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The Party Thread

The day of the party arrives, and what a party it is. The royal gardens have been decked out in all the finest Albion has to offer. Even a portal dancefloor had been installed outside for the ball later that evening as the late spring/early summer weather as always was perfect in Albion. Special areas were set up for the various visiting Reflection entertainment, all ringing the great dance floor area so that party attendees could easily taking in the variety of entertainment. There was a main buffet set up as well as a host of smaller snack tables scattered about the various areas of the Royal Gardens. There was even an area set up for the children complete with a small circus, petting zoo and games to keep them entertained.

Feral stepped into Albion followed by a small trio of women, all wearing silver and onyx dresses, each with a long, thin sword at her side, and carried a small case. Once he had settled things, they unpacked their cases to reveal silvery flutes. Feral left them to set up their act, and moved towards the general areas, looking over each Reflection's arts.

Merikara arrives with three very similar looking men, all wearing the clean lines, gleaming gold and pure whites of Thebia. The three men with her look very similar to one another- Benedict of Amber, Anhur of Thebia and Seker-formerly of Ambre and now Thebia-an elfin Reflection of the other two. All three of them wear identical gold bands around their right biceps that bear the mark of the Empress of Thebia. Behind them are scantily clad dancers attired mostly in jewelry and diaphanous draperies, musicians, and a small cadre of chefs that immediately depart for the kitchens. The entertainers split off after a dismissive nod from Anhur to take up their places to wait for their turn in the evening's entertainment.

After setting up the shadowdancers and watching them warm up, Candy leaves the area set aside for Embra and takes a quick stroll. She is not used to social events or to relaxation, and her practiced eyes scan everything for a sign of danger. Her gait is one of catlike nonchalance.

After the thousand years of peace The Royal Family of Albion was really huge. Many of it's members came for the party. Among them were Grand Lady Fiona, King Corwin of Chaos and Queen Dara, Lady Alyson and Crown Prince Merlin, Lady Lowri, Lord Liam, Lady Sabri of Ambre and Lord Mandor, Lady Jennifer, Prince Talmir (true, The Dragon Prince was not a real member of the family, but he was so close friend that everyone treated him like such). In absence of their daughter, Queen Mother, Her Highness Sharon of Albion and Lord Kevor of Chaos were greeting the guests. Both Mia's friends Lady Daphne and Lady Tanya were present as well as Queen's older brother, Connor.

Among the other guests were men and women with silvery hair and eyes. They were speaking in a foreign, strange language that sounded a bit like Fey. They were the Elite Dragon Knights who promised to make a show before the ball.

In the main buffet the cooks were serving the traditional Albion meal - Beef Wellington, which was a mix of meat, potates, mushrooms, tomatoes and paprika.

After about thirty minutes, Queen Mia arrived. She was wearing a scarlet gown with long sleeves, open back and lace bodice of spiderweb pattern. Her fiery hair was set in a french plait. On her head she had a sliver diadem encrusted with diamonds. Silver earrings and choker completed tonight's outfit.

She was accompanied by a young, handsome, dark haired man. Mia introduced her companion as Lord Rosen of Marble.

Rosen's choice of clothes is mostly black, accented with reddish gold embroidery. He hasn't brought anyone with him, and he's relatively quiet at first - perhaps it just takes him a while to unwind around such a large gathering of new faces (and the occasional new-but-very-familiar one). Still, it doesn't stop him from enjoying the show, and he's very impressed by the Dragon Knights.

He's trying to hide it, but if one watches him long enough, one notices that there's something on his mind that is bothering him.

Candy kept a close eye on the new arrivals, but perhaps no more close than that she offered all those present at the gathering.

What her feelings might be remained difficult to tell. Her expression was completely blank. Those who recognized in her some semblance of her mother, Theo, noticed that semblance to be dampened somewhat by mood. While Candy was more beautiful than her mother, Theo had had an openness and charm that Candy could not imitate, and indeed, did not even attempt.

It was clear that little time passed since Mia has assumed the throne of Albion. She still lacked the distance, behaving more like a young, charming, princess then a sedate Queen. She greeted with every guest, thanking them for coming for the party.

"Thank you, your Majesty," Candy replies, bowing from the waist. She is graceful, but seems not to know what to say to a queen.

Mia smiled, friendly. "Lady Candy, please stand up." she asked with a gentle voice. "My grandmother told me enough about Lady Theodora to know that her daughter deserves my highest respect. I would be honoured if you called me Mia."

