Ch. 2 Marquis Ball

Moren did her best not to sigh aloud as her parents discussed their plans on who the needed to visit with, threaten, or bribe for the evening. She glanced out the window to see Luna following in the sky above her. Her gaze was drawn to the city as the sun was starting to set. The city was a mixture of old buildings that had been around for centuries, large steam towers that were billowing large white clouds that obscured parts of the cityscape. Brass and copper pipes of a variety of sizes sprawled across the city, connecting buildings and powering the machines that drove the city forward. Moren marveled at how far Port Damali had come with its embrace of new technology, propelling it into a new era of progress and innovation.

There was a long procession of carriages in front of them as the Marquis had invited almost every noble family. Something big was in the works, and Moren could tell by watching how frantic her parents were planning that it had the pair very nervous. Moren knew that whatever was about to happen tonight could possibly change the entire hierarchy in Damali.

"Moren," Vifra said sharply to get her daughter's attention. "Rumor has it the Marquis' son is looking for a wife, and all the heiresses will be gunning for him." She jabbed a glossy black fingernail at Moren's face. "You need to woo him. Lose the shawl and use your body to get his attention Shed your modesty and use your body to entice him." She reached over to snatch the shawl from her daughter's shoulders and tossed it on the floor of the carriage. "Your must succeed in obtaining this marriage contract is non-negotiable."

"Your Mother is right," Jayden said with an almost manic look in his eyes. "With the Marquis as our father-in-law, we will rule Damali as the man's right hand." He rubbed his large fingers together with glee. "You cannot fail tonight. We need to ensure our families future."

It took every ounce of control that Moren had not to vault out of the carriage and flee the city tonight. "I shall do my best," Moren replied in a controlled voice. She knew this would be hard since the Marquis' son had a reputation for seeing several women at the same time. The man was four years older than Moren, and he had broken two betrothal contracts due to his immaturity and infidelity. "I heard a rumor that his father penned an agreement with the daughter of a Council Member." Moren heard it at a previous event and hoped it was confirmed this evening to force her parents to give up on their current plan.

"That may be, but agreements can be renegotiated. See that you do your best to entice Marquis' son to court you." Vifra berated before opening her compact to check her make-up for the 5th time in under a minute. "Your days of training with that dwarf are numbered, along with your magical instructor. It is time to grow up and learn how the world truly works." Vifra snapped shut her compact to glare at her daughter. "Don't be any more of a disappointment than you already are, daughter." Vifra spat. "I won't tolerate any more incompetence from you." The weight of her words hung heavy in the air, leaving no room for argument or disobedience.

Moren gritted her teeth and turned her attention to Luna, flying gracefully into the fading light. She took deep, steadying breaths and counted back from a hundred to keep from snapping at her parents and setting the carriage on fire.

Her mind raced as she tried to focus on her escape plans. She had meticulously covered every detail and contingency, but doubts and fears still crept in. Was it truly possible to leave everything behind and start anew? As much as she longed for freedom, a small part of her couldn't shake the guilt and uncertainty of abandoning her old life, abandoning Mika. But deep down, she knew this was her only chance at true happiness.

The remaining trip to the Marquis castle was excruciatingly slow, and it took them another half hour to be announced and allowed to enter the castle. Moren watched her parents immediately disappear into the large crowd of people in different directions to start their schmoozing with the other nobles.

Moren glanced around to see the cliques forming and decided to find something to eat and a place to be left alone.

The opulent ballroom was ablaze with light from new chandeliers, their sparkling crystals casting a dazzling array of white, green, and blue onto the walls and floors. The marble tiles gleamed like polished mirrors, reflecting the vibrant hues in an ethereal dance. Intricately designed steam pipes snaked along the walls, seamlessly blending in with the intricate moldings and ornate wallpaper. Electrical wires were carefully concealed, adding to the air of mystery and magic that enveloped the manor made it even more of a marvel to behold.

