by David Petrie
The cabin blew out a collective sigh.
“Nice, it worked,” Kira said again, this time quieter.
Max shook his head.
The landing field sat at the end of a long reflecting pool that stretched out in front of the palace. It was quite a walk to get to the palace doors. There were closer places to set up the landing area, but it seemed like Berwyn wanted to give his guests the full view of the palace as they entered. Either that or he wanted to make sure that everyone knew that they were less important. It rubbed Max the wrong way as he set the ship down as gently as he could, which was dramatically better than usual. He didn’t want to make them look like amateurs.
Max opened the Cloudbreaker’s door and hopped out. Ginger waited inside since it would have been inappropriate for a Lady such as herself to jump the three feet to the ground from the door. Max reached down to pull out the ships retractable ramp, realizing that he’d never used it before. Why would he? His party wasn’t actually important, so things like ramps had never mattered before. There seemed to be some kind of latch, but he couldn’t figure out how to disengage it. That was when a pair of armed guards approached to check his invitation. He started to panic, yanking on the handle and trying his best to pretend he knew what he was doing. He stalled by rolling up his sleeves as if he was afraid that they would get dirty. Then a whisper came from the cabin.
Ginger peeked out from the edge of the door, one hand cupped to the side of her mouth. “Push, then pull.”
Max grumbled. She was right. The ramp slid out easily just as the guards stopped behind him. He stood back up and offered his hand to his Lady. Ginger rolled her eyes but took it regardless before stepping outside.
The Lady of House Lockheart walked past Max with confidence, her body hugged by the shining, green silk of the dress Larkin had slaved over the night before. It slid around her legs like a second skin as she walked. The front was open down to her navel, with a dark metal ring connecting the fabric in the middle to cover her chest.
Max caught himself noticing a little too much as she turned to the palace guards. Her eyes matched the gown perfectly. With a charming smile, she handed over the invitation. Then she simply turned to wait for her plus one.
The guard looked up from the envelope, then froze.
Kirabell stepped down the ramp, her bare feet touching the stone of the landing platform. White silk clung to her as if it had been poured over her slender frame. It flared out just below her waist, forming delicate folds that fluttered like a flower in the wind. A simple halter top left her shoulders and back exposed. Across the front of her modest bust ran a thin line of tiny crystals that traveled down her body, dispersing into a field of stars. Each caught the light, making her shine as bright as the crystal pyramid beyond. As always, her unwanted pendant rested upon her collar bone, its heavy silver chain encircling her throat. She gave a slight bow to the guards as they stepped aside to let her and Ginger pass, barely looking at their invitation.
“I guess it is better to stand out,” Ginger whispered, holding her house ring close enough to her lips so that it carried her voice to the others across the house line.
Farn exited the ship last, allowing one of the guards to inspect the inside of their transport for any stowaways that might be trying to infiltrate the palace. Fortunately, Corvin and Kegan had already slipped out while their Lady was showing off her dress.
“You guys good?” Max asked across the house line as the guards made a show of doing their job.
Kegan’s voice answered back, “Had us sweating for a bit there, but yeah, we’re good. Hiding behind the statue to your right. There’re plenty of guards about, but they don’t seem to be paying much attention.”
“The guards are probably just regular players trying to make a little hard. You can’t expect a fully trained security force.” Max added as he took the lead.
Ginger and Kira fell in behind him with Farn at their back. With so many houses gathered in one place, it was safe to say that not everyone was on the best of terms. In fact, an event like this could be a veritable pit of vipers. They would have to keep their eyes peeled for threats.
Max raised his house ring. “You ready to be the center of attention tonight, Ginger?”
“Ready as I’m going to be. I think I can pass as the leader of a powerful house,” she answered back casually.
“Well, you certainly look the part.”
Ginger laughed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Max’s mouth dropped open as he hesitated to explain, “Ahh, I, I just mean you look nice. Or, well, all of you do,” he added, including Kira and Farn in the complement in an effort not to make things weird.
Kira snickered.
“Aww, thanks,” Ginger said, sounding appreciative, “and you’re right, we do look good. To be honest, I think I could seduce anyone in this dress, and Kira sure as hell cleans up nice. By the end of the night, I bet she’ll have at least a few men wrapped around her little finger.”
Kira laughed dryly, “Ha ha, No. I shall not be doing any seducing.”
Farn scoffed. “You probably shouldn’t have let Larkin dress you then.— That guy definitely knows his way around a needle and thread.”
“Blah.” The fairy let her mouth hang open as if spitting out the word.
“Kira, put your tongue back in your mouth and act like a lady,” Ginger urged before returning to the subject at hand. “Actually, I was thinking before logging on tonight about a way we could go about this. Are you familiar with a honey pot?”
Max laughed. “You mean, like, a con where you seduce a target while you rob them blind? Why does that suggestion not surprise me coming from you?”
“First of all, shut up. And second, yes, that’s exactly what I mean. Some of what Samhain said got me thinking, so I messaged a couple girls I know from the other clubs in Lucem this afternoon. Apparently, back when Berwyn first rose to power, he used to hire out women from the brothels to stay in the palace for when he had guests. Which is was frequent.”
