Cormel's wandering (by Carmelo Massimo Tidona)

The Council session didn't seem to restart, and Cormel had some time to kill. Actually there were a couple of things he had to do, but he had forgotten a necessary item, and didn't know how to find one without leaving the Castle. So he was just wandering and thinking about the many things that his return to Thendara may have started.

He didn't know how long he had been walking when he saw a women coming to the castle.

He was almost sure she was the owner of the sweet shop, even though she looked quite different.

He was about to call her when he stopped... there had to be a limit to stupidity, and it would have been really stupid to do that now. What would she have thought if he called her just to ask for a needle? Maybe that this was just a poor excuse to talk to her, and it could even be true... but actually he really needed a needle, and there was no reason at all why she would have come to the castel bearing one.

So he went away unnoticed.

Suddenly a strange feeling came over him. Someone had just... But who? Could it be...? No. It was very far away, and the strength was too much... but it could have been a danger, neverthless.

He really had to hurry... and find that needle.

Marcello and Krynn (by Marcello Bellavista)

Marcello knocked at the Ridenows suites of Comyn Castle currently hosting Cormel Rockraven. He made himself comfortable while waiting for Cormel to arrive, called by the servants.

Cormel entered with Krynn on his shoulder and greeted Marcello with his usual: "Hello, my dear."

Marcello stood up and answered: "Hi, Cormel! Hi, Krynn!" and approached Krynn, inviting him to seat on his hand. Krynn accepted the invitation and Marcello started caressing him gently on his cute head and went seating again.

CORMEL: "How come you're here, my dear?"

MARCELLO: "Oh, I've come to pay a compliment to this little lovely raven of yours! And also to reproach him, gently of course, and to suggest him the course of his future..."

Cormel, knowing Marcello as he did, immediately realized this was related to his encounter with Leisha. When Marcello started telling he'd been told about Cormel and Krynn's encounter with Leisha in Thendara, he patted himself on the back mentally.

Marcello kissed softly Krynn in the head and gently said: "You naughty naughty Krynn! You caused so gleefully minor mischief in Leishit's sweetshop, why couldn't you cause some major mischief? I'd like to encourage you to duplicate your behaviour there, but next time, please, try also to defecate and urinate here and there, okay? The ideal solution would be to defecate upon Leishit, then again it'd become impossible to distinguish where she ends and your faeces!"

Marcello laughed and Krynn stared at him with a "Is this guy for real?" look in his eyes. Marcello stood up and moved as to suggest Krynn return on Cormel's shoulder. Then he sighed smiling and says: "Now that I've had my daily dosis of my own meanness, I'm fulfilled! Will I see you tomorrow in Council?" Cormel replied: "Sure you will see me. At least if nothing happens meanwhile. Oh... by the way, maybe you can help me once more. I'm desperately looking for a needle. Do you have one? Or maybe you know someone who does?"

Marcello stared incredulous at his friend and burst up in laughter. "Only you could get lost in something so obvious, Cormel! Of course I know someone who has a needle!"

CORMEL: "You do?"

MARCELLO: "Are you serious? (LOL) Just ask the staff! What do you think I pay them for? They have everything necessary to sew!" Still laughing, Marcello left.

The Council was over at last.

It had been interesting, but Aldaran's status was not exactly one of Cormel's primary interest at the moment.

He took a moment to say goodbye to Marcello, introduce himself to Regis Di Asturien and congratulate him, then he went away, taking note mentally of the things he had to do next.

Some minutes later he was asking himself why on Darkover was he again in the street instead of staying in the castle were no one could have reached him easily.

Once again he answered that he had some things to do, even though this was not exactly the truth. That is: he _had_ things to do, but he would have better delayed them until the main problem had been fixed. Anyway it was too late by now, so he just stood still in the middle of the street, looking around and trying to decide what to do first... or pretending to do so.

Leisha was working in the sweetshop when she saw a man in black not very far outside. She recognized him at first sight. After all there weren't many persons in Thendara who used to bring a raven with them.

She didn't expect her wish to be satisfied so quickly!

He was in the middle of the street, apparently lost in some deep thought, or just trying to decide were to go. Whatever he was doing, that may have been a good occasion for the second meeting with him, besides a little less unexpected than the first.

She had a hard time deciding if she wanted to approach him or not. Actually she did want to, definitely, but she was not sure of his reaction (and was her hair all right? And what about the shirt? Oh rats, chocolate all over the slevees, again! What was happening? A Renunciate shouldn't worry about a man thoughts about her clothes!)... expecially now that she knew he was one of Marcello's friend.

Cormel's wandering again (by Carmelo Massimo Tidona)

Finally Cormel started walking towards the sweet shop, muttering something that maybe not even him was able to hear or understand. He was about to go in when he noticed Leisha heading for him, and they eventually met at the door.

Repressing a "my dear" that would have been too confidential, he greeted her.

"Lady Leisha, nice to see you again."

This time though she was prepared "Actually you shouldn't call me lady... or even domna, dom Cormel."