As Moren stepped into the room, he could hear the faint hiss of steam escaping from a nearby pipe, followed by the soft whirring of gears. The live orchestra played a hauntingly beautiful melody, each note weaving through the air like a bewitching spell that drew everyone in. The combination of sights and sounds created an otherworldly atmosphere, transporting its guests to a realm of elegance and enchantment.

Moren had found a servant carrying drinks and took a cup before moving through the crowd. Everyone discussed different achievements and how much money was made on a recent deal. It was all very tedious, and she moved towards an empty corner to watch the party start to pick up as more guests began to arrive. She slipped a jade ring out of a hidden pocket and onto her thumb, held it over the cup, and smiled when the ring didn't vibrate.

Moren's ring was a simple magical ring that could detect most poisons or potions. Over the years, she had seen people poisoned at these kinds of events while two or more noble families were fighting. She sipped her drink and savored the sweet taste of Elven wine that the Marquis always preferred to serve at his parties. Her parents preferred to buy wine made by humans due to their prejudice of non-humans being inferior to humans, and it tasted bland to her. To her, Elven wine tasted divine.

Moren had looked around the party to see all the usual faces trying to make deals with other notable families on profitable investments, making arranged matches for their children, or trying to lord over some significant accomplishment to make them seem more prominent. It was all very dull, so she grabbed another glass of Elven wine when something silver caught her eye.

One of the meaningful gossip points was the arrival of an Ambassador from the Whitestone Empire, who had arrived to finalize a trade deal with Marquis and would be leaving after it was signed. The finer details had been very scarce, and the only people who knew anything about it seemed to be between the Marquis and the Ambassador, a woman named Celestine Chauve Souris.

Moren stared in awe at the woman's striking appearance. Celeste was shorter than Moren by a few inches and had a slimmer build that was covered in shining silver plate armor with a black shroud over her shoulders held in place by a silver chain. At her waist was a black belt with twin black and silver rapiers on each hip. Despite being in her late 50s, she was still strikingly aristocratic and beautiful with her pale skin and shoulder-length white hair.

Celeste's cold gray eyes moved around the party while being partially obstructed by a black wizard hat atop her head and a pair of gold frame glasses with sapphire blue lenses resting on the top of her nose. This woman was everything that Moren wanted to be. Celeste was decisive, strong, and beautiful.

She noticed the Ambassador walking in her direction and had to mentally prepare herself as the woman stopped in front of her. "Hello, Ambassador," She greeted with a slight bow of her head. "What can I help you with?"

"Just call me Celeste," The woman said with a soft smile. "Is that Elven wine? I have been trying to find some for a while now, but I can't seem to find the right server."

Moren offered Celeste her glass. "Here, Celeste. He is on the other side of the room at the moment," She said with a polite smile. "I can get some more later."

Celeste accepted the glass and gave a polite bow of her head. "That is very kind of you," She said, sipping the wine and letting out a deep sigh. "Please forgive my lack of manners. What is your name, dear?"

"Moren Ravenheart, Heiress of the Ravenheart family." She said with a proper bow. "I am glad to have a moment to speak with such a famous woman of your stature." Moren stood up to her full height. "You are the great Heroine who led an army against the Orc and Goliath army that attempted to invade Whitestone and came out victorious."

Celeste blinked a few times as Moren. "You are Jadyen and Vifra's daughter?" She asked before shaking her head. "You are nothing like your parents. Are you sure you are not adopted?" Celeste remarked, her gaze lingered on Moren's features, searching for any resemblance to Jadyen and Vifra but finding none. The thought of Moren being from a different bloodline seemed absurd, but Celeste couldn't deny the stark contrast between them and their parents.

Moren let out a snort of disbelief, glancing around to ensure no one had heard her unladylike noise. "Not to my knowledge," she replied firmly. Her eyes sparkled with determination and intelligence as she continued, "I spend my free time learning magic and pay for my own martial instructor, so I am not helpless in the future." As she spoke, her hands fidgeted with excitement, eager to continue her studies and grow stronger with each passing day.

