Cain Argall's Story

It was wrong. All of it was wrong. A handsome man stood his hands clasped behind his back and peered down at the frightened young man kneeling before him. What a disgrace His top lip curled over his teeth and home king let out a low growl.
"P-Please your highness." The man before him sputtered and his soldiers restrained him as she tried to crawl towards him begging to be saved. "I'm so sorry, it was a mistake, and honest mistake." The man was puled back by his hair and he let out a small yelp of pain.
"Pathetic" Cain sneered and he took a step towards the man and the crouched to be on the same level as him. The ground between them cracked a little and a small vine slowly grew its way up towards Cain. It slithered almost lovingly around Cain wrapping loosely around his wrist and resting there. The young man gulped, a small bead of sweat dripped between his eyes and he stared at Cain wondering if this was the end. "You know what we do to rule breakers here?" Cain asked him softly as the Vine began to move again, this time towards the man. The man didn't answer but instead let out a little whimper as the Vine began to wrap painfully tight around his leg and then slither up to his waist cutting of his air. He gasped for breath and tried desperately to get away but he was forced to stay by the two soldiers holding him. "We take them away." Cain spoke even more softly still "And they never come back" He chuckled softly and suddenly his left eye was twitching and the hands that were so calm before were in front of him, he was moving his fingers erratically. His hands clasped and un clasped and he let out a loud laugh that echoed in the halls. "You're mine boy!" He stood and as he did vines more vines rose from the ground with him and they too began to wrap themselves around the poor man. "Good bye!" Cain said as he bowed flamboyantly. The soldiers moved away from the man and he tried for escape as well but the vines held him. Then suddenly they were pulling him. She slammed him against the ground and there was the definite crunch of a bone breaking and a scream of pain and terror. The floor opened like a black hole and the man was sucked in dragged deep beneath the castle. It was dark. So dark.

Cain let out a delighted giggle and waved his hand over the floor as it head back to its perfect gleaming marble. He smoothed a shakey hand over his dark hair took too a deep breath only to let out another laugh. "Oh that was fun." He said as he went to sit at a large golden throne. He crossed his legs and uncrossed them and then tried the other way. Neither felt comfortable but he went back and forth between the two variations. As he did an officer went and stood by him, he always had a constant guard around him. Not that he needed it, he was far too powerful of course. The officer was no lady, but rather a woman who was as deadly as a dragon. She was called Alys and he quite liked to look at her so he kept her near by, then again Cain liked to look at most women. Sometimes he even liked to touch. He stood after the crossing of his legs was evidently not working and stepped to the window. Out down below people were starting their days, it was around the time that they were allowed out of their homes.

Cain rubbed his chin and looked down at the empty streets below him for a while more and then headed back inside, he wanted to go to his library. His head was pounding after such excitement and he couldn't stop moving. He wanted more, more screams, more pain... But no one else was breaking any rules so far, which disappointed him. He stepped into a long hallways and walked towards the courtyard. The courtyard was filled with exotic plants and at the middle of the yard a round stone building stood. It was a tall building and trees seemed to be growing half in and half out of it. Already he could feel his brain calming and his hands steading. Cain stepped into the library and went for the nearest chair. He conjured up a drink called Firebrand and took a long gulp. He contemplated what to do with the rest of his day and realized that at the end of the week was the monthly masquerade ball. That put a wide smile on his face. He loved parties, there was always someone who would slip up at them and he would get to punish them later. He giggled a little and rubbed a hand over his twitching eye. He waved his hand and a quill and parchment appeared before him and began to write the things that he needed. He hummed softly and tapped his foot to the song. Above him the trees grown into the library rustled softly and then were once again still. lots to do, lots to do, went the voice in his head.




Reagan woke an hour before curfew and stretched happily. She arched her back and he bed shifted under her growling softly. "I know I know, but its about time we got up." Reagan said to her bed as it there was nothing wrong. She stood and looked down at her bed which was in fact a giant black bear curled up comfortably. She smiled at him, bent and ruffed that sweet spot between his ears and he grumbled and curled into a bigger ball. She laughed softly and then went about getting ready for her day.

