Playing With Fire

[Evelyn Alaina Cristobal]

If there was a record for how quickly a noblewoman could ready herself for dinner, Evelyn was sure to have broken it ten fold. She'd had her clothes stripped and her new garment halfway over her head by the time her maid came to assist her. The dress she chose was one of her favorites, a dark green satin with red and gold rose buds embroidered onto the hems of her skirt and sleeves as well as along the low but modestly curving neckline. A simple gold chain adorned her neck from which hung an ornate rose charm embedded with a single ruby the color of fire. Extravagance had never really been her style much to her father's never ending relief.

Though it took quite a bit of persuading, she managed to convince her maid that a simple braided coronet was more than enough for such an informal dinner. The older woman insisted on decorating the dark strands with gold ribbons and real red rose buds gathered by one of the other servants while Evelyn was trapped beneath the expert fingers of her maid.

"Is my horse ready?" she inquired as she slipped on one shoe and then the other.

"No, but the carriage is waiting for you in the courtyard, my lady," her maid replied without skipping a beat. Evelyn tried to contain her annoyance. She hadn't wanted the carriage, hadn't wanted to make a big fuss about all of this. She didn't have time to argue, have it returned and her horse saddled. It was starting to get dark and she was going to be late if she lingered much longer.

"I won't be out late," she stated matter of fact as one of the footmen helped her into the carriage. "But there is no need to wait up regardless, I'll be able to tend to myself upon my return." She offered them a faint smile, the first of the evening in fact and then they were off, the carriage ambling through the courtyard and onto the road beyond.

As they trundled along, Evelyn found herself trying to imagine William's reaction when his messenger informed him of her impending arrival. Had he patted himself on the back for his good work? Had he thanked the forces that be for his lasting good luck? Perhaps he'd merely smiled all to knowingly. Was this a mistake? She sat upright, peering out at the darkening terrain. What did she really know about him except that he was obnoxious, either blind or extremely patient when it came to her clumsiness, ignorant of uncaring of her sarcasm and every other tactic she used to make him keep his distance. Maybe he was telling the truth when he claimed to find it all charming and endearing.

Endearing, hah! She'd see how long that lasted.

A sharp crack jolted her from her thoughts and the next thing she knew she was tumbling to the opposite side of the carriage as the horse powered vehicle came to an abrupt stop at an unnatural angle. What in the world?

"My lady? Lady Evelyn? Are you alright?" The coachman called from outside after several long moments of silence.

Evelyn managed to push herself upright and regain her bearings in time to respond truthfully. "I'm fine, what happened?"

"Wheel broke, there was a hole dug in the road, forgive me, my lady, I did not see it," the driver said appearing in the doorway. He pried it open and offered her a hand. A moment later she was standing outside of the carriage engulfed by the cool night air.

"It wasn't your fault, Mason, don't beat yourself up over it..." she said stepping forward to examine the hole herself. It was deep and looked fresh, almost as though someone had purposely dug it. But who in their right mind would dig a big hole in the middle of a well travel road?

"If you have any weapons, I suggest you toss them away. I don't intend to hurt anyone so long as I have your full cooperation."

Perfect.

[Rhys Harding Van Alen]

Damn Alexander Von Drake. Damn him straight to the fiery pits of hell. Rhys could not wait for the moment when that ill-suffering son of a bitch would get his due. And he was going to make damn sure that he was the one giving it to him. But until that moment was upon them, Rhys's hands were tied and he found himself riding out to Alexander's Valdering Keep when he knew he wasn't going to be able to beat nightfall. Damn him, Rhys thought again with malice.

As though Whitefall and Southernmarch weren't as far apart as you could get on Trymere, he'd been traveling the better part of the day. He and Blackjack, his favored jet black stallion, had paused for rest and sustenance only a mile or so back. They were both equally ready for this flight. His steed's hooves ate up the terrain, trees and shrubs flying by them as the tore through the land.

It was only the sound of voices that had him pulling up short, yanking back on Blackjack's reins, the stallion's hooves driving into the dirt in its effort to stop them. "Shhh, boy." Rhys patted the horse's neck when it whinnied in protest and led it carefully toward the sound of the voices.