Celeste seemed to study Moren for several long moments before taking another sip of her wine. "You are a diamond in a bag of useless stones." She smirked and gave Moren a wink. "Don't let anyone stop you from reaching for your dreams. One must be prepared to cast off everything to rise above those that are trying to hold you back." Celeste's gray eyes seemed to glow for a moment. "I look forward to seeing you again someday, Moren. If you are ever in Whitestone, stop by my home for a drink." Celeste looked past Moren and raised her glass in a salute. "I must speak with a few families on other business matters. Until we meet again,"

"We shall see Celeste," Moren replied coyly and bowed her head again as a sign of respect. "Please have a wonderful night."

Celeste chuckled as she walked away and disappeared into the crowd.

She let Celeste's words echo in her mind and watched a large group of heiresses move towards the Marquis' son. She couldn't stop rolling her eyes at the giggling throng of airheads. Their dresses were all of different designs; some were from her childhood, and some were new ball gowns that were starting to become popular among the nobility. Moren's dress was one of the latest designs from the Ironcrest Imperium that had reached the Ports a month ago, along with a few designs from Ethos.

Moren suppressed a groan as she heard simpering voices and turned to see the bane of her existence and idiot that her parents wanted her to speak with.

Blase Dantago was smiling dazzlingly as the group of women encircled him. He was slightly shorter than Moren and had a slim build that hid his muscles from years of training with his Father. Blase had recently won a dueling tournament as an opportunity to show off his skill with a blade. Blase's blonde hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, and his gray eyes seemed to twinkle as he flirted with the giggling females. He wore a military uniform that was solid black with buttons and trims of bright gold going up the left side of his jacket. His black belt and boots shine in the light as an overly ornate rapier with various gems over the handguard rested on his hip.

Moren knew she would have to speak to him before the evening ended. Still, for now, she continued to survey the crowd for another 30 minutes, then gradually moved to a nearby balcony to enjoy a bit of quiet before having to deal with the bickering that was bound to happen between the women vying for Blase's attention when she arrived to speak with him. Moren only had one true friend amongst all the heiresses, who had been forced to marry for her family's survival. So far, Moren had yet to see her arrive.

Just before she reached the balcony door, the band started playing a slow, musical song, and several couples began moving toward the dance floor. Blase was laughing as he picked a random heiress from the gaggle. Moren suppressed another groan as she glanced around to see people slowly locating dance partners to start dancing. She was about to reach for the door to escape when a deep voice spoke from behind her.

"May I have this dance, My Lady?" His voice was smooth but held a bit of power.

Moren turned around to look at the speaker and froze for an instant. "Marquis." She breathed to see the host standing before her with a hand extended towards her.

Theodorick Dantago was a man who radiated power. He stood tall at 6'5 and was broad-shouldered to match his physique despite being in his late-fifties. His gray hair was cut short and combed back, giving him a regal look. His gray eyes were moving up and down to look Moren over, and a smile appeared on his face. Theodorick's gray beard was neatly trimmed, making the older man seem more dashing. He wore a similar outfit to his son, except for the various medals pinned to the left side of his chest. A simple broad sword was strapped to his hip.

"Please call me Theo." The man said with a light chuckle. "Shall we?"

Moren nodded her head and accepted his hand. "Of course." She replied after swallowing hard to keep from stuttering and making a fool of herself in front of the most important man in Damali. "I would be honored to dance with you." Her plan to keep a low profile just went up in smoke. The Marquis rarely danced at his own events, and now she was going to dance in front of every noble family. "How did I get such an honor, Mar-I mean Theo." Moren corrected herself quickly.

Theo's smile grew wider. "I've watched you for the last few events I have hosted, and it is nice to see a young woman who is not hurling herself at my fool of a son despite his reputation." He laughed at Moren's shocked expression. "I know all about my son's reputation, and it saddens me how many families want my son to marry their daughters for simple power. They are weak-minded and unworthy of joining my family. I have heard from several individuals that you not only train yourself to fight, but you also are an avid reader of various texts. That tells me that you are quite intelligent and well-read."

