[center][color=3d5a88][h2] Niallus Saberhagen[/H2][/color] [hr] [h2]A Knight with A Queen.[/h2][/center] [hr][hr] Standing at the top of the stairs waiting, he got a good view of the ballroom. The school really spared no expense. A buffet that was large enough to give Johann indigestion. People of all races, joined together, embracing in common conversations with one another. The music was soothing and distinguished. Niallus was amazed by the amount of people who were attending to the ball. Then again it was for the Queen of Mycromi. Dressed in a white shirt matched with black waistcoat with silver buttons and trim. An overcoat that matched his silver trim, it was possibly the only thing that he had fancy in his whole attire, it wasn't Eskandr design but he liked it. He brushed on one of his shoulders. [color=3d5a88]Hopefully this is fitting. [/color] While adjusting one of his cufflinks. Upon hearing the fanfare announcing the queen, Niallus stood to attention, he had a job to do, look after the Queen during this time of the ball. He brushed his hand through his brown hair keeping in neat and tidy. Upon gazing at the Queen she had an aura of her, that screamed elegance. He didn't even have to look around to know that all eyes were on her. [color=3d5a88]"Your Majesty."[/color] He said bowing in respect to her, when he looked back up to the Queen. A familiar face he saw that caught his attention. It was Marljin, with Jomurr. [color=3d5a88]That son of a-[/color] He thought as his attention drifted. Queen Hylaenii took his hand, covering her mouth with a fan held in her other. [color=FireBrick]"Oh, but Baron Saberhagen,"[/color] she giggled from behind it, [color=FireBrick]"You look positively like you've seen a ghost!"[/color] She leaned in conspiratorially and he caught a hint of a cheeky grin from behind the fan. [color=FireBrick]"Care to let me in on the secret?"[/color] Scratching the tip of his nose in a little embarrassment. Catching a small grin behind her fan, a smile came across his face. [color=3d5a88]"My apologies my lady."[/color] He simply said to her. [color=3d5a88]"I just saw someone that i didn't expect, That's all."[/color] He was hoping that would be enough to sway her, but given how his friends have mentioned about her, it might not be. The queen waved off Niallus with a pouty face. [color=FireBrick]"Oh, you're no fun,"[/color] she teased. [color=FireBrick]"Nevermind. I'll pry it from you later. For now, hup hup!"[/color] She flashed him a fetching smile. [color=FireBrick]"Take my arm, good sir, and escort me down the stairs if you would be so kind?"[/color] She held her arm out to link it with his. They were both of a height, at least. [color=FireBrick]"Don't let the queen fall, hmm?"[/color] Niallus chuckled a little by he pouty face. but upon hearing that she'll pry it out of him had him wondering when she will try. But his attention was snapped as she she held her arm out to link with him. [color=3d5a88]"Of course, my lady, if you wish to pry, perhaps it would be best to at least make our way down the stairs first."[/color] he said with a smile. He held his arm out to link his arm to her as they walked down the stairs. Her grip was tight around his arm, but there was more pressure than what was needed for a simply walk down the stairs. Catching on the message that she was relaying to him with her body language, seems that she wanted to keep this hidden. [color=3d5a88]"It is my duty to protect you this evening, you have nothing to fear."[/color] No sooner were they at the bottom than Hylaenii was pulling Niallus off in a direction before anyone had a chance to claim her attention. [color=FireBrick]"Do keep up, loyal protector,"[/color] she teased. She leaned in. [color=FireBrick]"There are some people present who I very much would like to speak to,"[/color] she admitted, [color=FireBrick]"and others I would very much like to avoid."[/color] She patted him on the arm. [color=FireBrick]"You can help me with that, hmm?"[/color] She grinned, eyes darting about surreptitiously. Niallus gave her playful smile with a nod. [color=3d5a88]"Of course my lady."[/color] He leaned into her as he looked at her gaze. [color=3d5a88]"Now, where would you like to go first?"[/color] He said in a kind, friendly manner. [color=3d5a88]"For the people that wish to avoid just mention them to me, and we will steer clear."