Guilmor was working on a newest request from Lord Wester. He had decided he wanted a new cane to better show off his station. It had to be golden with a bear's head, his family's symbol.

Nothing taxing for a master like Guilmor but he found it unpleasant. Canes were accessories like any others but previously they had at least given a person a sense of dignity. One using one was either elder or of high rank so deserving respect. Now it was no more than a game. Whoever wanted one got himself and in the city you could see them of every color and even shape.

Guilmor would have quit his work in an instant if only he had a choice.

But his family needed food on their table and clothes against the upcoming winter, and he didn't know how to do any other kind of work. It was a sorrowful situation he found himself in.

And now a kid entered his little shop looking with wonder at all the items on display.

He prided himself in his collection. All the best he had ever made were there and those of his father that had been there since the fashion changed. He scowled at nothing. Those were the best and no one ever gave them a glance. They weren't s green, blue or, god forbids it, red.

"I want a walking-stick" the child announced, coming over to stand before counter.

"What color?" It pained him to abuse wood like that but he needed to earn money. Only one thing he couldn't make himself do and that was alter the shape. His canes weren’t going to have three handholds or be made from a branchy wood.

"Color?" the kid asked raising his bright blue eyes up. "Why would I want to choose a color?"

"Current fashion is red with silver designs, although, it is believed that star yellow is the future."

There was a snort from before him and Guilmor looked at the kid for the first time. It was a child of nine or ten wearing a mane of golden curls. His face lines were very soft, no angles or sharp edges. He reminded him of a cherub.

"I want one that actually looks the part" the kid said in a strong voice, his eyes looking with disgust at the golden monstrosity he held in his hand. "Do you have anything at the ready? I have a feast to attend tonight."

Guilmor looked at the travel worn cloak surrounding the child's form and wondered whether he was telling the truth. It was doubtful but he wasn't going to insult a possible customer. "Do you have what to pay with?"

The kid raised an eyebrow as if asking whether he really said what he had heard. The man nodded. It wasn't often that he got cheated but it was better to test unsavory characters than be nice and get stolen from.

Kid went beneath his cloak folds and brought out a small pouch which he handed to the shopkeeper. Guilmor took it and looked inside to find it full with golden coins.

Words escaped him at the sight of treasure in his hands and he looked up to see a knowing smile on the kid's face. It looked comfortable there as if the child wasn't as angelic as his appearance might have suggested.

"I do hope that will be enough for your troubles, Mr. ..?"

"Guilmor Oakcut."

"Mr. Oakcut then" the kid said with a nod. "So you have anything I could use? Something of a kind that is displayed; not what you're holding."

Guilmor put the pouch on the desk and the cane he was finishing under it. "Come with me" he said and took the kid to his workplace where walking sticks lay in various steps of finishing: some were unpainted, some broken, others still pieces of wood.

All kinds of tools lay around that Ace had never seen before and wasn't even sure how to describe. He had not the slightest idea what they were for either.

A teenage girl sat in the middle holding a stick of dark brown wood. She was touching it with great care as if it could bite her at any moment. When they entered, she didn't raise her head and continued with whatever she was doing. She picked another smaller stick and counted how many fit by length in the previous one.

"What is she doing?" Ace asked interested.

"Helping me with my work. She's measuring the length of the new order I received before you."

That seemed like a good answer and Ace continued with his examination of the room. The other side from where they stood was lined with boxes up to the ceiling. Darkness reigned there and he guessed more than a few spiders were weaving their webs too.

"I don't make canes for children often." Usually Ace would have gotten annoyed by being called out on being a child but the man managed to say it in a tone that simply couldn't be taken as an insult. It was a stated fact; nothing less, nothing more. "So there's only a few which were left behind unwanted." He pulled five boxes out and presented their items for Ace's approval. "That's all I have on such a short notice."

Ace nodded and looked at the beautiful pieces of wood lying in plush as not to be damaged. From the first glance he knew that first three were not for him, too short; one was pink so it was out too.

That left the last one made from dark wood with silver linings at the bottom and wolf's head. It was around the right size too. Carefully he took it out and weighted in his hands. It was light and nice to the touch, beautiful to the eye but...

But he didn't like it.

He thought darkness and simplicity was his wish but now he wasn't so sure. Yeah, it was done wonderfully but it wasn't fit for him. To make sure of that he put it to the ground and walked leaning on it slightly.

"Sorry. I don't think this suits me at all."

"Suits you?" the craftsman asked him. Was there surprise in his eyes?

Ace shrugged. "I don't need a stick that looks great, although, that would be a plus. I want an actually useful thing. However, this one looks great but doesn't feel comfortable. Maybe I need something simpler than it."

"I'm sorry for not having what you require."

Ace nodded not letting his disappointment show. He had already been to other shops and their owners were too pompous, too prideful. They had nothing of value in their shops.

"Why not show him mine one?" the girl finally spoke up not raising her head from her work, her voice soft and barely audible even in an empty room.

The master choked on the words. "You can't possibly mean it..."

"He has money, doesn't he? And we need it." Her matter of fact tone sounded off with her voice but shopkeeper didn't seem to notice it.

"It's your treasure."

"I'd rather have my stomach fool than a beautiful accessory I can't use. It's just a memento."

Ace looked from one to another but stayed quiet. If there was a chance to get what he wanted, he planned to make good use of it.

As he continued to watch, the man came to his daughter, picked her up and carried to a table where he sat her. The fact that her legs waggled like dead weights didn't pass through the kid’s eyes.

Guilmor waited for comments. Child or not people couldn't pass an opportunity to say something about a disability. Expressing pity was the most common and he knew how much his daughter hated that. He shouldn't have brought the boy here.

