The Crows Journey

The Ball

It's the day of the ball but the ball won't happen till later tonight. Iris is in the library researching and Lila is getting some parchment for Iris. Iris looks around and finds a dusty black book with the letters 'L. N'. She grabs the book but as she grabs the book, the shelf starts to open. As it opens Iris looks around for Lila and sees she just got back, "Lila come here quick I found something!" Iris says and Lila comes running with the parchment. "What is it?!" Lila asks but then looks and sees the passageway, "It opened when I went to grab this book with someone's initials on it" Iris says and shows the book. "Do you think it's a clue?" Iris asks and looks a the book then the passage." Well, let's see" Lila says and they start to head down the steps of the passageway.

As they head down torches start to light up, the steps then spiral down. At the end, the whole room gets a dim light. Iris looks around and realizes it is the old sorcery room. " Iris look the table has the initials carved on it like the book," Lila says and looks at the letters. Iris goes and sits in the chair. She then opens the book and notices it's a diary. Iris turns the page and notices there are spells. "hey what was Londius's last name again" Iris asks tracing the letters on the book cover and then looking through the pages "I think it's Nightshade" Lila says and then they both look at each other having the same Idea. "Londius lived here!" they both said at the same time.

"This is perfect! I now have a clue and it might be easier to talk to Londius" Iris explains while holding up the book. "Ok, you sure you need to go see Londius still?" Lila says and steps forward so she's now in front of Iris. "Yes, but I also this gives me a chance to be free for a while," Iris says and takes a breath. Lila looks up at Iris's grayish-green eyes, "I know but I'm worried Iris. What if you don't come back! Or Die!" Lila says in a worried but angry tone, as tears start to form in her eyes. "Lila this shouldn't worry you! I'll be ok and if something happens at least you'll have Phantom and everyone in the castle! If I do come back I will fix everything." Iris yells a bit but calms down. Lila shakes her head and looks at Iris once more, "Don't you get it, Iris I love you! Nor can I stand to lose you and the people in this castle don't care what I do! Also if you die Phantom might not come back here! Iris, I'm not ready to ever let you go, you've been my life for years!" Lila yells with tears streaming down her face. Iris wipes the tears off Lila's face. "Lila, I know you're not ready and that the people here are assholes. But you know what I do love you with all my heart and I know this is a crazy idea. But I need you to believe that I've got this and I'll be back whether it be alive or spirit."Iris caresses Lila's face. "Alright I believe you," Lila says and puts her arms around Iris's neck. Then they lean each other's foreheads together and their breathing starts to move at the same pace. "love you," Iris says and wraps her arms around Lila's waist. " Love you too," Lila says a second later. They kiss lightly and smile. "We should get back upstairs and you need to get ready for the ball," Lila says and Iris nods. They grab the books and head to Iris's room.

Iris sets the diary on the odimen while Lila pulls out a dark blue floral gown. Lila helps Iris put on the dress and get ready for the ball. Lastly, Lila puts some Bellflowers in her half braided hair. "you look amazing" Lila says and tucks a piece of hair behind Iris's ear. "That's thanks to you" Iris replies and smiles. A bell rings and they look outside, "It's time for you to go"Lila sighs and looks at Iris. "yep, I'll see you tonight and when I get back we can finish my packing" Iris says and smiles. Iris gives Lila a quick kiss before leaving and then heads to the carriage.