“Why doesn’t he do this now?” Farn inquired.
“He canceled the arrangement since, at this point, there are always attractive players interested in lounging around his palace.”
“So you’re thinking you might be able to get an invite to stay.”
“Well, considering I look this good, I think it’s a possibility. As long as I can make a good impression.”
“And what happens if he expects something in return for letting you stay.” Kira sounded skeptical.
Ginger laughed. “I’m not going to sleep with the guy if that’s what you’re asking.”
“That’s good to hear,” Farn commented sarcastically.
“Although I could probably lead him on for quite a while,” Ginger added.
“Jeez, I feel bad for the guy now.” Max shrugged. “Well, not that bad, though. So yeah, do that. Although, I’d like to go on record that I’m not in love with the idea of using you like that.”
Ginger let out a sound over the house line that sounded surprised. She followed it with a sigh. “I’m a grown-up. I can handle myself.”
“I know.” Max glanced back at her. “Just don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Hey, sorry to interrupt,” Kegan’s voice came over the line, “but we’re ready, just to let you know.”
“You’re in position?” Max couldn’t help but sound surprised. Things were going too smoothly.
“Yeah. I don’t know exactly where the palace’s barrier is so I don’t want to get much closer, but we should be in range to use the Shift Beads depending on where you are in the palace. You see the patch of palms to your left? We’re in there.”
Max scanned the area. “Umm, I see a bunch of palms. You’re going to have to be more specific.”
“I don’t know. It’s like, just to the left,” Kegan repeated unhelpfully.
“There’s a statue next to it,” Corvin clarified.
“Okay, there’s more than
one statue,” Max commented.
Piper’s voice cut in, “Guys, I just marked us on the map.”
Max glanced at his journal. “Oh, there you are. You guys snuck over there fast.”
“Lots of practice. Been crawling around dungeons I shouldn’t be in for the last year,” Corvin commented, sounding modest.
“Plus, I’m naturally sneaky,” Piper added, sounding less so.
Ginger sighed. “Probably not something to brag about, dear.”
“Really, then should I forget about you bragging about your ability to seduce anyone in that dress?” Piper’s tone was extra snarky.
Ginger slapped a hand to her face, clearly forgetting her daughter had been on the line.
“Hold up.” Max stopped in his tracks as the air around him rippled like water, and a strange energy washed over his body. “I think we hit the barrier.” He immediately started walking again as if it had been nothing, not wanting to draw attention. “Piper, can you mark our position on the map? I want to know exactly how much room we have to work with inside.”
“Already done. I’m tracing the barrier’s perimeter around the pyramid, assuming the palace is sitting at the center.”
“Thanks.” Max lowered his house ring as he approached the main entrance. A wide stairway lined with statues and light posts seemed to invite them in. More guards waited at the top to check their invitation again before showing the party into the entry hall. A young elf dressed in scarlet robes greeted the other guests at the next door. Before going any further, the guards parted ways, gesturing for Max and Farn to follow.
“I guess this is as far as Farn and I go.” Max stepped aside to let Ginger and Kira pass.
Farn bowed with respect as they parted.
Kira looked back to Max, a terrified expression on her face. She clearly wasn’t interested in rubbing elbows with Noctem’s version of high society. I won’t let your sacrifice go in vain. Max couldn’t help but chuckle. Of course, he didn’t want to mingle either.
From there, Farn fell in behind him while the guard showed them through a side door and up to where they would be spending the evening.
The room was simple with a balcony that overlooked a ballroom so they could watch over the festivities. The atmosphere was more relaxed upstairs, with the other houses' bodyguards talking amongst each other. Many seemed to know each other, as if they ran in the same circles. Max felt a little out of place. Fortunately, Farn was with him.
“Shall we see how our Lady and her companion is fairing down there?” He found a place at the railing and watched over at the scene below.
Farn gave a snort. “We shall.”
Chapter Sixteen
Okay, act normal.
Walk like a lady.
Don’t trip on your dress.
Everything will be fine.
Kirabell struggled to keep her nerves in check.
Oh no, who is this guy, and what does he want?
An elf in scarlet robes seemed to glide towards her and Ginger. He glanced at a book in his hands so fast that she almost missed it. “Thank you for coming, Lady GingerSnaps.”
The Coin took a sharp breath at the sound of her full player name, as if she had been caught off guard. It sounded vaguely stripper-esque, to begin with, but it was even weirder with the added ‘Lady’ in the front.
Kira let out an involuntary laugh that drew a puzzled glance from the elf. She promptly shut her dumb mouth.
Ginger recovered and took a step forward, placing a hand on his forearm. “And thank you for having us. May I ask your name?”
“Yes, ahh, of course, I should have introduced myself first.” The elf smiled and blushed. “My name is Dartmouth, Lord Berwyn’s right hand and Archmage. Let me show you to the gateway ballroom.” He spun on his heel and pushed open the door at the end of the hall. The space beyond sparkled with bright gold trim on nearly every surface. It was almost blinding after coming in from the night. Kira shielded her eyes.
