Beyond the Fragments [The Fauxtrot x Tetisheri RP]

[Tetisheri]

Duchess hid her hands in long sleeves of her crimson cloak. She was standing on the balcony of her palace looking at the streets. People seemed like ants from her point and just like ants they were running somewhere on their businesses, stumbling at each other, stopping for a moment to talk and then running again. The whole city was anxious about the upcoming fight.

Caterina sighed. It wouldn't take long for Borgia to come for her. Duke of Valentinois was winning battles one after another and the whole Italy was shivering in front his army. Many great cities fell with it approaching and their lords were killed together with all their kin. Did she have to fear it as well? The Duchess lost her husband not so long ago, but she still had children and mother to protect. Sforza was too strong to be an easy prey, but Forlì was too weak to fight. And she was too clever not to know it. She who was called "The Tiger", felt helpless. If only they believed in themselves, if only they did... But probably that was too much as well.

Suddenly the city before her started to change. Caterina couldn't tell for sure what was different, but it's certainly wasn't the same Forlì she was looking at a minute ago. Buildings around her were the same yet looked not as she remembered them. People beneath her balcony paused to look around themselves in awe and then half of them disappeared. Someone new appeared, in ridiculous clothes and with queer facial features, long ears and short heights, and some where carrying things she'd never seen before. City life paused only for a moment, strangers just looked at each other and continued to walk occupied with their personal matters, while the Duchess couldn't believe her eyes. Didn't they notice? She was unable to decide it. She just continued staring trying to gather her crumbled thoughts on this issue.

[The Fauxtrot]

There is no greater pleasure in all the world than the moment when one bites into an orange segment. The orange is in fact the ​only kind of fruit that is known grow in several different dimensions. So, should you find that you are far away from home, it's dark, and your friends have long since perished or run away... have an orange. It's comforting. At least, that is how I've learned to cope.

My name is Claudius Dirtwich, and I - along with a few of my colleagues- have been searching throughout the ages for the last few missing pieces of the Mirror. It is my hope to find the last few shards here in Milan, Italy. And if possible, a fruit vendor.

"Why are we here? " ask my youngest colleague, an elf named Prudence "Why did you send us back to the 1450s-- I never knew the mirror could exist at this point"

James glanced upward from his ledger, a rare for him. In this I could tell he too wanted to know the answer to her question- though as usual he kept silent. He was my apprentice-- ah perhaps I should think formerly so -- it's been five years since he has completed his studies, and I suspect that in some areas of magic he surpasses even me. James was the only one that truly understood the physical taxation and risk of casting a time spell. Other than myself, he was the only one who could bring us back to London.

As I began to lean forwards, nauseated and dizzy from exertion she bent down and put a hand on my shoulder. My words came up soggy and jumbled "In short, traveling backwards in time would ensure that each shard is not fossilized or other wise buried underground..."

"But doesn't time traveling shorten your life?" Prudence protested a bit too loud for my liking, a market like this was no place for conversations like these "What if--"

"Enough" came the voice of my apprentice... it was softer than usual... and held an unusual static quality about it... "Prudence, he is going to pass out shortly. Take him to a shelter-"

"But James I want you to come with m-"

"Go. Take him."

I could scarcely make out what they were saying beyond this point- my vision and hearing were starting to go and I felt a terribly cold draft wash over me...

[Tetisheri]

Still unable to understand what was going on Caterina was staring at the streets. The reality around her became a chimerical kaleidoscope. She couldn't notice anything she would recognise while everything was changing again and again, every moment, every second like in some insane nightmare or probably a fairy tale written by a drunk storyteller. In a flash buildings were crumbling and new appeared instead on them, then suddenly they vanished while the ancient ruins arose, long forgotten but still existing. Startled the Duchess took a step backwards, then one more and again one, until she stumbled across the threshold and almost fell into her room scarcely saving her balance. For the first time in her life she was so scared. Tiger turned around to see that for some reason her room stayed the same. Same luxury furniture, same heave curtains and fragile porcelain dishes skilfully painted by Renaissance artists.

Am I going mad, thought she, or am I dreaming?

