Part Two Killing a King
Chapter Four

King’s Ball

It was cold in Kimmy’s underground house. The fire was just coals now, giving off a small amount of heat. Anna, sitting in a chair across from it, opened her hand and sent fire to the hearth. A large fire now crackled pleasantly. Over in the corner, Neal slept silently, his chest rising and falling with each breath. Anna smiled. She had only known him for a year, but she liked having him in her life. He was funny, at times a little stupid, but he was a loyal and trustworthy friend. Kimmy, who was asleep in her room, was the same. Anna’s best friend since they were old enough to talk, she was a fierce fighter and a loyal friend.

The three had been living in Kimmy’s house ever since that fateful day when she had killed the man who had destroyed Quen. They had traveled over the mountains and come back to Chester. Over the course of the next year, their lives had turned back to normal, if you could call two female elves living with male human normal. They went out to the market, even conversed with people, yet they were always aware of anyone suspicious. No one had bothered their so far peaceful lives yet.

“Anna, you have that funny grin on your face again.” Came Neal’s voice from the corner.

“What funny grin?” she asked.

“The one that means you’re thinking.”

“So what if I am?”

“Nothing, I just--“

A knock sounded at the trap door above their heads. Kimmy pocked her head out of her room saying,

“Someone knock?”

She went over to the flight of steps that led to the exit and started to climb. A moment later she came back down.

“No one there but this letter. It’s addressed to you, Anna. It’s from the king at Shar.”

She gave the letter to Anna, who opened it.

“It says we’re invited to a ball at the palace. We’re to dress in style, and be picked up on the edge of Chester by a carriage and be brought to His Highness’s court at exactly noon tomorrow.” She read.

“We can’t go to Shar! We’re fugitives, remember?! We can’t just waltz right up to the capital and say ‘Why hello! Nice weather we’re having, don’t you think?’. We’d get killed!” argued Neal.

“But we can’t just refuse a request from the King. Plus, he asked so nicely.” Anna said calmly, a huge grin on her face.

“Shall I get our clothes ready than?” inquired Kimmy, a smile on her face as well.

They waited on the side of the road on the outskirts if Chester. Neal, who was dressed in delicate brown leather shoes, dark green hose and under shirt, with a brown tunic edged in gold, was staring at Kimmy and Anna. But mostly Anna. Kimmy wore a deep blue kimono under a sky blue kimono embroidered with gold vines. Around her middle she wore a dark blue sash, the same color as the veil that covered her face and hair, which was pulled into a bun. Anna, to Neal the more beautiful of the two, (no offence to Kimmy, he thought) was dressed in a brown kimono under a light green kimono embroidered with silver phoenixes. Her sash and veil were a bright, rust color. Her hair, unlike Kimmy’s, was in a style in which her hair was braided in two places, than placed upon her head like a crown. Both of them wore soft, leather, knee-high boots laced up at the front. Neither wore face paint or jewelry, save Anna, who had her traditional three gold hoops on her left ear.

Off in the distance, a cloud of dust was coming closer. This, they all assumed, was the carriage that was supposed to take them to the palace and the King. Anna was hoping the ride wouldn’t take too long, since they were supposed to be at the capital at sunset. She wanted to find Sr.Andel and let him know that she was alive and well. What a laugh she would get at seeing his face when he saw her! Ha! She couldn’t wait.

Anna then started to think about the things that had changed; Neal, for one thing, had finally grown into his lanky features and was developing quite the muscled figure. Kimmy had changed from a super hyperactive girl into a more or less, less hyper person. She thought about herself too. She was more outspoken now, and felt a little less secretive. On the other hand, she had moments where she remembered dark secrets hidden in her past and wore a look of terrible sadness on her face. She had one of these moments just then. In her mind she saw Neal and Kimmy hanging from the ceiling, dressed in rages and with blood all over. She remembered the old mage and his horrible whip. And his wand. Oh that terrifying wand. The wand that had made huge wings of black feathers tear out of her back. She remembered that moment and got that particular sad look on her face.

Neal saw Anna’s face change. He knew what she was remembering. She was remembering that mage. The one who had killed everyone in her city, including her mother and brother. The one she had killed just a year ago. He was just about to say something when the carriage pulled up along side them and stopped. The door opened and they all stepped inside. A man in black stood in the doorway to the carriage driver seat.

“Good afternoon Sir and Madams. Would you like anything to drink?”