But Ace wasn't really caring about the girl. He was no longer blind; he saw what was but didn't feel like it concerned him. "I suppose it's here?" he asked pointing to the girl's previous seat covered with a cloth. The man seemed unable to understand what was said so Ace repeated his question. "Is it here?"

"Yes" the girl answered. "You can look inside."

Ace didn't need to be told twice. He picked the cloth off and opened the large box that lay beneath it.

Inside was a walking stick. It had a silver horn handle and the pointed bottom end was of the same metal. The middle section was velvet black. Reverently he pulled it out and lowered the pointed end to the ground. The moment it did he felt power surge through him.

It wasn't anything tangible like raising stats or ability scores. Not even close.

He couldn't identify what it was, in truth. He was holding a painted wooden stick and that's all. But it felt nothing like that. He could have sworn he looked strong, noble and authoritative no matter what he wore or his age.

It felt wonderful.

Like he actually had control in his hands.

A small smile touched his lips at that thought. It was insanity, but of the best kind.

"I like it" he said to the onlookers who had followed every emotion playing on his face.

"I don't think we can s-" the craftsman begun but his daughter cut him off. "Yes, we can. How much did you plan to pay for your purchase?"

Ace went to the front room, quickly followed by the man, and returned throwing the girl the pouch. "Is this enough?"

Her eyes widened at the sum contained there. It was a fortune he hadn't thought to pay, just intimidate, but watching the candle light reflected on his cane, he felt like he needed to give it away.

"Are you mad?" she asked carefully. "Or are you a cheat and want to get rid of the stolen property?" Her eyes narrowed at the last thought trying to read the answer in his face.

"I'm going to the feast in the castle in less than an hour. Do you think thieves are invited there?" he asked with an eyebrow raised.

"Who is to say you're not lying now?" she asked accusingly but clutching the pouch tightly to her chest. Ace chuckled at that. "No one so let's make a wager then."

"What?" the girl asked trying to understand what he was getting at. "What wager?"

"If I can make word about my being at the castle reach you, then this place belongs to me."

"Why would you need a failing shop?"

"Why not?" he countered leaning on his cane with a glint in his eyes. "Why shouldn't I do it?"

"It's my father's shop and he doesn't like change because of which it’s in a financial ruin. He has no students who might bring it back to life" she said in an emotionless tone as if reciting from a book.

"There's you" Ace replied watching her eyes widen again. He was surprising these two quite often.

"A cripple? That's not what makes a person master. I could never make anything like that" she whispered, looking lovingly at his walking stick.

"Why not?"

"It's a Makhila. One needs to work with a living tree to make it."

Ace looked at his purchase with admiration. It was born of pain and suffering. Something he knew all too well.

"That's up to you to decide whether you'll succeed him or not. I care not in the least. What I want is a steady income."

"And you think I would just give our family business on a stupid bet?"

He smiled a knowing smile. "You want something, don't you?" "I don't!" "Why would a kid be of a need of a cane? Where does a traveler like him get this much money? Why doesn't he pity me and instead flaunts his vitality? Why does it feel like he's reading my mind? Sounds familiar, doesn't it?"

The girl was speechless looking at him in a way that said she would have bolted in any direction if only she had had the choice.

"So what do you say? Do we have a deal?" he asked, tilting his head slightly. From the corner of his eyes he followed her father who stood motionless, afraid to take even a breath. Maybe his daughter wasn't this vocal all the time? Or with strangers? That could actually be true since people tended to find children absolutely unthreatening. She most likely believed he was of no danger either.

"You wouldn't hold your part of the bargain" she said finally straightening her back. "You would have nothing to lose if we played this ridiculous game of yours. At the worst situation, you could just lie."

Ace's smile widened; she was already ensnared in his trap. Few pushes more and he would have exactly where he wanted her. "What if I left a real fortune here? Let's say a few thousand gold. Would you believe me to return?!”

"That's..! You can't possibly have that much!" A person could leave off three-four gold coins for a week if he ate two meals a day. Ten golds for a week if he ate three times a day and every time a hearty meal. Seventy golds that the girl held in her hands could feed her and her father for a few months; they needed no materials at the moment. She couldn't imagine what one could do if he was in possession of a thousand.

"But I do. So you agree? I don't have much time left before I have to make the spectacle of the age."

"Do you really have that much gold?"

He nodded. It wasn't exactly truth. He would have to sell some of his items for mere coins to get that sum in a few minutes but he wanted this shop.

And he planned to get it.

Also, it's not like he had even considered the idea of pretending to be a nice cultured boy. In celebration one had to celebrate.

"Fine. I don't believe you are who you say you are but I know we could use money and if you're just giving it away..."

'Like hell am I giving it away' Ace thought nodding and taking a step out. "I'll be back in a few. I don't carry everything on my own self."

He made his way to the bank and retrieved a thousand coins from there along some pieces of armor he'd taken long time ago. In the city square he found some merchants even though it was way past the selling hours. Their eyes locked onto items he showed and tongues waggled, all of the people becoming his sweet uncles and aunts.

He haggled for a few minutes making sure he received enough to put as a deposit for the wager.

Everything done he returned to the shop and put a chest gilded with silver and filled with gold on the counter; he had gotten it off a merchant saying he wanted to gift it to his sister. "Take care of it till I return."

He heard a collective gasp when father carried his daughter to the front room.

"By the way if even a single one is missing, I won't care what deals we made. And I can promise you don't want to see me angry."

With those parting words he left the shop and ran towards the lord's manor. There wasn't much time left. Hopefully, here existed such a thing as being fashionably late. He didn't want his night's misdeed being getting late to some lord's party.

In moments he navigated his way to some room where fire burned. It was empty and had an adjoined room with a bath. Four buckets stood nearby, two of them still with warm water. He filled a bath with them and after dropping his clothes jumped inside.

