<h4>Chapter 10: Gossip</h4>


    I retreated to a seating area where Cali was seated. She scouted out an area where she could see and be seen but was in an area where it was easy for her to be aloof and withdrawn. I think she was going to extremes to avoid another dance partner.


    "How does it feel, Sir Jacobson?" Cali had a look on her face resembling a cat who had just found a mouse. She was about to pounce and I was sure I was her prey.


    "What do you mean?"


    "Have not you noticed the hum about the room?" She beamed.


    I looked around the ballroom. She was right. There was quite a bit of conversation about the room and most of it seemed to involve me. A whisper here and then a nce my way. A giggle from a gaggle of youngdies. What had I done?


    "Was my dancing that bad?" My heart sank. How humiliating.


    "No. Think again. You just escorted the Princess on her birthday from the royal wing." Cali''s Cheshire smile was on full disy.


    "Do they think Princess Alina and I are a couple?" I never really thought of the impression our entrance would give to the people of the court.


    "Yes, but it is much juicer gossip, your future royal highness." Her teasing tone had anotheryer to it that I could not quite figure out. Thesedies were going to wear me out. I froze stunned. Alina was beautiful, but I was far from a suitor.


    "It must be funny to know the truth. That we are all just friends." Iughed nervously, noting just how many eyes were still on me. Cali''s eyes were one of the many sets that was still searching my face for something.


    "Are we all friends? I''m not sure my dear brother thinks so."


    "I suppose his light-hearted teasing goes out the window under the stress of an invitation..." Cali shot me a warning look. I wanted to talk about what happened in the hall, but I suppose that would be too close to mentioning the meeting, "... to this glorious party."


    "Indeed. Too much excitement." Cali rolled her eyes. The next song ended in a graceful flourish. We looked on as Carrion bowed and proceeded to ask for another dance. Perchance he was jealous that the first dance belonged to me. Sadly for Carrion, Lord Holden cut into the dance and saved Alina. It was going to be a long night.


    The night passed as Alina revolved around the dance floor most of the night, rotating partners mainly between Carrion and myself, with the asional turn about the room with Holden. She was stunning and dancing was the best way to keep suspicious guests at an arm''s length. The band finally took a break and I took Alina a ss of punch. She smiled and nodded her thanks.


    "Goodness, I did not realize how much excitement makes me thirsty." Alina flirtatiously grinned. I guess because she did not get to dance with her regr suitors, party goers and well-wishers, she had to get her coquettish behavior out on me.


    Cali joined us quickly followed by her brother. Never before in all the years of knowing Carrion had I seen him so out of sorts. He seemed like a stray dog following his sister and Alina as if they were thest ones to feed him scraps. From my view, all of his importance now hung on the fact that he was in the Princess'' council.


    With our group growing around the Princess, others felt emboldened to approach. It was her party and she did usually mingle with her guests more than she had tonight. Most guests came by for a passing greeting. One young noble, however, was more audacious.


    "My Princess, I wish you the happiest of birthdays. I hope you ept my well-wishes, even though theye from your least favored n." He gave a half bow. When he righted himself, he had a smug smirk.


    "Thank you for the birthday wishes, however I am unsure of your meaning. Pray tell, what are you saying?" Alina looked concerned.


    "You have danced with gentlemen from the ns of bear and wolves. Even the n of stag has caught your attention tonight. Would you care to take a turn about the room with someone from the n of falcon?" His tone was not light and yful. It uneasily teetered on the verge of threatening.


    "I am so sorry. I did not mean to offend my dear countrymen from the mighty house of the falcon. However, I am not quite ready for another dance." Although her voice was strong and her power in this court surpassed all three of usbined, Cali, Carrion and I all seemed to narrow our distance between us and Alina.


    "Her highness regards all ns highly. I am sorry if you feel you have been slighted a dance" I tried to help. I do not even know this courtier. He was pudgy and short, but could not have been much older than Alina. Maybe Alina had danced with him before tonight, but he had not left any impression on me. It was unfair of him to assume a dance would always be granted to him. Although I have to admit, any other evening he could have dly had my ce on the ballroom floor.


    "Says the suitor who had the honor of escorting our Princess this evening" The statement was punctuated by a grossly growling tone and a puffing of the chest. On a taller man, this might have been intimidating; however on this poor fellow it just emphasized the girth around his middle.


    "I would think her Highness would have better taste than the likes of you," he snarled


    "I am not the one trying to scold my sovereign." I should not have opened my mouth. I was making the situation worse. Alina had been the center of attention all night.


    Even the chatter around the room had tapered off making her even more so now. This gentleman seemed to notice the on-lookers. He was going to make this difficult.