Her fiery red hair was brushed and brushed and much to her dismay it was still a frizzy mess. She rolled her eyes and blew up at a strand of hair that was in front of her face and then went about braiding it. Once her hair was braided she studied herself in the mirror and frowned again. It wasn't a masterpiece but hey, she wasn't really trying all that hard. she got dressed in her hunting grab which was a leather jacket and cloth clothing underneath. She pulled on a pair of boot and then opened her pantry looking for something to eat. Her cupboards were pretty empty and she made a mental note to buy a few things from the market.

She glanced out side and figured it was about time that she was allowed out and she looked over at Benjamin and whistled softly. The big lazy bear raised his head and grunted and then dropped his head back down and was asleep in moments. Reagan had a pouch of money at her side and she hummed softly as she headed to the market. She browsed through a few stalls and had a few apples in her hands, after inspecting them and deeming they were fine she passed a few coins over and then placed them away in a brown bag for later. She wanted Salmon as well for Benny and went off to find another stall. She passed a large sign posted in the middle of way. People would occasionally glance at it and check to make sure they were following the rules. The sign was a large one that was a good person tall listing all of the laws put into effect since Cain had become king.
All citizens must:
Be home by 9
Out of home but 10
Attend every party thrown by the king
Hold one item in their home that has an image of the king
Never disrespect a Soldier
Never wear brown on a Thursday

There more rules each sillier than the next but she had learned to live by it. Reagan turned away from the sign and shrugged and went off to find more food.




The woods were thick with the trunks and branches of the trees. There was the occasional chirp of the bird far off, or the swoosh of deers legs thumping past the brush. It was within this forest Gideon once again found himself utterly and competently lost. He could have sworn he had passed that rock twice now all ready. The handsome man scratched his bearded chin and realized that he needed to shave. He took a sniff and frowned... and he needed to bathe. Perhaps he might stumble upon a river.

There was the happy chatter of a squirrel up above him and Gideon looked up and focused his eyes on the tan animal. " Well hello." He said only to be greeted by more of the talk of the animal. "I don't suppose you know where I might find a river?" He waited for an answer but the Squirrel took it upon itself to stop its chatter and look at him blankly with its dark eyes. Gideon gave it a few more moments and then sighed. " I guess I can find it on my own." He said. Gideon trudged along humming a soft tune of his people. The Dryad tune was a soft melodious one that spoke of the birth of their people, of how they came to be through nature and when magic was at its highest.

Eventually after a few more tunes, Gideon did find his river. He wasted no time in stripping himself of his rags and jumped right in. He shouted as the water proved to be less warm than it looked and sent chills through him. He forced himself through the cold and let his hair wet and he moved his fingers through it. It took about half and hour of scrubbing and yelling that the water was 'too damn cold' when finally he deemed himself a lot cleaner than he had been before. He climbed out of the water and moved on over to where he had left his clothes only to discover that they were in fact missing. Looking around confused Gideon heard a soft giggle behind him and he whipped around to see a forest spirit flowing along the river waving his clothes at him.

"Hey! Wait! Those are mine!" Gideon took off, buck naked after the spirit who only flowed further down the river. "Aw come ON!" he shouted, hating the feel of the wind against his body, it sliced through him like knives. "Give me back my clothes!" He command running as fast as he could after the mischievous spirit, but there was no way he could catch up after the river itself. So slowly and regretfully he came to a halt and panted heavily for breath. He leaned down to rest his hands on his knees and then stood. He sniffed, sneezed and then looked down at his lack of clothes. " .... Now what?"

Amia was awoken by the insistent rapping upon the door to her luxurious room where she lived in Cain's costly palatial home. The sun filtered through the blinds at her window, bright, with little motes of dust hovering in the air like a glistening rain of glitter to her perceptive High Elf gaze. The tapping at the door was soft, respectful, but unrelenting, and eventually forced Amia to drag herself from the final dregs of sleep and call out "Come in...". She knew full well who it would be.