"I don't intend to hurt anyone so long as I have your full cooperation." He caught the tail end of what the bandit leader had been saying. Rhys was fully content to sit back and wait out this little raid, possibly relieve the bandits of their booty when they were done, until he saw who it was being held up. Lady Evelyn. A wicked smile danced across his face and he slowly dismounted from his horse, looping Blackjack's reins carefully around the branch of the nearest tree. Creeping carefully forward, Rhys reached the rear-most bandit--Rhys did, in fact, count his lucky stars that he had approached them from the back--and with a flash of movement he snapped the man's neck and lowered him gently to the ground. There was no need to scare Lady Evelyn with the sight of death, now was there?

Rhys took continued forward, nearly reaching the throng of bandits when he made a misstep, crunching a branch beneath his foot. Damn it. The nearest bandit turned and let out a cry before rushing toward Rhys. It took little effort on Rhys's part to take down the man, a stiff arm to the face had had him falling. And with that one short yell, Rhys's presence was made known to the other bandits.

He retreated only momentarily to tug Blackjack's reins from the tree and then to swing upon the stallion's back. Rhys let out a howl of his own and then kicked his heels into the horse's sides, sending the animal surging forward. It was a tactic that they were both accustomed to and it sent the first flurry of men to ground. When he had burst through the other side of the men, Rhys shot a grin Evelyn's way before pulling Blackjack into a tight circle, facing the small throng of bandits again. "What lowly cowards attack a woman in her carriage!" Rhys growled out the words. "I challenge you to now face me! For I shall stand between you and your bounty. Cross me if you dare." He hissed out the last words as he unsheathed the broadsword that was hooked to his saddle.

It only took one vicious slash of his sword to take down the one and only man who had surged forward. And that one act was at it had taken for the other bandits to turn tail and flee into the darkening night.

Sliding his sword back into its case, Rhys turned his stallion to face Evelyn. "Lady Evelyn! Are you and your coachman all right?" He took stock of the fallen carriage. "Where are you headed, my Lady? Surely I can take you there?" Rhys smiled that brilliant smile down at her. "And your coachman can take your horse and return back to your keep to get help for repairs?" He had already offered a hand down to her, ready to pull her up into the saddle with him, so sure that she would accept his offer was he.

[Evelyn Alaina Cristobal]

Though fear should have been the first emotion to take control in truth it was the last. Surprise, outrage, anger, all of them surpassed any real fear she might feel in regards to the situation. It was just one man as far as she could tell and the coachman plus two armed footmen more than outnumbered him.

Evelyn was about to say as much when others seemed to melt out of the darkness bring the enemies number from one to at least ten in a matter of seconds. Now they were the outnumbered party and Eve was grateful she'd held her tongue as long as she had. Why add humiliation to the list of things she'd be feeling before this night was through? The last thing she wanted was for those in her service to get hurt needlessly. So when her would-be-protectors hesitated, even in loo of overwhelming odds, she ordered them to stand down.

"Do as he asks," she said softly, her eyes fixing on whom she believed was the ring leader of this whole debacle. She had no weapon of her own, not that she would have discarded it if she had. No self respecting thief would believe that an equally self respecting lady would burden herself with the weight of weaponry no matter what the logic.

The leader snorted in satisfaction and took a step closer only to pause as the sound of a disturbance off to his left. There was a shout and then chaos broke lose. For several heartbeats all Evelyn could do was try to avoid getting caught in the chaotic cross fire. Men were yelling and tripping over one another to avoid what was only a rampaging shadow until the thing got near enough in the twilight to be discerned. A man on horseback.

"What lowly cowards attack a woman in her carriage! I challenge you to now face me! For I shall stand between you and your bounty. Cross me if you dare."

While she was no close friend of the voice in question, she was no stranger to it either but she'd crossed paths with the owner once or twice on her rare visits to Valhaven. Rhys Van Alen. She couldn't help but watch in awe as he managed not only to intimidate but scare off nearly a dozen thieves without so much as losing his breath. A knight in shining armor if their ever was one even if he lacked the armor.

