"Who was that man?" said Theesa as she and December climbed into the large carriage. Zade was already seated inside, and had watched the exchange between her employer and the strange gentlemen with typical suspicion. Now she eyed Theesa with a stern "haven't you figured it out yet, you idiot!" look.
"That was Sheriff Wylan Chastain," said December. He sat down on the carriage's overly-padded bench. Theesa squeezed in next to him. "He was merely passing along some information."

"He looked afraid," said Theesa.

"He was," December added. He turned around and opened the small window behind him. The driver sat on the other side.

"To the ball, sir?" said the driver.

"The scenic route," December added. "Be certain to go by the waterfront."

"Aye, sir!"

December closed the window.

"YAH!" the driver belted. There was the sudden crack of a whip, that made Theesa jump and brought a half-smile to Zade's dark lips. The carriage jerked forward, and then began to move smoothly as the team of trained horses set the carriage into motion.

"The scenic route?" said Theesa. "I didn't know you wanted to SEE any of the city?"

"I do not," said December. He pointed at Zade, then made a jerking motion with his thumb... indicating the driver's seat. Zade nodded.

"What was that about?"

"Some of the information that Sheriff Wylan shared as quite timely... it involved the loyalties of our driver. I'm afraid the driver will not be with us for the entire trip. Wouldn't you agree, Zade?"

"Oh? Ohhhhh...."

---

The trip the Brinks estate was remarkably uneventful. Somewhere just short of the waterfront, Zade slipped out of the moving carriage, broke driver's neck, tossed the body into the river, and took over the duties of piloting the carriage the rest of the way. If December and Theesa hadn't known what was going on, they never would've even noticed. The rather elaborate ambush that awaited them just past the pier continued to wait for the remainder of the night.

The Brinks estate was a huge monstrosity of a place. The fact that its walls and grounds were covered with sculptures, artwork, cultured ivy, and neatly-sculpted shrubs did relatively little to hide its ugliness. It was the home of a pirate and smuggler, and it certainly looked the part. It sat on the highest point in New Venyce, overlooking the entire city. Nothing else, not even the cities famed elevate buildings, could avoid the estate's downward gaze. Eighteen foot high stone walls surrounded the grounds. Towering turrets loomed at each corner, but whether they were manned with archers or not was still the subject of much conversation. No one knew for sure, because no one dared breech the grounds to find out. Once past the gate, the main road wound through several ostentatious gardens. Life-sized stone sculptures of men and animals gave way to green shrubbery carved into the shapes of mythological beings. The flower garden was perpetually illuminated by a miniature sun... quite an expensive bit of magic. Then there was the garden of fountains...thin streams of water shot high into the air and arced over the carriage-path, creating a beautiful and slightly unsettling effect. Then there was another flower-garden... this one containing truly rare blossoms that simply should not have existed in this part of the world. The thick carpet of color flanked the path all the way to the courtyard, where Zade stopped the carriage.

Another miniature sun shone brilliantly overhead. This one's light was softer and more soothing... more like a moon. It was perfect for a formal affair. It made the silk shine and the jewels sparkle Zade eyed the large floating globe warily.

"I bet Lovvorn could top that," she mumbled.

A team of well-dressed attendants swarmed toward the carriage.

"Break it up in there," said Zade. She pounded on the carriage wall with her elbow. "We're here."

The attendants helped December and Theesa step down from the carriage, leaving Zade to fend for herself.

"You may park your carriage around the side," one of them said to Zade.

"Oh, really?" said Zade. "You aren't going to move it for me?"

"You're the driver aren't you?"

"No," said Zade. She grabbed the man by the throat and the belt. She picked him up, turned around and slammed him down forcibly in the driver's seat. "YOU are."

"V-very well..." The man gulped.

Zade straightened her dress and quickly joined her employer and Theesa as they were being escorted into the ballroom.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN," the greeter announced. "LORD DECEMBER AND LADY LEMAY."

All eyes in the crowded ballroom turned to them... with good reason.

Zade's dress was a stunning black gown with a scandalous split up the left side and a neckline that plunged so low that she may as well have been topless. It fit her shapely form perfectly, accentuating her already-noticeable curves. There were no leather boots on her feet or weapons at her waist... instead, she wore pointed heels that put even more of a sensual sway into her walk. Her newly-purhcased bracers adorned her arms, gleaming in the light like fine platinum. A gleaming diamond necklace rested on the swell of her bosom... as if she NEEDED something to draw more attention to it. She was beautiful. No man in the room could look at her just once... they had to look three or four times just to be sure they weren't imagining her. Women suddenly became either jealous, angry, or both. Several female egos withered and died the instant Zade entered the room.

