Act I

Han knocked on the servants’ door of the keep, shivering slightly from the chill that blew across the land. He waited patiently until the heavy wooden door was opened, and behind it stood a man to be in about his late thirties, maybe early forties dressed in a nearly all black suit. Han guessed that he was a servant or butler. He wasn’t quite sure which. The man stood there expectantly, and Han took that as his cue to speak.

“Ah....Yes, I hear that this keep welcomes bards?” he said in a soft, nearly quavering voice. Why was he so nervous? Perhaps it was just from traveling so much. He desperately needed a place to stay and some food to eat. He could only hope that he was welcomed here.

The man who had opened the door stepped back and opened it fully, nodding to Han curtly. “Please, come in,” he said crisply. “We do welcome musicians at our keep. I’ll show you to the kitchen.” He waited for Han to pass through the door before shutting it. Silently, the butler led Han through a small hallway, which was decorated with random suits of armor doting it here and there. A candelabra stood, lit, on a dark wood loveboy and gave off a small measure of light. The elderly gentleman stopped at a small door on his left and opened it. He waited patiently for Han to pass through before giving him instructions.

“Sit over at one of the two tables there. One of the cooks will be sure to feed you. I hope you’re ready to play by twilight....” And with that, he turned and left.

Han looked about the kitchen. It was full of activity and the fires were practically roaring as the cooks prepared meals. Toward his left were two long wooden tables that had obviously seen better times. They were cracked and warped slightly, but who was he to complain? Both of the tables were laden with food and Han seated himself, placing his violin and flute cases next to him. He eyed the food hungrily and randomly chose food that looked particularly appetizing. He ate like one who hadn’t had a decent meal in weeks and his clothes certainly had seen better days, much like the table. His hair was black and curly, only about shoulder length, and his eyes were a dark brown(black?). He wore simple traveling clothes consisting of well worn pants, tunic, and boots, all had been patched at some point or another.

Time had passed more quickly than he had thought. Han had dozed off slightly in his seat when a maid came by and whispered something in his ear, jerking him awake. He looked over toward the door that he came in through and saw the elderly man from earlier standing there. Han hastily stood up and grabbed his things and hurried over to him.

“The master is waiting for you,” the man said. He turned on his heel and started off in the opposite direction of the kitchen, toward darker parts of the keep. The further they went along, the more lavish the decorations seemed to become. Han was led up a short staircase to a door that somehow seemed plain compared to everything around it. The butler opened the door and stood to once side, letting the young man pass through.

Han looked about himself and marveled at the beauty of the room. It was round, but still rather large. Moonlight spilled across the floor and lit the room in a more charming way than candlelight ever could. Chairs were placed here and there, and a lounging couch was near the window. To his left was a display case of instruments. There were so many to choose from! Whoever this master was, he certainly loved his music. He heard humming coming from somewhere and cast about for its source. He found its owner when he moved slightly to his left and moonlight lighted a man, maybe in his late twenties, reclining in a chair with one leg draped over the arm of it. His head was leaning back and he seemed utterly relaxed. The man had hair as pale as the moonlight and his skin was nearly as pale. He had the type of face that was androgynous, and would have seemed effeminate in other men, but not in his. He wore a gray colored poet’s shirt and black leather pants and boots.

The man stopped humming and sat up, regarding Han with cool silver/blue eyes. He peered at Han intently. It was almost as though he could see straight into the bard’s soul with those beautiful silver/blue eyes.

“Can you play by ear?” he asked in a quiet voice.

Han nodded. “Y-yes, sir.” He gulped past the lump in his throat.

The man nodded once, curtly. “Good.” He stood up from his chair and began walking toward Han, still looking at him intently. “What can you play?”

“Anything, sir,” Han replied promptly.

“Good,” the man said again. He gestured to Han’s instrument cases. “Please, play something.”

“Uh, yes, sir.” Han bent down and lowered the cases to the floor. He opened up his violin case and began to clean the extra rosin from the strings before taking out the bow, tightening it, then rosining it. He placed it to one side and took out his violin. Hefting it to his left shoulder, Han began tuning the instrument with care, turning the pegs of the violin until he was satisfied. He looked up at the ceiling for a moment, then began to play. It was a tune that many of the people had fun singing and stuck in your head all day.