"Again, I thank you," Candy said, straightening with a ghost of a smile. "But please, your Ma - Mia, it's just Candy..." She glanced around, made an attempt at a conversation: "The area looks wonderful."

"Yes, it does." Mia replied with a warm smile. "It's a representative part of the Royal Gardens. Though the real pearl of it are Great Fountains. You should see them when they turn on the lights."

Feral wore a slightly better version of his usual - a leather jacket with furred collar and black slacks - and nodded to Mia as she approached Candy to greet her. He stayed back, though, letting the greetings get out of the way and waiting until the actual work began.

A shimmering portal appears off to the side of the main path. Once it stabilizes, a procession of elves emerges, altogether. First to step through is a group of musicians. Fiddle, flute, tambourine, harp, lute and a set of drums worn on a belt called Nakirs. They quickly move to the last pavilion and begin setting up and tuning their instruments. Next through are those carrying what must be the food trays. There are three trays and they are large enough to require two to carry them. These are all dressed in white linen robes tied at the waist with a simple braided cord. The last group to step through is four of the Fey, obviously the representatives of their reflection. Each of them dressed in simple white robes as well, but the material is much finer and they are trimmed in fine silver embroidery. The two women also have simple and silver tiaras in their hair. The two men have a small broach made of silver in the shape of a leaf pinned to their chest. The females could be sisters or maybe mother and daughter but it's very apparent that the men are father and son.

This could only be Marcus of Faerie and his family.

Mia smiled, recognizning Prince Marcus. She walked up to his family and greeted them. Then she guided them to their table.

Rosen can't help wonder about the Dragon Knights, who look so exotic compared to the locals. When he gets a chance, he asks Mia about their origins and role. And, of course, the standard newbie question - do they ride dragons?

Mia explains with a smile that the Dragon Knights ARE in fact dragons. She tells him they live in the northern part of the continent, called the Dragon Land, and that they are the guardians of the Dragon Spiral. When he asks about their orgin she answers that their ancestors came from the Faerie soon after the creation of the Dragon Spiral.

For any that are on the main party area (where all the parvillons are set up for the different Reflection entertainment and food), there is a very large grassy field to the north and east, which purpose becomes apparent as two of the aforementioned dragon knights, having stopped literally in mid conversation, and had the look as if they were listening to someone on their faces -- who voice was not audible. They turn and run for that large grassy field. As soon as they clear its edges, they transform into silver dragons (the western kind with wings for those that know dragon lore), and take off towards the north. Not three wing beats later, they fade away -- Mia knows that they have translocated somewhere most likely somewhere outside of Albion since that is the common reason for translocating.

Five minutes later, Mia excuses herself, going to the Ladies room. As she returns to her guests, she walks up to the Dragon Prince.

"Prince Talmir, few minutes ago two Dragon Knights suddenly took off and translocated. I'm sure it wasn't part of the show. Do you know what's going on?" she asks with a quiet voice.

Talmir smiles softly at Mia as she walked overed to him,"I hope it is nothing. But there has been disturbances in Ether. I sent them to check it out."

Merikara, who had been standing off to one side in a whispered conversation with her mates after the Dragon Knights had left, moves over to Mia's group and stands beside the young Queen. "We need a meeting," she says quietly. "Old enemies stir."

Talmir gave Merikara a smile and bow, and a nod to her mates.

Rosen visits some of the cultural areas set up, and is getting a feel for the music at one when some motion catches his eye. He turns to witness the Knights transform and depart, and, seeking Mia, notes the small crowd of guests gathering around her. It looks like something important may be afoot, so he joins them.

"How urgent is this?" Mia asks Merikara. "Can it wait untill the ball ends or should we gather now?"

"I am loathe to interrupt your party," Merikara sighs. "But with the departure of the Dragon Knights, I think sooner rather than later will be best. Discreetly gather the old group or their representatives in attendance. We can gather in the Library inside. Perhaps you should start the entertainers program to keep the others distracted."

"Alright." Mia agreed. "We'll meet in the Library in 15 minutes."

Then she moved back to her other guests. Soon the entertainers program started. The first were Dragon Knights followed by the acrobats from Thebia.

Ten minutes later both Marcus and Feral received notes stating that Queen Mia invited them to the Library for the meeting. The servant would show them the way.

Mia spent the remaining time to the meeting in the presence of Candy and Rosen.

"It's time. Let's go." she said after glancing at her wrist watch and took her friends to the Library.

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