《Age of Enlightenment: Deception of Misdirection》Chapter 12: Ciana ( Dawning Light )
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"Alright, is everyone prep and ready for tonight. Remember to behave yourself at the mansion; never allow yourself to something you'll regret when your feeling unsure about the action your about to do, and remain calm when speaking to the nobles." Madame Florence announced in the center room with everyone wearing their finest outfits, Ciana had worn a dark grape wine dress, ready to leave for Dawning Light's Mansion. We know the false persona we have to make, get it on with it, Ciana thought as they had been in the room for the past couple of minutes preparing themselves for the evening.
"Now I presume everyone will behave and a very good impression on the noble gentlemen and ladies there as well, your families are counting on your impressions on these high class people. Don't disappoint your families and rise." Madame Florence reminded again with everyone looking at her, I know your all pretending to listen to her, a good choice to not make her agitated on this important day to her and to some others in this room.
Ever since the day of the evening was drawing near Madame Florence had ensured a disciplinary rules for everyone: Everyone was to be practice on what they had to say and act, some knowledge memorization on prior events and general information and how to reply properly, and to be sincere to make a good impression on them. This had gone through out the weeks prior to the evening with practices almost every hour with the other girls having no choice to do them.
The one who shone above and given compliment for the practice was Beatrice whom Madame Florence had taken a special treatment of her whom the other girls had taken an envious feel to the treatment she had, though Ciana hadn't had these envious feeling because she viewed as Beatrice had more skill in the area of being the center maiden while she had more skill in another. Lucine also somewhat different treatment being the one to introduce everyone with Madame Florence teaching and guiding her. Ciana had did receive a more different treatment from the rest, Madame Florence had called her during the practices to discuss some precautions during the evening,
"I expected the noble lady behavior from you on the upcoming evening" Madame Florence said bitterly at Ciana when she called on her when the others were practicing. She then gave a stare at Ciana though Ciana had turned it in kind favor with her own stare.
"But I've come to realize that I can't entirely see to behave like a proper lady, So I'll assign you something of interest to you" she added again with Ciana ears all listening to what Madame Florence has to assign her.
"Consider this as not a 'special treatment' I heard you've talked about with Lucine, but as a little bird to get some information, I'm sure your well suited to the task" she said bitterly sweet. Ciana had felt offended by the task of being a servant of just getting information out of the people, she would refuse out right there but she knew at the moment she was to utter that Madame Florence would counter at her denial so she accepted the offer of being the little bird for Madame Florence, she smiled when Ciana had agreed to it causing Ciana to feel more under the power of Madame Florence. I what would it take to turn that smile and her thinking of she was control over us to just be shattered. "Another reminder do try to be pleasant at the evening knowing you, we shan't wouldn't want the reputation of our home and the others being ruined, I say this the others as well so don't feel offended by this" Madame Florence added. Oh you've just pierced me and pride that's all.
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With Everyone prepared and ready for the evening and absolute excited as well as Madame Florence, she told everyone to get into the carriages now to depart for Dawning Light's Mansion. there were the carriages that would take everyone to the mansion courtesy of the host. Ciana had gotten into the carriage with Lucine following shortly then Beatrice. Now I thought she would be in a different carriage, strange.
The streets of Union's Rising at night and day differ from district: Pathford has considerable been known for nice environment and the travel place to get a nice start on journeying though also home for thieves because the wagons and merchant coming in the city where the thieves strike at them, Seaford the dock district of the city notable for the shipwrights, captains and sailors who sometimes to be violent of drunken sailors willing to start a fight, Haeshill east side of Union's Rising was somehow the most peaceful side of the district with the path leading to Bridgestow a porting city that where mostly people from the Averigo arrives where the only trouble is an attack going to Bridgestow.
and then there was CrohValley the district where Ciana and the ladies lived, known for the wealthy noble gentlemen and ladies had lived and packed with City's Guards for a good reason due to the small fights that occurred between groups, robbery with a tad amount of physical injuries, and murder; Dawning Light's Mansion was located in the upper part of CrohValley near the center structure building of Union's Rising was Avalon Palace.
It had been a quiet ride since they left the estate house with Ciana, Lucine, and Beatrice all maintaining silence through out the way there till almost nearing the mansion Beatrice had sparked a conversation "What do all think of tonight's upcoming evening?"
"All I can say intriguing to know who's the unknown host or hostess that invited us" Ciana replied then Lucine sweetly energetically replied after saying "A wonderful evening noble men and woman coming for an evening with an unknown host or hostess all in the center". Beatrice looked however to be nervous and happy at the same time, She's getting all the pressure of being the center of attention. As they were nearing the Mansion Beatrice looked more and more nervous keeping her hands close to relax herself, Ciana remained calm though irritated because the task of getting information like a little bird and giving it to Madame Florence who'd use it as a pointless black mail for a personal gain, all while Lucine had remained joyous and excited of it.
They've all exited the carriages to find other noble men and women exiting their own carriages and entering mansion with city guards posted near the entrance allowing them entrance. The Dawning Light's Mansion was located near the south edge of CrohValley nearing Avalon Palace. The Mansion's name 'Dawning Light' got it's name because of it's location in CrohValley where it built on an elevated land in CrohValley where it was always first to be reached by dawn's light. It was painted the color of the sunlight, and when it was night torches were placed in locations around the mansion to keep lit. The mansion had three portions the left, middle and right had it's own large space to occupy guest.
