II Birthday Bash II
Bowie Butterball had spent the remainder of the day wandering about the palace. When Sawyer and Virgo asked if he would be bringing a date to the the king's ball, the halfling simply replied that he would have to ask the Daughter of Yondalla.
Around the palace, many of the lady nobles were "discussing" the return of the gamekeeper's son. "I wonder if he will be attending the ball tonight?" one of them asked.
Another one of the ladies said," I've seen him around the palace with the queen. Scandalous reasons no doubt."
While the women of the court continued with their gossip, the preparations for the king's ball were well underway. The ball would be held inside of the palace ballroom, a large room with redwood floors and redwood walls. Large banners that bore the Obarskyr purple dragon crest draped down from the ceiling. A band of Cormyr's most talented musicians had been booked upon request by the king himself.
After meeting Virgo, Sawyer had left the library and wandered quietly through the palace. He reminisced on his younger days of growing up around the palace-that is, until Filfaeril and Jessica found him and dragged him down to the royal tailor, an eccentric young woman named Adriane.
When she finished taking the druid's measurements, Adriane delved into a large wardrobe and fished out a long sleeved green silk shirt with emeralds stitched all over the shirt.
Sawyer had taken one look at the shirt and immediately thought it was atrocious. But before he could voice his opinion on the shirt Adriane had selected for him, the eccentric tailor pulled off his leathers and gave him a pair of purple pants to go with his shirt.
Sawyer had asked if he could have some privacy while he tried on the clothes. When Adriane left, the druid quickly reached into the wardrobe and pulled out a nice looking royal-blue shirt and black pants. He peeked around to see if anyone was around, and after seeing no one, the druid quickly put the clothes on, and wild shaped himself into an owl and flew out of the window.
Adriane came back to check on Sawyer, and all she could find was the green shirt and purple pants crumpled on the floor.
The druid soared high above the palace. He flew down towards the castle, his dark green eyes quickly spotting Virgo walking with Bowie. Sawyer descended down a little lower, moving closer to the halfing and the woman, his eyes continuing to stare at Virgo.
Sawyer landed silently on the ground, then changed from his owl form to that of a small orange tabby cat. He looked up, seeing that Bowie and Virgo were talking. Curiosity began to creep into the mind of the druid who now was walking like the cat he shifted into, silently moving closer to Virgo and Bowie.
Hearing the pitter-patter of little feet from behind, the halfling glanced back, seeing a small orange tabby cat sitting right behind him and Virgo. He looked closer at the feline, seeing the cat's dark green eyes fixed on Virgo. It only took a few seconds for Bowie to recognize the orange tabby cat. The halfling shook his head and then smiled at Virgo. "So you're from Arabel?" Bowie asked Virgo.
"Yes. My mother married Brendan Rowanmantle," Virgo answered sweetly," just shortly after I had turned two winters old. She never really learned who my father was, but Brendan had loved me as if I was his own daughter. He died shortly before my little brother Valliant was born. Right now Val is now in Eveningstar with his friend Roland. They get into all sorts of trouble."
Bowie felt a small tingle coming from his amulet when Virgo had mentioned the names of her brother and his friend. When the woman turned her head to look at a couple of birds, Bowie reached into his shirt and gave the amulet a squeeze, letting Sylune know that he would talk with her in a moment.
"So, did you ask the Daughter of Yondalla if she would be able to make it to the ball? Daughter of Yondalla, is she some kind of cleric of the halfling goddess?" Virgo asked curiously.
"Something like that," Bowie remarked with a smile," Hannah is usually quite busy, but she had told me that she would be arriving soon." The halfling looked up at Virgo," speaking of which, is there someone you look forward to dancing with tonight.
Virgo stumbled, almost falling to the ground. " I've only worked at the palace for a year, and usually don't go to any of the balls. When you have princesses like Tanalasta and Alusair living under the same room as you, it's hard to get any looks from a man." Sawyer's ears perked up. Growing up around the palace, Sawyer had never really gotten to know Azoun's older daughter Tanalasta, but he had spent much time with the king's younger daughter Alusair. Like Sawyer, she had no love of court gossip and had been really friendly with Sawyer, showing him the basics of fighting with a sword. Like many of the higher-ranking purple dragons, Alusair believed that Sawyer's father Lander wasn't a traitor.
Bowie wondered if Virgo was telling the truth or not. He did not believe that a beautiful woman such as her would never be asked to a ball. He decided not to press the subject, understanding that it might take her some time to fully trust the halfling.
"Well I'm sure there is someone who would love to dance with you," Bowie remarked. Virgo sighed, looking down at her feet. She didn't see the halfling turn his head back to wink at the tabby cat.
