Wren peered at herself in the full-length mirror. She wasn't looking at herself, she was sure of it. An elegant, pale pink dress slid down her body, exposing her collarbone and neck. It had long, puffed sleeves that were transparent and flowers were lined on the top of her dress and on the waist of her dress so there was an exclusive feel to it. Its skirts floofed around her legs whenever she moved them, reaching the ground.
The pale pink gown matched her ginger hair - what was more, she had to wear her crown. Her royal crown as a princess.
The doors to the dressing-room swung open and Odyssey stood there, wearing a frilly blue gown and a crown was sitting upon her perfectly coiffed her proudly. She gasped when she saw Wren.
'My dear! You look absolutely stunning!'
Wren couldn't help but scowl. 'I can't breathe in the dress. The waistband's too tight.'
'Don't worry dear, you'll just have to walk in this for an evening,' said Odyssey fondly, looking at Wren through the mirror. 'You know, we haven't properly celebrated the finding of out beloved, long-lost princess, so I thought why not add that to our ball, hey? The announcements will be done, of course. The spotlight will be all on you tonight, Wren.'
Wren sighed. 'When's the ball starting?'
'In an hour, love.' Odyssey curled a finger around a twirl of Wren's hair. 'Perfect. You look decent and like a proper princess.'
'I hope so,' said Wren grudgingly, hitching up her skirt.
'Don't do that to the dress - I had one of the maids to smooth out that dress for you!'
'Any guests yet?' said Wren, trying to change the subject.
'Not yet. Well, your friends are here. I'm glad to see you've invited everyone from your year, Wren -'
'Almost everyone,' Wren muttered under her breath as she adjusted the glimmering flower on her hair. She hadn't invited Aurora. She hadn't wanted to invite Estella either, but Luxe was determined that Estella deserved to enjoy life and have a bit of fun so reluctantly, Wren had agreed.
'Alright, I'd better get down now,' said Odyssey, looking rather flustered. 'The grand entrance for the queen will be in an hour -' she smoothed her dress importantly. 'I don't want it all messed up, you see. And then it's time for your entrance, Wren. We've rehearsed this countless times; do you remember the procedure?'
Wren took great care not to groan. She had had rehearsed the events of the ball with Odyssey endlessly - she wasn't going to rehearse now. 'I know, I know, we've done it plenty of times,' she said, turning back to the mirror.
'I feel it's best we go through them once more,' said Odyssey, sitting down on the couch. Wren couldn't help but groan this time. 'Go on.'
Wren sighed and looked up at the ceiling, head tilted towards it. 'One, Iridia's grand entrance. Two, Princess Wren's grand entrance. Three, Princess Wren and Queen Odyssey gets up to stage to meet King and Queen of Iridia. Four, announcements of Princess Wren and Iridia. Five, the dance. Six, the feast. Seven, the dance and the feast. Eight, dismissal and end of ball.'
'Fantastic,' said Odyssey, standing up so abruptly one might as well have thought there were pins on the couch, 'I'm starting to think you're a natural at this, Wren. Why don't you put all this in action?
Wren wasn't sure what to say.
'And,' pressed on Odyssey, 'Oh, and by the way, did I mention Prince Caston will be your dance partner for tonight? So try not to step on his feet when you're dancing -'
What?' yelped Wren, accidentally sticking a pin into her scalp. 'Wha - I -'
'I hear he's a splendid dancer,' said Odyssey and Wren heard someone knocking on the door. 'Magnificent, really. Come in!' she called to the door. It opened and in came a maid, carrying a tray of two cocktails.
'Thank you, Vale, these cocktails are excellent,' said Odyssey briskly, holding up her glass. Wren took the other one. Vale bowed her head slightly then turned to Odyssey. 'Your Majesty, the grand entrance is in half an hour, so I suggest you -?'
'Oh, yes, yes, the entrance!' trilled Odyssey, putting down her cocktail at once. 'Dear me, how could I? Thank you Vale, tell the others I'll be down in a jiffy.'
'At once, Your Majesty,' said Vale, bowing her head and scurrying out of the room. Before Odyssey could leave or speak, Wren grabbed her by the arm.
'Careful with the dress, it's tailor-made -'
'What d'you mean, dance partner?' said Wren, trying her best to sound agonized. 'I'm - dancing?'