Her favorite serving girl, Ada, stumbled in. "Mistress, my lady..." She performed an awe filled curtsy as she always did, and Amia smirked. "It's past 10, my lady. King Cain says that-"

"Yes, Ada, I know. But Cain isn't going to have a problem with me having a tiny little lie in, now is he?" The High Elf smiled and arose from her soft and sleep warmed bed, dressed in her night gown. Even with her hair ruffled with sleep, Amia was still beautiful, and she acknowledged the fact with a detached neutrality that the serving girl did not possess. Ada averted her gaze, her eyes wide as she stepped away from her Lady, deciding that it was best not to reply. That was why Amia liked her.

"Ada, would you fetch me a gown suitable for the day?" The soft command, disguised as it was in the form of a request, sent the girl scurrying as Amia stepped bare footed to her bathing room, and drew herself a bath. Amia had just removed her clothes when Ada walked in. Amia's own lack of self consciousness made Ada's reaction more humorous. As she walked in on the bare skinned Elf, the human girl gasped, her cheeks turning the same ruby color of Amia's expensive perfume bottle. She sighed. Ada didn't hesitate before attempting to close the door, catching her own foot in it, and then sending herself falling in a most ungainly way to the ground, with today's gown held away from the ground.

Amia sighed at the clumsy girls behavior as she turned to slip into the steaming hot bath. She would bathe, and then dress herself, and do her hair, and perhaps she would visit Cain before taking a stroll to her favorite dress maker to have a new outfit made for the next ball. She spoke to Ada in a low, lazy tone as she became disinterested. "Ada, when you have finished lazing about, please hang my gown up and then bring me my breakfast". Ada gasped, bowed, muttered some ungraceful words of apology and farewell, made a racket as she hung the dress up, tripped once more over her bed as she made it, and then retreated from her quarters.

It took Amia almost an hour to finish bathing, and dressing her hair. She had braided it, and securely pinned it up in a graceful updo. Her gown was of the finest cloth, and tailored especially for her. It fitted her upper body in a subtle, feminine way, and then flowed freely about her legs. It was dyed a rich scarlet, trimmed in a darker hue, and embroidered with golden thread that wove patterns at the hems. Glancing in the mirror before she left her room, she was tall, elegant, and graceful; everything and more that people expected of a High Elf.

She strode down the corridors, having broken the law of "Out of home by 10", making her way down to pay her respects to her King. She regarded the meeting with a sort of reluctance. He was old, older even than she was, and his mental capacity was swiftly deteriorating so that it was nigh on impossible to hold a coherent conversation with the man.

The day was pleasant, and the breeze pervaded the air with a delicious coolness even as she entered the great Library. As one of the very few people allowed to enter the room, she regarded the great doors with an incredible sense of awe as she entered. It was silent after the heavy oak doors swung shut behind her, and her eyes adjusted quickly to the darkness. It was deceptively peaceful, and it was unmistakably Cain's territory; the trees loomed down protectively over the King, who she could hear had confined himself to a table where he was scribbling on a scrap of parchment.

Amia had to smile. So often had she found him in such a position, cooped away, making lists and demands, and more often than not, new laws. She sighed and approached the sound of scratching quills.

She stopped a respectful distance away from her King, and waited until he deigned to turn his frenzied gaze upon her calm and collected composure. She bestowed upon him a warm smile as she inclined her head, finding the situation not quite formal enough for a complete curtsy. Amia looked at King Cain, and straightened up before she spoke to him in her ever soft, exotically accented voice.