[/color] with her latched to his arm. He walked with her, matching her pace. Alas, before long, the queen was cornered and caught. It was the duke of Arsica - a notably long-winded fellow with wandering eyes that tickled up and down her svelte figure and a tongue that wagged on endlessly in either self-aggrandizing tale or the most trivial of matters. Hylaenii nodded along politely enough through her suffering, covering some of her reactions by drinking copiously or feigning some small issue and twisting away momentarily. In the background, others danced and twirled. Music played. One could variously see Baron Rikard, Countess Taleja, Duchess Ayla, Lady Zarina, and Jarl Sven and Esmii in the midst of a rather... intimate dance. It seemed as if most all of the school had turned out. About half of the Arch-Zenos were present as well, including Marbrand, Fabio, Tarthas, Masson, Afraval, and Giacomo the Crow: the only one who'd been alive for the last state visit by Mycormii. The Zenith was not currently present, officially for the reason of not making matters seem overly formal or weighty, but all knew how greatly he was Upta's opposite: Joshe Intaba was both a scholar and a warrior and he abhorred high society events such as this, avoiding them wherever possible. For a moment, after throwing back a full glass of champagne, Hylaenii leaned over and shot Niallus a look that seemed to say nothing so much as "save me!" Upon catching a glimpse of his friends Sven and Esmii, he was glad that they were enjoying themselves. When he sees them like this, they felt like they were the perfect match for one another. He was glad that his friend had someone he loved with all his heart. How long will they last before they lead the other one off to a quiet secluded area. Niallus found this man in front of himself and the Queen to be a real pest, when he came into both of them, Niallus was so startled by him, he resisted the urge to punch him on reflex. But listening to this oaf waffle on and on was even trying his patience with the Duke's wandering eyes on Hylaenii. It was a bit unsettling but how to get rid of him. After Hylaenii finished downing her glass, he had an idea to at least get rid of this depraved man. He took Hylaenii's glass from her, holding it out to the Duke. [color=3d5a88]"It appears that her glass is empty and she requires another refill, please do this favour for the queen and refill it."[/color] his tone was so professional and formal, it even completely fooled himself with how he spoke. For now he waited for the Duke to take the task while Niallus and Hylaenii could hide into the crowd. Duke Domenico's eyes widened at the thinly-veiled insult. [color=olive]"I... we have servants for -"[/color] He stumbled, face turning red. He was not a young man and was rather overweight. Normally, he'd never have challenged someone such as Niallus to a duel, but he'd boasted at such length of his exploits that to not do so here would cause him an indelible loss of face. Hylaenii merely glanced between the two men expectantly. [color=FireBrick]"It appears offence has been both given and taken,"[/color] she declared. [color=olive]"Indeed!"[/color] roared the duke. [color=olive]"I [i]demand[/i] satisfaction!"[/color] Lady Hilarii's eyes widened and she reached down in alarm to unlock her wheelchair's brakes. Though she was far too short to be noticed amid the crowd and struggled to push her way through, Lady Sanette faced no such difficulty. Still unaware of the little golden frog perched contentedly in her hair, she also began to hurry over, her progress easily marked by the summit of her great wig. For a moment, the queen seemed to waver, and she clutched at Niallus' arm before diplomatically separating herself. [color=plum]"Please, my lord. He is but young,"[/color] Sanette entreated, arriving breathlessly. [color=plum]"Young and Eskandish."[/color] Hilarii arrived moments later and picked up from her friend. [color=powderblue]"His blood yet runs hot. Surely, he merely forgot himself for a moment. Will he not apologize for this slight?"[/color] [color=plum]"No blood need be shed over such a small matter,"[/color] remarked Lady Sanette, the frog peering out of her hair approvingly. Eyes turned to Niallus, including those of the queen, perfectly pokerfaced, awaiting his response. Niallus placed his free hand up to the Duke. [color=3d5a88]"Kind sir, I meant no offence of course."[/color] a kind smile brushed across his face as he politly continued. [color=3d5a88]"I only asked you this, as a fine duke like yourself, you must have a long list of fine taste in champagne and other exquisite beverages."