NaNoWriMo-vel Chapter 5

Chapter Five – All The Small Things

Blank gawked in shock at the sight of Rass punching Vrin square in the jaw. A collective of gasps rippled throughout the ballroom, mostly from the older guests. Vrin had slid back a good distance from the force of the blow, his face still turned away. Slowly, his head swiveled towards Rass, carmine eyes ablaze with hate and rage. Blood seeped out from his mouth, staining the back of his gloved hand as he wiped away the trickle. His skin paled as he visibly restrained himself from lunging at the blonde.

Rass took on a stance, a feral grin spreading across his face, his amethyst-colored eyes shining in anticipation. “You still gonna give me that bullshit about being a professional? What about your pride as a man?” he sneered, mockingly gesturing with hand for Vrin to attack.

“My pride,” Vrin glowered, “Is in my ability to keep myself under control. Unlike some people.” Though his jaw throbbed and was evidently bruised, the liaisons officer merely brushed his jacket off and adjusted his hair.

“You fucking coward!” Rass roared as his heels suddenly pushed against the ballroom floor to launch himself at Vrin. A flash of steel and Vrin had his dagger drawn, raised to defend himself as well as attack.

But before things could escalate into a full out battle, two figures suddenly leapt in between Vrin and Rass. Blank along with the rest of the guests, could hardly believe their eyes at the sight of Rid and Ergo standing back-to-back, arms outstretched.

Both women looked determined, ready to take the full brunt of any blow. While Rid’s eyes stared longingly at Rass, Ergo’s pleaded desperately with Vrin. Immediately the two men halted in their tracks, fists and blades stopped mere inches from the bodies that blocked their way.

“Baby, don’t be embarrassing yourself any further.” The turquoise-haired woman pouted. “I can calm you down right. Just the way you like it.”

“Vrin, stop this. You know better.” Ergo chided, though she spoke so gently, so tenderly that it seemed she was singing him a lullaby. “I take full responsibility for everything, so please, don’t hurt him.”

The pale-haired man was the first to stand down, slipping his dagger back into his jacket. At this, Rass reluctantly followed suit. The pairs stared at each other, wordlessly for what seemed like an eternity before someone began to clap.

Everyone turned towards the source and saw Kairhn standing at the ballroom’s entrance. Draped all over him was a proverbial flock of women. “Good show, but it needed a little more blood.” He laughs and his girls join in.

“I think it had just enough blood, but it lacked in dramatics. I mean couldn’t there have been lightning or at least rain just as the fight started?” Marlene suddenly chirped from behind the honey-skinned man. “Or at the very least one of the girls should have been swept off her feet before being kissed passionately.” She squealed and feigned a swoon.

Much to the embarrassment of Surge and Sharel whom both shook their heads in dismay. Sharel strode to the center of the ballroom before cracking her whip overhead, “Ladies and gentlemen, dinner shall be served shortly. Please allow the servants to escort you to your seats.” She announced, authoritative and commanding, only a select few did not seem the least bit threatened by the whip she brandished. Blank was not one of them.

As the crowd shuffled over to the dining hall, Vrin was back by Blank’s side.

“You alright?” the scribe asked. Vrin nodded, slowly before risking a glance at the crowd to search for someone.

“If it’s of any interest to you,” Blank whispered, “Your name came up in the will.”

“I am aware that I will be the beneficiary of certain properties that Master Raoul owned of which I had been tasked to manage during his life.” Vrin responded, turning his attention back to Blank.

“In that case, would you be available for a sort of interview? After I speak with the four Edelbertons that is.” Blank realized, cringing at the prospect of being alone with Sharel. “Hopefully I make it out in one piece, especially with Miss Sharel.”

Vrin allowed himself a soft chuckle, “I’d worry more about Master Kairhn or Mistress Marlene.”

“Is there something about those two that I should know about?” Blank asked, concern audible in his voice.

“Just this,” Vrin stopped and quickly whispered into Blank’s ear, “These two are willing to kill to ensure that some secrets remain secrets.” He straightened himself up, “Then again, I suppose everyone named in Master Raoul’s will has the potential for that. Even myself.”

Blank felt a lump form in his throat as he struggled to swallow. “I-I’ll keep that in mind...”

Vrin gave him a small smile, “Fret not, until the celebrations are over, I will not allow any harm to fall upon you. Master Schyll would have my head mounted on a wall if I were to fail in such a simple task. But once I resume my proper duties, you shall be on your own.”

The heavy feeling of dread that had formed in Blank’s stomach grew to not only occupy his bowels but drape itself over his shoulders.

* * * * *

Blank was fortunate enough to be seated between Schyll and Vrin at the dining table. He peered to his left and right, trying to see the ends of the long stretch of cloth-covered wood for any signs of the four Edelbertons in Raoul’s will. As far as he could see, or tell, none of the cousins were at the table.

“Well, I arrive fashionably late just this one only to have missed the highlight of the evening.” A woman sighed dramatically, and Blank saw it was the woman seated across him who had spoke. “If you wouldn’t mind relaying the events, Vrin, I would be tickled pink.”

She wore a dress sewn completely from maroon lace with strategically placed details that left little to the imagination and was batting her lashes a Vrin. Luxurious indigo hair was piled high into a bouffant, adorned with strings of black pearls matching the twin orbs that peered curiously through thick lashes painted red. The experience in her eyes far surpassed the twenty eight autumns her body possessed.

Blank would have been uncomfortable had he been Vrin, but what could he do to help? It didn’t seem like the woman even noticed Blank was there.

