Fallen

Chapter 5: A Dance

He grinned delightfully and took my arm. Prepared this time I didn't flinch and instead let myself be led onto the ballroom floor.

The music started up, and I groaned with exasperation. The young man eyed me mischeviously and slowly we started dancing. Two steps back, to the right. It continued like that and the young man pulled me in.

"So what is your name?" He asked as we danced. I answered with the first name that came to mind "uh, Clare." I said, voicing one of my handmaiden's names. "What a wonderful name." He said, however his hands stiffened. Not wanting to lose his attention I asked "What is yours, your name?" He looked back at me, green eyes glinting. "Fabian" he answered. "What brings you to the court Clare? You seem new." He asked me, his brown hair flopping over one of his eyes. "I'm not new." I said, avoiding his eyes. "Then why so shy?" He asked, a smile touching his lips again. I signed with exasperation, he wouldn't leave this subject alone!

"I... dont usually get asked to dance." I said, he was touching a dangerous subject and I didn't want to reveal my secret. He was being so kind... But then again he must be new, it would be so mean to take advantage of his obliviousness. Changing the subject I asked "What province do you hail from?" He stiffened and spoke slowly as if choosing his words, "Ortos Ave." I grinned with delight " The bird gardens? Are they as beautiful as people say?!" "Quite" he said grinning at my delight. Coming back to reality I realized the dance was over.

I broke away from him and watched sadly as he returned to the crowd. Delightfully I ran up to my father. He gave a small, half smile as I came to him. "I take it you enjoyed your dance?" My father asked, waiting for my answer. "Yes!" I breathed and felt much happier than I had felt in years.

~~~~~

The ball ended and I glided down the hallways, my gown blowing up dust. I ran to my room and accidentally collided with someone! "Oh dear I am so sorry I'll just-" I paused as I looked up and saw Fabian. He looked utterly surprised and a little angry but it was quickly replaced with joy. "Hello again... Clare." He said struggling a bit with my name. My smile faltered a little but then again he did meet me for a short while. "I was just heading this way, so sorry princess." He said and quickly brushed past me. Giddly I went to my room before realization hit me in the gut. He had called me princess, I didn't tell him that. Dread sinking in my stomach I backtracked and saw Fabian dart into a room down the other hall. I creeped up to the door and listened.

"He is your promised thousand druns." A male voice said. "Are you sure she had a good night at the ball?" The male voice questioned. "Of course my leige, I would not fail you." I heard Fabian say. "In fact I met her in the hall, she seemed completely lovestruck." Fabian said with a disgusted tone. The words twisted in my gut, he was talking about me. But who was he talking to? Who had paid him to dance with me?!

"I talked to Lord Salamen and he seems suspicious to me, I think it may be in your best interests to strip him of his place." Fabian added talking to the man. "Of course Derin, I cannot thank you enough for tonight. She seemed truly happy for once." Said the mysterious man. Slowly my mind worked, Fabian/Derin had called him my leige, this man can strip noblemen of his ranks- gasping with shock I knew who the man was. Then the door opened.

~~~~
Derin stared at the princess in shock. He was leaving the room after talking with King Eric when Amber had fallen to his feet after opening the door. Her face was tear streaked and she looked at me with hatred and anger burning in her eyes.

Keeping his calm demeanor he stepped out of the room and bowed to her. "My princess how nice to see you again." He said before walking away to take care of more important business.

One thousand druns to dance with the princess, practically a fortune! His hand scratched his head, the dye burning. Derin would wash out his hair and take care of Salamen. After all, he did have a duty to the king.

He had taken advantage of the disguise of a hopeless new nobleman to find out from people to see how they felt about the king. Some were agitated and others angry or sad. Salamen trouble him the most however. Salamen seemed like one to kill the king, so now it was time he learned what happens when you threaten the king. Derin opened the door to his room and grabbed the knives. He'd be needing them tonight.

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My face was streaked with tears when the door opened. Taken aback I hadn't noticed the footsteps nearing the door until too late. I glanced up and saw Fabian, no Derin staring at me. Gone was the boyish laughter and shameless flirting. His face had morphed into one of seriousness, one that had seen death and didn't care one bit about those lives. His accent had been faked too. It was a highborn accent that all the people in the castle spoke. There was only one person who could disguise himself so well, the Kings spymaster.

I glared at him with burning hatred. Then he had the audacity to bow to me "My princess how nice to see you again." He said, then walked away. I had half a mind to slap him, but then again this was the spymaster. Ignoring him I turned to the other culprit, my father.

His face had turned ashen when he saw me. Opening his mouth he said "Amber-" "NO" I yelled all my pent up rage and fury packed into that word, "DON'T TALK TO ME YOU LYING COWARD!" I drew in air, my breathing shaky, I directed my anger and bitterness at my father "YOU MADE ME BELIEVE A LIE! HOW Could you..." I said, my words softening as I began to cry, before I could break down I ran out of the room.

~~~~

I watched as my daughter ran out of the room, my words failing me. I felt like a fool. All I had wanted to do was to give her a good time at the ball. She had been so quiet recently and I couldn't remember why. Pondering this I paced the chamber, reaching for the door I went to go after my daughter, when cold steel whispered on my neck and a soft voice said, "Now where do you think you're going old man?"

~~~~

I reached my bed and sobbed. Throwing myself into the sheets, completely disregarding my dress. I cried with everything in me until I was numb. I ripped my dress off and pulled off the corset and petticoats. Throwing off my shoes I grabbed a night shift and snuck out into the stables.

The cool night wind tickled my cheeks and I slipped into the working rooms. Finding a short and trousers I pulled them on, sliding into heavy riding boots. Grabbing a saddle and reins I walked past my horse, Belle, and came across a beautiful stallion.

His pale gray coat shimmered and he tossed his dark mane. Looking closer I realized his coat was white with tiny flecks of grey in it. I walked into the stall and put the saddle onto him. He whickered and tossed the saddle off him. Confused I put it back on but he tossed it off again. Then he trotted out of the stall. Alarmed I ran after him but he was trotting back. A blanket in his mouth.

Mentally smacking myself I put the blanket on, then the saddle. It took me ten tries to get the bridle on right. The horse waited patiently as I stuck the bit in both his eyes and in his ear before finally adjusting it right. I put my foot in the stirrup and the whole saddle came off the horse. I could swear the horse laughed.

Groaning I heaved the saddle and blanket up again before noticing straps hanging underneath the horse. Grabbing them I quickly figured out I had to attach them. Securing them in what I hopefully assumed was in the right manner I carefully put my foot in the stirrup, hands ready the catch the saddle. Breathing a sigh of relief, the saddle didn't come off. I hopped onto the horse and took off into the night.