'Yes, you are! We've gone over the rehearsal many, many times, Wren -'
'This has nothing to do with the rehearsal; I thought I could dance when I wanted to!' said Wren impatiently. 'I thought - I thought I could choose who I wanted to -'
'Wren, you are the princess of Argonian,' said Odyssey, taking in a deep breath. 'What did you expect - that you chose a peasant to dance with? We royals dance with royals, Wren, so I advise you to hurry down now and greet the guests.'
'I -'
'Now,' said Odyssey firmly, in a tone that wasn't to be argued with. Wren scowled and fixed her tiara so it stayed put on her head.
'Dancing,' she muttered as she exited the room, 'waste of time and with some stupid prince -'
'Evening, Your Highness,' said a guard standing at the end of the staircase. Wren smiled at him and did a little curtsy. 'Evening, Richard.'
'Excited for the ball, Your Highness?' said Richard, grinning slightly.
'Oh, very,' said Wren in a voice that she hoped sounded convincing. 'My first ball, you see, and I can't wait to have it started.'
'Well, you better go and greet the guests then, Your Highness,' said Richard, tipping his head towards her. Wren nodded, clamping her mouth tight to stop herself from shouting, 'I'll see you later, Richard!' instead, she gracefully walked down the stairs.
The Grand Hall was indeed looking magnificent. Odyssey had outdone herself. Flags of Argonian hung from every pillar and gold, shimmering flakes fell from the ceiling. Floating candles were floating around in mid-air, lighting up the Hall and setting a comfy atmosphere. The floors were polished so it shone in the light and a number of guests were already in the Hall.
Jake and Ladislaya were already in the Grand Hall. Ladislaya was looking very pretty in an emerald layered dress and she had done her hair and she was holding an elegant black purse with gold rims. She was looking rather nervous and kept looking around her. Jake was looking rather put-out - he was wearing a smart suit and tie, all black and white.
'Hi,' said Wren, making her way towards them. Jake looked relieved to see her.
'Thank goodness you're here, there's a guard at the door who keeps staring at us suspiciously like we're intruders or something -'
'Keep it down,' Wren muttered to him. 'From what I learned from Odyssey, a ball means no shouting or swearing.'
Jake looked sheepish. 'Right. Sorry.'
'Look! Luxe and the others are here!' squealed Ladislaya, pointing. Indeed, Luxe, Corinne, Estella, Duncan, Tyler, Theodore and Jared were walking into the Grand Hall. Corinne looked wonderfully elegant in a blue dress - she had matching blue earrings too. The boys were all wearing suits and ties. Wren's gaze landed on Estella and her heart dropped.
Estella was wearing a dress that looked most appropriate if you were attending a funeral.
Dressed in a layered black halterneck dress and black boots with heels was Estella. Her jaw was set so tightly as she gazed around the room with her deep, dark eyes. She was wearing a set of black diamond earrings and a dark green necklace hung on her neck. Apparently, she was in all black except for the necklace.
'Estella ...' said Wren uncomfortably.
'Quiet, isn't it?' said Estella, barely moving her lips. 'As silent as a funeral. You know, I actually wonder where quietness came into existence. Maybe they were manifested from the graveyard.'
Wren raised her eyebrows slightly. 'Uh -'
'I'm dreading for when the real guests come. There will be such a noise that I certainly do not fancy. I heard from Luxe that the royal family of Iridia will be visiting?'
'Yes, that's sort of the whole point,' said Wren.
Estella looked at her and Wren had the sudden uncomfortable feeling that she was staring right into her soul. She looked away quickly and saw Lucian Ailwood.
'No,' she breathed.
'He came,' whispered Jake hoarsely who, apprently, had too seen Lucian.
A raspy sort of growl came out of Wren. Suddenly, the sound of trumpets filled the room and the crowd stopped chattering and looked around. The doors opened and a voice was magically magnified across the entire hall.
'Welcome the royal family of Iridia, King Archmander and Queen Reyna!'
Wren could hardly hear the words of the speaker as the trumpets drowned its voice. The flag of Iridia hung down from the ceiling - silver and cyan were the colours of Iridia. Wren could feel Ladislaya, Jake and her other friends gawking at the Iridian family as they walked down the aisle. The crowd had parted into two to make way. Wren couldn't help staring too - the King of Iridia was a large, bulky man with a crown set upon his hazel head - he had a bushy beard and moustache. The Queen of Iridia walked by his side, wearinga smile and waving to everyone in the crowd. There was a tremendous applause then Wren's gaze fell on the human beings behind the King and Queen.
'That,' Jake whispered in her ear, 'must be Prince Ambrose Sternflair.'
