Time to go back in time.
Not actually go back in time. We aren't going to change anything, this time. But let's move the clock backwards and examine what happened.
As Daniel neared the grounds of the Fairy King's Palace, he looked over the the relatively new construction which was only a millennium old.
It was everything ethereal, curving spirals, cloudlike construction giving way to boxlike uniformity. There were harsh angles and cold curls. It was boxlike, but in the least understandable box shapes. The Fairy King's Palace bore a mix of all the courts, but there was a lack of some more mundane materials. Little wood could be found, as well as stone, and only the most exotic of plants filled the grounds. There was no grass or bamboo, and only the most unearthly of trees. There was nothing for the common fae here. Precious metals, glowing gems, shifting almost immaterial elements, and echoing clouds made the sharp and beautiful structure and palace for the King of all the Fae.
Even as a Lordling, Elswith had always disliked coming here. Something about the atmosphere of the place had said "You are beneath me, and the King."
As a servant, the Fairy King's Palace seemed to shout "You are a miserable bug, and you exist only because you are allowed."
As the clock moved the long hand toward 10 and the short hand was nearly upon 11, Daniel and the Old Lordling Talia entered the grounds. They arrived without pomp of ceremony. There were so many Fae, little Lords of small courts and powerful Lordlings from huge courts, so many senators and servitors and attendants. Only the most impressive had the way cleared. At the gate, the crowd split into several lines, but the guards were so overwhelmed and understaffed that there was no way to really check every one who entered. There were numerous fae seeking entrance, but the fae were long used to dealing with such crowd.
Daniel felt nervous, as if he got caught here when 11 o'clock arrived, the Game situation he desired would not be. Not that he would be in bad position necessarily...But that wouldn't be as dramatic. If anything, he may get penalized, like a child caught with their hand in a cookie jar.
As 10:54 approached, they were finally moved into a quicker line.
The King's Guards were similar to the Enforcers. Enforcers were those who left the King's Palace to enforce the King's will. The Guards were the ones who set out to guard the king and keep his commands. Enforcers were more similar to the human's concept of an army, or a knight's order. While the Guards were more similar to those who police the citizens.
But even still being in the King's baston of power, overworked and understaffed was still common.
The guard they went to was a Middling who looked exhausted with dark circles under his eyes. He examined the old Lordling, giving her more attention than others as Curiosity battled with Tiredness. The guard sighed. "Invitation."
"I am the Lord and Master of the Ash Court...By royal decree 39,193.291 b, all leaders of the Courts are automatically invited to official gatherings."
The guard, wearing his armor and satiny blue cloak, sighed. "I know all the decrees. There are several that also suggest that certain tithes should be met to attend..."
"Milord," said Daniel, softly. "Surely a suggestion isn't greater than a decree?" He said.
The guard didn't have to let them in.
But he did.
"All correct, all correct. So, Lord of Ash Court and one attendant?"
"Yes."
"Go on in."
And they did.
"Good luck in the Game." Came the Guard's voice, as he moved to work with the next person.
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Daniel had an initial moment of panic, worry that his plan was exposed.
Had that King's Guard actually been a Middling?
But Talia didn't seem to hear the words of encouragement, or the implied threat that Daniel perceived. In fact, it was so noisy that it was implausible that he had heard the Guard's calm voice over that din and raucous.
Daniel remembered his own early thoughts, way back from the morning, when he had known there would be many groups observing him. The most important people he couldn’t tell. They could be hiding in any group, seamlessly blending in. They could pretend to be fools, appear disinterested, feign incompetence. Anything. The true experts Daniel knew he couldn’t catch. So he wasn’t going to try. It would waste his energy.
So he had to hold to that principle now, and continue with his plan, mysterious Guard and the implied vulnerability in his heart.
10:56, Branch and Talia entered the main chamber, the foyer of the room. Talia's best clothes were ridiculously out of date. But there were so many Fae, of all stations, that she temporarily blended in. Daniel observed the Lord of Petals causally enter the overpacked foyer, taking easy steps to be announced. He might actually recognize Daniel, so Daniel made sure to maneuver away from him.
