John appeared from the shadow, fully formed. He had come in person instead of a shadow clone. “I have prevented Sir Tully from ruining the toast. No one was lit of fire."
“Excellent.” Julian said, noting with amusement that his sword fighter Jeffry was chatting up Miss Penny opposite the hall. Jeffry was the Viscount of Fell, and drowning in paperwork the second he’d returned from the north. He never bothered with this kind of thing and had sworn off love…
“What did you offer him?” He asked, curious.
“The Eye of Effeldor.”
Julian kept a straight face. “Why?”
It was an impressive treasure his rogue had won during their last dungeon raid, and expensive.
“I have to admit, I’m curious too,” Gerda leaned in. “That’s the pin with the [Flight] Perk right?”
“It is.” John’s face didn’t budge when he said, “I thought Jeffry was the best half-elf for the job, and I have no need for [Flight].”
"Is that so?” Julian accepted but knew better. Jeffry hated these kinds of events with a passion - more so than Julian even - and John wanted to see their good friend suffer because Jeffry was an insufferable sarcastic ass.
"Yes." John continued. “And it took a bit, but I’ve confirmed that Lady Amaryllis Elm is not in attendance. I have issued a silent search for the saintess, and will inform you when she is found.”
Gerda frowned. “Thank you John. Could you let Henrietta know?”
As much as the Hollow elves claimed independence, they were still a part of the Dark Enchanted Forest. Julian could only imagine the nightmare Her Viciousness would face if something happened to Lady Amy during this event.
His rogue looked to Julian for approval to do as Gerda asked and Julian opened his mouth to tell John to follow all of Miss Gerda’s orders going forward... but just because he trusted her didn't mean he should trust her. There was such a thing as restraint. Julian usually didn’t need to exercise it like he did when standing beside the bridge troll.
He simply nodded instead.
“I will relay the message.” John said, one of his shadow’s immediately completing the task.
“Then if there is nothing more, I will continue guarding the event.” John offered a shallow bow, but Gerda stopped him before he could leave.
“Actually, could you leave a shadow in that area of the hall to warn us of any impending homicidal archers?” Gerda pointed to a spot over by the window.
“Send us.” Erik offered. “We can deal with any assassins.”
Gerda started to shake her head and then stopped, eyeing the group of young debutants. A few held their breath, and one looked like the stars themselves were lighting up their eyes.
“Alright.” She agreed, and there was an exhilarated subdued cheer. “But don’t crowd the area, we want the assassin to set up and then get caught - not change their mind and pick a different area.”
“You can trust in us, Miss Gerda,” Shiro said, bowing slightly.
She released Julian’s arm. The bridge troll put her glass into her storage unit and in it’s place she summoned forth a potion bottle. “Here. Take a [Revive] and give it to anyone who might need it tonight - and keep an eye open for Lady Amy.”
Shiro reached out and took it, slipping it into his sleeve just in time to join in a celebratory clap for Julia and Chloe as they came to a stop from their shared first dance.
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Gerda nodded at the group as they left.
“You just did that to give them a task, didn’t you?” Julian chuckled softly; they were trying to casually walk over to the window and failing miserably.
She smiled up at him. “Exactly.”
“What now?”
“Now, we dance.” She said, holding out her hand.
Julian took it readily, drawing her out to the dance floor. Other couples took up spots beside them.
"I'd admit, I didn't think we'd have time." He said as his arm wrapped around her waist and his other hand carefully cupped her palm in a prepared stance. "What will an assassin to foil and a saintess to find."
Gerda’s eyes met his, a light glimmer in their depths. “It is the fastest way across the dance floor… and you signed your name for this song.”
It was true, he did.
"Besides," She said, "I'm under the impression that this is the norm at North Sumbria balls. What's a little kidnapping and murder between neighbors?"
"True." He admitted.
"I didn’t get a vision of your imminent death - only a passive perk telling me you are going to get shot.” Gerda sighed. “I figured that if I wasn’t here, you would be standing beside Her Grace all evening, and that window is the optimal direct line of firing.”
The drum started a soft beat, and they both took a step into the music.
He noted where his mother was standing, speaking animatedly with Queen Henrietta. The angle was a perfect mark across the dance hall. All they would need to do is wait until the opportune moment to strike.
Gerda added, “So we can choose to let it happen, or withdraw and regroup. You’re the potential victim, what do you prefer?”
The dance was a quick step, and they moved up the hall with the other couples. Her body fit against his, and she followed his lead without hesitation.
She smelled like the forest, a compliment to her soft green coloring. He felt a deep sense of satisfaction that they were wearing matching outfits… and wondered how he could add green accents for next time.
Not that there would be next time, but as the duke it was perfectly acceptable that he accompany her as a representative of North Sumbria for future events. He already knew she had an invitation to the Winter Ball…
He'd checked with the palace chamberlain.
Gerda was looking up at him with enquiring brown eyes, wanting to know what he would choose.
He pulled her closer, leaning down to say, “After the dance is over, let’s slip away. I have a resting room prepared.”
They dipped into a turn at the end of the hall, and he lifted one hand to send the troll spinning. Her long green hair lifted in an arc, and her skirts brushed against his tights. He caught her back into an embrace and then continued their dance back down the hall.
Her breath caught, and her cheeks flushed against white freckles. They were able to go another turn around the floor, and by the end he was fighting a grin.
Despite the threat of danger, Gerda was smiling openly up at him, clearly enjoying herself. When the music signaled an end, he turned her out and then spun her dramatically into his embrace, catching her and stopping with the final note of the song.
“That was fun.” He promptly dropped his arms and took a step back. He adjusted his vest, pretending like his heart wasn’t pounding wildly.
“Yes.” She snapped open her fan and fluttered it for a cool breeze. They’d landed close to the door leading to the restrooms, and it wasn’t hard for them to slip away.
Julian had claimed one of the private rooms for his own as soon as he’d found out that he was going to be escorting his bridge troll.
He was thankful he did. He pushed open the door to a small lounge with a couch and table. There was a jug of fresh water infused with mint and cranberries on a table with a few crystal glasses at the ready, and a tray of light snacks.
Julian immediately went over and poured himself a glass and downed half of it while she took a seat on the couch. Gerda shook her head when he lifted up a second glass to offer her some as well. She continued to fan herself.
“Something has been on my mind…” He said, sitting down next to her.
“What?” She stiffened, but didn’t pull away.
“It was the way you explained your prophecy earlier…” He hesitated. “If you weren’t my partner, then I would get shot.”
“Yes?” Gerda snapping the fan shut and lowering it into her lap. “And?”
He searched her eyes. “You were already my partner when you got the notification… So why did you think the prophecy assumed otherwise?”