The world didn't seem like a dream though. She could feel her heavy raiment slowing down her movements, soft touch of silk and warm embrace of her wool mantle, and coldness from rich gold jewellery. Velvet of the armchairs in her chambers still was gentle and soothing to stroke, and candles in golden candlesticks gave the room pleasant but weak illumination. She could feel it all and this made her certain that she wasn't dreaming. Perplexed Caterina turned around to come out on the balcony once more, when suddenly she noticed the mirror. It was quite a large one, enough to reflect her in her full height and the Duchess always used it while getting dressed in the morning. It was reflecting her now, in the same way as when she looked there for the last time: white shirts with golden embroidery, gold rosaries, crimson cloak decorated with pearls and thin diadem with rubies in her auburn hair. Yet when she looked more attentively she noticed something else. It was still her in the mirror, but...

Wrinkles and worries disappeared from her visage, her complexion was fair and healthy, and her eyes seemed a bit more shiny than she was used to see them every day. She was looking like herself... But herself 15 years ago. Unable to accept it easily Caterina fell on her knees staring at herself and touching her face. It seemed that it was the truth. But this truth didn't bring her peace. It was too much even for her and she hanged her head and wept out of her own helplessness in this craziness. Did at least anyone exist in this world who could explain her what was going on?..

[The Fauxtrot]

He hates me...

Italy. It's hot, its dry, and gross amounts of body odor continue to assault me from every which way I turn. I carried Claudius about eight miles out of town until I could finally feel safer about asking for a room. Eight miles. I'm an elf mind you, but eight miles with a gnome twitching around in my arms? Talk about irritating.

Elves have never much cared for gnomes. Short, funny looking creatures if you ever did see one. Claudius I don't mind so much because of James. Those two are like father and son.

"Jaaaaam?"

I looked up from picking off specs of dust on my clothing ".....what?" Jam? Poor guy. He must mean James "James is getting us clothing and collecting information about the shards- he will be back later tonight"

"Poooooo?"

Poo? You've got to be kidding me... How does he get from 'Prudence' to 'Poo'?

"I'm right here Claudius-- don't worry it's going to be alright." I licked my lips nervously. I don't like weakness. It scares me- something about being so vulnerable- so open and defenseless...

Vulnerable.... James.... hates me...

It's impossible with him, all he cares about are books and getting the fragments- the way he looked me when I begged him to come with us... Anger? No. Impatience. ' I'd worry about yourself more than others if I were you' his eyes were already preoccupied with other things and he was turning to walk away before I could even respond...

I looked out of the tiny window at the hundred acre estate. It had an enviable hilltop position overlooking vineyards in countless shades of green, it was beautiful. There was a hazelnut grove and a flock of sheep on the western end. The sky was a lovely backdrop of green and yellow with black clouds of--- wait what?

"Poooo!" Claudius moaned from his little pile of hay.

"Relax..." I assure him with false confidence, "it will pass" I peered up at the horizon, watching buildings and monuments raise from the ground and then crumble back unto themselves, disappearing all together. Well, the Mirror shards are here alright. Somewhere close too. And it looks like time is against us. Pretty soon, structures will start to solidify permanently-- and worse-- livings things will be drawn into the phasing as well.

I felt a familiar ringing in my ears. They say, when an elf hears ringing something really bad is going to happen.

James, be careful. Please. We need you. .... I need you.

[Tetisheri]

"Who dared?..." exclaimed she while landing somewhere on the cobblestone road, "This was painful!" shouted she even louder while standing up and rubbing her sobbing butt. That was Airy and her way of doing things: crying aloud before even knowing what was going on. And she was confident that all respectable witches had to possess unbearable voice. Airy wasn't a witch yet, just an apprentice (that's how she called herself, for her mistress she was more like a free servant), but the technical part of unendurable scream she learned perfectly.

Childish witch was practising in summoning demons, when suddenly a colourful swirl appeared and took her where she found herself falling. Airy wouldn't dare to admit that for her practise she was telling spells she couldn't understand, from an old book she stole... well, borrowed from her mistress witch. The book was large and ancient, with rustling pages that looked like they were going to crumble any time, and the apprentice decided that it looked decent enough to start with. Now this precious item was lying a few meters away from her almost touching a pool of rainwater nearly with its edge. In a flash Airy was there and picked the book so abruptly that people around started to turn around looking at the stranger. With most proud look a teenager could put on herself, she left the street with her head high raised and turn to another one. It only there she realised that the surroundings definitely didn't look like the little town she and her lady witch were living. Until now at least.

That made Airy angry. Someone dared to pull jokes on her?! Her, the mighty apprentice of the most mighty mistress she could find in that miserable province?! Her the... the idiot girl who stole a magic book she doesn't understand, whispered something in her mind. The girl became completely red and dropped her head. She felt ashamed and wanted to cry. Sadly she went around the streets dragging her feet and no one paid her any attention. That made her annoyed again and she strode more energetically.