Warm water felt nice but he had more pressing business at the moment. Scrubbing like mad with a clean cloth he found nearby he washed his skin until it lost all the dust and started to shine. It might have been a bit too pink but he wasn't planning to share that information with anyone.

He dressed himself in the evening's attire and rushed downstairs with a cane in hand. He heard servants whispering about their lord's foul mood today and guessed that he had already left. Without even waiting for him.

Not that he had left them a note explaining where he was.

Like a rocket he shot from the house and ran to the brightly lit castle. His small legs were a nuisance but he knew that a carriage would be even slower considering that every person had taken one. All of them now stood in lines barely moving, horses whinnying, unable to move either forward or backward.

He sent [Flare] to go first shining on every carriage's symbol to maybe find one that he needed. The guys couldn't have left without waiting for him at all and now be sitting inside the castle with the few lucky ones coming unfashionably early. They had to have more self-preservation than that.

A whip came his way and he jumped to the left almost falling into a dark puddle. [Shadow Dash] was the only thing that kept him from tarnishing his perfect clothes of tonight. The man on a carriage laughed throatily. Ace used [Burst] in front of the horses' eyes.

He left the commotion in an instant looking for the demonic cat and listening to the curses from a myriad of tongues. There were many from languages he had never thought even existed.

The castle was looming before him and he still hadn't found it. He had seen a gazillion of bears, birds, wolves, triangles, lines and flowers but not a single demonic cat. 'Where could have they possibly gone?' he wondered with a sinking feeling in his stomach. How in the world was he going to get inside without them?

A hand reached for him and he dodged to the side; [Flare] was back without needing an order and blinding his opponent. The figure seemed familiar and under a better scrutiny showed up to be none other than the guy he was looking for. He made sure to express his annoyance at the hiding. "You should have waited for me."

James shook his head getting rid of the lingering effects of extremely bright light in the darkness. He said nothing grabbing Ace by the shoulder and dragging him into a carriage with a phoenix on its banner. Could he have been mistaken about what he saw when he met them in the forest? But no a phoenix and a demonic cat was quite different creatures altogether; not ones a person could mistake for each other.

"Where did you go?We're almost at the gates."

"I caught a straggler" James said throwing Ace on the seat and getting himself in. The kid huffed at the treatment but said nothing. Straightening his clothes he pasted a smile on his face as if everything was perfectly fine this evening.

"Where was he?" the lord asked angrily, glaring at Ace from the shadows. It was extremely dark inside the carriage once the doors were closed.

"Standing in the street and looking around like an idiot."

"I wasn't looking like an idiot!" Ace pouted. "I was searching for you since you didn't deem it worthy to wait for me!"

"You're talking now? Suddenly feel like living?" James asked him in a cold voice.

"You apologized" Ace said calmly, leaning back in his seat. "It took some time but I'm fine as long as you learn from mistakes."

"You..!"

"James, leave it. We have to think how we'll present him to the Duke and explain his appearance."

"What's wrong with my appearance?" Ace asked indignantly. And was thoroughly ignored.

"We can say he is still in shock and wouldn't let us prepare him?"

"No, you won't!"

"That would make me look like a weakling, can't even order a kid around."

"That's because it's truth."

"I heard there will be an illusionist or two in attendance maybe we could..."

"Just try it."

"We're almost there and can't really ask them for help on the doorstep."

"That saves them some embarrassment."

"Leave him behind and hope for the best? We can always say he was too scared to come."

"Oh, no, you won't!"

"That seems like our best choice." Lord What's His Name said with a nod and Ace felt like hitting someone, someone that sat right next to him. They both more than deserved it. But he took a deep breath and holding his Makhila in a death grip desperately tried to keep himself from doing something stupid.

It would serve no one to kill them here. He needed to enter the castle to win his wager and see what the duke wanted of him. Besides L was always in a need of some good information for which he would pay, of course. Nothing was free even in a game.

While he was lost in his thoughts a hand snaked around him and he felt a rope tightening his hands to his body. 'Tell me this is not happening...' he prayed but already knew that his companions were even more stupid than they looked.

He let the man come even closer and then pushed his cane's top right into his stomach. James winced and tried to back away but Ace followed him pushing it with more strength now that the rope had loosened up.

When the man was on the other side of the seat he finally backed away to his corner and took the rope of himself. "Please refrain from doing something this stupid later on. I wouldn't want to be thought associating with a fool." His cane came to rest on his legs, pointy end towards James. It glistened like a blade when an accidental ray of moonlight passed through the window.

"You didn't have that before" James said massaging his stomach. "Where did you get it?"

"From a shop, of course" Ace answered rolling his eyes.

"We gave you no money."

Ace tilted his head doubting his own sanity for ever thinking this guy was interesting. He must have been mad when he had thought that. And now he had to deal with the consequences of it. "I've been travelling with my companions for a long time. I have earned my own share of treasure and am capable of clothing myself, thank you for your concern."

The carriage doors opened and Ace breathed a sigh of relief. He wouldn’t have to hear any more of that stupidity.

"This way" a servant in a dark blue costume said leading them up the main stairs, through the open doors and to the right where the ballroom was. Two servants were before its door. One was seated behind a small desk while a large book lay open before him. As they came closer he flipped through the pages, marked something and turned to Ace. "There's no mention of a child accompanying you."

"His Grace invited him this morning after the council meeting" lord said not even looking Ace's way. So much for friendliness and trust between companions.

"There's no mention of him in the guest list. He cannot enter." The guy said firmly. "That is the rule." Ace was beginning to hate him. There was no way he wasn't getting in now. Whether he was allowed to do it or not was starting to become less important by each second that passed.

His so called protectors nodded and without a second glance entered after their names were called out in the room.

