Ch. 29

"And when I woke up, I was wearing this…this thing!"

"Oh Hannah, no!" Oreldo cried. He almost stopped dancing. "We've got to get you out! Let's go!"

"No, you don't understand! If they see me leave with you, the suit will trigger! Look around!"

Oreldo glanced around and sure enough, dozens of cloaked figures were everywhere. However, as he watched, he saw many of the Mad Minstrel's crew carefully lure them away to dark corners. Moments later they returned, some with fresh injuries, though they did well to be discreet. A few didn't return at all.

"What can we do?" he asked Hannah. "What's the objective?"

"A diversion, I think," Hannah replied. "Or at least, I think that's the bulk of it. I heard them mention the Pumpkin Scissors as one of their targets. They told me if I helped to kill one of you, they'd release me, but I know it's a lie! And I believe Prince Quintus is going to assassinate His Majesty, either directly, or through one of us!"

"Oh, my god," Oreldo hissed. His first thought was to look for Stecchin, but as he looked for her in the orchestra, he saw her chair was empty.

"Crap!" he said, his eyes darting all over but not finding her. He turned back to Hannah. "We still have to get you somewhere safe!"

"But how? Where?" Hannah cried. "If they notice anything amiss, I'll…I'll…"

Oreldo looked around for anywhere that was at least half empty. When he found a small spot next to the entrance, he began to lead her there, trying his best not to run into any other couple. When they got there, they saw a man dressed in an elaborate, ornate dragon costume.

Hannah suddenly recognized him. "Doctor!" she hissed. Oreldo gasped and turned to stand in front of her.

After the fourth song, Alan went to where Stecchin was sitting and held out his hand. Stecchin had seen a few others do the same, so she knew it was a common practice. That's why there were so many extra players. She took his hand, and they wordlessly joined the throng. Alan was pleased to find that while Stecchin was awkward in some ways, she was highly skilled when it came to anything to do with music, including dancing.

"My noble lady," he said, "might I say you dance even lovelier than you look?"

Stecchin blushed. "Thank you," she said, "but you might as well call me Lily. 'My noble lady' sounds like quite a mouthful!"

Alan chuckled. "Lily," he said, "such an elegant name."

Stecchin giggled. "Elegant, huh?" she said. "Well, I hope I can live up to it someday!"

"I think you have," he replied, "my noble lady."

"Aww, shucks!"

Alan chuckled again and whirled her around a few more times. He couldn't remember the last time he was so happy. Turning around he saw another couple closing in fast, so he whipped her around to avoid them. They happened to be close to one of the walled sections so she bumped it, squishing his hand at her waist in the process.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" she cried, and jerked forward, suddenly pressing herself against him. He looked down at her and suddenly realized he was inches away from her face.

Stecchin was dimly aware they had stopped dancing. Yet for some reason, the room was still spinning for her.

"What is your answer, sweet Lily?" he whispered. He released her hand and cupped her chin.

"Y…yes," she mumbled, her breath coming much too fast. His smile was radiant, and his kiss was very soft. She felt her knees buckle but his hand tightened around her waist. They stood still for so long, Stecchin thought time must have stopped. Yet the music still played. As they parted, he led her to the floor once more. He began to step in time when he suddenly saw Jan make his way to the stage.

"Brother?" he breathed. "Damn, what are you doing here?"

"Mr. Alan?" he heard Stecchin say.

"I'm so sorry, Lily," he said, "I must see what he's up to!"

"I'll come with you!"

"No! It might be dangerous!"

"But Alan!"

"Go back to your seat! You'll be safe there!"

He quickly led her back to the orchestra and physically sat her down.

"I'll be right back!" he said. "Don't move!"

Stecchin tried to get back into the fifth song, but her mind was awhirl. As she watched for her place in the sheet music, she felt, rather than saw someone approach.

"Good evening, milady," she heard Lionel say. "May I have the pleasure of this dance?"

She slowly turned her head in horror as Lionel bowed to her with a flourish.

Thinking quickly, Stecchin shot out of her seat and blasted a short, military march in his face at full strength, the same tune she heard the bugler play every morning near the barracks. Lionel stumbled backwards and covered his ears, shouting in pain. Everyone turned to look at them. Thinking it was part of the show, most of them laughed as Stecchin dropped her trumpet and escaped toward the stage.

"M-Milady," Oland cried. "I…I didn't mean to-I-I'm sorry!" He slowly looked up to where she lay. The hands…those cursed hands were beginning to surround her…

Stunned, Alice stayed on the floor for a moment and waited for the room to stop spinning. She heard him crawl toward her, then heard him say, "You leave her alone! Get away from her, damn you! I won't let you touch her!"

He's hallucinating, she thought. I've got to get him out of here! Just let me get my bearings…

A shadow fell on her and she realized he was kneeling beside her. She watched him as he removed his gloves and touched her face.

"Milady?" he said, "are you okay?"

He ever so gently grasped her head in his hands and lifted it, turning it one way then the other, making sure her neck was all right.

"I'm all right, Corp-no, don't!" she said as he held her head in one hand and with the other removed her mask.

"I'm sorry," he said, "I just had to make sure…you weren't…hurt…" He trailed off as he got a good look at her face. He blinked several times, his vision suddenly filled with his precious warrior angel, the Valkyrie. The visions didn't match his recent dreams, however. As his fingers fumbled over her face, he began touching it with the back of his left hand and fingertips. The pain at the back of his head grew worse.

"It…can't be," he whispered.

The visions came faster. The Valkyrie…she was shouting something in his face, wearing an orange overcoat, pointing her dagger at an enemy tank…and spinning in a torn golden dress…while wearing his jacket?

Oland began tearing up. "But I," he whispered, "I know this face." His fingers shook as he saw another vision of her, huddled tiny and frightened beneath him, illuminated by his…lantern…

He automatically grabbed the area near his hip, even though he knew it wasn't there.

"Where is it?" he wondered aloud. "How could I have forgotten?"

Alice slowly sat up and scooted back. Now that the cat was truly out of the bag, she wanted to help him but was unsure how. She carefully touched his face and removed his mask. She then undid his hair from his ponytail. As she did so, she felt the back of his neck and was shocked to find it hot and pulsing. She dropped her hand in alarm.

Oland looked at her and was once again struck by how unfazed she was by his scars.

"Who are you?" he asked in a hushed voice. He looked downright terrified. "Are…are you an angel?"

Surprised, Alice started to cry. She held his head up in her hands.

"No, Corporal," she said. "It's me. My full title is…Second Lieutenant Alice Lee Malvin. My unit is the Army Intelligence Division, State Section Three, Pumpkin Scissors. I…I'm your superior officer!"

Oland felt his mouth sag open. "Wh…what?"