16. The Arrest of Lark Fairfield

The grand ballroom shimmered with light and expectation as Ygwain, Gwen, and Lark gathered towards the back of the opulent space. Amid the murmurs of the gathered crowd behind them, Krigyra purposefully shadowed Gwen with a protective, unwavering presence. His broad frame stood as a silent bulwark against prying eyes—an essential guard against the vulnerability that radiated from Gwen's panicked state.   Before long, Thathu emerged from the throng, his eyes alight with a mixture of mischief and duty. Recognizing his star agent, he gravitated toward Ygwain and, with a lighthearted jest about Ygwain’s unexpectedly graceful dancing for one reluctant to attend such an affair, broke the tension that hovered over the group. Amid the levity, Gwen leaned close to Krigyra and confided about Cressida—her voice trembling as she recounted the dark lore behind the woman’s reputation and the deep-seated mistrust that clawed at her heart.   A sudden message summoned Thathu away, leading him to the heart of the room where he intercepted Faeyth. Their departure was marked by an exchange as frosty as it was terse—a chilling response from Astaria did little to warm the encounter. With their departure unnoticed by the wider crowd, the staff began to shepherd guests toward the rear of the room, making way for a troupe of Mao belly dancers. Suspended high by silks attached to the vaulted ceiling, the dancers performed an aerial spectacle that captivated every eye—even drawing a simmering disgust from Astaria as their hypnotic movements stole the spotlight.   The scene shifted quietly to the library crew, slipping away after their own secretive missions. Cre and Talon, bound by the thrill of subterfuge, chose to fly out just as they had arrived, ensuring no trace of their covert presence remained. Meanwhile, Lia, set on making her own exit, paused as she neared the entrance. A guest, masked in the guise of a jester, loomed over two sleeping guards. When Lia attempted to confront the figure, no words were spoken; instead, the guest revealed a green snake coiled around their arm—a silent, unnerving signal that made Lia’s skin crawl.   Within the dark recesses of Cre’s mind, a tense internal debate ignited as if whispered by a clandestine friend. “You got the book—I’m so proud of you. Now hand it over and you can return to the party…” “But why? Who are they? I thought this power was mine alone.” “Ah, you’re just beginning to savor these abilities. You crave more, don’t you? But true power is fragile—I can snatch it away in an instant.” “Point taken.”   The internal dialogue reached its peak as Cre signaled Talon to descend before Lia’s eyes. Faced with the enigmatic masked figure, the silent ultimatum threatened: “Hand over the book willingly or ill take it.” In a moment heavy with reluctant resolve, Cre relinquished the book. The masked figure’s cold satisfaction was palpable when he murmured, “Good boy, exactly what I needed. I’ll toss you some extra delights... and ignore the half-elf. She’s a rich kid, untouched by true struggle.” Only Lia dared to break the oppressive quiet, her whispered concern hanging in the air: “I don’t think this is a good idea. Do you know who this person is, Cre?” The answer came not in words but in a curt nod, an unspoken command to feign ignorance.   As abruptly as he had appeared, the masked stranger vanished into the maze of corridors. The group pursued him for a heartbeat before accepting his ghostly absence. Returning to the ballroom just as the dancers’ final steps faded, they found Astaria entangled with a new, unwilling target—Cas, whose silence and disinterest betrayed a trapped spirit forced into unwanted conversation.   A spark of brilliance—and audacity—ignited in Lark. With a swift burst of changeling magic, he scaled the ornate balcony, transforming his face into that of Gwen. Perched high above the anxious throng, Lark lowered his mask to catch Cressida’s eye. In that charged moment, Cressida’s expression contorted from terror to pure, unbridled rage, forcing Astaria to direct all her wrath upon the intruder. The ensuing chase sent Lark darting into the entrance, and only when they lost their gaze did they shed the borrowed visage, reverting to their unremarkable elf form amidst the chaos.   The tumult only escalated further. A curfew was imposed, and soon guards clashed with the rebellious trio while Ygwain and Lia arrived on the scene. Ygwain’s rebuke echoed through the corridor, condemning the guards for allowing Cressida and Astaria the liberty to assault guests with impunity.   Finally, Thathu reappeared amidst the fray, seizing Lark and ushering him off to a holding room for questioning. In the sterile confines of interrogation, Lark’s cryptic tip—that the masked face had been seen in Duxton—quietly unraveled the tangled threads of the evening. The interview concluded, and with no concrete crime discovered, Thathu released Lark. Later, in a low, resigned tone, he explained to Ygwain that the guards had merely been following orders. Astaria’s newfound influence compelled them to act in her favor, for now, as they sought to avoid rocking the delicate balance with Ironoak.