Once Iris gets to the dance the announcer greets them at the party. People around talk and chat. But as they see Iris people start to be quiet and just stare blankly as she walks down the steps. The 'King of Everfrost' stands up, "Welcome everyone to my kingdom! Now, let us start with a dance. Kings and Queens, Lords and Ladys, grab your partner and dance. For winter's eve is here!" He announces to get every ones attention to him. They all find their partners and begin to dance to a classical song. Then a man in a white suit that looks around Iris's age walks up to her. "M'Lady, may I have this dance?" He asks bowing down, Iris looks at her mother and sees her nod. "I would love too" Iris replies and puts a fake smile on then curtsied. The two begin to dance, "That was a fake smile you put on a second ago Lady Iris," the Prince said while spinning Iris. "Yes I did, why is something wrong with that?" Iris says and tilts her head. "No, you just seem like you don't want to be at this ball,"He replies and squints his eyes. "Well as a matter of fact you are correct. I don't want to be here," Iris says as she spins outward. "What if I can make you change your mind," He says spinning Iris back, "Don't you try to make a move on me it won't work. Plus this isn't fun" Iris says and chuckles a bit. The song ends and The man reaches for her. "I wasn't going to make a move, I know who you are Iris and I know you don't ever say yes to a Prince." He explains to her and they move to the buffet table. "That's that first" Iris says and laughs, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Nick, Prince of Everfrost" He says and Iris almost spits out the water she had in her hand. "Oh my god, I apologize for my rudeness, M'Lord," Iris says while staring at him embarrassed, and then shakes his hand. "No worries, and I'm also not looking for a suitor," Nick says and smiles. "Really, wow I've never met a prince who isn't horny and looking for a queen because Daddy said so," Iris says and laughs then sighs. " Wow you're really honest," Nick says and they laugh. "yep that's me," Iris says and gives a smile, "Ok, you see that knight over there guarding my father's throne?" Nick asks pointing up. Iris nods her head and then looks at him, "He is my personal guard but also my lover as they say" He explains to her. Iris smiles and looks at him, "Ya I know, as they say, they call it many things but not partners. I'm glad you have someone who likes you the same way" Iris says and smiles at him. "Ya it sure is, but do you have anyone like Me and him?" Nick asks wondering, "Actually I do and she is my Lady in waiting. But I won't be seeing her for a while" Iris says but then frowns a bit. "Why is that, is she getting executed?!" Nick asks worriedly. "No she's not getting executed, I'm just going on a journey for some answers" Iris explains and looks around. "oh that makes sense, you should bring her with you" Nick responds, "ya I should" Iris replies to his comment. They both look up at the clock and realize the Ball is going to end soon. "I hope your journey goes well," Nick says a gives a smile, "Me too, but I better get going because I'm leaving tonight and no one in my kingdom knows besides, you know" Iris explains, "know what you mean, I'm guessing your lady in waiting only knows" Nick lesions and iris nods her head. Iris's mother motions her hand, "Good-Bye I hope to see you soon" Iris says and waves. "Bye, see ya," He says and waves back.

Iris and her family leave and get in the carriage. When they arrive her parents head to their room, "Good night Iris" The Queen says and goes into her room. "Night" Iris whispers and then goes to her bedroom door. As Iris opens the door she sees Lila sitting on the bed, "Hey" Iris says and closes the door. "Hi, How was the Ball" Lila asks and then stands up. "It was nice I met the prince of Everfrost who is in love with his male bodyguard," Iris says and chuckles. "At least he didn't hit on you," Lila says and walks over to Iris. " Ya, that's for sure. Oh, can you help me with my dress" Iris asks softly. Lila smiles at her and starts to help with the dress. When Lila goes to untie the back of the dress she starts to untie it. After it's untied Lila traces a finger down Iris's smooth back, then kisses it a bit. Iris notices and takes a strap off her shoulder. "May I?" Lila asks for consent to continue. Iris nods her head and Lila then takes the other strap off Iris's shoulder. Lila goes in front of Iris and kisses her. Iris pulls away and kisses Lila's neck and bites it. Then as Iris counties to kiss her neck Lila finishes taking off Iris's dress. Iris stops and kisses Lila on the lips deeply. They both begin to kiss deeply and passionately, but then run into the wardrobe. They pull away and chuckle while taking a few breaths. "Come with me on my journey," Iris says and looks into Lila's brown eyes. "I know it's dangerous, but it could be worse if you stayed here" Iris explains to reassure Lila. "I'll go with you but could it be worse," Lila says and looks at Iris. "It could be worse because you could have been executed once they find out I left and they would've turned to you." Iris explains to her. "ok I understand that but I will still come with you. Now, let's finish packing" Lila responds and kisses Iris. "Alright, I'll get dressed and you'll pack your stuff in the bags," Iris says and Lila nods her head.

Iris grabs a cream-colored button-up pirate shirt and brown leather pants, along with some boots. Iris changes then puts her hair in a ponytail and puts on some fingerless leather gloves. After that, she puts her dagger in the sheath of her boot and then packs the rest of the stuff. While Iris does that Lila changes into something like Iris's outfit but her sleeves are shorter "Ok, we're ready to go" Lila says but then Iris grabs a circular locket-like amulet out from her side pouch in her belt. "what is that?" Lila asks looking at the amulet, "Phantom put it by my window this morning. It was in a pouch with a note saying 'to help show you the way' and it was signed L.N." Iris explains. "You think it will work? or if it's a trick?" Lila questions, "I think it will work I can feel the magic," Iris tells her. "Alright, I'll trust that," Lila says and chuckles. After Iris tells Lila about the amulet they quietly leave the room. They head down to the underground stables. Once they get there they put on the black cloaks Lila grabbed and Iris grabs a bow and some arrows. Iris puts the arrows in the quiver and then attaches the quiver to her back. While Iris does that Lila starts to attach the bags to the black horse's saddle. "Ok get on the horse," Iris says and grabs the horse's lead, then starts to walk them out. As they leave quietly they look up at the sky and see Phantom, Iris calls for him. Phantom swoops down and lands on Iris's glove, "Show us the trail" Iris says and as they are about to head into the dark misty forest, Iris's amulet went from a smooth black swirling obsidian to a glowing blue. The glowing blue light coming from the amulet starts to show a trail leading into the dark misty forest. Then they start to walk into the dark misty forest following the trail...