He looked at her for a while, just wondering what she was meaning, then he slapped his forehead. While Krynn was croacking of reproach for such a sudden gesture, he said: "Oh... I know this is going to become my most used sentence when you're around, anyway... _I'm_sorry_ va... la... mestra. I didn't realize you were a renunciate, I haven't seen many of you in the last years... actually I haven't seen many people in the last years... so..."

"Never mind, you didn't offend me."

"Be sure I will properly call you mestra from now, vai d... Well, I hope I will at least...!"

She smiled "You may call me Leisha... that is, if it is easier for you."

"It will be a pleasure for me! - he answered, then winking - And yes, it will be easier. Many thanks Leisha."

He then bowed theatrically, without foreseeing the funny results of this action.

Took by surprise by the movement, Krynn lost is balance and started flapping his wings frantically in a desperate attempt to regain it, all the time hitting lightly Cormel's head. When he finally got a grip on his owner clothes, Cormel's hair was standing up like the quills of a hedgehog.

Still the men did notice nothing of what was happening, and kept on talking.

"See, I think I'll never be able to use this titles properly. Dom, mestra, domna, lady... sometimes they remind me some senseless words in a child's senseless rambling poem." Only then did he saw Leisha with a hand pressed on her mouth, in a failed attempt to avoid laughing.

"It was not so stupid a thing I was saying, was it?" he asked with a surprised look on his face. Then he realized it was something different, took a little mirror from a pocket and soon after he was laughing in his turn.

"Krynn, you naughty bird, you should warn me next time you want to practice your hairdressing skill on me! - he paused - Oh yes, you're right, I promise that I will warn _you_ when I'm going to bow, next time. It's a draw my dear."

"I hope this won't offend you but this is quite funny. I haven't seen anyone else talking with a bird like you do."

"Oh but I don't! Actually it's Krynn the one who speak, I just move my lips."

They both smiled.

"Now let's go to the second reason why I came here. May we go in?"

"Of course. May I ask you what this second reason is?"

"Well... obviously I got to buy some sweets. Krynn here did really appreciate those biscuits last time, and I am quite a... sweet-lover also."

"This is the second reason why you came? And what was the first then?"

"See you, of course." Leisha blushed slightly... "Marcello told me so many (bad) things about you that I had to come to know you better." ...and then seemed somehow deluded.

Krynn suddenly decided to leave Cormel's shoulder and flied to a shelf.

"Krynn, my dear, this time please wait for me to purchase, before you start eating."

"Considering how much you left me last time, he has the right to eat something."

"Well it... Krynn don't dare listen to her... was for the trouble he gave you, and actually I was not exactly sure he hadn't left some... present... No, Krynn, I'm not saying you have to. No, not even to please Marcello. ... even though he usually doesn't."

Leisha didn't seem surprised by Cormel comment on Krynn's presents. She could just imagine the scene of that...that...oh well, of Marcello sweetly talking with the raven, with the delightful soft voice he used to have when he spoke to animals ...and suggesting to Krynn the worst things to do.

"Now I have two questions for you, if you don't mind answering."

"I don't, I'll be glad to."

"First question then... do you know any other Rockraven living in Thendara? I don't mean real Rockraven... just people having the Rockraven gift... you know, people who can control weather."

"Oh my...yes, I do. There's the bratty lady of Aldaran, of course, my friend the Harpy...I mean Mabry Aldaran."

"Do you know her well?" asked Cormel

"More than you can suspect" Leisha sighed silently "Quite well, yes. Actually I recently got a letter from her. She's at Aldaran, now, and her Regent is representing her in Council. Rafael Lindir, I think... Why do you ask, if you don't mind telling me?"

"Aldaran... - Cormel muttered, forgetting just for a minute that he was supposed to be talking with another person - Oh... nothing really important. I am... well... curious about people with this kind of laran... that's all." then he bent a little towards her and said talking in a low voice "And obviously this is the worst lie I have ever said, and for some strange reason I don't want to tell you any lie, but still I can't tell you the truth for now. Maybe I'll explain the reason for my question another day... till then I hope you won't tell anyone about this."

"Be sure I won't dom Cormel"

"What? I thought we had drop the titles, hadn't we? - he laughed - Don't dare call me 'dom' again. - then suddenly he was serious again - ... So you said the lady of Aldaran. I guess I have to pay her a visit sooner or later... Well, there's still the second question: do you sell any chocolate here?"

"Yes I do, of course. I just hope it's not a gift for Marcello."

*You don't need to buy chocolates for Marci, my dear! He's going to have

his favourite real soon!* Leisha thought.

"Not at all. It's for me."

"Good. What kind of chocolate?"

Cormel looked at himself, then smiled. "Black, of course."

Some time later, he was heading again for the castle, reminding himself the persons he had to meet as soon as possible. Congratulatia Ehyalin y Ridenow, obviously... and Rafael Lindir.

Want to read of this meeting? Follow this link! The Ball

In the meanwhile, Leisha was having some troubles in the Commercial Town. Do you want to read what happened to her? Follow this link: Searching for Lenni

Back in the Guildhouse (by Laura Lulli)

What Leisha needed, was definetely a good sleep. She would take care of that matter tomorrow, after talking again to dom Damien, telling him about the few clues she had collected.

