A Ball of Snakes

WRITER'S NOTE: This is a never-before-read chapter titled: "Having a Ball with Snakes". This following passage is written towards the upcoming prequel novel called: "A Tale Between Knights & Mages"! In this version, we get to go through the eyes of both Sonas Erce and Gerlard Strent!? Please enjoy the reading.

~SONAS

Later in the evening, everything was all set and ready to go with the Three Chairmen’s Annual Ball found in the Dance Hall on the third layer of the Capital, one down below the courthouse. Eventually a lot of people arrived there, all in masquerade with all kinds of animal masks. There were the Three Chairmen themselves of course, King Reuben, his plus one: Esther. Flavia and her Fanjesters were there to play the lovely music, even King Elijah and Queen Teresa of the Southern Kingdom (both of whom wore coyote masks, representing their Southern Kingdom respectfully) was accounted for. Most of the citizens of the Rissindellis were there for this special occasion. It was a packed house full of people, most of high regard.

I found myself following my Captain as we walked to the ballroom. Once there, Sir Dugal has me meeting a red dwarf who was also in full armor but with a boar mask for the special occasion.

“Sonas, this here is Lemmy Adham; Lemmy, this is Sonas Erce,” Sir Dugal introduced us.

“A pleasure to meet you, Sonas," starts off Lemmy. "I've heard a lot about you.”

“The same can be said with you however, Sir Dugal doesn't talk much about other people,” I noted with my wolf mask.

“Guilty as charged. I am a man of many connections but very little words," said Sir Dugal defeatedly putting his hands up.

“Thus why you wear a fox for tonight,” Lemmy mentioned the obvious.

“Indeed, my good friend. Very observant of you. Now that we got the introductions out of the way. I'll leave you two to post right here. Please be on the lookout for anything suspicious but don't forget to have some fun. This is a party after all.”

“Yes sir!” I honorablely saluted. “We will and shall. You can count on us!”

“We all know I do. To de lou.”

Sir Dugal then proceeded to leave us and he walked within the crowd to enjoy the festivities. As I got acquainted with Lemmy, the two of us talk amongst one another, while eyeballing the event.

“Lovely evening, we are having,” admired the red dwarf.

“It is indeed,” I said softly, thinking of Leah. She would have loved this, and the two of us would have danced out there within the crowd.

“Something on your mind, Sir Sonas?”

“Yeah, I am just still at a loss, especially since the love of my life left.”

“I couldn’t imagine that. I’m sorry for what you have to go through.”

“Have you ever been in love, Lemmy?”

“Come to think of it, no. I have not but probably will never.”

“I won't say that. I’m a strong believer that there’s always someone for someone else.”

“Well, keep that belief to yourself, sire. You know how they are with us protectors being in love and all. We can easily get our titles stripped before we could even speak on our behalf.”

“That you are right. I have noticed that. Thanks Lemmy. I know I can talk to you about this.”

“Even if we just met from today?”

“Exactly! I have a good judge of character after all.”

~GERLARD

As the two of those bozos were getting well acquainted for judging from where I can see, I was successfully hiding amongst the sidelines without being detected. All thanks to my invisibility spell.

I was about to carry out my sole mission of payback that even once it is all set, I'll make sure I was able to take action! I'm so clever! I was still in his red suit and purple snake mask attire as released the spell once I found out that the coast was clear.

As I went through the crowd, I was searching for someone. Somebody I still hold dear, even though she has broken my heart too many to count. And there she was, beautiful as ever. Dressing up in a blue dress like a Queen along with a green peacock mask. Her dance partner: that annoying King Reuben. By whom, wore a green suit with a blue peacock mask. The two of them were practically matching.

“The nerve of them,” I said this to myself. Next thing I did was approach the two and interprets their dance and whatever conversation they were having. Something about peacocks. I don't give a damn.

When I approached them, I'm willing to bet Esther feel the same presence as she once did before when I stalked them two earlier. Now, she got her answer and this was her Gerlard, my own self!

“Hello, Esther,” I gleefully smiled.

“Hello, Gerlard,” she said, being as politely as she could be. Playing hard to get, I see...

“Do you know this gentleman, Esther my dear?” asked Reuben thoughtfully. Man, I really hate this guy.

“Unfortunately yes, Reuben. I do.”

“I think you mean fortunately, Esther darling,” I noted.

“Yes, I guess you’re right and I’m mistaken, Gerlard,” said Esther lying under her teeth. Oh, this woman knows how to get under my skin.

Just before Reuben could interject, I kindly asked: “Am I ask of you for one dance, Esther?’

At first, she hesitated but she really didn’t want to make a scene there. Plus, it was just one dance with moi, so what’s the harm in that? I don't bite. Much.

Esther nodded while responding: “Sure, Gerlard. I’ll have this dance with you. Reuben, I’ll be right back.”

“Sounds like a plan, my love. I’ll be here waiting for you.”

I took Esther by the hand and the two of us started dancing right in front of Reuben and the other occupants.

Esther was completely uncomfortable as I continued to move closer to her, forcing her to waltz with me. I meanwhile was enjoying it, taking everything in. It's about time we had this dance after all. Been a long time coming. Even if Esther was playing hard to get, just yhe smell of her was intoxicating. I literally wanted to breathe her essence right there and then, but decided not to.

As we danced, the music given from Flavia and her Fanjesters continued booming the room. I bet Esther wished she was closer to her friend. That way Flavia would have noticed and saved Esther from me. However, we in the middle of the ballroom, so absolutely no way anyone can interfere with this special moment from me.

While I waltzed with the love of his dreams, I asked: “Enjoying yourself on this beautiful evening?”

“I did until you showed up.”

“Oh, we both know I am the life of the party.”

“That, I can beg to differ. It’s quite the opposite actually. I rather feel repulsive.”

“I’ll just take that as a compliment then.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

“Not as much as you are.”

Just as we continued our waltzing, suddenly people were screaming out of fear along the sidelines of the ballroom. Apparently something or somethings were stirring the occupants that the music had to stop. I precisely know that's up. Esther stopped dancing with me and used her toes to lift herself up. Bet she could have sworn she saw something slithering near her friend and band. For it was a python after all And just around the corner was another snake, this one being a boa. Apparently, to none the wiser, the entire ballroom was infested by snakes. And it was all thanks to me as I just stood there without a care in the world, grinning sinisterly.