"I am unharmed, thank you," she replied. "As are my men, I assure you. Of course I appreciate your assistance but I could not think to take up anymore of your time-" Even as the words passed her lips she found herself staring at his extended hand. She sighed inwardly and tried to rein in her annoyance.

"I'll walk from here," she said, her stubborn pride getting the better of her in the end. It was at least a two hour walk from here to William's keep in Southernmarch and she would definitely be late for dinner. At the rate she was going, she'd miss breakfast too. Taking a step forward, she brushed past his extended hand and began to pick her way carefully over various rocks and other debris laying in the road.

Despite her caution, it would never be enough for Evelyn to avoid the inevitable disaster. It seemed that the 'clever' bandits had dug more than one hole to ensure their success in disabling unsuspecting carriages. In this case, it worked well for also disabling unsuspecting, stubborn females. Her foot hit the hole at an angle causing her ankle to roll and her slender frame to shift forward as she stumbled. A sharp cry of surprise and pain escaped her lips a moment before she clamped them together.

Stupid holes! Stupid bandits! Stupid dinners!

[Rhys Harding Van Alen]

Rhys's brow furrowed as Lady Evelyn informed him that she would manage just fine on her own, thank you very much. It hadn't seemed like she was doing that good a job of it before from where he was sitting. A quick scowl crossed his face as he watched her retreating back. Evelyn didn't manage to get much distance between them before she caught her foot and went tumbling to the ground with a sharp cry of pain. A smile flashed across his face, so short-lived was the expression that if one had blinked they would have missed it.

Rhys liked getting his way.

He fixed his features into a perfect mask of concern as he trotted Blackjack forward, hopping down as soon as he was beside Evelyn. "Lady Evelyn, are you all right? Did you hurt anything?" Rhys crouched down beside her, his eyes roaming her body with the excuse of checking for injuries. When his gaze had returned to her face, he smiled at her in a pacifying manner. "Oh, Lady Evelyn, you are a silly woman. I hope now you will be willing to accept my ride." Another appeasing smile. "For now it seems as though you haven't much of a choice."

Rhys leaned forward, slipping one arm behind her back and carefully tucking the other beneath her knees, making sure that the skirt of her dress kept her properly covered at all times. Keeping a firm grip on her, Rhys slowly rose to his feet, lifting her steadily out of the small hole. He walked her over to Blackjack and then lifted her higher yet to set her side-saddle on the stallion, another flash of a grin crossing his face as he slipped a foot in the stirrups and hoisted himself up. At least there was something entertaining happening during his trip to Alexander's keep.

"Please, where would you like to go, Lady Evelyn?" Rhys's lips turned upward in an all-too-pleasing smile, reaching around her to grab hold of the reins.

[William James Von Drake]

William was too anxious to wait in the main room for long. In a matter of minutes he had headed back down to the kitchen, a grin plastered on his face. "Catharine! How are things going down here?" He loved the hustle and bustle of the kitchen; it seemed as though there was always something going on down here.

"Things are going just fine, Lord William." Catharine shook her head, a smile gracing her lips as she stirred a pot of gravy. He's such a good boy, she thought. "Everything will be done within the hour and we'll bring it to the table shortly after." She turned back to her cooking again, adding a sprinkle of salt to her mixture. When William had closed the distance between them and was peering curiously over her shoulder, Catharine turned and waved a dish towel at him. "Shoo, Master William! You get outta' my kitchen." There was laughter in her voice. "You're distracting all the ladies. Go find somewhere else to wait for your Lady Evelyn."

A chuckle escaped him as he danced out of reach of her towel. "Yes, ma'am!" William turned to leave, missing the pleased smile that situated itself on Catharine's features as he exited.

Knowing there was still another hour, at most, before V would arrive, William made his way to the library, plucking a book at random from the shelf before returning to the main room to sit around read--or at least give the pretense of reading.