“Certainly, Miss Jenta.” Vrin smiled warmly, though Blank noted how the liaisons officer’s smile never fully reached his eyes. The scribe was surprised to hear Vrin retelling the events without bias or making any snide comments about the other party involved.

“Vrin is very professional and takes his duties very seriously.” Schyll beamed as he leaned towards Blank.

“Yes, he is, I got to see it first hand.” Blank nods.

“If he weren’t supposed to handle other affairs, I’d have arranged for him to watch over you until you finish whatever it is Raoul requires of you.” The old lawyer sighed in regret. “But I’m sure no one will dare lay a finger on you, at least not until they get their inheritance sorted out.”

Blank could have done without that last part and began trying to steer the topic to something less menacing, “Uh, I hope you don’t mind my asking but who are all these people? I mean those that don’t seem to be related to the Edelbertons. Not even through marriage.”

“Well, some of them are business associates of Raoul in one way or another. He liked to dabble in an assortment of activities apart from collecting enchanted things or enchanting things for that matter.” Schyll subtly motioned towards Ergo and Rass. “Others are friends of his nieces,” he turned towards Rid before setting his gaze on Jenta. “Or nephews.” And this time he motioned to a group of young gentlemen Vrin had not been able to introduce to Blank.

“What about them?” Blank inclined his head towards the group of women around Kairhn.

“Them? Oh, they’re not important, they change every week. Fickle is the Master.” Schyll sighs. “In any case, have you begun doing what Master Kairhn has hired you to do?”

Blank shook his head, “I haven’t had the opportunity to speak to any of them personally. The paper says that I am to converse with them whenever they are alone. And with this ball and all, I haven’t had a chance to even be by myself.”

“I see, so I suppose you haven’t figured out whom among the four you are going to speak with first?”

Blank merely shook his head and stared stupidly at the empty plate in front of him. It wasn’t long before he had the strangest notion that he was being watched. Sure enough he was, by the woman Vrin called Jenta.

“C-can I help you?” He blinks, realizing that she was mentioned in the will as well.

“You look like you need a warm body pressed against you tonight.” She smiled seductively.

“Uh, do you happen to be selling pets?” Blank nervously turned towards Vrin, asking for help from the older man. But Vrin seemed preoccupied with his seatmate and was engaged in polite chatter for the moment.

“Oh you’re a cute one, I know which girl will keep you very happy all night long.” At this, Blank suddenly felt something brush against his leg. He peered down and lifted the table cloth slightly when he felt it again and found it was a stocking-clad foot that was teasing against him.

“Uh, Miss Jenta-” Blank began.

“Call me Madame.” Her smile widened wickedly, seemingly delighted at his discomfort. “All my girls and clients do. I take it you will be a client, hmm?” she licked at her lips. “I have boys as well but I can tell you prefer the soft, gentle curves only a woman possesses.”

“M-Madame, please, I am simply not um, that is to say,” Blank stammered, voice squeaking as he felt Jenta’s toes climb higher and higher towards his knee.

“Yeeeeeees?” She leaned back in her seat, allowing her limb to reach Blank’s more sensitive areas.

“I can’t quite, ah, focus at the moment. Agh!” The man yelped and suddenly pushed away from the table. “P-pardon me!” He exclaimed, rushing out to the hallway with his hands trying to shield his crotch. Leaving behind a laughing Jenta. Curious eyes followed after him briefly before settling back to their idle conversations.

Blank had never met anyone like Jenta, evidently. No one had shown any interest in him, at least not in that way.

Calm down, Blakeford, she’s not really interested in you. She’s just trying to find more clients, that’s all. He breathed as he stumbled past carved busts and paintings in search for the lavatories. The servants scurried away at his approach, like vermin fleeing from light. Some help they are, Blank muttered. He needed to cool himself down and his pants had become uncomfortably tight. Part of him wished Vrin had followed after him while some other part of him hoped he hadn’t. Blank thought he’d die of embarrassment either way. This thought seemed to distract him enough to allow the bulge to cease its swelling.

He wandered up and down halls, passing by the same landscape painting several times until it seemed like he was going in circles. It was then the crimson envelope he had slipped into his jacket began to push out against the fabric caging it. It nudged and tugged to the left and Blank felt he had no choice but to obey. He turned left at two hallways, right at a landscape painting hanging near a corner, and up a flight of stairs before the envelope ceased moving.

In front of him was an ordinary looking door. No, wait, it was an open, ordinary looking door. Did he dare? The envelope leapt out from his jacket and the flap opened, releasing a strong gust of wind that cause the door to swing completely open.

Blank didn’t need to be a genius to figure out Raoul wanted him to go inside. So he did. Within the dark quarters was a quilt that spanned from the twenty foot ceiling down to the floor and its width surpassed Blank’s wingspan by at least two times. After a quick mental calculation, Blank estimated the quilt was composed of a little over a hundred square patches. Inspecting the needlework, he saw that each unique patch was that of a creature that roamed the realm of Silar. There were so many of them and what’s more, when he reached out to touch a square that depicted a stunningly realistic lightning hare, that portion of the cloth lunged at him.

Blank couldn’t help himself. He squeaked in surprise and stumbled back, falling clumsily onto his rump. Oh well, things weren’t so bad, right? There wasn’t anyone around to have seen him enter a stranger’s room, let alone discover this curious piece of needlework.

Right?

“And what do we have here?” A familiar voice proved him wrong. The scribe broke out into a cold sweat as he hesitantly turned to look behind him. Standing in the doorway, whip at the ready, was a very, very displeased Sharel.