Chapter 15 - The Ball
"Which gown do you think will suit you this evening, milady?" Lisped the dressmaker through his gleaming white teeth. He gestured rather effetely towards a pink item with lots of lace, frills and other things that Tasha couldn't put a name to. A silent assistant held the dress up for her to see while seemingly ignoring the presence of everyone else in the room. "This lovely rose colored gown, or the plum hued velvet?" Then man turned in a half pirouette and indicated a much more sophisticated dress, a rich purple in color and fashioned out of a thicker, more sturdy material being held by a second assistant.
Tasha sat primly on a stool, wrapped in a voluminous bathrobe that sufficiently kept in the warm and clean feeling that she'd been aching for. Running her fingers through her still slightly damp hair, Tasha tried not to chuckle at the dressmakers’ appearance. He's wearing more makeup than I own! she thought to herself. Big city people are strange.
Realizing that she'd yet to reply to the man's question and that he'd been waiting impatiently for a response, Tasha quickly spoke. "Oh! Uh... The purple one, I guess. As long as you're sure it'll fit."
The professional dressmaker got all huffy and righteous. "Well!" he sputtered. "Of course it'll fit. I did take your measurements before you bathed and these two gowns do fit those same measurements." He sniffed imperiously. "If there is a problem with them, it will hardly be my fault!"
Tasha found the novelty of the man’s attitude wearing off. If I wanted to be berated by a man with no fashion sense and a flair for the dramatic, I’d invited Ambori into the room. "I'm certain that it'll be fine. Thank you so much for all of your help. I don't know what I would have done without you." A little sugar can do wonders when it's sprinkled over a wounded pride.
The man appeared to be at least partially mollified. "I should say so," he said, smiling liquidly. Without another word he spun on his heel and exited the room, the man carrying the pink dress following after him. The one holding Tasha's new gown remained motionless.
Tasha regarded him curiously. "Just set it down on the dresser please." The man nodded and did as she asked. Then he stood there motionless once again. Confused, Tasha stepped away from him a stride or two. Better safe than dead, she thought, recalling one of Hal's misquoted sayings. "Is there something else?"
The man nodded. "I am here to assist you, milady.”
“Assist me?”
“Indeed, milady.”
“Assist me how?”
“With dressing for this ball, milady."
Tasha felt color rising to her face. "I see," she muttered, feeling suddenly foolish. "Well thank you, but that won't be necessary. I've been dressing myself for a long time now and can handle the challenge without any help. But thank you again."
"But, milady," the man sputtered as Tasha made shooing motions for him to head towards the door.
"Thank you," she interjected as she closed the door on him. "But go away." Finally getting the door closed and leaving herself alone in the room, Tasha breathed a sigh of relief and laughed to herself. These people are strange, she thought.
Tasha walked over to the dresser and picked up the gown to get a closer look at it. As the man said, it was made primarily out of velvet but it was lined on the inside with satin and there were enough slits in the garment to keep her from overheating. She also noticed quite a few sequins had been sewn into the fabric. In all, it was a remarkable item of clothing. Something that Tasha was very unused to, but nice all the same. Even at the Vineyard Grove, whenever they had an event or something important there, she hadn't needed to wear anything even half this extravagant.
Maybe I should have tried being a Lady in Waiting for a little while. It might’ve helped me feel less uncomfortable now.
Tossing a regretful look over her shoulder towards her cleaned and pressed trousers, tunic and jacket, Tasha sighed and set the gown down atop the four poster bed and set about getting sorted.
Half an hour later Tasha was fully dressed in the gown, though she was surprised to note that there was no left arm sleeve, just a filmy piece of cloth that attached to the wrist and the shoulder. Fifteen minutes after that saw Tasha completing the fourth attempt at applying makeup to her satisfaction Except for that little bit over my left eye that I just can’t seem to... oh, forget it! Ten minutes after that found her running out of curses to utter towards her elegant purple shoes with the two and a half inch heels that caused her no small amount of problems.
