The eve of the ball finally came. The full moon waxed in the sky, casting its pale light above the city. Garrett dressed and placed his equipment in their hidden places on his person. The coach arrived at his apartments at eight o'clock. Garrett boarded the grey coach, handing the payment to the expectant driver. He sat in the enclosed cabin with the curtains drawn as the coachman spurred the two horses into motion. The coach rattled down the cobblestone street and away. At length it stopped. Garrett peered out through the silk curtains. He could just see the base of what looked like a tall drum, stone tower. Two freestanding torches flanked a wooden door at the front which opened, shining a bright light onto the ground. Two figures stood in the doorway. The conversed for a moment before one left and the other shut the door. Galen strode up to the carriage door and entered. She was not wearing he red robes. Instead she wore a black fur coat overtop of her dress. The dress was pure white of the finest silk. A gold sash tied around the waist was the only adornment to it. Her copper hair hung down to her shoulders, shining. She wore two diamond stud earrings and the only visible make-up on her face was the soft-toned lipstick. She didn't need any other make-up. She closed her coat as she walked, covering her dress. She entered the coach cabin and sat across from Garrett in silence. Garrett pulled the door shut and the coach started off again. They rode in silence for a while, glancing coldly at each other on occasion. Finally Galen broke the silence. "This is a buisness agreement and, as such, we must converse as buisness associates to accomplish our mission successfully, therefore I will say nothing about previous incidents between us and will speak objectively." Garrett just looked sullenly at her. "Now, Xavier, while you are fufilling your part of our agreement I will be covering your absence, however, you must first give a valid excuse for me to work with and we must set the scene." "I will claim that I must use the lavatory." Garrett responded tonelessly. "That will not hold forever we need something more urgent." Galen replied. There was silence for a moment as both of them pondered the situation. "What if you claimed you needed to resolve a personal matter with Richard? He will most likely leave at some point, at which time you can pretend to follow him." She said. Garrett thought about this for a moment and then nodded his head in agreement. "Claim it is a buisness agreement of some sort." She added. The carriage came to a halt and they heard the voice of the driver and another person, though they could not make out the words. After a moment they heard a loud grating sound and a few more words and then the carriage moved on. "We must be entering the property." Galen said peering out the carriage windows at the darkened lawns of Richard's acreage. "Oh, and Xavier, you are a noble, act like one." Galen said. Moments later the coach stopped and the door was pulled open. Galen stepped delicately out of the carriage, taking the offered hand of the servant holding the door. The man was dressed in a dark blue livery and overcoat. Garrett stepped out behind her. They stood in front of the main house. A low platform served as the porch for two tall oaken double doors which were thrown wide, allowing golden light to spill out. The carriage was stopped on a large cobbled circle, which ran around a marble fountain in the center. A number of other coachs were parked around the circle their drivers conversing spiritedly with each other. The lawns stretched out on either side, divided from the cobble by a waist-high hedge. A balcony on the second floor was supported by four marble pillars set into the platform on the porch, creating an overhang above the platform, which was decorated by various potted plants. The night was warm and peaceful, from within Garrett could hear the voices of the guests and the sound of music, wafting out the doors and many windows along with the smell of various foods. Two guards flanked the doors, dressed in slightly more serviable blue suits than the servants. They both held aloft pikes and carried swords at their sides. Looking to either side Garrett could make out the dark shapes of patrolling gaurds on the lawns. He tucked his pace stick securly under his arm and held his other hand out to Galen, who took it in her own. They strode up to the doors as their coach pulled away. The two door gaurds dipped their pikes in greeting which made Garrett tense. He forced himself to calm his heightened nerves and keep his expression cool. He and Galen walked into the entrance hall which was lit by the light of four crystal chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. The floor was polished black and white checkered tile. A servant stood behind a wooden podium to the left side of the entrance. "Your names sir and madam?" "I am mistress Galen Sisendow and this is my escort Xavier Hollan." She replied, her voice smooth as the silk she wore. The man checked his guest list and nodded. "Very good, miss Galen the ball is in the room behind me." He said, gesturing to the tall stone arch in the left wall of the entrance hall. Galen nodded to him and she and Garrett moved through the doors and into the ballroom. Another two guards flanked the arch carrying swords this time. The pair stepped through the arch an into the ballroom. The room was similar to the entrance, with its polished checkard tiles and chandeliers. There was also a very large marble balcony to the right. This could be reached by two curved staircases on either side of the balcony. Various doors and arches led off the room into other areas of the house both on and below the balcony. The room had various paintings, busts, and suits of armor displayed around the room. To the left of the entrance, the wall was dominated by floor to ceiling windows. The room was packed full of richly clothed nobles and opulently dressed merchants. Some dancing to the melodic sounds of the band, which was set up on a small wooden platform near the far wall, next to the tables of food. The cusine was both delicate and expensive. Sweet meats, and mellow cheeses, delicate fish wrapped in leaves, wafer thin crackers, seasoned pork wedges smothered in wine sauce, spiced pickles and olives. The list continues. All of it was complemented by a plethora of wines of various vintages. Conversations buzzed about the room, politics, wealth, connections, all of the usual topics were abound.