It was when she saw the palace. Light beige stones were curved into tricky decorations and the whole building looked so magnificent and sophisticated that even Airy stopped and opened her mouth in awe. She hadn't seen anything like. She thought that she could stand here forever just looking at this miracle.

[The Fauxtrot]

Airy.

He snapped the ledger shut, taking care to place it carefully within his cloak A cloak which he had previously thrown on to cover up modern attire but was quickly starting to regret. James continued to watch the girl carefully, beads of sweat forming along his brows - heat fogging the lenses. The unforgiving climate did nothing for his disposition.

What is she doing? Hasn't she realized it yet?

By chance it seemed, he had watched her appear right on the spot- a wonder she hadn't passed out yet. But then, the girl has always been nothing if not resilient... It was then that James realized, that the only reason he was watching her, was due to being thoroughly shocked. He had met Airy only a handful of times, mostly when it was decided that he should have an apprentice. No doubt that the girl had natural talent , but at the time he was twenty three and firmly of the opinion that he had no business mentoring a pupil. A young half-elf preoccupied with attempting to make a name for himself. When he was continually pressured James announced that he should be off looking for Mirror shards, hence the girl Airy, would have to be taken in by another. Which he figured was what everyone wanted of him to start with: find an apprentice or go look for mirror shards... Hunting Mirror shards at least, held some amount of prestige to it.

"Go home"

"Wh- Mr. Mandrake? This place... is so beautiful" she looked at him with a smile and then, as if seeming to remember his hand on her shoulder flushed pink "I can't. You see, I ... don't exactly remember how I got here in the first place"

"Come with me"

"Who do you suppose lives here--"

"The Contessa Caterina Sforza. And who might you two be?" interjected a sharp voice.

James shoulders sank. They had been caught. Already. He straightened up and took two steps to the left, shielding Airy should he have to create a distraction. Thankfully, both he and Airy knew Italian, for it was a base language for magical studies.

"Travelers"

The guard narrowed his eyes in suspicion of the two "From where?"

"From--"began Airy but her next words would be cut off by the sound of trumpets.

Trumpets were blown in a three note fashion -- a signal to clear the pathways of the market-- a voice shouted in the streets "AND NOW... LA CONTESSA...CATERINA... SFORZA!" James watched as the gates of the palace were opened....

[Tetisheri]

Duchess wasn't the type of person to cry long. After she let her doubts and feeling of being miserable pour with her tears, she calmed down and stood up again. Once more she attentively looked at herself in the mirror. The person there was still herself being 17-18 years old. So be it, if it was this way. Only a stupid woman would complain about something like that. With such resolve Caterina took a brush from her toilet table, unsealed her hair and brushed it to sleek shiny waves. She put on her diadem to hold it fixed and tried to smile. The Tiger of Forlí once was considered as attractive, if not beautiful, woman, and if the god let her be this way once more, she was going to use it. When the powder hid the remains left by her tears, she took a silver bell and rang it. A few moments later one of her maids entered the room.

"Yes, milady?"

"Prepare my horse," ordered Caterina, "and tell the chief of guards to gather me an escort of 5... 7 his best men including himself. Now". The Duchess wasn't the type to stay at one place, when her city was swallowed by pure madness, especially with Borgia approaching. If no one was going to give her explanations, she would find them herself.

"As you please, milady" the maid bowed and left. "Milady" glanced at herself once more and left the room as well. Downstairs her servants helped her into her outer coat and brought her weapons. Eccentric countess of Forlí always had weapons near her, like her dagger for personal protection, a sword when she was leading her army or a bow when she was going hunting. Maybe she wasn't the greatest warrior on the battlefield, but she for sure was an inspiring warlord and strategist. Today her bow was resting in the palace, while her sword was seized in sheath, since she wore it as sign of her title. Alone she mounted her horse as she always did and turn it to see, if her guardians was ready. And just like this with her hair streaming free while riding she left the estate. Her escort followed promptly.

The city streets explained her nothing but the fact that the whole city was caught in strange events. And the whole city was remaining as if nothing happened. Even her honourable guards was looking at all this without change of expression when she was glancing at them. What she couldn't understand was why her palace stayed the same while she herself changed. Of course it all could be explained with the fact tha she was an alchemist and often conducted experiments there, but first of all she was the ruler. And the ruler needed to make decisions.

