The Crimson Ball

Ornate carriages made a long, twisted line around Mikin Castle. Each had its own charms; different tassels, rows of rubies, asymmetrical vines of ivory that flowed differently from vehicle to vehicle, but their vibrant shades of red and gold made it clear to whom they owed their allegiance.

I stood near the corner window watching nobles walk out in their fluffy dresses and well tailored suits. Student’s may have been restricted in their attire, they certainly were not.

My eyes drifted back to the ball. People had taken the opportunity to spread out like ants around the massive gold plaited ballroom.

I recognized some of the faces. These were the same buffoons I’d been dealing with since the day I was born, just with a Crimson Ball coat of paint. That didn’t come with many advantages.

But, for Mai’s sake I’d have to give it my all.

“Prince Rio! I never thought we would meet each other in such a place!” A loud, playful voice shook me back to reality.

“It’s good to see you Duke Regan,” I put on the most genuine smile I could muster and turned towards him. “May the breeze bless your journey.”

“And yours as well, my prince.” The duke was a man on the larger side, with his black suit performing a heroic feat of strength to keep itself buttoned. Balding grey hair did little to hide a shining forehead. “You know, the other nobles had always wondered if you would ever get an invite, but I always knew you had it in you. All your other siblings got one after all! We may not all bloom early, but it's the fact we can sprout in the face of danger that really matters.”

“I thank you for such praise.”

“Don’t question it. If I may be so bold to ask, what was it that made his majesty decide to send you an invitation?” Duke Regan asked.

“Surveillance against the Arhonian royal family,” I said, choosing my words carefully. Too little would leave him wanting more, too much and the news of Mai’s arrival would be more than an old snippet of news. “There was an exchange of students between our two countries, obviously nothing but a dirty Arhonian trick to get a spy in our country. Father tasked me with making sure we stopped that spy in her tracks. Not to brag, but we have been able to turn their spy into a wealth of information that has saved countless soldiers' lives on the battlefield.”

“Brilliant! Just brilliant!” The duke said. “Those dirty mutts should have known better than to try such a shallow trick. Brainless half human trash, the lot of them.”

“I only wish to stop the potential war between our countries, no matter what it takes.” I paused. Was that a bit too centrist? “The sooner our troops can cease these border skirmishes the better.”

“I say stop these skirmishes and get the inevitable started. We can’t as a country just sit here while an entire country of half-breeds have direct access to our border. Who knows when they’ll take advantage of our sloth.”

“If that comes, I can promise that the Mikin force will blow away any trace of resistance by our foes, Duke Regan.”

“The breeze bless that future,” The duke laughed, “Well I better make my rounds before his majesty speaks. I wish you well my prince.”

“You too, my duke.” With a small bow, he wandered back into the ever shifting wave of people around us.

Mentally my sigh was large enough to move mountains. Truth was, my convection would only take me so far. The world my family had created, my father had created, was one where hatred was a core tenet to its philosophy.

What was Mikin without its desire to concur? Mai had brought up how Arhonian’s dreamed of someday becoming famous artists, poets, singers. They had their own forms of expression. What did we have? Magic took on the finer points of architecture, anything truly art was a frowned upon distraction.

There was a saying among the nobility that life didn’t truly start until you held your first sword.

No, not just a saying, a philosophy.

Arhonia provided a perfect target for our culture, our way of life. We were the good while they slithered in the shadows.

Choosing another target would save Mai and her people, but what then? There were no other countries that hadn’t been conquered. There was no point in taking over your own vassal state. Even if another temporary distraction appeared we’d be right back here again in a few years.

How could I save Mai? How could I change the very culture that surrounded us?

I leaned against the wall, eyes pointed absentmindedly toward the ceiling. These weren't questions I could answer here.

And luckily, my mind got a form of relief as Father made his way onto the upper balcony.

His crimson red suit seemed to glow against the candlelight. White furs drug against the marble floor, yet he paid them no mind. In his hand, Alair’s Breeze, the most powerful weapon known to humankind, glowed like a miniature pale white sun. Small wisps of smoke emanated from the glass.

“Welcome everyone to the one hundred and eleventh annual Crimson Ball!” His voice echoed out like a cannon.

A polite round of applause followed. The few people not looking up quickly changed their tune as he continued on. “I want to thank everyone for coming this fine evening. As you assuredly know, this serves to reward the best and brightest of Mikin’s youth, and gives them a chance to get involved with the future of our country. Yet, for these lucky few invitees, this year's celebration will serve as much more than a simple dance.”

A round of mutters followed as Leopold appeared next to the king, wearing a red and white set of plate armor. His scowl sent a collective shiver down everyone's spine.

King Avery continued on. “Over the past twenty years, our country has strived to fix the air of instability around our corner of the world. Istal, Tropiy, Baprin, all countries that have put themselves voluntarily under our rule. Since we have chosen to press a finger on the scale, peace and prosperity have come to all under the breeze.

Yet, there has been a single thorn by our side. Arhonia, those who worship the eternal flame. With every campaign they have chosen to stay silent, preparing to take advantage of any potential momentary weakness.

These past twenty years they have continued to wait, content to fight meaningless skirmishes while our two countries pretend that peace is in the realm of possibility.

However, thanks to the efforts of my son Rio, we have made a breakthrough!”
“B-breakthrough?” I muttered, my face turning a ghostly shade of white. Everyone turned their eyes toward me. I could feel them all staring into my soul, some with admiration, some with jealousy, some with hatred.

“Those dirty Arhonian’s are convinced that given time, they can use their black magic to leave us begging for scraps. Yet, the one thing they fear is for us to go on the offensive!” He pounded his staff on the ground, sending a horrifying wave of white throughout the room. “I hereby declare, starting immediately we shall declare war on Arhonia!”

Cheers burst from every corner of the room. Yet all I could do was watch, watch as my knees sunk to the floor.

War… That word didn’t feel real to me. Where was my confidence? How had I been so certain with my speech to Mai just yesterday?”

War was the kind of far off promise the nannies had included in their bedtime stories. It was this far off, distant force that had never dared to interject itself in my life. Neither of us saw this coming.

And to make it worse, my hastily given answers were purely to blame.

“Everyone!” The king continued on. “Go and rally your troops. Our march starts in two days time. We will not fail.”