"Cain...Good morning"

---

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The breeze was soft, the air warm. Glenda let the stray pieces of her air float around her face as she listened to the small hum of the quiet bees. She sat alone in the courtyard, where she found herself spending much of her time. She enjoyed the atmosphere of Cain's royal gardens. They were all very elaborate with over thousands of different kinds of plants. It seemed as if she could step out and find a new flower each day. Exploring the layout of the whole area occupied most of her time around the castle. She didn't have much to do, without many to talk to and her family always busy.
The garden itself was lovely, it was another thing that made her admire her ruler Cain. Leave the castle behind when you pass under the purplish foliage of an enormous smoketree near the entrance. Take care where you step, because there has been planted sedum, moss and other small plants here and there in the crevices between the old-brick patio to soften the space. The first object that draws the eye is a pergola that supports a lush climbing vine and shelters a low bench, from which a person can survey the garden. To the left of the pergola is a lovely koi pond, with two well-tended fish and a few aquatic plants. She didn't like to rest beside water too much, knowing she couldn't swim she was a bit frightened, though the pond was only a few feet deep. Her favorite area was a private seating area at the rear that was hidden from the rest of the yard by a tall screen of three evergreen bushes. Even from the height of the windows of the castle, others can only glimpse one of the comfy-looking benches clustered under the shade of a cherry tree. A bank of bamboo in a shields the conversation nook from the rear. Plants include hydrangea, salvia, cone flowers, catmint, astilbe, black-eyed Susans, semi-cactus dahlia, oriental lilly and forsythia. Charming garden ornaments here and there reflect the artistic sensibility, which is also evident in the beautifully appointed rooms you pass through on the way. The stone walls that surrounded the area of the garden were old but well kept. A few patches of moss and vines here and three gave it a decorative look.
Glenda stood from the bench she'd been relaxing on, and smoothed out her silky dress. It was a very subtle pinky white, with a few sashes that tied in the back. It was a semi-casual dress, that is for people of her standard. It was strapless and light, perfect for the weather of the day. The detail of the dress, any lining and a few of the strings and tassels were a burgundy color. Her strawberry blonde had turned lighter since she'd been in the sun for awhile, giving it more of a blonde look than a red. In one hand she held a small grip on her dress, lifting it slightly so she wouldn't trip. She gracefully moved over to another area of the garden, where the roses lay. She adored roses of any color. Pink, white, yellow, peach, and red. The way she seemed to move made her look as if she were floating, her dress covered the evidence of her light footsteps touching the stone paths. She leaned over, taking a sweet breath of the refreshing scent of roses. She let out a small sigh along with the air, and continued through the garden.
It was then that she saw Cain emerge from one of the long hallways entrances to the courtyard. Her heart jumped a bit, considering she rarely spoke to him. She'd adored him since she was a child in the castle, when he'd occasionally speak to her and her parents. He'd always been so kind to them, which Glenda didn't know was because Cain needed people like them to stand behind him. Either way she seemed to hang around the gardens on the slight chance that she'd see him, whether he noticed her or not. He hadn't this time, for he continued into the library in what seemed to be a hurry.
Only a bit disappointed, because seeing him was a surprise in itself, she walked elegantly around to another side of the courtyard, seating herself on a bench under the shade of a dogwood tree. It was then that she dreamed of the masquerade ball, that was to happen at the end of the week. She wondered if she'd find someone interesting to dance with.

Cain was hunched over his desk muttering softly to himself. His writing was shaky as thought upon thought flowed through his head. He was making a list for the numbers to be played at the ball. He had always liked the Ode to Cain But alas the Cain my king Was growing in popularity. He hummed and hahed over this ordeal for quite some time. As he did vines seemed to come alive from the ground and they rose up high over his head and reached the uppermost shelves and began to take books of the shelves and deposit them in new places. There was no rhyme or reason as to why and Cain seemed to have no qualm with the going's on of his plants.

He had just decided to have both tunes played when the giant doors to his library opened and in walked a vision of beauty. She was a high elf who had captured his attention for quite some time now. When ever he saw her, she was groomed to perfection and he could never seem to find a fault in her. He stood knocking the chair he had been sitting on to the ground. It clattered loudly and he flinched for a moment, and froze to look at the chair as if in utter disbelief. He was quiet for a moment and then looked away from the chair and gave Amia a wide charming smile. The chair, already forgotten.