Over the course of the hour William varied between reading a few pages and staring out the front window, checking for the approach of a rider or carriage. When the hour mark passed, William felt a heaviness settle in his chest, a feeling he couldn't quite place. Where was she? He tried to console himself by remembering that she was, after all, a lady and it was possible that on such short notice she hadn't been quite ready for dinner. It took time for those things, he knew! But he couldn't get the concern off of his mind. Concern not only for her, but also for himself in nearly equal measures.

Was she laying in a ditch somewhere? Had she only told Peter she accepted, when really she was just playing games? Did she get lost? Had he gotten his hopes up?

These thoughts flurried back and forth as William attempted to bury his nose in his book and distract himself from the anxiety. He'd give her another half hour at least before he went into full worry-mode.

[Evelyn Alaina Cristobal]

Evelyn sat there for a very long moment, turning her foot back and forth to test for possible breaks. While it was a rather painful task it was not impossible and so she had no fear that she'd done anymore than twist her ankle. It was the sound of approaching hoof beats that broke her from her thoughts and reminded her that she was far from alone.

"I'm fine," she replied impatiently as he knelt down to examine her for injuries and then offered her that charming smile. She bet he was a shark with the ladies, lured them in and then gobbled them up. She would deal with him as one would deal with an annoying child -- with patience and buried aggravation. Mostly buried. She wasn't sure what annoyed her more, the implication that she was silly or that she had 'no choice' but to endure his company?

Oh stop being such a stupid girl! she chided herself mentally. Would she really risk potentially hurting herself more all for the sake of wounded pride? Besides, it wasn't his fault her night had gone from bad to worse. He just happened to be an unlucky bystander. Still, when he lifted her up into his arms she couldn't suppress a gasp of surprise nor stop her hands from instinctively rising to his shoulders for balance.

"Really, this isn't at all necessary," she protested as he lifted her up and set her in the saddle. Either he was ignoring her or he didn't care because a moment later he was swinging into the saddle behind her and she found herself ensconced in his warmth. She hadn't ridden two to a horse since she was a child just learning to ride so this experience was a new one indeed. She was focused so intently on not leaning into him that she nearly missed his question. How long ago had he asked it and how long had she sat like a silent fool?

"Oh... Benevalore Keep, for dinner," she said, not quite sure why she'd felt it necessary to explain the reason for her visit to William's home but she brushed it aside. "I understand if it is out of your way, I can send one of my footmen ahead with news of what has happened..."

[Rhys Harding Van Alen]

Going to see the younger Von Drake, was she? Rhys gave a sneer behind her back as he nudged Blackjack into a brisk walk. "Benevalore keep it is, Lady Evelyn. Please do hold on, I wouldn't want you to sustain an injury if you were to take another fall." And she likely would. The thought had Rhys winding an arm around her waist, hooking her neatly against him and safely onto the saddle as he kicked his heels into his stallion and they took off at an steady gallop, slowly edging their way into a canter as they continued.

Clumsiness was something that could be overcome, Rhys thought, with a little training and practice. With this one it would likely be a lot of work, but her sheer beauty alone would be worth it as long as she could keep those thoughts of hers in her head instead of blurting them out any which way she pleased. His features contorted into a grimace at the thought. Evelyn was certainly an outspoken lass.

He directed them easily along the correct path, Rhys had traveled to Benevalore keep many a time, then from there to Valdering and back again. He was definitely more than familiar with the Von Drakes. Rhys wasn't sure just how much longer he could be buddy-buddy with William. The man was a bit off, in his opinion, but he had his uses. Not only did William give Rhys the simple opening he had needed to meet with Alexander and start becoming trusted by him, but William was sharp of mind and body, despite the ease in which he seemed to go about his daily life.

Rhys was certain that William would invite him to dine with them upon delivering Evelyn to him and he wanted nothing more than to join. Not so much for the company, but to ensure that the pair didn't get the bonding time he was sure William was expecting. If only he didn't have to be at Valdering keep! For the hundredth time that night Rhys damned Alexander.