Prince Ambrose Sternflair. Eldest of the three Iridian children. He strutted down the aisle behind his parents, wearing a thin-lipped smile and a crown upon his head. He had a firm jawline and Wren cast her eyes to the girl walking next to him.
'That must be the Princess, I'm betting,' she whispered to Jake.
'Princess Viviana Sternflair,' he whispered back. She was almost as tall as her brother was; blonde like her mother with eyes the deepest blue. Unlike her brother, her smile was more natural, she waved at everyone in the crowd too, her long ombre green dress trailing behind her.
'And that,' whispered Jake unexpectedly in her ear, 'is Prince Caston Sternflair, youngest of the three.'
Wren had just noticed there was one more child; he looked no older than fourteen - like his siblings, he had a crown settled upon his dark hair. A bit of his hair fell down his forehead and Wren could tell he was trying his best to smile at the crowd. She could see the ghost of his brother etched in his face; they had the same nose, same jawline and the same golden hazelnut eyes.
'Three of them,' she whispered hoarsely. 'three of them- and Caston - Prince Caston will be the one I'm dancing with - this is ridiculous.'
'What do you -' began Jake, but Wren had suddenly remembered it was time for her grand entrance. 'Oh god, it's time for my entrance, I'll see you later,' she hissed to both adislaya and Jake, hurrying off.
She heard loud applause and cheers from inside the Hall. Hastily, she straightened her dress and her back, ensuring good posture as Odyssey had reminded her to do so. And then in a heartbeat, she heard her name being broadcasted from inside the Hall, 'And now, here comes Princess Wren Carezby, Princess of Argonian.'
The doors opened and Wren found eyes on her. A hushed silence had fallen upon the crowd like some magical enchantment. Carefully, Wren took a step towards the aisle. She could feel Luxe's ready gaze on her and Ladislaya's beaming face set upon hers. She tried smiling as naturally as shec ould, just like she'd practiced with Odyssey. Once she made her way down the aisle, she did like she had rehearsed - bend down and stay there. Then, the steady voice of her sister said, 'Rise, Princess of Argonian.'
Wren cringed but stood up all the same but as she did so, she tripped on her flowing skirt and felt herself being flung forward but a steady hand caught her just in time. Wren felt the heat rushing to her face and she looked up to see Prince Caston Sternflair's face staring into hers. He stared at her eyes for minute then she straightened up and bowed her head slightly. 'Thank you.'
She could've sworn the corner of his mouth tilted high a little. Embarassed and determined to make any more stupid mistakes, she walked up to the stadium beside her sister. Prince Ambrose Sternflair was a few feet away from her, staring ath the crowd.
'Welcome, ladies and gentlemen!' said Odyssey, her voice magically magnified. 'We are so pleased to have you here tonight in the Kingdom of Argonian, where the magic of unity and camaraderie reigns supreme.'
Wren glanced around the opulent hall, taking in its soft, ethereal glow. The room was adorned with shimmering crystals and colorful floral arrangements that seemed to sway an unheard melody. She was hardly listening to Odyssey.
The clapping around the Hall was the signal that Odyssey had finished the opening speech. All she heard were the words, 'And now, the ball!' and melodious music began strumming into the ballroom.
Odyssey was making her way down the stadium in an elegant fashion. Wren glanced around to make sure nobody was watching and nobody was, for everyone were to busy clamouring around in the ballroom; some were dancing already. Wren hurried up to her sister.
'Odyssey! Wait!'
Odyssey turned around. 'There you are, Wren. Well, I expect that Prince Caston will be asking you for a dance very soon. The dance was arranged you see.'
'Wha - who will you be dancing with then?'
'Prince Ambrose,' said her sister with a wry smile.
Wren stared.
'And I really must get going, I really shouldn't be leaving that poor prince alone by himself -'
'But -' began Wren.
'You should get going too,' hissed Odyssey. 'Don't forget the royals are the first ones on the dance floor!'
And with that, she hurried away. Wren stared after her blindly. What was she going to do now? Was she supposed to stand there and wait for Prince Caston to invite her to dance? She looked stupid standing there alone, so she decided to make her way to Ladislaya and Jake first, bumping into a lot of people. As she navigated through the crowd, her path suddenly collided with someone, causing her to stumble back. Second time tonight, she thought angrily, looking up to see a face none other than Prince Caston.
'Apologies, Princess Wren,' said the prince hastily, reaching out a hand to steady her like he did the first time she'd tripped. 'How very clumsy of me.'
'It's alright,' said Wren, thinking fast. She straightened up so suddenly the prince's green eyes flicked with a hint of amusement.