Finally, a complete hour after beginning the whole process, Tasha found herself being led down a wide, thickly carpeted hallway with a matching cape flowing down from her shoulders. The impeccably dressed standard bearers that led her way to the Great Hall bounced along in their red tunics and black hose.
Tasha just hoped that the ball would be worth all of the effort that she'd put into it.
And that I don’t come across like a dull-witted country bumpkin.
The standard bearers stopped before a huge set of double doors and bowed out of sight. At the doors was a young man of average height garbed in the raiment of the House of Southmoor. He bowed deeply, his beautiful wooden staff flourished in the same respects. "Greetings and good evening, milady," he said with perfect pronunciation and clarity. "How are you after your extensive journey?"
Tasha smiled slightly as she inclined her head politely. "Much better than I was a few hours ago."
The young man smiled. "Wonderful to hear, milady." He slid open a small peephole in the door and gazed through it. Nodding to himself he turned back to Tasha and smiled again, showing a perfect set of teeth. "The way is clear for your entrance now, milady. Are you ready to proceed?"
A sudden flurry of butterflies begin to scuffle around in her stomach. "I suppose so. Is there anything I have to do?"
"Not at all," the Announcer smiled. "All that you need do is stand at the top of the stairs until I have finished your introduction, and then descend. Now I ask you again, milady. Are you ready?"
Pressing both hands to her stomach for a moment to send the pesky fluttering back to where it had come from, Tasha nodded. "Proceed."
The Announcer smiled again and opened the grand double doors with a flourish.
Tasha managed to keep her jaw from dropping, but it was near thing.
All that she could see were colors. Bright colors, dark colors. But Colors! All over the place. People dancing in swirling patterns wearing bright colored garb. Multicolored tapestries and streamers hanging from every wall. A whole section dedicated to the garishly clothed but musically inclined bards and minstrels that provided the evenings’ entertainment.
Numbly Tasha strode forward and stood at the top of the staircase. Gods! she thought. I've never seen this many people before in one place in all my life! She couldn't keep herself from staring. Just the same as how she couldn't keep herself from comparing how drably she appeared to the other ladies present. Maybe I should have spent more time getting ready. Then she amended herself. Maybe I shouldn't have come at al!.
The Announcer rapped his staff against the floor three times. The music dulled to a low roar and all conversation seemed to cease. Heads turned to where Tasha stood, quivering with nervousness. Their eyes judging. Weighing. Measuring.
What in the world are you waiting for? she thought tensely. Announce me and get it over with!
As if he'd heard her thoughts (and he might have, Tasha wasn't certain if she'd used her abilities there or not) the Announcer began.
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" His precise and clear voice rose in volume considerably, easily filling the whole room. Tasha wasn't altogether certain that was a good thing at the moment. "I have the honor and the privilege at this time to introduce to you all a guest to fair Southmoor!" Tasha's eyes flicked to the young man nervously, afraid that he was just getting warmed up. "She has travelled from across the Inner Sea with a group of stalwart companions, two of whom have already arrived here this evening, as you well know." Tasha could have died from the tension.
He is just getting warmed up! "And so, without any further ado," Yeah, right. "Allow me to introduce to you, the most prized vine in the whole of the Vineyard Grove, the daughter of Lord Tyren, Baron of the same Vineyard Grove and leader of the group of adventurers; the Lady Tasha Pellaren!" The young man took a deep breath and bowed extravagantly.
There was a smattering of half-hearted applause that Tasha assumed was as much for the Announcer having finished his oration as much as it was for her presence. The music swiftly returned to its previous volume as did the chatter and the dancing. Off in the back, Tasha noted the banquet that was being prepared for the guests.
Before descending the staircase, Tasha turned back to the young man one last time. "Do you give everyone such a windy introduction, or am I just special?"
The Announcer quirked an eyebrow at her questioningly. "I beg your pardon, milady? Windy?"