They didn't need a troublesome child even if he had information they needed? Well, Ace could survive that. And show just how troublesome he could be when annoyed.

Plan for the night set, Ace looked around how to accomplish it. Guests were coming in a steady rhythm one after another: women in extravagant dresses, gentlemen in suits and children looking pretty in their attires. Perfect families. He shook his head and went outside to look for a better prey.

He walked along the carriages when a coughing sound stopped him. It came from one of them and in the darkness he entered without anyone noticing. Inside a man. He was retching and writhing; his body a mess.

Like a thirsty man grabs a drink the guy caught Ace's hands and tried to speak. A fit of coughing prevented him from doing that. His grasp on him was so weak Ace wasn't sure the guy was actually holding him. "Save... Her..." he rasped out before convulsing, trying to cough his lungs out. Unsuccessfully so far. "Pleas... Save... onora... Sh..." His words were becoming more incomprehensive by the second. "What do you want me to save, old man?" he asked taking the guy's hands himself. To pretend to care what the man wanted was the only thing he could do for him. Filling dead people's wishes was another thing altogether but listening was fine.

"Leo..." he rasped trying to get the word out but failing. He took his hands out of Ace's and tried to put them in his pocket. They were shaking too much and another seizure took him. There was blood on them after he took them off his mouth.

Deciding to help the man in his quest to enter his own pocket, Ace put his hand in and took out a folded letter. He tried giving it back to the man but he only pushed it to Ace. The carriage moved some and a streak of moonlight washed over the man's face. He was pale as death with thin blue lips and sunken eyes. They were full of life and looked wild from the emotions raging in them trying to escape their cage in the dying body. Lips moved bringing Ace's attention back to them. "S… a... ve... Leonora." The last word was more of a sigh than anything more. [All Ears], which he had gotten in the habit of using all the time, was the only reason he managed to discern it.

And the guy lay dead atop him.

Ace moved him a bit so no liquids could make their way onto his new clothes and brought [Flare] out from behind them. It lighted the small space and Ace unfolded the letter to read its contents.

*Dear Father,

I'm happy to announce my betrothal to Lord Kolin. He's very gentlemanly and I believe I could learn to like him in time too. Our wedding date is about to be announced at the Duke's celebration. It is a great honor for which I'm very thankful to my future husband's parents. They're great people and you would love them, I'm sure of it.

I'm enclosing an invitation to the gathering if you change your mind and decide to come.

The Daughter That Loves You No Matter What,

Leonorogvarda*

Ace read the letter thrice before giving up. No matter how hard he looked there was no explanation as to what problem plagued the girl and why she needed saving.

However, he took keen interest in the word's 'enclosing an invitation'. That was something he could make a good use of.

But the envelope was empty.

He turned his attention to the silent man and got to work. It wasn't the first corpse he looted and most assuredly wasn't going to be the last. It came in the job's description that he had chosen all that long time ago.

In the coats inner pocket he found what he had been looking for. An intricate envelope with delicate words written on its front "Veenar's Ball". It was a strange name but he wasn't going to question it. Inside were two pieces of paper. One was a card with most likely the old man's name on it while the other looked almost unnoticeable behind it.

Ace took it out and tried to read letters that had been blurred by water. Or tears he guessed when he identified what was written there.

*Names. They're calling me names, papa! Ones that isn’t nice at all! I heard my future husband call me that! And my mother-in-law! They were discussing me as if I was cattle they boy and do with as they wished! I hate it here! He said he loved me but all he wants is your title! Papa! You were right! I'm not worth anything! I was so stupid to believe him! Papa! Can you still forgive me? I'm so sorry! So so sorry! I was a fool! Help me! Please! Papa! He called me a wh..! No I can't! And he called my mother that too! They're so..! I can't find words! Please, papa! I have no one else!*

This was much more explanatory than that beautifully crafted fake letter. But Ace had to admit the girl was a brave one daring to send a letter concealed inside in an invitation for which she clearly would be punished.

*Quest Accepted! Old Man's Sorrow

Lord of Fallan was sick from grief when his daughter fell in love with a lord with questionable reputation. His family was well-known as the biggest snobs in the dukedom. But the girl believed her chosen one wasn't like that.

It showed up he only wanted the Fallon estate that came with her dowry since the lord had no male successors. The girl was devastated at the harsh treatment she now received that the betrothal papers were written down.

The lord only then opened his eyes to what he has done and where his land was going to end up with his daughter alongside it. He desperately wanted to change that and rushed towards the ball to stop it but his daughter's fiancée somehow found out and poisoned him.

You have to save his daughter in his stead.

Quest Difficulty: C

Quest Reward: Unknown*

It wasn't exactly what he expected, not having a choice in accepting the quest or not but nothing really changed. This was going to help him get to the ball so he could sacrifice a bit of time and help out the poor girl.

The question now was just how he was going to proclaim himself the Lord of Fallan to enter. He had an invitation, a plea for help and a wager. It was a must to get inside but stupid servants were all against him doing that.

He looked at the old lord again willing him to share his secrets. But the guy was dead. And those who left didn't return because one needed answers.

His eyes focused on something glinting at the man's hand. It was a ring seal with an F entangled in a feather. Today was his lucky day. He got it off and put on his finger. It was a bit too large but nothing he would complain as long as he was getting inside. Hopefully, no one would care about the paperwork tonight.

He waited another half an hour until his carriage reached the gates and a servant opened his door. He left, blocking view of the outside and went forward not waiting for the guy to show him the way. His walking stick made a clicking sound every time it landed and Ace felt like a true noble, like he had walked this path a million times and had nothing to hesitate about. His step was strong and his clothes straight without a speck of dust. It was fit tightly against his body making him look lean and lithe. Somehow his soft demeanor only enhanced that. The girl in the clothes shop couldn't explain it but she said everyone was going to believe he had blue blood running through his veins from the first look at him.