"Thank you, sir," Moren replied as they reached the dance floor. She placed a hand on the tall man's shoulder as his arm slipped around her to rest on her lower back. "I want to be more than a pretty face to be shown off as a prize." She knew that if either of her parents heard her say that to the Marquis, there would be hell to pay.

"I respect that." Theo agreed and started slowly dancing to the music. "It is very refreshing to find a Lady like yourself willing to be more than what they are born into." He slowly changed directions as the music picked up. "I was born in the impoverished part of the city, the slums, to be precise, and joined the military as soon as I was old enough. I worked my way up to the rank of General and commanded men for years before I retired. My late wife was a lot like you and was not afraid to speak her mind. When I retired, I was given the rank of nobility and worked my way to the top." He gave Moren a sad smile. "As you know, I lost my wife over a decade ago."

"I am sorry for your loss," Moren said softly. She remembered that assassination attempt that claimed his wife. The city was in an uproar, and it only took two days for the assassins to be found and executed. After that, many nobles hired additional guards and had their homes reinforced to protect their families from similar attempts from rivals. "I remember meeting her once when I was a child. She was very nice and told such great stories about the heroes of the past." It was those stories that inspired Moren that she could be more than a helpless heiress.

Theo nodded. "My Maria was a special woman," He said in a faraway voice before shaking his head. "I apologize for bringing up such a sad topic." Theo bowed his head slightly. "Please tell me about your studies."

Moren nodded her head." Of course." She began as they moved into another song.

Their conversation endured another three dances before Theo stepped back and gave Moren a respectful bow. "Thank you for indulging an old man in a few dances with a lovely noblewoman." He praised before looking over at his aid and giving the man a nod. "I hope to speak with you later. Please, enjoy the rest of the party."

"Thank you, sir," Moren replied, giving Theo proper courtesy. "Thank you for your kindness." She glanced around and saw everyone whispering and looking in her direction. 'Great.' She thought sarcastically. Moren tried to tune them out as she walked off the dance floor with all the grace she could muster.

Theo smiled before turning to speak with his aid and moved further into the crowd.

Moren let out a breath. She did not realize she was holding, and she was about to head for the balcony again to escape for a few minutes when a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the door. Moren turned her head to see her Mother leading her to a corner and forcing Moren's back against a wall.

"What did you talk about?" Vifra hissed like an angry cat as she spat out her words through clenched teeth. "I saw you laughing with the Marquis, he smiled at you. Did you embarrass us? I swear by all that is holy, I will make your life a living hell." Her eyes were narrowed as she jabbed a finger into her daughter's stomach. "Speak, child. Tell me now before the damage becomes irreparable." The air around them seemed to crackle with tension as Vifra awaited her daughter's response, ready to unleash her fury at any moment.

Moren's eyes narrowed into sharp slits as she took a deep, controlled breath before speaking. "He asked about my schooling and combat training." She said in a low voice. "He talked about his wife and how he respected me for not chasing after his son." Moren wanted to smile at the shocked expression on her Mother's face. "You can ask him if you want." She challenged with ice in her voice.

"I need to talk with your Father," Vifra panicked before scampering into the crowd with as much dignity as she could muster.

Moren just shrugged and moved outside to finally catch her breath and look up as dark clouds started to roll in to block the stars in the sky. She took a deep breath and sighed into the night's cool air. Moren smiled when Luna fluttered down and landed on the balcony railing with a hoot. "Hey there." She cooed and moved closer to pet her familiar. "Enjoying the night air girl?"

"Yes," Luna replied in their mental link and leaned into Moren's head pats. "Leaving?" Luna turned her head towards their house before looking back at Moren.

"Not yet," Moren answered aloud as her familiar let out a short hoot of annoyance. "I know, but I have to stay a bit longer."

"I see that I have been replaced by an owl," A melodious voice said, and a moment later, the sounds of heels clicking followed.