He stepped around piles of books so that he might reach her, she inclined her head just so and then straightened again. When he was about a meter away from her Cain suddenly looked up and said "My dear... you are...." There was a long pause, "Late." He pondered the ceiling as if it could tell time and then let his gaze drop back down to her. His voice was harsh now "Why?" He didn't wait for her to speak but instead went up to her and boldly took a hold of her hand and kissed the delicate knuckle bones. For a moment he fantasized the crunch they would make should he drop something heavy on them. He let her hand go and let his gaze move over her dress and appreciated. "You look lovely." His tone had changed again to something akin to tenderness. The thought of screams and pain always brought him comfort.

His mind calmed for a moment and he took a deep breath through his nose and then let it out through his mouth. As he did so a lovely rose blossomed up from her feet and the stem rose to her waist. The blood red flower presented it's self, ready for the plucking and Cain chuckled "To go with that lovely dress of yours... I'm sure you'll be getting another for my ball this week?" He spoke, lifting his hand to catch a falling leaf. " Do tell me you'll bring and introduce me to all your lovely friends this time." He said making small talk.


Guarding the great hall was Alys' least favourite job when it came to being a soldier. Her beloved king had left the hall leaving its marble walls and floor in silence. She missed the screams already. Sighing to herself, she leaned against a pillar and took out a small folding knife from her jacket. She played with it flipping it this way and that between her fingers and changed it between her palms. She had gotten quite good at this from the hours of boring guard duty.

She only did it for the reward at the end. Alys loved when the brought in thieves and traitors and any other kinds of hooligans that the could wrangle up. It was always fun to see them squirm and beg for forgiveness, and as always she would lure them into her trap. Make them think that they had won her over. Appealed to her feminine side perhaps, made her like them, When lives were on the line it was interesting to see how desperate people got. Alys loved to give them hope, to see that light in their eyes and then in the very last moment when they knew that what they had felt was all a lie, to watch that light die in their eyes was the most beautiful thing.

She licked her lips and folded the knife away just as a soldier marched in a young girl with hair as black as night. Intrigued Alys stood and walked over to the group. "Aidan." She greeted the soldier and he grunted in return.
"Found her stealing in the market." he explained shaking the woman roughly. He had a tight grip on her arm and Alys was sure it would bruise.
Alys made a clucking noise with her tongue and she reached out and gripped the woman's chin and forced her to look up "Not your lucky day now is it?" she asked, smiling a truly terrible smile.

Amia watched as her King stood, flushed like a child, and tipped his chair over in his haste with a small smirk, hidden behind a single delicate hand. Cain was old, yes, she knew that; but he didn’t look it. He had the youthful appearance of a somewhat eccentric young man, and as far as men went, he was relatively easy on the eyes. However, his theatrics with the library furniture didn’t do much to make him seem mature.

”My dear…you are…Late” The King spoke in his harsher tone , in way of greetings.

His grip on her hand was rough, demanding and persuasive, and this contrasted with the tender way Cain kissed her soft skin. Amia raised a perfectly formed brow, having already predicted the course of this meeting. In fact, she almost counted the seconds down before Cain became distracted, and she had the good grace to blush at his compliment. Despite all of his oddities, the man was incredibly sweet in a sadistic, manipulative way, but she was well above being caught by his sugared words.

Amia smiled as Cain used his infamous powers to create a rose, and she stooped to pick it up. Examining the blossom, it’s gorgeous hue was perfectly colored to match both her gown and her dark hair. Amia replied to her king as she slipped the rose in her hair.

“My lord, your kind words do me a great honor. Thank you for the flower, it is beautiful. And of course I will be attending your ball, I look forward to it. Your events are always something to enjoy. Are we perhaps hearing Cain, our Lord and Savior? It is particularly popular at the moment…”

Amia moved to set to rights the chair that the King had accidentally knocked over, dusting it off as she spoke, and then sitting in it. She would probably need permission to do that in a formal meeting, but she smiled endearingly at Cain as she did so, folding her hands in her lap, hoping that he would forgive the informality.