As they all got into the mansion entered through the main door of the middle portion, they were lead by a servant of the mansion to lead them into a main hall. The main hall was bright as five Chandeliers hanging from the ceilings illuminated brightly. All of guest nobles as getting comfortable, Madame Florence had allowed the rest of the party to relax and explore a bit but were to assemble again when the host or hostess were to make an appearance. Ciana had explored for a bit of the mansion from the left portion to the right doing her task given by Madame Florence, she heard of gossips of the nobles coming out of their mouths not paying attention that Ciana had heard it all, for her this task seems as pointless as it was though she couldn't nothing, if she did Madame Florence would just about say she was a disappointment, making her right and Ciana wouldn't allow that so now she continued the task.
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After some time the servants of the mansion had called on everyone for the host will now entertain everyone. Everyone was gathered at the main hall were a stairwell leading to the upper floors, then came an man of that appears to be near of his forty years wearing a furnished light brown suit, a combination of silver and blackish hair with a beard looked neatly, his stature indicates that he's a man of power, knowledge, and considerable resources. by his side was a man about in his twenty years wore an olive suit, face cleanly shaven, light brown hair, from his looks he seems to be the man's companion, he'd looked to be an ambitious person and probably deceptive as the ladies whispers in awe with the man smiling at the awe's whispers, all of that Ciana had observed.
The older and younger walked down the stairways, the older man inhaled deeply and spoke "My good noble men and women, I've have the much pleasure of meeting you all in this fine evening. My name is Eldrian Barnett, I've gathered you've all in this fine evening to join me on making this city, maybe this country better and with this plan of betterment you've all will have a great reward this I ensure you all of the better" he spoke in a great voice of wisdom and power.
Then the younger man stepped forward he inhaled as Eldrian and spoke "Good evening fine smart men and beautiful passionate ladies, I am Arthur Cedricstan, My good lord and master Eldrian Barnett wishes all of you good fortune and better, there are few council members here" he pointed out in the crowds to a men who wore fine black suits "Who will satisfy your curiosity, I've wish all of you would me and my master on this plan for city and the country, and you'll be rewarded and remembered for the betterment"
They've descended down into the crowds to greet them all, they came to Madame Florence where Lucine introduced us all then Beatrice gave the warmth smile and spoke the sweet kind words that Madame Florence thought her, Eldrian and Arthur were kindly received it kindly and asked of questions to Madame Florence and Beatrice of their family and about themselves.
After the short visit of the two host, Madame Florence would like to have a word with Beatrice all while she told the rest to do what like but never do something that'll cause some bad attention.
Ciana had now continued to do her task given to her accompanied by Lucine would like to hear some of the things she's gathered but saying only little to ensure none of the surrounding people would hear of it.
She gone back from the left to the ride portion of the mansion, looking ordinary and listening inn on the conversation between the nobles. Ciana had now continued to walk back into the middle portion till a hand grabbed her by the arm "You've seem to be at the left and right portion so often in a span of a short time, you don't even know those people whom you've listening into" Ciana turned in shock and fear who'd noticed her,Arthur Cedricstan, she remained calm and composed "It's my little business to do" Ciana replied calmly. "My dear your with the Madame, tell me I'm curious who you are"
"The name is Ciana Blaine"
"I can tell your originated from Galrance" Arthur said with caused Ciana to be shock to know how he knew that but she remained calm.
"Well I can say I can return the favor of telling where you originated from, but from the other people here I tell a whisper of more"
"Intriguing, tell me"
"I can't I'm vowed not to tell anyone else"
"You've broke that vow with your friend" Ciana even more was shocked still she remained calm.
"Alright I can tell a whisper or too" as Ciana and Arthur had began a conversation up to the gossips of the noble men and women in the mansion, Arthur was all intrigue and interested, At least I'll have a fewer burden on my back, this man should know of the secrets of the people he's trying to hire for his master's plan.
"Mind if I care to join too" Eldrian Barnett said as he join in the conversation. Arthur had introduced Ciana to his master which the master greeted Ciana openly. Eldrian so much so intrigue to Ciana asked of her to join in a private lobby in the first floor. Ciana was all in a mystery as they've entered a door with two guards posted near it.
"My good friend here, told of your meddling in the noble men and women in the house. though I'm to say I'm thankful for it than mad" Eldrian said.
"My thanks to you mister Barnett"
"She's more interesting than rest of the party" Arthur gave a compliment.
"My thanks to you mister Cedricstan"
"You've earned my interest miss Blaine, I've deducted there's some potential in you yet" Eldrian said as he looked at Ciana "Yes some potential yet, though not my favor you would have to earn that in works as did Arthur did when he was so much interested for me to help"
These two men are more mysterious than I thought, they're quite high senses. "Are you giving me an offer mister Barnett"
"Quite yes, I've haven't been to Union's Rising, I'd like to know it a bit more and you've seem to have a talent that can be strengthen rather than being an informer to your Madame"
"I'd like to know first how did you know about me being an informer?"
"You've shown to have a disliking when oh so near to Madame Florence, the Madame Florence is also we've observed to be quite strict and ambitious, that I've noticed when she talk to Beatrice Mayne after we've discussed, So it's no mystery that she would enlisted a girl of your talents to gain an upper edge" Arthur explained. Ciana was completely shocked and lost her composure but she calmed herself down after a while.
"I take up the offer of yours mister Cedricstan" Ciana said eagerly, This maybe a chance to better myself and learn more than to remain a little bird.
"Excellent, miss Blaine. Me and Arthur shall contact you. You shall receive a letter after this evening a day or two to meet me in a location in the city" he said raising a handshake which Ciana accepted "It is so then I've wished to another potential just like Arthur here"
After tha Ciana returned to the main hall. After the evening party was done Ciana and the her party returned to the estate house with Ciana excited and happy. "What made you've happy about?" Lucine said,
"It's nothing, just found out about some gossip that made me laugh, tell me how was your evening?"
"Great nothing much and you"
"A dawning light you could say that sparked me in this evening" Ciana said as she returned to her room thinking on the offer of two host that make her rise up more.
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