But, as beautiful as she was, Zade couldn't hold a candle to Theesa. Her elaborate white dress was almost the exact opposite if Zade's. It left very little skin exposed, but was tight and shapely enough to draw the male eye to the charms that lay hidden beneath. Her golden hair was tied up in a bun, with a bejeweled pin to hold it in place. The flawless diamonds and rubies on the platinum pin were worth more money than most people in the room could make in a year. The matching necklace and bracelet were beyond opulent... they were ridiculously, even SINFULLY expensive. Yet she wore them like royalty... they fit her without being pretentious. She looked as she were born wearing them.

Beside her, December wore his black formal attire. It was similar to what most of the other men were wearing, except that the fabric was perhaps five times as expensive. He wore no jewels, save for a large signet ring with the letter "D" emblazoned across the surface. It was a very subdued look for a man who was perhaps the richest in the room.

"'Lord December,'" Theesa said after they'd been announced. "Has a nice ring to it, wouldn't you say?"

"Indeed," December replied.

"This place is beautiful," said Theesa. The ballroom was enormous, perhaps twice the size as one would normally expect for a similarly-sized manse. The tables were along the left half of the room... white silk tablecloths over polished ebony wood. A large stage took up the entire right wall, and on that stage sat a full orchestra, which was just warming up for their next piece. The ballroom floor was polished and waxed to a glistening sheen, perfect for ballroom dancing. An immense crystal chandelier hung over it, with a balcony supported by massive stone columns running around the perimeter. Beneath the empty balcony, the wealthiest of New Venyce's substantial upper class had gathered. The richest and most powerful men of the city... and their wives and/or mistresses were all present. They were spectacular... men and women adorned in their best jewels and finery. Their opulence was topped only by the ballroom itself... Each wall was like a museum of fine art. Paintings and tapestries from the far reaches of Iffrean adorned each. Largest among them was a portrait of Felicia Brinks hanging opposite the entrance. Larger than life and exquisitely done in oil on the finest canvas... a masterpiece of some already-famed artist.

"Interesting," said December as he studied the painting.

"That he would hang her portrait here?" Theesa asked.

"No... what interests me is not what IS here... but what is not."

"What?"

December had no time to answer. At the announcement of his name, about a dozen party-goers had begun to descend upon them. What followed was a flurry of hand-shaking and introductions. Some knew December from Montfort or other cities, and others merely wanted to get close to the wealthy stranger in their midst. To all of them he was simply December... an exceptionally wealthy and well-travelled jewel merchant. None of them knew who December REALLY was... living a duel life did have its advantages.

"Oh, MY!" said a rather large woman adorned with far too much jewelry. "What a SURPRISE seeing you in New Venyce! Do you remember me? I was one of your best customers in Threlholm. I bought... let's see..." she began to rummage through the ton of jewelry that adorned her neck and fingers. "...this one... and this one... oh, and THIS one..."

"And they are as beautiful on you now as they were then," December lied. The woman giggled and turned a very unappealing shade of pink.

"Welcome to New Venyce, my good man!" said a tall, thin gentleman. He gave a warm smile that faltered slightly when he clasped December's cold hand. "...errr..."

"A pleasure to meet you," December lied again.

The orchestra's music suddenly increased in volume... the strings began sewing a moderately slow tempo, and a exotic-looking singer took to the stage. Having greeted more people than he cared to at the moment, December grasped Theesa's hand-

"Would you care to dance, my dear?"

"Dance?" said Theesa.

"I DO dance," he said. "On occasion."

Theesa smiled and allowed December to lead her to the ballroom floor just as the song began.

"This is a lovely song," Theesa remarked. "But... I've never been to a ball before. I don't know how-"

"Simply follow my lead," December grasped Theesa around the waist and they began a simple series of movements that slowly escalated into an actual dance. Theesa's nervousness quickly vanished as they maneuvered around in small sweeping circles along with other couples on the dance floor. She held December close... dancing and listening to the singer's words. It was a love song, of sorts. She knew the words, but this was the first time in a while that she'd actually FELT them. She couldn't help but smile.

"Why?" December said suddenly.

"Why what?"

"Your smile. It is beautiful... but why share it with me... out of all the men in Montfort?"

"For the same reason you put up with me, I suppose," Theesa replied.

"You make it seem as though I am merely tolerating you."

"I don't know..." said Theesa. "I had a conversation with Zade and... it didn't bother me at the time, but when I come here among all these rich people-"

"They are nothing," said December. "You and I are all that matter tonight."

"And Gabrial Brinks."

"Brinks is not my concern. Not now. Not while I am looking into your eyes."

"That's so sweet..."

"It is true. You have returned something to me that I thought lost ages ago. You have returned it... enhanced it... made it new again. Made ME new again. I cannot be bothered with pettiness when you are in my arms, my dear."

"But what about-"

"Shhhh...." said December. "Speak not his name."

