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Prince Samouel’s Nameday Masquerade

Players: @elfishmagic @princesamouel @werewolffair @heirprincessliana @edmund-anjou @laniusaureliusthief @maiden-of-the-meadow @archerofthewest

21st November 1268

As the shops shut and children corralled into their beds, the streets filled with a very different celebration. Illuminated with lamps and lanterns, the city appeared to transform into some mystical land from the legends before magic started to fade.

The town hall hosted the ball and the city became the carnival, full of jugglers, acrobats, fire eaters and musicians. The market remained open, flooding the place with the scent of mulled wine and salty treats. People from all walks of life donned their masks and lost their names for the night. Able to be someone else for a few blissful hours. Perhaps it was a mimicry of the Masked Banquet being hosted in the palace. Or a mockery. But soon enough, the two celebrations secretly became one as the young nobles in the palace grew bored.

Lanius is masked elegantly dressed as he looks up at the palace. His brown eyes under the mask sparkle. Thinking of all the decadent food and wines within those walls. He gives a shrug and looks at the female guard in a mask, standing near where he is. Giving her a wink and she just ignores him. He heads back into the direction he came from, looking around and hearing all the sounds of music and laughter. Tonight was going to be fun indeed

Samouel slumped in his seat at the head table, watching portly nobles stuff their masked faces. One of the nobles seemed only to eat sausages. That was amusing for a few minutes, before he noticed Sam watching him. He looked through the crowd, desperate to find an excuse to abandon his parents and their finest friends as they talked politics. Who cared what the elves were up to? Nudging Artemis, he gestured towards the door. 'Want an adventure?' he said, voice low as he wore a conspiratorial smile. The pair slipped away from the table and went in search for someone to join them in their escape.

Aedan wasn't one for crowds or parties. Or cities. He loathed them all. But he found himself in a handmade mask, haunting the Guts and the taverns with the other bandits. Stealing during a public holiday was low, even for them. But if Tyr wanted it done. So Tyr had it done. And if it meant they could listen to music, all the better.

Liana stood, dressed in a long red fitted gown, draped with lace and gold embroider. Her black and gold mask failing to draw away from her piercing brown eyes. Noble men would stand and greet her, grasping her hand gentle and pressing a kiss to his, in hopes they would gain favoritism with her. But she would smile, and chat with them, being as polite as she could, even when they made naughty jokes toward her.

Edmund stands bored at the banquet. He is leaned against the wall sipping his wine slowly. His brother and his wife,Duchess Rochelle, sit at the table dining. His pale eyes watch everyone under his mask. Every single woman had come to greet him, wanting his hand. He’s one of the eligible bachelor in Istara due to him being the heir to his brother’s Dukedom. His brother having four daughters. All he wanted to do was be left alone and no more marriage arrangements.

Sam nudged Artie and then pushed through a crowd of women to get to Edmund. 'Can I borrow you a moment, Eddie?' He flashed a smile at one of the women to tell her 'go away now' and dragged Edmund from the crowd, back towards his sister. 'Li's over there,' Artemis said, as if Liana's presence was a big secret. 'You beckon her over,' Sam said. He looked between his sister and Edmund. 'If you want her, that is.'

Edmund smiles bright as he sees Sam and Artemis push through the women. He gives a nod. “Yes please, what is it Sam? Are we leaving?” He adds with excitement in his voice, hoping they can go out into the city where the real party will be. He smiles over at Princess Liana. He hadn’t met her yet.

Liana didn't really pay many of these nobles mind as they tried to smooze their way into her heart, and mind. None of them seemed fit to rule along side her in Liath Mor. That is, none of them seemed to let her rule the way she wanted if she wed any of them. With the noble she was speaking to, got pulled away by another noble wanting his turn, her eyes began to wander, searching for any possible escape from this bombard of one-note men. Her eyes then fell on a man, giving her a soft smile from across the room, standing next to Samouel and Artemis. She smiled back, gently and then turned toward the man trying to speak to her. 'That sounds wonderful, sir. I would love to continue this with you, but I must depart. I'll find you?' The man smiled, gave her hand a kiss and she turned to walk toward the three of them, to meet a new friendly face. 'Hello you three.' She turned to Artemis, going for a soft hug before glancing at Sam, clasping her hands together in front of her as her eyes slightly glared. 'You all look amazing tonight'

Edmund follows Sam and Artemis. The mask concealing his identity except for his pale blue eyes that shine bright. He had never seen the Princess of Liath Mor, he was always a bit nervous meeting royalty and he gave a quick bow. “Your highness. May I say you look amazing as well tonight.” He gives a warm smile, looking over at Sam and hoping he wasn’t too formal. He never knew how to greet them, he knew Sam was relaxed but he never knew how other royals would react to a casual greeting. He bit is lip and his nerves returned again.

Liana smiled back at the man nodding her head to him. He was one of the few nobles that hadn’t came up to her and bombarded her with information about their lives or their many wives they divorced. No he was very polite. ‘Thank you sir. You look very handsome yourself. But I’m afraid I do not know your name.’ She tried her best to learn most of the nobles names, but it was very random to when she met one she didn’t know.

Edmund smiles and realizes that she is fine with his greeting. He gives a sigh of relief and then gives another bow. “I am Count Edmund Anjou of Saergrim your highness. A pleasure to meet you.” His smile widens and it brightens his whole face. He also wishes he had shaved and looked a bit more presentable. His stubble heavy on his face which is visible due to the mask only covering half of his face.

Sam remained silent as he tried not to seem too eager in greeting Liana. Not to mention that Edmund seemed to be doing well conversing with her. 'This is lovely, but I think we should be getting off before someone tries to collar us.' He gave Edmund a little nudge towards the side doors out of the grand hall. Artemis threaded her arm with Liana's and followed the men out.

Liana smiled, pursing her lips as her eyes lit up behind her mask. She did her best not to glance between the two men, or mostly at Samouel at all. ‘Well! It is wonderful to meet you Count Edmund.’ She said with such genuine happiness greeting the man. The only time her eyes fell on Sam was when he motioned toward the door, which made her raise a brow. He was always trying to sneak off during these events. Liana never protested, for she didn’t like the stuffy atmosphere. She smirked and giggled at Artemis as she was pulled out. ‘Let’s hope we find something more entertaining than this.’

Edmund smiles and follows Sam and the others toward the door. Looking forward to getting out of this stuffy banquet and have some real fun. He exits out the door and looks out a window seeing the party happening in the streets. "It looks like the better party is outside on the streets."

Joan stands in a hallway of the palace. Standing guard amd truly bored. Her eyes close a bit and she feels her self drift off before reopening her eyes. Why had she been granted the honor of standing guard. Watching the nobles sneak off and have trysts. She sees his highness, her highness and two others appear as well.

'Come on. There's a way through the maze,' Sam said. 'Shh, don't tell everyone,' Artemis said with a small huff of a laugh. 'They already know.' Sam pulled a face behind his mask, forgetting that Artemis didn't know that he'd shown the other two the secret route in and out of the palace as children. 'Father will kill you if he finds out.'

'Then you'd have to marry. Wouldn't that be lovely?' he said, voice dripping with sarcasm as he hurried them down the corridor. He completely failed to notice the woman dozing off in the shadows.

"I've known about this maze for years. Sam taught it to me when I was here at court. We used to sneak out to the taverns...remember Sam?" Edmund laughs as he follows his old friend. Remembering all the trouble they used to get into. Joan hears their words and decides to follow them. It is her dury to keep an eye on the royals and they seem to be wanting to escape. Plus, it would be fun.

Sam raised his eyebrows as he tried to shut Edmund up. 'I don't think my sister would want to know that, hm?'

'Oh no, I'd love to hear just what my baby brother-'

'Twin!'

'My baby brother was doing.*

"Ohhh, she doesn't know...nevermined." Edmund does his best to change the subject, not realizing that Sam never told Artemis about their adventures. "So where should we go once we get out of here?" Joan continues following them but far enough back to not be noticed.

Liana chuckled as the twins bickered back and forth. She remembered the passageways he showed her when she was young. She even still used them to this day while she was visiting. To just get away from matters without people knowing exactly where she was. ‘He showed me them too. How do you expect I just showed up in rooms sometimes.’ She said giggling at Artemis. ‘But don’t worry...your father won’t find out about them. That’s one secret I’ll keep that’s between Samouel and I.” She said with a snarky tone.

Sam gave Liana a noticeably blank expression that erred more on the side of tired disapproval than anything else. 'It'll stay that way otherwise he'll jump to more conclusions about your relationship with some of the staff here. I'd hate to lose another servant.'

Edmund looks over at Princess Liana and at Sam. Wondering what happened that they lost servants due to her sneaking around. He doesn't say anything since it is none of his concern. Yet he is curious. "Are we going to hit a tavern?"

'I'd rather not hit a stone building,' Sam said with more playful sarcasm. 'And it'd be a shame to go to a grotty place like that when we're all dressed up for a carnival.'

Joan continues to follow, close enough to listen to their conversations. She stays within the shadows to keel hidden from the nobles. So they aren't going to a tavern which is good, fights can break out in those places.

"Okay so no tavern then. Well we can explore the streets then." Edmund adds as he walks with them.

Liana glared now, but not an angry glare, a shocked glare at Sam. For she knew exactly the servant he was hinting towards. ‘My relationship with all of the staff here and in Laith Mor is always strictly polite. I have never done anything to make you-or your father lose a servant.’

Sam really wanted to poke his tongue out at her, but the others were around them. Only Liana could put him in a silly mood. That and his grandfather's brandy. 'Even more reason to prevent little misunderstandings, then.' He jostled Edmund. 'Anyway, what have you been up to since- Seven years? Gods that's got to be wrong.'

"Ruling my countship of Saergrim, the people are very good people and it's given me experience. Although I have missed you my friend." Edmund gives his friend a friendly pat on the shoulder like he used to all those years ago.

'You're still not married, though? I thought you were betrothed or something?' Sam glanced over at Liana, wondering how she fared on that front, too.

"No I'm not married. Not yet anyway...I just haven't found the right one. I was to be married but.., well she married Duke Edwin." Edmund looks down, feeling shame that his marriage and his knighthood to Sam were stolen by the same man.

Sam's smile fell and he seemed to grow pale. Seven years ago, Edwin made sure Sam and Artemis would be stuck with him. He made Sam break his promise to Edmund. Now his feet were firmly under the table, he stole something else from him? 'I'm sorry,' was all Sam could say on the matter. Not to mention that he was holding back the fact that Edwin was going through the process to be named a widower.

Liana rolled her eyes, and gripped onto Artemis' arm a bit more as they continued throughout the palace, farther away from the banquet at hand. She wanted to question, playfully why Edmund would ever miss Samouel, but she herself missing him for the months they weren't able to see eachother. She caught his glimpse when he mentioned marriage, and she just looked away, looking straight ahead. She had many suitors, ones that her parents had been setting her up with from time to time. She didn't need to take a husband, for she would rule no matter, but that didn't mean they didn't push for it. 'You'll find the right one Edmund...don't worry. Sooner or later she will show up in your life and it will be the best day of your life. Though, it is nice to be free.' She said almost as to tell Samouel secretly that she herself wasn't locked with someone.

Edmund looks at Sam, giving him a smile and patting his shoulder again. "It's alright Sam, that's a long time ago. Plus you know me, I want to marry for love and not have an arranged marriage." He glances back at Liana and gives her a smile . "Thank you your highness, I will marry eventually."

Liana smiled and reached out to touch Edmund's arm. 'Any woman that chooses you as her husband will be blessed. And please...call me Liana. We aren't royals out here, but friends.'

