The light footed shadow eases passed the coughing man in the alley. There are many rumors about the identity of the Shadow, but very few actually know who they are. Some believe it is actually a ghost, while other believe it is a vampire come to suck their blood while they sleep. The leader of a local group of bandits takes great pleasure in knowing the person's name and face. He would even be thrilled to learn of where they sleep, but the Shadow holds true to it's name, and he can never find their resting place.

Tonight is a big night though. There is a massive ball in the castle to celebrate the return of the troops. Apparently the country was able to hold off the invasion of the Devil race, and can now relax for a short time. To celebrate the king has insisted on housing every single surviving soldier for a week to ensure they are well rested and cared for. The Shadow has been asked to get in and clean out as much as they can. The Shadow pauses at the mouth of an alley closest to the palace gates as a line of soldiers wearily trudge through the open gates. The Shadow adjusts their hat to get a better view, before shaking their head, and disappearing back into the alley.

By the time Night has fallen, the Shadow has managed to memorize the movements of the personnel on top of the eastern wall. They wait for their window, before racing towards the wall, running up it in a blur, and disappearing down the other side with none the wiser. They allow a confident smirk to take over their features, as they glide smoothly from one shadow to another across the open court yard. Once they are right up against the castle wall, they remove their cap, and pull their long hair up into a tight bun. After all, they know from experience that caps are not very good while climbing.

They stick a hand in a pocket sewn into the bottom of their left pant leg, and pull out crushed chalk and pat their hands together so that it covers their hands. This way it will be easier to climb up the wall without worrying as much about slipping. They check the area quickly, before begining to scale the wall like a spider. They reach an open bedroom window within minutes, and they rest for a few seconds to ensure the room is in fact empty. Once they know the coast is clear, they slip in, and light a lantern.

Who ever sleeps in this room is very high up the food chain. There are expensive dreses and jewelry laying about every where. The shadow reaches up, and undoes their hair while looking around the room. The light from the lantern reflects off of high cheekbones, straight nose, and full lips. Those lips lift in a smirk as the Shadow gets an idea. They take off their dark cloak, black pants, and dark brown shirt to reveal the slim figure of a young woman. She finds a deep blue gown that is light, yet warm to ward of the slight chill in the night. She pulls it on, and wiggles her fingers. Small white sparks shimmer into existence briefly before dying out. When she stops the back of the dress is done up the proper way.

She finds a comb in the mess of a room, and quickly puts her hair into an elegant hairstyle that pulls her thick mahogany red hair away from her face. She also picks out a few pieces of jewelry to wear so that she can fit in better. Once she is satisfied with how she looks, she changes the appearance of her bottomless bag, so that it matches her attire, and tucks away anything that might be of value from the room. Everything from elegant gowns to the smallest of pearl earrings, disappears into her magic bag. With that taken care of she exits the room, and follows her sharp hearing to where the festivities are being held.

When a guard opens the door for her, she just stares in awe at the magnificent room. There are many men and woman swaying back and forth in a beautiful display of colors. The Shadow turns and curtsies to the person that opened the door for her. They just nod their head at her with a smile. The first thing she does is head over to the long table that is almost over flowing with food and drink of varies kinds. She picks up a delicate plate, and is drawn to the honey cream being offered as a drink. She accepts a small goblet, with a big smile and a head nod to the server. The first sip is pure bliss, so good in fact that if she had wings they would start to flutter with how good it tastes.

She then makes her way down the rest of the table trying anything that catches her fancy. It takes her no time at all to reach the end, where yet another server is waiting to take her dirty plate and goblet for her. She hands them over willingly, before turning towards the dancing bodies, and getting a wicked idea. It is only helped when a decent looking fellow walks up to her with a bow, and offers his hand so they may dance. She accepts with a curtsie, and as he leads her through the thick dance floor, she manages to swipe something valueable from everyone without notice. There was a reason that Gaius brags about her magic fingers after all.

"Thank you, for this wonderful evening, but I fear I might swoon," she places a hand to her forehead and fans herself dramatically.

"Well now we cannot have that happening. Please sit here, and I shall return with a coll drink for you," the gentleman hurries away. She looks after him for only a few seconds, before standing back up. Though there is now a person standing in front of her where there was not a person before.

"I am glad that Willhelm has finally left, I have been dying to have a dance with you as well," the broad man says while giving her a piercing look that makes her gag internally.

"I am terribly sorry, sir, but I need to rest," she tries to excuse herself from dancing with this man. He makes her feel dirty with just a look.

"Nonsense, you were just getting up," he tells her, before gripping her arm, and pulling her towards the dance floor. He is very forceful with her, and does not keep his hands where they belong while he drags her all over the dance floor.

"Please let me go," she begs him softly. He leans in closer, and the stench of his breath almost causes her to vomit.

"I love a woman that begs," He whisper in her ear in a voice he probably thinks is attractive.

"I heard her ask you to let her go, Stefan. Now release her or do you want me to force you to leave her alone?" a deep voice says from behind her. Whoever it is, has enough power to cause this putrid man to release her quickly. He apologizes profusely, and leaves without a second look back.

"Thank you, good sir," she says turning to face her supposed rescuer.

"Not at all miss. He has simply been without a woman's touch, and thought you may be easy prey. Alas he mistook you for a serving wench instead of the well bred young lady you are," he says as way of an apology.

"Well I must be away good sir, my father shall be looking for me no doubt," she says, trying to escape, but he holds his hand out for her.

"I shall help you find you father, but I insist on at least one dance with a proper partner. After all, Willhelm is still learning, and Stefan is too eager to proceed to the part that happens afterwards," he says with a gentle smile on his face.

"May I inquire about your name sir?" she asks him in feigned shyness.

"Ah, but where are my manners. My name dear lady is, Sir Mathias Redmont. I lead his Majesties armies whilst the king stays here to rule," he says with a deep bow.

The Shadow has no choice but to accept his hand. To refuse a dance with one of the most powerful men in the kingdom would be a death sentence to be sure. She tentatively places her hand in his, and his smile grows bigger as he leads her through the slowest dance so far this evening. "My name is Arania," she tells him and immediately regrets is. Great! Now he knows your name you fool! Her inner voice says harshly to her.

"A beautiful name for a beautiful Lady," he says.

Arania takes a chance, and looks directly into his eyes, to see what kind of man he is. What she sees, takes her breathe away. His deep brown eyes, seem to almost glow with merriment, and peace. While yes there is a darkness present from the lives he no doubt took on the orders of his king, there is immence goodness and light as well. She can feel herself leaning in further to be closer to such a bright soul. Somewhere a horn starts to play a melody, and Sir Mathias look s away from the oceanic blue eyes that somehow put the summer sky to shame.

"Ah, I am afraid that I must step away for a moment. I must go stand next to the king while he is making his speech, but as soon as it is over I shall return and help you find your father," he assures her. She nods her head and a part of leaves with the man. The second she looses sight of him, she escapes from the ballroom through a side door. She changes quickly, and hides her hair back into the dark cap she wore at the start of the night. She then makes her way through the entire castle, until the alarm is raised going through every room for anything of value. The second she hears pounding feet and yelling, she leaps out the nearest window. She makes her way carefully to the nearest wall, before slipping over it once again unseen.