'Well,' he said matter-of-factly, 'may I have this dance?'
Wren cringed. 'Certainly, Your Highness.'
They made their way to the center of the ballroom. Wren could see her sister standing there with Prince Ambrose and the King and Queen of Iridia were there, too. There was a crowd surrounding them and Wren felt heat rise up to her face.
She wasn't dancing. She wasn't dancing - not tonight, in front of hundreds of people - people of Iridia and Argonian.
She glanced around the room quickly to see Jake and Ladislaya peering at her behind two gigantic ladies holding crocodile-skin handbags the size of a dictionary. Jake shot her two thumbs-up from behind the lady and Ladislaya beamed at her nervously. She tried her best glaring at them unnoticingly. Quickly, she scanned the room for Lucian Ailwood and to her relief, he was talking to his friends and seemed the least interested in the dance.
Before she knew it, Prince Caston had put his hand on her waist and was holding her other hand in his. She exhaled slowly and let him lead her. They began to sway to the rhythm of the music, the grandeur of the ballroom and the many watchful eyes of the guests that made Wren acutely aware the spotlight was on her. She could hear faint whispers from the crowd, like: 'Is that really the long-lost princess?' and 'Funny and lucky at the same time how we found her!'
Wren felt the heat running through her face. She wasn't sure if the comments were good or bad.
Prince Caston, a skilled dancer, guided her gracefully through the intricate steps. Clearly, he was a natural at this. He probably had been dancing and attending festivals since he was five. 'You look charming tonight, Princess.'
Wren was strongly reminded of Lucian Ailwood. 'Thank you, Your Highness,' she said with her best effort of being polite.
The corners of his eyebrows arched in a little as he leaned in slightly and whispered, 'You seem a bit apprehensive, Princess. Is everything alright?'
Wren offered a small, forced smile. 'I suppose I'm not accustomed to such grand occasions.'
Caston's eyes sparkled. 'Ah, I understand. It can be overwhelming, especially when one is not used to the spotlight. But I must say, you're handling it with grace.'
'I ... hope so,' said Wren, her eyes darting round the crowd. Small packs of people had began dancing as well. She caught sight of Jake, who was stifling his laughter and Ladislaya who was fixing her hair. Wren glared at him over the prince's shoulder and mouthed, 'I'll get you for this.'
The dance was probably lasting around five to seven minutes, but it felt like an eternity to Wren. When the song changed, she let go of Prince Caston at once and smiled her best smile at him. 'Let's sit down, shall we?'
'Of course, Princess. I'll get the drinks.' He disappeared immediately. Wren breathed a sigh of relief. Jake and Ladislaya made their way to her.
'Handsome chap, wasn't he?' smirked Ladislaya.
Wre stared at her. 'I did not sign up for this.'
'You looked like you would pass out any second,' said Jake, grinning a grin so wide. 'Where did he go, anyway?'
'Gone to get some drinks,' Wren said heavily. 'I can't believe I have to be stuck with him the whole evening.'
'Isn't he nice?' said Ladislaya anxiously. 'I was thinking a prince wouldn't be that bad -'
'He's not that bad, I just don't want to stay like a princess the whole night,' said Wren irritably.
'But that's your job,' Jake told her.
'Do I look like I get paid for wearing pretty pink dresses and attending festivals?' demanded Wren.
'Relax, it's just your first one,' said Ladislaya with the air of patience of someone explaining to an overemotional toddler what two plus two was.
'And I hope it's my last,' said Wren bitterly, seizing a pumpkin tart off the food table and biting into it.
'It won't be,' said Ladislaya. 'If I were you, I would be thrilled!'
'Well, I'm down to switch any second, you can have my place if you want,' said Wren moodily. She gazed around the room. 'Where's Lucian?'
'Been looking for me, Princess?' said a familiar drawl from behind her.
Wren turned around. Lucian was leaning on a pillar, holding a tall glass of fruit punch in his hand. He put the glass down and smirked lazily at her.
'I told you not to come,' Wren hissed.
'And yet, here I am,' said Lucian. 'Do correct me if I'm wrong - but wasn't that you a minute ago asking for where I was?'
'Because I saw you when I came down here earlier,' said Wren furiously. 'And I wanted to give you a piece of my mind but I didn't have time -'
'I'd say you didn't,' said Lucian, reaching for one of the jam-tarts.
'Don't eat that,' said Wren sharply.
Lucian looked mutinous.
'Why not?'
