One downside to extravagant regalia, were flights of stairs in heels and heaps of fabric. Her misery wasn’t hers alone, many women took their time in their ornamented frocks and jewel bedecked shoes. The blended caramel and hot cider scent wafted over party goer’s heads and wakened a growl in Khloe’s stomach before she even reached the landing. She caught a whiff of powdered sugar in the air swirling about in the faint music from the ballroom ahead. Anise gave her a sidelong glance, wry smile unmistakable.
“Good luck trying to eat while you’re wearing that.” Anise indicated the corset ‘neath Khloe’s gown. Khloe scrunched up her face in mock determination.
“Where there’s a will, dear Anise, a will and a tea cake calling my name.” They shared a brief laugh as they made the rise and entered the ballroom. Khloe inhaled a deep breath, eyes wide with anticipation. Fair women in finery and delicate makeup sparkled under soft changing light from crystal chandeliers. Like the lights in the vestibule, these cast shapes all about and transitioned to other hues.
The ballroom itself dazzled, white marble floor so clean the dancer’s reflections mirrored them as if they twirled atop water. Gold inlays swirled up the matching marble pillars, shined to perfection, and glittered in the changing light. A double staircase at the opposite end of the room matched the one at the landing on which they stood, adorned in the same royal purple rug. It wound up to the balcony where many nobles sipped at their champagne and made conversation while dancers looped elegant circles in time with matching music. Beneath the balcony left of the door a band played from within a constructed alcove that allowed their soft melodies to permeate the hall.
It didn’t take long for Khloe to ogle the young men in the crowd despite their garments lacking panache. For the most part they all wore the same outfit; each repurposed to resemble a different houses color. One redeeming quality to these bland repetitions; they showed off physique. Anise reached into a satin satchel at her side and rifled through it, withdrawing a silver pocket watch. Khloe glanced at her time piece, a puzzled expression on her face.
“We’re finally here and you’re looking to leave?” Anise raised an eyebrow and smirked.
“Not at all, I just had to know how long it took for you to moon over the boys.” Khloe guffawed and gave Anise a playful push.
“You awful, and might I add, spoken for little urchin.”
“Never mind what I said earlier, Khloe. I think your father is going to have a hard night.” Another shared laugh echoed between them as Khloe pulled Anise toward the bounteous long tables stretched across the right side wall beneath the balcony. Her eyes lit up at the spread, savory meats, chocolate truffles, candied fruit delights, it was all she could do to keep from stuffing her face in a manner undignified.
“It wasn’t a jest about the tea cakes. I haven’t had one in ages and if I don’t get one tonight, there will be fire and brimstone.” Khloe promised.
Anaiah didn’t get enough time to enjoy the subtle spell involved with changing the dancing flames in the candelabra. Unlike Khloe, he walked up with his mother and father in toe.
“Don’t slouch, Anaiah, you want to show pride.” His mother said a sympathetic smile on her face. “I know these aren’t your favorite functions but, do try to find something you enjoy.” Lord DuPont, already in a bad mood, turned his frustration at his son.
“And for pities sake, make an effort. None of this insipid nattering you do, over explaining what the magic at these parties is for.” His wife’s sharp elbow in his side jolted him in the ribs. Lord DuPont glanced down at her, his lips tightened. “This is for his own good. He hides behind explaining the window dressing so he doesn’t have to make real conversation. A man his age, it’s downright--”
“-Pathetic, I get it. Can we please not do this tonight?” Anaiah blurted, face locked in a mask of fear, his balled fist clasped tight at his sides to still his tremors. “The only person I care about affronting is the emperor. Let me focus on doing one part right, okay?” Anaiah’s shaken voice betrayed his terror. Lord DuPont’s face softened, as much as his battle hardened features could, and he exhaled through his nose.
“Just make it through the night, Anaiah.” Lord DuPont ceded. The disappointment in his voice struck Anaiah in the gut.
Anaiah’s heart sank. He knew his father’s distaste for mages who didn’t put their efforts into military service. Anaiah’s avoidance of the military and ‘soft touch’, as Lord DuPont called it, hadn’t endeared him to his father. Anaiah viewed the crowd and groaned under his breath. How could they all be so happy here? Who could enjoy dancing in a swarm of watchers judging every move one made? Anaiah’s bottom lip quivered and his heart quickened; his queasy stomach and shallow breaths made his head light and his feet as heavy as lead. It required his every conscious effort to keep his magic in check, as it tended to tear loose and start destroying property when he panicked. Shattering the emperor’s crystal wear wasn’t high on his list of priorities.
Unlike what his father wanted, Anaiah didn’t wear magic dampeners or amplifiers. Most came disguised as jewelry or innocuous objects. He sensed large holes in the magic field present throughout the palace. The large gap in the magic field on the landing opposite theirs captured his attention. So that’s where the emperor will enter. He eyed a magic dampener disguised as a decorative bust. Anaiah’s stomach turned at the thought that more dampeners were positioned throughout the ball. He knew he couldn’t be the only restless mage in the lot. The banners hanging from the ceiling didn’t quell his rampant heart either. Each one hung at intervals from support beams in the ceiling. One end of the ball room to the next they bore the crests of the gathered houses. House DuPont displayed in prominence at the hall’s end. The green banner with blue chevrons jutting up from the bottom and falcon hefting a sword in its talons boasted strength, loyalty, and most important, duty. Anaiah looked into the hollow falcon eyes and felt the family crest like a brand upon his soul. His mother took him by the arm.
