Death Returns

Confusing Encounter

    The rest of the day passed as uneventfully as it could while being in a castle full of cultists. The usual feasts, games, mingling, occasionally a few..interesting happenings but nothing note-worthy. But as the day began to bleed into afternoon, and the afternoon into night, Calian started to wonder: what the hell was going on?

This place was filled with royalty and people who served them, yet half of them are part of a Greek god worshipping cult? And the other half were just, what, surprised with this information upon arriving? Hasn't anyone tried to put a stop to the madness? What if someone here had common sense and tried to go to the continental law enforcement? What if someone didn't agree with the religion or had different beliefs? Do they really pick and choose their attendees that well?

Calian had been wondering this for most of the afternoon as he mingled and chatted with guests, as well as Rudolph and Evita. He had finally gotten to meet Rudolph's wife, and she as just as dedicated to the cause as he'd said. Even so, she was a lovely woman and they made a fine couple. As for Evita, they enjoyed each other's company as usual, just talking about whatever suited the moment, trying to avoid Miss Siersha at all costs, as to dodge another uncomfortably passive-aggressive exchange.

Once the sun sank below the mountains, the king and queen announced tonight would be a partner exchange ball, in which you would dance or simply talk with someone for exactly three minutes, then switch until you've met and danced with everyone of the opposite sex. Calian had done something like this a couple years back, on the small island Kyocheia. He was buying some freshly carved Pangolin scales and saw a group of people in line sitting at tables opposite each other and switching partners every few minutes. He thought it rather strange, but quite interesting, so he participated and ended up gaining lots of new buyers.

He suspected this was the more "refined" version.

They were all going to be gathering in the dining room at precisely ten twenty, and it was already five til. Calian parted with a young prince he was speaking with to go change. He jaunted up the staircase and quickly made it to his room. He closed the door and riffled through the luggage he had brought, then finally found his outfit for tonight and dressed. He dawned a dark green undershirt and a grey suit, adjusting it slightly in the reflection of the inky black window by his bed. He quickly ran a few fingers through his hair as well, trying to tame the knotted strands that had been tousled throughout the day. Once he figured himself presentable, he sauntered back down and headed for the ballroom.

"Mister.." he suddenly heard a thin voice from behind him, back near the stairs. He stopped in his tracks and turned quickly, searching his surroundings for the source of the raspy call. He spotted a pair of light, almost white, sunken eyes peering at him from behind the banister of the staircase. He slowly took a few steps forward, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.

"Are you referring to me?" He asked hesitantly. He could tell the person was a man, but it confused him, because this didn't look like any man that would be allowed in the castle, especially at this time of year. He was thin and lanky, looking as if he hadn't eaten his whole life, and his posture was so poor that Calian had to physically look down at him to make eye contact. And speaking of, his eyes looked like small glowing moons, hidden deep in his sockets and struggling to stay open.

The man coughed—causing Calian to hold out his arms on instinct, because it looked like he was going to buckle—and spoke again in the strained voice. "Yes— my boy, you must leave, now.." he said, reaching out and grabbing Calians wrist, much tighter than Calian thought possible considering the man pitiful frame.

"What are you talking about? Who are you??" He questioned, very confused now.

"That's not important- they know you. They know your past and reject their future, do not trust them." He wheezed. Calian grimaced at the small strand of saliva that drooped from the man's mouth at the effort of his words.

A loud roar of laughter came from the ballroom and Calian glanced back nervously. "I'm not sure what you're talking about, but I must be going." He said quickly, wrenching his wrist free from the feeble man's grip.

"You don't listen! You must! Do you wish to die here as your parents did?? Leave now, or be doomed to the same fate!" He began to raise his mutters to a sputtering yell.

Calian was now even more confused—and surprised—at what he was hearing. "You.. how do you-"

"Calian! Come, hurry, I want you to be my first partner!" He heard Evita call. He turned quickly to see her stood in the large archway of the ballroom, her pure excitement causing her face to flush slightly. He frowned in response and she gave him a puzzled look.

"Evita-" he began, looking back to the man. Only he was no longer there. The frail figure that was seizing his attention just before had now disappeared into thin air. Had he imagined him? Did the man escape through a secret door?

"Calian? Is everything alright?" Evita asked. He nodded slowly, still frowning at the empty space where the man had stood just moments before.

"Yes.. fine.." he muttered. After another second he shook his head and blinked, then turned to face Evita with his usual charming smile. "Yes, everything's fine, sorry I must have gotten a bit lost in thought. Shall we?" He said as he walked over to her, offering his hand. She smiled again and nodded, taking it. They then joined the rest of the group together and proceeded with the ridiculous game of swapping partners. Calian played along, but his conversation with the strange man continued to echo though his thoughts.