FOREVER KNIGHTS: #5 Subjugation of Beasts
RAESE - A Beautiful Ball

WhiteHall, Harridan Hamlet, Paladines (Lost for nineteen years)

RAESE

Raese vividly recalled every moment of the Ball in Dread Country. I’d rather be there then here.

He went downstairs to meet Rodger Barnes in his Tea Room.

Entering to the sound of his friend’s robust greeting. “Whiting, My Chap!” Rodger ambled over to slap his back. “Have you been ill?”

Sick with confusion. Trying to remember, yes.

“In a sense.”

“What nefarious machinations have you been up to?” Rodger was intrigued.

“Dreaming.” He said bluntly.

“Of a fine woman, no doubt?”

The finest.

“No doubt.” Raese agreed.

“Tell me of this woman that’s taming you? I’ve heard nothing of her.” Rodger requested.

She’s far older than you, Friend.

“Calisto. She’s beautiful.”

“Calisto who?” Rodger brushed his overcoat aside and sat adjacent to Raese.

Just Calisto.

“I don’t know her full name yet.”

“Ooh.” Rodger cooed. “And the mystery deepens…”

“She is mysterious.” Raese muttered, lifting his cup for a sip.

Wish she was less so.

“How old is she?”

I’ve no idea. Raese choked. Nearly spitting liquid over the table.

“Fair question.” His brows descended. “I think perhaps older than I.”

Rodger’s interest peaked. “Unusual of you…Tell me more. What does she look like? Perhaps I know her.”

Unlikely.

“She’s long black hair. Soft and usually worn down.”

Like a wild creature.

Rodger grunted. “Huh. That is uncommon. Especially in the Paladines.”

“So are her blue eyes. Uncommonly light for her gold skin and dark hair.”

“Gold skin! Is she exotic?”

Feglen Forest exotic. Ghostly exotic. Every kind of exotic you can imagine…

“Most certainly.” Raese evaded.

“Have you been courting her?”

For centuries, it seems.

“I took her to a Ball.”

“Ooh. Recently?”

No.

“No, I think not.”

Rodger looked vaguely confused. “Think not? Does she have a bosom to match this pretty face?” Rodger grinned broadly.

Raese nodded slightly. Who are you to ask such a question? He was suddenly very protective. Somewhat insulted Rodger would ask him that.

She was my wife. I’ve reason to be.

“Well done, Man!” Rodger said jovially.

Raese rolled his eyes Heavenward.

“When do you plan to see her again?”

As soon as possible!

“Tonight, hopefully.”

“Hopefully?” Rodger was astounded.

“There’s no guarantee on when I see her again. She comes to me.”

However, not nearly often enough.

“Intriguing…Does she have a sister?” Rodger grinned.

“Not one, I’d let you touch.” Raese said dryly. Sharing a smile with his friend.

His fondness for Rodger hadn’t waned since that day his friend found him alongside the road. Rodger was the first memory he had. The first human face I can recall.

It’d taken me forever to piece together this life. Now I’m trying to link them with pieces of a past one. All of it made his head pound anew.

Of the little he knew, Raese recognized the villages, the trees and clothing from long ago. Centuries ago.

That was when my Calisto lived. So how is she still here?

Even now he felt a chill along the back of his neck and felt her presence somewhere behind him. But a glance there revealed nothing. It was just that constant chilly presence that was with him. Comforting him.

How he longed to reach out to her. To hear her voice.

Keep fighting. If there is a way to bring you back, I’ll find it. He vowed to himself. Tuning out Rodger’s conversation.

The Ball in Dread Country had been beautiful. People gasped when Raese and Calisto entered. But alongside Raese, complete with long coat and eye patch, no one dared approach her. Together they were an imposing couple.

People are terrified of us. They shot them furtive looks.

Raese expected someone would recognize him as the man that’d defended her at the masque, but no one seemed to. If they did, they said nothing.

Raese spent the night with her supple body in his arms. Turning her in the steps of the dance. Clutching her to him for the slower songs. Much to his surprise, she let him. Resting her head lightly against his chest. Even sliding an arm around his waist.

Raese felt such joy. The smell of wild grass and the sound of her tinkling laughter surrounding him. Chandelier light catching in her dark hair. Making it shine like sunlight on water.

She’s breathtaking.

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