He was betting a lot on it.

The invitation card flew towards the guest book's keeper and he caught it with an ease, most likely used to it. He read it and marked something in his book before raising his head to meet Ace's eyes with surprise. "You're n-" he stopped mid-word noticing Ace's disgusted look. When he stopped, the kid pointedly looked at a ring resting on his thumb. It was a monstrosity but with enough power to make the man gasp and fall into a litany of apologies.

Ace barely shifted his head in acknowledgment and turned towards the guy manning the doors who looked lost and unsure of how to proceed. His companion came to his aid in a moment and the gigantic doors opened finally letting Ace in.

He didn't take a breath. It would be a show of weakness.

But he allowed himself to keep his eyes closed for a bit longer than a standard blink.

And then he moved with a confidence of one who knew the world lay at his feet. "Lord of Fallan." The loud words fixated the last few missing glances at him and he felt them all burning on his skin.

They, just as he, knew that he didn't belong here, that the true lord was somewhere away, and tried to intimidate him. The whispers started: glowed hands waved, fans fluttered. He had become the talk of the city and he hadn't even done anything yet.

A woman took a stand in his path and purposefully turned her back to him, chatting with her friends animatedly.

A corner of his mouth lifted in a barely noticeable movement. She thought to make him feel unwelcome, to get scared and run away to his mamma.

All it accomplished was making him feel more at ease.

He might not be used to so much people but he knew how to deal with insolent adults. It was a game he liked the most.

His legs took him past her, the cane making a quick wide arc to hit her feet and resuming its place before him. The woman turned with an accusation in her eyes and bellowed through all the room. "Watch you manners, kid. Village folk aren't tolerated here."

He wondered whether that meant his supposed lands were more fields than any cities of notice. While he was thinking of it someone asked what happened and the woman fell into a tale of how he had bumped into her while she was sipping her wine and sullied her dress (there was a single red drop on the underside of her arm. He doubted it was in any way his fault).

He listened for a few minutes how she threw his reputation to the ground and elaborately made sure it was dragged through all the mud there was. Even his grandparents, which she somehow managed to have known, were called into question. The woman was thorough if nothing else.

When she stopped to take a breath between lavish tales of his misbehaviors, he opened his mouth. "I'm sorry to have bothered you, lady..?"

"Lady Philippine to you, villager. Who do you think you are coming here and not knowing me? I'm a lady of the realm who has been invited to balls all around the globe!" she said in a haughty tone, fury evident in her voice.

"I've heard that travelling broadens one, but I had never seen it" Ace said giving her a once over and leaving the group that fell into an open-mouthed silence.

It took the woman a moment to grasp the insult and her face turned beet red, mouth closed and opened unable to utter any sound.

The room held the eerie silence and people parted before him like the red sea before Moses. No one else dared to obstruct his path.

With his head held high, he saw his old companions talking with two men in the shadows. They hadn't paid any attention to the commotion in the middle of the ballroom so they haven't yet noticed his presence.

Carefully he sneaked closer to them. It wasn't as easy as he wanted it to be since people left a large empty circle around him. Luckily, there was a refreshment table near and he pretended to be undecided of what to choose.

His ears in the meantime concentrated on the voices nearby.

"... possible. We can't anger the Duke. He'll have our heads."

"But what's our choice? He'll have them sooner or later."

"Why did you bring him there anyway?"

"Stop it. We've been over this before."

"Is there no way to get him in?"

"I wouldn't want even if we could. It's too dangerous."

"He's too willful."

"Will you be taking that one?"

Startled Ace looked to his sides and on one saw a young man dressed in finely sewn costume. The man's eyes fell to the glass before Ace and the kid followed them. It was orange juice.

"You can take it."

"Thank you" the man said with amusement, picking the glass. "May I ask what has this table done to you to deserve such a glare?"

Ace instantly softened his features, he should really learn to control his emotions while listening in. "It's nothing. I've had a lot on my mind."

"Like your sister's wedding announcement?"

"That too" Ace said with a nod before narrowing his eyes. "And how would you know it?"

"I pity the poor girl" the guy said calmly but there was a fire in his eyes. There was clearly more to the story than he wanted to tell.

"Shouldn't you be calling her the luckiest girl and sending your goodwill? She's marrying a well-known lord, after all."

"Has your father not told you anything?" the person asked with a surprise in his eyes. There was worry there too.

Ace picked a glass from the table and took a sip. Fire ran down his throat, setting his insides aflame and he immediately regretted his actions. The glass wavered for a second.

"Aren't you too young to be drinking?"

Ace's hand stilled and he looked up with what could only be called amusement in his eyes. "And who would possibly be to determine that? You maybe?"

The man shook his head. "My first taste was when I was six, I have nothing on you."

Ace chuckled. "So what should I know about my sister's marriage?"

"Why are you and not the old man here?" the guy asked without accusation. He was either relieved for the change or really didn't care. 'Was the old man supposed to meet him here for something?' "And why is this the first time I hear of your existence?"

Ace considered the question valuing what he could gain by answering. There was a great risk to fail since he had no knowledge about anything here but the man seemed nice enough. He most likely needed something from the Fallan household and wasn't going to announce anything even if he found out.

"There were reasons" he said looking at the swirling liquid in his glass as if seeing there something. He raised his head and crystal clear eyes burned into the man's face. "I've got to make everything right."

That said he turned around and found the city lord, duke as people called him, sitting on the throne and strolled there. A hand caught him and a small piece of paper was pushed into his pocket. "I'm Devon. If there's anything I can do to help, be sure to contact me."

And he was gone, lost in the thick of people.