Moren smiled as she turned around to see a friendly face. "It's been too long, Tiana." Moren beamed as she glanced at the new arrival.

Tiana had been her childhood friend since their families worked together in various business ventures on the docks before a bad deal left Tiana's family in a tight spot. They were inseparable, took lessons together, and entertained each other at big events to avoid getting into trouble. They dreamed of running away to explore the world and become famous heroes.

That all ended a year ago when her Father married her off to strengthen his ties in the shipyard. Her husband was a Master Shipbuilder who kept the ships afloat and business entering the Ports.

Tiana was a petite human who barely reached Moren's shoulders. She had fair skin, long red hair naturally curled down her back, and striking green eyes. Tiana wore a long-sleeved orange dress that reached her ankles and had colored beads that sparkled in the moonlight. Her shoes matched her dress perfectly and made her look stunning. Tiana rested her hands on her hips. "Yes, it has." She breathed, hurrying over and wrapping her arms around Moren's waist. "I've missed you, beloved."

Moren quickly surveyed the surroundings, making sure no curious eyes were peering out from nearby windows. With a slight tug on Tiana's hand, he guided her into an empty room and firmly locked the door behind them "I missed you too," She murmured before pressing a passionate kiss to Tiana's lips.

Tiana and Moren fell in love when they were 15. It started with a harmless kiss on Moren's birthday, which led to them secretly seeing one another. They wanted to get married on a beach far from Damali and live a life of freedom. But that dream was shattered when Tiana was betrothed, forcing them to end their relationship after just one year. Their hearts still longed for each other, and the intensity of their feelings only grew stronger with time.

Tiana returned the kiss and pulled back to give Moren a sad smile. "That is the last one, beloved." She mumbled as she stepped back from the woman she loved. "I have to be faithful to my husband." Tiana lowered her hand to rub her stomach. "And do what is best for our baby."

Moren hesitated before placing a tentative hand on Tiana's stomach. She couldn't bring herself to ask the question that was burning in her heart, but she knew she had to. "Is he good to you?" Her voice trembled as she spoke, her heart breaking all over again.

"Marcel is a good man," Tiana replied, patting Moren on the cheek. "He treats me like a Queen and is thrilled about being a Father." She gave Moren a knowing look. "I could have done much worse."

Moren's face contorted with pain as tears stream down her cheeks. Her heart ached with longing and regret as she places a final, gentle pat on Tiana's stomach. "It hurts, my dear Tiana," she choked out through sobs, "but I am truly happy for you and your family."

"I told him about us, and he understood that we needed some closure," Tiana murmured to her former lover. "I will always love you, Moren, and I hope someday you find someone who will love you with all their heart." Tiana gave Moren a quick kiss on the cheek. "Go be free. Choose your path, and know that I am rooting for you. Live our dreams." She wiped the tears away with her hand and took a step back.

A pang of jealousy shot through her as she imagined the life she could have had with Tiana if things had been different. But she knew it's too late now - Tiana was content with her loving husband and the precious life growing inside her. Moren forced a smile through her tears, trying to hide the shattered pieces of her broken heart. "You will be an amazing mother," she whispered before turning away, knowing that they will never be reunited again. The realization hit her like a punch in the gut, but she pushed it down, determined not to let her emotions interfere with Tiana's blissful happiness.

Moren cast Minor Manifestation to fix Tiana's make-up. "Good as new," Moren said horsey as she blew a kiss to her old flame. "Go be with your Husband." It hurt to tell her first first love that, but deep down knew it was the right thing to do despite the pain.

"Goodbye. Just know that you are loved." Tiana nodded her head before slipping out of the room.

Moren choked back a sob as she took several long, deep breaths to steady herself. She wanted nothing more than to beg Tiana to run with her, but she knew it was just her being selfish. Twenty minutes later, she regained control over her emotions, fixed her make-up with another casting of Minor Manifestation, and returned to the balcony to be with Luna before forcing herself to return to the party.