Her shoulder wasn't hurting too much (Derik was really a good healer), but she thought she should ask Atalanta for some anlgesic herbs anmyway.

She yawned. Tomorrow. Now she wanted only to sleep.

The following morning, she woke up a bit later than usual, and decided she would go anyway in the Sweetshop, just in case that Damien decided to show up.

The day of the Ball - early morning (by Carmelo Massimo Tidona)

The servant went to the Ridenow quarters hosting Cormel Rockraven, whom he had been asked to wake up early.

Well... not exactly. The words Cormel Rockraven had used actually were "Please check that I am awake and not just pretending, I have some things to do in a very little while, and I can't afford wasting time just because I don't know I should be awake already."

He couldn't say he had really understood what he meant. Then again this was not the first time he was not sure of something Cormel was meaning, so he just took the first part of the sentence and went there to check that he was awake.

Apparently he wasn't. He knocked at the door several times, but no reply came.

He didn't want to go away, but in spite of the noise he was making, the man inside didn't seem to have awaken... even though maybe he had just awaken all the rest of the people in a mile or so.

Finally he noticed that the door was not locked, so he shyly opened it... and there he was...

Cormel was sitting on the floor, with his legs crossed and his eyes closed. Just for a moment the servant believed there was a soft blue light around him, but looking better he saw nothing and decided that his imagination was working too much.

He approached the man, uncertain whether to call him or not.

"Dom Rockraven?" he said in a low voice.

No answer came.

He raised his voice and called again, with the same result.

Eventually he went nearer and tried to touch the man's shoulder. He felt a strange tickling on the skin of his hand, the hair on its back suddenly stand up, and a second before he could touch Cormel, the Rockraven opened his eyes and yelled "NO!" moving away from him.

The servant jumped back.

"I know you couldn't know... - Cormel explained - and I don't know if you'll ever find me... uhm... that way... again, but if you do, remember: never, *never*, NEVER touch me, or that could be the very last thing you do in your life."

"I... I didn't... mean to..."

"Oh, my dear, of course you didn't. - Cormel went near to the servant and patted him on the shoulder - Come on guy, don't be so scared! I'm going to have breakfast but I'm not going to eat _you_, relax. I was just warning you for your own good. Are You all right? Well, I need a little favor. My friend, Krynn, will be here soon..."

(The scared look on the servant's face was replaced by an amazed one. Was he talking about his raven?)

"... and I would like him to find something to eat and some water. I hope you may provide for this."

"Of course dom..."

"Here, take this. - he gave him some money - Go to Mestra Leisha's sweetshop and buy a couple of biscuits. Tell her they're for Krynn, she should now what to give you by now."

"But dom Cormel..."

"No, no, no, no. No buts my dear. Just hurry up. Krynn will be hungry when he comes back, and believe me, you don't want to be in the same room with him when he's hungry."

The man walked away. He was almost out of sight when Cormel added

"Oh... and thell Mestra Leisha that I'll pay her a visit later." Had he heard? - Cormel wondered - Oh well, never mind, after all Leisha would have find out soon anyway.

Once the manservant was gone, Cormel decided not to 'bother' Krynn again before his return, and started preparing himself for the day. After all it was really late for him, and he had to be sure that everything was OK before thinking about more mundane things. He opened a drawer and took a black stripe of fabric. It was almost completed. Realizing he had some minutes left before breakfast, he sat on the bed, took the needle he had finally succeeded in finding and started sewing. "I hope this will be finished before the ball - he muttered - even though I don't think I may ever use it during the ball." He grinned for some reason he was the only one to understand, and kept on working. After a while he stopped sewing and took a look at his work. It was a small strangely-shaped piece of black fabric, made of the same cloth he had bought a few days ago.

Actually it seemed a rectangular stripe, but it was not exactly straight. There was a little ring of black thread in the middle of one of the longest sides. Many others, much littler then the first one, were on one of the short sides. The other one instead had a row of tiny circular things which could have been buttons of some kind. Cormel seemed satisfied by the result. Unfortunately he couldn't test it now, so he put it in the drawer again. It was breakfast time.

The day of the Ball - late morning (by Carmelo Massimo Tidona and Laura Lulli)

After a light breakfast, Cormel went to his old house in Thendara. Since his return to the town, he had been there just once or twice, and he had had no time to clean it and remove the almost prehistoric dust gathered there in years of abandonment, except for a small corner where he had left his belongings... that is the part he didn't took with him at the castle.

He quickly checked that everything was still there, opened the windows for a while, just to let the house breath, and then went away.

Once again he went to the sweetshop, this time neither to search for Krynn nor to buy anything.

He entered the shop and waited while Leisha was serving a customer. When the man walked away and she greteed him, he only answered with a smile, then approached her.

"Leisha, here's another question of mine: can you dance?"

"Dance? - she repeated. Everytime she met Cormel, he had a way to amaze her... maybe that's why she found him fascinating. - Of course I can, would you mind telling why you're asking me?"

"Unfortunately I'm not a great dancer. - he said, completely ignoring the question - But I hope this may be forgiven."