“Come along, Kira dear.” Ginger thanked Dartmouth with a wink. “We should go find our host and thank him in person.”
Kira didn’t really know what to say, so she just followed in silence. She gave a slight bow to Dartmouth as she passed. He smiled back before closing the door again.
The room was huge, though Kira wondered why Dartmouth had called it a gateway ballroom. Maybe it was just one of many. The palace certainly is big enough to have more than one. She couldn’t help but be curious about what might be inside the pyramid.
Crystal chandlers hung at varying heights while alcoves lined the walls. Marble figures stood on pedestals in each, most of which were nude or barely clothed. Kira shuddered, trying not to be reminded of the statue of herself that she’d encountered last year. The image of her own body seated on a grave haunted her. She still didn’t know what to make of it, nor did she want to think about it. She let out a sigh and shook her head.
Two massive staircases wound themselves down from both sides, meeting in the middle at a landing. An equally massive door stood at its back. People filled the space from wall to wall, each dressed in opulent clothing that defined their status. They sipped from long-stemmed glasses and held polite conversation. That was when Kira noticed something important. They had food! Hors d’oeuvres from the looks of it.
Kira twirled in place, her eyes scanning the room like Max searching for a target. It didn’t take long for her to spot one. There he was. A man in what could pass for a green tuxedo. He held a tray aloft.
The rest was inevitable. She left Ginger’s side to stalk her prey.
The man lowered his bounty to her height as she approached. She didn’t even try to figure out what they were before reaching out with both hands. That’s when she heard her name spoken in a displeased voice. Kira froze, turning to find the Lady of House Lockheart behind her. Ginger’s eyebrow twitched.
“One, just take one.”
Kira withdrew one hand, resigning to only claim a single item from the tray. It turned out to be a bacon wrapped scallop. Or at least a virtual representation of one.
Kira didn’t like scallops. It was a texture thing. She found them squishy. Though, it was wrapped in bacon, so she ate it anyway.
Another server came by with a tray of champagne. Ginger also reached out with both hands, claiming two glasses. She handed one to Kira, probably hoping that she would be less likely to shove food in her face if one hand was holding a drink. Kira took it reluctantly as she began searching for a new prize.
“Oh, that guy has meatballs.”
Farn leaned over the balcony railing searching for the fairy and her Lady. She found Ginger almost immediately. It was hard not to. The Coin was tall and commanded the space around her with ease. It must be nice to have that kind of presence, Farn thought. Ginger seemed right at home, mingling with the leaders of Noctem’s most powerful houses.
“I don’t see Kira.” Max leaned a little further forward in his place next to Farn.
Kira was harder to spot, her short stature keeping her hidden. The crowd just overtook her. That was when Farn started watching the food instead of the people. With that strategy, she found the gluttonous little mage right away. “There she is, stalking the server with,” Farn squinted at a tray, “I think they’re pigs in a blanket.”
“That makes sense. Kira could never pass up meat and bread.”
“She’s nothing if not consistent.” Farn smiled.
They both stopped to watch the fairy patrol the ballroom. She seemed to be mapping the course of one specific server so that she could make sure she was always in his path. Farn should have been doing more to case the palace than watching Kira stalk a tray of food, but it was entertaining, Plus, the dress looked amazing on her.
Farn raised an eyebrow when Kira broke off her single-minded pursuit of food to look at one of the statues. Something had drawn her attention, but Farn couldn’t tell what. Whatever it was, had Kira examining the figure intently. Then she reached out one hand toward the back of
its pedestal.
Max groaned and raised his house ring. “Kira, are you about to dump a handful of used toothpicks behind that statute?”
The fairy froze in place, a panicked expression washing over her. She pulled her hand back as if holding something but doing her best to hide it. Then she glanced around, looking up.
“Yeah, that’s right. We see you down there,” Max continued.
The mage responded with a shrug before casually reaching behind the statue anyway. She stepped away a moment later with her hand empty, rubbing her fingers together as if they were sticky. For a moment, it looked like she was going to wipe her hand on the pristine fabric of her dress.
Max opened his mouth to stop her, but fortunately, common sense took hold, saving the gown from its wearer and leaving her holding her hand awkwardly at her side. Max raised his ring again. “There’s a washroom to your left.”
Kira didn’t respond, but she did start walking toward it.
Of course, there was no real need for anyone to wash their hands in Noctem. Germs weren’t an issue in a virtual world. Though, in the more luxurious places, it was common to find a washroom nearby. There were no toilets, obviously, but a user could at least freshen up at a sink or use a quick-change panel.
Kira returned moments later, looking more comfortable.
Farn let out a laugh as the fairy resumed her pursuit of food.
Max sighed.
Chapter Seventeen
Unlike a certain pint-sized Archmage, Ginger had been hard at work. She spent a half hour putting names to faces and finding out everything she could about Berwyn. The other guests were a mix of Lords and Ladies from all over Noctem, but also, members of the House of Serpents were present. Many had lead raiding parties of mercenaries during the attack on Torn, while others had been part of the force that took the throne room. A few even claimed to have dealt the final blow that finished off Lady Amelia.