pass Mansel making him drop his baked goods and carried toward Grace shoving Geoff out of the way. Grace looked at Ronald tiredly. Drake sighed and felt sympathy towards Grace who was practically tormented and mauled by all the knights or at least Geoff, Ronald and the stranger. It was like they all wanted to dance with her at once and if they couldn't conflict, would arise. Grace was screaming on the inside thirsting to get away from the dancing. Just as Ronald took Graces hand and was about to place a polite kiss on it, Osric stepped in Ronald's place staring at him in an evil way.
Geoff, Mansel, and Drake had watched expecting swords to be drawn and a fight to rage about to ruin the sultry night. However, that's not what happened. Osric immediately took Grace by the hand grinning at Ronald and then led Grace to the dance floor. Ronald expressed a hurtful look then caught a glimpse of feathers on the tavern floor. He looked toward Grace and Osric where the feathers had molted in an on going trail. His face along with many others including Geoff, Mansel, and Drake fixed an odd look towards Grace and Osric. Drake turned his head towards Geoff and whispered," Geoff I don't have a good feeling about this". With a look of puzzlement Geoff looked toward Drake," what, Osric dancing with Grace?". Drake nodded.
As the lights dimmed and the danced slowed, Osric leaned toward Grace and lightly whispered in her ear," never have I seen one so divine". Grace said nothing, except feeling a fear pounding in her heart. Osric moved his hands lightly over her shoulders grasping a firm grip with one hand on the back of her satiny dragon wings. " I shall never forget", Osric, added," the way you look tonight!". Then shouted grabbing the crowds attention and with one swift unyielding yank, he teared the wings off the back of her long silken gown. " No!" Grace cried out almost in panic. Osric stepped back flinching heavily with every breath he had, his eyes locked on Grace. The music and dancing had suddenly stopped and with what Drake, Geoff, and Mansel along with hundreds of people saw took the color from their faces making their blood run cold. Many gasped and cried out. " Oh my" the king said with a shocking look on his face.
Underneath the torn satin of Graces gown were two folded over dove white wings, molting feathers like cold snow to the floor. Geoff looked toward Grace and with a gasping voice he asked," You're an angel?". Everyone in the crowd was captured by mystery by Grace. All eyes watching her and whispers carried around the court. Everyone had been mystified to find out not only had the mystic maiden been rumored about but she had also been something no one had ever witnessed. Stressful and speechless, Mansel stared at Grace blessing himself in silent prayer with one hand tracing an invisible cross and the other holding his rosary tightly in his sweaty palm. Drake sat watching Grace, watching the way her face had shown emotional pain and how her hands trembled in fear and the panicking silent gasps she took as if being drowned by the crowd of watching eyes.
Osric's features smiled devilishly as he dropped Graces torn off satin dragon wings to the floor and slowly circled Grace. " This is extraordinary", he yelled, the crowd listening to his every word. " Did you really think you could hide your true reflections forever!" Osric yelled in Graces face. He then turned to the crowd", I give you the evil that will destroy us all! Do not be fooled by her enchanting appearance you've all heard about the prophecy Dragon-stigmata and now I show you who the true demon is".
The crowd whispered amongst each other. Geoff spoke out;" there must be a big mistake how would you know about the prophecy!". Osric turned toward Geoff," there is no mistake, and what the prophecy tells is the truth in order for evil to take control of this land it must destroy the dragon!". Osric pointed toward Drake", behold the last of his race and here I give you proof who will hunt him to extinction!". The crowd cried out once more. Drake looked toward Osric then toward Grace. Osric walked a short distance between the two and what he said next plagued in absolute revulsion." If any of you have ever read the bible", Osric pointed out," you would have once known that Michael the archangel once impaled a dragon! Revelations claimed it to be Lucifer in dragon form but no, now you will see the truth just as the slayer impaled the dragon, Lucifer has now sent this!", he paused," A demon in disguise sent from the future to destroy us all!".