It wasn't much longer before Benevalor keep bloomed into view, the candle light flickering behind glass windows on the first floor, torches blazing alongside the doorways. He slowed his mount as the closed in on the vast building, coming to a halt just outside the main doorway. Rhys unhooked his arm from around Lady Evelyn and quickly swung one leg over Blackjack and hopped to the ground. Turning back to her, he grabbed her by the waist and lifted her, setting her gently on her feet. "Madame, you have arrived." He gave her a nod and a charming smile. "Is your ankle doing better?" Rhys calculated they had another thirty seconds before William would make himself known. He had surely heard their approach.

[William James Von Drake]

When the half hour mark passed, William's concern had morphed into an amused acceptance. She wasn't coming. V was probably sitting at home right now laughing at the thought of him. The thought had the hint of a smile turning up the corners of his lips. With a resigned sigh William pushed up from his chair, leaving the book sitting on the side table. He should tell the staff it was a false alarm and it'd just be them dining tonight.

He had made it halfway across the room when the sound of hoof beats had him turning to gaze out the front window. Was that... yes! There was a horse riding up the path to the keep. By the time he made it back to the door and pulled the heavy thing open both Rhys and Evelyn were standing by the former's massive black stallion. "Lady Evelyn! Sir Rhys!" William's grin encompassed both of them. "And just when I had decided that you were standing me up," amusement lit his eyes as they landed on V's face. "Here you are with another to join us! And you will be joining us, won't you, Sir Rhys?"

William had most certainly hoped to entertain Evelyn without Rhys's company, but the man was here now and the thought to just shoo him along didn't even cross his mind.

He was still smiling when he realized that Evelyn was supporting more of her weight on one foot. His brows furrowed and genuine concern flashed across his features before he rearranged them back into something akin to amusement. "Fall down again, Evelyn? I'm sorry I wasn't there to catch you this time." And it was that perfectly pleased smile that fixed itself on William's face because even though there was now the possibility of Rhys joining them, at least he knew that V really had wanted to join him for dinner and it hadn't just been a ruse. And that was something, wasn't it?

[Evelyn Alaina Cristobal]

Asking Evelyn to bite her tongue and keep her thoughts to herself would be as beneficial and likely to happen as asking the sun to rise at night and having it actually comply. Such was the case when he voiced his warning about falling off and promptly slid an arm around her waist in order to draw her back against him. The only thing that stopped her from protesting was the simple fact that her heart as leaped into her throat and she didn't trust herself to speak. It wasn't that she felt any sudden great fondness for Rhys but she found herself slightly unnerved by him.

Needless to say, she was grateful for the silence that accompanied them on the way to Benevalore though she couldn't help but use that time to compare Rhys to William. There was not a doubt in her mind that the latter's pace would have been much more relaxed allowing for ample conversation ( or in their case banter ) to pass between them and thus pass the time a slower journey took.

By the time they reached the keep, Evelyn was desperate to be off the horse. Riding side saddle had never been something she'd gotten used to, she rarely rode it except when absolutely necessary and as it turned out that was never. She was exceedingly more grateful, however, to be able to remove herself from such close proximity with Rhys. It wasn't that she disliked him, no more than she truly disliked William, it was just that she didn't enjoy being pulled out of her comfort zone and thrust into something far less familiar. She was awkward and clumsy enough as it was without having to navigate the unknown.

As he lifted her down from the saddle she all but held her breath, anticipating the worst when her feet touched down. It wasn't agony but it was far from pleasant. A sharp pain shot all the way up to her thigh reminding her that she needed to watch for holes in the future. She managed to contain a grimace as she shifted her weight, hopefully unnoticeably, to her other foot.

"Much better," she replied with a faint smile before her attention was drawn to the sound of the door swinging open. She couldn't help the way her smile grew just a fraction of an inch. Silly twit. she sighed inwardly and lowered her eyes in hopes of hiding the flicker of pleasure she derived from seeing him dressed in a dashingly haphazard way that only he would be able to accomplish. She tried to picture Rhys looking comfortably refined with slightly tousled hair and couldn't bring the image to mind.