"But-"

December suddenly spun and leaned forward in a low dip that caught Theesa by surprise. He pulled her back upright, spun her around and yanked her back into his arms. Then he pressed his lips to hers in a deep kiss.

"You were saying?" he said when the kiss ended.

"....."

They continued their dance without further mention of Brinks or other 'pettiness.'

Meanwhile, Zade had wandered over near the orchestra to get a different view of the room. She confirmed what both she and December knew the moment they entered... Gabrial Brinks was not here.

"Creeping around the manse, plotting something no doubt," she muttered.

"Ahhh... a lady so lovely that the only one worthy of her conversation... is herself!" said a well-dressed and very drunk young man. He approached her with a drink in each hand. He offered Zade one.

"No thanks," she said.

"Then perhaps you'll grace me with your presence on the dance floor?"

"I don't dance."

"Pity," said the man. He drained one of the drinks in a single gulps, then gave a sly smile. "Hey... uhh... you aren't one of the... you know... women."

"I LOOK like a woman, don't I?"

"HEH! Of course! But are you... you know... one that Brinks hires to... you know... 'entertain'? I'm rich, you know! I could really use-"

The young 'rich' man was unconscious before he even finished his sentence. He would awaken in the morning with no recollection of exactly HOW his arm got broken in five places. In the meantime, he would spend the night tucked underneath the orchestra's stage... out of sight and out of mind. Zade relocated to the other side of the stage, being careful to keep careful watch on December and Theesa.

"...yuck..." she grunted. At times like these she regretted that she ever learned how to read lips. December's and Theesa's private conversation was a bit more than she wanted to know... and too much sugar was bad for the metabolism. It also gave Zade a rather uncomfortable feeling. Part of it was worry over just where December's mind was most of the time. December and Theesa were happy together. More than happy. But could December be happy and still be DECEMBER?

Probably not...

But that was only a small part of what she felt. Most of it was.... something she'd rather not admit to herself.

Zade scanned the room, taking note of the guards and the guests. She spotted the spies as well... guests who were paying a bit too much attention to her, December, and certain other party-goers. Then, of course, there were the men who simply refused to stop ogling her. She saw one man get verbally admonished, and finally physically attacked by his wife. It was very amusing.

She looked back at December, and saw him looking at her. Zade shrugged. December smiled and nodded, then went back to talking to Theesa. The message was clear... Brinks wasn't here, but enough of his spies were. She was to proceed as planned.

Zade adjusted her dress slightly... pulling it down just a tad so that even MORE of her cleavage showed. Somewhere across the room, a man choked on his wine and quickly excused himself. She took a deep breath (a sight that simultaneously destroyed two marriages on opposite sides of the room), and walked over toward the tables. She spotted the first victim quickly... recognizing him by the description that December had given her in the carriage. Krelven Fayette, the city's Tax Administrator, was an older man with a head of elegantly styled grey hair. Yet he still had the 'lean and hungry' look of youthful ambition. He was standing with his wife, who was fifteen years younger than he was, and together they were talking to another couple. Zade walked right up to them. The women gave her rather unpleasant looks, but the men seemed MORE than happy to see her.

"Excuse me," she said in a low, sultry voice. "Are you Anton Fayette's father?"

"Why... yes, I am." Krelven Fayette seemed slightly disappointed. "How do you know my son?"

"Our paths have crossed," said Zade. Actually she had no idea who Anton Fayette was. She was just saying what she'd been told to say.

"Really?" Krelven's wife sniffed. "Our son is a happily married merchant who lives out of town...I DOUBT you've met him."

"Windsor, right?" said Zade. "Owns a few shops. Very pretty wife. Big birthmark on his-"

"Oh, so you DO know him... ehh... heh..." said Krelven. "My son is very... ehhhh..."

"Handsome. Like his father."

"Hmph," said Wanda Fayette.

"I didn't mean to interrupt your conversation... I was just wondering if you could get a message to him."

"Message?"

"Here..." Zade reached into her bodice and removed a very small envelope. "Make sure he gets it. It's... private." She handed it to Krelven, who nearly fainted at he very prospect of where the envelope had just been. He resisted the urge to put it to his lips and kiss it; instead, he quickly stuffed it into his pocket.

"I'll get this to him."

"Thank you," said Zade. She walked away, giving the stunned Tax Administrator a perfect view of her hips as she made her way through the crowd. Behind her, several people who'd witnessed the conversation whispered quietly to each other... then one of them stepped away from the others and walked past Krelven Fayette.

"Nice to see you again, Mr. Fayette," the man said. He patted the Tax Adjuster on the shoulder... while secretly picking Krelven's pocket.

"Same to you, Jeevers," said Krelven. The man, carrying the 'private' message from Zade, circled the crowed once and then vanished into a dark hallway leading into the bowels of the manse.