“No thank you, kind sir. All we would like is some privacy, thank you.” Anna replied in a well-cultured voice.

“As you wish.” The man said as he stepped out onto the driving platform.

The carriage started to move along the road slowly. It then picked up the pace to that of where the horses were galloping.

“Don’t they know that they’re pushing the poor beasts to hard?” asked Kimmy.

“I’m sure they do.” Neal said.

Inside the carriage were two seats of plush velvet the color of red wine. A window was on the far side of the door, which also held a window. On the left was the door to the driving platform. Anna sat across from Neal by the window, while Kimmy sat on the same seat as Anna, only by the door.

“Hey Anna? Where’d you learn that ‘polite’ voice?”

“My voice isn’t already polite?”

“No, it’s not that, it’s just that you sounded like some noble.”

Anna sat there for a long time before answering.

“My Grandfather taught me many things. One of these things was to live up to my title.”

“You had a title?”

“Yes. My family was a very high ranked family. Our ancestry goes back to the beginning of Quen.”

“Ya, if you call being a pr--“

“Shut up Kimmy.”

“Why?”

“Just, please.”

“Fine.”

The three sat in silence for a long time. After a while, Kimmy fell asleep. Anna looked out the window. Neal sat staring at her. What was her title? Why was it so important that Kimmy couldn’t tell? A tear ran down Anna’s cheek.

“Anna?” he whispered.

“What.”

“Are you all right?”

“No.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Well that’s stupid. Of course something’s wrong, or you wouldn’t be all right.”

She laughed. When she looked up at Neal, he smiled warmly at her.

“See? Nothing to worry about. If you can laugh, than you’re fine.”

“Neal, I was royalty.”

“I--what?”

“I was royalty. My mother was the Queen. My brother was to be king.”

“That means you’re a--“

“Princess. Yes, I know. I should have told you earlier, I’m sorry.” The tears were coming down fast now, and she had her face in her hands.

Neal got up and went over to sit next to Anna. He put his arm awkwardly around Anna’s shoulders. She sobbed and put her face on his chest, getting his tunic all wet.

“Uh, hey, Anna, it’s, um, ok. I would have done the same thing.”

After a while, Neal noticed that Anna had stopped crying. He looked down at her and smiled; she was fast asleep. Instead of moving her into her proper place, he let her sleep there until he fell asleep too.

“Excuse me Madams and Sir, but we are at the Palace.”

“yawn Thank you.” Anna said as she handed the man a gold coin.

He smiled, “It was my pleasure. Please follow me.”

They followed the man into a courtyard filled with men and women dressed in fancy clothes, some even in velvet trains and tunics, though it was a warm night. The evening sky shown through the trestle ceiling; there were no clouds in the evening sky. They walked onto a deep red carpet and followed it through a pair of open, huge oak doors. Inside, Anna recognized the room instantly; it was the Grand Ballroom. At the far end were two thrones, with a huge chest between them. Though it had held the Coin when Anna had been there last, it now held many jewels and gold coins.

The three followed the man through the crowed that was milling around the huge room till they came to a small table. Three chairs with blood red cushions and made of wrought iron awaited them. They sat, and the man bowed and left.

“Well, well, well. Look who we have here.” A voice said behind them. “The elf whore, another elf bitch, and a muscled young youth with nothing to hide. What an odd bunch you make up, don’t you think? No, don’t answer that. It’s much more entertaining this way.”

“Hello, Sir Andel.” Anna said.

Sir Andel stood behind them, holding onto the pommel of a gold, ruby-ended sword, which was stuck in a sheath at his side. He wore a deep red, velvet tunic over a gold silk shirt. He also wore gold hose with brown leather boots that were buckled with gold. His long, golden locks of hair fell to his shoulders in a smooth pile.

“My, you three seem to be dressed for something absolutely wonderful. It’s just a ball you know.”

“We are just doing what our King told us.” Anna retorted calmly.

“Hmm…I don’t recall ever knowing your name.”

“My name is Anna.”

“Anna.” He said her name as if he tasted something foul. “Well, I suppose I shall see you later then.”

“I suppose.”

“I bid you farewell.” He bowed, then left..

“Kimmy, do you know the spell to conjure up your weapons?” Anna asked.

“Yes, why?”

“I suspect we shall be needing them. Can you conjure up Neal’s halberd?”