"I wouldn't mind knowing what you're talking about, Cormel." she said with a half smile.

"I'm talking about dancing, obviously. - he replied, then he shook his head - Oh sorry... maybe I didn't tell you... you know, I think, there will be a ball to end the Council season... I was wondering if you would like to come there with me."

Leisha blushed slightly "Blessed Evanda, I really didn't ask for that much..." she thought

"Coming to the ball? With you? It would be... But, are you really going to go to the ball along with a renunciate?"

"Actually that's not the point... I'm trying to understand if a renunciate will come to the ball along with me. As I said I'm not a great dancer, this could really be annoying. So if you don't want to run the risk of cutting a very poor figure I will understand..."

"No... no, I'll be pleased to come... I was just wondering what people could say.."

Leisha could see Marcello's face in her mind. She could even figure the VERY theatrical scene he was going to made...She sighed.

"I guess 'people' stands for 'Marcello'. Well... I can imagine what he may say... but who cares after all? I'm not going to stop talking to anyone he doesn't like just because I'm his friend, and unless you try to kill him, I've no reason to stay away from you. And besides - he smiled and winked - believe me, maybe I'm really doing him a favour inviting you... I can be really awful on a dance floor sometimes. This could ruin your image forever."

"And why on Darkover should I care for this?" Leisha thought, trying desperately to control her expression. She didn't want to look beaming...not so early.

"Well, I guess we'll have to practice, then." said with a beautiful smile.

Leisha forgot immediately the reason for which she had decided to open personally the shop, instead of asking Lynira to do this...Damien could wait until tomorrow.

Ball preparation (by Laura Lulli and Heleen de Hamer)

She closed the shop, and run to the Guildhouse, forgetful of her aching shoulder, and of everything but the handsome black dressed guy and his invitation to the ball.

"Blessed Evanda!!" she thought frantically "What I am going to wear!! And look at my hair! I have to do something!"

Then she suddenly remembered that Jaelle, Eliadha and the two Tower workers from Dalereuth had asked her about her plan for the evening, the day before. They knew for sure how to help her.

Do you want to know more about all the Renunciates getting girlie for the Ball? Follow this link to Eliadha's books

When they had finished changing, Daimary and Eliadha picked up their dresses and left the room. Just before they entered Eliadha's room, they heard someone running up the stairs. They turned around to see who was in such a rush.

To their surprise it was Leisha with an excited flush on her face.

Apparently she didn't notice the two women, for without stopping she ran up to Jaelle's room, knocked on the door and entered without waiting for an answer.

Just before the door closed Daimary and Eliadha heard her exclaim: "I'll be going to the ball after all!"

Jaelle looked nearly as amazed as Leisha herself "Boy, there are going to be more of us sisters than the Comyn themselves" she grinned.

"Oh, Jaelle...I'm so happy! I didn't even hope to _see_ him again...I didn't expect an invitation to the Ball!"

"Wait, breda! take a breath..a really deep one, you seem to need it desperately" Jaelle grinned again "You didn't tell us yet WHO has invited you!"

"I didn't? Oh, sorry..." Leisha blushed "dom Cormel Rockraven is his name...and, Jaelle...it's so NICE!"

"I bet, judging from your face, sister!" Jaelle embraced gently Leisha, and winked at the astonished Marjo.

"Help me sister!! I didn't plan this night out...I don't have anything to put on!...and he didn't tell me neither at what time is passing to take me...Oh, no doubt I'm going to cut a very poor figure!..." Leisha complained

"No, you aren't!" Jaelle cut her off "We will surely find something suitable for you, won't we, Marjo?"

"Of course we will! Let me see...I should have brought another night dress with me...just in case, you know" said Marjo, and she searched in the wardrobe.

When she turned again she produced, under the shocked eyes of Leisha, the most beautiful red (the same red as the redberries the Renunciate used for her pies) dress she had ever seen.

"I bet Eliadha and Daimary can do something to fit it to your figure...but in the meanwhile, why don't you try it on?" Marjo added.

Leisha smiled brightly to her, and quickly slipped out of her clothes, to enter into the dress. It was almost perfect, maybe a bit too long, as Marjo was slightly taller than Leisha.

The Sweetshop owner stared at her reflection: so long a time had passed since the last time she had seen herself wearing a dress of that kind....

Tight at the waist, with a nice embroidered bodice that give justice to her breast, the gown followed her body lines in a very seducing way.

She smiled at herself, approvingly, as she definetely liked what she was seeing.

"I guess you should know that you can come and ask for all the sweets you want, Marjo! I'd be grateful to you forever!"

"Don't be silly! You deserved a "proper" dress, Leisha. Let's talk about serious things: do you have any suitable pair of shoes to go with this? I think you should go for a high-heeled one. And what about your jewels? Are you going to value your decollete, or not? It sure deserves it, although I don't think that any man is going to miss the "landscape", anyway!" Jaelle giggled.

"Sister!!" Leisha laughed

"I think I should have a pair of shoes that could do pretty well, somewhere...and some nice jewels too."

"So, you're done, sister!! Are going to take a bath with us, now? We could do our hairs and faces together, then!" Jaelle asked.

