Vavel: Ballroom

It was late evening. Leontina and Mozuta stepped out of the Lubomirskis' carriage. Before them laid a beautiful avenue lined with maple trees. At the far end stood the white building where the ball was to be held. The avenue was illuminated by the glow of kerosene lamps and was part of the event itself. Even before it had begun, walking through that nocturnal atmosphere in such light lent a romantic air to the entire ball. At the entrance to the building, which was adorned with two columns supporting a triangular pediment, stood an elegantly dressed servant who was checking passes and admitting guests. Upon arrival, guests were ushered through the entrance hall onto the dance floor, where a gentle melody was being played by an orchestra. Tables laden with appetisers and a wide array of drinks had also been set up. Guests were deep in conversation, their animated chatter mingling with the music of the violinists, pianist and others.

“Miss Leontina Osgoska of the Lubomirski family, and her younger brother, Karol Osgoski of the Lubomirski family.”
Mozuta thought he would collapse with fear the moment he was introduced. He was not well-versed in noble etiquette, knowing only what Leontina had explained to him during their journey by carriage. Fortunately, his attire gave no hint of his true origins. He wore a white shirt with long sleeves and a beautiful blue kontusz with split sleeves, tightened at the waist by a dark blue sash. A cap adorned with a small peacock feather sat on his head. He would never have imagined that he would find himself dressed as a nobleman. He had to be careful not to let anyone guess the truth as he wanted to avoid punishment. The boy glanced at Leontina. Thanks to the late hour, her face was not hidden behind a mask.
Perhaps no one would notice his mistakes anyway, given how everyone's gaze was drawn to the newly arrived beauty.
Leontina wore the black dress decorated with red roses that she always appeared in once night fell. The silver embroidery adorning it resembled the stars in the night sky. The Lubomirski family had added new accessories to her gown. Long black gloves that concealed her arm joints, and a beautiful collar and shawl that did the same for the connection between her neck and torso. Her black hair was styled into a high bun, a few strands falling to frame her face, adding charm to her lightly powdered complexion.

Leontina set out with Mozuta to greet the guests. Thanks to the rumor that they had come from afar, no one faulted them for not recognizing the many local faces. They were hospitably invited to join the others in drinking and tasting the appetizers while awaiting the host's arrival.

One of the guests approached the orchestra and asked them to play something livelier. As the music filled the hall, everyone began to dance with joy.
Leontina felt a finger tap her on the shoulder. She turned around and, to her surprise, saw Dargorad's face. Mozuta’s eyes narrowed at the sight of the chort.
“What are you doing here?” the boy asked.
“I received an invitation too,” he explained. “I may be a chort, but I come from a noble family.” When they first met him, he didn't look like the cemetery worker he claimed to be, precisely because of his attire, which made him resemble a nobleman. Mozuta had thought it was just a flashy style, but it seems he really did come from a wealthy family.
“Weren’t you supposed to figure out a way to get rid of you know what?” Mozuta snapped, glaring irritably at the nonchalant chort sipping a glass of wine.
“Nothing to worry about,” he said, patting Mozuta on the shoulder. “I used the Vavel’s passage to the university and dragged the newly appointed professor to the cave.”
“And?”
“I’ll tell you the rest once this beautiful lady agrees to dance with me.” He flashed a cheeky smile at Leontina. Bowing before her, he held out his hand. “May I have this dance?”

The Soul Guide sighed. “Mozuta, dear, wait here for me. Try not to talk to anyone.” The boy nodded reluctantly in response. They could have brought the liho along instead of leaving it alone near the Lubomirski townhouse. It would have touched a chort and a plank would have fallen on his stupid head. Mozuta would feel that it was worthwhile to come here if that were to happen.
Since they had left him alone anyway, he decided to treat himself to something to eat.

Meanwhile, Leontina placed her hand in Dargorad's and allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor.
“So, would you be so kind as to share the details of your collaboration with the new professor at that renowned university?” she asked, as they danced. The music had quietened down, allowing them to focus on their conversation.
“Getting straight to the point, are we?”
“Time is not exactly on my side at the moment, my dear sir.”
“You’ve certainly turned into quite the lady,” he teased recalling her stuttering while a mask conceals her face.
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t change the subject.”
“All right, we'll do it your way,” said Dargorad, pulling her closer to close the gap between them.
“I’m all ears, then” Leontina smiled at him. Her shining eyes were fixed on his, but he wouldn't let that throw him off his stride.

“Ahem. So, as I was saying, I invited the creator of this monumental work over for tea at the dragon’s lair. The good news is that he wrote down the incantation needed to shut his invention off. The bad news, however, is that it requires a massive amount of magic.”

Suddenly, the music changed. At the sound of the energetic, joyful melody, the guests cheered and rushed to the dance floor. Dargorad and Leontina also moved into position, facing each other. His hand rested on her waist and hers on his shoulder. They raised their left hands high. Together with the crowd, they began moving to the music with light, rhythmic steps. Then they spun and changed direction, performing a series of turns interwoven with quick hops. As a doll, Leontina handled this lively dance with ease, though Dargorad found it slightly more challenging.
As soon as the melody softened, they bowed to each other.

“So, such a task requires a powerful wizard,” Leontina concluded their conversation. A smile played on her lips, revealing whom she intended to ask for the job. “I shall have to send word, then, for the worthy wizard to visit our humble abode and lift the spell in person.”
“Will he agree?” Dargorad asked, speaking in a soft, strained voice. The dance proved to be too energetic to him.
“Why, of course.” She stepped closer to Dargorad and offered him a graceful curtsy. “Thank you kindly for the dance, my dear sir.”
“You are most welcome, my dear lady,” he replied, returning the gesture with a bow.

They turned away from each other. Dargorad walked to the other end of the hall, where some of the Vavel aristocracy were praising him for his lively dancing. Leontina returned to the appetiser table, where Mozuta was trying some of the food.
“These pretzels are delicious!” he exclaimed, his mouth full.
“I see good food has lifted your spirits,” Leontina said, picking up a napkin and wiping the crumbs from his cheeks.
“Thank you,” the boy replied. “Did the redhead complete the task?”
“Yes,” Leontina smiled. She then touched the upper part of her left glove, beneath which lay a slip of paper bearing a dispelling spell, hidden by the fabric covering her arm. During one of the spins, the chort gifted her with that wonderful item.

“The master of the house, Count André von Firnau.”

As soon as this announcement was made, the music stopped.

Leontina and Mozuta looked towards the entrance simultaneously, as if on cue. A man of dignified appearance stood there. His attire set him apart from the traditional kontusz robes worn by those around him. He wore a long, knee-length coat adorned with decorative buttons and a white cravat with lace-trimmed ends around his neck. His shoulder-length black hair, streaked with grey, was tied back with a white ribbon. He surveyed the hall and the assembled guests, stroking his beard.
Leontina froze at the sight of him. She recognized that face.
It was the same face she had seen in Jawozina’s memories.
Now that she knew it was him, they could move on to the next stage.
They would get Mr Twardowski to deal with the dragon, lure the Count outside with Mozuta as bait, and then banish him to his rightful place using her powers.
However, neither she nor Mozuta could have been prepared for the person who appeared at his side a moment later.

“And the Count’s wife, Jawozina von Firnau.”

How was this possible? Leontina bit her lip.
How on earth had the woman she chained up and left in the underground palace ended up back here, and what's worse, looking like a living human being?