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Message: <blockquote data-quote="havenstone" data-source="post: 4419701" data-attributes="member: 61094">Going to the BallTHE DAY AFTER their arrival, Carwyn drags a reluctant Kyla out to explore the maze of the Patriarchs’ Palace. Kyla deftly leads them away from any people they see, until Carwyn notices a gaggle of young men, one of whom looks like an even more handsome version of Atrix. She waves away Kyla’s objections and walks over to the group. “We’re looking for Atrix d’Loriad,” Carwyn says, at her most winsome. “You don’t happen to know where we can find him?” “Cousin Atrix won’t be much use to you if you do find him,” replies the dashing young man with mild smugness, eyeing Carwyn appreciatively. “His father’s got him under lock and key until his wedding day.”  “Wedding day?” says Carwyn incredulously, momentarily losing her composure. “He didn’t tell us he was betrothed,” Kyla explains. “He didn’t know himself until yesterday evening,” laughs the good-looking d’Loriad. “If he had, I don’t think he’d be here. I’m his cousin, Alan. How do you know ‘Trix?” “We traveled here together,” calls Atrix, who has just entered the room with his two guardians. “The lovely mistress Carwyn is from the village I was staying in. She owns a very fine inn. And I’m not under lock and key. Unless you count my ring-brother and... our other cousin here.” “Well, congratulations to you and to Adgar, cos,” Alan says, grinning. “Who would have thought that Atrix d’Loriad would be choosing a ring-brother before any of the rest of his cousins? Since you’ll doubtless be dancing with your d’Nerein betrothed, you won’t mind if I claim mistress Carwyn for the Grand Ball?” Atrix looks mildly pained, while Alan turns to Carwyn with a bow. “Surely you’ll be there. It’s in three days’ time, before we all ride off to Arawai.” Carwyn beams. “I’d be delighted, m’lord Alan.” While the two of them continue to flirt (and eventually steal away together), Kyla drifts off forlornly to the edge of the crowd, trying to escape the stares of the Senallines. There’s only one other person hanging out there: Atrix’s quiet cousin-guardian. She tries to ignore him. Eventually, he makes that impossible. “Excuse me. Can I ask: What are you still doing here?” “What do you mean?” Kyla says sharply. Cousin Nameless shrugs. “This can’t be an easy place to live as an Arawai at the moment. People have been talking about you from the moment you walked in the gate. Why haven’t you left for some place that isn’t about to go to war with the plainsfolk?” Kyla stares at him, unsure whether he’s mocking her. “There aren’t too many places left to go for that. My friends have come here. I grew up with them, and I’ll stick with them.” “That’s admirable,” says the young d’Loriad gravely. “I grew up here, and in Lynar it can be hard to make trusted friends across Families, still less with someone from another people entirely. I’ve often thought that it might be easier outside the Palace. To be honest, I was a little jealous of Atrix when they sent him away.” Kyla shakes her head. “It isn’t easy anywhere. That’s why I hold on to my friends when I find them.” “That sounds like wise advice to me.” He considers for a moment, then reaches out for her hand. “Loyal lady Arawai, you deserve to see a better side of Lynar than you have thus far. Would you do me the honor of joining me at the Grand Ball in three days?” Kyla blinks. “I... I don’t even know your name.” The young d’Loriad grins gently. “Well, that practically makes you family. I’m Gareth. Gareth d’Loriad, twenty-ninth grand-nephew of Patriarch Gereyd.” He pulls out a small purse from his clothes and presses it into Kyla’s hand. “Please don’t take this wrongly. It is our custom for a young lord to buy his lady a new dress before a Ball, but at the moment, I’m forbidden from leaving the Palace. I’d be honored if you would choose the finest tailor in Lynar to make you a dress.” “I...” A flustered Kyla finds herself glad that her deep brown complexion hides blushes well. “All right, then.”</blockquote>

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