They reached the gates of inner fortress and Caterina was going to ride by, but two strangers caught her eye. They both, a man and a girl, looked as strange as everyone else she passed by, yet something about them was even stranger. Or to be precise, there was something in them she found normal: they were staring and the world around them. A girl was looking surprised and lost and even stunned, when she moved her eyes from the guard to palace, from the palace to streets and from streets to people. Everything in her was filled with curiosity and astonishment. The tall man near her was different though. From his attire the Duchess could tell that he came from another part of Italy. From her look... His look was directed only at her and she read clearly that he knew something. Caterina stopped and raised her hand for her guardians to wait. She rode to the gatekeeper. The latter bowed in front of his mistress.

"Who are they?" asked the Tiger. Her voice didn't contain even a hint of her interest, neither did her eyes. Just a landlady checking her possessions.

"Travellers, milady," answered the guard, "or so they say."

Silence fell for a few moments while Caterina was examining the strangers. She rode closer to them.

"You names, please" ordered she while her guardians moved closer behind her back and the wall watchers finished the circle behind her "guests".

[The Fauxtrot]

"Mr. Mandrake" Airy whispered while cradling a book to her chest nervously "what do we do?" one the of the guards- the one flanking the Countess's left side- smiled at her. His teeth were unusually sharp and pointed, so unsettling that even James' focused gaze wavered for a brief moment from the Countess. But only for a moment. That guard, he pondered, what is a lycan doing here? It's too soon for creatures of his kind to be phasing...

"Your names, please" said the Countess as she raised a hand above her ear and crooked two digits signaling the rear guards to move in. The lycan moving particularly closer than the others, with his shoulders hunched forwards and knees bending struggling to contain himself.

"May name is Air-"

"Is is not polite to give one's name before asking others?" interrupted James; he never took his eyes off the Countess, but shook his head slightly indicating it would be wise if the young witch didn't speak.

The lycan trembled a little, a vein throbbing in his neck "Spies! Murders! Contessa let us kill them now!"

The Countess Caterina Sforza turned her head and fixed him with such a stare that even he, a lycan, appeared to somewhat sober for a moment. She does not know what he is, James thought, but she must suspect...

"Your names, please" the Countess repeated sharply; the metallic sound of guardian swords unsheathing promised an end to anymore insolence.

Twin blue lakes, dark and murky fixed upon the eyes of the Countess, "I am Prince Charles and this is my daughter, Princess Mary" James, hoping to irritate the lycan further with the lie, shifted his eyes to the ground and then made a clicking sound with his tongue (an old, insult stemming from the Elven-Lycan War).

"Lies! All lies! Miserable half-elf and witch!" screamed the guard, the Countess parted her lips-- but rather than words, a horrible shrieking snarl filled the air. The guard just to the left of the Countess sprang forth from all fours. Armor tore away like paper from his transformed body as the beast howled and charged "Elf! Your flesh is mine!"

He had been waiting for this, "Stop" replied James simply, and all at once everything froze in place. There was a wet pulsing sound, a heartbeat as loud as a cannon. His face screwed up and he bent over at the waste in effort to keep the momentum of the spell going. Everything was dimmed grey save for himself and the young witch and oddly... The Countess herself. "Airy, send him back where he came from" the little witch nodded and set about gathering herself and flipping through her book as he struggled to right himself. The lycan was suspended in mid-air, it's teeth bared and eyes gleaming with murderous rage, even rendered harmless, the eyes of a lycan were fearsome.

"What is the meaning of--"

"Sleep" he ordered in a deep, bassy tone completely unlike his normal speaking voice. Hypnosis, a low level talent even some humans possess. He made his way slowly to her, ignoring the pain in his chest and the blood pounding in his ears.

"I don't think I'm sleepy...?" she questioned him all the while teetering precariously on her horse.

She's fighting it? But how? ... Could she have one of the mirror shards near her? James raised an eyebrow "Go to sl--" he was quick to catch her as she fell from the horse, very good Caterina- but not good enough... He smiled some before lowering his lips to her ear, whispering instructions.

Golden light flashed as Airy meanwhile busied herself carefully banishing the lycan.

"You will hold a masquerade in two days, and you will invite all of Milan. You will be the only one allowed in red, so that I know it is you." he whispered through the silky strands of her hair, he brushed them aside gently, "You will not remember what happened with your guardian...You will not remember me. Or my companion." he looked down at her-- making sure she did not stir. He saw a woman close to himself in age, strong, beautiful and wise, however-- only for a moment... Her shape flickered and then became once more to that of a more youthful version of herself. Strange. He set her against the leg of her horse "Airy. Come. We're done here".