Zade had already spotted the Mayor of New Venice. The flamboyant gentleman was surrounded by so many assistants and attendants that he could hardly carry on a conversation.

Good.

Zade headed straight for them as if they'd just invited her over. Perhaps sensing an impending embarrassment to the mayor, several attendants moved to intercept her.

"Hello," said one of them. He was more polite than Zade expected. "May I help you?"

"No," said Zade. "I was just wanting to meet the mayor."

"Meet?"

"Yes... is that a problem?"

"Meet? 'Meet' as in...?"

"... as in 'hello you have a very lovely city,'" said Zade. "Something wrong with that?"

"I'm sure the mayor thanks you... I'll pass your comment along to him. Now if you will-...."

"Who is that?" Mayor Thebastian Zirke called from deep within his own crowd of attendants. "Does that woman wish to speak to me?"

"Uhhh.... yes?" said the attendant.

"Well, good GODS man, let her through!"

"Yes sir!" the attendant stepped aside. Zade resisted the urge to snap his neck like a chicken-bone and instead focused her attention on the mayor. The tall, muscular man was a bit younger than one would expect for a mayor of such a large city. He owed that position to Gabrial Brinks, no doubt.

"Thebastian Zirke," said the Mayor. Zade extended her hand, and he kissed it. "And you are?"

"Zade. From Montfort."

"A pleasure to meet you."

"You have a fine town here."

"Montfort isn't too shabby itself, I hear."

"Nothing like New Venyce," said Zade.

"So... are you here on business or pleasure?"

"A bit of both," said Zade. "And how is the First Lady... I hear she's been sick."

"Ahhh, she was unable to join us this evening. The wet weather seems to have gotten the better of her."

"I guess that means you'll be going home to tend to her soon."

"That depends," said the Mayor.

"On?"

"On... if there are any matters here that require my... attention." The Mayor winked at her. Zade licked her lips and gave him a sensual smile.

"Are all the women of Montfort as beautiful as you?" he said. The Mayor's voice was now two octaves lower. He leaned in close to Zade, his face was just a few inches away from hers.

"Only a few," said Zade. She ran her finger up the front of his shirt, stroking his chest. "Are all mayors as hansom as you?"

"You flatter me..."

"Maybe that's not all I'd like to do."

"Oh?"

Zade leaned over and whispered in the mayor's ear...

"I'll hurt you..." she said. She ran her tongue around the edge of his ear, and then bit him... gently. The mayor turned several shades of red... and looked as if he wanted to explode out of his clothing right there. Zade backed away and ran her finger across his chest once more. "I've got to go," she said.

"No..."

"I'll see you later. Tonight. Maybe."

Zade turned and walked away... slowly. She put an exaggerated swagger in her hips that drew the eyes of every living male in the room. The Mayor's lusty orbs nearly popped out of their sockets and rolled across the floor. His gaze followed her until she lost herself in the crowd. He didn't even notice that one of his assistants had vanished.

"Gods, what a disgusting place," Zade murmured as she walked back towards the orchestra. Now came the hard part. Getting and keeping everyone's attention was simple when she was dressed the way she was... but now she had to do the impossible: Sneak away. Of course, as her brother once said... the best way to achieve the impossible, is to simply DO it. Zade headed for one of the side hallways leading off from the main ballroom. She had no idea where it lead, but it didn't matter. She slipped away even though she knew that the entire male population of the ballroom was watching her. A few of Brinks' watchers signaled to the guards that had been patrolling along the balcony since December's arrival. Two of them headed to intercept the wandering guest.

The hallway was dark and boring, and, judging from the smell of food, it obviously lead to the kitchen. She walked a few yards, then paused. She leaned against the stone wall and waited. The guards showed up a few second later. Both were wielding loaded crossbows, and had longswords strapped to their sides.

"You lost?" said one of them.

"Actually," said Zade. "Yes I am. I'm looking for the... you know."

"Eh?" said the other guard.

"A place as nice as this... surely you don't expect your guests to take their business to the bushes out back, do you?"

"Huh? What's wrong with the bushes?"

"She's a guest, idiot!" said the other guard.

"I figured if I wandered around long enough I'd either find it... or find someone who knew where it was."

"Other hallway, directly across from this one," said the first guard. "We'll take you to it."

"I can find it myself, thank you." Zade started walking.

"Ahh... I think we'll escort you."

"Suit yourself."

Zade walked back through the ballroom to another hallway opposite the one she'd just taken. The guards followed her through the crowd and down the passage. Zade stopped walking when they'd gotten out of earshot of the crowd. The guards walked up behind her.

"Problem?" said the first guard.

Zade threw a spinning back kick, driving her spiked heel right into the first guard's heard. The move took good advantage of the long split in her dress, and for an instant her leg was exposed right up past her upper thigh.

"ehhh..." the second guard stood transfixed... as if completely unaware that his compatriot had been killed.

