*** Author's note on Blackmail***
Whoah........As I have been slaughtered by a couple angry readers, I'd like to clear things up. First of all, before I post a chapter, I always have at least 2 pages of the next one that I NEVER post. I do this so I can see if I can keep my characters in line after an incident has happened, and so I can see how my reviewers respond.
Ok............so now we're all thinking what does this have to do with blackmail? Well, put yourself in my position( I understand that this next part sounds totally conceited, and I agree. But there's really no other way to put it.) I have nearly half a thousand reviews on Anniya, which thrills me to death. However, I also have several other fics that people are begging me to finish. But as I have so many of you loyal guys on Anniya, I have ignored 'Escape from Tyra', 'Mermaid', and ' Encounters with my enemy Cleon' for nearly a year. Until recently, I decided to continue mermaid as several more recent reviewers were asking me to. I agree with one reviewer, who told me like it was: just because someone likes a certain story doesn't mean they like everything by that author, and it's pretty low of me to try and force it on someone. But, as I've said, I have a lot of reviews on my other fics. It'd be a lot more convenient to work on two stories at once, at least for me. I asked you guys to read ' Mermaid' because it was not only a fantasy, like this one, but also a story that several other Anniya reviewers liked, and vice versa. I figured if I could get a few more Anniya reviewers to read Mermaid, I could divide up my time between the two of them and make everyone happy. Understand that even if no one reviewed Mermaid, I would still post up the next chapter for Anniya. And I will say once again, that I although I can't make everyone happy, I have to try. Put yourself in my position; I don't think anyone can honestly say that if you had nearly half a thousand reviews( I'm sorry, that does sound conceited.), and then 30 on another one, but with people who really wanted you to continue, you would probably do the same thing I did.
Alright, well I hope that clears up everything. I hope that didn't come off evil sounding( I have a tendency to do that). I don't plan on doing it again.
And keep this in mind: someone said something along the lines of that I was being pretty mean to my reviewers for Anniya, especially after you've all stuck with me for so long ( thanks guys!!). But please keep this in mind: I have kept this story up for over a year, sometimes not doing homework to bring up the next chapter, and snuck on when I'm not....*blushes*....suppose to be on, as well ignored all my other stories. So in conclusion I would like to say that although I have blackmailed you, I have stuck with this story through thick and thin. Asking you to read my other fic really isn't going to hurt; just don't read it and type 'great story' and click the send button; I'm not exactly holding a gun to your head. I also understand that this response may lose me quite a few reviewers, but I would like to make it clear that I put a lot of effort into this story, and asking to people to expand their horizons isn't much. To anyone I have offended, I apologize, and I sincerely do hope you will continue to review Anniya. Thank you for reading this.
If I've been a conceited @#%#%* please feel free to tell me. Trust me, my brother will agree. : ^ ) -------- on to the next chapter.
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Anniya
The First Ball: West
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December 12th was the night of the first ball. The wind was biting and cold, and icy sheets of rain swept down the windows outside the palace. West was thankful that he was inside. The great hall was twice as high as most men's homes. Every wall was covered with tapestries of all kinds: court scenes, pastoral scenes, hunting scenes, battle victories. The walls were lined with humongous, towering marble pillars that marched to the end of the hall. Magnificent stain glass windows depicting the history of Kyrria glittered beautifully.
Arien Westkander Di Calixte the third didn't know if Kellia's great hall was more elaborate; he could not remember the place where he was born. Although Robert had told him tales, West couldn't imagine anything more spectacular then the miracle of a place he was standing in now.
" Why is it that you do not dance, milord," a pretty voice asked him.
West merely grinned as the slender red head called Rose asked him coyly. He thought to ask her the same question; she and her companions had been chatting with him so far the night. She had long since removed her mask, as West had done. He kept it close at hand though; the moment he saw the Count, it would go back on.
" Well, there are several beautiful ladies I would love to have a gavotte with, but unfortunately I cannot. If only there were three of me," West told them, sipping his wine.
The girls burst out into delicate laughter, and West grinned in spite of himself. The girl called Clara extended her hand. She was perhaps the most lovely of the three, and certainly the most self confident.
" Well perhaps, my lord, you have not realized that there are quite a few gavottes. Perhaps you may dance with one of these ladies one at a time," Clara said smartly, fluttering her eyelashes. She was a great dealer shorter then him, tinier then Anniya, if it was possible. But just as graceful.
West extended his hand, and swept her a bow. She in returned curtsied, and they went out to the dance floor.
" Why do you hide such a handsome face with a mask," Clara questioned as West slid his mask over his face.
He couldn't risk being seen, even if the Count wasn't out here yet. He would certainly have connections, and one of them might recognize West. To cover up his discomfort of the subject, West forced a laugh. The girl smiled, thinking herself funny.
" My lady, this is a masked ball. Are we not suppose to wear masks?," he told her confidently, and twirled her around.
