Bed of roses
By shadows/of/flame
Chapter 4
'The banquet... meeting Praxis in person... I wasn't ready for this.'
Torn tried to take off his tie, but to no avail. It wouldn't come off.
He cursed as it tightened its hold on his neck, almost choking him.
"This sucks!" he muttered under his breath as Ashelin entered the room.
"Looking good. Now lets go!" she ordered, whisking him out the door and into a waiting limo-hover.
"But! Prax..." he started to protest. She silenced him, and ordered the driver to go.
"We can't go without your father my lady. We are sorry."
Ashelin swore under her breath, and Torn knew he would cop it.
"I tried to tell you..." Torn grumbled.
The vehicle shook as Praxis heaved himself in, and he immediately noticed Torn.
"What the hell is that rogue doing in here!" Praxis roared, making Torn want to jump out the window.
"... Hes my date for the dance tonight father." Ashelin said, slipping an arm around Torn.
Torn nodded stiffly, and Praxis roared with glee.
"OK then! And if you don't take care of my daughter, you'll know about it!"
Torn nodded stiffly again, not wanting to think about how he was going to 'cop it' if he hurt Ashelins feelings. And he was Ashelins date now?
'How things change... they astound you one minute, and become a reality the next.'
The limo-hover pulled up at the venue, and Praxis clambered out, followed by Torn, who graciously offered his hand to Ashelin.
The 2 entered the banquet together, and all of the Krimzon Guards standing guard that night swivelled their heads around to see who was escorting the Barons daughter.
"Torn?"
"Torn!"
"Torn..."
Torns name was murmured many times throughout the hall, and he started to feel hundreds of eyes on him.
His neck prickled with a feeling of uncertainty, and he grew uncomfortable.
Ashelin directed him to a seat, and he sat there, knowing everyone was going to watch his every move.
Ashelin slipped her hand into his, and smiled at him.
He smiled weakly back, and Praxis stood to make a speech.
"Welcome all! New KG, my friends, and my daughter, to this welcoming banquet. Of course, the KGs banquet is later, and for now they get to see us eat... Just kidding." Praxis smirked as laughter rippled through the crowd.
"I would like to welcome all the new KG to the squad - some of you are already showing talent beyond that of commanding officers. This feast is to welcome you here, so now, we shall eat."
The KG were lead out a side door, and Torn knew he was being sneered at from afar as his fellow mates left the room.
The banquet began, and everyone started tucking into the food with utmost grace.
Torn tried not to eat too much, as even though they were pretty much starved in the Guard, he didn't want to look like a pig, so he just took some roast yakow and some potatoes and ate them quietly.
Conversation suddenly erupted around him, and Torn was suddenly being bombarded with questions he had to answer. He answered as best he could, but the answers were enough for some, and they grew bored of the Barons daughters date.
Suddenly, Torn felt a prickling sensation on his neck, and a laser crosshair was sitting in the middle of his back.
He could feel it, and did a backflip off the back of his chair, shooting the person who was trying to kill him.
Chaos ensued in the banquet hall, with everyone running around like headless chickens, and in the middle of it all, Torn snuck out the front door and into the night...
Unnoticed.