Tasha dismissed the question with a wave of her hand. "Never mind.” she said while beginning to descend to the Great Hall.
At the bottom of the staircase were two gentlemen dressed in the red and black military dress uniforms of Southmoor. Both bowed at her presence, the one on the left offering to take her cape while the other offered to escort her to the seat that had been designated for her. Tasha politely declined to part company with her cape but accepted the proffered arm of the soldier at arms and allowed him to escort her across the Hall.
As she was led across the expansive room, effectively skirting the wide and bustling dance floor, Tasha found a great many people staring at her. Now that's odd, she thought. What's so special about me? As they neared the area allocated for the dining tables, she saw, one after another, men of all sorts and ages start to approach her but pull back with a smile once they made eye contact with her. On more than one occasion she caught a gentleman or two actually leering at her.
Needless to say, Tasha was uncertain how to deal with such a reaction. She'd seen it happen in the past of course, but never to such a degree or with such a collection of nobility.
Finally the soldier at arms led her up on a dais where the head table was placed. There were quite a few elder members of the Southmoor nobility already seated there and resting, watching the younger men and women enjoy themselves before the banquet. Tasha was confused by the direction she was being led in. "Excuse me," she asked of her escort. "But are you sure this is where I'm sitting? I was under the impression that only the King, Queen, their immediate family and retainers were allowed at the head table."
Her escort grinned tightly at her. "That is all true, but you forgot one simple category, milady. And that is of course, the distinguished guests."
Tasha blushed. "Distinguished. That's a new one for me."
The soldier shrugged. "That's hardly my place to say one way or the other, milady. However, going by what Nicodemus has said about you in the past, I hardly think it to be inaccurate."
"You know my brother?" Tasha asked in surprise.
The soldier smiled congenially. "Of a certainty. Many a time have I been felled by your brother's lance. The best horseman I've seen in many a year." He took a casual look up and down Tasha's frame. "And hardly a liar when it comes to the descriptions of his sister."
Now that was a good line! Tasha thought to herself. Where's Ceorn? He should take lessons from this guy.
Blushing a red deeper than any cape or gown in the Great Hall, Tasha tried to meet the man's gaze. "Why Sir Knight, you flatter me! And I don't even know your name."
The man laughed. "No, milady. You flatter me in your assumption that I am a knight. In truth I am but a squire. The squire of your brother, Sir Nicodemus. But a squire all the same."
Tasha nodded. "I see. But you still haven't told me your name."
"Of course. I am Petran. At your service." With a flourish, he raised Tasha's hand to his lips and brushed her knuckles softly with them.
"You're good," Tasha complimented the squire.
Petran laughed again. "I was taught by the best."
Casting a glance back at the staircase Tasha made a motion with her free hand. "While I am properly charmed by your company, I do think that you are neglecting your duties."
The squire stepped back with a bow. "Alas but I am milady. However, it has been a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Perhaps... " He left it hanging, waiting for Tasha to pick it up.
She didn't.
"Perhaps." She concluded, sitting down in her respective seat with a distant smile on her lips. Then seeing the surprised expression on Petran's face she relented and elaborated. "You're very smooth, I'll give you that. But if you're trying to insinuate something, don't. Just come out and ask me without beating around the bush first."
Petran's grin returned. "I see. Milady Tasha, when I am relieved of my post later in the evening will you honor me by taking my arm in a dance?"
Tasha pretended to think about it for a moment or two. "Perhaps," she said after some deliberation. Then she shrugged. "It'll depend on how nicely you ask me."
The squire's face registered his confusion. As he turned away to return to his post Tasha heard him mutter some choice words about women in general and herself in specific. Tasha chuckled to herself. That had been the most fun she'd had in weeks.
Reading the seating cards on the table before her, Tasha noted that she would be sitting next to Sir Terius and his wife for duration of the evening. Across from her was to be Ceorn and Garnthalisbain. At the head of the table of course would be the King and his Queen. Tasha failed to see Hal's name on any of the seating cards.