Sam raised an eyebrow from behind his mask as he led them all out into the palace's extravagant gardens. He wanted to make it known that he liked Liana, but he wasn't a child. And he wasn't going to deny Edmund or Liana anything when others had made it clear he couldn't keep them to himself. 'A jealous Prince leads to a jealous King. A jealous King is a tyrant.' And look at what his jealousy cost Artemis. Instead, he turned his attention to picking their path through the massive maze.

Edmund smiles at her, not expecting the kindness and he clears his throat. "Thank you Liana, I appreciate your kind words." His eyes light up and wonders what all the night will bring. Hoping he can have some fun and forget about being a count. Joan listens in on the conversations and hears them talking about marriages. Honestly Princess Artemis and Princess Liana are gorgeous and her eyes are too glued to them to care.

'This way,' Sam said, gesturing the direction they needed to go. It was practically black as pitch in the maze. It was only thanks to the moon peeking out every so often that Sam could pick their route.

Edmund follows Sam as he leads the way. Being quiet and seeing how beautiful the maze looks, even in the dark. He can't wait to see what the city streets will be like.

Using the the darkness, Sam glanced over at Liana. He wanted nothing more than to tell her how much he wished things were different.

Liana followed Sam in silence, stilling holding onto his sisters arm as the four of them got farther away from the stuffy banquet hall. She could feel his eyes on her, even in the darkness, and she took her moment to glance at him, her eyes being able to map out his face even in the darkness. She was tired of stealing glances when no one was looking. But their parents made it very clear. They would not happen.

Edmund inhales deeply, his mind thinking of the past and what all could have been. The pain still fresh but he pushes it away. That part of his life is long gone. Joan sees them moving through the maze, she follows them quickly. Trying to figure out where they are heading through this maze. Her amber eyes keep an eye on them closely

'Here!' Sam got to his knees and crawled his way through the hedge of the maze and through the bent iron rungs of the fence. On the other side, he stood on the bank of the large moat. Artemis had to organise her skirts before she joined Sam.

Edmund gets on his knees and crawls his way under the hedge and through the iron rungs. Standing back up on his feet and dusting the dirt of his tunic and trousers

Liana let go of Artemis's arm as she began to bunch up her own dress. She lifted it up above her knees, since it was not too form fitted, and began to crawl through behind the rest of them. Dirt on the knees was easier to hide than on a bright red gown.

Sam offered his hand to both of the ladies when they emerged from the hedge to help them to their feet.

Edmund was the last one through and looks around, seeing the ladies seem to be alright as well. Joan watches them crawl under the hedge. She gets dowm on her knees and climbs under the hedge and through the oron rungs. Climbing out and her head pokes out, looking up to see the four of them standing there,

Sam was about to make a joke at Liana's knees' expense when he saw a head poke out. 'Gods! What on earth are you doing?'

Liana brushed her knees off, after letting go of Sam's hand and let her dress fall back toward the ground before turning around quickly to see Joan's face poke out of the bushes behind them. 'Gods Joan...why can't you just not follow us for one night.'

Her amber eyes widen as they all look at her, a sheepish grin appears and she manages to crawl through and gets on her feet. "Well I uh... I was curious and well...here I am sir." Joan stumbles over her words as she looks at Prince Samoeul.

Sam raised an eyebrow. 'You understand not to say a word to anyone about this? On pain of death?'

"Yes your highness, I will not say anything to anyone. You have my word." Joan adds as she looks at them "Come on Sam, she's just doing her duty. Besides we can say we had a guard with us all night." Edmund looks at his friend

Sam stared at Joan for a long moment. 'Fine. You can accompany us. But not as a guard. The whole reason we're going to a masquerade is to be someone else.' 'We'll get you a mask and a dress. Don't worry,' Artemis said, taking Joan's hand as if she was a friend and not just a guard.

Liana stood there with her arms folded loosely across her chest. She was all for letting another person into their little adventure, as long as it didn't end in them getting in trouble, and her spending yet more months away from Sam and Artie

She smiles wide, her amber eyes lighting up. This has got to be the best night ever. A slight blush appears om her cheek as Artemis takes her hand. "Thank you, thank you all I really do appreciate it. Guard duty was really, really boring." Joan grins as she looks at them.

Edmund smirks and then glances back over at Sam. Ready to go explore the city. "Come on, lets go explore."

Sam led the way along the hedge line towards the bridge between the city and the palace. He hushed some of the giggling, hoping to prevent the palace guards from noticing the group of young nobles.

Edmund follows him, moving along the hedge line and noticing the guards seem to be distracted with all the festivities going on. Giving a sigh of relief as they most likely won't notice them.

When they finally reached the city, the carnival was in full swing. Music played through the streets and Sam could finally feel the strain of court off of his back.

Aedan sat with Glade in their masks, downing an ale each. They'd finished work and now it was time to enjoy themselves.

Edmund drank some ale, grinning and listening to the music. He was wandering a bit and looking at the various stalls. His pale eyes bright as he takes everything in. Tonight he can forget his identity as count and have true fun.

Lanius was the best dancer around and every woman was asking to dance with him. He laughed and enjoyed the footwork and twirling the pretty girls around. Carnival was always the best and tonight was no different

Standing, Aedan polished off his ale and gestured to Glade's mug. 'Want another wee one?' Glade shook his head and Aedan shrugged, heading over to the stall that was selling it.

Being late, Ophelia wondered if she should go in. Having been kept a bit longer than she would have liked at her little shop she was now running late. Having put on her nicest dress, it was one she never wore. Perhaps nobody would know it was her, people seemed a bit uneasy around her. Perhaps it was cause she was what they called a cunning woman. Looking around she wondered if she should just go. Not knowing who anyone was made her feel uneasy. It was hard enough to trust them as is.

Edmund walks around and then heads back to where Sam is sitting. Taking a seat next to him and giving a sigh. "I'm not used to you being so quiet. You are usually way more rowdy." He adds as he watches a man seeming to dance with all the women. Shaking his head. Wondering why he can never be that relaxed.

Lanius stopped dancing and needed a drink, he walks up to a man in a homemade mask at the stall and gives a nod. "How you doing?"

Liana followed the group the rest of the way into the city. The dress she was wearing was completely too dressed up to be walking the streets of the city un noticed. Someone would recognize her from a mile away. But she stuck by the group, staying by Sam closer than ever in person

Sam looked up from his drink and smiled at Edmund. 'It's just been a long time since I've been able to be outside without people pawing at me. And my nameday is that but by a thousand. But you need to find yourself a girl - or man - to dance with for tonight. Give someone that fairytale evening.'

Aedan raised an eyebrow when someone approached the same stall. It was that man who'd been dancing with all of the women. 'Too sober.' He gestured for the stallholder to pour his new guest an ale, too.

Edmund he looks around , seeing which one he could dance with. He sees a woman entering the area, deciding that's the one he is going to ask to dance. "Alright, I'll go ask that woman to dance with me. Although I doubt I'll have a fairytale ending." He gets up, giving his friend a smile. Walking up to thd random woman he spotted. Lanius is glad to have a pint filled with ale. Taking a large gulp of it and wiping his mouth. "I am way too sober myself, too sober for tonight."

Sam sat back and watched Edmund leave him and Liana at their table. Artemis invited Joan to dance with her, leaving Sam and Liana the chance to talk without interruption.

Aedan downed his own ale, glad to have a pouch full of money for once. It took some doing, but Duny finally paid up and now he was happy to say he could treat people. 'Here. Have another.' He asked the stall holder to refill both of their mugs.

Liana sat there, hands on her lap as she watched her friends leave one by one to dance. She now was left with Sam. Alone. She picked up her own cup of ale, and slowly began to drink it before setting it down at looking at Sam. 'You always knew the perfect places to sneak off to during Royal festivities. Don't know why I doubted you for a moment.'

She said with a soft smirk toward him as she set her cup on the table

Sam looked up from his drink and finally smiled at her. 'You know better than to doubt me. Remember that time you said I couldn't eat that whole trifle without my father finding out?'

Liana chuckled and she glanced down at her lap. 'I remember that. But I also recall you vomiting it back up on the new dress mother and father had made for me.' She said still smiling. Then he looked up. 'I don't ever truly doubt you.."

"Thanks I appreciate it." Lanius takes another gulp of the ale and finally catches his breath. Looking out at the dancing and listening to the music. "My name is Lanius"

Amelia glanced around at the masquerade that seemed to be in full swing at this point. The blue and silver butterfly mask that she had chosen to wear covered her upper face, letting her hazel eyes stand out. Smiling, she walked around, taking in the way everyone was having a good time.

Edmund approaches the woman with a beautiful butterfly mask. Giving a bow before her. His pale eyes lighting up his whole face. "Hello My Lady, may I have this dance?"

'I'll have you know that your dress was awful and you'd have thanked me for ruining it if your mother didn't blame you.' Sam took a sip of the stale ale.

Aedan nodded and looked out to the carnival and the dancing that was happening closeby. 'Aedan.' He swore he recognised the name Lanius. Something Tyr said about doing a deal? It didn't matter, Aedan wasn't there to work. And neither Tyr nor Duny was there to kick him for screwing things up for them.

Amelia's attention goes to the man that approached her and she stares at him as he speaks. A polite curtsy is given, along with a small smile. "Hello, sir. Yes you may."

She smiled and chuckled again. 'that dress was horrible. Thankfully now I am able to choose what I wear and not to wear.' Liana said moving closer to him at the table. 'You prefer what I wear now...right?'

"Nice to meet you mate." Lanius clanks their two pint mugs and gives it another swig. Looking out at everything and smiling as he watches all the dancing and sees two women well over overdressed. "Damn, some of these women go all out."

Edmund smiles wide and takes her hand in his. His mask is designed to look like a wolf. His pale eyes bright in the dark. "The honor is mine to dance with you." He gives her a twirl and follows the familiar steps he knows so well. She is incredibly graceful and beautiful from what he has seen. He's happy she wants to dance with him. Best news of the night.

'You certainly can.' Sam's smile grew as Liana came closer. 'It's a very lovely dress...' he said as he inspected her as if it was the dress he was paying mind to.

Aedan raised a brow and looked at two of the women who were dancing together. One looked like she was wearing genuine silk. 'It's probably all fake. Fake silk, fake diamonds.'

Amelia thought the mask the stranger wore seemed to suit him, doing justice to his bright eyes. She giggles as she's twirled and she follows his lead. She always loved getting to dance, so she wanted to do as much as she could tonight. "Are you the wolf that hides in the shadows?" She jokingly questions, teasing him a bit.

She leaned on the table with one hand resting on her chin, as the other slipped itself into his palm under the table. Liana gave his hand a gentle squeeze as her eyes glanced at Edmund and Artemis dancing with their partners. It saddened her slightly. She took a deep breath in before glancing at him once again. 'wish the two of us could dance out there like that.'

"Hmm, you might be right. Still women do seem to go all out for this sort of thing." Lanius watches the two women dancing together. Looking like they are having fun and giving a smile. Carnival was fun to just watch others have fun. He enjoyed it.

Edmund leads her in the dance, noticing she has great footwork. Knowing he will have fun dancing with her. He gives her another twirl. A smile appears on his lips at her words, his hands holding hers. He gives a laugh. "You could say that, I have been known to sneak out of the shadows. You dance divinely."

His response caused her head to fall back a little as she gave a laugh. "Perhaps I should run away now while I have the chance the," Amelia replies. She moves around without really thinking, the music encouraging her feet to do the steps. "Thank you, as do you "

Sam looked about the dancing people and had an idea. ‘Why can’t we? No one else knows who we are. And if you’re that bothered, we can trade masks with someone else.’