Ace didn't take out the paper as not to draw attention to it and continued on his way. This was the first reason that he had entered this place. The idiot sitting at the top was the one who had invited him and he wasn’t planning to make him wait any longer. Especially since lord with James behind him were making their way to him too.

Ace made sure to get there first.

He bowed before the man and raised his head to look better at him. He was about forty or so, wore a brown shirt with dark breeches and a sandy coat. Its every button was made of gold. On his head sat a small crown made of silver shining brightly on his black hair.

"And who might you be?" the Duke asked, his voice bored.

"I'm the kid from this morning, Your Grace. You had expressed a wish to see me in a better condition."

"That I did but I do not remember adding you to my guest list."

Ace bowed again. "I've got noble blood running through my veins, Your Grace. I had forsaken it, seeking my dreams but I had to abide by your summons."

"So which family do you think you belong to?" The Duke asked leaning back in his chair and looking Ace over. "Joodlums? Greogorians? Or Jeirainians?"

"Fallans, Your Grace."

"I remember the lady being a beauty but you seem nothing like her."

Ace tried to think of a way out of this interrogation but there wasn't anywhere he could escape. And if he tried they would find out about his way of securing a title and most likely wouldn't be happy. Not that he had killed the man.

"I don't remember her, Your Grace."

"As well you shouldn't. She disappeared some ten years ago and your household left the society. Could it be she didn't survive child birth?" the Duke asked interested.

"I do not know" Ace said as not to spout some lies. "I haven't seen her or heard of her story."

"And why is it so when she's your mother?"

"I was kidnapped when I was four and never felt like returning."

"And yet you have the Fallan ring on your finger?" the man asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I wouldn't have been allowed in otherwise" Ace said shrugging.

"Cole, fill the lord's glass. Can't you see it's almost empty?"

A servant scurried from behind the throne and gave Ace a new glass this one full of a dark red liquid while taking his old one.

"I hope you like wine? It's been kept for a few decades, one of my treasures."

Ace nodded and took a sip. It wasn't as foul as his previous drink and didn't make him want to gag. A great improvement.

"Thank you" he said bowing again.

"You're welcome" the Duke said and motioned for Ace to sit at his right. The same servant now produced a small chair. "Will you tell me your story? How a boy of four managed to escape his captors and survive in the streets, not ever coming back to his home."

"The streets had become my home" Ace said remembering his stay in Mora and sitting down. "The captors were novices in their line of work and allowed me to go to a toilet in the woods. I had little magic even then so it was easy to confuse them and escape. My path took me to a town where I searched for a place and was always refused. When I thought I was going to die from hunger and cold, an old man took pity on me and took me in. I helped him with his everyday work and he let me stay."

A noble came to talk to the Duke. It gave Ace a moment to think of his story. And what he wanted to gain by telling it.

He needed to prevent the announcement of the betrothal happening and make a scene. Insulting even a high-ranking officials wife wasn't going to cut it.

He saw two men standing near the steps that would take them to the Duke but not taking them. They were eyeing him with annoyance as if it was his fault they couldn't come closer. He wondered for a moment before guessing they wanted privacy. Well, he wasn't going to give them that.

And to add to their discomfort he raised his hat their way. Eyes widened into saucers when they recognized him. They looked at each other and he saw pure fear there. It interested him but the Duke had noticed the exchange and was waiting for an explanation.

"They didn't expect to see me here."

"They don't look too happy to have done that."

"May I be bold, sir?" Ace asked looking straight at the man's eyes that were moss green.

"What if I said no?"

"Then I would say they're angered at my audacity for entering uninvited and even landing myself in your presence."

The Duke chuckled. "I think that's pretty bold already but do tell the truth. I don't think I heard it in a very long time."

"Then they're afraid for their lives. It was amusing to see them relieved after I was denied entrance."

"But yet you're here."

Ace closed his eyes as if a memory brought pain but his voice was calm and emotionless, controlled. "I met with father. He got a promise out of me and handed me the ring with all that it represents."

"The transfer isn't that easy. It seems your friends have a good reason to worry, what with you being here illegally" the Duke said in a mildly amused tone.

Ace wondered why he wasn't angry. His mind latched onto something the guy had said previously, the lack of truth in his surroundings. It meant the Duke trusted his words. Children don't lie, after all.

Ace snickered in his mind.

"I couldn't possibly not come to see Your Grace, especially when I had acted so rudely in the morning. I wanted to apologize," Ace said looking to the right as if embarrassed. "I'm really sorry."

The Duke was taken aback by such a turn of events but pleasantly surprised. "Now you don't need to be so embarrassed by it. I'll forgive and forget if you tell me the reason of it."

Ace smiled in his mind. Line, hook and sinker.

"I had met my father in the morning" he said slowly as if unsure of how to proceed.

"And?"

"He told me I was our house's only hope." Ace raised his head, pleading for understanding with his eyes. "Mother gone, he dying and my sister marrying a man that will destroy us. And all of it could be stopped by me taking up the position I had abandon all those years ago as a child."

"You're still very young" Duke noted, interested in what was happening under his roof without his knowledge.

"I was four then and now I'm almost twelve even if I don't look it. Eight years is a very long time, Your Grace, especially when one is as young as me and still finding his reasons for living." There was defensiveness in his tone and he lowered his eyes.

"You dreamt about being something else, didn't you?" Duke asked tenderly. There was softness in his eyes.

"Yes, Your Grace. I've been playing a flute since I could hold it in my hands."

"A bard then?" Duke asked with raised eyebrows. "I didn't pick you for a musician."

"These clothes and the ring... In a second they overshadowed what I have been for as long as I remember myself!" Ace whined quietly. Weakness was a part of being a child just as much as being innocent, cute and truthful.

The Duke noticed his sadness and changed the conversation somewhat. "So how good you were?"

Ace's head shot up. "The best" he said with a bright smile. "I had no equals."