Garrett and Galen moved amongst the guests, of which many eyed them with interest. Galen leaned in and whispered into Garrett's ear. "We must engage in some sort of dialogue with someone before we become the subject of too many eyes." Garrett just nodded, his expression still quite blank, despite the effort he made to smile, his nerves just did not want to obey. They strode past and elderly couple and Garrett paused almost impreceptibly and relieved the woman of her purse. Galen whispered again. "There, Lord Dumont and his wife, I have had dealings with them before, they will do." Garrett looked over at the pair she nodded towards. The man was about Garrett's height and quite handsome, being in his twenties. His black hair slicked flat on his head. He wore a light, tight fitting shirt of emerald green, complemented by a very finely weaved pair of black trousers. His wife stood next to him, dressed in a very demure outfit of black satin, which held effortlessly to the contours of her slim figure. Her blonde hair contrasted her dress quite ravishingly. They were speaking to another couple. The man, was dressed in a sharp blue military suit, trimmed with gold and heavy with medals. He was fairly old, being bald and dotted with liver spots. Yet still he seemed quick witted and devious. His wife was dressed in a shockingly pink dress, adorned with every sort of gilding imaginable, so that she seemed swathed in a flowing sea of pink. Her golden locks feel loosely behind her pudgy face. Galen and Garrett approached the group. "Ah monsieur Dumont, a pleasure it is to meet you once again." Galen said curtsying slightly. "Ah, miss Galen Sisendow. So good to see you again, I'm sure you remember my wife Sarah?" He queried as he took Galen's hand in his own and kissed it. "Indeed I do sir, Mrs Dumont, I trust you are in good keeping?" Galen said, turning to her. "I am, thank you for asking miss Sisendow." She replied politely. "I don't believe I have met your escort this evening miss Galen." At this Garrett spoke as confidently and easily as he could manage. "I am Xavier Hollan, representative for the Loqumian trading guild well met mister Dumont." At this the man in the military uniform spoke up. "Xavier…aren't you supposed to be dead?" This brought small laughter from the Dumonts and the man's wife. Garrett smiled, an effort to say the least. The laughter subsided. "Oh pardon me lad, where are my manners. I am Colonel Montgomery Faulswitz and this is my wife, Helen." "Pleased to make your aquaintance mister Hollan." She said. Garrett nodded to her. "I say Galen, where have you been hiding all this time, I haven't seen your in several months." Mister Dumont said. "Oh you know me Gregory, the courts are a dangerous place. Ever since Edward became Lord Governor its been nothing but a web of intrigue and subterfuge, not something I want to get tangled in." Galen replied. "Indeed." Said mister Dumont. At this, the Colonel interjected "It is rumoured that there are several factions which have been plotting Edward's downfall. Including House Reveriat and House Janqout." He said. "Its all because of that import excise Edward imposed last month. Now the Reveriats and the Janqouts won't be able to keep up their stock of Zari spice without a serious drain in their funds." Mister Dumont nodded. "Quite so, now their only source for the substance is through illegal smuggling which is also costing them a significant amount." "I beg to differ." Galen said. "The guilds are making a roaring trade is wholesale goods since the Fermian Act was passed. The merchants aren't going to let that slip away with Edward. I believe several independants and a few guilds will all be watching his back." "If that is so, then we may have a House War on our hands." Said mister Dumont. "It looks that way, although we can't forget about the Kelly's. Their proposal of the appointment of a city council to advise the Lord Governor, may appease both sides." This came from the Colonel. "I don't think so mister Faulswitz." Said Sarah. "The Kelly's don't have enough influence to give any weight to their proposal. I believe that House Crennelin will be the deciding factor in this matter. The marriage of Lord Crennelin's son, Peter, to Edward's second daughter Elizabeth will give them a hand in who wins this altercation. Considering that Crennelin still owns several shares of various guilds I am fairly sure Edward will stay in power a while longer." Sarah smiled as she ended her point and sipped a deep red wine from a crystal tumbler she had received from one of the servants. At this remark she, Galen and Faulswitz's wife turned to discuss the alleged relation of Peter to a serving girl of House Reveriat and the associated scandals. "So Xavier, what are the guilds up to lately? Any new