‘Why not go ask one to dance?’ Aedan was looking for someone, so felt he shouldn’t risk missing them by getting distracted.

"Thank you. I learned how to dance ages ago. Glad they my lessons haven't faltered." Edmund smiles, his smile bright and he curses himself in his mind for not shaving. His face covered in stubble. Their footwork is perfect and he hasn't enjoyed dancing in a long time. "I have you in my clutches. You can't escape." He laughs again, his voice full of humor as he twirls them both. Spinning them around.

"Oh I always believe once you learn something, you never truly forget it. Even after learning it years ago.. It's always in the back of your mind." Amelia glanced around a moment at the crowds before her attention goes back to him. She gives him a look, brow raising. "I'm a lot tougher than I look. I think I can wiggle my way out of your grasp," she teases with a smile.

Edmund smiles again at her words, giggling again as he tilts his head. Knowing she most certainly could wiggle her way out of his grasp. "No doubt you could escape. I would never hold you captive my lady. I am a gentleman after all." He dances with her, enjoying the ability to just let loose. To dance with someone who actually seems to like dancing with him. He has been so depressed these past seven years. Maybe things are looking up.

Liana sighed and her fingers traced his palm under the table. 'Us royals always know someone in the crowds.' But with one more look out into the crowd of dancing people, she grew more and more wanting. 'forget the masks...who says two friends can't dance with another without looking at their true face.' She then stood, pulling him to his feet toward the dance floor.

Caira was never meant to come here. Not to the carnival. Or anything to do with the nameday. But she found herself dragged here by circumstances beyond her control. So she wore a mask borrowed from a lady who was finished with it for the night. And she wore a dress that was a far cry from the luxury of the other women. But the company was nice. Just to be surrounded by people who all seemed to be enjoying themselves. It was a break from reality. Even if she did only sit on the edges, nursing the one drink the entire night.

Amelia smiled. "Ahh, you see, many claim to be gentlemen, but they end up being a wolf in sheep's clothing," she retorts, giving a sly look at his mask before giggling. She figured a dance was a good way to waste a little time since she wasn't even sure if the one she was going to look for was even able to make it to the event. And this man seemed genuine as they danced.

Edmund laughs at her words, his eyes sparkle as they move to the music. The music stopping as the musicians end the song togo to the next. He gives her a flourishing bow and smiles up at her. "Thank you for dancing with me my lady. You have no idea how much that meant. I'm quite happy now."

Amelia gave a small bow herself as the song ended, head raising once more so she could look at him. "Oh, it was quite a pleasure, sir. You were a wonderful partner," she praises, smiling at him.

"Thank you my lady. Now I'm sure there are other men wanting to dance with you. I don't want to occupy all your time." His pale eyes look at her, observing her hazel eyes. Knowing she is very beautiful and has a great sense of humor as well. Edmund takes her hand one last time and gives it an affectionate squeeze before letting it go.

Aedan rubbed his wrist and turned back to the stall. One more, maybe. This ale was so watered down, he didn't think anyone would be getting very drunk tonight.

"I don't know about all of that," Amelia laughs. "Perhaps I will find you later for another before the evening is done," she promises, smiling as she returned the kind squeeze. With that said, she walks away in search of Aedan.

Sam stood and took Liana's hand. 'Fine. But on your head be it.' He led the way to the dance, her hand in his.

Edmund gives her a smile, amd starts to head for a drink. Looking out to see Sam and Liana starting to dance. He orders a pint of ale. Taking a sip and walking over to cool off a bit from dancing. He takes a seat at the outskirts and takes a large sip of his ale, breathing deeply and lifting his mask up just to wipe sweat off his brow.

Caira clasped the cup of ale, unintentionally making it warm. She was happy people watching until she noticed one man come close and sit near her. He reminded her of someone. But she didn't realise who until he lifted his mask. A wave of icy sweat prickled her brow and she set her mug down and moved to hurry off. She couldn't afford to lose her freedom. Not even to say hello to Edmund.

Liana ignored his comment and continued to pull him out onto the dance floor. Taking both of his hands in hers as she began to move to the music that was being played.

Sam kept Liana at a respectable distance, so if there were onlookers, there would be nothing to tell his father. But this gave them the chance to speak in private.

Edmund notices the woman leave her cup, picking it up and getting up to follow her. "My lady...you left without your drink. My lady!" He calls after her as he follows, hoping he gets her attention and he might ask her to dance with him. He jogs after her.

Caira was about to turn a corner when she heard Edmund call to her. She hesitated as she turned to him. She couldn't let him recognise her. And her accent was so distinctively from Olean Ridh, she found herself faking an Istaran one. 'Oh. Yes. Of course. Thank you. But it's not really to my taste.'

Liana wanted to be closer to him, but just being able to dance with him like this would be enough at this moment. She couldn't have anyone notice them and report back to their parents their actions toward one another. No one can find out how they really felt toward each other. 'You spoke of marriage before...have you-have you found someone to rule next to you when the time comes?'

Amelia went in search of him, trying to avoid running into the people who seemed to already be drunk off ale. She sees him and smiles, quickening her pace. "You were able to make it," she says to Aedan once she reaches him.

Sam pulled a face and shook his head. 'I've had a few attempts at courting. But no one's suitable. I mean, there was someone.' He couldn't lie to Liana. 'But that wasn't- possible. Just as this between us isn't.'

Aedan startled when someone with a butterfly mask appeared by him. Then a smile grew on his face. 'Amelia. I thought you'd- I mean, I stopped working earlier than expected.'

"Well some of the ale is pretty nasty... if you want you can have some of mine. It's pretty good." Edmund gives a warm smile, noticing the woman's beautiful eyes. The eyes reminding him of Caira...but she is so out of reach. "Would you mind dancing with me my lady?"

She swallowed hearing that there was someone that fit to rule next to him, her eyes blinking slowly searching his face. Liana knew that it would happen sooner or later, one of them would find a suitible person to rule next to. But it still hurt. 'Right...' she said softly as her hands gripped his. She still didn't understand why them ruling side by side was off the table. Their parents never explained it to them. Or to her that is. 'Did you...' She didn't want to ask the specific question. 'Are you still in contact with her?'

It was foolish of her to agree. Of course it was. But with the mask and the fake accent, Caira seemed to have held back Edmund's suspicion. So what would the harm be? Her very own little fairytale. 'Only if you promise not to buy me terrible ale, of course I will.'

'Li,' he said, voice low. 'They're- He would never be approved. Not that it matters, anymore.' Sam wished she understood the situation. But to tell her it was to cause no end of pain. He'd only just got Artie and Edmund back.

She sighed and cleared her throat slightly. She had no idea it would be a man. She smiled softly, but it was her being sorry for his situation. ' Right...I am sorry about it. Sorry that we can't choose for ourselves who to rule next to.' Liana pressed her lips together before speaking the next few words. 'I've been seeing a man for the past month now.' since he was honest with her, she should be with him. 'I don't know where it's going but, my parents seem to think I'm going to pick him to be by my side.' But that wasn't what she wanted.

“Don’t you worry, I’ll only buy the best ale and wine for you.” Edmund smiles wide and places the cups down. Taking her hand and holding it in his. Her hand is so warm and her voice is soothing. Just like Caira...he takes her other hand and starts to move to the music. His feet moving perfectly. “First dance of the night?”

'Oh.' Sam knew he shouldn't have said anything about Orion. He was gone now, anyway. What would it have harmed if Liana hadn't known? 'What's his name? W-Would I know?'

Amelia smiled at him. "I heard the celebration and I knew I couldn't spend the night in my room. I was hoping I would find you."

Aedan smiled behind his mask and gestured to the ale stall. 'I promised you a drink. Unless you want a wee mulled wine?'

"That you did," Amelia giggles and she looks over the stand. "I think an ale is perfect for the occasion."

'Its like pisswater-' Aedan caught himself and pulled a face. 'Sorry, I didn't mean to swear in front of a lady.'

Amelia's hand raised to try and stifle the loud laugh that came out of her. "Well, you really know how to make something tempting," she grins.

Aedan flashed a smile before he ordered Amelia an ale. 'If you don't like it, we can buy something else.'

Liana knew that he would ask that question. She had prepared herself the moment that the words left her own lips. 'His name is Duke Terian.' she said plainly to him. She watched his face. 'I'm not sure if you do know him. But he does own numoures homes around the country. And provides Laith Mor with most of our grain.' She said softly.

Lanius returns from a little escapade with a lady. He straightens his tunic as he gets another drink of ale. A big smile on his face as he then bumps into Aedan again. “Oh hello again, still standing by the ale huh?”

Amelia takes the ordered drink and gives it a small sniff. Despite the smell, she brought it to her lips to take a drink. "I see what you mean," she coughs.

‘A Duke?' Sam wanted to mock whoever it was, instinct telling him that someone lower then them couldn't be their match. But he caught himself. He wasn't his father. And if Liana wanted the Duke, he couldn't stop her. 'Does he make you happy?'

Aedan glanced at the man from before and gave him a look up and down. Something was different about him. 'Yes. Me and ale and Amelia.' He glanced over at Amelia and watched as she sipped the vile drink. He huffed a laugh as she choked on it. 'They want to poison the poor.'

Lanius looks over at the beautiful woman. Giving a smile and a nod to her. “Hello Amelia, a pleasure to meet you. My name is Lanius.” He smirks at her and gives her a playful wink.

She swallowed softly and smiled unsure of her own feelings toward the Duke. She knew exactly what was going on in his brain, and she was thankful that he didn't comment on his station. 'He makes me laugh from time to time. But I can not say that I am completely happy with him.' Liana wished she could say that she wanted him. That Sam had made her happy.

'Well, if he upsets you, tell him the future King of Istara will have him... ducked,' Sam said with a playful lilt. In truth, he was serious. If he couldn't be the one for her, he had to be there for her.

Amelia shakes her head at the taste, giving a slight laugh. "It would appear so. You would think they'd have something a little nicer for everyone." Her attention turns to the man that approached Aedan and she offered him a smile. "Pleasure to meet you, Lanius." The wink caused her to laugh.

'You know, you remind me of someone,' Aedan said to Lanius. He couldn't place who. But he knew it was someone in the group of bandits. Definitely not Duny or Tyr. 'And I did say we could have mulled wine. Apparently it's far better.'

Lanius turns his attention from Amelia to Aedan. Strokes his cheek and looks him over. “Well I have no idea where... I mean I’m all over the place. My business takes me all over Istara and Liath Mor. Even go to Tir Hydref from time to time.” He explains as he takes another drink.

She had to chuckle to herself. Liana knew that the words he spoke were true. That he would do anything if anyone hurt her. 'I will make sure to mention to him that you have my back. That you will always have my back.' Her smile faltered a bit. 'I wish we-we could be the ones for each other' She whispered the words, and the poured out of her lips before she could stop them. 'Wish there was a way we could without losing one another.'

'Maybe you know my... boss?' Aedan didn't want to bring up names. Nor mention that Tyr wasn't actually his boss but more his owner. 'It doesn't matter.'

Amelia nods and sets the cup of the wretched drink down. "You did offer that. Am I able to change my mind?" She laughs.

'And you most blood- yes. Let's go.' Aedan gestured for Amelia to lead the way. 'Are you coming, Lanius?'

“Is your boss a woman?” He asks and laughs as he drinks down his ale. Knowing he is happily buzzed. Giving a nod at his question and smiling wide. “Sure I’ll come along. Where are we headed?” Lanius asks them

Sam swallowed back his hurt and smiled at Liana. 'Always.' He risked dancing closer, knowing that anyone watching them would've forgotten who they were or be too drunk to care. 'Me too. But I have to- someone who is deemed politically advantagious. I'll have to marry a Dorean. Or an Alynthian. Gods help us.'

