The Guardian

Chapter Eleven

And once again the King of stupid ideas decided going to the tailor was a smart idea. When Damian and I told him it was stupid, his reply was that he needed an outfit for the masquerade.

So that was how we ended up riding through the streets in a dark carriage. Damian was in armour, Sophia was in a gorgeous blue gown and silver heels, the same as usual. And I was in a blue tunic with white pants and black boots. I almost matched Isodore. I twisted one of my braids between my fingers, and looked over at Sophia's perfectly curled golden hair, partially pulled back into tiny little twists, forming a crown around her head.

The carriage bounced a little as we went over some rough road and the two knives at my side clinked together. Sophia and I watched out the window, Damian watched his feet, and Isodore's gaze kept flickering between the three of us, think he knew something the rest of us didn't. But he always seemed to look like that.

After about 10 minutes, the carriage stopped and Damian and I jumped out first. The street was empty except for a few nobles walking between stores. Our carriage had stopped in front of a tailor's shop and Isodore emerged a moment later, not waiting for us to give him clearance. I rolled my eyes as Sophia climbed out, ignoring her cousin's offered hand. We walked into the tailor's store, Damian in front, then Isodore, then Sophia, and I closed up at the end.

I'd just closed the door behind us when I heard a chipper voice up ahead and turned to find a man in loose brown pants, a red tunic, and a black tailor's apron. He had greying black hair and a huge smile on his face, he looked at 50.

"Lord Hamlin," the man bowed low and then kissed Sophia's waiting hand, before inclining his head to Damian and I. "What can I do for you?"

"Well, I'm having a masquerade in two weeks, and we all need a new outfit for it, along with matching masks," Isodore spoke kindly, charming the man, but Damian and I were trying to work out if he was talking about us as well. "All four of us."

At least he'd answered my question.

"And was there a particular masquerade theme?" The tailor smiled around at all of us, but only directed his question at Isodore.

"There wasn't going to be, but there can be, I suppose," Isodore gave a small smile before turning to Sophia. "Any ideas, cousin?"

"Animals? I don't know," Sophia gave the suggestion and then shrugged.

"Animals, excellent idea!" Isodore exclaimed loudly, almost making me jump at Damian's side.

"Wonderful theme," the tailor smiled widely. "And what animals are you going to be?"

"I'll be a peacock," Sophia smiled sweetly before Isodore could answer.

"Lovely, my dear, I know just what to do," the tailor smiled back at her.

"I'll be a fox," Isodore spoke next and the tailor nodded. "Damian? Violette?"

"I'll be a bear," Damian shrugged, I don't think he really cared all that much.

"I'll be a swan," I give a small smile as I say the first thing that comes to mind.

"Wonderful choices everyone," the tailor beamed with happiness and I smiled back, it was contagious. He bustled behind his counter and wrote down our names and animals, then locked the front door and took us to a sitting room, before explaining ideas for each of our costumes.

Sophia's gown was going to be huge, with an array of blues, purples and emeralds in the skirt. The top was going to be strapless and adorned with blue jewels. The mask would match, made of purple material and blue jewels around the edges, and emerald feathers spiking from the top. My dress would not be as huge as Sophia's, instead with a short, puffy petticoat underneath to allow for freedom of movement. That was my idea of course. The top had sleeves to just below my elbows and a scooping neckline. The entire dress would be ivory, with pearls along the neckline and lace at the ends of my sleeves and skirt. My mask would be the same colour, with white feathers from the top.