"I guess I need a bath, really. Let's go, then!"

After they had finished bathing, the Marjo and Jaelle put on their robes and went to Jaelle's room, while Leisha headed for her own room, to look for the shoes and the jewels. That nice silver necklace with small rubies her mother had given her would do wonderfully. When she found what she was looking for, she knocked at Jaelle's room again.

Jaelle was just putting the finishing touches on Marjo's hairdo. Her own hair had been artfully pinned up on top of her head, leaving the nape of her neck bare.

"Uhm, Jaelle," Daimary hesitated, "Are you sure you should wear your hair like that?"

"I asked the same thing," Marjo remarked. "She thinks it will be no more scandalous than her dress."

"I guess she has a point there."

"Sister, go right ahead. If anyone says anything about it, they'll have me to deal with," Eliadha said.

"Why thank you sister. Are you planning to take your knives with you. I don't think they will go well with your dress you know," Jaelle teased.

"You know very well I'm more than capable of handling anybody without the use of my knives, thank you very much," Eliadha replied bruskly. She walked over to Jaelle's dressing table, picked up a brush and started brushing her hair.

Jaelle was a bit suprised by this reaction. Usually Eliadha could take any teasing without even blinking an eyelid.

Just then Daimary whispered to her and Marjo: "Don't mind her. She's a bit confused. Earlier she received a midsummer gift from .. Dom Rafael Lindir, and it contained a dorilys."

"Wow, he really must mean business," Marjo remarked.

"That's what I said."

"I didn't let her hear it I hope," Jaelle asked.

"What do you think?"

Marjo walked over to Eliadha, took the brush from her hands and started to brush her hair for her. Because Eliadha's hair was so short, not a lot could be done with it. Marjo brushed Eliadha's blond locks until they gleamed so much, that it seemed as if they had been spun from gold.

When she was finished, Eliadha thanked her and went back to her room to put on her dress.

Meanwhile, Jaelle was helping Daimary do her hair. They were almost finished, so Marjo also left the room to finish dressing. As she walked away she said: "See you downstairs."

The door closed, and Leisha hopefully asked:

"Marjo, would you mind helping me with my hair as well?"

"Of course I'll help you, Leisha. Sit down here" answered Marjo, and started to brush Leisha's hairs.

After havong her hair done, Leisha did herself her face, underlying her eyes with a brown eyepencil that deepened her glance. She completed her eyes make up with a double eyeshadow, in the tones of plum and peach. She put a bit of colour on her cheeks too, though she didn't feel the need (she was already blushing!), but didn't put any lipgloss, as her lips were wonderfully and naturally red.

Cormel at the Guildhouse (by Carmelo Massimo Tidona, Heleen De Hamers and Laura Lulli)

Cormel got ready for the ball early.

He wore simple black pants and a white shirt. The shirt was tight at the wrists and neck, and quite wide for the rest.

As for jewels, he didn't like them much. The only one he always wore was a thin necklace with three tiny pendants, a white cristal pyramid, a black onix feather and a gold key, but this one was under his shirt and nobody could notice it.

For the ball, anyway, he added a silver bracelet (more out of courtesy than for any other reason, it was a gift he had received may years ago) and a silver ring with a black round shining stone on it.

Then he wore a black cloack and left the caste to go to the guildhouse.

Obviously he couldn't go in, but nobody on darkover could forbid him to wait outside.

He was about to ring the bell when it was opened by a woman in a blue dress.

He asked her for Leisha, and she was kind enough to tell him that she was almost ready, and to inform her that he was there.

Eliadha left the room and walked downstairs. Halfway down she almost tripped as she stepped on the hem of her dress. Cursing, she lifted it up and walked down the rest of the stairs. "Damn dress. Why can't I just wear my breaches. They're much more comfortable and I won't trip every five seconds."

Muttering to herself she started pasing up and down the hall. She felt the need for a breath of fresh air, so she opened the door and startled a man who had just been about to ring the bell.

He regained his composure immediately and asked Eliadha to inform mestra Leisha that Cormel Rockhaven was here to escort her to the ball.

Eliadha raised her eyebrows slightly and informed the man that Leisha was almost ready, and that she would go and give her his message.

Without waiting for an answer, she closed the door in front of the man's face and walked to the bottom of the stairs. "Leisha, your escort's here!" she shouted.

"Oh my! He's here! Already! What a luck that I started to prepare myself early!!"

Leisha gave the last touch to her make up, and went downstairs, trying not to run, as it wouldn't be suitable... but with very poor results.

Shortly after, Leisha came down the stairs, almost bouncing with joy.

She gave Eliadha a quick peck on the cheek and said: "Thank you breda. Have a nice time tonight. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." She was out the door before Eliadha could reply.

Cormel didn't have to wait for long. Soon Leisha reached him, and a genuine look of amazement crossed his face.

"It will be really hard not to call you lady this evening Leisha - he said - You're wonderful."

Then he bowed, and suddenly a bunch of blue silk flowers popped out from nowhere into his hands. He offered them to Leisha saying "I hope you don't mind that they're not real. I'd never kill a flower just for a gift."