'My boss is a terrifying older man. The woman in my group would eat you alive.' Idris would rather kill someone than kiss them. But Aedan didn't have a clue what she did when she wasn't killing. 'We're going to get a wee mulled wine instead of this rot.'

“Sounds like you are in a merry band of people then.” Lanius adds looking at him and then over at Amelia and giving her a smile. Giving them both a pat on the back. “Mulled wine sounds fantastic! Let’s go.”

Joan returns from dancing. Taking a seat and keeping an eye on Prince Samoeul and Princess Liana. Knowing if something happened to them the Royal Army would have her head. She catches her breath from dancing and reaches for some wine and takes a drink.

Amelia grins and went alongside Aedan to get something actually tolerable to drink. If she was going to get drunk, she would rather do it by something that tasted at least remotely edible.

Aedan took the three of them to a stall nearby that sold hot mulled wine and ordered them each one.

Amelia found her arm slipping through Aedan's as they walked, not wanting to get separated from him.

Lanius Takes some coins out to buy them all the drinks this time and places them on the stall. “I’ll buy this time. Cheers to you both!”

She fought back her own tears. She needed not to show the hurt that she knew the both of them were feeling. Liana moved closer to him, for those who were looking at them, had to have lost interest now. 'And I a Laith Mor.' She said softly swallowing. 'Why couldn't we been just a girl and just a boy.'

'Sláinte.' Aedan held up his glass to Lanius and then to Amelia.

“To new friends!” Lanius adds as he takes a large swig of the wine. Loving the taste and his smile is bright.

'Because we'd have never met,' Sam said. 'And we both know, you'd have still been an elf and my father would still disallow it.' But then. Disobeying his father wouldn't have been treason if they were just a normal boy and girl.

Aedan took a long swig of the wine. 'Spirits, that's far better than the ale.'

“Mulled wine is the best around. I have it occasionally but it’s usually too expensive for my blood.” Lanius remarks, admitting that he doesn’t have a huge purse full of money. He had just spent his money on a new dagger to protect himself.

Amelia smiled as she accepted the drink and she raises her glass to both of the men. Santé," she cheers before taking a drink. It was definitely much better than the ale already.

'You're telling me. I spent over a year's worth of money on medicine from-' Aedan caught himself so he didn't tell Amelia that she rinsed him out. 'I get pittance.' He watched as Amelia enjoyed the wine, already glad they changed their mind about the ale.

“I bought a new dagger...I need it in my line of work, so it pretty much used everything I had. I had it made from a blacksmith friend of mine. If you ever need something crafted let me know.” Lanius takes a sip of the wine. Enjoying the flavor and then moving his money purse and showing off the dagger.

Amelia glances over to Aedan when he stops his sentence and she tilts her head curiously. She wasn't sure if he had purchased medicine from anyone else, but if it was only from her, she felt a bit guilty.

Caira bit her lip as they danced, forgetting everything that came before in that moment. She didn't think she'd ever see him again. But knowing Edmund was alive and well was enough for her. Edwin hadn't sought to ruin him, then. 'How many women have you danced with tonight?' she said, sure that it had to be many.

'You don't know that Sam.' Liana said softly as her eyes searched his own face. But it was no use fighting with him about this. There would be no way for them to actually marry each other. She was able to marry whom ever she chose, human, Elf, Nymph. It was just his father that forbid it on his side. 'Well I wish we were just a boy and just a girl. Your father would forgive you if it meant going for someone you truly wanted.'

Aedan ignored Amelia's stare, hoping that she wouldn't catch on. 'It's a lovely dagger. But I'm more of a 'what you can get' kind of person.'

Sam sighed and rolled his eyes. The idea was so distant to them now that even the discussion of it was like saying they could one day fly to the moon and eat the fairies that lived there. 'I wish that were the case, too. But instead. we have to try and enjoy every little moment that we can. Including tonight.'

Amelia sipped at her wine quietly, her mind thinking over things. She sees the dagger and chimes it so she didn't seem rude. "Very lovely indeed," she compliments.

Edmund dances with her. She is very graceful and knows the steps well. Wondering if she is another person of noble blood who escaped the ball but he doubts it. Her question brings a smile to his face. “I have only danced with one other woman and that was for one dance. I...I haven’t had much desire to dance in a long time.” He admits and thinks about how everything went haywire in his life there for awhile.

She would make every moment last. Every moment she would store away in her brain for later use when she would be feeling displeased with her actual husband. Liana sighed and nodded. Her fingers giving his hands a gentle squeeze. 'Well then, I hope that tonight never ends then.' She said with a forced smile.

“Thank you, I think it was a splendid purchase. Perfect for my line of work. Didn’t want any more half rusted daggers anymore.” Lanius looks at them both. Wondering why he would have spent so much money on medicine for. Unless he had family that needed in. In that case it made sense.

'Well, you're a very fine dancer at that. I don't get much chance to, aside from things like this.' Caira was grateful to see him well. And enjoying himself. 'I'm honoured that you chose me to dance with.'

Sam slowed their dance and stood, staring at Liana for a long moment. 'Come on.' He took her hand and tugged her away from the crowds. She wanted a moment of peace between them, he'd find them a moment just to talk. No dancing. No pretend. Just them. 'Up here.' He gestured towards a steep staircase up towards the Tower of Sparrows. Bordering the imposing tower sat a dark garden, there even the moon struggled to illuminate it.

Aedan sipped at his wine, unaware that the other two were thinking about the medicine predicament still. 'Why would you need a knife for work?' A silly question. If he did the same work as Aedan, of course he needed a dagger.

“You remind me of someone I lost a long time ago. She was...is..one of the most charming women I have ever met.”’ Edmund dances with her, giving her a gentle twirl before he brings her close. His pale eyes gazing into hers. Those eyes the same color as Caira’s. “I miss her very much.”

"Nothing worse than a dull blade. It does more harm than good most of the time," Amelia remarks, finishing off her wine.

“Well you never know when someone might jump you. And in my profession it is important to protect oneself from Uh...” Lanius motions with his head toward where a guard stands watching the crowd. Trying to get his point across without being overheard.

She was confused for a moment, for why he was stopping their dance so soon, but then he began to lead her off the dancefloor, away from all eyes. One and sat in his, while the other gripped her skirts, keeping her from tripping on the way up to the tower. Liana had gardens like this in Liath Mor. But they were always lit from the Fire Flowers that were spread across the area. They were her favorite places to just sit and think. She kept quiet the way up, letting him lead her to a place where they can be just...them

Caira wanted to tell him the truth. But she knew that if she did, he'd be obligated to either hand her over to Edwin or take her in. And that would overcomplicate things. 'She must've been a very lucky lady to know your adoration.'

Amelia let's her eyes wander over to where he motioned his head toward the guard. "Exactly what are you doing that would cause someone to jump you?" She questions.

Aedan looked between Lanius and Amelia. 'Doesn't stabbing your problems just make a bigger problem?'

In a dark corner of the garden, Sam pulled Liana to sit with him on a small stone bench. 'It's not ideal. But its somewhere we can be alone.'

Edmund continues to dance with her, he doesn’t even pay attention to the world around him. He has forgotten about Sam, and everything. All he thinks of is the woman he is dancing with. “I don’t know if she ever knew...she married another. However, if you don’t mind I would love to give you the amount of adoration.”

“Well it depends on the circumstances, with them yes...” Lanius motions to the guards. “But with less scrupulous sorts then No it wouldn’t complicate things.”

Caira hesitated when Edmund declared that he'd adore her, too. If she let him. 'I can't be the woman you lost, but I can pretend to be for tonight.'

Liana took a seat next to him, pressing herself against him as she looked at him in the dark. 'It will do. Thank you.' She said softly before taking her mask off of her face and laying it by her. 'But to be honest, any moment with you not in a crowded room is ideal if we can't actually be together.'

Amelia looks at him. "Perhaps if you didn't get in situations with scrupulous people you wouldn't be in need of a dagger," she muses with a chuckle. Going into her purse, she pays for three more glasses of the wine for them.

Edmund’s eyes brighten with her words. Sam had told him to go and have a fairytale night and this is one way to do that. To have fun and not think about anything else. He breathes deeply as he gazes into her eyes. “I would like that very much....would you mind if I kissed you?”

Sam slipped his own mask off and finally got to look at Liana properly. 'Maybe we can talk about something good? Not just about things that can't be.'

Caira knew that she should probably say no. That she had... complications. But it was just a night. And the woman she was pretending to be would be the one kissing him. Not her. 'I wouldn't mind it.' She swallowed her nerves back.

She clasped her hands together on her lap and nodded, a smile forming on her lips. 'Like what?' Liana asked as her eyes finally was able to see the face of the man she loved. Even if it were in the dark.

Lanius Laughs at her remark and shakes his head taking another cup of mulled wine and taking a sip. “Well if my parents hadn’t been immigrant peasants. Things might have been different that I didn’t have to deal with scrupulous people.”

Sam huffed a chuckle. 'I don't know. Everyone knows everything about my life. It's hard to find something for you and you alone. What about you? I know Liath Mor has to have something good.'

Edmund’s heart races as he hears her words. This woman wanted to kiss him just as much as he did her. He smiles before he leans forward, closing his eyes before he presses his lips against hers. A feeling of electricity runs through his whole body.

Amelia takes her new cup and sips at it, offering the other to Aedan. "I suppose than that you must do what is needed," she replies.

Caira never knew her knees to go weak with something good. But Edmund managed it with a kiss. She felt the girl she used to be return for a brief moment and the future she should've had flashed through her mind.

Aedan took the wine, silent and unwilling to say that he did terrible things because he needed to.

Liana smiled softly and she shook her head. 'Laith Mor has more than just something good. It's beautiful year round, even in the cold winters. I would love for you to see it once. ' She chuckled softly. 'Its actually the best time in Laith Mor to pick the grapes for our wine. Makes the sweetest wine ever.'

Edmund deepens there kiss as he wraps his arms around her. His mind filling with the images of what should have been. His wedding to Caira, and having children with her. Their life together in Saergrim. Kissing this woman is like paradise and he never wishes to stop.

'I assure you, I'll visit Liath Mor. And you can give me a tour.' Sam knew that it would likely only be if she married or when he became King. But he wanted to see her homeland.

Lanius gives a nod at her words and thinks of what he has had to do to survive. Life hasn’t been easy in Farington, less so for his parents. “You have to do what you do to survive. Life isn’t easy in the poor district in Farington.”

Amelia quickly finishes off the second cup in no time, enjoying the way it seemed to start to warm her insides. "I say that you just must not lose who you are. No matter what life throws at you, you have to try and still be that person deep inside."

'You better. I don't think I would let you live it down if you went your whole life without seeing it. I've been to your home many times,' Liana shifted in her spot next to him, but it was only to move closer. 'I have almost all of the sights memorized. It's your turn to learn all of my favorite spots.'

Reaching up, Caira pushed her fingers through Edmund’s hair. His lips felt exactly as she had imagined. And their futures seemed as if they never changed.

‘Ah, well you’ve never been to Estherdale to visit. It’s always my father’s palace, not mine.’ Sam said teasingly

'Well you see. I want to see all of your favorite spots not your father's' Liana teased back at him. 'I want to see where you go when you want to be alone, where you write your letters to me...' She gave him a playful smirk. 'You know I've kept every single parchment you send me.'

'And the best way to do that is to come go Estherdale,' Sam said. 'I do live there. Everytime you're in Istara you come here, instead.' He paused for a moment. 'You did?'

Edmund’s heart beats faster in his chest, is this how kissing Caira would he like? Is this how he lips would feel on his. His fingers feel the fabric of her dress on her back.

