Disclaimer: I do not own Oria. I do not own her family. However, that which you do not recognize is all my work.

Chapter Three

Court Functions

Ugh. Did I mention I hate Lady Clorentine?

I asked her, politely I might add, to extend her ever-so-kind invitation to my friend, Evijah, who lived in the outskirts of Athanarel. I asked her in the early morning, knowing she would have to send a messenger right away in order for Evijah to have enough time to prepare. Still, my response was a disgusted:

"Why should I invite her, a commoner?"

As vexed as I was, I said calmly, "Because she's my best friend at Dyranarya Academy."

Clorentine threw her hair over her shoulder, a haughty gesture. "Well, I'll send a runner over, but I doubt she'll accept." Clorentine flicked her hand in dismissal and walked over to a few of her friends. I headed back to the Residence, but not before I heard Clorentine say, loud enough for me to hear,

"What is it with these mages! They think we can work miracles for them, yet they are the ones with the so called power. Power – ha! I've yet to see a certain someone do anything useful."

In my fury, I turned around, ready to march over and give her a good magical blasting that would shut her mouth for a year – that would certainly be useful!

"Don't," a calm, yet amused voice said.

I looked around and finally spotted Flauvic leaning against a tree. "I'm sure if you do anything," he continued, "you'd only regret it later."

"I'm not so sure about that." I cast one last annoyed look at Clorentine, then focused on Flauvic. "Why are you out here?"

"I'm avoiding Meliara."

I laughed. "Any success with the border protection?"

Flauvic raised one shoulder then let it drop. "Meliara is an idealist but, I suppose, we'll work something out. Your father will see to that." He moved away from the tree and we began to stroll back to the residence.

"Don't let anyone fool you," Flauvic continued. "Lord Laedin is dangerous. And he might very well want to annex Remalna to his empire, simply as suppliers for his war. And since it will most likely be a magical war, he will want to recruit more mages – whether they want to or not."

"I can take care of myself."

He turned those gold eyes on me and I'll admit I was a little unnerved. "There is a way to keep involuntary mages slaves. Be careful."

His tone made me suspicious. "What do you know?"

"I was working on the border last night, using a variant of a tracer spell. I know you worked an illusion."

"So?" I asked, defensive.

"It was careless," he retorted. "Especially after what Mistress Jintella said."

"Have you told anyone?"

"No. And I don't plan to."

"There you two are!" We both looked at the path ahead and saw Elestra hurrying to us. "I've been looking for you everywhere." She stared at Flauvic, one eyebrow raised. "Mother is looking for you."

Flauvic winced.

"Oh," Elestra added, "Alaraec told me to tell you, if you resisted going, that he'll take you up on that bet of yours." She raised an eyebrow. "Care to tell me what that was about? He was grinning like a fool."

Flauvic smiled. "Not now. I have to find Meliara." In a few quick strides, he was gone.

Elestra and I watched him go. "I wish I knew what those two were up to," she commented.

"At least we're getting along with Flauvic, even if Mother and Father aren't too happy."

"Oh, Father's come around," Elestra said as we began to walk again. "And I think this plan of Father's will work too. And although Flauvic will never admit it, I think he believes Father is doing a good job. As for Mother … I hoping they'll at least be able to stand being in the same room together."

I grinned. "Good luck."

"I have faith in Mother. But come, I want to show you the details of the ball Mother is planning for Flauvic and I."

Elestra and I talked and made plans until we had to part to dress for Clorentine's ball. Not caring how I looked, I choose a plain soft blue gown with lace only at the end of the long sleeves and around the collar. Lurin, my maid, pulled my hair back and up in what she assured me was the latest fashion. When she finished, she ooh- and ahh-ed. I didn't particularly like it, but there was no time to change my mind.

I met Elestra, Flauvic, and Alaraec and we walked to Clorentine's ball together. The three kept up a lively conversation and none of them seemed bothered by my silence.

The ball was held to honor Lady Tara and some sort of accomplishment she had recently achieved. I didn't much care – it was really only an effort by Clorentine to get into Tara's good graces.

Tara looked stunning, as always, as she floated down the ceremonial steps. She titled her head from side to side, giving everyone a chance to see her luscious lips slightly parted in a wide smile. I clapped with everyone else as I watched, but my heart wasn't into it. Someone asked Tara to a dance and the ball began.