*How sensitive he is! I never thought about flowers feeling before...but I love a man that respect nature!* Leisha was delighted.

"You have left me with no words, Cormel" she said, sniffing the blue flowers, in a pretty way.

"You won't need to talk, this evening." smiled Cormel, while putting Leisha under his.

This enigmatic words payed Cormel of a slight blush of Leisha's face, pretty visible despite the make up.

At the Ball (by Carmelo Massimo Tidona and Laura Lulli)

Cormel and Leisha arrived at the castle when everybody was already there. Apparently they had been walking very slowly, as they were able to arrive even after the renunciates who had left later than them from the guildhouse.

Cormel looked around, searching the room for Marcello, but he wasn't anywhere to be seen. How strange. Did anything happen to his friend? He was sure to find Marcello there, why on Darkover should he have missed the ball?

Anyway the room was really full of people, and he couldn't even recognize half of them. And... wait... was that a Banshee? A (dressed) Banshee at a ball? Do they really allowed a Banshee in?

Too bad it was too late to go and get Krynn - he tought, but shortly after he remembered he had been promised a dance by Congratulatia, and grinned imagining her reaction.

"So Leisha, my dear, here we are at last. I'm sorry to start the evening this way, but there is a person I _have_ to greet, and I would also like to introduce you to her. <murmuring so that no one else could hear> By the way I guess she will be shocked by this introduction."

Leisha felt a bit deceived...all of this talking about dancing, all of that walking, and now this! She wondered who on Darkover could be the woman Cormel wanted to introduce her.

She felt uneasy, and a bit worried, but by now, she knew that she could in no way foresee what Cormel would do, so she relaxed, and try to enjoy the sight of the crowded Ball Room of Comyn Castle.

It had been ages, since the last time she had been there...she tried to see if she could recognize someone.

She soon saw Mabry, talking to a young man. She didn't know she had come to Thendara.

Crying out loud to make herself heard wouldn't be suitable for sure... so she touched slightly Cormel's shoulder, and said:

"I just saw Lady Mabry of Aldaran. Would you please accompany me through the room? It's so...full!" she smiled, fluttering her eyelashes *Oh my...what a stupid I am!* "and besides, I could introduce you"

Cormel agreed, smiling, and they reached Mabry.

"Leisha!! Oh, I'm SO happy! I'm missing your cooking, do you know?" Mabry embraced Leisha, and the two of them looked truely happy to see each other.

"I'm happy too, chiya! How are you behaving, with your two brabd new Regents?"

Knowing that the answer could have too long to let time free for a dance (<g>), Leisha went on: "May I introduce you a kinsman of yours, dom Cormel Rockraven"

"Nice to meet you, vai dom. Or I'd better say 'again'. I remember you visiting my father at Aldaran when I was 5..." Mabry offered her hand, and Cormel bowed politely on it, before answering.

"I don't remember much of that visit, I confess...but this charming young lady can't be that blondie bratty I met them" smiled Cormel.

"Yes, I was a terror! I still am sometimes. I remember very well. I was in a fight with my cousin Brendan, and I was making sure I got my way, by zapping him. Then you broke it up and gave me a taste of my own medicine!" Mabry grinned. "This is Corus Lanart. He is one of the people from the ages of chaos." Mabry left them talking and went to go find Rafe, and see if he would dance with her.

To know more about Mabry and Rafe, follow the links to The Ball, and Still at the Ball

In the meanwhile, Leisha was looking for someone else she could greet, when she saw Damien, coming in from the balcony, a terrible expression on his face.

"Would you please excuse for a few moments, Cormel? I saw a person I must talk to"

Cormel said "Of course, my dear. I hope you'll come back soon" and smiled.

Leisha reached Damien, but he didn't seem even to notice her.

Anyway, she couldn't lose that occasion to speak to him, so she stopped the tall lord.

"Dom Damien? Are you feeling right?" she asked politely, touching his wrist.

"Oh, mestra Leisha...I must look dreadfully, must not I? No, I'm not feeling right at all."

"I see. I don't think there's nothing I could do for you, unluckily...true?

And I don't think this is the right moment to tell you about what I found out about Lenni, either."

"No, forgive me. I don't feel like anything but drinking something, at the moment.

Anyway, thank you...I'll be glad to come and talk to you tomorrow, or better the day after tommorrow, seeing that neither of us is going in bed very early, tonight, are we? Again, excuse me, Leisha" he kissed her hand, and disappeared in the crowd.

Leisha thought *I didn't feel like talking about Lenni either....but I had to fix a date, somehow. I wouldn't like to knock at Castle Comyn's doors, to speak to him*

She turned, and went back to the point where Mabry and Cormel were still talking to each other, thinking that either Cormel would ask her to dance, or she would order him to do so....

When Leisha introduced him to Mabry Aldaran, Cormel felt relieved. She was not a danger for him after all. Neverthless he was going to go to Aldaran anyway to make absolutely sure about this. They talked for a while, then she introduced him to some leroni from the Ages of Chaos, or something that sounded like this. He was not at all interested and almos ignored him, then he really started ignoring him when he saw Leisha coming back from her conversation with that friend of hers. He thought it was time for a dance. After all Congratulatia was very busy dancing, and he was not in a hurry to meet her. He reached Leisha and took her by the hand "Do you want to dance my dear?", he asked.