10:57.
Daniel found his way into the Servant's hall which ran along side the large chamber that the King's Summer Ball was taking place. The noble and leader Fae had lessened as the number of servants, attendants, squires, servitors, and others, increased. Daniel spied all the uniforms, and found a group listening to a worker.
Like he had when he battled Kane and hid his weakness by appearing strong, Daniel Influenced his clothing to match theirs. Not perfectly, because then he would be a counterfeit, but to suggest the Hall Attendant uniform from the O'Tells should perhaps match the Servers...
The red uniform obliged. It glistened softly, and the scarlet red jacket seemed to become a little duller, something closer to maroon. The spider sock scoffed at Daniel's efforts, and he had a moment of panic that it would chose right now to unravel. But the magic solidified again. It was not a perfect match, but it didn't have to be. Indeed, there were so many attendants and servants from different branches that there was no true unified uniform.
10:58.
"Remember, many guests will undoubtedly be watching the Game. Do your best to remain out of sight and away from trouble. Remember, you have no opinion on the Game itself. The politics of this crowd is very mixed. We represent the King. Do not agree nor disagree." The king's surmount butler finished her speech.
Then a cart arrived, bearing silvery trays, and another cart with filled wineglasses. This group of servants moved, and Daniel took a tray, and after waiting in line for only a single moment before servants filled the tray with the wineglasses. Daniel observed the servants. They were using the Lren Style, which was good.
"Remember, no matter what: do not mention the Servant Branch."
And then the doors were opened by two more servants (they also opened the doors in the Lren style, even though they were just opening it for servants). And the servants entered the room. There were already people present, of course. But the King's Summer Ball started at 11 and lasted until the new day. That meant all the important people would arrive shortly, as no important people would arrive early.
Daniel passed through the doors. He felt the role he had chosen for himself settle around him, like a protective shield. But it was also a hidden blade.
All day, the Game had been saying, again and again. The Servant Branch. The Servant Branch.
It was time he actually embrace it.
Let him actually be Servant Branch.
"Wine?" He said, offering forward his tray toward a mingling ground of Senators, in the Lren Style of offering.
Two took a glass each, and the third asked about a white wine, or red.
"I will see. I think we only have blue wine, at the moment. I will inquire for you, though."
"Ah. Thank you." and a small spark of favor was gathered and bestowed upon the Servant Branch for a job well done.
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The Game laughed and laughed.
I thought you would hate this. Said the Law of Fae, coiling around the Game.
EVERYONE IS WATCHING. MORE AND MORE PEOPLE COME TO WATCH! Roared the Game, but in its own twisted mirth.
Is this not boring? He is only walking around, serving wine.
THIS WILL NOT END WELL! AND THERE IS ALMOST NO INTERVENTION NEEDED! LET THEM WONDER! IT EVEN MATCHES THE THEME FROM THE BEGINNING!
The Servant Branch has embraced that role.
AND THOSE FOOLS HAVE SET LOOSE DISASTOR. THE DRAMA! THE CONFRONTATION! THERE WILL BE CONFLICT!
Well. Said the Law of Fae. This will at least be very interesting.
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The Senator Landon was rubbing the bridge of his nose, as he considered the worries of his duties and also that the price of chocolate was going up again. He felt just the tiniest bit annoyed as his two fellow Senators were relaxing as the effect of the strong wine hit their systems. Not that anyone would dare actually become intoxicated at the King's Summer Ball. But it was okay to take the edge off, a little.
"Senator," said a servant. Was it the same one or a different one from before...Landon didn't remember, he hadn't bothered looking at the servant's face. "I have a glass of red wine for you."
"Wonderful!" And Senator Landon took the glass. "Special thanks, friend." he said, after the first sip warmed him.
But the servant was gone.
Just as well. Now he could get back to discussing what to do about rising cocoa prices with his two colleagues.