As soon as Tara finished dancing, she maneuvered her way over to where I stood near the refreshment table, her usual train of swains that constantly flocked her followed. I glanced at them all, wary.

But Tara just smiled, curtsied slightly, and said, "I'm so sorry to hear about your magic school, Oria. But we are glad to see you're home where you belong. Perhaps you could perform illusions for us at our next play?"

"Actually, Tara," Elestra said with a glance at me, "that's kind of you, but -"

I gently kicked her leg to get her to stop talking, then gave Tara one of my own grand smiles. "I'd be honored to, Tara, but I'm afraid I've used up a lot of my magic in the battle at the school. I'm not sure when I'll be fully recovered."

"Really?" Tara lifted a slender eyebrow. "I'm sorry for it then. Perhaps next time." She left, the Tara-struck boys waddling after her like the mindless geese they were.

"I'm sorry, 'Ria," Elestra said. "I should have realized you didn't want them to know about your magic."

"But considering most of the court heard it yesterday, everyone will know the truth soon enough," Alaraec pointed out.

"For now," I murmured, watching Tara, "I'd rather not deal with it."

Elestra and Flauvic left to talk to Father. Alaraec stayed with me.

"So what's this I hear about a bet between you and Flauvic?" I asked him.

He grinned. "I'll tell you if you swear to secrecy." I nodded eagerly. He bent his head to my ear and whispered, "You know how Elestra has begun to write plays yet hasn't told anyone?" I nodded again. "Well, I, no matter how, have a copy of her first completed play. But she won't let anyone see it. It's good, really good, yet she won't listen to us."

"So you told Flauvic …"

"If he works with Mother, then I'll duplicate Elestra's play and spread it all over court."

I frowned. "That's mean."

"Not really." Alaraec leaned against the table. "She wants to let it out there, but doesn't want anyone to know she wrote it. I'd leave her name off and make sure she'd never trace it back to me. And then, after every comments about how wonderful it is and how much they love it, I'll come in and gasp, 'Elestra, someone slipped your play to the Court!' That way, by then, she would have wanted to claim responsibility for it."

"And why would Flauvic agree to this?"

"He's tired of hearing her whine about her play. And he does want her to realize how good it is."

"Father put you up to this, didn't he? Getting Flauvic to work willingly with Mother, I mean."

"Yes, but the 'bet' was all my doing."

"Can I see that play you're talking about?"

"Sure. I'll send you the first copy."

I rolled my eyes.

Russell, Tara's older brother, came over, greeted us, apologized to me in the event that Tara insulted me in any way, then he and Alaraec left to conspire. Alone, I haunted the refreshment stand, knowing no boy would ask me to dance. While I knew nearly everyone's name that was in attendance, I hadn't spoken to most in nearly a year. What boy would want to dance with me anyway? I was a scary mage.

These thoughts occupied my mind only a short while. I hate self pity and refused to find comfort there. Instead, I meandered over to Clorentine after a dance had ended. Someone had not sent a runner to Evijah, for I didn't see her here.

"Clorentine." She turned to face me, suspicious. "Wonderful ball, I must say."

She beamed. "Thank you. You might want to take a few notes for that dull school you attend. Is it true that you never have any balls there?"

Of course it wasn't true, but even if I were to tell her that, she wouldn't believe it from my mouth. So I said, "If we do, you can be assured that we invite those that we have been asked to." Without waiting for a reply, I walked back to the refreshment table.

"Careful," one of Clorentine's friends said. "You might get fat and then no boy would really want to dance with you – a fat mage." I refused to give them the satisfaction of turning around or commenting as they laughed. Whoever had said it had been loud enough that those around heard and stared at both of us. I shook my head and headed to the balcony outside, but not before I saw Alaraec frowning. I shook my head again, slightly, and his frown deepened. Finally, he looked away.

Night had fallen while I had watched everyone dance the Courtly dance of word games and riddles. The music was only a faint rumble out here, where I was protected from the stares, laughs, and snide remarks.

I sighed. At least here … at least …

"At least there are stars tonight so you don't have to create them yourself."

I whirled around and stared into the blue eyes of Felix Laedin.

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Again, comments, questions, and constructive criticism much appreciated. I truly think highly of your opinion!

And a hearty thank-you-ever-so-much goes to Icelands for reviewing Chapter 2! I'm thrilled you liked it!