[/color] The duke's face, if anything, became even uglier, screwing up in disgust. [color=olive]"Do you [i]mock[/i] me, boy!?"[/color] he demanded. This Dumpling of a Duke was really starting to get on his nerves. [color=3d5a88]"Well there is plenty to mock."[/color] He said flatly. The duke struggled for a moment to peel off one of his white gloves. Face puckered, he took this in his hand and slapped Niallus across the face with it, after which, he dropped it at the youth's feet. [color=E9967A]"The gauntlet has been thrown!"[/color] the crier announced, seeming to come up almost out of nowhere. He'd been paid enough to do extra duty like this, perhaps. The queen's eyes widened, and they darted between the two men. Niallus bent down slowly to pick it up. [color=3d5a88]"No need to strain yourself bending over, your grace,"[/color] the Eskandishman replied. [color=3d5a88]"I'll get that for you."[/color] He bent double, lifted it from the floor with a visible effort to hide his distaste, and handed it to his second who was... the queen, in this case. Perhaps he simply didn't understand the etiquette of the matter. Even [i]she[/i] looked alarmed, quickly handing it to Roslyn. [color=E9967A]"Make way!"[/color] cried the crier, as he led a burgeoning crowd through the opulent double doors and out into the night. [color=E9967A]"Duke Domenico IV of Arsica demands the satisfaction of Baron Niallus Saberhagen of Eskand Ath for insults rendered while in the company of the queen. Gentlemen!"[/color] He turned to take them both in as they joined him in the dimly lit plaza. The warm dancing light of the indoors spilled eagerly out into the darkness. [color=E9967A]"Shall this be a fight to first blood or to the death?"[/color] Spotting the commotion, Roslyn inwardly groaned and moved closer. She pinched her nose when she heard the challenge. It turned out her senses about trouble were accurate. Taking the glove from the Queen, the girl followed the rest. [color=#cbc66d]"I swear, it seems Niallus likes to poke the bear. Especially whenever a pretty lady is involved."[/color] She muttered. Niallus took his overcoat off, handing it to one of the Queen's handlers. Then undone the buttons to his waistcoat. [color=3d5a88]"First blood should be fine. Death seems like it would kill the mood."[/color] He focused on the Duke, even though he was more horizontal, he could sense a decent amount of RAS. He wasn't going to let his guard down [color=3d5a88]"When you are ready? "[/color] He simply said. The queen floated out on her large ballgown, her entourage surrounding her with pursed lips and furrowed brows. She knitted her fingers together and clenched them. A few others filed in close to her: Taleja, Roslyn, Yuliya, and Xiuyang. Then, it was just Niallus and this obnoxious man. Perhaps the hot-blooded Eskandishman had provoked the fight on purpose. Perhaps he had not. He was, to many of those gathered, an enigma. The duke regarded him with both anger and - beneath a show of bravado - fear. Perhaps this was a bridge too far, but he could not have merely accepted the insult. He opened his mouth to speak when Niallus pre-empted him. [color=olive]"Scared to match magic with your social better, then, boy."[/color] He nodded. [color=olive]"Very well."[/color] He began to take off his jacket, handing it to one of his sons, who was roughly of an age with his opponent. The queen, meanwhile, twisted to regard Roslyn with an enigmatic look of her own. [color=FireBrick]"Mm, yes, he certainly does."[/color] She cracked a coy smile and fixed her hair, turning back to the fight, chin raised, to watch. A circle formed around the duellists and Zenos Paireni and Sectoxomactex took up their places at either end to officiate. [color=E9967A]"This duel will be fought to first blood!"[/color] the crier announced. [color=E9967A]"Outside interference is [i]strictly[/i] forbidden and will result in immediate intervention and forfeiture. The combatants are Duke Domenico of Arsica and Baron Niallus of Saberhagen. They will draw once the cloth hits the ground."[/color] He raised his hand, a golden cloth fluttering in the light breeze and all eyes seized upon it. It dropped. The duke drew immediately and quickly and then there were three of him, already spreading out to surround the youth. [color=olive]"Which one is the real me, boy?"[/color] all three taunted. [color=olive]"You're in over your head!"