Wings of Grace

Chapter 8

      As soon as they entered the Great Hall, Lyon had been drawn to the lovely vision by Reardon's side.. Use to war, and the constant battle scars, he hadn't really noticed the cuts and bruises on Lara's face. To him, she was beautiful. But sitting there, looking so elegant in that green dress, Lara was breathtaking.

     Remembering the feeling of holding her, in his arms, how his body had responded to the softness of her kiss. Lyon knew he could easily drown in the depths of her passion. He had known many women, but for what ever reason, he had never felt such a bond with any of them. Lara had somehow captured his heart and soul and he was hesitant, in allowing anyone to have such power over him. ' Ha! As though he had a say in this'. Right from the start, when he first held her he knew that he was going to have trouble letting her go.

     Lyon was over the moon to see that she wasn't entirely happy with her predicament. He had been worried that Lara may have preferred the mature King to himself. But her fierce expression, made her lovely turquoise green eyes, look like pools of sparkling faceted crystals. It definitely said, otherwise.

     Lyon was so enraptured with Lara, that Julie had to nudge him forward to follow the others, so they could get in line.

     He almost laughed out loud when he realised he was actually nervous. Lyon could feel the palm of his hands starting to sweat. Riding into battle was easy compared to singing in front of this crowd, especially Lara. The need to impress her was paramount.

     Julie, one of the best combat soldiers, had the voice of an angel. She had surprised everyone that she could sing, when the request for anyone with talent to come forth to partake on this dangerous mission. She was enjoying every minute. Wearing a long sleeved, floor length royal blue dress with a laced-up bodice, that accentuated her voluptuous figure. Her long blonde curls left hanging softly around her youthful cherub face, she was admired by many. Especially Cassian, a muscular, fair headed lad who had never really seen her as anything but a soldier before now. He had always considered her as one of the guys.

     Cassian had slowly kissed the back of her hand, bidding her "good luck", making her uncharacteristically blush, before both Julie and Lyon went to the designated entrance, to the left of the two thrones, where they were told to wait for their cue.

     The same guard with the monotone voice announced the start of their performance.

     "Your Majesty, 'Desert Flames of Grace' will now perform. Their act will include singing, followed by a dance of strength and grace and fire breathing."

     Lyon was wearing a light blue, silk shirt, black fitted pants, knee length black, leather boots, and a large tawny-fawn bird mask covering his hair and most of his face. He started strumming his favourite lute, to the tune of an old ballad that he had adapted for this occasion. The haunting sounds of the melody, mesmerised the audience ensuring their silence before he began to sing. 

      Never taking his eyes off Lara, he walked towards her throne, singing his heart out to her, elated when she responded instantly to his voice.

     Julie, noticing the guards preparing to move in to stop Lyon, as he started to get very close to the podium, quickly pulled her white feathered bird mask down over her face, and hurried over to Lyon, turning him before he was arrested and started singing as though she was angry with him and then pretending to forgive him turning the ballad into a romantic quarrel. Lyon quickly caught on, acting his part in the charade. King Reardon started laughing, soon followed by the rest of the audience. They were a success.

     As soon as they finished, Strauss, bare chested wearing brown leather suede pants, a black mask, walked barefooted, towards the centre of the hall, supporting Alexis on the mid of her back, high in the air on one hand. He was a giant of a man. She looked so small and delicate, with her long black hair flowing down his arm.

     Dressed in a tight black bodice with a flowing pink skirt, and a pink petticoat with matching pink tights and soft ballet type slippers, Alexis, an expert with the sword, balanced lifelessly waiting, until Cassian in the background started a fast rhythmic beat on two leather skin drums, accompanied by Lyon playing the Lute. Strauss started turning in circles, matching the beat of the drums, until the beat suddenly stopped and Alexis was thrown into the air twisting her body in a roll until she fell back into Strauss's open arms where he gently placed her onto the ground in a splits position. Her skirt flowing gracefully around her on the floor. The crowd loved it.

     Alexis danced around Strauss, who couldn't dance to save himself, then ran and jumped into Strauss's out stretched arms as he lifted her up, holding her by her right ankle balanced on his head. She lifted her left leg up at a 45 degree angle in front of her and when she signalled, he let go of her ankle and she pirouetted twice on the bald patch on his head. Lucky everyone was looking at her grace and not the grimace on his face. Their amazing dance left the audience wanting more, as to a drum roll, they completed their routine with a death roll after Alexis was thrown into the air and somersaulting three times only to be caught inches from the ground. Only Strauss saw the look of terror in Alexis's eyes, and understood perfectly her silent words "I'll kill you later."

     As they departed, both John and Cassian entered the hall floor, bare chested and barefooted wearing white loose pants, carrying a lit torch and making plumes of fire, sending the streams into the air above them. The danger involved with fire breathers, always added to the excitement.

     Lyon, signalled to Julie, Alexis and Strauss to get ready to move on his command. He knew they had to make no mistakes. He didn't want to think what would happen if they were caught.

     At last John and Cassian took their final bow and started to walk off and Lyon was about to signal, when King Louis Reardon stood up demanding the group 'Desert Flames of Grace' to be brought before him.

     The crowd went quiet. This was a most unusual request.

*****

     Whenever Louis looked at Lara he saw Tiana and he had trouble keeping his eyes off her during the whole performance. He knew she was still angry with him, but he liked her spirit. He always preferred his wives to be subservient, but with Lara he would make an exception. It was just a matter of time..she would soon learn what he liked...one way or another.

     And then he noticed Lara's sudden interest in the first act of the group, her fierce resentful expression had softened, almost as soon as he started singing. Her eyes keenly looking for the owner of the voice.

*****

     Each member of the group, all looked at Lyon, this was not part of the plan. Had they been found out already?

     Walking to the front of the hall felt like the longest 2 minutes ever.

     With each step, Lyon felt the bond that tied both Lara and himself together only getting stronger. Still wearing his mask, luckily, he was able to hide his expression, as looking directly at Lara he could see her composure start to break as she struggled to hide her real feelings. She had such expressive eyes and they were speaking volumes. And it was all for him.

     He needed more time.

     They needed more time.

     Finally, they stood in front of the King, bowing their heads.

     The silence in the Great Hall was deafening.

      King Reardon slowly stood up. Towering over those before him.

     With a brave face, they looked up only to see....