"If only I had, my lord, perhaps I would not have befallen such ill luck this evening," she replied and despite the dryness of her tone there was a flash of something in her eyes when she glanced towards him. Something, perhaps, that implied she did not mind so much whatever had delayed her. "It seems you have kept it all for yourself."

At the mention of her mishap she glanced down at her feet and noted, with some dismay, the dirt stained hems of her dress, the satin slippers were dirtied beyond repair and she could just imagine what her hair looked like. "So it appears," she mumbled, plucking absently at her dress. "There was a hole ... several in fact, I was lucky enough to discover two of them. It was probably best that you were not present or you might have found one yourself." If he wanted anymore information than that he was going to have to drag it out of her.

[Rhys Harding Van Alen]

Rhys was no fool. He saw the flicker of affection that flitted across each of their faces upon seeing the other, even if Evelyn had seemed much more inclined to smother any such a feeling. That only made the thrill of the chase all the more exciting to Rhys. He may not have the title that Lord William did, but Rhys was twice the man. He was sure of it. Who ran a keep that was nicknamed by its people as 'Benevolent keep'? Certainly not a man who kept his charges in line where they ought be.

When William stated that Rhys should join the pair for dinner, he hesitated as was polite before slowly shaking his head. "Oh, you know I wish I could, Lord William, but I am en route to Valdering keep to meet with your brother. Maybe next time." He smiled that politician's smile at both William and Evelyn, wishing, again, that he didn't have to run off to Alexander's keep just to keep up the facade of his perfect little follower. Rhys inwardly groaned.

He lowered into a shallow bow for Evelyn, only speaking when he had righted himself again, "Lady Evelyn, until next time. Hopefully I will meet you next time on more favorable terms, or if nothing else I will look forward to seeing you again at your ball."

Rhys angled his body toward William and gave him a brief nod, the most the man was going to get from him by way of respect. "Lord William, thank you again for your offer. Have a good evening."

Turning toward Blackjack, Rhys mounted the towering black stallion yet again and then with a curt wave he worked the horse in a circle and headed off due southeast. Alexander was going to give him hell for such a delay, but he knew how to handle his fair share of unpleasantries. It was all worth it to reach the end goal, wasn't it?

[William James Von Drake]

William couldn't seem to keep the grin from his face. "Oh, it would be no hardship for me to share my bountiful amounts of luck with you, Lady Evelyn. In fact, it would be my pleasure." One dark brow quirked curiously when V mentioned the holes. He had opened his mouth to inquire further when Rhys addressed his invitation to dinner and kindly declined.

"That's too bad, Sir Rhys! We would have loved for you to join us. Most certainly next time!" William wondered what, exactly, would have Rhys traveling to Valdering keep past dark? It wasn't the first time he'd felt a hint of suspicion toward his friend. It only added to the towered pile of suspicions he already had about Alexander. But those were thoughts for another time, he didn't want them overshadowing the evening. All of those problems would still be there tomorrow to be dealt with.

He watched carefully as Rhys said his goodbyes too V. If William weren't mistaken, it seemed as though the man had taken a shine to Evelyn as well. This was a new and interesting development. Hopefully it will not be the cause of ill will between Rhys and myself, he thought, considering he had no plans to forgo his unique courtship of V for the sake of one Rhys Van Alen. Or really anyone.

When Rhys thanked him again, William waved him off, telling him it was nothing and that there were no thanks required. As soon as the man had taken his leave, William returned his attentions to Evelyn. "Lady Evelyn, V," he said the nickname with such compassion, "Would you like to go sit for dinner? It appears as though you've earned all that and more." He offered his arm to her, giving her the option of being escorted--or helped, if need be--to the dining room where he knew that Catharine and the other maids and servants had already set up all the food only a little bit earlier.

[Evelyn Alaina Cristobal]

There it was again, mention of the ball she never wanted to have in the first place. Damn her father and his insistence that they keep in the public eye. She wasn't sure why anyone would want to be public in such times as these, all the civil unrest. "I'm certain I shall see you there though I make no promises that the circumstances will have a much different outcome." Now, whatever could she mean by that? Of course it was probably made in reference to the fact that she'd be tripping over herself. Then again, maybe she was alluding to his delivery of her to the waiting William.