Clara laughed, and nodded. " I suppose, but we don't actually obey that rule. My Father and Mother have me at this ball to find myself a husband. How will I ever find one if I keep my face hidden behind a mask the entire time," Clara told him. She said it slowly and loudly, making sure that West knew she was unmarried. It brought yet another smile to West's lips. Despite he had never been in court( apart from his first two years), most assumed he was a lord they had never seen, when he was in proper clothing.
" Mama wants me to marry the prince. But I disagree with her. What's wrong with a Lord," Clara continued, fluttering her absurdly long eyelashes once again. But West couldn't answer her. He was distracted by the girl who had just entered the hall.
Nearly one third of the hall ways population turned to look at her. She wore that same green dress, with the flowing two foot train. Her emerald necklace on it's silver chain squarely in the center of her neck. Her skin had been scrubbed to look like porcelain. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold, and her lips were curved in a deep red smile. And in all of his days, it was the first time he had seen Anniya with her hair completely loose. Her long, wavy blonde hair cascaded to her waist. Sparkling emerald eyes glittered mischievously from behind a mask. She looked very much like the girl Robert had seen nearly a year ago, only more beautiful. This girl had been made tough, inside and out. Although Anniya had lost her innocence young, it had not shown at the cotillion. But after her hardships through the past year, it had now finally disappeared. The marks of a wishful childhood were gone, and a young woman was left in it's place.
Esperanza appeared behind her, and a beautiful vision in her own right. Her hair was also down, and although it was not as long as Anniya's, still made her look stunningly beautiful. The midnight blue matched perfectly with her dark hair. Despite the gypsy girl's smile, West could tell she was nervous. But West wasn't looking at Esperanza for more then a moment. His gaze held fast on Anniya.
Never before had he seen her looking as beautiful as she did now. She scanned the room. Looking for me, and I'm dancing with a girl who has a turnip for a brain, West thought as Clara giggled on about the latest fashions. He snapped back to reality as he realized who she was really looking for: Robert. But that didn't matter. He had to remember the plan: he had to get Anniya to find Char.
Clara, after several long minutes, had finally noticed that she was in a one person conversation. She turned her head slightly to follow West's gaze, and her pleasant expression immediately turned into a ugly face of hatred.
" She can't be of noble blood. Probably the kitchen sweeper," Clara said snidely, her beauty diminishing quickly as she prepared an monologue of what exactly was wrong with Anniya.
West forced another laugh, an art he had practiced. The lovely expression returned to her face, and West noticed some of the admiring faces of the women around him. All very beautiful, well off women who had been watching him for the better half of the evening. And there had to be an intelligent one in there. He shouldn't be thinking about Anniya.
" Don't you notice the family resemblance! My little sister is never punctual, I'm afraid."
Clara's expression turned to relief as she realized that the competition was eliminated.
" Silly me! She looks exactly like you! The same nose, the same mouth, everything," the tiny woman bubbled on, making it hard for West to contain his laughter. He and Anniya, apart from their eyes, looked nothing alike.
" Would you excuse me for a dance, my lady? I must dance once with my sister, she'd be saddened if I didn't. And I wouldn't want to put it off. I forget of everything else when I dance with you," West told her. Hopefully, he would get there before an entourage of lords did. Clara's face brightened at his last sentence, making him feel the slightest bit of guilt. He brushed it off. For god's sake, he was trying to save a country. He didn't have enough god damn time to observe the niceties of the female mind.
West caught her eye at last. He nodded, and began making his way over to the woman he had unfortunately just fallen back in love with.
~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~
" I'll go 'mingle' with the crowd, alright? You find West and double check on the plan," Esperanza whispered to Anniya. Both girls were completely unaware of the stares they were receiving. She nodded, and the gypsy girl disappeared into the crowd.
Anniya busied herself with scanning the crowd, looking for Robert as well as West. Her eyes unfortunately settled on West first. He was dancing with a very short, yet beautiful girl. Very beautiful girl, from the way several men were looking at her.
Anniya glared at them both, especially West. What was he doing dancing! There was going to be an assassination attempt, and here he was dancing with some girl! Quite obviously not doing his job. The way West was staring at........Clara, Anniya thought, finally remembering her name...., a dragon could fly through the room and he wouldn't notice it.
" But who is that mysterious man? Must be a foreigner. But don't they make a charming couple!," Anniya overheard several older women whisper.
" Not really," she muttered, more to herself, and began to look for Robert when West caught her eye. He lifted an eyebrow, and she nodded, although she was still mad at him. He continued dancing with the Clara thing for several more moments before breaking free of her and striding over towards Anniya. The dance changed to a sarabande, and so they began to dance.
" Who is she," Anniya asked, a bit more sharply then she intended.
" Clara of Frell, future Duchess and one of the richest unmarried girls in Frell. Why, jealous," West asked her, not missing a beat as he dipped her slightly.
" I am not! Jealous of what, not dancing with a skunk!," Anniya retorted.
West merely smiled, as if he didn't believe her. That annoyed her even more then words would.
" It's true! Your overinflated ego has once again captured your mind West, and I suggest you pop it before I do it for you," Anniya continued, not about to be gotten the best of.
West nodded absent mindley, still scanning the crowd. Anniya lowered her voice, but plastered a fake happy smile on her voice as she spoke. Let them think she was talking about the decorations.
