Vampire Academy: Dimitri's Point of View

The Queens Banquet

I stood near the back of the room at attention. Many of the school guardians were working tonight, and a good portion were in this room. The arrival of the Moroi Queen always called for a little extra precaution. The wards surrounding the school had been reenforced this morning and we had double perimeter guards patrolling them. Since all the students would be in attendance, there were very few patrolling the actual grounds or buildings besides this one. The queen's Royal Guard would take care of escorting Queen Tatiana, but the school also offered backup as needed. I had been assigned as "on call" for that job, but since I had yet to receive orders pertaining to it, I was simply standing watch in the cafeteria-turned-banquet-hall.
I was actually fairly impressed how well they had gotten this particular transformation down. Typically, the cafeteria gave a very industrial vibe. Florescent lighting, long plastic tables, blank walls with the occasional piece of characterless art. At least the guardian lounge, where most of the guardians took their meals, had some personality.
For an event like this though, the dining hall hardly looked like the same room. The tables had been covered in red linen, with vases of roses and lilies alternating with glowing candlesticks in between. Food trays were replaced with simple white place settings, name cards attached to each one for assigned seating. A large crimson runner divided the center aisle and stopped at a small raised platform near the front. A head table stood perpendicular to the rows of student tables for the Queen, select school staff, and a few royal invitees. The overall lighting was low enough that the bare walls seemed to fade into the background, and with guardians standing statue-like every few feet, we provided the final ceremonial detailing.
A banquet hosted by the Queen called for formality. Students and staff dressed much nicer than they typically would for an average school day and guardians were asked to wear our professional Black & Whites. While the Queen preferred her Royal Guard professionally dressed each day, most guardians preferred something more casual unless attending a special event. I had only pulled my Black & Whites out maybe a dozen times while at the academy, mostly for the most formal dances and the graduations each year. With Ivan, it had been a necessity more often due to his social schedule, but there was some camaraderie in the fact that he disliked dressing up almost as much as I did. I usually brought them to Court when I made my way out there, but it was a toss up on whether or not they were actually needed.
Students started filling the hall, along with some teachers and other staff. I saw Headmistress Kirova take her place at the head table and I quickly noticed Vasilisa finding her seat near the front of the student section, on the right hand side of the crimson runner. This wasn't unusual, seeing how the front half of student tables were reserved for Moroi while the dhampir novices sat towards the back. Race and Class division ran deep in our world, and youth weren't spared the separation any more than the rest of us. There were even signs of this among the Moroi students; those of Royal birth and in good standing always sat closer to the front and center of the room. It was all a political game, and by Lissa's assigned position, she was doing very well.
Rose entered with the final wave of students. While I wasn't exactly looking for her, she always seemed to grab my attention somehow. Her outfit brought a small grin. While it wasn't as formal as the dresses most of the girls decided to wear, it was a step up from her usual attire. She traded her typical uniform of jeans and tee shirt for an olive green sweater that stopped just past her hips and a pair of dark leggings underneath. She didn't wear any other adornment other than a belt cinching at her waist and a pair of simple flats. Her hair was loose around her shoulders. She was dressed simply, but she didn't seem to need all the extras that some girls cling to for attention.
She looked around the hall, a big smile lighting her face when she noticed Lissa in her honored position. When her eyes shifted around the room again, it was Mason who captured her attention. He waved her over, picking up the name card beside him to show her where her seat was. I would say that he was quite lucky, if I hadn't seen him switch her card earlier with another one a few seats down. There was an odd cross of amusement and annoyance as I continually saw him vie for her attention. The feeling was settled a bit when I reminded myself of two important points:
First, I would prefer her association with him over most young men in this school, especially ones like Jesse Zeklos and...
Second, she didn't seem to notice his advances one bit. Or, if she did, she politely ignored them.
Once seated, she absentmindedly scanned the room again. It took me a moment to notice that she wasn't focusing on the students but the guardians lining the hall. I stood a little taller realizing that she was looking for me. I looked straight ahead so I didn't meet her eyes. However, I also didn't miss the awkward smile that crossed her face when she finally saw me. I didn't have to think about what inspired it. I was fairly certain that she was replaying this afternoon just as much as I was. She quickly looked away to continue her conversation with Mason and the others around her.
Everyone rose as the room quieted and the royals entered. Victor Dashkov was among them, moving slowly and painfully. Once the group was seated, four members of the Royal Guard entered and scanned the room. I felt many of the guardians around me stiffen at their presence. It was no question that those men and women were some of the best out there, and they earned our respect without hesitation. One of the guards, an upper-thirty gentleman with salt-n-pepper hair who I assumed to be the captain met Guardian Petrov's eyes and they exchanged a quick nod before he spoke into the nearly invisible radio at his collar.
The two guards behind him opened the double doors as the room sank to their knees momentarily in a show of loyalty. Only those of us at attention around the walls remained standing. Queen Tatiana entered with four other guards surrounding her. The captain and his partner led the procession though the main aisle, slow enough to keep pace with the royal woman.