The man listened quietly, and when he was satisfied, motioned for Han to stop. The bard stopped immediately and looked up at the lord in politely inquiry.

“You’re name?” the lord asked, still in that quiet voice.

“H-Han, sir. Han Selv,” the bard replied.

The man nodded slowly. “Him self,” he translated. “I am Prince Adrian, lord of this castle. You have earned yourself a place here at this keep as my bard.” He smiled thinly. “You see, my last bard ran off and left. I have need for a replacement.”

Han blinked. This man, Adrian, seemed a bit odd. Almost eccentric, but he seemed to be pleasant enough. Han bowed, pleased that he was accepted. “I’d be honored, sir.”

“Good,” Adrian replied. He took a few steps closer and walked around the bard, sizing him up. “Do you have any other clothes than these?”

Han shook his head. “No, Sir. The clothes that I wear are all that I have.”

Adrian pursed his lips into a thin line. “This will not do….” He looked Han up and down again. “We shall go shopping tomorrow. No bard of mine shall be dressed in beggars clothes.”

Han bowed his head. “Of course, Sir.”

“Meet me at my quarters at sunrise tomorrow,” Adrian ordered. When Han nodded, he continued. “In the meantime, I suggest that you rest. One of the servants will show you to your new chambers.”

The bard bowed again and left the room bowing, unwilling to raise his eyes to meet Adrian’s. As soon as he exited the room, a servant stood waiting patiently by the door. When he was ready, the young man showed Han to his new room and departed, giving him fair warning not to wander about in the east wing at night.

When the servant left, Han sighed and shut the door. What a day. He readied himself for bed and climbed into the soft cotton sheets and laid his head down on the pillow. Within minutes, he was fast asleep.

***

Han was roused early. The sun hadn’t even risen yet and he was told to dress and head directly to Master Adrian’s private chambers as soon as possible. He did as he was bid and hurried down the hall after the servant, a female this time, to a darker part of the castle.

There was a pervading feeling of being overwhelmed by a darkness so thick that breathing was almost difficult. Han suddenly felt very small and that he shouldn’t be there. There was something lurking about in the darkness and it made the hairs on the back of his neck rise in warning. He continued to travel down the hall until he reached two huge, oak, double doors. He knocked on them hesitantly and waited for an answer. After a moment, he heard a faint, “Come in!” from within. He pushed one of the heavy doors open and peeked inside.

The atmosphere inside was decidedly different than outside. Sunlight streamed through sheer curtains and lit most of the room up. Shadows lay deep in the further reaches of the room where Han guessed that the bed lay. It almost seemed as though the sunlight couldn’t reach to some parts of the room. Han then noticed Adrian sitting on a stool in front of a mirror. A chambermaid stood behind him with a brush in her apron pocket and a ribbon in her hand as she braided Adrian’s hair into a thick plait. She tied it off with the gray colored ribbon and stepped back respectfully.

Adrian inclined his head to the maid and turned to Han. “Good. You’re here. Have you eaten?” When Han nodded, he continued. “Very well, then. We shall be on our way.” He rose smoothly to his feet and fitted his doublet on himself as the maid waited behind him with his surcoat. When he was ready, the pretty chambermaid helped Adrian into his surcoat.

“Do you need any further assistance, Master Adrian?” she asked in a quiet voice.

“No, thank you, Arianu,” Adrian replied, “but could you summon the carriage?”

Arianu bowed again and quietly left the room, leaving the door open partially open for Adrian and Han to leave.

Adrian smiled faintly at Han. “Are you ready?”

Han, for all the world, looked as serious as about answering the question as though it were a matter of life and death. “As ready as I shall ever be, sir.”

Adrian looked highly amused and left the room, not waiting to see if Han followed him or not. He made his way through the hallways and out to the entrance where the carriage awaited to take the two men out to town. Adrian stepped in and Han followed closely behind. The door snapped shut and the driver sped off down the gravel road through the countryside.

***

The trip to the city was the highlight of the day for Han. He got to see the countryside and the city during the daylight hours rather than at night, which was the a vast difference. The city was decorated in festive banners and glittering emblems. Han had asked Adrian what was the celebration was for and was rewarded with a curt reply that it was for the Vernal Equinox, the celebration for spring.

Han was delighted with the idea of attending the celebration, but when he looked over at the young lord, he received a fathomless glare and he hastily turned away.