The guests for King Azoun's Birthday Ball arrived at sundown. Many members of the Cormeraril, Crownsilver, and Hawklin noble families were in attendance, as was Azoun and Filfaeril's daughter Alusair. The princess was dressed in a thin purple silk dress. However Azoun's older daughter Tanalasta, and the Court Wizard Vangerdahast were not in attendance. Reliable sources from the court said, that they were traveling to Aglarond for the month to help train the War Wizards.
King Azoun and Queen Filfaeril were quietly sitting at a large wooden table, surrounded by servant and purple dragons. Their gamekeeper would have been there, but she had felt very tired and decided to catch up on some sleep.
Many couples were dancing gracefully across the vast dance floor as the band was playing a beautiful Cormyerian ballad.
"Kind of reminds me of the Harper Ball in Twilight Hall," Sawyer heard Bowie comment merrily as the halfling approached him from behind.
Sawyer turned around, seeing Bowie dressed in his elven chain armor with a thin white V cut shirt over it and black pants. Standing next to Bowie was the most beautiful halfling the druid had even laid his eyes on. She had deep blue eyes, beautiful blond hair, and wore a purple sundress. "Don't you look ravishing tonight Bowie," Sawyer remarked. He looked over at the halfling standing next to Bowie. "And you must be Hannah."
The female halfling made a bow. "Yes, and you must be Sawyer," she answered politely. The druid stared into her eyes. There were nights were Bowie would just go on and on about "his goddess". Bowie had told Sawyer that Hannah was not only a power priestess of Yondalla, but an actual daughter of the goddess as well.
"You're just as beautiful as Bowie describes you," Sawyer commented. Hannah blushed lightly and Bowie kissed her cheek. Sawyer smiled, then looked over at the door, his eyes seeing Virgo standing there. She looked very beautiful and very nervous in her long purple dress that looked like a larger version of Hannah's.
"Go ask her to dance," Bowie whispered to Sawyer, elbowing him in the ribs. "Go and show her you're cat-like steps." The druid rolled his eyes and walked over to the door.
Virgo looked around the ballroom. She wasn't used to the grandeur and the pageantry of a Cormyrian ball. Her eyes glanced over at the couples on the dance floor. How she wished could easily move as they do. She was just within seconds of walking right out of the door when she saw Sawyer walking towards her. She briefly remembered their first encounter in the library. Back then he was wearing leathers. Now was dressed in very expensive clothes. Virgo thought he was the most handsome man in the room.
Sawyer approached Virgo with a smile. "You look beautiful tonight."
"Um...thank you," she answered nervously. The druid saw her face turn red with a blush similar to Hannah's.
The druid looked out at the dance floor, then back at Virgo. "So...Would you like to dance?"
Virgo but her lip and shrugged. Now was the moment of truth. She would share with Sawyer, what she had hesitated to share with Bowie earlier.
"Icantdance," she responded quietly in all one word.
Sawyer looked at her. "I didn't exactly hear that."
"I can't dance," she repeated more slowly.
Sawyer shook his head. "Follow my lead," he said qucikly as he grabbed Virgo's hand and quickly pulled her to the dance floor.
From her seat, Filfaeril watched as Sawyer and Virgo arrived at the dance floor. The druid took her by the waist and together they danced. Their steps and pace were graceful, but also quick. The queen smiled and patted her husband's shoulder and pointed to the dance floor.
Hannah looked over at Sawyer and Virgo. "Did you know he could do that?" Bowie's eyes widened as he watched Sawyer turn Virgo into a dip, then twirl her back into his arms.
Together, the King and Queen of Cormyr sat up from their table and walked to the dance floor. Many of the couples stopped, including Sawyer and Virgo. King Azoun gracefully stepped up to Sawyer and asked if he could dance with Virgo. Sawyer looked at Virgo, who shrugged nervously. The King of Cormyr took the young woman's hand and together they danced at a much slower pace.
Sawyer stood there, his eyes watching Virgo. When he was dancing with her, he had felt a strong burning sensation from his heart. Now as she danced with King Azoun, the burning in his heart grew stronger.
"May I have this dance," Filfaeril asked as she walked up to his side. Sawyer nodded and took her waist. Just as Azoun and Virgo had begun, their steps were slow, but they began to move in a quicker pace.
The other couples resumed their dancing, and Bowie and Hannah quickly joined them on the dance floor. While she danced with Azoun, Virgo glanced over at Alusair. The Princess appeared to be talking to a young woman dressed in furs and leathers, but her eyes were looking directly at Sawyer.