She quickly made her way though the novice section, smiling and nodding to acknowledge the group as a whole rather than any specific individual. While they respected her, the Royal Guardians accompanying her probably held more awe for them. Because of their birth, they would never hold a significant place of political power in out world. The highly honored position as a Royal Guardian was an attainable goal however. It was one that I aspired to at their age and still considered from time to time. After actually working as a guardian however, perhaps simply reaching the age of 35 was a worthy goal to seek. I knew that more than a few of these students wouldn't live that long.
Rose will. I can help make sure of that at least. I focused again on her momentarily as the thought came unbidden.
My attention was quickly redirected as I heard another familiar name.
"Vasilisa Dragomir."
Vasilisa gave a small curtsy as the Queen addressed her. It was quite an honor to be addressed directly.
"We heard you had returned," the Queen continued. "We are glad to have the Dragomirs back, even though only one remains. We deeply regret the loss of your parents and your brother; they were among the finest of the Moroi, their deaths a true tragedy."
I could see the Princess's polite smile fall just a hint at the mention of her family, but she regained her composure quickly.
After a moment longer, Queen Tatiana addressed her again. "You have an interesting name. Many heroines in Russian fairy tales are named Vasilisa."
I briefly remembered some of the stories my mother and grandmother told my sisters and I in the evening as children.
"Vasilisa the Brave, Vasilisa the Beautiful." The queen continued, "They are all different young women, all having the same name and the same excellent qualities: strength, intelligence, discipline, and virtue. All accomplished great things, triumphing over their adversaries."
I could see Lissa stand a little straighter under the praise. From the corner of my eye, Rose mirrored her posture and I found myself unintentionally doing the same.
"Likewise, the Dragomir name commands its own respect. Dragomir kings and queens have ruled wisely and justly in our history. They have used their powers for miraculous ends. They have slain Strigoi, fighting right alongside their guardians. They are royal for a reason."
As the room buzzed, I considered her words about Moroi fighting alongside guardians. It seemed like such an odd thing to mention as praise when it is now generally seen as unacceptable.
"Yes," Queen Tatiana's voice silenced the hum around her. "You are doubly named with power. Your name represents the finest qualities people have to offer and harken back in time to deeds of greatness and valor." Lissa was beaming now, however I could hear something lingering in the Queen's voice that made my skin crawl. "But, as you have demonstrated, names do not make a person. Nor do they have any bearing on how that person turns out."
The Queen turned away after that, as if Vasilisa wasn't worth her presence and all Lissa could do was bow as she walked away. Her face never looking up from the floor after that.
The protective urge in me felt a small pull towards my charge, but my job was to prevent physical pain, not emotional pain. I ignored the instinct, but I knew that I wasn't the only one who would feel the need to rush to Lissa's side.
Rose was still near her seat. She had moved slightly out of position, but not enough to warrant the attention of anyone else. I could sense the fire as her anger practically radiated it. Her muscles were tense and I knew that she was considering avenging her friend's honor. I pleaded she would look my way so I could discourage those thoughts.
She was focused on Vasilisa.
I looked around, slightly panicked. I knew I couldn't approach her without drawing more attention to Rose. Luckily I saw that I wasn't the only one who noticed that Rose was on edge. Mason stood behind her, his hand outstretched slightly so he could grasp her if she moved any further. It seemed like all three of us held our breath waiting. Rose finally relaxed, letting her shoulders slump in defeat. She knew that there was nothing she could do. Still, Mason and I were both tense until everyone took their seats and dinner officially started.
As soon as she possibly could, Vasilisa left the reception. Rose left right behind her. I waited the last seven minutes before my replacement for the evening would relieve me. I knew there was a dinner provided in the guardian's lounge for the event, seeing how we wouldn't have a chance to actually participate in tonight's dinner, but that would have to wait. I felt the need to see to my charge first.
By the time that I'm finally relieved, I knew that Rose and Vasilisa could be practically anywhere on campus. Taking my best guess, I start heading towards the Moroi student dorms. I heard some voices coming from the courtyard adjacent to the cafeteria. As I got closer, I could recognize one of the voices: a very agitated Rose.
I followed her raised voice through the maze of hedges until I found a group of girls near the the statue of St. Vladimir. Rose and Lissa were among them, as well as a smaller blonde girl who had harassed them on more than one occasion since returning. Rinaldi I believe, Mia Rinaldi. She and Rose had exchanged words a few times, but as I stepped into view it looked like the current argument might actually come to blows.
Luckily, the presence of a school guardian was enough to break the rising tension in the air. "Everything all right?"
"Sure thing, Guardian Belikov." Rose was had a fake smile plastered across her face, doing very little to hide the rage that was mostly directed that the Rinaldi girl. I was certain that I had earned a small part of it as well, since she knew I would restrain her if she took any physical action. Calling me by my professional title only confirmed as much. I could count on one hand the number of times she had willingly done so, and it had never been done out of respect. "We were just swapping family stories. Ever heard Mia's? It's fascinating."
The tiny blonde flicked her hair over her shoulders and rolled her eyes. "Come on." Her command led the majority of the girls towards the courtyard entrance, leaving Rose, Lissa and I standing next to the statue.