When they reached the tailor's shop, Adrian told the clerk what he needed and gestured to Han. The clerk, who was a woman named Nalome, smiled kindly and whisked the young bard somewhere in the back to measure him. Once she was satisfied, she had Han stand on a small stool as she brought different outfits out for him to decide upon. Han couldn't, or wouldn't, choose what to wear.

Han was embarrassed when Adrian had to finally be brought in to choose, and choose he did. Beautifully ornate surcoats and doublets were chosen that allowed Han the freedom of movement required for playing, with simple matching pants and boots. All in colors of gray, silver, blue, maroon, and black. They were definitely outfits that Han never would have picked out for himself.

Spurred on by Adrian's generosity, and just a trifle embarrassed by his amusement, Han spent minutes agonizing over two more sets of clothes to choose from. Finally deciding upon something, he chose two outfits of muted colors that were closer to Han's liking, but still in the theme that Adrian had chosen. When he saw Adrian nod approvingly out of the corner of his eye, Han was immensely proud of himself.

They returned to the castle, and Han was shepherded off to his room by one of the stewards, saying that Master Adrian needed time to himself to plan a party.

"A party?" Han echoed, almost aghast. "For what?"

The steward smiled pleasantly. "Why, for you, of course. Master Adrian is immensely pleased with you, and would like to show you off to his peers at court."

Han looked horrified.

The male steward laughed at Han's expression. "No need to be nervous. The master just wants you to play at the party. It shan't be that large. Only a few close friends and their families. Nothing to worry about." And with that, the steward shooed him off to his room.

Han spent all night agonizing over the coming party. He fretted over whether or not he would embarrass Adrian or not and if he could perform in front of all those people. He sighed. He shouldn't really worry. He's performed in front of nobles before. Nothing new. With that comforting thought, he fell asleep.

***

Vanessa was loosing her patience. What was with Adrian these days? He spent most of his time brooding in his study or music room and wouldn't let anyone in except for that damnable new bard. She cursed under her breath. Remembering one of the lady's that Adrian entertained about wrinkles, she quickly smoothed her face and relaxed. Inside, she still seethed.

Damn that bard! She knew Adrian fancied him. She had been with the young prince long enough to know when he wanted something for himself. She sighed. She remembered when Adrian used to look at her that way. Now he looked at her in annoyance and irritation. She knew that he still had use for her. It was the only reason why she was still at the keep. Still, she didn't need Adrian straying from her.

She prowled her closet for something to wear for the party tonight. A gathering on such short notice was normally unheard of, but not for Adrian. She chose to wear something that revealed her more desirable assets, but included a choker to safeguard against any unwanted guests. You never knew who Adrian would be inviting.

Vanessa walked over to her bed and flopped down upon it. She couldn't wait for tonight. If all went well, the bard would be humiliated and she was be back in the spotlight again. It would be one of her many triumphs. She would get back at Adrian Cross casting her aside for a mere bard that coward ever time someone talked to him. What a weakling! If this plan of hers failed....She narrowed her eyes. She would make sure that this plan didn't fail.

***

Adrian, as always, was bored. He sat upon his throne made of onyx that his father had commissioned when Adrian had been a boy. He had been told by one of his siblings that he would never sit upon the throne of Cross Keep, despite him being the eldest. His snide younger brother by only a year had sneered at him and gloated over the fact that he would inherit. Odd, how boys of only thirteen and twelve could be so malicious to each other. Now, he sat upon the throne and was ruler of Cross Keep. Adrian considered it his last parting gift to his younger brother to his portrait hang on the opposite wall of where he sat. He hoped that in some way, his brother could see him like this and was writhing in hate down in Hell.

The proceedings were very boring, but done with efficiency. His staff knew how to prepare for little parties on short notices and his guests had come to expect them. Han was off to Adrian's left, sitting in a chair nervously and dressed in the dark blue surcoat and white doublet, pants, and poet's shirt that Adrian had picked out. He, on the other hand, had chosen to wear blood red and black. He wanted Han to stand out as much as possible. Although, Adrian stood out in the black and red because of his hair.

He watched Han for a moment as the bard tuned his violin nervously and rosin his bow. When he was done, he plucked nervously at the strings, looking at all of the beginning to file in. In a fit of nervousness, he began to retune his violin and rosin his bow again. Adrian figured that there was enough rosin on that bow for it to all fly off the moment Han started playing. Adrian sighed. He hoped Han would relax as soon as he started to play, as he usually did.

