Chapter 5

The dance with Mr Ancunín was a set of the Baldurain classic, the 'Song of Balduran' and Lady Fox was relieved that it was a dance that required more movement and less of a chance to enter a worthwhile conversation the partner. She hardly wanted to even look at Mr Ancunín, but to save her poor toes and decorum on the dance floor, she forced herself to entertain his smug face.

Lady Fox was envious of the orchestra playing the music. Her fingers ached for the feel of the horsehair strings. The longing of her mana to flow out and wisp around creating an aura of colours and emotions. It would be highly improper to do so. Ladies weren't meant for magical pursuits of fancy.

On some occasion during the dance when it dictated that the couple should be close, Lady Fox noticed the gentleman's teeth were slightly pointy. Vampires had been rumoured to exist, but they were often thought of as fairy tales to keep people off the streets at night. Lady Fox had been around awhile and simply thought these to be fanciful stories, but the gentleman's teeth struck her as an oddity among many.

Mr Ancunín caught her staring. "Like what you see, darling?"

"Hardly, just wondering how long this dance is."

"And here I was wondering how long it would take for you to sprain your ankle."

Lady Fox let out a soft chuckle but immediately frowned. By the Gods did he just make her laugh? She hated the fact that it made him smile.

"Was that a smile, I was beginning to believe you incapable."

"Your humour caught me off guard that almost forgot your character."

"My character?" Mr Ancunín said, slightly amused, "Were you not in need of saving a few moments ago?"

"And I appreciate it. But you are hardly honourable."

"Oh, you wound me."

"When we first met you believe me below your station. As soon as you heard the title, I'm suddenly a catch," Lady Fox said. If this was the last, she would see of Mr Ancunín, she wanted him to know exactly what she thought of him.

Mr Ancunín was speechless for a moment. He then retorted, "I wounded your pride it seems. Perhaps you're a little naive about how the season works."

"I'm not naive about the constitution of desperate men." Lady Fox could see Mr Ancunín's face scrunch up into a scowl.

"I'll remember that the next time you need saving."

Thankfully the dance was ending, as the orchestra played the final set. It ended with the women bowing to their partners. Lady Fox tried to give the smallest curtsy possible.

Mr Ancunín offered her his hand as was custom and lead Lady Fox off the dance floor.

"We might have gotten off to the wrong foot Lady Fox, but at least I was trying to rectify it. Good evening." Mr Ancunín bowed and walked away.

The whole ordeal left Lady Fox flustered. The arrogance of the man. She had never truly hated anyone more than she did hate Mr Ancunín. He was the last man on Faerûn, she could ever be prevailed upon to marry. She had him pinned as a no-good rake simply sniffing around debutantes for their money.

Lady Fox left the ballroom and headed towards the balcony that over-looked the gardens. It was on the ground floor of the manor house and had stone stairs on one side that led out to a gravelled path and then to the gardens. Once beautiful in the daylight they were now blanketed in a sea of darkness save for a few flicking torches in the distance. A soft cool breeze brushed across Lady Fox's face. She sighed in relief. Instantly her frustration and angry were flowing away being caught along the wind currents like wisps. The echoes of the guests and music were fading to almost silence. She had almost let her feelings run away with her. If she was going to make it in this city she had to have more decorum. She walked up to the stone balustrade and looked out over the darkness.

Lady Fox felt like she wanted to scream into the darkness and allow all her secrets to be swallowed up by it.

When she was a young elf, just barely walking, she used to be afraid of the night. Even with her elfish eyesight, sometimes she could see far enough. Tales of monsters and other evil creatures lurked in the dark haunted her dreams even though elves do not sleep as others do. Instead, they 'reverie', which is more like being in a trance-like state of consciousness but being fully aware of their surroundings. Lady Fox was always aware of the darkness creeping towards at night.

Every now and again she would feel that tug of fear in the pit of her stomach. Looking into the nothing.

Lady Fox started to hum a tune. The same one she played in the carriage as she entered the city. She couldn't get away from it. An old memory was pulling at her, but she shook her head.

"A haunting tune."