He needed time to think. Questions had to be answered... He cast one last glace at the sleeping Countess. He hoped this would work.






​

[Tetisheri]

"James?"

That was the 154th or maybe 184th time when she called him as they were walking. Airy was in her most talkative and thus one of the most annoying modes. She couldn't stop herself from asking questions, even though she asked the same things again and again. And this time as well, when the time traveller murmured something that indicated his ability to hear her, the young witch asked once more.

"Was that a right thing to do, James? I mean to make the Duchess sleep and leave her like that... I mean is it even allowed?.."

James shrugged.

"We didn't have of much choice, did we? She will be al right."

"But James --" he waved to show that he didn't intend to listen any more. He couldn't concentrate at all under this rain of Airy's suggestions, theories and the 185th question she was going to ask. If it were anyone else, no doubt she would turn around and go away immediately, but this time the girl made puppy eyes.

"Please, one last question! I promise!" begged she. He nodded in agreement.
"What are we going to wear for the masquerade?"

---

"M'lady?" asked the hostler. Caterina absent-mindedly looked at him. For a moment she didn't recognise the man. When she glanced around, she found herself in the courtyard of her castle. Stiffly she gave the groom her hand and dismounted. She didn't really remember herself riding here. She was wandering around the inner city and was going to pass the wall to the rest, but then... then... then she was here. All she could remember, was a shadow, a hint of someone's gaze, clear and stubborn, but she didn't seem to know the owner or even recall what they looked like. Her mind was blank and the headache was hitting it sharply. The Duchess rubbed her temple to calm it and looked into the sky. The day was sunny and no clouds spoilt the perfect blue above her. It was definitely not the time for having a headache. Disturbed Tiger entered the castle and went up to her chambers.

Nothing changed in her rooms and that made her a bit relieved. Though the view from her windows now was different, changes seemed to become more slow. Caterina looked into her mirror and reflected that her appearance still didn't match her age. Luckily it's the only thing that changed in her. Or at least she wanted to believe it. Contessa rang her bell and required the keeper of her household to come to her at instant.

When he entered the Duchess was sitting in her cabinet reading the letters that were delivered in her absence.

"My lady wished to see me?" asked the keeper in soft and deep voice. He was the man in his 50s, not really tall and with touches of grey and white in his hair, but still gallant, courteous and accurate in everything. Caterina entrusted him with all matters in this castle in her absence.

"Amerigo," she started only glancing at him and then returning to her letters, "I am leaving for Milan today. Please prepare everything for my departure and send messengers in advance. My baggage should be sent tomorrow"

"But may I ask why so sudden, my lady?" frowned he. It wasn't long since she'd arrived, and now she was going again.

"I am going to hold a masquerade" spilled Contessa before she even could understand this phrase. The idea was so sudden that it made her feel strange. However she continued, "Please prepare the invitations to all lords, ladies and honourable citizens and guest of my city.".

"But lady Sforza, masquerade in this time..." Amerigo couldn't find courage to continue in order not to annoy his mistress. But Tiger understood herself. It was war time, it was hard time, it was definitely not the time to show off and hold feasts. She never behaved like this before and it was the reason why her people still loved her, despite all her cunning and cruelty towards enemies. Why would she want to hold a masquerade? She was almost ready to cancel the order, however..

"Any news from Valentinois?" asked she. The keeper shook his head.

"Nothing, my lady, nothing new since he's departed for Rome to see His Holiness. "

Caterina left her papers and looked at him. She wondered if she was hearing things.

"But why? What about his army?..."

"What army, my lady?"

The Duchess was staring at Amerigo for a while but then noticed the new building in the window behind his back. It seemed that not only Forlí were changing. The same force devoured the troops coming at her domain and sent Cesare to his father. This was indeed interesting and Tiger smiled. She understood now. That stare and the idea of her great ball was an invitation. And as long as she was saving herself in this madness, she was about to risk and accept it.

"Very well. Then please send the invitations. The whole Milan should be celebrating, so organise the cooks to prepare food for the arm and take care of alms for beggars. I expect all guests to take part in charity that evening, so this should be mentioned in their cards. Oh, and write them that the red is prohibited to wear this time"

"My lady, the red is the colour of our holy cardinals," remarked the man, "they won't be happy, if you don't allow them to wear it".

Like I care what those rotten wenchers are thinking, thought the Duchess, but instead replied, "Then write that women shouldn't wear red. I hope we don't have female cardinals yet?" There are enough whores in Vatican without them.