The nights that Adrian spent with Han playing his violin had been the most relaxing and most amusing. Han reminded him a deer frozen in terror whenever he asked the bard a question, he was so nervous. When Han played, though, Adrian could hear that elusive tune again. The one that soothed his soul and brought him so much peace. He only heard it most clearly in fits of rage or passion. Rage had been the most predominate, as of late. Especially with Vanessa.

He frowned at the thought of her and turned his attention from Han, lest the young man think that he was displeased with him. Lately, she had been a thorn in his side. She was upset about something, and he supposed it was because of Han. She hated anything that took his attention away from her. Adrian's lips twitched in what would have been a smile. Vanessa was jealous of sweet, timid Han, who had no idea that he had incurred the wrath of one of the most powerful females in the entire keep. She was the only other one who could order someone being fired or tortured. No killing, however. That was left to Adrian.

When all of his guests had arrived and seated themselves, Adrian turned to Han and nodded to him. That was Han's cue to play. Adrian didn't care much that Vanessa wasn't present. This would only serve to irk her more. She knew she had to wait until the bard was done playing before she entered. She had already suffered Adrian's wrath from the one time that she did interrupt. She hadn't been able to lay down on her back in her bed or lean back in a chair for weeks.

Han stood up from his seat and walked to the center of the hall. All eyes were on him now, and that made him nervous. He shut them all out and closed his eyes. He lifted his violin to his shoulder and laid his chin upon the chinrest. He took in a breath and lifted his bow. He hadn't even let the beginning note play when the doors flew open. He froze in midair and turned to face the doors. It was a woman dressed in gold and white that showed off her exquisite body with a white lace choker about her neck. Her black hair was piled atop her head with tiny jewels inlaid in it, showing off her neck as if it were a fragile thing. She wasn't looking at him, however; she was staring right at Prince Adrian.

Adrian was enraged. His eyes had gone wide with anger and he had almost surged to his feet, but he calmed himself down and forced himself to sit. He could hear that tune now, and it only fueled his anger. Vanessa hadn't exactly interrupted Han's performance. She came in right before, but she was close. She was too close this time. He clenched his jaw to keep himself from saying anything that would let her know that he was displeased. No use giving her that satisfaction.

He gestured for her take her seat by the chair that he would occupy shortly for the feasting, careful to keep his face controlled. He kept his face impassive as he had seen the old Prince Cross do and waited for Vanessa to seat herself. He refused to watch her as she walked across the dance floor of the hall to her seat, brushing by Han as she did so. Adrian kept his gaze on Han. He raised his hand to signal to Han to continue playing when the door opened again slightly. Rather than livid with anger, he was annoyed. Vanessa's mistakes or little games he wouldn't tolerate. She knew better. His guests, however, didn't.

The door on the left opened more and one of his guests, a lord newly inducted, entered. He was the livery that was common of the day, and his dark brown hair was long and tapered in the fashion that many women loved. His blue eyes were alight with excitement in his place face as he entered. He tugged on an a pale hand that he held clamped in his and cajoled someone to come into the room.

Adrian was amused. He had known the young lord's father before he had passed away, and had always enjoyed his father's company, as well as his when he had come of age. The House of White was rarely ever late, and he knew not to come in while a performance was held. The young Lord White was a music lover himself. He, of course, hadn't heard any playing and saw Vanessa enter the hall before him, so took this as his cue to enter.

He was just about to lower his arm to allow Lord White to convince his guest to enter when she finally entered. He froze and the breath left his body. Lord White's guest was a pale woman with auburn hair and pale blue eyes. She was dressed in a hunter green dress that seemed to flow about her. It cinched in at her waist, showing off her figure in a way that Vanessa's never could and was exceedingly daring. The sleeves of her dress were off her shoulders and were only two inches thick. About her neck was a black collar with a gold emblem at its center. Her hair glittered with something that the staff of the White household had put in her hair, but her face was absent of any paint. Only her eyes were outlined with coal. She stared down at the floor and only shook her head when Lord White asked her a question.