“And yes, my lord. I am to see the tailor about a new dress shortly. Of course, my companions and I will be attending. We wouldn’t miss it for the world. In fact, I have a particular friend –her name is Rhea- who has expressed her desire to meet you. She is young and somewhat vulnerable, however I think you will find her delightful company. Although, I have one question… What is the theme for your ball? Only, I desire to dress to match”

Amia smiled sweetly at Cain as she spoke, hoping to entice him with the thought of her young, innocent, High Elf friend.

Gideon raised a brow at the man and he shrugged, "Well if that's all you need..." He held out a hand that was winkled from the water. "I'm Gideon. Thank you for this cloak." He offered him a crooked smile. Once he had shaken the man's hand he let a hand run down one of his arms appreciating the fabric. He smiled thinking of another cloak that had been given to him by his dear Kate.

His thoughts turned sad and he pushed them away. He let out a low breath and then gestured. "Lead the way." He took a step and followed after him. He wondered for a moment why his hair was so silver and let the obvious answer pop into his head. "Magic." He mumbled under his breath and he wiggled his fingers for a moment feeling the earth move a little under his feet as the metals formed together. What a great power we have. He thought to himself as he let the metals disperse and move back to their original place.

They headed on over to the house where there was sorting to be done.



Aly's was just about to give the rude little girl when suddenly her fellow soldier started to scream. He began to flail about uselessly letting go of the girl. Aly's made a grab for her but she missed and was rewarded with a sarcastic salute and then the girl was gone. She growled softly and narrowed her eyes after the black hair that leapt through the window. She took a step after her but Aidan grabbed her leg and made her trip.
"Damnit Aidan." she gave him a swift kick to the face which only made him cry more, but nevertheless he let go of her. Aly's gave him one look back and then ran after the girl and looked out the window. But it was no use. She hit the marble walls and let out a cry of frustration. Needing a walk to let off steam she headed on out of the castle leaving Aidan where he was crying in a little heap. He was a mess but she couldn't care less.

As she walked across the bridge that led to the great hall she came upon a man.. or a woman. Either way she knew him as a musician who played at the balls often. She lifted a hand in greeting and wondered what he was doing there. She then remembered that there was a ball coming up and she stopped in front of him and presented him with an incredibly practiced smile. "Well hello" She was still angry from before but perhaps she might find a fault in this man and be able to take him away, and so she smiled at him ever so sweetly and said "Come to pick up music for the ball then? King Cain has been picking songs all day." She told him.


She was blushing at him and Cain thought her ever so wonderful. She was a flower among thorns. When she accepted the rose from him and slipped it into her hair he thought her quite fetching and once again had to kiss her hand.
"My dear... it is you that does me a great honour." He nodded when she agreed to tend the ball, of course she would, everyone had to come, he made a law making sure of this. She requested a song and he snapped his fingers. A vine crept up to the desk and took hold of a quill and added the song to his set list.

She walked past him and straightened the chair he had knocked over in his haste, she sat down and her skirts fanned out around her feet. He leaned back against the table and placed a hand upon a vine that came creeping up to meet him. As if it were a pet he gave it a few affectionate pats. She promised him her friends would attend and he smiled thinking to himself that perhaps he would invite them all to his quarters after the party. [b]"I like the name Rhea. That sounds like an obedient name. She sounds... perfect." Secretly he hoped for a slip up. The evening was never any fun without any screams. "I was thinking perhaps a summer theme. We could use a little brightness and beauty." He said softly, he was looking at her but it seemed as if he were deep in thought.

He smiled back at her and then straightened [b]"Well, we've got things to do. I will see you at dinner tonight. You are invited to bring your lovely friend Rhea if you like." He offered. He went to kiss her hand again,

Amia rose from her seat, nodding slightly to herself. Summer colors. Perhaps a dress of dark forest green, trimmed with gold? Or perhaps a rich wine color, with silver detailing. She already knew that she would wear a light material, something that would rustle in the evening breeze…and maybe even knee length. She would have to consult her friends.