[/color] Niallus drew in manas but kept them on standby. As he saw his opponent create illusions of himself [color=3d5a88]"What's wrong, don't want to fight properly and resort to hiding."[/color] He figured he'd have to draw him out, let him slip up and then strike at first chance. Using his ability in pyromancy he cast a simple Arcane spell to increase the temperature of the area around him. Duke Domenico had expected some sort of slashing attack that split his opponent's power between three targets, and he was prepared for it, too! [i]This[/i], however, was another matter entirely. A generalized heat spell? Who [i]opened[/i] with that!? He maintained his concentration, keeping the illusions up, but he began sweating immediately and profusely and he blinked in discomfort, launching triple kinetic slashes aimed right for the boy's neck. Looking straight at his attacker, he knew exactly where he was, training on how to combat illusions, by making this butter ball sweat. Using Kinetic he avoided his attacks, once in the clear he dashed towards him wanting to punch him in the face with minor Kinetic embedded into it. The attack was so sudden and ferocious that it caught Niallus across the shoulder, burning a blackened swathe in his clothing and raising blisters on his skin, but it didn't draw blood. All it would take was for one of those to pop, however, and the duke would eke out a win on a technicality. He may have been old and fat, but he was determined, and a canny fighter. The attack was so sudden and ferocious that it caught Niallus across the shoulder, burning a blackened swathe in his clothing and raising blisters on his skin, but it didn't draw blood. All it would take was for one of those to pop, however, and the duke would eke out a win on a technicality. He may have been old and fat, but he was determined, and a canny fighter. Niallus was getting tired of this, seems that the Duke is getting more force in his attacks, Niallus needs to end this dual before this loon gets someone else killed he drew once more for another kinetic hit, this time more or a kinetic shock wave. The wave took the duke in the midsection and simply [i]folded[/i] him. He flew backwards into the crowd, his momentum stopped only through the intervention of Zeno Secto. The Xolectan scowled and shook his head tightly. Had he shot a proud smile Niallus' way? Domenico was let down limp on the ground, multiple ribs broken and organs ruptured, and Zeno Paireni rushed forward to heal him. The brutality of the attack had left no uncertainty in the matter: Niallus was vastly the stronger of the two, but it also hadn't been aimed to cut or slice. Only the gushing of the man's nose had given Niallus the win, technically speaking, not that there was anything left to fight for. The duke's son stepped in to see to his father and, for a moment, shot a venomous look Niallus' way. An older woman who might've been his mother scowled and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder to pull him back, shaking her head tightly as her husband was healed. Meanwhile, thanks to Yvain's and Xiuyang's efforts, the monarch had kept her feet and the crowd had been distracted from her weakness, though she still seemed wobbly. She nodded in thanks to the both of them, holding onto Yvain's arm for a moment longer, and he noticed what must've been almost her entire weight on it. The crowd swirled, carrying Rikard, Roslyn, and Taleja away, and she seemed well enough to recover at that point. [color=FireBrick]"Goodness!"[/color] she exclaimed, [color=FireBrick]"Perhaps a bit too much excitement for a frail little flower like me for one day."[/color] She fanned herself, nodding again to dismiss their efforts and, just like that, she seemed to be standing steadily again, her entourage, with the exception of the tethered Hilarii, closing around her. Hylaenii waved them off, particularly Siimond's warning look. [color=FireBrick]"I am quite well,"[/color] she assured them, [color=FireBrick]"Truly."[/color] She turned her gaze toward the triumphant Niallus and flashed a smile, looking him up and down. [color=FireBrick]"It seems the victory is yours, good sir. That is certainly [i]one[/i] way to accomplish the task."[/color] Most of the crowd was cheering. Some were discussing. Money was changing hands. [color=FireBrick]"I shall retreat for a time indoors to have a word with the lovely Lord Berbignon who has just rescued my dignity, but I beg of you, attend me in ten minutes time when we are finished?"