Adrian lowered his arm slowly and willed her to look up at him as Lord White escorted her to a seat at the table and ordered another one brought out for him. She only glanced up at him for a mere second, and he saw fear in her eyes. That was when he took a closer look at her collar. She was Lord White's captive. A slave, perhaps. Where Lord White had found this woman was beyond him. She seemed to be begging for help silently before looking away. Why would she be afraid? The House of White was mortal, as far as he knew, unless...

He realized that everyone was waiting expectantly and Adrian raised his arm once again to Han. The bard began to play immediately as the door closed. Han seemed almost relieved. Adrian would have been amused by this if the presence of the strange woman wasn't so distracting. He was drawn to her, but he couldn't understand why. He looked over at her and watched as she leaned away from Lord White, eyes closed in pain.

He watched the young lord for a moment. There was something decidedly different about him. He watched more closely and frowned. He glanced at the only other one of his kind present and saw an imperceptible nod. Adrian raised an eyebrow, an unspoken question and a slight shake of the head was his answer. How could Lord White not know? Unless the old Lord White had married another. That would explain much, and perhaps the fear in the woman.

Adrian took in a deep breath to calm himself. The fear the woman was exhibiting was intoxicating. He had never seen any woman like her before. Red tinted hair was unheard of. He wanted to go over to her and whisk her away, protect her from whatever was causing the fear. He berated himself. His past mortal self was still predominate in some of his behaviorisms. He still had a weakness for women, which was probably why he chose Vanessa.

He glanced over at Vanessa for a moment. He was immensely pleased with the look of rage on her face. This was the second blow to her pride, and he knew it. This only emboldened him. He stood up from his throne, which Han took no notice of, lost in his music as he played. Adrian walked slowly over to where the younger Lord White sat, trying to talk to his guest. He saw her look up and could have sworn that he saw relief in her eyes. Her sudden attention upon him caused the dark haired lord to look up and stutter to a stop. He barely concealed a look of anger, but careful school by his father kept his emotions in check. Adrian just ignored him. He held out his hand to the woman, waiting for her. She stared at it for a moment, not even looking at her captor. She grasped his hand and stood. Lord White began to sputter a protest but a cold look from Adrian quailed him and he sat back down in his chair.

Adrian led the woman out to the main floor near Han. He turned to face her and grasped her right hand in his left as his right hand slipped about her waist. He was about to begin a waltz when she spoke.

"I-I don't know how to dance," she said quietly. Her voice was light and airy, just as he had expected.

"I shall lead you, my lady," Adrian replied. And he did. He kept his steps to a minimum so that she could follow, and slowed his pace down but still fit within the tempo Han had set. "You're enchanting. I have never seen a lady such as you before. Where do you hail from?"

She laughed lightly and looked away. "If I told you, you wouldn't believe me."

"Try me."

She looked up at Adrian and into his eyes, apparently searching for something. "Far, far away from here," she replied softly. "Far across the ocean..."

He leaned in, so that his lips were near her ear, and murmured, "What is your name, my lady?" He felt her tense up, whether from disbelief that he believed her or from anger that perhaps he was mocking her.

"Anallya," she replied.

"A lovely name, my lady," he murmured in her ear. He still couldn't tell if she was angry or not, not that it mattered much. Gods, how he wanted her. Her fear of Lord White was intoxicating, and her scent was driving him insane. When he closed his eyes, her image burned in his mind's eye as bright as the sun. His desire for her was overwhelming. He had never wanted something or someone so badly in his life. But he couldn't have her. She was Lord White's; however, he was the ruling prince, and one of the kings...he could take her away from Lord White. She would be all his, and only his...

He thrust her away from him before his thoughts got carried away from him. He closed his eyes and tried to still his rising need and desire for her. He couldn't let himself loose control and do something that he would regret later. He whispered to her desperately, "Please, seat yourself, my lady." He felt, rather than saw, her move away from him. He was trembling now. When was the last time he trembled with his need? He couldn't remember. Faint strains of that tune came to him on the wind. It was then that he realized that the hall was filled with a deathly hush.

"Leave," he ordered hoarsely. He heard everyone rise quietly and leave the hall. Even Han. It was just as well. He didn't need anyone near him while he went out and satisfied his need. A less likely chance he would hurt someone. He waited as his servants doused all of the candles and lamps within the room and filed out. Once the door closed, he stepped into the deeper shadows of the room and disappeared within its soothing darkness.

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