Tasha frowned at that. I wonder if he decided not to come tonight? It would make sense, this isn't really Hal's sort of thing.
The butterflies in her stomach were quickly replaced an empty gurgle as the banquets’ aroma hit her nose. Heedless of decorum, Tasha reaching over the table and snagged one of the dinner rolls from a cloth covered basket. The still warm piece of bread was soft to the touch and exquisite to taste. As the first bit of fresh food that she'd had in weeks it filled a huge void that she hadn't realize had been there. Suddenly, Tasha was ravenous. It was as if the weeks of poor eating had made her capable of going without food when she needed to. But when she didn't... It was all Tasha could do to keep herself from wolfing down the dinner roll and every other one in the basket. With great restraint and sense of will, Tasha took graceful, little bites.
To her further embarrassment, Tasha noted that there were still a great many individuals, mostly men, staring at her with more than a little idle curiosity. While flattered to some degree, Tasha found herself mostly feeling uncomfortable by all the attention.
When Ceorn came striding over to her Tasha nearly flew to his side, anything to keep everyone from staring. With restraint, Tasha gracefully stood up from her seat smiled at the kelt and walked towards him.
Ceorn had taken a great deal of time to get himself cleaned up as well. His hair was freshly cropped and limed back to his scalp giving it a perpetual wet look. His face was clean shaven and gleaming with a brief layer of perspiration after his initial stint on the dance floor. He'd found a replacement for his ragged old kilt, but it was in the same color and pattern of his pervious one. This one however extended until it folded over his right shoulder. Also he wore a brilliantly white silk chemise with a short, black coat over top.
The kelt strode powerfully up to Tasha looked her up and down, softly whistling his approval. "You’ll have to be careful, lass. If'n you don't keep yourself under control, you might have a hard time keepin' the gents off you."
Tasha found herself blushing again. "I know, it's awful!" she whispered to Ceorn. "Everyone won't stop staring at me."
Ceorn had yet to remove his gaze from Tasha's form the whole time. "I can see why not too, lass."
Snapping her fingers right in front of his face Tasha forced him to look her in the face. Her expression was short of amused but not entirely upset either. "Ceorn. I have eyes, remember?"
The kelt nodded. "I re
alize that, lass. I was just, er .. admirin' yer assets."
Tasha wasn't certain how to respond to that.
Fortunately for his health and well-being, Ceorn successfully managed to change the subject. "Ambori's as happy as a hog in slop right now." He over towards the minstrels with his thumb. "He's over with the royal minstrels. They've allowed him to sit in with them for tonight."
Tasha craned her neck. "I don't see him."
Ceorn smiled. "He blends in real well with that crowd."
Tasha laughed. "What about Garn?"
The kelt laughed. "He's out there, somewhere. He's been chasin' after the' Court Wizard all evenin' long. Seems ole' Garn wants t' trade recipes or something."
"Great," Tasha muttered under her breath. "We've been here for four hours, and already we're annoying the locals."
"Now don't you get upset, Tasha," Ceorn said slipping an arm over her shoulders comradely and smiling down at her. "Garn's not annoyin' anyone. And neither's anyone else. So just let it go. We've worked long and hard to get here. So why don't you just sit back and enjoy it for a while?"
Tasha tried to smile. "I know. And you're right. I just wish that all these people would stop staring at me."
A mischievous smile slipped across the wiry kelt's features. Too subtly he began to speak. "Well," he started with a significant twinkle in his eyes. "I think I might have a way to fix that."
"Oh really," Tasha said, the expression on her face clearly doubting the kelt. "And what, pray tell, might that be?"
Ceorn leaned conspiratorially closer to Tasha. Securing his arm across her shoulders. "Do ye' trust me?" he asked.
Tasha shook her head. "No."
The kelt's face fell. "Oh. Well in that case... " Ceorn pulled away, the epitome of the hurt expression. "If that's the way you want it... "
Tasha punched him playfully in the ribs. "Come on, dummy. Give it up. You're not my type."