The High Elf smiled, agreeing with Cain as he invited her and her friend, Rhea. At heart, she knew that Rhea was a minor, unofficial, High Elf reject. Yes, the woman was beautiful, but that was where the similarities with others of her own race ended. Some called her an anarchist, and she tended to speak of nothing except for Cain’s own tyranny and careless attitude to Home. Amia knew that Cain would enjoy Rhea’s company, in more ways than one.

Rising gracefully from her seat, she elegantly nodded. “Of course, my lord. Rhea would be honored to attend with me. And I would be honored to dine with you” Amia smiled warmly to her King, as she bowed over her hand, clasped in his.

“I will see you tonight then, my King. Until then…” She spoke in her gentle tone, and left the library. Now…the tailor.

When she was finally free of the confines of the palace, Amia considered riding down to the tailor shop. Yes, she wore a dress…but as a High Elf, she would only be considered even more independent and the public would only be in more awe of her when they saw her riding down Home’s main road upon a horse summoned by herself. The image was pleasing, so she drew in a breath, exhaled, and focused her mind.

The Sun was warm on her skin as she found the image of the animal that she desired in her mind, and the shadows around her loomed, and darkened erratically. It wasn’t the smooth creation of a being that true Summoners could accomplish, but when she opened her eyes, she found herself looking into the dark, lifeless eyes of her creature. The horse was tall, slightly taller than most normal animals, and it was the same darkness that shadows were made out of.

In one single elegant movement, she mounted the horse, noticing how its mane was like smoke, rather than the fine hairs of a real horse. Its ears were a little misshapen, and she sighed. She really wasn’t the best Summoner, but this was the best that she could do for now. Amia smirked at the awed gazes of the men and women around her.

Aly's watched him fix his attire and she smiled brightly, was there anything she could get him for, she wondered. He always seemed to be in such good standing and always had the right things to say. She sighed softly and supposed that she might get in trouble if she sent him away to the dungeon. It wouldn't give Cain enough time to find himself someone new to take over the position of head musician. She had always wondered what it would be like to see those perfect features (as difficult as they were to place to a gender) contort and twist in pain. She wondered what he feared the most, she knew with a bit of prodding she could get most anyone to spill their darkest secrets. It wasn't all that hard really, break a bone here, cut a little there. He bowed to her and she listened to him explain his reason for being there. She nodded and said "I can take you to him if you like, he's just out in the library. I'm sure a visit from you would surely be acceptable. He spoke of a song that would like to play and for a moment rambled on about an orchestra. She nodded understanding that practice was the only way to make sure they played perfectly. After all their lives were on the line.

One wrong not and it was all over for the whole ban. She always liked watching the pressure Cain put his subjects under.

He changed his subject asking if solders were to attend and she nodded. "We are required to be there, but these last few balls on was on outside guard duty to make sure no one left early. This ear Cain has told me I must be in in the ball room and because of this I must dress up." She seemed a bit displeased about the fact but her emotions returned t normal and she turned gesturing for him to walk along sider her. "I do know each musician gets a break for a few songs. Perhaps you would like to share a dance with me then?" She made small talk with him as she led him into the giant marble hallways of the castle. She walked up a small flight of stairs and soon came upon Cain's library. It seemed quiet for the moment, other than a small annoying chirp of a bird that had flown in. "He is in there,, all you need do is knock." she told him. "I will be here when you come back to escort you out."

***


Cain said his farewells to Amia and he looked forward to meeting her friend. When she was gone he turned back to his quill and murmured something. He scratched his chin and for no apparent reason a whole row of daisy's grew at his feet. He looked down at them in apparent surprise, and then taking it in stride, he plucked a candle from a table and proceeded to set fire to the happy white petals. He could almost hear the pleas for help. He found himself laughing suddenly, and could not stop. The candle dropped from his hand and extinguished as it hit the floor, and so he sat there laughing, as every mad man would, surrounded but burnt Daises.