Neal had been practicing with a huge halberd that had been crafted by Elvin hands. He was actually quite good at it too. The blade was the finest steel, with the red ripple of all Elvin steel. The huge blade was curved like a half circle, with a spike at the bottom. The other side of the blade was a hook and another spike. It was mounted onto the teak wooden staff by a carved steel rod. The butt of the staff was capped with a short steel cap. All in all, the whole thing measured eight feet in length, with a three-foot blade.

“Yes…Anna, what are you thinking?”

“I believe that Sir Andel will tell the King that we are here. I have something he wants. And he will stop at nothing to get it.”

“What about you, Anna?” asked Neal.

She smiled, “Oh, I have my ways. For now let’s just act normal. That way we don’t look suspicious.”

“Well, that shouldn’t be to hard, acting normal and all, so as long as we’re two elves and a man.”

“Not much of a man, if you ask me.” Mumbled Kimmy.

Anna giggled, and they flagged down the drink boy.

“--and you know what I said?” Slurred Kimmy, “I said, ‘go away our I’ll eat you.’”

Kimmy started to crack up.

“I think she’s had to much cider.” Neal said, a worried look on his face.

“Oh, she’ll be fine. She’s only had three mugs. It’s just that cider has that effect on her.”

As Anna said this, Kimmy toppled over in her chair.

“It’s your turn.” Neal said.

Anna groaned and went over to Kimmy and put her arms around her waist. She lifted her up with arms that bulged slightly with lean muscle. Back onto her chair went Kimmy. Anna placed her hands on Kimmy’s face, and suddenly, she was sober again.

“Man! My head hurts! Remind me to never do that again.”

The three of them sat there until the dancing started up. At this point, Neal was asked to dance by a pretty young girl with a pink gown. He gave the other two an ‘is-it-all-right-with-you-guys?’ stare. Anna shrugged and Kimmy started to giggle, so he left. Soon after, Kimmy was invited to dance with a dark young fellow with brown hair. Anna sat there for a few minutes. A boy about the same age as her walked up to the table.

“Hello there. Would you like to dance? But, alas, you are probably having to much fun already.” He said.

“But my mother says not to talk to strangers.” Anna said with a smile.

He laughed. “Well than, please excuse my manners. I am Prince Alexander, Son of King Frank and Queen Lilly, but you may just call me Alex. Could I have the pleasure of knowing who you are?”

“I am Princess Anna Rinderland of the Yellow islands, daughter of King Alan and Queen Mary. And yes, I would love to dance.”

He smiled and offered Anna his hand. She took it, and he took her to the dance floor. Anna put her arms about his neck, and he put both his hands on her waist. They danced for a while longer before Alex said something.

“You know, that necklace of yours is pretty valuable. I’d watch out for my father if I were you.”

“Oh, don’t worry about him. I’ve got it all under control. No need to worry.”

“My father use to tell me stories about the Yellow Island, most of which were about him conquering them. Could you tell me more?”

A dark shadow crossed Anna’s face and in her eyes. She looked Alex directly in the eyes and said,

“Your father hired a mage, who brought a band of Tuskuse with him to destroy my world. Everyone was killed except my friend and me. Your father is a murderer.”

“My father…he…he always said there was a huge fight that his army won. He said that only men fought in it, so the women and children were safe.”

“There was no fight. They snuck up upon us, and took us by surprise. There was nothing anyone could do. I could not even save my mother and brother, who should have been safe! It was cold blooded murder, all because we were considered a threat!” tears streamed down Anna’s face as she said the words.

“Shhh. I’m sorry. I had no idea that my father was not telling me the truth.” He wiped off Anna’s tears with soft hands and held her close for the next three dances.

Off at Their table, Neal had sat back down after dancing for a while. He sat staring at Anna and Alex dance slowly around and around. A thought crossed his mind, but he dismissed it. He did not care who Anna danced with. He would just leave her to it. Even after he told himself this, he couldn’t get the sinking feeling in his stomach to go away.

At this time, Anna looked up at Alex’s very dark, brown eyes. She was startled to see a small flicker of something not human in them. She stopped dancing, and stepped back from him.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

“What are you?” Anna asked.

“What am I? Well, that’s a silly question. I’m human, of course.”

“No, I don’t think you are.”