Ceorn, grinning once again, looked back at Tasha. "Oh really? Then what would be yer’ type then, m'lady?"
Good question.
Tasha reached up and pet Ceorn on the cheek. "I'm not certain. Though I do know that you're not it."
The kelt laughed uproariously at that. After a few moments Tasha joined in.
"Something funny?" spoke a calm voice. "I wonder if they'll let us in on the joke dear?"
Turning around, Tasha noted that Sir Terius had arrived with a beautiful woman resting on his arm. He was dressed magnificently in a brocade of the deepest red. Around his neck upon a golden chain was his symbol of office, which neatly matched the medals of honor sewn into his lapels. The cape that he wore drifted all the way down to the floor and was pitch black. His hair had been trimmed down to a comfortable length after all of his travelling and he had shaved all but his trademark mustache. And of course, there was no mistaking his hawk-like, blue eyed gaze.
And as Tasha quickly found, there was also no escaping it.
"You can blink any time now, darling. Try not to forget that you're married this evening, hmm?" spoke the woman on his arm with a playful twinkle in her eyes. She extended her hand to Tasha gracefully. "While my husband is at a loss for words, I'll introduce myself. Seranna of Eastwall."
"Tasha Pellaren," said taking her hand. Then she gestured to her friend. "This is Ceorn Lochlaven, my friend and companion."
The kelt took the petite hand in one of his scarred palms and kissed the back of it gracefully. He sniffed audibly. "Ah, there m'lady. That 'tis one enchantin' perfume That you’re wearin'." Tasha noticed to her amusement that Ceorn had crossed his fingers for luck behind his back.
Lady Seranna beamed at the kilted man. "Why thank you! My youngest son gave that to me just last week and I was wondering how it was."
Terius looked down at his wife amusedly. "I already told you that it smelled wonderful."
Seranna pet his arm congenially. "Yes, dear. I know. But you'd have said the exact same thing if I'd used swamp water."
The knight shrugged with a smile. "As you say, my lady."
"And don't you ever forget it."
Terius smiled happily and kissed his wife. "I've missed you too darling."
Tasha nudged an elbow in Ceorn's side. "Lucky guess?" she whispered.
The kelt nodded imperceptibly. "Aye," he whispered back.
"So where is the rest of your party, Lady Tasha?" Sir Terius asked. "I was hoping that I might be able to speak with Hal this evening."
Tasha shrugged slightly. "I'm not certain, milord... "
"Please, just Terius."
"As you wish, Terius. I'm not certain that Hal will be attending this evening. He's never had much experience with social events and gatherings. I also get the impression that he's not terribly comfortable around people he doesn't know."
The knight appeared disappointed at the news. "A pity. I do hope he shows, though. There were several things that I'd hope to speak with him about."
"Business, Terius? Didn't someone inform you that this evening was being set aside for some rest and relaxation?"
Terius smiled. "Of course they did, my love. I just find Hal to be … intriguing."
That caught Tasha's attention. "Really?”
"Has anybody seen Braxin Balinvain in the last five minutes?" Garnthalisbain interrupted, his voice filled with frustration.
Tasha looked at her friend, about to remand him for being so rude when her jaw dropped. Garn wore a new robe, still black but with silver embroidered trimming. It was open in the front, displaying the form fitting black denim trousers that he wore. They were tucked into a highly polished pair of leather riding boots and belt. There was a silver crescent on his belt for a buckle and his shirt was a billowy charcoal grey in color. With the cowl thrown back his surprisingly long dark hair fell down over his shoulders and part way down his back. He had even trimmed his scraggly beard down so that it was just a simple line of hair along his jawline, over his lip and around his chin.
"Garn?" Gods, he even smells nice!
"I haven't seen the Court Wizard all evening, friend Garn. Terribly sorry." Terius smiled at the mage reassuringly.