CRACK!

A roundhouse kick knocked his head into the wall. His skull cracked. The wall, however, was unharmed.

"No... no problem at all."

Now unescorted, Zade found an unlocked door... a storage room... and left the two bodies inside. Then she went about the second part of tonight's mission. Avoiding the guards was easier than she'd expected. True, she had no idea of the manse's floorplan, but when one could smell the guards when they were two corners away, needing to know where the nearest hiding place was wasn't that big of an issue. She had mapped out half of the first level before she came to the stairs leading the upper level. She went upstairs, found a few over-decorated bedrooms, and returned to finish the first level. There was nothing of interest... no Dust, no Frozen Heart, no Thorne, no Gabrial, no Faction. Just the kitchen, the servants, and more guards than there should have been. She was about to return to the second floor when she realized she'd been deceived. Zade had seen the building from the outside, and there was no way that the first floor was as simple as she'd seen so far. There was more.

She returned to the rooms she'd searched so far. As luck would have it, the secret panel was in the store-room where she'd hidden the bodies of the guards.

"So much for stealth..." Zade mumbled as she relocated the corpses to another room. "...just my luck to have Brinks slink out of his hole and stumble over two dead guards. No wonder Hood cuts 'em into pieces... they're a hell of a lot easier to hide."

The rear wall of the storage room was solid marble, as was almost everything else in the manse. It did, however, have a nearly invisible seam running along the floor. It took about two minutes of pushing and prodding in various places to trip the mechanism. The wall slid back silently, revealing an unguarded passage beyond it.

"Lesson for Villains, number 427," said Zade. "Always keep your secret entrances guarded."
Zade moved silently down the hall and into the rest of the manse. Every door she came too was locked, and each of them had the distinctive tingle of magic around the latch and hinges. Simple lock-picks just weren't going to get her into any of them. She continued to explore. Even if she didn't discover anything, at the very least she'd have the building mapped out for a possible return trip. Unlike the other hallways, there were only a few scents... only six or seven individuals used these halls regularly. Brinks and Thorne were the strongest scents; but there were others that she didn't recognize. She was trying to figure out which of the scents could have been Faction's when she heard the voices. A mumbled conversation... not far away. The echoes had to navigate several corners before they reached Zade's ears, so she couldn't quite understand what was being said. She crept along the hallway, getting closer to the room where the voices were emerging. There were more than two speakers... probably three or four. She moved a little closer. She peered around a corner and saw the intersection of two hallways, forming a large "T." There was a huge iron door... slightly ajar, and still a good distance away. A normal human would have been unable to hear the conversation at all... but Zade not only heard every word, but was able to identify some of the speakers.

"...harlot just finished coming on to the mayor?" said Brinks. "Unbelievable!"

"Yes, sir," said one of the mayor's assistants. "A disgrace."

"A disgrace that that whore-monger can't keep his pants fastened long enough to remain loyal. December's whore will try to seduce him away from me, no doubt."

"What should we do about that?" said the assistant. "Should I summon the mayor-"

"No... let him dig his own grave with his manhood. He will betray me and I will kill him... and then have him replaced. It is not a particularly unexpected turn of events. But Krelven's... THAT is both shocking AND unfortunate. Give me the letter... I wish to read it again..."

There was a brief pause... and then... Brinks continued, reading from the letter Zade had given the Tax Administrator.

"'Your assistance with old business will earn you ten-thousand gold... and a position of power. You know who I am. Come to me at once.'"

"Old business," said another voice. Zade didn't know the name, but she'd heard the voice in the ballroom earlier. "What does THAT mean?"

"Krelven's son. A fatal link in Fayette's loyalty. The younger Fayette could never abide his father's corruption, so he set about on a campaign to expose it. His resolve was less than resolute. I bought him off, with the stipulation that he leave town. He's in Windsor now... still harboring resentment towards me for corrupting him AND his father. In hindsight, I believe it would have been better to kill the entire family. Now, I have an excuse to correct the matter."

"December has been doing his homework," said a deep, ominous voice that was unmistakably Faction's. "Upon finding no weaknesses within YOU, he is chipping away at your weaker underlings. Do you think the mayor would betray you... for mere sex?"

"Absolutely," said Brinks.

"And Fayette?"

"Either the son would jump at he chance to return here and overthrow me... or the father's loyalty and effectiveness would be fatally compromised by the sheer PROSPECT of going up against his son. Either way, Fayette is now a liability. Have him dealt with, immediately. AFTER tonight, of course."

"What's happening tonight?" said the mayor's assistant.

"Nothing that you need to be aware of. You and you.... leave."

Zade pulled back away from the edge. Two people left the room. Fortunately, neither of them took the hallway that lead past her. There must have been an even more direct route back up to the ballroom. Zade listened to see what else she could hear.