Lanius listens to Amelia’s words. Knowing that she right and that he has many times before lost himself. He looks down and takes a sip of his wine. “I need to remember that.” He whispers softly.

She smiled softly at him, her eyes softening as he sat there in front of her. 'I did.' Liana kept every inch of parchment in a box hidden away behind one of the bricks in her quarters. Sealed away with just the magic of her own touch to reveal it. 'Sometimes I'll take them out and read them over. Picturing how it would sound you saying the things you say in your letters, to my face.'

Amelia offers Lanius a gentle smile. "Only the truly cruel people would have no remorse for the things they may have done in life. Even if there is bad, it never defines us." Setting her glass down, she glances at the crowd dancing. "I believe I said you were going to give me a dance," she remarks to Aedan, smiling.

“You two go and have fun dancing.” Lanius smiles at them both. Leaning against the stall and thinking over what she has said. It has been a bit of a crazy week and some of his lifestyle choices are starting to make him question things.

Joan frantically notices that Prince Samoeul and Princess Liana is missing. She curses to herself in her native language. Running all over the area trying to find them. She checks every stall, pulling peoples masks off to see if they are them. If something happens to them...she is going to be in big trouble. Like beheaded trouble most likely. “Where the hell are they?” She frantically asks, moving through the crowds.

Caira only pulled from the kiss to understand what was happening with the girl running about. She would've gone to help, but she hadn't seen Edmund in so long that she felt the need to be selfish for once. One night.

Sam entwined his fingers with Liana's and let out a small sigh he didn't know he'd been holding. 'I wish I could say that I have done the same. But I had to...' he stopped himself from admitting that he destroyed the letters so no one else could read them. Unlike Liana, Sam didn't have magic to keep others out. And he had far more prying eyes on him.

Aedan polished off his wine and offered to take Amelia's hand to lead her to the dance.

Edmund looks to see the woman running around. Was that the guard that followed them...honestly he really couldn’t care less right now. His fingers reached out to caress the woman in front of him cheek. “You are beautiful my lady.”

Joan meanwhile looks everywhere for the prince. Approaching another stall and deciding to buy a wine because she needs it. She looks at the three gathered there and swigs down the wine. “Have any of you seen two over dressed individuals. One a man and one a woman?”

Amelia smiled and took Aedan's offered hand, following him out to where everyone was dancing to the lively music.

Caira tried not to seem too eager as she leaned into his touch. But his touch felt so familiar and yet so distant. 'Is this where I pretend I'm a Lady for you?' she said, with a soft playfulness.

Aedan took Amelia's hands and joined the lively dance. He wasn't the best but he certainly wasn't the worst.

Liana's heart dropped a bit when he didn't finish his scentence about their letters. 'oh...' she said softly and look down avoding his eyes. That one stung. But she guessed that it was expected, since it he didn't really have the means of hiding it.

'But I memorised them,' Sam said, trying to spare Liana's feelings. 'You know I can't lie, Li. If I did, I'd tell you all these sweet things but they wouldn't be true.'

Edmund smiles wide at her words and leans in to place soft kisses on her cheek. His lips brushing against her skin. "Would yoh like to pretend to be a lady? Because I would love you to tonight."

Lanius looks at the woman who is very frantic, thinking of thd two people he saw when he returned. "Yeah I saw them head toward the gardens."

She sighed and looked up at him slightly. 'If you said any lies to me i'd never forgive you.' Liana always hated lies. Didn't matter what the purpose of lying was, if someone lied to her, and she found out about it, her trust in you would be gone. 'Do you-do you think Artemis knows?'

Caira flushed pink and offered a tentative smile. 'I think I can do that for you.' She reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck.

'Artemis suspects. But she knows me.' Sam lifted Liana's hand to his lips. 'I could never hide anything from her.'

Edmund smiles, his pale blue eyes lighting up wity happiness with her words. He wraps his arms around her again and pulls her closer to him. "I'm so happy to hear you say that." He leans forward and captures her lips once again.

Joan follows where the man had pointed her, entering the garden and trying to think of a way to find them. The best way would be to use the Prince's name. She swallows hard. "Sam!"

Amelia tries to gently guide him along, smiling as they moved to the music. "And here you were saying you were terrible.. I think you are doing a wonderful job."

Caira fell into the kiss again and she gripped the front of his shirt as if it was keeping her from floating away. A voice called Sam's name through the darkness and he swore under his breath. 'Hide?'

Liana chuckled slightly and shook her head. That was the one secret she ever kept from Artemis. But she was sure she understood why. If anyone were to find out about the two of them, she didn't know what would happen to the two of them. 'It's the only secret i've kept from her.'

Edmund's heart pounds in his chest as he kisses her. He feels her hand gripping his shirt and hands travel up her torso, until they reach her head. Cradling her head in his hands and imagining that this is Caira in frong of him.

Joan continues looking around the garden, trying to find any trace of them anywhere. Just wanting to make sure they are unharmed. "Sam, Liana are you two here! I need to make sure you are okay!"

Sam frowned and hushed Liana. 'There's someone looking for us,' he mouthed.

Caira parted from the kiss, pressing her forehead to his. 'Perhaps we should get a drink?'

Edmund rests his brow against hers, a smile on his lips as he takes her hand in his. "Let's go have some mulled wine, how does that sound?"

Joan curses in her native language as she tries to find them. Looking all over the place. She continues to curse and removes her mask.

Liana stopped talking and almost held her breath, moving closer to him in the dark as she began to hear the familair voice near them.

'That sounds lovely, thank you.' Caira steps away, her hand in his as they approached the wine stall.

Sam reached over to Liana and pulled her in close so Joan couldn't make out where they were amongst the flowers.

'Joan?' Artemis held her skirt a little with one hand and two wines in her other as she followed Joan with an uncertain step. 'Looking for a bit of light reading?' she said, gesturing to the Tower of Sparrows, the library the garden belonged to.

Edmund walks with her to the mulled wine, buying them both one and placing the coin to the merchant. He takes a sip and enjoys the flavor. "Ahhh this is delicious, you are going to love this."

Joan turns as he hears Artemis' voice and smiles as she looks at her. Placing her hands on her hips. "I was actually looking for your brother and princess Liana. They seem to have disappeared." She walks up to the princess, taking one of the wines and drinkimg a large swig.

Caira thanked the stall owner before she took a small sip. It wasn't the best wine she'd had in her life, but from the years living on the street, it was the most delicious in the world. Letting out a small sigh, she continued to sip the wine until it filled her belly with warmth. 'It's delicious, thank you, Sir.'

Artemis tilted her head and considered the garden for a moment. Her brother loved hiding in there as a boy. But she decided against getting involved in his antics. 'It's likely he's found a lovely young woman to have a tryst with, and Liana's gone back to the palace. Come on. Come enjoy yourself. They're not the only royalty here and I would be loathe to dance with one more man.'

Edmund drinks more of the wine, wrapping an arm around her as he listens to the music. Enjoying the night and glad it didn’t turn out bad the way he thought it was going to be. "Thank you for tonight, I really needed this."

Joan bites her lip for a moment. She knows she should probably continue looking for him but what if Artemis was right. He would be furious to be interrupted from a tryst with some random woman. "You are right your highness. Let's go dance some more then, and pray he doesn't get into too much trouble." She smiles and takes another swig of the wine.

'I'm enjoying it, too.' Caira didn't realise what this might've seemed to an onlooker. She wasn't a prostitute, hired to escort him through the masquerade. And she knew Edmund. He just didn't know that.

'He won't get in any trouble. And if he does, it's his fault.' Artemis offered to take Joan's hand to guide her back to the brightly lantern-lit masquerade that spanned the city.

Edmund takes another sip of his wine and glances over at h8s new female companion. "After we have this drink , what do you want to do? You suggest anything and we can do that and have fun."

Joan thinks on it and takes hand. Giving a smirk and followinb her back out of the gardens. "Let's have some fun. The night is young, your highness."

'Well,' Caira said, looking over the masquerade. 'There are small shows we could watch. Or games we can play. There's one where you throw a rotten cake at a jester. If you win, you get a prize.'

Edmund smiles and likes the idea of playing some games. Hoping he can win her a prize as well. "Let's play some games, I like the idea of throwing some cake at a jester." He laughs at that and starts to walk with her toward the games.

Caira handed her cup back to the stall holder and threaded her arm through Edmund's as they walked. 'Look! There are archery games, too. And fortune tellers.'

Edmund looks over at the archery games and smiles. He isn't too bad with a bow and it looks fun as well. He stops there and places a few coins down to play. "Let's see if I can win you a prize." He draws the bow and aims.

Caira stepped aside so she didn't get in the way of him playing, and watched as he knocked his arrow. She didn't know what prize he would likely win her, but she felt flattered by how eager he was to play for her.

Edmund fires the arrow and smiles as he makes a pretty decent first shot. He has 3 shots . He draws his bow, breathing deeply and releases the arrow. Watching it hit the target, right in the middle. "Yes! Looks like you got a prize incoming."

Caira watched with keen interest as Edmund fired arrow after arrow. She didn't want to seem too eager, but her smile behind her mask said it all. The stall holder scratched his head as he watched Edmund clean the floor with the game. 'You win. Anything from this shelf.' He pulled a small box out to reveal several small gifts. Nothing too flashy or expensive - this was only a small game after all. But there was a small doll meant for little girls, a carved dragon for little boys, a dagger and a small bracelet.

Edmund smiles as he sees the prizes. Looking at them carefully and reaching out to pick up the bracelet. His eyes look over at her and extends his hand to her with the bracelet. "Here you go my lady. A bracelet for you. Will you let me put it on you?" He asks her, hoping that she likes it. It is simple but it is perfect for tonight.

Caira bit her lip as she watched Edmund choose the bracelet. 'It's beautiful.' She extended her arm to him, allowing him to put the bracelet on her. After losing all of her jewellery when she was robbed her first night in the city, she didn't think she'd ever bother with another piece. But this was too sweet to refuse.

He places the bracelet around her wrist, tying the leather up and seeing that it fits her perfectly as well. "That looks beautiful on you. Now everytime you wear it, you can think of me and this night we have had." Edmund's smile brightens up his whole face and he takes her hand again and starts to walk. "Any games you want to play?"

Caira almost didn't remember what it was like without the bracelet now she was wearing it. Clasping it close to her chest, she smiled at Edmund. 'Always.' As they walked, she looked at each of the stalls and considered what she'd want to do. 'I suppose I'd like to try that one.' She gestured to the boat sat on the river running through the city. 'Only if you don't mind, of course.'

Liana stayed by Sam in the flowers until the coast was clear. She recognized the two voices that neared their hiding space. When she heart the footsteps move away, she let out a soft breath and her body relaxed slightly. 'That was close.'

Edmund walks with her, looking at the various stalls and seeing all the various games and items for sale. His eyes follow to where she gestures to. A boat ride through the city would be relaxing and he would get more time with this mystery woman. "Yes, let's go for a boat ride. We can see the various gorgeous views throughout the city." He starts to walk toward the boat, taking her hand.

Sam gave a small chuckle when he knew they were in the clear. Half-tempted to keep Liana close, he had to force himself to let her go. 'I don't know what I'd have said to get us out of trouble.'

Caira enjoyed the short walk, able to forget that she lived on the streets for a moment. She was just a young woman with a young man, their futures in front of them. When they reach the boat, she climbed in first and made herself comfortable on the small boat. 'It's so beautiful,' she said, looking around at the other boats with their lanterns as they floated on the river.

