The Lancaster Chronicles: A Knight's Honour.

Chapter 7.- The Halloween Ball

Two weeks had passed since the last time we joined Sebastian which means the Halloween Ball finally arrived at Lancasters, and everyone was excited. The school was decorated with jack o' lanterns which scared passers-by and laughed hysterically when they stumbled and screamed. The halls were lined with the usual knights of the school's guard but instead wore black armour with a purple glow emanating from within them. In the grounds, fiendish imps were playing amongst themselves, throwing wobbly wowzers at each other, while silver unicorns galloped through the hedges.

In the castle, students wore their finest gags, the boys donned their Halloween themed costumes and coats covered all manner of silly goblins and grumpy ogres; the girls wore their long scraggly dresses, with scarves made of jelly beans, some even wearing witches' hats. Today, students were exempt from classes and were given the day to pull pranks on their friends and the occasional group effort on one of their Professors. Today, wasn't just all fun and games however, at precisely 9 pm at the clock tower's sound, they were to assemble in their finest dress and have dinner and would end it all with a terrifyingly exciting ball.

It was already 8:37 pm and most students abandoned their costumes and retreated to their dorms to get ready for the big event. For some it was their third or even fourth and for others, their very first; the excitement grew it these inductees like a thirst. Surely no one would pass up this opportunity, nonetheless we must acknowledge our dear Sebastian. Sebastian made it back to his room, just after being forced to trick or treat with Darius and Emilia, dressed as a decaying zombie. He lumbered his way to his bedroom and started yanking the costume off. He walked to his mirror and looked at his made-up face, and tried to rub it off, but to no avail.

While looking in the mirror, he caught glimpse of a dark silhouette of something perched on his wardrobe. He turned around and walked up to the wardrobe. Hung on its door was his tuxedo, a deep black jacket, a stark white dress shirt, with matching trousers and a black bow tie. As Sebastian investigated, he found a note in the jacket's ticket pocket. The note read:

Embrace your youth, have fun. You have the rest of your life to live at your appreciation. Remember, time will always fly ahead; the good news is you are its commander.

-Dad

Sebastian stood still, unsure of what to make of the transcript. He carefully put the note on his bed and started to get ready for the ball. He showered, washing the make-up off and got dressed. Just as he was putting in his cufflinks, he heard the door open then close. "Sebastian! It's us! You finished?", said a very exciting sounding Darius which was followed by a soft giggle. Sebastian through on his jacket and walked out of his room, "All set." Standing in the drawing room was Darius, his hair trimmed down, dressed as proper as a prince and holding his arm, an elegantly dressed Emilia, her eye gleaming. "Ready to go Sir?", asked Darius, "Dinner is starting in about eight minutes." "Sure, let's go", replied Sebastian. The group left the room, Sebastian locking the door behind them, "And don't call me Sir."

The party left the clock tower and headed to Magnus Hall, along their way they greeted other friends, well more of Darius' and Emilia's. Before long, they arrived at their destination. From outside of the hall, beautiful baroque music could be heard. The group entered the hall and what a sight it was! The long tables had been replaced with circular tables with orange table cloths; on the tables were set the finest of cutlery, still being polished by goblins and in the centre, a miniature laughing jack o' lantern. As the group walked to an empty table, Darius pointed to the ceiling which was decorated to look like a canopy of trees, complete with the yellow peering eyes of owls. Lining the walls, weren't the knights dressed in black, instead, they wore different costumes; some like elves, zombies and even a ballerina!