'I own this place and I won't have you barging in here just to have a sip of the fruit punch and eating all my stuff!' snarled Wren.
'There you are, Princess,' said another voice behind her. Wren turned around, glaring; instead of seeing Jake and Ladislaya, Caston's face stared down at her. Wren changed faces in a split second.
'I've got the drinks - a cocktail for us each -'
'Thank you,' said Wren, not loudly.
'And is this your friend?' Caston said airily. 'It would be nice if he joined us -'
'Oh no!' said Wren quickly - Lucian had grinned at Caston in delight. Caston looked surprised. 'He's - uh -'
She remembered what Odyssey had told her during their rehearsals: Do not show that you have any enemies in mind; treat everyone right and equally.
'He's - er - just here for the evening,' said Wren quickly, changing tack in the speed of light. 'Ody - Queen Odyssey's invited him here. I don't think this - he - wants to join us, though - he's rather busy, I was just talking to hisssm a second ago.'
'It's alright then,' said Caston, looking baffled. 'Pleasure,' he said, bowing his dark head towards Lucian. Wren had to fight the tempting urge to grab his head and stick it upright; Lucian Ailwood did not deserve a bow from anyone, least of all a prince of Iridia. Lucian smirked victoriously at her before bowing his own head and saying, 'Pleasure, Your Highness.'
Wren and Caston sat down on a couch somewhere near the food table. 'I must say, your cakes and tarts are delicious,' Caston remarked as he took a pumpkin pasty.
'They're my favourite,' Wren lied, in order to have something to say.
Caston took a bite and chewed. 'Mine too,' he said thoughtfully.
Wren smiled awkwardly. 'So,' she said, looking around to find a topic for them to talk about. Her eyes landed on her sister and Ambrose, still dancing. 'Your brother and my sister seem to be rather good friends.'
Caston chuckled and sat down beside her. 'Yes, they are rather good friends. No one knows this but,' he dropped his voice to a low whisper, 'my father's quite eager on them getting engaged.' He winked.
Wren choked on her macaron. Caston looked startled and immediately handed her her glass of cocktail. 'Wh-what?' spluttered Wren, gulping down her cocktail fast.
'It's not - it's just an idea my father has,' said Caston hurriedly, looking very much like he'd regretted telling her. 'It's not official or anything - nothing's been announced - your sister doesn't know -'
He looked around frantically.
'Just - just don't tell anyone, alright? We don't want rumours flying around our two kingdoms fast. I mean, the people love my brother and Argonian's queen - the last thing they need to know is the idea of them getting betrothed.'
'Right,' said Wren weakly, putting a mental note that she was going to tell Odyssey once the ball was over. Caston grinned sheepishly.
'Is this ball your first?' he asked her after a while.
'Yeah- yes,' Wren said, drinking her cocktail again.
'No need to look so tense, Princess,' he laughed, his merry eyes twinkling.
'Please,' Wren said hurriedly, 'call me Wren.'
The prince looked surprised. 'Sorry?'
'Call me Wren. I'm not used to- to formal titles -' that was part of the reason, but the other part was that she hated being reminded of Lucian Ailwood considering he always reserved the name 'Princess' for her otherwise it would be less annoying. 'Personally, I prefer informality rather than formality.'
Caston smiled wryly. 'Me too.'
'Not my sister. Ever since I came here, she's been determined to shape me into thinking formality is the only way to survive in the world.'
'Sounds a lot like my my parents and my brother I s'pose,' he said thoughtfully. 'Viviana and I prefer acting the fool, messing around. We know there's a time to be formal, of course - to be dressed appropriately and properly. It's just - well - we think there's no fun in being proper all the time.'
He reached for another pumpkin pasty. 'Ambrose, on the other hand, he takes after our father. He's the heir to the throne see, that's why he's all serious and deep. He takes his job very seriously. To be honest, he spends more time being tutored than being with Viviana and I. Our mother says he ought to relax a bit, but our father doesn't think so. Father's just pleased with Ambrose that he's taking his job seriously, and claims it's time Viviana and I took things more seriously.'
'Well, one thing I know, you're better at formality than I am,' was all Wren could say heartily. Caston grinned.
'Viviana's starting to take things more seriously, though. It's Father. He's trying to shape her into thinking that formality is the only way you'd survive in the world as a princess, like you said. He'll be after me next,' he added thoughtfully, twirling a macaron in his fingers, 'then I'll have to give up fun and play and start being locked up in rooms, practising sword-fighting and throne rehearsals.'