Leisha smiled and answered: "I thought you weren't going to ask..."

*Why on Darkover do I have to be so stupid...I shouldn't have said this!* Leisha would have bit her lips, if she could. Nevertheless, she offered her hand to Cormel, and the two of them stepped among the dancing couples.

Despite of what he had told her the day before, when he had invited her, Cormel wasn't a bad dancer at all. Only, Leisha would have liked him to hold her more tightly...

Anyway, Cormel looked perfectly happy to dance with her, though he seemed to be lost in his thoughts, as ever.

Infacts, all of Leisha's attempts to make a bit of conversation fell almost unlistened, to her disappointment.

When he was on his way back to Thendara, many times Cormel had wondered what he could find there, and what could happen after his return. The possibility to spend a night dancing with a beautiful women was not anything he had considered. Nevertheless he couldn't help scanning the room every now and then, always looking for a danger that most likely wasn't anywhere near him.

Leisha was trying to make some conversation, but most of the time he replied just with a nod or some short useless sentence, even though he was really paying a lot of attention to her, that is for his standards.

While they were dancing, he saw the renunciate who had opened the door while she was waiting for Leisha at the guildhouse. She was dancing with Rafael Lindir and they seemed somehow lost in each other embrace, so

Cormel wasn't surprised at all when they disappeared in a corridor.

The couple swirled for a number of dances, until the moment Leisha objected that she was a little thirsty. Cormel stopped, suddenly, and slapped his forehead, making his excuses to her: "Forgive me, Leisha. I keep forgetting things".

He looked around to find a refreshment table, and start moving trough the crowd to reach it. A woman he had never seen before started talking to him about the fact that he shouldn't be dancing always with the same partner, but when she was hit by his gaze (which sometimes could be worse than being hit by a lightning of his) muttered a "Never mind." and disappeared. Leisha didn't even notice what has just happened. Cormel led her to the refreshment table, poured a cup of shallan, and casually asked:

"What about some fresh air? Thendara by night should offer a wonderful landscape, by now". After this, he put Leisha's arm under his, and headed to the nearest balcony, not even leaving Leisha the time to sip her drink.

If anybody had been in need to know whether the landscape was really wonderful, he would have to find someone else to ask, because they didn't look at it at all.

"Leisha, I'm really happy that you accepted to come here with me this evening. I know you might have had a better escort but... oh well, that was not the reason I asked you to leave that room anyway." he took her hand and caressed her cheek with the tip of a finger. He was about to kiss her when suddenly someone rushed into the balcony and they both jumped back.

Cormel was silently cursing both himself for having been so stupid to believe he was safe there, and the intruder for having chosen that very moment. Then he realized who the intruder was, and stopped cursing himself.

"Dom Rockraven! I didn't know you were here!" chirped Congratulatia.

Leisha couldn't believe to her eyes. Just a moment later...it would have been enough!

That witch! She had never liked her, at the old times.

"I beg your pardon for interrupting. I just needed a moment alone to catch my breath, I had not noticed there was someone on this balcony already." Congratulatia said amicably. She then turned towards Cormel. "Dom Rockraven, I must say this contrast of black and white suits you. And this lack of abundance of jewels suits you as well. I must congratulate you on your self-awareness. Oh, and I kindly remind you that I have booked a slot in my dance card purposefully for you." She concluded with a smile. Then, still smiling, she turned towards Leisha.

"Leisha, - said Cormel - do you already know domna Congratulatia Elhalyn y Ridenow?"

"Yes, I do." she answered, than added just for herself *Unfortunately*.

"Leisha, I must say life as a working Renunciate works miracle on your body: your physique is in perfect shape! ... However, your face looks prematurely aged, unfortunately. For old times' sake, if you like, you can consult me for learning the tricks to mask those wrinkles and that a bit-too-much tanned look!"

Leisha smiled softly, while she was feeling inside the need to tighten her hands around the perfect neck of Congratulatia. Wrinkles?!? Tanned look?!?

Well, anyway she liked herself the way she was, and she wasn't going to accept advice form a woman who wore so much make up

"You are lucky dom Cormel did not know you back when we were all together at Arilinn with Jorik and Marcello. You make a nice couple. ..."

"Why, thank you, Tula." Leisha said, blushing. After all, the girl wasn't that bad...

"…Now what about that dance Dom Rockraven?" Continued Congratulatia, mindless of Leisha's reaction to her last sentence.

And to Leisha's surprise, "As I told you, it' a pleasure for me." said Cormel, then turning to Leisha "Leisha, I beg you pardon for a moment, I promise I'll be back in... the time of a dance."

As usual, she gave up trying to understand Cormel's actions, and silently stood watching Congra leading him away from her.

That witch! She had never liked her, at the old times.

Anyway, she wasn't going to stay on that balcony, like a nice tapestry for no reason at all!

Leisha stepped into the Ball room, and looked for the only person she would have like to dance with, aside from Cormel, of course.

