He did feel bad about leaving Moloch and his lovely lady friend, but it wasn't completely his fault. His brother and Princess Aada were slow to join the festivities and Kallias had been looking forward to them for months and they did not disappoint. The masks were a wonderful idea. There was no way of judging someone before you talked to them. No one knew who he was. No one called him "milord" or "my prince" or anything amounting to a royal formality. He didn't know if it was because no one could tell he was nobility or if it was because of the philosophy behind the festival, but it was liberating all the same. It was unfortunate that his good mood had to come crashing down.
"Someone's fighting the bear!" someone cried, tugging on a friend's arm, "We have to see this."
"Oh, that poor bastard's going to be torn to pieces. Gods, I love this time of year."
Curious, Kallias followed the crowd to a sight that made him sick. He had never liked people fighting wild animals in Drake. The poor things were often half-starved and never had a choice in the matter. Twice, he had petitioned his brother to ban such matches and twice his brother had been sidetracked by "more important matters." He turned away in disgust.
"Oh, Lady Lila, how can men find beauty in this?"
In the distance, he could hear music and he closed his eyes, focusing on the soothing rhythm lest he do something he regretted.