People of every race attended the ball. They were more people here than the banquet.

No small wonder, as drinking and frolicking about were allowed because it was less official, or it seemed that way.

Not all of them were mages, but the people the mages brought with them.

The lodge had paid musicians to provide their services, though instruments could just have been animated to play themselves, but many did agree that music from an actual person had what they could call 'soul' and thus sounded better though the actual quality of the sound was the same.

A strange but understandable notion.

Vell had, of course, taken Hiraeth with them.

The best wine in the country would be served at this very night and he did not want the sprite to be left out.

Vell and Sonder, and Hiraeth in hand, had just reached the table with the refreshments, as a woman had approached them.

She was a mature woman though not of old age, and she put a hand on her hip and asked, “Oh, Dread Mage,” her tone made it clear that she found that title to be ridiculous, “Would you allow me a dance?”

She reached out a gentle hand.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“How can I refuse such a beautiful and young woman?” Vell responded and took her hand in his.

He looked back at Sonder before he made his way to the dance floor.

“What am I supposed to do?” She asked.

“Have fun, just for this night. Drink, or search for company that would understand you.” He answered.

“I’m not allowed to drink yet.” She said, almost flustered.

“Then watch Hiraeth drink three times his bodyweight. That should be an exciting night.”

And then he disappeared in the masses that were dancing in, both, a regal, and more peasant way.

She looked to Hiraeth. He was already red in the face.

“Don’t-“ He hiccupped. “Don’t worry about me. Spread your wings, little Sonder!”

He was too focused on drinking than socialize with her.

This was terrible, Sonder thought.

She was always bad in situation like with; where she didn’t know anybody, but she didn’t want to look like a little girl lost without the hand of her parent to guide her.

The thing she decided to do was to sit on a chair in the corner of the large hall and just watch, hoping nobody would look her way.

And that worked for a good while, until, when Sonder had almost fallen asleep and kept her head down, heard somebody call, “Excuse me?”

When she lifted her head and opened her eyes, stained with the tiredness of boredom she saw a boy, about her own age.

“Sorry, heh,” he said, “but aren’t you the Dread Mage’s apprentice?”

He wore spectacles and their glass reflected the light from the orbs above them and blinded Sonder.

“Yes,” she answered, and immediately followed up with, “Why is it that you want to know?”

“Oh, no reason. Do you wanna hang out? Away from all the adults and their stuff?”

She thought about the boredom she had just endured, and automatically said, “yes.”

Whatever they would do would be more entertaining, and would be a nice change of pace.