The night seemed to drag on, and dinner was served to all the guests, an extravagant feast of foods from all the primary kingdoms. Moren had been invited to sit next to the Marquis as his personal guest and started talking about the history of various kingdoms since the great war nearly 60 years ago. Moren did her best to ignore the gossip going around her, but what was unnerving Moren the most was the the uncharacteristic joy on her parent's faces. A pit formed in her stomach as the bad feeling grew worse as the dinner went on.

On a few occasions, her eyes drifted to Tiana and her husband as they laughed and joked with some friends. Moren could see that Tiana was happy by the smile on her face as her husband held her hand. She forced herself to look away and talk more with the Marquis to distract herself by discussing historical battles.

As the evening drew to a close, Moren was forced to mingle with several people wanting to know more about her conversation with the Marquis. She was finally able to escape the mindless chatter by telling them that she needed to find her parents. Moren slipped down an empty hallway when they were distracted by a server carrying drinks and managed to get a bit of quiet. She knew from prior parties with Tiana that there was a hidden washroom known to only a few people and decided to use it to hide for a bit.

"So, we are in agreement then, Marquis?" A muffled voice said through a closed door not far from Moren.

Moren tilted her head slightly when she recognized her Father's voice. With practiced steps, Moren slipped closer to the door, sneaking around her home to avoid her parents. She reached the edge of the door and placed her ear on the doorway to hear their conversation.

"I suppose," Theo replied with hesitation in his response. "I know that my son is an idiot, and I will likely have to pay one of the more respectable Noble families handsomely to marry him if I want a grandchild anytime soon." A chair creaked before he resumed speaking. "But you, Lord Ravenheart, are willing to sign a betrothal contract to have your daughter be my new wife?"

Terror seized Moren's body, paralyzing her as she heard the shocking proposal. They expected her to become betrothed to the Marquis? Her head jerked back in vehement denial. The very thought made her skin crawl. This man was ancient, old enough to be her grandfather! While Moren did enjoy their pleasant conversations this evening, she had no interest in marrying the ruler of Damali.

"She is of noble birth and is well educated in a multitude of subjects, as you witnessed this evening." Vifra simpered. "She would make a satisfactory second wife for you and can give you several successors. She just had a checkup and is in peak health to bear you strong children. With the help of a few potions to boost her fertility, my daughter can give birth in under a year."

Moren gritted her teeth and did her best to keep from kicking the door in and slapping her Mother for trying to make her a broodmare. She wanted to find someone that truly loved her. Moren made a mental note to have Mika check and prepare all her food and drink in the future.

"That, and together, we can effectively run the docks and the various shipping companies as we wish with our combined businesses," Jayden added, trying to sweeten the deal with the Marquis. "It would secure your rules for many years, and with more children, you can get another heir who will be able to succeed you."

"I have been thinking about getting remarried for a while now," Theo admitted thoughtfully. "Maybe it's time I did so, and Moren will make an acceptable wife despite only being 16 and but i can see her being an excellent Mother. Maybe my next son will be a more intelligent and a true heir."

Moren covered her mouth as bile rose in the back of her throat.

"Perfect!" Vifra exclaimed with a delighted laugh. "We can write out the contract, have you look it over before signing, and then officially announce the betrothal that will unite our two families."

Moren didn't want to hear anymore, so she tiptoed away from the door to the hidden washroom

Moren couldn't bear to listen any longer, so she crept away from the door and fled to a hidden washroom several hallways down. She leaned over the sink and retched, overwhelmed by the news her parents had just delivered. They had sold her off, like some kind of object, in order to gain complete control over the docks. It was the ultimate betrayal by the people who were supposed to love and protect her. She felt used and manipulated, but also torn with conflicting emotions towards her own family.

Moren knew she would have to sign it to make it official, and her Mother would likely threaten Mika to get her to comply with their demands for her to sign the contract. This was the chance they had been waiting for, and they would use every dirty trick or threat they knew to get what they wanted.

