Cariel-
I looked up at Terin. "I suppose we'll have to link arms," I said, making a face.
10/12/2011 #3,001 Report~Terin~
'We will, my lady,' I said with a grin, before offering Cariel my arm.
10/12/2011 #3,002 ReportCariel-
I made a face and took Terin's arm. We followed Betta and Mathis out of the room.
10/12/2011 #3,003 Report~Terin~
We walked down several corridors to the Great Hall, where the feast and dance would be taking place. When we were nearly there, I gave Cariel a reassuring smile.
10/12/2011 #3,004 ReportCariel-
There were several other couples walking towards the Great Hall, all richly dressed. I drew a bit closer to Terin, but couldn't get too close in case he stepped on the edge of my dress.
10/12/2011 #3,005 Report~Terin~
I assumed that Aedyn would already be there - either that, or hiding in his rooms or his office. It sounded like there were a lot of people in the hall already.
10/12/2011 #3,006 ReportCariel-
We joined the line to get into the Great Hall. Heralds were asking for names at the door, and then announcing people as they walked in. I heard a lot of 'Lord and Lady' this and 'Duke and Duchess' of that. I could see into the Hall; the tables were arranged in several rows around a space in the middle, supposedly where the entertainment and dancing would take place. The Queen and Aedyn, of course, would be sitting at the High Table.
10/12/2011 #3,007 Report~Terin~
I blinked; I hadn't realised that we would actually be announced when we went in. I hoped that Cariel wasn't too nervous, as we got closer to the front of the line.
10/12/2011 #3,008 ReportCariel-
Before I knew it, Terin's parents were being announced, and Terin was giving our names to the Herald. He practically bellowed out, "Lieutenant Terin of Yanyl, and Lady Cariel."
I squeezed Terin's arm as we entered the Hall, and tried not to look at anyone without looking at the floor.
10/12/2011 #3,009 Report~Terin~
Quite a few people were looking at us - and at everyone else as they entered the Hall. There were a lot of people here, all richly dressed and exchanging polite conversation.
10/12/2011 #3,010 ReportCariel-
"Do we sit down yet?" I asked quietly, looking around at everyone mingling and talking. I didn't know anybody here. How was I supposed to talk to people?
10/12/2011 #3,011 Report~Terin~
'Probably not until the Queen has arrived,' I replied, sticking rather close behind my parents. None of us really knew anyone here.
10/12/2011 #3,012 ReportCariel-
An older couple struck up conversation with Terin's parents, and I looked around the room. Everything was very beautifully-decorated, but I hardly noticed that as I scanned the crowd for a friendly face.
10/12/2011 #3,013 Report~Terin~
I eventually spotted the Abhorsen and Lord Drystan, talking to some other people a little way away, but I wasn't sure if we should go up to them. I knew that the Abhorsen still didn't like me.
10/12/2011 #3,014 ReportCariel-
I was starting to feel a bit lost, and looked down at the floor. Hopefully the Queen would arrive soon.
10/12/2011 #3,015 Report~Terin~
Lord Drystan eventually saw us, and waved us over. It would have been rude to refuse or ignore him, so Cariel and I walked over. Hopefully, the Abhorsen wouldn't glare at me constantly this time.
10/12/2011 #3,016 ReportCariel-
Lord Drystan greeted us both politely, and I managed to return the greeting. I smiled at Idriel, but faltered when I saw that she was staring at me. Was there something on my face?
10/12/2011 #3,017 Report~Idriel~
I was about to ask what the hell Cariel was wearing, but I didn't want to cause a scene. Where had she got that dress from? And the necklace? And the hair decorations? And since when had she had the balls to wear things like that anyway? I didn't think it suited her at all; it was far too elaborate for someone like her.
10/12/2011 #3,018 ReportCariel-
I blinked and looked away from Idriel. Terin and Drystan were having a conversation about something boring, but I pretended to be interested.
10/12/2011 #3,019 Report~Idriel~
I tried not to scowl at Cariel. Actually, her dress was very nice. I wanted to know where she'd got it from. Still, at least my dress was nicer.
10/12/2011 #3,020 ReportCariel-
I stopped pretending to follow Terin and Drystan's conversation, and turned back to Idriel. "You look really nice," I said with a smile.
10/12/2011 . Edited 10/12/2011 #3,021 Report~Idriel~
I know. 'Thanks,' I said, forcing a smile. 'Where did you get your dress from?'
10/12/2011 #3,022 ReportCariel-
"Iselli lent it to me," I said, looking down at my dress. I had better not spill anything on it...
10/12/2011 #3,023 Report~Idriel~
'Oh,' I said, rather surprised. I hadn't known that Iselli had dresses like that... 'Did she lend you the necklace and hairpins too?'
10/12/2011 #3,024 ReportCariel-
"Um - no," I admitted. "That was Betta. Terin's mother," I explained, turning and nodding towards where Terin's parents were talking with some other people.
10/12/2011 #3,025 Report~Idriel~
I did scowl then. So, Cariel had been hanging out with stupid Terin's parents, had she?
10/12/2011 #3,026 ReportCariel-
I looked back at Idriel, and frowned slightly. "What is it?" I asked.
10/12/2011 #3,027 Report~Idriel~
'Nothing,' I said shortly. If Cariel wanted to be around Sorienne's family, then that was her problem.
10/12/2011 #3,028 ReportCariel-
I blinked, but didn't say anything. When a server came by with some wine, I gratefully took a glass.
10/12/2011 #3,029 Report~Idriel~
I took a glass of wine too, and sipped it while I tried not to scowl or glare at Cariel, Terin, or his parents.
10/12/2011 #3,030 Report Reply 
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