She sighed audibly when she felt his hands let her go. She sat up straight, smoothing out her dress as she looked at him once again. 'you could of blamed it on me. Told them I ran off and you followed me to make sure I wasn't getting into any trouble.' Liana said as her lips pursed slightly. Her hands fiddling with the lace covering over her gown

'No. I-I'm not allowed to run after women when they're in distress. Not according to my sister.' Sam unpinned his cloak and offered it to Liana, the night becoming quite chilly all of a sudden.

She didn't say anything when he draped his cloak over her shoulders. She pulled it around her, smiling softly. Liana wanted to kiss him right here, but what would be the chances someone would walk in on them in that moment. 'That never stopped you from chasing me.'

Edmund climbs into the boat after her, taking a seat and readjusting his mask, he swipes some of the sweat off his brow with his handkerchief before placing it back into shape. His hand reaching for hers to hold once again. “I’m looking forward to this... I haven’t done this boat ride since I was a boy with my brother.”

'No, it never did. But-But we probably should let it. I can't justify pulling at your heart like this.' Sam offered a sorry smile before he tugged his mask off and set it on the grass. 'Its unfair of me to look for a wife and love you at the same time.'

Sillolna Why had she agreed to this? It was just the crown prince and not the king himself. It was more her advisers who suggested she go, it was a long trip. Longer than she was comfortable with. Why should she have to come to them? What had they ever done for her country? Having been only 23 when she had ascended, she was getting comfortable in her role. It was her right to rule, that's what they had told her from she was a child. Looking at them she didn't understand why this land was the biggest one. It was cold, wet and people weren't friendly. It was thankfully a quick affair and she could go home. She didn't care that she was late, everybody else were simply early.

'Yes but...I am also looking for a husband. So in a way we are being unfair to eachother. Or the person we are to wed later in life.' Liana's hand played with the fabric of his cloak. She would surly smell like him once the night was done, but she didn't mind it.

Joan enters back into the masquerade. She finishes drinking her wine and places the cup back again. Seeing a new face, well mask in the area. She walks up to the woman. Artemis not too far behind and gives a smile. “Hi there, welcome to the masquerade!”

At first she didn’t notice the voice. It was no Your Majesty there. Of course it was cause they didn’t know who she was. Still, did people really just walk up to others with no real purpose? Sillolna looked at the woman and gave her a quick once over. Seemed friendly enough. “Thank you.” She gave her a smile.

‘It will be unfair on everyone except our people.’ Sam knew that. He’d been told it time and again. There was no unfair when royals made sacrifices. There was only what was for the best.

“I’m actually not from Istara so this is my first masquerade like this.” Joan adds as she stands next to the woman and quickly buys another wine. The wine starting to hit her head which isn’t a bad thing. It’s a very good thing. “I’m from Tir Hydref originally.”

Caira started a little when Edmund touched her hand but it quickly turned to a smile. ‘I once went on a boat with a young fisherman. He was trying to impress me, I think. Instead we both ended up in the water and I dragged him out.’

“I’ve been to a few before,” Sillolna didn’t like smalltalk, but it was clearly needed. Looking at what Istara called wine, she wondered why they didn’t have wine from her lands. That was the best wine, it was too wet here. “I’m from Alynthia, and the wine there is far better than this.”

Edmund listens to her speak. Watching the man start to row the boat for them. He holds her hand and remembers his first time on this boat with Henry. He must have been only ten years of age. “Sounds like you had to rescue the fisherman. My brother took me on these boats when I was ten...I think and he showed me all the sights. It was my first trip to the capital.”

Joan listens to her speech, her accent isn’t familiar. At least nothing she has ever heard of before. Her eyes widen when she hears where she is from. She’s either a traveling merchant or some rich noble. “That’s quite a ways away. Long ship journey. I’ve only been here on the isles.”

Caira wanted to make smalltalk about her own childhood. But he knew her real one. And she couldn't rely on her memory to fake one. So instead, she moved closer and looked up at him to hear the rest of his story. 'How often do you come here?'

Liana didn't buy that for one second. The only people this arrangement was unfair to was herself and Sam. They had all of the freedom in the world, but no freedom to marry who they truly wanted. It made her furious. 'Well I feel wronged.' She said sternly and stood folding her arms across her chest as she stood in front of him. 'I see a man, who I love, and I am free to take any man I see fit as my husband. To stand by me to rule, but the one man I want, I can not have.' She rolled her eyes. 'its not right.'

Edmund looks out at the city before he turns to look at her. His wolf mask hiding most of his features except his pale blue eyes that are still bright in the night. “I come here to Farington usually once or twice a year. I’m from Feladean. Love the northern countryside way more than city life.”

“I like the warmer weather,” Sillolna would go along with this smalltalk. It was a bit nice that someone didn’t know her, didn’t know who she was. “The sun is nice, I’m not too fond of the rain,”

“I think you would like Tir Hydref...the sunshine there is beautiful.” Joan takes a sip of her wine, thinking of her home. The farm she grew up on and her family there. Thinking how big her younger sisters must be getting now. “Do you want to dance?”

'You know why. My father would never have a- a lady of your background as the queen of this country. And he would never let me marry someone from Liath Mor. He sees you as our vassals and if I married you, it would acknowledge equality he doesn't think exists.' Sam hated to explain the way his father saw Liana. He hated to bring up her elven nature. But it was a major reason. And one they couldn't ignore. 'He'd sooner let you have an accident on the way to the wedding.'

'Feladean? I've never been. And I've not left the city much, either.' Caira set her hand lightly on his knee. 'It must be beautiful for you to love it, though.'

“Oh it is beautiful, the hills and mountains of the region are truly beautiful. The grass is such a bright green as well, and leaves in autumn are breathtaking. I live on the coast, in a fairly large town.” Edmund explains to her, his hand still holding hers. His eyes looking into hers as he speaks to her. He smiles as he watches her hand move to rest on his knee.

Caira leaned in, listening as Edmund told her about his home. ‘I’d love to see it once day.’

“Maybe you will see it one day...if you ever get the chance to leave the city you should visit Feladean.” Edmund adds as he leans back in the seat of the boat, just enjoying the view of the city and the company.

Her shoulders fell even more as she looked down at him. Although she was looking down athim, her chin was raised. She was proud of her background. But the words Sam spoke on how his own father felt about her and her people, made her hate humans sometimes. Liana could feel a tear forming in her eye, and she didn't want him to see her cry so she turned her back on him, still having her arms crossed. 'Laith Mor is filled with Equality..." she said firmly. 'I mean- we accept those who are cursed with the wolfen nature for Gods sake. Let them walk our streets trusting that they won't do us harm.' She swallowed and shook her head. But a question always sat in the back of her own mind of Sam's views. She stood here knowing that he loved her. But she had to question if he felt the same his father did sometimes. She glanced back at him, her expression soft. 'My father was your father's friend. Does he really just see us as placeholders?'

Caira moved next to him and rested her head on his shoulder. It would seem too familiar for a stranger to do, but she kept forgetting that she was pretending to be a random woman pretending to be her.

Sam felt exposed being lower than Liana, seated while she stood. And her questions didn’t help that feeling. He couldn’t help but feel the coiling heat of anger turn in his stomach when she complimented her land over his. That Istara was in some way inferior because of its complicated history. Standing, Sam stared at Liana for a long moment, brows furrowed. ‘My father saw someone in your father who would keep the peace. Who would stop the elven rebels from killing any more of your citizens.’ But it had only worked for a short time. Rebellion was still simmering on the horizon. His father knew that much.

Liana turned to him now, her arms falling from in front of her and she stuck her chin up to him. She wasn't trying to be confrontational. She was just trying to fight for what she wanted. What she knew the both of them truly wanted. When he stood, her expression fell to a fearful one. One where she felt she had lost him right there. Blood still stained the streets of Laith Mor. 'He has tried to keep the peace. And I will continue when I take over.' Her voice was strong, but there was a bit of sadness in it, she was holding back tears, and a lot of them. 'But even we can not stop it completely. We are untied but drawn apart even so.'

Edmund moves his arm to wrap it around her as they sit on the boat. Looking at her and seeing those eyes, those eyes that look so much like Caira’s. He could never forget those eyes. He leans forward, brushing a soft kiss to her cheek. “I have so many things I would want to tell you if you were Caira. So many confessions to make to you. So many impure thoughts of what I would want to do with you, even if you were married.” He whispers into her ear.

Sam knew there was a chance that Liana would never see that throne. If they continued to displease his father with their friendship, he could find someone else. After all, Istara refused female monarchs, why wouldn't Liath Mor? Sam would sooner surrender his own throne than let Liana be deposed in place of the fire-haired prince. 'Your father has tried. And he's failing. Just as my father has tried and is failing. But the difference between my father and your's is that his right to the throne cannot be questioned.' He knew there was still the 'Rightful Prince' alive somewhere. If the people found out, or his father chose to, that Prince would replace her's.

Caira's heart fluttered when Edmund looked at her. 'You-You can tell me. I wouldn't tell anyone.'

Edmund leans forward again. To whisper in her ear once more. His heart racing in his chest. “That I should have run away with you Caira and married you. That I shouldn’t have left that oaf take you away. That I have loved you since I was a young adolescent. That I would do anything to spend one night of passion with you my beauty.” He can feel himself tearing up under the mask. To let all his doubts and emotions come through was something he rarely did. He usually buried them deep inside.

Liana stared at him, the tears being harder to keep in, but she still kept them in their place. She had been in many situations where she couldn't cry. She needed to stay strong. This was a moment where she wanted to let all of them go. If Sam's father ever decided to replace her family, it would make an enemy of most of the elven people. And there would be a larger problem. At the mention of his father's right to the throne, her eyes stopped watering a bit. And a cold expression filled them. 'No one could ever question your father. With anything. He knows what is rightfuly his. And I am sorry, but Liath Mor is as much my family's as it is his.' She was refering to the Red Haired Prince. 'Why can't your father see that we are not as different as he thinks. The only thing that makes us different is the shape of our ears and our abilities....that, which we only use when we have to.' She breathed. 'We aren't the monsters that lurk in the shadows. The humans are mostly the one's causing bloodshed in our streets...Did you know that?'

Caira's breath hitched in her chest, her fingers sliding a little up from his knee. She felt the prickle of tears well in her eyes as he declared his love to her. Forgetting who she was meant to be, she turned her head to press a slow kiss to his lips. She wanted to tell him that she felt the same. That she wanted to hide away with him. But she didn't know him the way she used to. And he would be in danger if he knew where she was.

'Gods, you are impossible. I didn't come out here to talk politics. I came out here to spend a moment with you.' Sam snatched up his mask from the grass. 'But I suppose that was too much to ask from a princess.'

She swallowed harshly. She had done it. She had made him furious. That wasn't her intention. Liana reached out and grabbed Sam's hand. 'Sam...please.' She said in a softer tone. 'I'm-I'm sorry." her hand lingered on his for a moment just staring at him. She was stubborn, she knew it. But she was only stubborn about this because she loved Sam. Truly loved him. A tear fell from her eye and she quickly wiped it away, letting his hand go.

Edmund kisses her back, his heart soaring and wishing this was Caira. Wishing that he could see her just one more time and truly told her how he felt. His fingers reach out to run through her dark hair.

Sam pulled away instantly, unable to look at her. Of all the times she'd bring up his father, it was his nameday. His father had often warned him that Liana only 'seduced' him so she would push forwards her own bias and power. Sam still didn't believe that. But every time she said something that aligned with the lie, Sam had to tell himself that she loved him for him. It was getting harder as they got older. 'I think I want to be alone, Liana,' he said, using her full name in the way he only did when mad at her.