Garn flopped down in his assigned seat and rested his head in one hand. "Thanks," he said. "I'm just stressed out. I've been trying to track that guy down all evening. Every time I think I'm right on top of him and he can't get away... he does. And everyone that I ask says exactly the same thing. That I just missed him. That he was here five minutes ago. That he should be right back. Arrgh! This is driving me insane."
Seranna extended her hand towards the mage. "Seranna of Eastwall. A pleasure to make your acquaintance young mage. And a handsome one at that."
Tasha was surprised to see her friend actually blush. He rose gracefully to his feet and took her hand though he did not kiss it. "Sorry about that .. Seranna was it?" She nodded. "Of course. Garnthalisbain. But that's kind of a mouthful. Just call me Garn, if you please?"
Seranna smiled again even more warmly. "Of course not. Garn it is."
Terius leaned over and whispered not-so-quietly into her ear. "Now who needs to reminded of their significant other?" Seranna blushed slightly with a smile while Garn surprised Tasha by giggling.
Ceorn finished his survey of the name cards on the table and spoke up. "Don't you worry about the wizard Garn. It appears that you'll be sittin' next to each other all durin' the meal."
Garn's expression grew comical. "What?" he exclaimed snatching the name card away from the kelt. Then after reviewing it at least a dozen times, he replaced the card to the table. Then he placed his face in his hands and shook visibly, muttering loudly into his palms. When he finally looked up and regarded the people around him his expression was resigned. "It figures," was all that he said.
The music dimmed as did the general roar of the crowd as the sound of wood striking stone reverberated throughout the Great Hall. Seranna gasped involuntarily as Tasha turned to see what was going on as the Announcer began to speak.
"Ladies
and gentlemen!" Reverberated the young man's voice. "It is my distinct pleasure to announce at this time several more members of the party of adventurers from across the Inner Sea."
"Does this guy ever get to the point?" Garn asked disgustedly.
Terius shook his head bemusedly. "Not that I've noticed."
Tasha shushed them both to silence as she strained to see who was entering the ball at this time.
At the top of the stairs stood Renora. She was dressed elegantly in a long and flowing opulent green gown. Her blue black hair done in curls on the top of her head and smiling beatifically, if a trifle nervously. She wore white satin gloves and was leaning on the arm of some sort of nobleman.
He stuck out in Tasha's mind immediately because he was with Renora. He was very tall, towering over the petite Renora's frame easily. He was dressed impeccably in a blue and grey brocade with a long half cape draped over one shoulder. His long hair was groomed and tied back with a pony tail. His face was clean shaven and very boyish looking. Something about his face caught her eyes though. As Seranna cooed behind her about how marvelous the man looked, Tasha strained to make out the exact features of the man's face. Then she noticed the nervousness about his eyes and recognized the nervous way he held his hands.
Tasha clapped a hand over her mouth and gasped in surprise.
Oh, damn.
"First I have the honor of introducing Mistress Renora, a veritable jewel hailing originally from Portrian, here in the province of Southmoor." The Announcer then turned to the large man at her arm. "And her escort this evening hails from the ever popular Vineyard Grove where he is the ward of the Captain of the Guard. Ladies and Gentlemen, at this time it is my honor to introduce to you... " Adam stumbled at this one point and lamely finished with, "Hal, the Warrior!"
Seranna glanced at her husband in surprise. "That's Hal? The one you wanted to speak with?"
Sir Terius nodded, looking more than a bit surprised himself. "Indeed. However he didn't look quite so... sophisticated the last time that I saw him."
His wife looked back and smiled. "Then I like the change."
Ceorn grinned and nodded like a proud parent. "That's more like it, lad," was all that he said.
Garn's jaw was dangling somewhere near or around his knees. His lips moved but no sound came out from them. At least no intelligent sound.
Tasha was simply thunderstruck. "Hal?" she asked incredulously as the big man tried to gracefully lead Renora down the stairs. And in all honesty, he wasn't doing that bad a job of it.