A wave of jealousy washed over Virgo, which caused her to stumble a little bit. "Are you all right my dear?" Azoun asked her, helping Virgo to her feet.
Virgo smiled and thanked the King of Cormyr. "Yes, everything's fine," she added. Azoun nodded, then looked over at Sawyer and Queen Filfaeril. "I'll let you in on a secret. Filfaeril taught Sawyer everything he knows about dancing." Virgo laughed as she watched Sawyer spin the Queen of Cormyr into a dip, then pulled her back up.
"Be careful Sawyer, I'm not as young as I used to be," the queen remarked with a wink.
Everyone danced for what seemed like another hour until the band announced they were taking a break.
Just as the music stopped and the dance floor cleared, Bowie kissed Hannah softly on the lips and held her in his arms. His brown eyes wandered across the room, seeing Sawyer and Virgo laughing and talking with the King and Queen. He then turned his sights to Alusair and the woman she had been talking with since the king's ball began. The princess seemed to be staring over at Sawyer and Virgo. After a moment, the young woman and the princess walked over to an open door and walked outside.
When the princess was out of his view, Bowie went to go for in for another kiss, but the moment was spoiled by a loud scream that came from outside.
Silence filled the room as a second scream came from the outside. Sawyer went to grab his sword, but he remembered leaving his weapon at his mother's cottage. Hannah chanted a word, and two short swords in their sheaths appeared in her arms. One of the weapons Sawyer recognized was Bowie's short sword Vithirl.
Azoun quickly ran to the door while Filfaeril told everyone to remain calm. The two halflings and the druid followed him closely.
The king began to fear that something terrible had befallen his younger daughter. He walked outside, seeing Alusair lying on the ground, clutching her right arm as she groaned in pain.
"Manshoon clone...Marlena...the Stormhorns..." were the words Alusair spoke in between her curses and moaning.
The King of Cormyr stood speechless, while Sawyer moved forward, examining Princess Alusair's body. Bowie wore a grim expression on his face, staring down at Alusair.
Sawyer bent down, looking over the princess' body. He quickly saw the parts of her dress was burned. He reached over and touched her arm, causing her to curse and twitch. "Her arm's broken," Sawyer said softly. The druid began chanting a healing spell, channeling the energy from the trees outside. He successfully healed Alusair's arm. The princess looked up at him, then quickly fell asleep on the floor.
"Why would a Manshoon clone want to take a woman up to the Stormhorns?" Bowie asked, looking at Azoun.
The King of Cormyr sighed. "That young woman was Princess Marlena. Her father is King Newt, the chief of Eagle Peak, a settlement in the Stormhorn Mountains. For the past month, King Newt has had trouble from a band of giants, bugbears, and ogres. The leader of this band, is a man named Lucius Darkfang, who wants to control Eagle Peak, as well the mines in the mountains. We have been helping King Newt against Lucius, but the forces we send up there are of little help. They say that Lucius has control of a two spellcasters who have able to defeat Newt's best warriors."
"Would Manshoon know that one of his clones is being controlled by someone else?" Sawyer asked. "Do you think he would have something to do with Lucius Darkfang and his group?"
Bowie shook his head. "Manshoon is powerful, but he is also the leader of the Zhentarim, which means he has a lot more to worry about than someone getting control of one of the dozens of clones he created. Whoever this Lucius is, he is either powerful, or has some powerful friends." Sawyer and Hannah looked at Bowie, seeing a cold look in his eyes. He felt warmness coming from his amulet and heard Sylune's voice in his head, telling him not to act rashly.
Virgo had just walked outside. She looked on the ground, seeing Alusair lying on the ground. "Regardless of the situation," Bowie continued," it sounds like we have to go to the Stormhorn Mountains and find Lucius and rescue Marlena." He looked over at Virgo. "You're more than welcome to join us Virgo."
"I'm a Harper aren't I?" she answered with a smile looking down at the halfling.
"I'm going too!" King Azoun declared in a proud voice. The king's eyes stared directly at Bowie, showing the halfling how serious he was.
The three Harpers and the Daughter of Yondalla exchanged glances. After a moment of awkward silence, Bowie nodded his head. "Sure, you can come with us. Now let's all meet here in a half an hour, and from here we'll go to the Stormhorn Mountains." Bowie looked over at Hannah and smiled. "I think we might need to visit our old friend Gorstag."
Hannah giggled and nodded while the three humans looked at each other in confusion.
Virgo and Sawyer walked over picking up Alusair's sleeping body while Bowie Butterball stared out into the night sky.