Caira let out a soft noise as Edmund returned the kiss. A part of her knew this was wrong. She was still married and Edmund had no idea of who she really was. Gods, she knew he probably thought she was a prositute. That this was her job. But she needed to feel loved. Even if it was just to say her goodbyes to the life she had before. Parting from the kiss, she licked her bottom lip, tasting the wine they'd shared. 'I know I can't be her. But maybe...' She hesitated. 'You need only ask.'

Liana rubbed her lips together as another tear fell from her eyes. Her eyes searched his face but only could find anger. She whiped her face once more as she picked up her own mask and slowly began to take off his cloak to hand it back to him. But instead of giving it to him in his hands, she placed it on the stone where they sat. liana walked back to the steps, but before heading down them she stopped and looked at him. 'I do love you...and I am sorry again.' The words made more tears stream down her face before she turned and went back down the stairs

Edmund looks at her after their kiss. His pale eyes are bright and he reaches out to stroke her cheek. Knowing he probably shouldn’t give in to his desires, but it had been so long since he had released his pent up desires. “Would you like to get a room at an Inn?” He asks, a blush appearing on his cheeks.

Sam didn't look at her as she left. He picked up his cloak and fastened it around his shoulders as he moved to find a tavern - anywhere - that would let him forget that he was a Prince for a moment. Donning his mask, he stepped into one called the Golden Oriole and ordered himself a jug of the house wine.

Caira flushed pink and gave a short nod. 'I think I'd like that.'

“Good, next stop on the boat we can get off and find a room. I know of a nice Inn, in this part of time. It’s not fancy but the place is a decent and good innkeeper too.” Edmund smiles at her and feels both nervous and giddy. It has been so long but he’s going to enjoy this night.

Lanius walks over to a table and takes a seat. Not even paying attention to who is sitting there. He has drank way too much and has danced with so many women and men ...he’s lost track of time. “Hey there, want to start that wine?”

Liana continuted to step down the stairs back to where they left Artemis and Edmund. Once inside she began to look around for the sight of either of them.

Sam looked at the stranger who just joined him and raised an eyebrow. 'I only have the one cup, so if you want a drink, you're going to have to get one.' He knew how to share, at least. But he wasn't going to share a cup.

“Good thing I brought a bottle then eh...” Lanius places the bottle down on the table. It is a whole bottle of mulled wine that he managed to borrow from one of the stalls without anyone noticing.

Joan catches sight of Liana and walks up to her. Her eyes a bit foggy from the wine she and Artemis have been drinking. “Ahhh Liana...where have you been?”

Sam raised an eyebrow from behind his mask and inspected the wine. Cheap stuff but who was he to complain. 'What should we drink to?' he said, lifting his cup.

Liana looked up when she saw Joan coming close and she quickly batted her eyes to make the tears go away. ‘Oh-just went to go see the sky. I haven’t been in Farington for quite some time and I never really just get to look.’ She glanced at her and her shoulders fell. ‘Sorry for not informing you...I just-just wanted to be alone for a moment’

Lanius thinks on what to drink too. He looks at the man across from him and finally makes a decision. “To getting drunk.” He takes a swig of the bottle. “That’s alright, Artemis told me you two would be fine: she thought you had returned to the palace.” Joan keeps her voice low, not wanting anyone to overhear them.

'To getting drunk,' Sam said in agreement and followed suit. He polished off his first cup and poured himself another.

Lanius leans back in the chair and places his feet up on another one. Leaning his head back and taking off his mask for a moment. Placing it on the table. He has a clean shaven face and dark eyebrows. His eyes dark as night. “That mask is hot. Don’t worry you can keep your mask on around me. I don’t care.”

'Thank you very much,' Sam said with a glib air. 'What's a little mystery between aquaintances?' He put his cup to his lips and watched as the stranger took up another chair in the casual way he was seated.

"Exactly, honestly no one knows my face anyway so mask or not I'm always just a stranger." Lanius adds as he takes a swig of the wine. Looking at his new drinking acquaintance.

'Although the Palace is quite more warm than out here, I don't want to return to the Palace life just yet.' Liana said as she picked up another new glass of ale and took a sip. 'You two look like you were having fun.'

Sam squinted at the stranger from behind his mask. 'Is there something people call you? You can't just be 'Sir' or 'Oi'?'

"Well we have been dancing, drinking and playing the various game. A nice night, way better than guard duty." Joan laughs as she looks at her and then Artemis. "My name is Lanius" He looks at him, wiping his face with the sleeve of his tunic and breathea deeply. "You have a name?"

'I have one,' Sam said, implying he wasn't keen on using it. 'Sam.' It was more common than Samouel. And shorter. And not 'Apollo' that really would've made him stand out.

"Well met Sam." Lanius raises the bottle to him and gives him a smirk. Always good to make more acquaintances. He runs his fingers through his short and thick black hair.

'Well met.' Sam raised his cup in return and took a swig of his wine. Licking the remnants from his lips, he watched as some performers started to sing a song about a maiden getting lost in the woods. 'Do you like this one?' he asked Lanius.

Lanius looks at the man with his question, listening to the song about a maidan getting lost in the woods. "I have always liked the tune to this song, I can play it on my flute"

'Hm?' Sam finally perked up a little. 'Maybe you should play it for me,' he said, forgetting that this man didn't know he was a prince. 'It's one of my favourites.'

"Good thing I carry my flute with me." Lanius laughs as he reaches down and pulls out his flute out of his small pack. It's a homemade wooden flute, no fancy designs. He brings it up to his lips and starts to play.

Sam rested his elbows on the table, a cup between his hands as he watched Lanius perform.

Liana smiled and sipped her new cup of ale, holding it in both hands as she took a seat at the table. 'Well- I am glad you got to get away from guard duty for a little bit. You deserve a break from time to time.'

Lanius plays the familiar melody. He remembers learning it for the first time when he was just a lad. He learned it from an old retired soldier who lived in the same neighborhood as him. "Thank you ma'am. It has been a wonderful evening." Joan adds with a smile, not expecting the night to turn out the way it did.

Sam listened eagerly, wishing he could perform it without people knowing his identity. With anonymity, he could truly gauge how people felt about his singing. At home, he was surrounded by sycophants. 'You're talented,' he finally said when Lanius finished.

Lanius eyes widen at the complement. He hadn't expected it at all. He places his flute on the table and gives a genuine warm smile. "Thank you, I have been playing since I was a lad."

'I've never played a flute. I prefer lyre, myself. Or lute.' Sam refilled his mug of wine.

"You must be a bard then if you play a lyre and a lute." Lanius adds as he leans back in his seat once more, placing the bottle of wine on the table.

'Of a sort. I've never made money from it.' Sam shrugged and sipped his drink.

"You should think about it. Pretty boy like you could make lots of money from rich women and some rich men." Lanius gives him a playful wink and then laughs. Knowing that Bard's can make plenty of it. He thought about it, but he was too foreign looking to be sent to high society.

Sam found something hilarious about what Lanius said. He wasn’t even sure quite what. Perhaps it was the indication that bards only made money from their looks. Or maybe it was because Lanius hadn’t either heard his music nor seen his face fully. ‘Perhaps. I might consider it if my fortunes fail.’

"Good money in being a bard. I thought about it myself but uh...I can't read or write." Lanius admits, he has always been ashamed of that, knowing people tend to look down at the lower classes. He takes the bottle of wine, having another swig of it.

'You...' Sam stopped himself. He was so often surrounded by academics and nobility that he tended to forget that the common people weren't often literate. 'Well, most bards don't need to read or write. They keep their songs in their heads, don't they?'

"It depends, you can get requests for some and have to read music or lyrics... and I haven't a clue how to do that. Plus...men from my low class tend to just be a bard in some tavern. Not the best pay." Lanius explains, having a feeling this man might be middle class or lower aristocracy. "Done anything fun tonight?"

'Well, it's not too late to learn,' Sam said. He sipped his drink and shrugged. 'Not really, no. Had a falling out with a friend. So I am going to enjoy myself with alcohol.'

"That is true, I have always wanted to read and write." Lanius smiles at that. Listening to him speak about having a falling out with a friend. "Nothing that plenty of alcohol can't fix. Alcohol always lets one have fun." He gives a playful laugh and another sip of the wine

Sam nodded in agreement and raised his cup. 'You're right. This calls for more wine.' He polished off his cup and waved for the tavern girl to come bring more wine and another cup. 'Let's get so drunk that I forget I even had an argument.'

"I like that plan!" Lanius raises the bottle and starts to guzzle it down. Looking forward to plenty of booze and fun to be had. It was still early enough and plenty of mischief to get up to as well.

Sam handed the tavern girl a whole sovereign. 'Keep everyone in drink tonight.' He then turned to Lanius and slid his cup toward him. 'Drink your fill. It's the Princes' nameday, after all.'

"May the prince have many more name days so we can get drunk and have lots of fun...and no responsibilities." Lanius laughs and takes the cup to fill it with more wine. Th8s new friend of his was fun and had his spirit of adventure and mischief.

'One could only hope,' Sam said, hiding his smile as he took a gulp of drink from his cup.

Lanius grins hearing the music starting to play and has the urge to dance again. “Come on Sam let’s dance! Let’s do a jig!!” He gets up on his feet excitedly.

'A jig?' Sam raised an eyebrow but stood anyway. 'Come on, then. There's no harm in it.'

“Yes a jig...come on you must know them then. Play the Lucky Old Lady boys!” He tells the musicians and they start to play. Lanius slapping his legs and moving his feet. To the dance. Others joining in on the dance. “There once was a lucky old lady who hit the fancy of a rich old king...” He sings, his singing voice higher than expected but still perfectly in tune and a right tenor.

Sam felt silly joining in - not drunk enough - but he did join in. And he even started to sing along when he got the gist of the lyrics. And his singing voice was practically divine. (Not that it was allowed to be less than perfect after all the money his father spent on it.)

Lanius laughs and sings with the rest, hearing Sam’s voice and smiling even more. Now this was the fun of nameday. Everyone could just let loose and have fun, hiding behind a mask.

Sam didn't know if it was the alcohol finally catching up with him or just the silliness of the jig, but he actually felt like tonight was going to be fun. And he did forget about the argument he'd had. It was just him and a tavern full of drunkards in masks. And for once, they all seemed to love his voice without the bias of him being the prince.

After the jig, Lanius takes a tankard of wine and drinks it down. Catching his breath and laughing as others continue dancing and such.

Sam only followed Lanius because he realised he'd not had a drink in a while. He was laughing and smiling as he picked up his own mug of wine and drank it down.

“Well Sam, are you having fun now?” Lanius asks as he laughs, seeing that his new friend is full of smiles and laughing as well.

‘Surprisingly, yes. It seems so.’ Sam reached over to refill Lanius’ cup. ‘I’m probably having the most fun I’ve had in... forever.’

“Good, you need to get out more my friend...we have these kind of nights all the time here at the Oriole.” Lanius takes a sip of the wine that Sam fills in his cup. Leaning against the counter and watching the others dancing.

Following suit, Sam leaned back and watched the strangers all dance while he nursed his drink. 'I might come here more often, then.' He was seriously considering it. Find a disguise and come here to perform. It was obvious they liked something about him. Even if it was just the alcohol making him likeable, there was no harm in joining his future subjects to understand them.

“You should, it’s a lot of fun here. I come here every time I’m in town.” Lanius adds as he takes another sip of his drink. His feet tapping with the music. “You could even play your lute or lyre here too.”

Sam glanced at Lanius and considered something for a moment. 'Alright, I'll play here. But, I want to teach you how to read.' Perhaps it was the alcohol talking, but for some reason the idea that Lanius couldn't read was agitating him.