She felt Luna touch her mind through their link and send a pat back to her familiar. 'Thank you.' Moren told Luna before fixing her make-up again and returned to the party to keep up appearances. She put on a mask of calm and focused on keeping her emotions in check until she got home.

When the party finally ended, Moren said goodbye to Tiana and her husband before finding her parents waiting for her in the carriage with broad smiles on their faces. Moren noted that the ride back home was unnaturally pleasant compared to their trip to the party. Her parents showered her with compliments and praise until her Mother changed topics and talked about various business deals they had to finish that week. The false praise stopped, and they got serious about what they needed to close deals.

Neither one of them noticed that Moren never spoke a word to them the entire ride back to their home.

Moren tuned out the business talk in the carriage and focused on Luna flying closer than usual to keep her company. She closed her eyes and watched the world through Luna's eyes. It was a fantastic experience to fly above all of her problems. She heard the wind whistling in her ears and felt the chill of the night. Moren felt free for the first time in her life.

As the carriage came to a stop in front of her ornate home, Moren's heart raced with anticipation. With a flick of her wrist, she released the connection she shared with Luna and stepped out onto the cobblestone driveway. Without exchanging a word with her parents who stood at the doorway, she made her way straight to her room where Mika was waiting for her with a plate of delicious looking snacks.

"I figured you might want something to eat before bed," Mika said in a motherly tone and smiled brightly at Moren. "Did you have fun at the party?"

Moren's mask crumbles as her facade of strength dissolves into a torrent of tears streaming down her face. Her attempts to speak are cut off by guttural sobs that shake her whole body, releasing the pent-up emotions from the night she had to say goodbye to her first love and listen to her parents sell her off like a piece of livestock to the Marquis, a fate worse than death in her mind. She is consumed with a wild mix of despair and rage, feeling utterly betrayed and powerless in this cruel game of politics and arranged marriages.

Mika immediately rushed and held Moren in a hug filled with motherly love and waited for her daughter in all but blood to finish crying. She led Moren to her bed and had her sit down while whispering supportive words in Moren's ear.

Moren hugged Mika back tightly like a lifeline and, after crying for half an hour, told her Mother figure about everything that happened at the party.

She felt better getting all of her pain and frustration off her chest. When Moren finished the story, she turned to look at Mika. "I have to leave Damali as planned. I won't be married off to the Marquis and forced to have a horde of children like a broodmare," She said defiantly. "I'd rather die."

Mika nodded her head. "Tell me what you need, and I'll help you in any way I can," Mika told Moren with a soft smile. "By the time they try to get you to sign the contract, you will be long gone and on your way to another continent."

"I want you to flee with me," Moren begged with fear in her eyes. "You know what my parents are like, and they will break their word on your contract and make your life hell when I leave the city." Moren gripped Mika tightly. "I have enough gold to get us both passage to Ethos." She saw Mika falter for a moment and continued. "You can be with your family again."

Mika gave her a sympathetic smile and patted Morens' knee. "Well, see," Mika said quietly. "Let's get you squared away first and see what happens when the time comes." Mika stood up and moved towards the bathroom. "I think you need a hot bath before bed to help you relax after everything you went through this evening. Eat your snack while I get it ready."

Moren was about an object when Mika gave her a pointed stare that took any fight she had left. "Thank you, Mom." She said as the Half-Elf woman grinned and went back to work.

The warm bath turned out to be an excellent idea and allowed her body to finally relax as the water started making her drift off to sleep in the tub, but Mika was there to wake her up. Moren got out and dried off before accepting a nightgown from Mika and crawled into bed.

Mika draped the blanket over her charge and kissed Moren on the temple before turning out the lights one by one as Mika slipped out silently out of the room.

The room was engulfed an almost oppressive silence, broken only by the sound of Moren's breathing. The crisp sheets, freshly washed and scented with lavender, cling to her skin, reminding her of a time long gone. Just as she begins to drift off into slumber, a voice cuts through the darkness, speak in a form of Elvish that sounded ancient.

"Hello Moren."