The final look between Rose and Mia left one thing certain. This wasn't over. Growing up in a house full of women made it easier to spot the battle ground of the cruel wars that girls fought. I had been in a few fights growing up and I could wholeheartedly say that I preferred the way men and boys settled their battles. Most often, it ended in a few bruises and scrapes. At worse there was a broken bone. Women however...they were vicious. They would use words to slowly slice at each others souls, cut by agonizing cut, until their victim lay in a bloody heap at their feet. They didn't break bones, they broke spirits. The scars that their wounds left would last longer than any that I had given or received during my schoolyard brawls.
"I'm supposed to take you back to your dorm," it wasn't exactly the truth since I hadn't been ordered to do so, but I also knew that she could be reprimanded for breaking her probation if she didn't get back to her dorm soon. After the incident I just witnessed, I preferred to escort her there myself. "You weren't about to start a fight, were you?"
"Of course not. I don't start fights were people can see them." Her voice was flat and her eyes never left the entrance that the posse had walked through moments before.
I could hear the Princess start to reprimanded her as I simply shook my head. "Let's go," I urged, vainly hoping that this would all somehow blow over. I nodded once to to Vasilisa and bid her good night before making my way out of the courtyard.
"You going to be okay, Liss?" Rose's voice was quiet and concerned and I waited a few steps ahead of her.
"I'm fine." The gentle voice was barely audible, even to my sharp hearing, but it was enough for me to know that she was lying. I turned back at the pair, Vasilisa doing her best to feebly reassure Rose while Rose seemed ready to do whatever it took to erase pain on Lissa's face.
"Liss..."
"I told you, I'm fine. You've got to go." She nodded in my direction. Rose finally sighed and stood to follow me, reluctant to leave her friend but knowing that she couldn't do anything to sooth the humiliating events of the night.
As she walked beside me in silence, her eyes focused just ahead of her feet, I wanted to say something to break her sullen mood. I was still searching for something a minute or so later and ended up saying the first thing that came to mind. "We may need to add an extra training on self-control."
She gave me a snarky smile. "I have pleanty of self contr–hey!" Her eyes suddenly focused on the dark figure that had been heading the direction we came from.
I recognized Christian as Rose purposefully made her way towards him. He seemed more annoyed anything else that his trip was being interrupted.
"You going to see Lissa?" Her earlier rage was suddenly directed towards him.
"What if I am?"
"Rose, this isn't the time." I might as well had been invisible. Rose was ignoring me and Christian was surprisingly apathetic under her glare.
"Why don't you just leave her alone? Are you so messed up and desperate for attention that you can't tell when someone doesn't like you? You're some crazy stalker, and she knows it. She told me all about your weird obsession – how you're always hanging out in the attic together, how you set Ralf of fire to impress her. She thinks you're a freak, but she's too nice to say anything."
Both Christian and I were shocked into silence by her rant. I had heard Rose mention once or twice in training that Lissa was spending time with someone she didn't approve of, but I don't recall her ever naming the student. Christian Orzera would have been my last guess. However, remembering that he stood up against the Sarcozy up for Lissa seemed to fill in at least one of the missing pieces.
"But you aren't too nice?" His earlier apathy was quickly morphing to agitation.
"No. Not when I feel sorry for someone."
The two of them stared the other down. Christians eyes were dark with loathing, but he still shirked away slightly from the wild girl in front of him. I didn't blame him. Growing up in Russia, I had heard the cautionary tales of hunters or hikers stepping between a mother bear and her cubs. I had a feeling that if Rose would protect Lissa with the same brutal passion if she felt the need to.
"Enough." Apparently forgotten on the sidelines, my voice was enough to make them both jump and break their trance. I placed an hand on Rose's shoulder, feeling some of her tension release under my palm as I steered her back towards her dorm.
"Thanks for helping,then." Christian's eyes followed us as we left.
"No problem," Rose's called back with a final smirk as I turned her around the corner, blocking their view of each other with a hedge.
We made the rest of the way back to the novice dorms in silence, my hand still on her shoulder to guide her. Rose's breath became more even with every step, but I could still see her frustration. Part of me wanted to reassure her that Christian was a decent boy, but the truth was that I didn't know for certain. I could only assume such because I knew Tasha, and believed that she would raise him to be respectful despite the adversities that faced him. Even if I could sooth Rose's mind about Christian, it was only a small part of the overall stress I knew she was suffering from. I had no idea what had caused the animosity with the other girl, thus no answer. As for the the Queen's very harsh and very public words condemning Princess Vasilsa? There simply was no solution. No matter how unfair or cruel she had been, the Queen had the privilege of doing as she wishes.
If it hadn't been so close to student curfew, I might have led Rose to the gym rather than the dorms. I had found that some time at the punching bag was often a great stress reliever. As it was, all I could do was encourage her to sleep it off and hope that she was feeling better in the morning. I briefly considered heading to the gym myself, but decided to catch a quick dinner before turning in. It had been a long day, and I was ready to see it end.