Ruhgaia - The Valredis Ball

Prince Leron Valredis realized he'd made a colossal mistake.  The ambassadors had advised against it, but, in his arrogance, he'd gone ahead with his whims.  He was regretting it now.

You never invite Scathens to a ball.

He didn't invite them all.  Indeed, most of the army was making a ruckus outside with the common folk.  The commanders, and some of their 'propagandists,' an odd form of minstrel, had been allowed to the main event.

After a round of the usual dancing, the commanding officer of the force called out to liven things up.  The propagandists, as if they'd been expecting this all along, had immediately pulled out their instruments and overpowered the current music with something very lively.  Several nobles, unable to keep up, left the floor, allowing a gaping hole to form in the center.  The foreign officers took to it and began their own dance.

It was scandalous, in Leron's opinion.  Women danced with other women, men with other men.  Partners changed quickly, and both moved in and out of almost racy positions.  There was none of the slow graceful sweeps, but more jumping to it, as well as spins that made the noble feel dizzy just from looking at them.

Was this how their allies danced?  As if to answer him, the general of the legion arrived next to him.

"You know, it's been a while since we had a shindig, but it really helps morale."  He grinned, breath thick with the scent of mead.

"A what?" Leron blinked back, "A shindig?"

"Oh, you know, a party sorta like this.  You had some really slow music though.  Hope you didn't mind the change.  Felt like I was attending a memorial."

"Ah...  Yes.  It's no trouble." the prince frowned, disappointed at the lack of elitism the Scathens were showing.

"Yeah, though the other folk here seem to be unhappy with it.  Anyhow, I hope you don't mind, but whatever's going on outside seems to be more of my kind of thing, so I'm going to head out, and take whatever officers, alright?  Enjoy your party."  He grinned, and left Leron alone.

The Scathens all left shortly after, propagandists included.  Many were glad the upstarts were gone from the ballroom, but Leron wasn't.  Somehow, he'd gotten the impression he'd failed.  The people he meant to impress had all left what he'd considered the main event for the distraction meant for the lesser folk.

And from the noises outside, there was a lot more fun out there than in the seemingly still air of his palace...