"Is everything in place?" said Brinks.

"Exactly as you asked," Faction replied. "You will enter the ballroom, and he orchestra will play one song. At the end of that song, a archer will rush the main door."

"The archer?"

"Homeless vagrant. Expendable. Even if he DOES manage a lucky shot, he will not survive the night. But he is a mere distractions... I myself will strike the killing blow from the balcony. As you commanded."

"Mmmmm... lovely. Tell me, Faction... how will you do it. A shot to the heart? The brain? Where should I look?"

"When he turns toward the intruder, I will put a bolt into the base of his skull... right here..."

"Will that be... painful?"

"It will be quick, but unpleasant."

"I don't want quick!"

"You don't want some healer laying hands on him and ruining my... our... handiwork either, do you?"

"You have a point, Faction. A quick death... to quick for anyone to respond. Good thinking."

"That is why I am an assassin," said Faction. "What of the other two? Shall I make arrangements to have them killed tonight as well?"

"With December dead, they will be harmless. Kill them at your leisure... no hurry. But... the blonde... I wish to have her before you dispose of her."

"She pleases you?"

"She might."

"Then I shall make it so. I'll bring her to you unharmed... mostly."

"I am looking forward to it already."

"The guards will leave their posts when you make your entrance. Then the symphony will play the last song December will ever hear."

"Then let us begin. Come, Thorne."

Thorne's heavy metal footsteps were unmistakable. As was Brinks' long, arrogant gait. Zade never heard Faction leave.

She hurried back to the ballroom, where the symphony was winding up their song. She spotted December and Theesa seated at a table.

"There she is," said Theesa. "Where did you go?"

"Here and there," Zade replied.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" one of the attendants cried. "I GIVE YOU... LORD GABRIAL BRINKS!"

A set of large double-doors swung open, and the horn section of the symphony began playing a loud fanfare as Gabrial Brinks strode proudly into the ballroom. The assembly of New Venyce's rich and powerful began to applaud as if royalty had just entered the room.

"Now there's a man with a high opinion of himself," said Theesa.

Brinks walked out into the center of the room, with Thorne following a few yards behind him. He stopped and addressed the crowd.

"WELCOME to my humble home," he began. "I DO hope that everyone in enjoying themselves."

The crowd clapped and cheered. Zade eyed the balcony. There were no guards there. The guards by the front door were missing as well.

"Please allow me to introduce a few distinguished guests," said Brinks. "We have Mayor Thebastian Zirke with us tonight... and Velphan Thurq, the illustrious head of the Merchant's Guild of Bahn-Mohr... and over there we have December, famed jewel merchant who has joined us all the way from Montfort! And aren't his companions lovely tonight!"

"I'm going to be ill," Theesa mumbled.

"But don't let me delay your enjoyment any longer," Brinks continued. He signaled to the orchestra, and they began tuning up for the next song. Two men took to the stage... one bearing a lute and another who was apparently going to sing. They exchanged words with the other artists, and then the lute-player began to play.

"Join me in a dance?" said Zade. She extended her hand to December.

"But of course," he replied. He stood and lead Zade out to the dance floor, where they joined about a dozen other couples. Zade followed December's lead, and together they put on quite an impressive display of dancing. Their dips and twirls became the center of attention... or perhaps it was the split on Zade's dress. Zade's gyrations exposed and concealed more flesh with every movement... and the movements themselves were almost hypnotic to both men and women.

"You dance quite well," December said. "I am pleasantly surprised."

"I wasn't always a mercenary," said Zade. December spun her around, and then she settled into his strong arms. He held her close to him so that they could speak privately. It felt good... very good. "So," she said. "How far gone are you?"

"What ever do you mean?" December replied.

"You know what I mean. I've seen how you look at her... and how she looks at you. How far down that road have you gone? Past the point of no return?"

"My relationship with Ms. Lemay is not open to discussion. It does not concern you."

"I see differently," said Zade. "She loves this stuff, you know. Shopping. Ballroom dances. You. She's living a fairy tale... a dream come true."

"And this concerns you... how?"

"You're living in two world. You can play the role when it's just you... but eventually she's going to get tired of people like Chain or Brinks popping up every other month. So, what happens to me and Lovvorn and... other people... when the little lady says that its either us or her?"

"She will not make such an foolish ultimatum."

"But what if she does?"

"She will not."

"For someone as smart as you are... you don't know a damned thing about women, do you?"

"You have nothing to fear, Zade. There will always be a place for you."

"I'll bet you told J'hasp that, too."

"You will have to trust me," said December. "In truth... you have no other alternative."

"There are always alternatives," said Zade. "But the question isn't if I trust you or not... its if you trust me."

"If I did not trust you, you would not be here now."

"Good," said Zade. "Because, as soon as this song is over... there's going to be an attempt on your life."