They already planned to rock the boat after all.

Evelyn did not relax again until Rhys had ridden off at which point she turned her gaze on William. She hated that nickname. Well, no, she didn't. She hated how freely he used it. "Well, I suppose since I'm already here," she replied with a sigh though her eyes held a hint of amusement. She'd agreed to join him and though a part of her wanted to make him regret extending the invitation she knew she'd be unable to do so short of throwing food around the dinning room and acting like a complete animal. Even Evelyn had to drawn the line somewhere.

Her curiosity was getting the better of her. She'd never been inside the keep itself though she'd passed it many a time on various trips with her father to the coast. She looped her arm through his own if only so she wouldn't have to hobble up the stairs and hoped that he did not notice how much she leaned against him. She hated showing weakness and she hated even more when it was obvious and pointed out. "I fear to know what more I might deserve," she added once they were moving towards the dining room.

While she had intended to maintain a cool indifference in regards to the interior of the keep, she couldn't help but stare in mild awe at the decor, the furniture, it was very tasteful, comfortable and homey.

[William James Von Drake]

William didn't bother to suppress the chuckle that pressed forward when V agreed to head to the dining room. There seemed to be a constant smile on his lips when she was around. It was intoxicating.

"Right this way, madame," William said in a mock formal tone when she encircled his arm with her own. He did his best to support more of her weight without being outright about it. "I feel you deserve much more than you believe," he commented quietly, a trace of seriousness lingering in his voice as he led her through the keep. It wasn't far to the main dining hall and what a sight it was.

The room was open and generous and was one of the many reasons why the keep had earned the nickname Benevolent keep from the staff the majority of whom appeared to be lining the walls of the room, hands clasped behind their backs. The long cherry wood table stretched from one end of the room clear to the other, able to seat up to fifty people at any one time. At just this moment the entire table was full of food. There was a roast, two types of fowl, potatoes and yams, greens and boats of gravy and sauce littered here and there. The chandelier was lit, the crystal setting a sparkle to the 30 place settings that were laid out at the far end of the table.

"Shall we?" William shot her a grin as he led her toward the head of the table, walking her past an impressive portrait of the Southernmarch shore. On the opposite wall there was an equally magnificent and large landscape with the Benevalore keep resting near the horizon. He took her to the seat just to the right of the head of the table. Releasing her arm, William pulled out the chair that was a slightly darker shade of cherry wood than that of the table, the plush cushion of the seat a deep maroon threaded with gold and auburn. He tucked in the chair behind her as she sat down. Pulling out his own seat, William called out, "Let us eat!" And each and every staff member who had been lining the walls of the room came forward and claimed a chair, each place setting being accounted for.

"Catharine! Everything looks wonderful!" William addressed the plump woman who had taken the place to his left. Catharine waved away the compliment, although she said 'thanks' nonetheless.

Even though all of the servants and maids and staff had already begun piling their plates with food, William aimed his clear blue gaze at Evelyn. "I hope the good company and even better food helps to turn your evening around, V."

[Evelyn Alaina Cristobal]

"I feel you deserve much more than you believe."

What in the world was that supposed to mean? As she walked beside him she debated voicing the question out loud but truth be told she was chicken. She was afraid of what the answer might be and even more afraid of what it potentially couldn't be. These thoughts faded as they entered the main dinning hall. She'd never seen a table outfitted for so many outside of court in Valhaven. Even in their own home they rarely entertained so many guests that such a great number of place settings was necessary.

The questioned that remained now was simple: where were the other guests? Suddenly, and for no logical reason known to her, Evelyn was concerned about her appearance. She'd only taken a small tumble but she could feel were her hair had come loose and strands hung in long wisps to frame her still-flushed cheeks and she knew that dirt marred the deep green fabric of her skirt though it was hard to tell from a distance.