He smiled wickedly, showing two sharp, pointed fangs in place of two of his teeth. He made lung at Anna’s neck, where the Coin hung on its steel chain. Anna swooped to the side just in time. Alex- or whoever he was- stumbled off to the side. Anna let out a piercing whistle that could be heard from across the room. Both Neal and Kimmy came running. Before Alex could come back, Kimmy made some strange movements with her hands, spoke in a language no one else could understand, and her two thin, steel swords fell from the sky into her outstretched hands along with Neal’s halberd. Hatred surged through Anna’s body. She screamed a blood-curdling war cry as two huge, black-feathered wings burst through her back, and her tattoo shown through her dress. Her tsurugi appeared in a blinding flash in her hands.

Alex tried to lung at Anna again, but Kimmy bared his way with her swords. Neal brought his halberd around in a half moon shape to come inches from hitting its mark of Alex’s shoulder. He let out a cry that sounded like a crow that had just been denied a sparkly treat. As he did, huge, black, bat-like wings erupted from his back, and claws grew from his fingers. He flew up into the air as people screamed and fled from the ballroom. Anna flew up to meet him, while Neal and Kimmy fended off the guards that were trying to attack to two flying people.

In the air, Anna was fending off a changed being. He would lunge, and she would dodge, striking out at him at the same time. Each time, he would turn around in mid-air and come back at Anna. After about three rounds of attack, he tried a different approach; he swooped up, and attacked from above. Anna swung her tsurugi up and it hit him straight in the chest, running him through. His dead weight brought Anna to the ground, just as Kimmy and Neal had killed the last guards. Her wings shrank back into her back as the anger left her body, but this time, she didn’t faint. She pushed the now normal looking Alex off her blade, and the three of them left out through the front doors. They could hear the King shouting behind them over the screams of grief from the Queen. Kimmy lifted her hands and a screen of fire blazed behind them.

The man Anna had given the coin to awaited them with three horses.

“Please, take these. They are the fastest in our stables.”

“I thank you for all of us. We owe you our lives.” Anna whispered.

“It was no trouble. Now, please, the King is most furious about the affair with his son. You should leave now.”

“Thank you again, and good-bye!” Anna said as they mounted the already saddled mounts and charged away through the gates to the city.

They rode through the city as fast as their mounts would allow, neither Kimmy nor Anna going side-saddle, awkward as it was with a dress on. They neared the edge of the city, where the gateman were shouting to close the gates.

“Shut t’ gates, men, shut t’ gates!” yelled the head guard.

“I’ Sir!” the man in charge of closing the gates answered.

The gates started to close in front on the three, painstakingly slow. But, they were farther away from the gate then they thought. The gates were going to close on them if they didn’t get going. They pushed their mounts to the edge, going faster then believed possible. The gate almost closed, they whipped one by one through the yard wide gap left in the gate.

Away from the city at last, they slowed their mounts up. Anna led them to the forest, where she took the other two and their horses to a small clearing in its center. They unsaddled their sweat-soaked animals and let them drink from the small stream nearby and graze.

Anna’s mount was a beautiful creature. She was the darkest of blacks, with a white mane and tail. She was calm, for all she had been running for half an hour as fast as she could.

Neal’s was a quiet, grey beauty. She was mouse grey, and twined around him as if they had known each other for all their lives. With a grey main and tail, as well as a small white star on her forehead, she blended in with the mist that had formed on the forest floor.

Laying on the red dirt of the ground, Kimmy’s beast almost blended in perfectly; he was a roan, with yellow mane, tail, and socks. He had a grumpy disposition, but was loving deep down.

“We shall have to leave in the morning.” Anna said, breaking the long silence. “If we don’t, they will surely catch us. If they do, the penalty is death. It is time I take you to another friend’s place.”

“Him? But -- but surely -- but surely he was killed with the rest!” Kimmy squealed.

“No, quite the opposite. I was – staying at his house for a week until I left for the palace.”

“Hmmm”

“Who are we talking about again? I must have missed his name.” interjected Neal.

“Oh, just Anna’s old lo--“

“My old friend. From the Army.” Anna said, glaring at Kimmy the whole time.

Neal thought about this for a moment. “And what might his name be?”

“Christopher” Kimmy said slyly.

“I see. And how long does it take to get to this Christopher’s house?” Neal asked, looking straight at Anna.

“Two days of hard riding.” She answered, looking straight back at Neal.

“It’s settled then.” Kimmy said smiling, clearly excited for the confrontation of Christopher and Neal. “We leave for Chris’s place tomorrow at dawn.”