Crashing the ball
Hello everyone out there on Minds. It’s Animeman73 here again. Day 21 of Inessa Burnell’s #IBASwordtember challenge is here.
For today, the word/subject is: Small.
Quite the change from Day 20 eh? It’s day 21 already, how time flies. Anyhow let the fantasy goodness begin.
The ballroom of the Von Shann palace was alive with activity. Men and women dressed in fine livery mingled and talked. Nearby a small group of string players played an elegant tune.
The ball was proceeding well when double doors atop a set of long stairs opened. Two men entered the elegant chamber.
One wore royal blue with gold trim attire, a long cape, and a crown along with his masquerade mask.
Beside the Light blonde-haired king was a man. This one had darker blonde hair. He wore elegant purple attire that marked him as royalty, along with a purple masquerade mask.
The darker blonde man looked over the lively crowd and the elegant young women. “What a bunch of preening self-serving charlatans!” he growled.
The light blonde man turned to the dark blonde man. “Now brother,” he chided. “Best hold your tongue, one of these young ladies is going to be your new wife.”
“I only went along with this Jorgan,” The dark blonde snapped. “To make sure Taliba and my friends weren’t harmed!”
King Jorgan grimaced as if he'd gotten a bad taste in his mouth. “Please kindly don’t mention that savage posing as a Princess. The idea of her having a kingdom makes me ill.”
The dark blonde man glared daggers at the king. Jorgan looked on the crowd. “Aren’t these young ladies magnificent?” He asked.
He and his brother turned and walked over to a protrusion overlooking the ballroom.
“And how many of them are Black Lilacs?” Jorgan’s brother growled.
Jorgan put on a look of astonishment. “Jeremiah, I’m offended. What would ever make you think that I would do such a thing?’
“On account,” Jeremiah snapped. “That Mother and father’s attendant before their sudden deaths was a Black Lilac. Also, those who ambushed my party were Black Thornes, the Lilacs' male counterparts!"
This took Jorgan by surprise to which Jeremiah flashed a cold smile.
“Brother, do you think I'm naïve? I know how you’ve hated Mother, father, and me for years. And I know how much you’ve lusted after the fertile and plentiful lands of Taliba’s father, King Yatu.”
Jorgan turned an angry glare on his brother. “You are beginning to test my patience. This is to be a night where you choose a more acceptable bride.”
“So, you can have me assassinated?” Jeremiah spat. “If you’re going to have me killed, do it, I tire of these games. But know my wife and companions will come for you.”
Jorgan flashed a cold predatory smile. “That savage wench and your so-called friends are dead!” he snapped.
“What?!” Jeremiah asked his face going pale.
“Did you think I would keep my word to that savage Sea Drake filth. Her Kingdom and guild are scum, and she's a nobody!
Once I liberate those lands, my Empire begins its rise to glory!"
He waved at the crowd of women gathering as his smile turned smug. “Since you now know you have no help coming, I order you to choose your new bride!"
“Excuse me my lord?” A female voice said from behind the king.
Both prince and King turned around. In a blur of motion, a dagger that glowed with the power of ice magic was at Jorgan’s throat. The ballroom guests all gasped or screamed in shock at this.
Jeremiah’s eyes widened as a new hope rushed to him.
He recognized the brown skin, the fiery brown eyes, and the glare. Even beneath the white wig and matching mask he knew the female warrior/assassin he loved.
“Brat Usurper, kindly release my husband and let us go or else!” Taliba warned, her tone showing she meant every word of it.
A belt appeared before Jeremiah. He grabbed it and recognized the familiar feel of his two magic swords. “Starblaze, Light Cleaver!” He gasped before he donned the belt.
“Glad to see you my husband. Let us take leave from this house of vipers!”
“Good to see you again Water Dragon.” He said and then his eyes widened.
“Behind you!” he warned as he pointed.
The king and prince managed to dodge out of the way. In a blur of motion Taliba dodged the dagger strike.
Jeremiah used the opportunity to catch his brother with an elbow. He slipped past the blonde woman and stood side to side with his wife.
Taliba tore off the ballroom gown and threw away the mask and wig. Underneath she wore her battle leathers, and her silk black hair flowed free.
The blonde woman who had tried to stab Taliba turned towards her. and Jeremiah saw the black rose insignia of the dagger.
“A Black Rose, the Black Lilacs elite. Your brother wants to go the extra mile to make sure you die my husband, how cute.” Taliba chimed in sarcasm.
Readying his blades he observed, “My love, looks like we’ll have to fight our way out of here somehow.”
The Daughter of King Yatu readied her ice dagger. The blonde woman spat. “Sea Drake scum, you’re dead!”
Taliba snorted. “These people are no different than the Barbarian raiders of Aquira. Only they hide their savagery behind the veil of civilization.”
"Ready when you are," Jeremiah said with a smirk.
“We’ll get out of here beloved, follow my lead.” Taliba assured.
Author's note: Want to see me continue this? Let me know, and let me know if you want to be a regular story, or part of my Noble's Club benefit. Say something in the comments section.