Post by Prince Sabriel de Trevalion on Jul 15, 2006 2:33:45 GMT -5
I had managed a few hours of sleep and woke feeling refreshed and excited. I dressed as quickly as possible, not bothering to notice what I put on. Soon, I was out the door and on my way to the Night’s Doorstep. I moved through the streets, heading to the clothier’s district. I wanted to know what August was going as, and I asked every vendor I could. None of them knew for sure, but some said they had seen ‘the Duc de Trevalion’ just a couple days before. I knew he had bought something from one of these merchants; it would just take patience to find the one I was looking for.
Sure enough, after enough questioning I found the merchant who had sold to August. He wasn’t exactly eager to answer my questions, though. Of course, that was until I slipped him a lovely bag of ducats.
“You were saying?” I asked, smiling.
“Yes, the Duc paid a visit here. Bought a mask for Midwinter.” He said.
“What was he going as?”
“I suppose you could call it ‘death’. Red leather mask and matching hooded cloak.”
Not at all like my brother, or what I used to know him as. It was obvious he had changed, though it hadn’t taken me until now to realize that.
Now, to go as the opposite. Black for the color, but what to go as? Something that protects life. A knight. A black knight for his red death. I smiled, looking back to the vendor.
“I need a mask. A black knight.” I said, watching him turn away to search for something suitable. When he turned back, I knew the moment I laid eyes on the mask that it was perfect. A full face mask, black and basic in design. Its expression was haunting. I could not quite explain it. It was something gentle and yet severe, perplexed yet knew. It enraptured me at one glance; I hoped it would be the same for August. I wanted him to watch me and wonder.
But of course this mask did not look like a knight. I needed something more. Fortunately, the merchant was already bringing that to show me. A pauldron for the right shoulder, blackened and light, not made of true armor. I didn’t know what it was made of, and frankly I didn’t care. A pair of vambraces to match soon followed. They were all masculine and abrasive; I loved them.
“I’ll take them all.” I said. I already had a black shirt, breeches, and boots that would match perfectly, so no need for anything further. “Send them to the White Hart Manor and ask for Andros,” I handed him a hefty bag of coins, “The rest you’ll get when they’ve arrived, plus something extra for your silence about my questioning.”
He nodded, giving a bow. “Of course, my lord. Thank you for your business.”
I gave a nod, smiling and disappearing into the crowds of the Night’s Doorstep.
Sure enough, after enough questioning I found the merchant who had sold to August. He wasn’t exactly eager to answer my questions, though. Of course, that was until I slipped him a lovely bag of ducats.
“You were saying?” I asked, smiling.
“Yes, the Duc paid a visit here. Bought a mask for Midwinter.” He said.
“What was he going as?”
“I suppose you could call it ‘death’. Red leather mask and matching hooded cloak.”
Not at all like my brother, or what I used to know him as. It was obvious he had changed, though it hadn’t taken me until now to realize that.
Now, to go as the opposite. Black for the color, but what to go as? Something that protects life. A knight. A black knight for his red death. I smiled, looking back to the vendor.
“I need a mask. A black knight.” I said, watching him turn away to search for something suitable. When he turned back, I knew the moment I laid eyes on the mask that it was perfect. A full face mask, black and basic in design. Its expression was haunting. I could not quite explain it. It was something gentle and yet severe, perplexed yet knew. It enraptured me at one glance; I hoped it would be the same for August. I wanted him to watch me and wonder.
But of course this mask did not look like a knight. I needed something more. Fortunately, the merchant was already bringing that to show me. A pauldron for the right shoulder, blackened and light, not made of true armor. I didn’t know what it was made of, and frankly I didn’t care. A pair of vambraces to match soon followed. They were all masculine and abrasive; I loved them.
“I’ll take them all.” I said. I already had a black shirt, breeches, and boots that would match perfectly, so no need for anything further. “Send them to the White Hart Manor and ask for Andros,” I handed him a hefty bag of coins, “The rest you’ll get when they’ve arrived, plus something extra for your silence about my questioning.”
He nodded, giving a bow. “Of course, my lord. Thank you for your business.”
I gave a nod, smiling and disappearing into the crowds of the Night’s Doorstep.