" Including you!" Osric shouted toward Drake. Drake suddenly became convinced by Osric's lies, he remembered the dream he had with the dark shadow and the sword he remembered how it tried to kill him and he believed that shadow was Grace. " Drake! Don't believe him what he's saying isn't true!" Grace cried out her voice cracking. " None of this can be right" Drake said worriedly. Osric shouted", don't be fooled Drake she has come to destroy you and I rest assure she will!". Suddenly Geoff started believing Osric as much as Drake had and soon the both of them had taken Osric's side completely because he appeared to be noble.
Why did he manage to have all the luck and fame! Ronald thought as the next dance began more slowly than the last. Ronald decided to make Geoff feel the same jealousy and anger. He approached the three slowly interrupting on their conversation. Ronald attempted the same approach Geoff did when asking Grace to dance. As he was just about to ask her to dance, a stranger in a mask dressed in a dark costume appeared by the four. The stranger took Grace by the hand with out saying a word and led her away from Geoff, Drake, and Ronald, disappearing into the dancing crowd.
For a time, both were seen but as soon as Drake, Geoff, and Ronald were distracted, they lost sight of Grace and the tall stranger who lured her away. Ronald sneered," who was that man". He pondered walking away from Geoff and Drake who were searching for Grace in the crowd of couples. The music swayed slowly filtering the air in a love added sorrow surd. Grace was curious to know who the stranger was. But couldn't tell under a mask that was hiding his features. As they danced, Grace stared at the tavern floor, the stranger danced rather close to her caressing his breath on her shoulder, which made Grace feel a little nervous. The dance ended, the stranger lifted the mask revealing himself to her. Surprised Grace stared seeing the stranger who danced so well was Osric right before her eyes. " I must say I would have never recognized you before if I hadn't found you with Geoff and Drake", he added. Grace smiled a little still unsure of what to say. " Grace my dear, may I comment on how beautiful you look tonight?". " Thank you" Grace smiled.
A new dance started right after the last, with a more hurried melody carrying more swarms of people with it. It became difficult more now for Drake and Geoff to find Grace. " I should head back to Geoff and Drake" Grace said. " You've been with them most of the night why not take a look around, the king has still been meaning to meet you and I could give you a tour of the castle," Osric offered escorting Grace from the lived dance. Grace thought for a moment and after all, he had been right. She had spent most of the evening with Geoff and Drake. Delighted Grace replied", I would be honored to meet your king". Osric nodded then lead Grace toward the open court where the king sat proudly on his throne. Osric approached him and bowed, then introduced Grace before him. Grace approached the king bowing in respect showing a lightened smile. After she introduced herself, the king was pleased to finally meet the mystic maiden, knowing now that her name had been Grace.
Afterward he dismissed her and Osric back to the dance. Osric walked along side Grace as they reached the banquet table, he grabbed two wine glasses setting them down, then poured wine into them. " Would you care for a beverage?" holding the glass toward Grace. " Thank you" Grace said taking the glass from his hand. " So dear heart" Osric said starting conversation", what is the costume you wear, it looks stunning".
" Well Drake and Geoff call it dragon-fair " Grace replied. Osric smirked," indeed it suits you, but why be a dragon". Grace shook her head", I'm not sure". " Would you care if I show you around?. There is a place where you can see the stars better than here" he asked. " Sure" Grace answered nervously.
" Drake any luck finding Grace?" Geoff asked. " No I'm afraid not" Drake worried. Geoff looked around the crowd", well we should keep looking" Drake nodded then afterward continued to look for Grace. Osric had shown Grace parts of the castle; he took her to a wide-open balcony, where the night's skies sailed forever. Grace took her steps slowly toward the balcony looking over the edge seeing part of the mountain side the castle had been built on, with jagged cliffs and further down forests and towns leading into the village.
" You have made yourself very popular here, with out being seen so I hear" Osric said just behind her. " Really" Grace said staring at the stars," I would have never known". " Which constellation are you looking at?" Osric asked. Grace said nothing for a moment then answered," Draco, the dragon". A certain sadness seemed to dwell with in her soul remembering the old story Drake had told her. " It's the most fascinating constellation. Don't you agree?" Osric said his voice softening as he turned toward her. Grace met his dark eyes yet they may have seemed to carry a dark nature; they had a beautiful shade of blue but were eyes that could never break a stare haunting anyone's soul with one look. His hair was dark fashionably creased in jet-black wavy curls that tinted when the moons gaze reflected off his dark silver highlights.