"Oh?"

"Man with a crossbow. Front door. Distraction... the real killer will be on the balcony." Both Zade and December examined the balcony out of the corners of their eyes. There was no one there. No moving shadows... no half-hidden assassins. Just emptiness. "The assassin won't show himself until an instant before he strikes."

"Simple, and effective. An arrangement I have used myself on occasion. I trust that you have the situation in hand?"

"That depends. Faction is on the balcony. I can take him... but the guy at the front door might get lucky."

"What do you suggest?"

"Do you know how to throw a knife?"

"A crude weapon... but I can hit a target with reasonable accuracy."

"Good. Then I suggest you do what every man in this room has been wanting to do since we arrived."

"Excuse me?"

"Stick your hand up my dress."

"You are kidding."

"No. I'm not."

Zade grabbed December's hand and slipped it past the slit in her dress... she placed it on her lower thigh. December gave her a questioning look.

"Knife strapped to my thigh. You take care of the door. I'll handle the balcony."

"I see."

"You wish."

"I do not feel a knife."

"Higher."

December's hand slid higher up Zade's thigh.

"Higher," she said.

December moved a fraction of an inch higher.

"I'm not going to bite you," said Zade. "It's higher"

"You do not have that much leg remaining," said December.

"I guess that means you're close, doesn't it?"

"Close... to what?"

"The knife, of course."

"Of course."

Zade felt December's cold hand running across her upper thigh.

"We are beginning to draw attention to ourselves," he said.

"Only because you're acting like you've never had your hand up a woman's dress before. Find the damn knife already." December's fingers probed the skin of her inner thigh... searching.. and finally coming across something that should not have been there.

"I have found it," said December.

"You sure? Move higher, get a better grip."

December cleared his throat and assured her that his grip was adequate. At that moment, the orchestra played the final notes of the song. There was an uncomfortable pause, during which December had his arm fully extended up Zade's dress. People began to mumble and whisper... and then:

WHAM!

The ballroom door swung open and a single man bolted into the room. He was dressed in rags, and had a crazed look in his eye. He was wielding a loaded crossbow. Several women in the room screamed.

"YOU RICH BASTARDS!" He howled. "TIME TO GET WHAT'S COMIN' TO YA!"

He raised his weapon and swept it across the crowd. Now, several MEN in the room screamed. When the weapon stopped moving, it was pointed right at December. December and Zade had already separated... they spun in opposite directions. December released the balanced throwing knife he'd found strapped to Zade's thigh-

THWOK!

The blade sank into the intruder's throat, just below his chin. He stumbled and fell backwards; his face frozen in the most delicious expression of shock and surprise. Meanwhile, Zade's left arm shot out towards the back of December's head-

-clank!

The bolt, fired from the shadows above, struck her titanium bracer instead of December's skull. Before the bolt even hit the floor, Zade was scanning the balcony-

"There!"

She tapped the rune on her right bracer, and a large gold-colored crossbow appeared. It was already loaded... she caught the weapon as it fell away from the bracer... she raised it and pulled the trigger.

CHOOM! Hisssss...

The titanium bolt whistled loudly as it sliced the air on the way to its target-

KRACK!

The bolt struck... and demolished... the wall where the deadly shadow had been standing. There was now only a rather large hole. Faction had dodged.... barely. Now he was running, his dark figure streaking across the balcony. Zade tapped the rune on her other bracer, and a stash of titanium bolts appeared. She loaded one into the crossbow and tried to track Faction as he ran to safety. She fired-

CHOOM! Hisssss...

The bolt missed Faction... but it wasn't aimed at him...

KRACK...

The missile struck to top of one of the large columns supporting the balcony. It knocked a huge chunk of it loose... cracks began to propagate down the length of the column

CHOOM! Hisss....

KKRrrrrraAAAAAAK!

The third missile struck slightly above the second, demolishing one of the balcony's key supporting structures. The sound of cracking stone filled the ballroom as the section of balcony began to collapse. Men and women scattered... vacating the ballroom as the huge marble fragments fell. Faction halted as the balcony in front of him fell away... he turned to run the other way, but the stone beneath his feet suddenly vanished. The assassin was suddenly airborne... part of a thundering rain of deadly debris. His black cloak billowed around him as he fell. Zade loaded another bolt and fired without hesitation.

Perhaps it was his own training... or luck... or perhaps some six sense that made him do it. Whatever the reason, Faction twisted in mid-air, and the bolt roared past him. It caught his cloak and pinned it to the wall behind him. He continued to fall, the cloak snapped tight-

rrrRRRIIIPP!