"No, my lady," smiled Amerigo and bowed, "everything will be as you requested". Caterina nodded in approvement.

In a few hours she was riding her horse for the Milan. Her honourable guard surrounded her and scouts were sent to prevent them from any surprises. Finally Contessa felt at peace. Even if the world was going to end, this her war had ended. And that was enough for her to hope. As long, as she remained herself.

[The Fauxtrot]

It was the strangest thing... One moment I was devouring oranges across time and space- not letting their bitter rinds and crunchy seeds hinder me from the sweet, fleshy goodness within- and the next I awake to a giant cake strolling through the door. It was elegant with it's mint green frosting and decorative sugar roses dotting stylishly here and there. My stomach growled and nibbled into my own backbone. I had no choice but to eat it, shame, because it was a rather pretty thing to look at.

"Wh- Claudius! Get a hold of yourself!" cried the cake with dismay, "Snap out of it!"

To my surprise and disappointment, I found myself upon Prudence "... You're not food" I chided, feeling my head finally cease it's spinning "but you do happen to look like a cake in that dress... why are you wearing it?"

"James has located a possible mirror shard," she began while lifting me by the armpits into the air and placing me into the little bed of hay, " he hasn't told me much else-- except that we are going to a masquerade. I was told a dress was necessary."

"A ball?"

"The Countess-" James began from the doorway. He had appeared so quietly; it nearly caused his death. Prudence shook her head annoyed as my former apprentice pulled the blade from the hilt out of the door frame, unfazed and indifferent as ever. Holding it out to her, hilt first.

"Oops" Was all she said as she snatched it back. Poor lad. For in all his knowledge and talent, he still doesn't know women. For you see the truth is, it is impossible to sneak up on an elf- especially Prudence who is 19 in elven years and in her physical prime. I don't understand fully what is going on between those two, but I mean to have a serious talk about women with James later. A man nearly thirty and still hasn't got a clue... tsk tsk tsk.

"-has a mirror shard in her possession- and lycans among her ranks- though I don't know she suspects fully the merging of worlds. I mean to infiltrate the castle-"

"What's the point? Why don't we infiltrate it tonight, find the shard and be done with it"

"James. This is brilliant." I began speaking over Prudence "Oh ho my lad! Mind you we shall have a lot mind erasing to do afterwards to make sure history does not alter itself too much-- but brilliant none the less! You woo yourself into the Duchess's favor and win her trust in order to not only find and reclaim the shard but also have access to other dukes and lords of power that may in possession of the last and final pieces " I was busy pacing around, reveling in the threads and details of our plan so I hardly noticed when Prudence left the room in a hurry. "but where do we come in?"

"I have not thought of the details fully" he admitted with a tired smile, he withdrew a ledger and began to flip through it's pages "but I hear she is fond of alchemy..."

I knew where he was going "I will disguise myself as her alchemy tutor-- but where will Prudence go-"

"According to history, her royal Duchess also likes to hunt" Prudence had appeared in the doorway over Jame's shoulder "I have no doubt that I can work my way through the ranks to become her lady in waiting-- and take out a few lycans in the process" her expression was cold and terse, nodding stiffly before disappearing once more.

"And what about the girl?"

"I will bring Airy with me into the castle as my younger sister," he brought two fingers to the bridge of his nose as if remembering something unpleasant "I may just need her ... energy... to keep vigilant watch over the Duchess. I don't know why the lycans are protecting her, but I mean to find out. They could very well be waiting to strike"

"Yes... the lycans... curious indeed..." I mused, "Make sure you get in, lad."

"I will."

"Not like that you won't" I laughed, for in my old age comes knowledge of all things. Including the magical art of charming women.

James smiled, he was handsome in a clean, bookish sort of way, no doubt about it. High cheek bones, black hair slicked back perfectly into style, with a frame that was built like a French Rapier: narrow and sharp- typical of an elven build- not intimidating but more than capable when need be. But I had my doubts... After all, in comparison with a younger woman like the Countess appeared to be- it would look very strange to the public should a man as old as he be attempting to court her. He must have had the same thought.

He sighed. His shape flickered once, and he then appeared different. Slick hair plumed and feathered out like raven's feathers. A boyish scowl of impatience twisting upon his lips-- and murky blue eyes shone more clear and piercing. No longer handsome, but now appearing to be striking youth (if indeed I thought the boy looked as petulant and arrogant as the day he first became my apprentice).

"Thank you Claudius. I almost forgot."