" It is the dragons heaven" Grace replied, a white blonde cherubic curl stringing over her fragile features. Osric hesitated to tell her something but took her hand and placed a tender kiss on the back of it. He then stared into her eyes then registered a warm smile. Something about Grace seemed to astound Osric. Perhaps it was the way she dazzled; yet, strangely the emotion he had shown towards her was only an act and was beginning to take control of him. Never before had he acted with his heart, nor felt this way with anyone. For a time he had forgotten his plans of taking over the kingdom, until he remembered the dove white feathers, the night he invited Grace for dinner. That's when the thought of the dragon-stigmata had come to him. He had been after the gems of the dragon elemental souls and longed to know who had them.
He had also been determined to find out who the chosen one was. The only way he would know was to identify the ancient dragon tattoo's with the signs of their life force on the chosen one's wrist. " It's getting late " Grace said turning away from the balcony and into the darkness of the castle. She hurried her steps worrying that Geoff and Drake might have left. Just as Grace carried forward to the court of the castle, Osric caught up with her stopping her for a moment and took a hold of her left arm turning it over just a bit. Grace gave him a strange look. He distracted her slightly noticing a most shocking sight. Just as his gaze met hers, he turned his head eastward acting as if he heard something. Once Grace was distracted, His gaze turned toward her wrist. Faintly he noticed a tattoo on her wrist and as she looked back at him. His gaze quickly met hers. " Please", he insisted", let me escort you back". Grace nodded, and the both of them carried onward toward the castle court.
Geoff came to meet Drake frustrated and worried. " Drake I've searched everywhere for her no luck", Geoff sighed, then noticed Mansel arrive but without costume. He ran towards him shouting", Mansel! Have you seen Grace". With a puzzling look Mansel replied," I thought she was with you two". Geoff shook his head," well she was but took off with a stranger and is now nowhere to be seen, I just wanted to know if by chance she left back to the monastery". Mansel shook his head;" no I'm sorry Geoff I have not seen her". Just then, Geoff and Drake bent their heads to one of the rooms in the castle noticing Grace with Osric. Ronald unexpectingly appeared behind Mansel murmuring something about Osric. As Osric caught a glimpse of Geoff and Drake, an evil glint flickered in his eyes like a rage of fire.
His gaze easily passed them as he stopped and paused for a moment staring at Grace. Shockingly he noticed a trail of white feathers, feathers that were whiter than the snow on a ravens back, leading from the room from when they entered the court. Grace found Geoff and Drake and her smile brightened. Osric paced behind her looking at the satiny dragon wings on her costume. He looked carefully, peering through the satin as his steps proceeded in slow movement. Then he noticed something that made him silently gasp. Grace hurried toward Geoff and Drake not recognizing Osric was just behind her. Ronald watched Osric oddly and with suspicion. His head turned towards Geoff who was talking with Grace and that made him extremely jealous. Mansel chewed on baked goods, While Drake stepped into Geoff's and Graces conversation," Grace are you alright?". Grace smiled at Drake stars dancing in her eyes," yes I'm alright I suppose I should have told you where I was before running off like that". Geoff smiled giving her a playful nudge", well the main thing is we found you".
Grace winced from the playfully nudge on the shoulder then hurried her features into a smile. No one seemed to notice her wince except for Ronald. He had a steady eye for observation and wondered what was bothering her. Just as the next dance was about to start, Ronald bumped forcefully pass Mansel making him drop his baked goods and carried toward Grace shoving Geoff out of the way. Grace looked at Ronald tiredly. Drake sighed and felt sympathy towards Grace who was practically tormented and mauled by all the knights or at least Geoff, Ronald and the stranger. It was like they all wanted to dance with her at once and if they couldn't conflict, would arise. Grace was screaming on the inside thirsting to get away from the dancing. Just as Ronald took Graces hand and was about to place a polite kiss on it, Osric stepped in Ronald's place staring at him in an evil way.