developments?" Garrett had been reading the paper each night for the past week in preperation to play the part of a well informed guild member. He had done well. "The price of textiles is down ever since the Fermian Act taxing luxury goods. There don't seem to be any buyers. Metals, both refined and unrefined are up, as is grain, paper , clean spice, lumber, and uncut gems. Prices of skins are as high as ever and exports are down on blackpowder in preperation for General Uberoth's invasion overseas." Garrett finished. Mister Dumont looked stunned. "Gods man you sound like the papers, here, have a drink before you collapse." Dumont handed him a glass. Faulswitz chuckled. "It really is a shame about the Fermian Act, this Dornian Port Wine is quite good." He said sipping from his glass. "What year is it? 42'?" Dumont asked. "43' actually, really Gregory, I thought you were a better judge of drink." The Colonel admonished mockingly. "Well, you can't blame me can you. I usually drink Cal-Obernion, much sweeter than this." Dumont replied. "A man who excuses himself is polite, a man who makes excuses for himself is not a man." Faulswitz quoted. "Very nice, do you read Porthios's works often?" Dumont said. "Indeed I always liked the man's style, very classic." "Classic is not the word I would have used." Dumont scoffed, sipping from his glass. The Colonel ignored his snide remark. "Hollan, you look like a man who appreciates antique weaponry." Faulswitz said, changing the subject abruptly. "Here we go again." Dumont said sardonically. The Colonel ignored him again. "I've always been fond of the exotic weaponry to be found in the world these days. One of my personal favorites being the Hiro Marcosis. Its basically a mechanical weapon, which appears to be a simple albeit, thick, dagger. The blade is quite long, about twenty half-units from tip to base. When someone is stabbed by the Hiro Marcosis, the blade splits into two halves and bends back on itself on interior hinges. The wielder then pulls the blade back towards himself, lodging it deep into his opponent and causing excruciating pain and death in most cases. An ingenious and deadly weapon, I own one myself actually." Garrett nodded. "You have excellent taste in weaponry Colonel Faulswitz. Though I do prefer something a tad more functional." "I see, and that would be?" "A broadsword." Garrett said. "I've never liked the sword myself, too unbalanced, I much prefer the short-handled axes."
The conversation continued for quite a while, hopping from various subjects, mostly politics and the subterfuge involved. One of the larger stories being that Edward had attained his position as Lord Governor through his wife helping him murder her former husband, the previous Lord Governor, after she had been having an affair with Edward. The chief method in everyone's mind was that she had hired an assassin to poison the man. Although, there was talk of her doing it herself by smothering him after their lovemaking one night. In any case he had been found lying dead in his bed one morning and shortly thereafter his wife had petitioned for Edward, son of a wealthy house, to take his place. To futher the current intrigue, it seemed that Edward had come from House Janqout. This relation to their current displeasure with his rule, led many to believe that the house had turned their back on him after some sort of falling out. There were many other stories, traitors and tyrants, assassins and legislation, all fell under scrutiny of the many attendees of the ball. There was most likely three separate plots and a conspiracy being concocted at that very event. Yet it all went unnoticed by Garrett who passed the time in the company of Dumont and Faulswitz with the occasional interlude of a curious passerby.
All the while, Garrett kept his eye on Richard. Galen had pointed him out early on as he flowed amongst the guests bantering with each in turn. Even dancing a spirited waltz with one of the ladies. He was a fairly pudgy character, though not nearly as obease as some of the other opulent guests Garrett had seen. He wore a deep blue silk shirt, low cut and bedecked in ruffles. He also wore baggy pantaloons of purple and high, black boots. He had a single golden amulet strung around his neck and a brace of rings on either hand. His face was also rich and portly and his hair was a light black, both on his head and in the moustache he so elegantly fingered and slicked. He was waiting for the moment when Richard would leave. It came. Richard turned and left the hall through one of the doors. Garrett turned and made sure that Dumont and Faulswitz knew he was going to talk to Richard and could plainly see Richard leaving. His excuse worked. As he started off he nodded to Galen. The real work was about to begin.