Evelyn's eyes were everywhere at once and she could only nod when William inquired about seating themselves. The most eye catching piece being the portrait of the keep itself looking peaceful and serene in an equally peaceful world. Had the picture been drawn from a memory? From the imagination perhaps? Had the artist stood and pulled the colors from the very sky itself? It seemed ethereal, as if no place should be able to exist in the real world. Yet, here she was, standing in the middle of it.

She lowered herself slowly into the chair William pulled out for her and it was only after they were seated and William called out to them that she noticed the servants lining the walls. She'd been so distracted by the painting that she hadn't looked at anything much lower.

In that instance her question about guests was answered as the staff stepped forward and began to fill the empty chairs that lined either side of the table. Evelyn stared on in awe as they did so in a manner that suggested this was a common act amongst the residents of Benevalore and in that moment Evelyn realized why those that resided here called it what they did, "Benevolent Keep". As she turned her gaze back towards William she found herself regarding him with a new sense of respect though she did well to mask it. The last thing she needed was for him to start getting grander ideas about their 'future' or whatever it was he wanted to call it.

"Everything looks lovely," she said at last, feeling it rude to just stare. Her attention shifted to the woman seated to William's left and she wondered at the significance of that. "I hope you didn't do this all on my account." She hoped this mostly because it made her feel terrible that she had arrived late and made them wait to enjoy their meal.

[William James Von Drake]

William still had that pleased expression painted over his features, "The cooks--" he had intended to tell her that the cooks had gone through no extra strain to set everything up when Catharine cut him off.

"We roasted up a whole extra turkey for ya, lass." She shoved back some of the tendrils of her wildly curling mass of dark hair that had escaped from her tight bun. Grabbing up her fork, she gestured toward William, "Why this one thought you'd need an entire fowl for yourself is beyond me. You look like a slight woman, as far as I can see, ma'am." Catharine scooped up a bite, laughter shining in her green eyes that were crinkled with laugh lines.

William coughed out a short laugh and gave Catharine a wide-eyed shake of his head, before leaning into Evelyn and whispering conspiratorially--just loud enough to Catharine could hear as well, "The woman just doesn't know how to shut her trap." When she glared at him, William chuckled, angling his body toward V again. "I happened to extend my invitation to you on Cheer Night." He lifted his hands palm up, indicating the table before him. "I hadn't quite planned out my invite, so I'm lucky it happened to be a good night in my haste. You could've been here for Grub Night. Now that would have been a sight!" William laughed again, casually reaching out to take a serving fork and begin transferring slices of meat onto first Evelyn's plate and then his own. "Here, before all these scoundrels eat it all up." He said it in such a way that implied he thought of them as nothing of the kind.

He continued piling each of their plates with a little bit of everything within reach. Grabbing his fork, he glanced toward Evelyn. "Cheer Night is definitely the best night of the week." He speared a chunk of potato on the end of his fork and popped it into his mouth. After swallowing, he continued, "It's the night that we, and by 'we' I mean the marvelous Catharine and her staff--I just haven't a way in the kitchen we've discovered--" He and Catharine shared a quick smile, each recalling the week of cooking lessons that Catharine had attempted to bestow upon him. It was still unclear to him how, exactly, he'd set the asparagus on fire. "Make an entire feast of food. Everything and anything that could be desired is made on Cheer Night. All of the leftovers, which are usually plentiful, are saved and we dole them out for the remainder of the week." William sliced a few bite size pieces of his meat, making a quiet hum of pleasure as he chewed.

"So, Grub Night, in comparison," he continued, "Is the night before Cheer Night.

The man sitting to Evelyn's right, who had been listening to their conversation, chimed in, "'Iss when we eat the grub. The las' of the leftovers." He smiled crookedly. "'Iss not always pretty. But like Will says, 'Waste not, want not.'" He nodded his head vigorously as he dug into another bite of greens.

William huffed out another laugh. "Gerard is quite right. And to think you only missed Grub Night by one day." His smile held a wealth of affection and his voice softened just slightly. "Apparently you have more luck than you knew."