Snippet #1737497

The wind whispered softly through the fire-colored leaves as though murmuring a soothing lullaby, causing the branches of the trees to sway back and forth in a sleepy rhythm. All was quiet in the forest of Pyr except for the occassional shreik of the birds up above. Tibolt Princess Ariadne Quinn moved through the shadows quickly, weaving in and out of the trees as if she were one with the wind. Her bare feet made contact with the green earth over and over without a sound as she took a quick glance over her shoulder, a slight smirk dancing across her lips. She quickly ducked to the right as a dagger whizzed past her, barely missing her cheek. She pressed herself against a tree, her hand sliding down to the sheath strapped to her bare thigh. Her finger tips made contact with the cool metal in a almost loving carress as the very faint sound of footsteps came closer, matching the pace of her racing heart. Ari closed her eyes and took a long breath before sliding out from behind the tree and sliding her dagger, Biz, from it's sheath. In the blink of an eye the dagger was slicing through the air and made contact with a large tree located right behind a large figure.

"What do you want, Kale? More importantly, didn't your father ever teach you to not make an assassination attempt on your princess?" A cool, sarcastic voice rang through the trees, sliding from the princess' mouth silkily. Her eyes slid open slowly, their crimson gaze making contact with the young guard's blue ones as a sadistic smirk made it's way across her lips. She arched an eyebrow and folded her arms across her chest, glancing briefly at the blood that was dripping down his face from where her dagger had nicked him.

"You and I both know that was the only way to get your attention, Your Majesty, so forgive me if I startled you. I was sent here to take you back to the palace to get ready for the ball tonight. You aren't supposed to leave the castle, especially not today of all days." Kale crossed his arms over his broad chest as a smirk of his own creeped it's way across his dashing features. "Don't make me drag your ass back there kicking and screaming like the little girl I grew up with." He lazed back against the tree behind him and flashed her one of his charming smiles, white teeth gleaming. Ari rolled her eyes and strolled over to the tree, stopping an inch from him. She leaned up on her toes and moved close to him, pressing her body lightly against his as she moved her hand slowly up to the dagger sticking into the tree.

"If you were anyone else, you'd be dead." She whispered softly in his ear, then pulled her dagger out of the tree and lowered herself onto the balls of feet in one fluid motion. She took a step back as her crimson eyes glanced him over before catching his gaze. "I'm not that little girl anymore. Treat me like it and next time it won't matter who you are. Oh, and you've got a little..." She trailed off and pointed to his right cheek where the blood was drying over the cut. With that, she turned and took off, disappearing into the trees. The faint sound of Kale's following footsteps echoed behind her as she made her way back to the palace to go get ready.

~~~~~~~~~Two hours later~~~~~~~~

Ari stood in front of the large floor length mirror in her bed chambers, frowning at her reflection. She hated balls, but most of all she hated dressing up. She turned to the side, running her fingers over the black gown's silky fabric. The dress flowed nicely over her lithe body, accenting her curves with every little movement. This was one of the few times Ari would ever be caught alive dressed up, especially since it was against her will. She thought dresses much like cages where she was confined and uncomfortable. She let out a soft sigh ran her fingers through her waist length raven hair, which was at the moment falling over her shoulders in it's natural loose curls. She pulled the required mask over her face and tied the ribbon in a neat bow to hold it in place. She quickly adjusted the skirt of her dress, lifting it up over her waist to strap her daggers to her thighs. She then dropped the dress back down into place, the hem of it brushing the ground.

A knock at the door signaled that it was time for her departure and with that Ari swept out of the room and down the hall to the main entrance of the castle. Once outside, she reluctantly slid into the carriage that awaited and sat back for the ride.