Geoff, Mansel, and Drake had watched expecting swords to be drawn and a fight to rage about to ruin the sultry night. However, that's not what happened. Osric immediately took Grace by the hand grinning at Ronald and then led Grace to the dance floor. Ronald expressed a hurtful look then caught a glimpse of feathers on the tavern floor. He looked toward Grace and Osric where the feathers had molted in an on going trail. His face along with many others including Geoff, Mansel, and Drake fixed an odd look towards Grace and Osric. Drake turned his head towards Geoff and whispered," Geoff I don't have a good feeling about this". With a look of puzzlement Geoff looked toward Drake," what, Osric dancing with Grace?". Drake nodded.
As the lights dimmed and the danced slowed, Osric leaned toward Grace and lightly whispered in her ear," never have I seen one so divine". Grace said nothing, except feeling a fear pounding in her heart. Osric moved his hands lightly over her shoulders grasping a firm grip with one hand on the back of her satiny dragon wings. " I shall never forget", Osric, added," the way you look tonight!". Then shouted grabbing the crowds attention and with one swift unyielding yank, he teared the wings off the back of her long silken gown. " No!" Grace cried out almost in panic. Osric stepped back flinching heavily with every breath he had, his eyes locked on Grace. The music and dancing had suddenly stopped and with what Drake, Geoff, and Mansel along with hundreds of people saw took the color from their faces making their blood run cold. Many gasped and cried out. " Oh my" the king said with a shocking look on his face.
Underneath the torn satin of Graces gown were two folded over dove white wings, molting feathers like cold snow to the floor. Geoff looked toward Grace and with a gasping voice he asked," You're an angel?". Everyone in the crowd was captured by mystery by Grace. All eyes watching her and whispers carried around the court. Everyone had been mystified to find out not only had the mystic maiden been rumored about but she had also been something no one had ever witnessed. Stressful and speechless, Mansel stared at Grace blessing himself in silent prayer with one hand tracing an invisible cross and the other holding his rosary tightly in his sweaty palm. Drake sat watching Grace, watching the way her face had shown emotional pain and how her hands trembled in fear and the panicking silent gasps she took as if being drowned by the crowd of watching eyes.
Osric's features smiled devilishly as he dropped Graces torn off satin dragon wings to the floor and slowly circled Grace. " This is extraordinary", he yelled, the crowd listening to his every word. " Did you really think you could hide your true reflections forever!" Osric yelled in Graces face. He then turned to the crowd", I give you the evil that will destroy us all! Do not be fooled by her enchanting appearance you've all heard about the prophecy Dragon-stigmata and now I show you who the true demon is".
The crowd whispered amongst each other. Geoff spoke out;" there must be a big mistake how would you know about the prophecy!". Osric turned toward Geoff," there is no mistake, and what the prophecy tells is the truth in order for evil to take control of this land it must destroy the dragon!". Osric pointed toward Drake", behold the last of his race and here I give you proof who will hunt him to extinction!". The crowd cried out once more. Drake looked toward Osric then toward Grace. Osric walked a short distance between the two and what he said next plagued in absolute revulsion." If any of you have ever read the bible", Osric pointed out," you would have once known that Michael the archangel once impaled a dragon! Revelations claimed it to be Lucifer in dragon form but no, now you will see the truth just as the slayer impaled the dragon, Lucifer has now sent this!", he paused," A demon in disguise sent from the future to destroy us all!".
" Including you!" Osric shouted toward Drake. Drake suddenly became convinced by Osric's lies, he remembered the dream he had with the dark shadow and the sword he remembered how it tried to kill him and he believed that shadow was Grace. " Drake! Don't believe him what he's saying isn't true!" Grace cried out her voice cracking. " None of this can be right" Drake said worriedly. Osric shouted", don't be fooled Drake she has come to destroy you and I rest assure she will!". Suddenly Geoff started believing Osric as much as Drake had and soon the both of them had taken Osric's side completely because he appeared to be noble.