[/color] Niallus smiled at Hylaenii [color=3d5a88]"Thank you my lady."[/color] He bowed to her. [color=3d5a88]"I didn'twant to push it too far, but since he was trying to kill me, he left me with little choice."[/color] His face winced from the pain of his shoulder, as he moved it slightly, while also looking for his overcoat. Roslyn stood waiting for Niallus, holding his overcoat, once he was dismissed. She pulled him off to the side then smacked the glove on his chest to hold. Drawing in the light, she began to bind his small wounds until they vanished from sight. [color=#cbc66d] "You owe me a beer. "[/color] Niallus laughed when Roslyn hit with a glove to hold. [color=3d5a88]"Thanks Roslyn."[/color] He said while waiting to be healed. [color=3d5a88]”I'll try to get you a few bottles from this ball after it is over."[/color] It didn't take long before his wound was fully healed. Once healed he put his coat back on, giving it a tug, [color=3d5a88]"Best get back to my job."[/color] He said walking back in the ballroom. It was not ten minutes but, rather, fifteen, when the queen emerged from that room, lips pressed together in a most satisfied smile. Monsieur de Berbignon departed about a minute later with one of her ladies in waiting and it was not long until they were a feature on the dance floor. Most notable, however, was Queen Hylaenii herself. Emerging like a vision, swirling with kinetic magic, she took Niallus' hand, pulled him in close, and twirled with him on the floor. She leaned in until her lips brushed his ear. [color=FireBrick]"You were incredible,"[/color] she whispered, [color=3d5a88]"It was nothing."[/color] he whispered back to her. The music ebbed and flowed before they two knew it, the people around them had their eyes on them as they danced each step that Niallus took, Hylaenii would follow, her form looked as if she was gliding across the ground as her movements were graceful. The world faded away. If she was one of the first to leave the dance floor, she was also one of the happiest, and she did [i]not[/i] leave alone. [hr] [hider=Epilogue][h2][u]Epilogue.[/u][/h2] When they were finished and lay there in the soft glow of their post-union, Hylaenii rolled halfway over, resting her cheek on Niallus' shoulder and flashing her big bright eyes up at him. [color=FireBrick]"You know,"[/color] she said softly, [color=FireBrick]"Don't you?"[/color] Her gaze was searching and perhaps a bit worried, but not accusatory. He leaned his head down, to see her looking at him. [color=3d5a88]"I do."[/color] He said, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, resting his hand on her bare waist, feeling her soft skin with his fingertips. [color=3d5a88]"Does anyone else know about this?"[/color] He asks her, brushing a strand of her hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. [color=FireBrick]"It's right about there,"[/color] she remarked, in a soft pensive voice, [color=FireBrick]"where it stops, you know."[/color] She looked back up at him and snuggled vulnerably into him some more. [color=FireBrick]"Siimond knows, and most of my ladies. One or two past lovers."[/color] She shifted a bit, propping herself up on an elbow. [color=FireBrick]"And you now. Only you, though?"[/color] Her eyes were hopeful. She made a little fingerman and walked it over his chest, right up to his chin. Niallus smiled as he adjusted himself so he can prop himself up with an elbow. [color=3d5a88]"I won't tell a soul."[/color] giving her a gentle kiss on her forehead, to comfort and put her mind at ease. The queen's fingers hooped his chin and brought his lips down to hers. They were warm and soft and they melted together. [color=FireBrick]"Thank you,"[/color] she whispered when they parted. [color=FireBrick]"You truly are my knight in shining armour."[/color] He let out a little chuckle, as he wrapped her up in his arms for a hug. [color=3d5a88]"Well, I have a bedsheet on me, does that class as armour?"[/color] He remarked [color=FireBrick]"Would you like to have a little [i]more[/i] on you?"[/color] she teased, shifting again, some of the covers sliding loose from her body. [color=FireBrick]"Surely a man of your caliber can take a bit more punishment, hmm?"[/color] A mischievous grin came across his face. [color=3d5a88]"I'm quite durable my lady, I'll be happy to show you if you don't believe me."[/color] He leaned down cupping her chin to kiss her.[/hider]