25: Rowan

By the time we arrived at the manor the sun had just dipped beyond the horizon and the first stars had come out to shine. At the gates, after KB identified ourselves to the heavily-armed dark-armored knights we were allowed to pass through. Hugh met us at the manor's door where he helped us carry the pursuers to their cell, which I felt was unnecessary because as far as escaping was concerned they were lifeless statues.

The manor belonged to a member of the Council of Tribes, an elderly cyclops called Aglovale. The Council of Tribes was made up of a representative of each race, or tribe. They were essentially advisors of the king, usually chosen by the majority of the race to represent them. Every two months the Council of Tribes met with the king to discuss matters regarding the livelihood of each and all the races. Which was why I was put on guard duty the next day, outside the meeting room. Opposite of me stood another guard wearing similar armor to those at the gate, raven-black armor. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intimidated. But I forgot that beneath all that armor was just another person with a job, like me.

"I'm Rowan, what's your name?" He said so quietly, for a moment I thought I had imagined it.

"Mo," I replied. "Just Mo."

"Nice to meet you, Just Mo."

I smiled beneath my helmet. "No, I meant my name is Mo, it's not short for anything. Most people think it is."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Mo. Beautiful name, by the way."

"You too, Rowan."

He chuckled lightly. "Thank you but I know two other Rowans, so I'll thank you for them as well."

"You do that."

Our conversation flowed so easily, possibly due to the fact that I couldn't see his face and he couldn't see mine. It's always easy to talk to someone who doesn't know the ins and outs of you.

"Well Mo," Rowan said. "Am I right to assume that you are a girl?"

"You're right. And you're either a guy or a girl with a really deep voice."

"The first one is correct." He paused, then asked, "do you enjoy being a knight?"

"I guess. What about you?"

"Well, at first, then I realized it was pretty boring. Then one day I suddenly had more than one mouth to feed and that's kept me going."

"Do you have kids?"

"Something like that. They're more like my younger siblings. Do you have any siblings?"

"Oh yeah, I have two." My throat constricted at the thought of Ray and Hirai. "Little rascals, those two."

"You live far from them?"

"They're as close as can be but sometimes they feel so far."

"The job of a knight is demanding."

"It sure is."

A moment of silence passed between us. Then he said, "I know this is out of the blue but, would you do me the honor of allowing me to be your first dance tonight?"

"Tonight?"

"Yes, tonight, at the ball."

"But I can't dance."

"That's alright I'm not very good either. I'll find you."

The doors to the meeting room swung open. The king was the first to leave the room. When he walked past me, I quickly followed after him, nodding a goodbye to Rowan.

When the king disappeared behind his quarters' doors and Ingram joined me to stand guard outside his quarters I asked him about the ball.

"Oh that, almost forgot to tell you," Ingram said. "The old cyclops organized a ball for the local people. And since we're on day duty, if we feel like it Hugh said we can attend the ball tonight. You know, dance, eat, socialize."

"I can't really imagine someone dancing in knight's armor."

He let out a chortle. "You won't be wearing armor. Wear a dress or something, something that isn't heavy and uncomfortable and clinks every time you move."

"But the king?"

"He says it's alright, at least that's what Hugh said. Just enjoy yourself, plus, if anything were to happen, there's more of us there to defend the king."

And so when evening came and my work for the day was done I found KB at our living quarters who was getting ready to go on duty. I told her about Rowan and his request. And at first she was hysterical, screeching as she bombarded me with questions I had no answer for like how did he look, and what did he smell like and what was his tone when he asked. After I calmed her down enough, she helped me find something to wear for the night in her luggage and fixed my hair to a ball-appropriate style.

When she was done she put me in front of a mirror and squealed as she told me how pretty I was. And I wouldn't have believed her if I didn't see for myself. All credit to KB, for once I looked like a girl, a girl who someone could call pretty. Then she quickly walked me through the dance. I knew I wouldn't remember any of the steps but I went to the ballroom anyway filled with a mysterious courage to accept the unknown.

Then I saw the others and the courage disappeared at a snap of the fingers. I was suddenly self-conscious of my scales that covered my cheeks and travelled down my chest that did not have too much clothing covering it. Eyes seemed to follow me, watching me. For a second I contemplated retreating to my quarters to rest instead. Then I met his eye, and I could feel the tension in my muscles loosen and I didn't yet know if it was him, I just knew it was.

"Mo?" Said the man with the icy-blue eyes and smoky voice. He looked and dressed like a noble. Like someone who was way out of my league. For a second, I didn't want him to be Rowan because I enjoyed speaking to the Rowan behind the armor and I thought I could be friends with that Rowan.

"Rowan?" I hesitated.

His lips parted into a charming smile. "That's me. Forgive my forwardness but, you're lovelier than I imagined."

"Oh, you too." I swallowed. "A little too lovely."

He chuckled, and all doubts that I had had about him disappeared. He was really Rowan. "Oh please, I'm nobody. You on the other hand, I must ask, are you secretly the daughter of a king?"

I bristled at his words and took a step back. "Did someone put you up to this?"

His smile fell. "I'm sorry?"

"Who put you up to this? Because it's not funny. I don't like being made fun of."

"No, wait. Did I say something wrong?" He seemed genuinely confused I almost wanted to believe him.

I couldn't look him in the eye. I turned away. "I'm sorry, it's not your fault. I'll just leave."

But before I could take another step he took my hand and tugged me towards him. Our bodies so close, his breath on my neck, his voice in my ear. He put a hand on my lower back and the other he guided my hand to a spot on his hip that sagged in too deep like a crater.

"We all have something we're scared to show others," he murmured. "Something we wish we didn't have. Seldom people care to pry deeper than appearances for the beauty of the surface is deceiving. But what makes a person, is their thoughts and dreams and desires. That's true beauty. They don't deserve you if all they bother to see are your scales. Besides, I think they make you look enticing."

"It isn't just the scales," I said. "I'm a vuruk. You should know that, you're a knight."

He moved his head. Our foreheads touching, his striking blue staring into my brown. "So, what if you are a vuruk?"

Before I could respond, not that I knew what to say next, the ballroom door burst open and strutting in with long confident strides that click-clacked against the marble floor and filled the sudden silence was a man in an eerie white mask, dressed in black and a glittery gold cape that flowed after him. Guards got their weapons at the ready. I found Ingram in the crowd. With a grave countenance he nodded. We had to protect the king.

~~~~ a/n: below is Mo's ball gown. nothing fancy. also rowan there getting a little handsy. snicker.