She soon found him, bowing on the hand of...her sister Eliadha! Leisha giggled.

She should have known that Jorik wasn't going to miss that particular blonde, in that gorgeous blue gown...

What a pity that the Renunciate had already some plans on another Comyn Lord!

Blinking to Eliadha, she spoke to Jorik:

"I guess you should have time for a dance with me, Jorik", and made a nice curtsey.

Jorik smiled widely, approving her look, and answered:

"I've always thought that renunciates were nice people, but this evening you, and all your sisters seems to overshadow all of the Comyn ladies in the room!"

The flatterer! That was Jorik, and Leisha smiled back to him.

The Heir to Hastur bowed on her hand, and asked: "Shall we dance, Leisha dear?"

Leisha nodded graciously, and they reached the center of the Ballroom.

Cormel and Congratulatia left the balcony and went back to the room. While they were dancing, Congratulatia was talking about some absolutely useless subject, but what was really amazing was that Cormel was listening and answering too!

After a while the music stopped and so did them. Cormel bowed. "You are a wonderful dancer domna, I'm sorry I'm not as clever as you deserved. I thank you for the dance, and I hope you will allow us all to be delighted by a song of yours, before the ball ends."

"Maybe I will, even though I'm here to dance and every slot in my dance card is full."

"I'm sure it is, but I hope you will find a little slot for this, it would be too bad not to hear you singing again before I have to leave." He bowed again and searched the room for Leisha.

Finally Cormel found Leisha. She was dancing with a guy of whose identity Cormel was not sure, until he was nearer and noticed it was Jorik Hastur.

It was fair, he tought. It would have been too bad if Leisha had just stayed there waiting for him while he was dancing with Congratulatia. Besides, while they were just dancing he had no need to fry the Heir of Hastur, which would have been too bad too (he grinned).

With the occasion of this unexpected pause, he scanned again the room searching for Marcello, but still he wasn't there, even though the women he was likely to come with were already there.

Too strange.

He waited until the music stopped, then he reached the couple.

"Dom Hastur, - he said cheerfully - I am Cormel Rockraven, we don't know well each other but I knew we have a friend in common, and now I see we have more than one.Now, will you let me kidnap this lady in disguise I so cruelly abandoned a couple of dances ago?"

Jorik stared at Cormel and we were silently for a while. Then he smiled and said:

"No need to declare a duel, a feud a war or to fry me with a lightning bolt, dom Cormel! In fact she had spoken of you from the beginning of that dance!"

Leisha blushed slightly and hit Jorik with a hand.

"It's not the truth! Cormel don't trust him!"

"Well perhaps after you said I was so handsome..."

Leisha tried to hit him again but I dodged it and she hit Cormel instead.

Leisha blushed until her ears!

"Oh, sorry, Cormel!"

Jorik and Cormel stared to each other and startedto laugh.

Cormel took Leisha's hand and led her again to the refreshment table.

"I've had enough of public relations for today. I guess we may start enjoyng the ball again. Now... what was I saying before that sudden interruption?"

"Saying? - smiled Leisha - Nothing."

"Oh... Yes, I remember. We were looking at the landscape... more or less. Well, 'less'. I'm sorry for what happened but there are some things I really have to do while I'm here, and I don't have enough time. Did I mention I'm going to leave?"

"No, you didn't. - suddenly Leisha was disappointed - Where are you going to go."

"Aldaran. But I'll be there just for a while and then I'll be back. To stay, I hope. Now what about trying to find that landscape again?" he winked.

They reached again an empty balcony and stood still for a while in the fresh air of the night. Then Cormel turned his head to check that no one was going to jump in again. No one in the room seemed intentioned to go that way indeed, but he hadn't considered the arrival of someone that wasn't in the room.

Just when he was about to touch Leisha's lips with his, a rumour above them made him turn his head quickly. Krynn landed on Cormel's shoulder and started gently beaking it.

"What's up my dear? - Cormel asked - You have seen whom? Here!?! In Thendara? No, no, no. Not her. Not here. Not now!" He turned to Leisha again

"I'm sorry my dear, this wasn't foreseen at all but I have to kiss you goodbye for now. I hope we'll meet again before I leave, but anyway be sure we'll meet when I come back." He rushed in the room and hurried away without waiting for an answer.

Leisha stared at his back with a sheepish look on her face. She was astonished.

She couldn't believe that he had forgotten to...

But Cormel suddenly stopped and came back to the balcony.

Leisha was about to leave it when she saw him coming back.

"No. - he said, maybe speaking to himself - If I have to kiss you goodbye... well... then I will actually _kiss_ you goodbye, unless you don't want me to, that is!"

If Leisha had been less surprised by his behaviour, she would have laughed in his face, sincerely amused. But actually the only thing she was able to do, was nodding her consent.

Cormel caressed her cheek, and bowed on her, giving her a passionate kiss.

Leisha was still trying to regain breath, when Cormel rushed in the ball room again, leaving her alone on the balcony 

"Goodbye, Cormel" she whispered "I wonder if I'll ever see you again..." and she sighed.

Leisha's adventures continue in Searching for Lenni

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