" Do you see him," she asked quietly.
West shook his head. " He's not expected to make an appearance until later tonight. Do you have a knife, anything of that sort."
" Oh how could of that slipped my mind. I keep on forgetting how it is customary to bring murder weapons with me to a ball."
" Stop the sarcasm," West told her, and smiled what Anniya could of swore was a genuine grin. " Stop asking silly questions."
" I would argue with that, but I think I'll let it drop. I have no wish to debate this with you all night, and I know you could make it last that long."
Anniya laughed her pretty, bell tinkling laugh. For a moment she forgot about the danger she was placing herself in, and how utterly ridiculous it was to let up her guard like this. She wondered how anyone could plan a murder on such a beautiful, splendid night like this one.
West tightened his grip on her firmly as they spun around. He steered her towards a corner, and Anniya wondered what he was going to do. After glancing around, he lowered his voice and spoke to her, still dancing all the while.
" I'm going to slip you a knife. Act like we're talking about the weather." Anniya nodded, and kept on dancing. West moved closer to her, and then, in a lightning flashed motion, slid the knife up Anniya's sleeve. It was cool to the touch, and sharp as well. Knowing that she may have to use it sent a shiver up her spine.
" Above all circumstances, do not let anyone see it. If the Count gets wind of it, he could easily commit the murder and then frame you. All that he has to do is pull you up in front of the court and rip your sleeve open. And they'd believe him, no question there," West told her quietly.
Anniya didn't doubt him. " Where's Robert?"
" Wheeling and dealing with anyone he thinks the Count may be close to. So far, I've seen nothing suspicious. I suspect that the assassination won't take place until he's here. As much trust as the King and Queen put in him, I highly doubt that someone wouldn't be suspicious if he isn't here when it happens."
Anniya nodded, and another question came to mind. " I should go find Char. Perhaps he'll believe me and we can stop this entire thing."
West nodded, and released her immediately.
" Good luck," he told her, and turned to go back to Clara.
Anniya stared at him as he left her, feeling abandoned. You have a job to do, she at last reminded herself, and walked quickly across the great hall. Char would be surprised to see her after so long.
She had to wait in line for awhile, which became aggravating. Nearly every lass in the kingdom had come to this ball, and she was behind a great many of them. Patience had not been a virtue Anniya was blessed with, and she resolved to scanning the crowd once again.
Anniya frowned as her eyes settled on one girl. Her hair was as dark as Esperanza, and she was in a spring green gown embroidered with leaves of a darker green and plump yellow buds. She looked extremely familiar, but Anniya couldn't tell who she was. The girl was one of the few left wearing a mask.
" What is your name, Lady," Char asked Anniya, bowing and not looking at her face. Anniya pitied him. How horrible it must be to have hordes of scheming girls and their mothers thrown on him.
" I haven't seen you in awhile Char, but I must say I'm a bit offended. I would think you would remember me. Or should I say, Haelo," Anniya told him, her eyes sparkling. Her voice bore no trace of an accent, remarkable for the small amount of time Anniya had spent learning the language.
Char looked up, startled. Taking one look at Anniya's mischievous grin, he laughed. Anniya liked his laugh. It had a nice, deep sound to it. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the masked girl look at her with annoyance.
" I'm sorry. So many of these girls, I can't tell one from the other. At last someone who isn't scheming to marry me! I was wondering when I'd hear from you again. Your accent's gone."
At this Anniya smiled. " Robert says I'm a very different person without it. Kummeck im powds," she asked him, the last in Elfin. The brown eye prince laughed again, and shook his head. " Father's been having me occupied with so many different things, I scarcely have the chance to learn anything. Not to mention my accents horrible."
" I remember that well enough! Never has there been so much damage to my language!," Anniya told him, laughing along with him. She always referred to it as ' her' language. She ventured on.
" Char, there's something important I need to talk to you about" she told him. Char gave her a puzzled look, but nodded.
" I have to see the rest of my guests, but I'll find you for a dance within the hour. Is that well," he asked her. Anniya shook her head.
" Char, this is urgent--,"Anniya began, before a guard came up. He bowed quickly, first to Char and then to Anniya.
" My apologies, your highness.........but my king wishes for you to know that you need to attend to all of your guests first," the guard said regretfully, giving Anniya an apologetic look.
"I'll find you for a dance within the hour," Char repeated, looking regretful and puzzled as the guard swept Anniya away. Out of the corner of the eye she saw the masked, dark haired girl rise and walk towards Char.
Anniya frowned once more. There was something suspicious about that mask.
And then it struck her, quick as lightning. She was looking for any sign of the Count, and it was perhaps sitting in front of her. Why else would this girl be masked, so late into the ball! Why else would she have been watching Anniya and Char!
Realizing her mistake all too late, Anniya turned and started to walk back to Char, but he had disappeared with the girl into the whirl of dancers. Anniya swore, something she rarely did. Her one, simple job, and she had failed it already! Turning back into the crowd, she quickly began searching for Esperanza, West, and Robert.