'Boring, isn't it?' said Wren unthinkedly, but it didn't seem to matter now that she was saying what she really felt if Caston felt the same way.
'Very,' he said, sighing. 'I don't know how Ambrose can live with it.'
Wren looked up at Ambrose who had his jaw set tight and was now talking to his father and her sister.
'We hardly talk,' said Caston. 'Ambrose and I. He's eighteen, three years older than me. We're brothers, yes, but we've got a lot of differences.'
'I can imagine,' said Wren, thinking of her and Odyssey. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder and she jumped in surprise, turning around to see Ladislaya, wearing a grim expression. Caston looked at her - Ladislaya gave a princess-like smile and curtseyed.
'Your Highness, I'm so very sorry for butting in your date like this but may I borrow Princess Wren for a second?' she asked in a voice so polite Wren didn't think she could muster. Caston gazed at Wren and said, 'Of course.'
'Thank you,' Ladislaya said and Wren got up at once. 'I'll see you later then,' she said uncertainly to Caston and he held up a hand in response. She hurried away with Ladislaya. 'Thank God you saved me back there, I was starting to lose patience.'
'No - it's - it's important , Wren, it really is,' Ladislaya said, taking a deep breath. 'There wasa man in here, just now. Tall, broad shoulders -'
'What about him?' said Wren, unconcerned.
'He was wearing a necklace,' said Ladislaya. She took another deep breath.'A one with the symbol of a black raven.'
Wren frowned. 'Okay.'
Ladislaya jutted her chin out. 'A black raven, with two emerald eyes.'
'Brilliant,' said Wren, holding up two thumbs-up waist-length. 'So ... what about it?'
'Oh, Wren, use your brain! cried Ladislaya. 'We've been through this Wren - a black raven with two emerald eyes, that's the symbol of -'
'Nicaea Valdis,' said Wren, light dawning on her.
'Exactly! That's what he was wearing, a necklace with the symbol of Nicaea Valdis! D'you think he -'
'Where is he?' said Wren, her heart thumping in her chest so hard her ribs hurt.
'I don't know - Jake's keeping a lookout for him, I think -'
Wren followed Ladislaya, the two of them hurrying through the crowd. Wren was having a hard time trying to keep up with Ladislaya - she kept bumping into people and dance partners. Tyler waved at her enthusiastically.
'Hey, Wren, great party!' he shouted. 'Did I mention, your cocktail's really good -'
'Wren wished he would stop talking. Several heads turned to stare, but Tyler went on stuffing food into his mouth happily. Out of nowhere, somebody pulled Wren by her arm.
'Wha - ow -'
'Sorry, Wren!' cried Luxe's voice apologetically. 'I thought you were Corinne, I'm sorry -'
'It's alright,' said Wren hurriedly before running up to Ladislaya. 'Slow down will you, the crowd keeps swallowing me up -'
Jake turned to the two of them, wearing a furious look on his face like he was a cop that had been chasing a prisoner breakout but the prisoner had run out of sight.
'He's gone!'
'That can't be!' cried Ladislaya, scanning the crowd. 'What did you do? Did you talk to him? Did you ask him anything about -'
'Look, drop it saying I'm the reason he ran away, will you!' said Jake furiously. 'I'm not to blame - he's got legs, he can walk -'
'There!' shouted Wren suddenly; fortunately, her voice was drowned out by the chatter of the guests in the ballroom.
Both Jake and Ladislaya's heads turned to where she was pointing - a huge, towering man wearing a black coat and tie was somewhere behind the pillars. Wren caught sight of his necklace - a raven symbol hanging down its front.
'That must be him,' whispered Ladislaya.
'It is him!' said Wren forcefully. 'But this is stupid - why would someone wear the symbol of a person who everyone fears in public -?'
'Worry about that later, we need to get him!' Jake shouted.
'What do you mean, get him? We can't just walk up to him randomly and say, "That's a nice necklace of yours sir, may we please have a look at it?". That's absurd, we're not -'
'Carrots's right,' Ladislaya said, shaking her head. Jake looked infuriated.
'Well, what were you planning on doing when we got -'
Wren felt all the air rush out of her in a sudden - she felt her pulse quicken, her breath shallow; it felt like a cold, hard blade had been pressed below her chin, touching her throat. She looked down with watering eyes from the pain that seemed to well both inside and outside her - she saw a knife being pressed to her throat and before she was dragged away, she pulled Ladislaya's purse tightly instead of screaming - she could not ... she would not ... the blade was forcing her pulse to throb ...
'Wren!'