Lanius almost spits out his wine but manages to swallow the wine. His brown eyes widen...never having anyone want to teach him how to read. He tries to find the words to say anything...for the first time in his life he’s speechless. He breathes deeply and looks over at Sam. “You would really teach me to read?”

Sam stared at Lanius, his reaction not being what he expected. 'I need someone to support me if my music fails.'

“Ah I see...” Lanius adds crossing his arms a bit as he thinks on the offer. “Consider it a deal, you teach me to read and I’ll help you with performing.”

'To becoming bards.' Sam raised his cup in a toast and then downed its contents.

Amelia smiled at Aedan as they continued to dance around for what felt like ages. "I never thought I would be in this position with you."

'Me neither. If I had, I'd have dressed better and had a wee shave,' Aedan said, dancing close to her.

Amelia shakes her head at that. "You look as handsome as you always do," she assures with a gentle smile.

“To being Bards!” He raises his glass with Sam and takes another dream. To learn to read will be a dream come true. He might even learn to write as well. Lanius feels like his luck his changing. Maybe he won’t be homeless any more.

Aedan flushed pink and he glanced away, pretending to be looking at a stall selling candles. 'And you look beautiful, Amelia.'

Sam didn't know what he intended on doing with Lanius. But he needed help. And Lanius seemed the only person worthwhile. He refilled their cups again.

Liana sat back down at the table, sipping her newest ale and continuing to watch the crowd dance in celebration of Sam. The man she just upset. She wished she could take it all back, be able to not say what she did to him. But he was probably long gone by now. After she finished her ale, she stood and smoothed out her dress. She walked up to Artemis and Joan placing her mask in her hands. 'I-I think I want to retire to the palace. I've grown quite tired.'

Amelia watches him glance away and she gives his hand that was in hers a gentle squeeze. The compliment made her smile a little more. "May I confess something to you?"

'Of course, Amelia.' Aedan found himself unable to deny her anything.

"From the first time you came into my shop, I was drawn to you," Amelia admits, finally saying what she had been keeping inside.

Lanius feels the wine really taking effect now. He takes another sip of it and looks at Sam. Seeing him drink as well. The hangover tomorrow is going to be terrible. He just knows it. “Where are you staying tonight? I’m probably just going to find somewhere and crash.”

Joan looks at Liana and gives a nod to her and Artemis. “Come on I can escort you both back. If you want I can watch over your rooms as well tonight.”

Aedan flushed at her admittance. 'I wanted to say something to you then, too. But I couldn't get up the nerve.'

Sam smiled over at Lanius and touched his cup to his cheek. He did feel the wine now, that was certain. 'I'll probably rent a room.' He couldn't break back into the palace while in this state.

Amelia's own face heated up just the slightest. "What did you want to say to me?" She asks, urging him to tell her what he was feeling.

“Always good to rent a room. This place has really nice rooms. I’ve stayed here a couple of times.” Lanius adds, as he had been here a couple of times. This place was usually too expensive for him to stay at. The Inns he tended to sleep at were nothing like this place

Aedan hesitated before he said, ‘I wanted to ask if you’d like to spend time with me. Romantically.’

Sam raised an eyebrow and considered him for a moment. He could tell Lanius didn’t have a lot of money. Nor was it likely he’d afford a room tonight. ‘What if I rent a room with two beds?’

Amelia's breath hitched in her throat. "Is that something you still want to ask me?" She questions, hoping that the answer would be yes.

“Thanks Sam, I really appreciate it. I’ll pay you back when I get a couple of jobs done. You have my word.” Lanius smiles, not used to such kindness and it gives him hope in humanity once again.

Aedan flushed and rubbed a hand over his stubble. 'I mean, I do. It's just complicated.'

'Don't bother. It's not like I'm desperate for money,' Sam said, forgetting he was meant to pretend that he was a normal person. Not the prince, who had money given to him just for being born.

Amelia stares at him as he speaks. "Can we just.. forget about complications for a bit?" She asks softly.

“Thanks, I’ll make it up to you somehow.” Lanius raises his glass to him and takes another drink of the wine. Enjoying the flavor of it and the feeling of being drunk as well.

'I'll try.' Aedan offered her a gentle smile. 'In that case, I do. I do still want to ask you to join me in doing something romantic.'

Sam reached into his coin pouch and drew another sovereign and overpaid the tavern owner for a room with two beds. (Which tended to be used by merchants and their servants).

Amelia didn't know how complicated things could be, but she didn't care. She would do anything to be able to be with him. "If you do, I would take you up on your offer."

“You are going to like the rooms here. They are well nice.” Lanius points out to Sam, knowing he is going to enjoy the beds here. He looks over at the innkeeper and places some coin down. “I’d like some bread and cheese. I’m starving mate.”

Aedan licked his bottom lip, his nerves palpable. He'd done this before, of course. But never with someone he actually cared about. Never with someone whose opinion he valued. Cupping her cheek, Aedan pressed a small, delicate kiss to her lips. When he drew back, he searched Amelia's eyes, looking for her approval.

Sam huffed a laugh into his cup of wine. 'And a massive bucket of your stew. Whatever my friend wants.' He pushed Lanius' money back to him. 'So long as we're drunk together, I'll pay.'

Lanius grins not expecting him to pay for the food and the room. He takes the coin and places it in his pouch. He never expected kindness from a man who clearly had lots of money. “Stew, cheese and bread. Sounds delicious.”

Amelia kept her eyes on him and she grew nervous as he took a hold of her cheek. But it was the good kind of nervous that she always welcomed. Her gaze drifts shut once his lips press to hers. It was chaste and sweet and it caused a smile to spread across her face. Opening her eyes, she stares into his. "Your lips feel like magic."

Alcohol played a large part in Sam's generosity. And his argument with Liana. Both fuelled a giving mood. 'Honey, too. And another jug of wine.'

Aedan couldn't hide the smile that he wore as Amelia complimented the kiss. 'Druid, remember?' he said playfully. He pressed another kiss to her lips, slower and deeper this time.

Amelia giggles at that. "Have you cast a spell on me then?" She questions in a playful manner. When his lips find hers again, she's able to return the gesture this time. Her lips move with his as they stand there.

When the kiss was over, Aedan felt lightheaded. He wanted to promise her the world and say they'd run away together. He could see them living in the wild, just the two of them. That dream could only last for tonight.

“A feast then!” Lanius raises his mug and then downs the rest of the wine in it. Tonight has been another wonderful night of the nameday celebrations. They just seem to be getting better and better.

As he pulled away, Amelia thought of all the things she wanted to tell him, to do with him. She wished he wouldn't have to run off to wherever it was he went to and that he could stay with her. She wanted to bring him to her home. She knew he would like it out there and that he could appreciate it as much as she did. "How long will it be until I can see you again?" She whispers.

Sam cheered with him and pursued getting even further drunk by downing his cup. Aedan pressed his forehead to Amelia's and sighed. He didn't have the answer to that. 'We're not going down to Estherdale until at least summer.'

Lanius smiles as the food is brought out. His mouth waters at the smell of the stew and the sight of the bread and cheese. Taking the spoon and digging in. He had done bread and cheese earlier in the day but that was it. “This is delicious.”

Amelia glances down for a moment at that. The thought of not being able to see him for that long, especially after this, it put a damper on her mood. "Oh, I see."

Sam only ever ate small and frequently. And he'd eaten his fill at the banquet at the palace. So, instead he had his fill of wine while Lanius stuffed his face.

'I'm sorry. If it was up to me, we'd stay down south. But I don't... make decisions,' Aedan said.

Amelia looks at him. "Then why not find another profession? You could come and work at the shop for me," she offers, not fully aware of his situation.

Aedan opened his mouth but found no words. He couldn't tell her. She'd try to help. Or worse, she'd think he was pathetic. 'It's the only one I have.'

Amelia listened to his simple reply and she wondered if she herself seemed pathetic at this point. To offer a man who had just kissed her a job so he could stay close by, she seemed desperate. "It doesn't have to be."

'But it's the only want I-I see myself doing,' said Aedan.

Lanius enjoys the food. Not having this much to eat in a couple of days. He dips his bread in the stew and chews it slowly. Just wanting to enjoy the flavor and have a nice full stomach for a change.

Amelia gently circles his palm with her thumb. "But why?"

Sam leaned back against the bar, singing along with the bards while Lanius ate.

Aedan drew his hand out of Amelia's and pulled his sleeve down over the cuff Tyr had entrapped him with all those years ago. 'Because it's what I want.'

At the sudden jerk of his hand, Amelia drops her own back down to her side. She bows her head a little. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cross a line," she murmurs, sensing that she had done something wrong.

Lanius eats some cheese and smiles as he listens to the music and hears the singing. Knowing the songs well and joining in on the singing as well in between bites of food.

Aedan instantly regretted it. 'No, don't be. It's just... I owe Tyr my life.' He didn't. He didn't owe Tyr anything. But the fact remained the same. He couldn't leave, as much as he wanted to.

Sam was about to stand to perform at the encouragement of one of the bards. But the tavern door swung open to reveal palace guards. 'There he is!' Before Sam could excuse himself, he darted out of the back and into the night, the guards persuing him.

Amelia wanted to say something but she gave a nod. "I understand. It's alright."

Lanius looks ready to dart when he hears the words there he is, but just as he is about to run. He watches them run past him and he notices Sam is gone. Sam must be wanted...wanted for something big to have the palace guards. "Hey! Can't you see we are trying to party." He calls to the guards.

Aedan heard a voice call out to him and saw the unwelcome face of Duny across the way. His gut sank and he knew the fun was over.

Sam was drunk, so he had no hope when toe to toe with his father's men. Stumbling over himself, he was pursued across the city. It didn't end well for him. He landed in the moat and had to be dragged out by one of the guards. He was dragged all the way to his father's chambers. The old man was in his nightclothes already and yelled at Sam loud enough everyone in the adjoining rooms and halls could hear. He was sent to his own chambers, where he was forced into a tub by servants and scrubbed clean. Lord Jonathan Springs promised he'd not let Sam out of his sight for the rest of the night, sleeping on the floor by Sam's bed just to make sure. As if Sam, in his drunken, exhausted state could. The moment his head hit his feather pillows, he was out.

Amelia's head turned at the sound of his name being called. She turned back to Aedan once again. "Another friend?" She asks.

Aedan gave a strange expression and shook his head. 'Not a friend, no. I-I think he needs me, though.' His mouth was suddenly dry.

Lanius watches them leave after Sam. He is torn whether to go after them but he still has a bounty on his head. He takes the key to the room and heads up stairs. Tomorrow he will talk to his contacts and see where the guards took Sam. Then he'll break him out, it's the least he could do. For now though, he needs to sleep off this wine. He takes off his mask and crashes into bed.

Amelia frowns a bit and studies the way his face seemed to change. "I suppose we must part ways then," she replies.

Aedan made a point to kiss her again, desperate to hold on to tonight. 'I'm sorry,' he whispered, pressing his forehead to her's. 'I'm so sorry.' He finally released her and stepped away. He didn't want to go with Duny. 'Maybe we'll see each other tomorrow. We can see the flowers.'

Amelia tried to savor the taste of his lips and she caresses at his cheek momentarily. "It's okay," she softly assures, trying to manage a smile. Once he moves bac, she nods. "I hope that we can. I would like that."

Aedan hated leaving her. But he did. He walked back to Duny, who practically dragged him back to the place the gang were staying. That night, he held on to the memory of Amelia and dreamed of the next day's hopes that they'd see each other again.

Amelia watched as he was pulled away and all she wanted was to call to him and have him stay. She couldn't stay and continue celebrating after her moment with him. She sadly walked back to where she was lodged and as she got ready for bed, she tried to stay positive that she would hopefully see him at least one more time before they would be parted for months.

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