“Everyone loves the sight of a smart young lad escorting his mother politely to the ball.” She said with a smile as she looked up at his face. Her firm grip on his arm settled his nerves a little. This wasn’t the first time he’d walked his mother into a formal event. In fact the general panic would crop up on every occasion, and Lady DuPont had become adept at watching for her son’s flight reflexes. Anaiah couldn’t tell if gratitude or embarrassment reddened his face. Even so, he took comfort in her gesture and returned an uneasy smile. “I know these events are a lot for you, dear. I daresay you look about to faint but, take heart, it won’t last all night and it’ll be over before you know it.” She said under the music.
Lady DuPont leaned over to talk to her husband who leaned down to hear her.
“Love, Anaiah is going to escort me upstairs to find a place to sit. These new shoes pinch my feet terribly.” Lord DuPont eyed her with suspicion in his narrowed eyes and knitted brow.
“The same ‘new shoes’ that bothered you last year, and the year before?” he inquired in an accusatory tone. She inclined her head and met his eyes.
“The very same. Since I only get to wear them once a year it seems I’ve still a way to go before I’ve broken them in.” The scowl returned to Lord DuPont’s face as his eyes shifted to Anaiah who dipped his head.
“This is the last year your shoes get to bother you, my dear.” He warned his gaze still locked on Anaiah.
“Oh I’m sure by this time next year they’ll be right as rain.” She chirped. She led Anaiah upstairs and away from Lord DuPont.
His mother eyed a small round table next to a large window, big enough for two and vacant.
“Over there, dear.” She said. Anaiah led the way and fought the urge to run to it. Once at the table he pulled out his mother’s seat and let her settle before taking the other. He ogled the stars twinkling at him outside the window. Beneath in the manicured courtyard more guests gabbed and a minstrel with a mandolin played at the foot of an illuminated fountain. Anaiah beamed at the fountain; the water itself illuminated and shifted color like the candles in the chandeliers. Lady DuPont leaned forward.
“So Anaiah, what kind of magic is involved in that spectacular trick?” Anaiah’s smile broadened and for the first time his dimples showed.
“It’s actually simple.” He started. A man with a tray came by the table.
“M’lord, M’lady, refreshment?” he lowered the tray to eye level, elegant crystal glasses with bubble studded champagne set before them.
“Thank you.” Lady DuPont said with an elegant smile. She removed two glasses and the sharp dressed man with his hair slicked back, bowed before returning to his rounds. She placed both their drinks on the table and slid one over to Anaiah.
“Go ahead dear, there’s no harm in enjoying a drink.” Anaiah chuckled.
“I appreciate it, mother.” He said.
“So, you were telling me how it all works. What makes the fountain glow?” Anaiah sipped at his drink, the bubbles tickled his soft palate.
“It’s a simple prism cork and a sun trap.” He shrugged.
“But prisms are only for casting the existing light, how would the water itself glow?” she pressed, her dark eyes fixed on the luminous fountain. Anaiah’s face brightened.
“Oh that’s easy. Mix infusion powder that’s been left in the sun with the water. It glows, the sun trap in the bottom of the fountain changes the color with the use of a prism cork, add a little magic and stir.” He relaxed a little; the small talk eased the edge of his panic. He chuckled. He imagined some mage spending hours in a hot workshop, with thick sun goggles on behind heavy black armor all for a party decoration.
“Is that more your specialty out on the Lyceum digs, Anaiah? Finding and understanding beautiful artifacts?” his mother asked as she sipped at her champagne.
“Well, yes and no. I like the kind of detail and artistry that goes into work of this kind but; I find I’m more attracted to the idea of magical artifacts with a broader function. Think clockwork mechanisms or ancient astronomical maps.” He sipped his drink. “Granted finding them requires a lot of field work, travel to those faraway places. It’s well worth all the effort if I can learn to understand the magic of the past. Could you imagine if I found the lost library of Valdridge?” Anaiah’s eyes lit up.
“Or, what if I found the Undercity of Balt-Saarn? It’s rumored that the technology they had surpasses even what we know today and all of it powered by magic. Ancient texts report they had golems for menial construction and hauling goods, magic powered clockwork so intricate it’s speculated some otherworldly beings created it, and an advanced water system never seen before nor since. Some texts even suggest Balt-Saarn floated in the air, though I doubt such is more than a metaphor. It checks all the boxes for me in terms of interest. My final thesis was all about Balt-Saarn; did you know they crafted the Seven Locks of Skaa’rev?” Lady DuPont laughed over her drink.
“I’m the first one who read your thesis when you had your little crisis over deadlines, remember?” Anaiah cleared his throat.
“Oh, right.” He blushed at the memory and stared into his drink. He’d become overloaded with work, such that he almost couldn’t put his final thesis together in time. If ever there is a time to be a mage, a mad scramble would be it.
“I loved it. I wouldn’t have let you submit it for review if I didn’t.”
“Yes you would have. If I’d fallen flat on my face, you’d have told me it was a learning experience” Anaiah mimicked his mother’s voice and bat his hand in the air. Lady DuPont snickered behind her hand. “Then I’d have to do another year or more worth of study.” She nodded.
“You have me there. Deadlines or not you finished your certifications a year ahead of schedule. I’ve always been proud of that.” She praised Anaiah’s blush deepened in embarrassment.
“You’re supposed to think I’m a prodigy, you’re my mother. Many mages finish exactly the same way.” His mother giggled and finished her champagne.
“I make no secret that I’m proud of my children. I only wish Khloe had such direct focus. She did fine with her academic work, her sword training was alright, though she could’ve stood to have more lessons.” Lady DuPont sighed. “She’s good at many things but, she still hasn’t decided where she wants to put her talents.”
“She’s the one who got the courage, I sapped all the direction.” Anaiah snickered.
“There’s a spell for that, right?” his mother teased. Anaiah brushed his long thick braids behind his ear, mock nervousness on his face.
“Only if you want me to add felon to my list of accomplishments, then yes there is.” He retorted with a laugh.
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