Lady Fox jumped at the voice. She turned to see a young woman in a beautiful dark violet gown smoking a thin cigar. With her eyesight, Lady Fox recognised the woman as Miss Shadowheart, the young ward of Lady Shar.

"An old song my mother used to sing to me." Lady Fox was at ease to speak this one truth about her past. But, it certainly wouldn't be repeated.

"I never knew mine." Miss Shadowheart stepped out from her dark corner and took a drag of her cigar. "Do you mind? I tried to quit old habits die hard."

"Not at all."

They stood in silence for a few moments until Miss Shadowheart turned to Lady Fox.

"You're the new debutante of the season. I saw you at the assembly."

"Yes, I've only arrived two days ago."

"And how do you like our fair city? The people I mean, anyone could say the city is beautiful when they're only looking at the buildings."

"I've only met a few people; some I would rather not be further acquainted with."

"That list seems to get longer each year I'm afraid."

They ended up talking for a couple of minutes. Discussing the many bachelors of the ton and their own prospects as women in society. The two women realised through their exchange that they were somewhat similar. Both were to be wards to rich and respectable families and were new to society.

"Have you, by any chance, been acquainted with Mr Ancunín?" Lady Fox said.

"I don't believe I have," Miss Shadowheart said, pondering for a moment. "He's a bit of a cad I've heard. A prideful creature thinking only of himself."

"Believe me, I had to dance with him earlier. Hateful man."

"And did you see him at the assembly. Riding boots?"

The women laughter together until the door of the balcony opened. The two ladies looked at each other and at the cigar that was in Lady Fox's hand.

"Bugger."

Miss Shadowheart pulled Lady Fox down the stone stairs and hid behind some trimmed hedge row. There was enough room to have a small peep upwards to see who had walked outside. With her elf eyes, Lady Fox could make out that two men had entered. Captain Ravenguard and Mr Dekarios. Ravenguard was in higher spirits than his friend, who looked as if he was walking on pins and needles.

"Come Dekarios, I must have you dance. If not with me than, upon my honour there are many pretty ladies here for you to meet. I spied Lady Fox giving you a glance or two."

Lady Fox's ears pricked up and she felt a blush creep over her cheeks. She was always slightly embarrassed when she was talked about.

"Lady Fox? I don't think so. She's pretty, but not handsome enough to tempt me." The way Mr Dekarios was cold and almost scolding. "Ravenguard, you know I don't dance; I would not give humour to ladies I don't even like."

"You're a bad liar," Ravenguard said, "Admit, I saw the way you looked at her. You left in a hurry, but I saw you."

"You saw nothing Ravenguard. Now drop it."

"You know something Gale, I shall never understand why you don't just let that fancy with Lady Mistra go. She clearly does not feel the same for you as you evidently do." The Captain gentle grabbed Mr Dekarios's shoulder.

"You're mistaken Raveguard," Mr Dekarios said, shrugging off his friend's hand "now if you'll excuse me, I've had my fill of this evening. Take Lady Fox for yourself, she seems despite enough to marry higher, like every other daughter of a poor Baron."

Lady Fox had never felt more insulted in her life. Not one but three men this evening were nothing more than villains to her. She at least thought Mr Dekarios was shy or a little melancholic. But he was in fact a total and complete arse. To insult her beauty and to insinuate she was despite to marry for money. The nerve of the man. Like that was a bad thing in the first place, it wasn't like the men weren't also marrying for money or to produce heirs.

Lady Fox wanted to confront him and was about to move then she felt a quick pull on her forearm. Miss Shadowheart shook her head, and the pair continued their eavesdropping.

"I'll never understand you Gale," the Captain sighed and turned towards the ballroom. "She doesn't love you, and you know it."

"And what do you know about love?" Mr Dekarios didn't look over. He just stared out into the darkness.

"I know when I don't see it." The Captain left the balcony.

When the Captain left, Mr Dekarios let out a shallow breath. He then looked at his coat pocket-watch and sighed. He then muttered so words in a language Lady Fox thought she recognised. A projection of a woman's face formed in front of him. He looked at it for a few seconds then waved his hand. There was much sadness in his eyes. The projection disappeared it colourless wisps.

Mr Dekarios then turned back to the ballroom.