You'll soon see why I broke this up into several chapters! Sorry the count is off, but 26 was absorbed by Ch. 25. I'm too lazy to fix it! ^^; Here we go! Enjoy!

Ch. 27

"I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be," Alice said to Kavi, who returned to her dressing room during the intermission as the chairs were moved to make way for the dance portion of the play.

"Good," Kavi said. "Lieutenant, I know I don't need to remind you, but…are you armed, just in case? Are your troops prepared?"

Alice frowned. "Of course," she said.

"I'm sure we'll be fine," Kavi said, "but I have a bad feeling. I have as many of my people in security as I can spare."

"I know, Kavi."

"If anything happens," Kavi said, and Alice wondered if she was just thinking out loud. "People will want to blame me, and that's fine, but if you or the royals are targeted, it's going to really bother me."

"You sound as though you already know that an attack is coming."

Kavi gave her a hard look. "It's too perfect an opportunity, given what we know. The royals are especially vulnerable, despite their loyal entourage."

"That may be true, but why are you so certain? They've come to the ball every year so far, right? What makes tonight different?"

"You, for one," Kavi said. Alice blanched, and Kavi gave a rueful laugh. "It's not your fault, necessarily. The attacks, Jacques' death, the poison, the Silver Wheel and the Invisible Nine are all connected. You just happened to bring a flashlight on it all."

"No," Alice said, and looked her straight in the eye. "We brought the blade."

Kavi grinned. "All right, then keep on carving, Lieutenant. Better take your place now, and break a leg!"

As she left, Kavi stole a glance out into the crowd. It was packed. It was so full in fact, that she almost missed the anomalies that were dotted all over the place. Too perfect, she realized. She raced away to warn her crew as the curtain rose. She knew of a few ways to take care of problem audience participants without disturbing the entire crowd. It would have to do.

During the intermission, Stecchin made some notes on her music sheets before standing up and stretching. She was feeling much better. She looked for the others and found Oreldo easily enough, as he found a seat close to the orchestra, and checked with him to make sure everything was all right so far. She then presented herself to Septieme and Martis to confirm the same. As she began to look for Alan, she felt someone tap on her shoulder. She turned and looked up.

Alan took off his jockey's hat and smiled down at her. Unused to seeing such a pleased expression, she thought it made him look much younger.

"You look simply stunning, my noble lady," he said, bowing low in Rodelian fashion.

Stecchin blushed and thanked him. She tried to fight a sudden giggle fit, but failed. As Alan raised his head in confusion, she reached down and smoothed the hair that was sticking straight up at the back of his head. The informal, easy gestures so startled him that all he could do was freeze and watch her until she was finished.

"There, all better!" she said, her cheeriness so infectious he couldn't help but chuckle as well.

As her hand came away, he grasped it and paused. She gave a slight gasp. He gave it a gentle squeeze, grasped it with two hands, and kissed it. However, this time it was no quick peck. He closed his eyes and lingered on her knuckles before giving her a half-lidded gaze, like a satisfied cat.

"You never did answer my question before, noble lady," he murmured, releasing her hand. "Were you able to give it some thought? May I call on you when the mission is complete?"

Stecchin knew she turned beet red. Her hands covered her cheeks and held her breath. She grabbed her lower lip, suddenly feeling awkward. Once again she thought of Alice and what she might say, but suddenly realized that it was far better to come up with her own answers.

"Oh my goodness," she said, looking at her shoes. "I really don't know what to say."

Alan nodded. "Just be honest," he said. "I promise that I will not think any less of you."

She looked up at him as he stood. "You must understand, Mr. Alan," she said, "I…I've never been called on before."

She ignored Alan's look of mild surprise and continued. "I'm not sure what to expect, or even quite what to do. I may be a soldier and a Sergeant-Major, but in a lot of ways I'm still very much a kid! All of my schooling was at the Academy, so I don't know much about proper protocol, or dancing, or formal gatherings, or anything like that."

She looked down and plucked at her gloves. "I know I'm naïve, and so, if that isn't your cup of tea, then maybe it isn't a good idea."

Alan cocked his head to the side. "And how do you know what my cup of tea is, my noble lady?"

She looked up at him in surprise. He smiled again.

"I only wish to spend some time with you," he said. "It matters not to me what we do, so long as it is pleasant, and that we do it together."

Stecchin couldn't help but let out a small squeal. What the heck, Cinderella was only a story!

"Oh, Mr. Alan, you're soooo romantic!" she cried, and Alan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Mr. Alan!" Septieme suddenly said behind them. Alan stiffened and spun around, kneeling before the princess.

"Forgive me, Your Highness!" he started to say, but Septieme interrupted.

