Note: This title has a chapter! Umm… I meant…. This chapter has a title! And person called Anonymous, there will be a familiar person showing up very soon. Oh, uh, by the way, sorry for the delay.
Ballroom Dancing
The sound of hooves beat against the ground as the horse charged on toward the palace. Maria's face was masked by a hood and her body surrounded by a cloak. It was rather chilly, and she didn't want to ruin her hair. Ruining her dress was another matter. She had riding boots on underneath. When she reached the palace, she would change.
"Come on, Alunar," Maria urged her horse. The two sped on toward the glowing palace. Maria sighed. It was windy. Her cloak was blowing behind her. She could feel her speed being hindered by the flapping of her cloak. Peeking through the trees beside her, she could see the beautiful palace. Torches lit the path to the majestic bridge and spirals. The moon shone brightly above.
"Alunar, isn't it beautiful?" The horse made no comment, but ran on.
Alunar… a moon… Maria had really modeled the horse's name after her love. She had just changed and left out a few letters to dismiss suspicion. It wasn't that much of a big deal. She actually liked the name…
They arrived at the gates of the palace, and Maria dismounted. A guard handled the horse, and Maria quietly changed her shoes. She daintily made her way into the palace hall and sighed again. It was bright inside in contrast to the darkness of the night.
Maria gazed downward before she began her descent into the ballroom. The room was full of young women and young men as well as the old guard…the higher authorities… Maria despised them. They loved her only because of Richter.
Maria started down the steps carefully. The son of the palace's owner greeted her immediately.
"And how are you tonight, my lady Maria?" The son bent down and kissed Maria's hand softly.
Maria drew her hand back quickly. "Quite well without anyone actually, and I'm not your lady."
The son straightened and opened his mouth. "Maria dear…"
Maria walked past him without saying a word. She headed down to a young man who greeted her. "Hello, good doctor."
The young man smiled. "Nice to see you, Maria. Told him, eh? Care to dance?"
Maria smiled. "Sure." She accepted the young man's hand, and the two walked to the dance floor. They bowed to each other and began dancing.
"You look beautiful tonight," the young man commented.
Maria blushed. "Thank you. Well, my sister helped me with my hair."
"She did a very good job."
Maria blushed more. The good doctor was an acquaintance of hers. He was one of the young doctors in town. Well, he was actually one of two doctors in town. Of the two, he was the younger one. Dr. Benet Morrison was a skilled practitioner, and he had treated successfully many people, performing miracles that even he did not comprehend at times. "Yes."
Benet swung Maria around and caught her again. Maria laughed, and they danced. The evening passed quickly as they enjoyed themselves. Maria realized during that time how much she loved Benet. His eyes were young and sparkling, full of mirth and knowledge. He was quick and light, witty too. His hair danced as they danced. It was kind of funny looking in the air. The hair was soft and brown, and Maria bit back a giggle. She decided to stop fantasizing and concentrate on the dancing.
At that moment, the dance was interrupted by a loud crash and shattering of glass as a figure in a dark cape, dark clothes, and dark boots shot through the window and landed on the ground in front of Maria and Benet. A hood obscured everyone's view of the figure's face. Maria and Benet blinked. They backed away. The figure stood up quickly and faced what came through the window next… a large wolf… a very large wolf. The people in the room backed away from the window and the figure. Cries and screams filled the room as the people fled.
The figure jumped aside as the wolf charged. Quickly, it jumped on top of the huge wolf and decapitated it. Its current task being done, it jumped down onto the floor as the creature collapsed and sighed. Turning to the royal family, which had been petrified with shock and fear, the figure bowed. "I apologize for the unfortunate interruption." With that the figure stepped away and walked toward the door. It stopped before Maria and Benet. The two were speechless. The voice had sounded familiar to Maria.
The hood fell back, revealing a stern majestic face with long wavy light blonde hair. Maria gasped.
The man nodded without smiling. "How have you been, Maria?"