"I don't think I heard of a child prodigy..." Duke taunted him and Ace easily fell for it.

"Let me prove it then! I don't go anywhere without my flute!" he said with enthusiasm. "I can do it right now!"

"Now?" Duke asked surprised. "You want to play instead of the musicians?"

Ace nodded eagerly. He guessed Duke had thought to ask him to play for him privately. But leaving with The Duke wasn't going to make him the talk of the city.

Or maybe it could, but he didn't want to risk it. It was better to work harder and be sure of success.

"Your confidence is enviable so let's have it your way" the Duke said with a small smile. It was the largest expression of joy that Ace had seen on him.

He beamed at the Duke, who whispered something to the servant, and skipped down the steps. Then as if remembering his position Ace straightened up and proudly, if only a bit too quickly, walked towards the stage where a group of musicians stood. They were playing a lively tune but very soft so there were no dancing pairs yet.

The servant was quicker than Ace and reached the players first. They stopped their music and the crowd turned to the stage in annoyance.

Ace felt his legs turning to lead. It was torture making his way through the throngs of people knowing that soon enough all those eyes will be focused on him.

'Oh, for god's sake!' he cursed and taking out his flute rushed forward, his walking stick bumping on the ground way too often than a gentleman's should. Everyone's attention turned to him. "There is a hell lot of people here" he muttered under his breath and jumped on the stage.

Ace put his cane down and thinking better about it lowered himself on the ground too. He sat down on the edge and closing his eyes wondered why in the world he was doing this.

The flute lifted up and he opened his eyes looking at his reluctant audience. Some were neutral but most were smirking or chuckling among themselves. They wanted a failure and he was to be it.

He put the flute to his lips with a forced smile. Stage fright wasn't that terrible on him but performing for people who wanted nothing more than burst out laughing at your expense wasn't easy. Not a single pair of eyes was encouraging.

Ace blew a shrill note that rang through the whole room. 'Whaa..?' Laughter echoed and he felt like muttering a string of curses.

But he steeled himself and blew again. This time he added a touch of magic to it.

It wasn't going to hide his terrible playing if he missed another note as badly as previously but it was going to lull his audience. The layers of illusion helped people imagine things, see visions in a way.

He needed every little help to succeed here.

The first real notes flew into the mirthful air, unheard, and he debated on what to play. He remembered all his previous stories as his fingers ran swiftly over the holes on the flute tasting the notes. They were as good as they were ever going to be.

He closed his eyes and forced himself to forget everything about the audience.

A soft melody broke through the ignorance and people quieted down with a huff. They didn't want to hear anything but the Duke seemed to have allowed that and they had to humor him.

The person of their thoughts was listening with keen attention. For a moment he had regretted his action, he didn't really want to make fun of the child, he was refreshing. But now that the kid started to play seriously he was amazed. Not many great musicians could play such clear notes.

And then the melody lost its neutral tone starting to dance in the air. It was cheerful and light, full of joyous waiting for something. Something great and amazing.

The music's volume heightened, filling with a touch of trepidation and worry. But the happiness wasn't gone. The cheerful notes still dominated the tune only now and then interchanging with the shriller ones.

A low moan escaped the flute. A cry, a shout. Worried voices could be heard ordering calmness but one tone was in panic shouting, crying while another kept on moaning, its pain evident in the barely heard notes. Then it started screaming too.

The melody jumped through the various emotions swirling and changing, entering people's heads and leaving them wanting. It was like a will-o-wisp dancing right before one's eyes but never close enough to grasp.

In an instant the melody rose reaching the ceiling and beyond and like a tsunami wave crashed in a crescendo.

The notes quieted and softened. Like little children they traipsed around afraid to take a step towards an unknown. But the worry won over and carefully they took a step forward, rising lightly.

It became almost silent. A single soft note floating in the air. It was alone yet so many emotions played behind its surface: joy, amazement, disbelief and most strongly wonder.

Father was seeing his firstborn girl.

His emotions swirled, ready to explode and he went to kiss his tired wife's forehead. She smiled at him so proudly and with so much love, the melody softened even more if that was possible.

Ace's fingers ran over the buttons and an image of a wild girl came into people's eyes. The small child together with the tune hurried through a field of flowers, danced in moonlight, sat in a boring lesson, ran through the halls, went for dress fitting, chatted with friends. It was sometimes interrupted by a different melody that of love and friendship showered upon her by her parents, their feelings strong as ever.

The flute's tone painted a beautiful picture of perfection, the happiest family of all.

But as all good things it wasn't meant to last.

The beginning of the melody started up again. It was soft and worried but filled with the same joy and anticipation. Also another string of emotions was added there. It was the little girl's who that wasn’t little anymore. Her tone wrapped around the crazy dad's one and kept him in check. Everything was much more controlled this time, quieter if not less emotional, not reaching the highest notes.

Like previously the man stepped forward and watched his new family addition with wonder in a single note, one able to express everything in itself.

But then matching the man’s heartbeat the melody quickened, desperately reaching for something. It grew frantic, losing focus and the girl came into view. Her notes were more reserved but watching everything with wide eyes, judging, trying to understand what was happening.

They rose and fell as sights before her changed but nothing was true, it was all a mess. Voices shouted and she cried, someone scolded and she took a step back.

A shrill note echoed as the girl gasped in surprise as something was thrown at her and she ran away as if all devils were on her heels.

The tune rushed following her steps and slowing when she found a place to hide. It jumped back and forward breathing heavily.

And then it burst into a cry.

The flute started to wail like a banshee caring nothing of how it felt to listen to it. It bawled its pain for the entire world to see, sharp angry notes jabbing at everyone in sight.

The audience tried to cover their ears but the pain reached them none the less.