"As you were," she said, her tone gentle. "I only wished to tell you that I am most pleased with your exchange with the Sergeant-Major just now."

Shocked, Alan looked up at her.

"Therefore," she continued, "in honor of our festival spirit, I relieve you of your duty to me, and command that you watch over Miss Stecchin for the remainder of the evening. Guard her well."

Alan's jaw dropped. "Y…Your Highness, are you certain you'll be all right?"

Septieme grinned. "Don't worry, I will be dancing with His Majesty, so his entourage will be assisting me." She looked at Martis, who gulped. "Besides, I have the best chaperone right here!"

Alan sighed in relief. "Thank you, Your Highness," he said, "this servant is eternally indebted to you."

Septieme snorted. "Whatever," she said, waving a hand in dismissal. "Truth is, I've never seen you smile before, so I'm glad someone can cause you to do that! Go! Keep your eyes open, but just have some fun already!"

Alan smiled as wide as he dared. "At once, Your Highness!"

He turned to Stecchin and offered his elbow. "Shall I escort you back to your seat, my noble lady?"

Stecchin curtsied and took it. "Does this mean we can dance later?"

"As my noble lady wishes."

"Eeee, this is so awesome!" she cried, causing Alan to laugh again.

Oreldo watched the whole scene and sighed. It still troubled him, but he admitted to himself he'd never seen Lily so happy, or so grown up. He watched her take her seat as Act II began.

The crowd had divided; separating men from women as per tradition, save for the royal family. A hush fell upon the audience. In the silence, heavy footsteps echoed as Randel Oland stepped into the light on the stage. The audience gave a light round of applause, as if making any more noise would ruin the magic.

Upon seeing him for the first time in about a year, Stecchin and Martis gasped to themselves, barely recognizing him. Stecchin almost blew her trumpet too soon. As he slowly decent the short staircase in front of the stage, he looked around carefully, seeming to note everyone in the crowd in awe. After all, it was the Gump's first dance and first real taste of humankind. His movements were stiff and wooden, echoing the Gump's original form. He made his way to the other end where the royal family sat. He bowed low as Kavi loudly proclaimed him:

"Presenting Mr. Gump Oakley!"

The king smiled and played along, also per tradition.

"Well met, Mr. Oakley!" he said in his most formal and commanding voice. "I confess, I've not heard your name before. Have you lived here long?"

Oland raised his head. "Well, Sire," he intoned, "I may be somewhat new in your land, but I will say that my roots run deep."

They paused as the audience chuckled amongst themselves.

"Very good, my lad." the king said. "Rise, and may you enjoy yourself, tonight and forever in my kingdom."

"Thank you, Sire," Oland replied, bowing his head again before standing. He glanced at the rest of the royal party. When his eyes rested on Martis, Martis froze, ducking his head just a bit, hiding in his owlish costume. When Oland moved on, Martis sighed in relief but was also dismayed. It was as Alice and Oreldo told him. Oland didn't recognize him. He wished he could stop the whole thing, but with security on such high alert, it wouldn't do to cause such chaos.

The music began, and four acting couples began to waltz. As they circled around Oland, he seemed to watch carefully and stepped closer to the entrance, as though searching for someone. As the music swelled, he stopped and looked back on stage, freezing in place. The spotlight on him dimmed, while a second light shone on Alice as she arrived.

Again, the audience clapped politely. Alice turned in a slow circle and looked around nervously, when Lionel also stepped onto the stage amidst a few pompous trumpet blasts, the loudest made by Stecchin, who couldn't help herself. She hoped he didn't see her, but Lionel seemed entirely focused on playing his part to the hilt. Alice and Lionel greeted each other formally and danced briefly, Lionel strutting like a peacock. He made a show of wanting to continue, but other actresses butted in, seeming to clamor for the "prince's" attention.

Oland and the dancers circled back toward the stage. Alice saw him and froze. She waited until they were almost there, then began her decent down the stair, her arms making graceful wing-like movements. However, when she got to the last two steps, she stumbled, falling forward. Oland surged ahead and the dancers parted so he could catch her.

Alice looked up at him, her movements slow, awkward, and sad. Every member of Section III suddenly had difficulty swallowing. They all knew the sadness was real.

Oland set her down gently, held both of her hands and bowed as she curtsied. He made a show of leading her to the floor, hunching over so she wouldn't have to reach up so high. Still, he was so tall his hand couldn't really go to her waist, but just below her shoulder. He had no trouble with this, as he had many partners in the past who were about as petite as Alice. She felt her other hand lose itself in his, and she forced herself to breathe to keep from crying. As soon as they began to move, the orchestra signaled the audience, and all joined in at once.