-and ripped away an instant before he hit the ground. He landed on his feet, already in a fighting stance. His cloak and hood were gone... his face was revealed for all to see. His hair was dark and perfectly straight, but cut low around his head. Full, dark eyebrows arced above his slightly oblong eyes. His almond colored skin was flawless; his features, stern... and deadly serious, as if a smile hadn't touched them in years. Thin, chiseled lips drew tight into a deep frown as he realized that everyone could see him.

...but they only saw him for the briefest instant. Faction turned and ran for the left wall of the ballroom-

BOOM!

The section of the wall where he'd paused briefly was now home to a rather large hole... thanks to another bolt from Zade's augmented crossbow. She loaded another, but as soon as she'd fired, Faction stopped and grabbed the rod that he had strapped to his forearm. As soon as it was in his hand, the object grew to its full length and began to glow with a fiery orange and red light. He twirled it briefly, then pointed it at Zade-

ffWWWWOOOM!!!

A stream of orange flame erupted from the tip.

December and Zade both moved as one. He lunged to get in front of her, and she leapt behind him at the same time. December reached out, as if to catch the flame with his hand. But that was impossible, because the fire died mere inches away from his fingertips. The flames bathed the air around him, but they never touched him... or Zade. Zade had her crossbow loaded. She leapt out from behind December just as the flaming assault ended. She fired at the source of the flames-

KRACK!

Another small section of wall vanished. Faction had spun away at the last instant and let the bolt zip past him. The missile had created a hole in one of the exterior walls. Faction's enchanted staff twirled and struck at the hole; chunks of semi-molten marble flew in all directions... In the two seconds it took Zade to reload her crossbow, the hole was large enough for Faction to leap through. He did... Zade's bolt followed him out into the night, but missed him entirely.

"DAMN!" Zade howled. She moved to follow him, but December's cold hand clamped down on her shoulder.

"Let him go," he said. "You will not find him unless he wishes it."

"Dammit, he was too fast! And the sights on this crossbow are off!"

"But we are safe," said December. "Thanks to you."

"You didn't do to bad yourself." Zade nodded at the dead vagrant... her knife still protruding from his throat. "A decent shot."

"I was aiming for his eye," said December with a half-smile.

"Oh."

"December, are you all right?" Theesa called. She ran up to him and threw her arms around him. Or at least she tried to... her arms didn't quite reach all the way.

"He's fine," said Zade. "Something ELSE you should thank me for."

Theesa gave Zade an angry look. A very angry look.

"Aaaaand I think we should be going," said Zade. "This party looks like its about over."

The ballroom was mostly cleared. Brinks' armed guards had reappeared from wherever they'd been hiding, but the guests had all run for safety long ago. Most of them were wandering around in the courtyard, but some of them probably wouldn't stop running until they reached the river. December, Zade, and Theesa headed for the door.

"YOU!" Gabrial Brinks shouted. He...and Thorne... stormed over to December. "YOU DESTROYED MY BALLROOM!!!!!"

December turned to look at Brinks. Zade expected him to utter some cold, half-concealed threat... but he didn't. December didn't say anything. He just looked at Brinks. And Brinks backed away. Then December, Theesa, and Zade continued walking.

"THIS ISN'T OVER!" Brinks called after them.

Again, December's response was to pretend that Brink's wasn't even there. They left the ballroom and traversed the courtyard to where the carriages were waiting.

"Seemed like a lot of trouble to go through just to let us walk out," said Zade.

"Brinks is not entirely ignorant of his limits," said December. "To strike at us now... here... would be an incredibly foolish way to end his rather insignificant career."

"Well... if you don't mind, think I'll walk ahead to check the carriage."

"Of course."

Zade walked ahead of December... and Theesa sped up to join her.

"Was it reaally necessary for you to hide your knife THERE?" said Theesa through clenched teeth. "You could have put it in your bracer with the bolts and just HANDED it to him!"

"Yeah," said Zade. "But what fun would THAT have been, eh?"

"Zade... if you... when I... OOOOOO!"

"Don't worry, honey," said Zade. "He's all yours. Him AND his cold hands."

---

Several minutes later, on the roof of the Brinks manse, Faction crouched in the shadows and watched December's carriage pull away from the courtyard. Behind him, a hatch swung open. Gabrial Brinks joined him in the darkness.

"Bring him to me," said Gabrial. "Alive. I want to see him die with my own eyes. I want him here... by dawn."

Faction stared silently at the carriage as it wound its way through the gardens.

"Is there a problem?" said Brinks.

"She has dishonored me," said Faction. "Exposed my face. It is a matter of honor, now. I must kill her-"

"I have no problem with that. But do it on your own time. December. Here. Dawn. Understand?"

Faction nodded slowly.

"Good."

Brinks returned to the hatch and descended, leaving Faction alone on the roof once more.

"I must kill her," he said. "And then I must cleanse the world of everyone who has seen my face." Faction looked down at the few guests that remained in the courtyard. "Everyone..."

[To Be Continued... ]