The weep rose and fell, crashing against the immovable facts of reality and growing tired in the process. Anger was taking the place of sorrow and the melody turned sour, ear splitting screaming notes being exchanged for ones of bossy loudness, very different yet so similar.

Another tune of coldness settled in when anger's fire was spent. It was even worse than the previous two with its emotionless tone and pain hidden beneath, it weighted down upon the normal notes showing their fakeness, pretentiousness.

And in that place a new breath was taken, a new melody born unsure of its place. It was soft and innocent, slowly taking steps to see what the world was all about.

It met tears, shrill notes bringing back sorrow, anger, bossy tune showing its ugly face again, and emptiness, hollowness sounding so tempting and forgiving.

The childish melody softened even more, worriedly looking around but seeing nothing beside those three terrifying emotions. They circled intercepting and fighting each other all while the first one played in the background getting more and more terrified.

A swift jab and the main tune was stolen by another novice like one. It contained only a few notes, basic phrases, and was so easy, so bad that the childish one escaped it itself.

Then it slowed down and wandered around taking soft and careful steps. Other melodies took its place from time to time teaching it what love, respect, fulfillment and happiness was. Every time they did the first melody changed adding their tones to itself growing more complicated, more colorful.

That is before a quiet simple note reached for it, calling it back.

The tune, now strong and confident, brewing full of life, jumped at the chance dancing in the air, forcing its way where there was none. Its power radiating through the steady notes bringing satisfaction to its listeners, they felt young again ready to face anything in their path, have the adventure of their life.

But the darkness wasn't gone. It crashed with all its sorrow, hatred and iciness against the wavering flame of a candle. It was all the kid found himself to be when a sea of troubles threatened to swallow him and he found himself way over his head.

The trio seemed to have conquered, blowing filthily happy. Their tunes playing among themselves mirthlessly. There was no joy in winning when one was so lost in his own suffering.

The melody fell heavily in the room, its inhabitants remembering everything that had went wrong in their lives, and broke down in the middle of a note, halfway finished.

Silence took its place with fierce possessiveness.

Not a single person dared to take a breath and break the invisible spell music had cast upon them. Deep within their hearts they hoped Ace would pick up his flute again and finish the story.

But the kid pocketed the flute and brought his cane closer, putting it on his legs. He watched them with seriousness not fit for a kid's face and many wondered what was wrong with him, those eyes belonged to an old man.

Ace raised his head higher and met the Duke's gaze. It was filled with various emotions that the kid felt too tired to try and discern. The tune, most complicated he had ever played, took a toll and he wanted to go and find a bed.

A cry shattered the silence and everyone leaned back as if receiving a blow.

Near the end of the room, where the Duke sat on his platform, stood a group of people waiting around for something. They looked very uncomfortable since the young female among them was racked with sobs, tears streaming down her face in torrents.

The group had surrounded her and only her crying got through them.

The crowd woke up. Whispers and yawns filled the silent room. Everyone was eager to share his or her emotions and disbelief at what had transpired right before their eyes, all could have sworn they heard and saw a story instead of music.

A weak smile lighted Ace's face and he jumped from the stage. Eyes turned to him but he ignored their owners and through the open space left before him went to the Duke.

Ace bowed before him, keeping himself up with obvious effort.

"You seem exhausted" the man said and winced at his own lack of common niceties. It was rude to note on a person's physical outlook.

"It's been a long day, Your Grace" Ace said with another bow. "I'm afraid I can't pretend it wasn't." He blinked a few times, took an almost invisible breath and straightened up. He found out that a walking stick was actually an extremely useful thing.

"Sit beside me for the rest of the evening" Duke said and Ace did it with gratitude. He wasn't really that exhausted, just a bit tired, but lies were essential for one's survival. It made others underestimate one. "Thank you, Your Grace."

"What payment would you like for playing in my ball?"

Ace noted not being congratulated or admired; the man seemed to act as if he was another musician. Yet at the same time he allowed Ace to sit by his side for the whole evening which was one of the greatest honors possible, it meant he was favored by the Duke.

What could he possibly ask for in such circumstances?

"I would like for my sister’s wedding not to be announced tonight."

The Duke nodded as if that was exactly what he expected and whispered something to his attendant who stood by his left. The guy then moved towards the group Ace had noticed earlier. After some heated debate they glared at Ace with absolute disgust in their eyes and left. The young woman in the middle was the only one who wasn't filled with hatred. She looked at him with relief, surprise and a good amount of fear to balance the first two out.

He smiled at her.

She was his sister after all.

They left the ball itself then with backs straight and pretending not to notice all the whispers behind the fans and badly hidden laughs. It seemed they weren't loved by the society. Or maybe it just always enjoyed someone's humiliation.

The evening then proceeded like it should have from the start. Musicians played, young danced, old reminisced, women gossiped, men gambled and the Duke watched all over them from his throne. He would talk with those who came to him and pretended to enjoy all the fake compliments. Ace felt almost sorry for him. Almost.

When there was a free minute, the man would talk to Ace and question him about his adventures. The kid told him, some real, some imagined, and although the Duke showed barely any emotion, he knew the man trusted him more with every word. Children didn’t lie after all and one could do nothing but admire them.

That's exactly what Ace saw in the Duke's eyes. Silent admiration for a child who saw all the rotten parts of the world and still strived to live.

In all that time Ace didn't forget to appear tired and almost nodding off, but keeping up solely by will power. Tenacity, hard work and responsibility were traits of a reliable man, or a child grown up too fast. He wasn’t a five year old, there had to be some strength in his character too.

Everything ended when the moon was high in the sky, darkness relishing in its freedom.

Duke nodded towards Ace and the kid bowed to him in a formal way. And that was all to their exchange.

Ace left the ballroom being one of the last. Outside he yawned. It had been terribly boring.