Broken Tower Saga: The First Swordsman

The car stopped before House Sanyal. Wrik was the first among them to get off as he was in the window seat. He moved a little back and helped the ladies get off with their heavy gown. First was Byul, who really seemed to be suffocating with the tight gown and with the tension. Next came Tanya, who was as natural as the mist in the air. Michelle was excited more than being nervous.

Wrik looked at the north and found the sun was not there though little afterglow still remain. Limelights glittering all around the citadel more than other places, though the noises were less. The tall building was more historical than the futuristic things they had seen in Gala in the last couple of days. It was made considering the old values and new attitudes.

"We are good to go then," he said, looking at all of them. 

"Wait for a second," Tanya said next to him. She held her arms out to his hair and said, "Your hair is a mess from the wind."

Wrik had to stoop a little to allow her to comb his hair with her fingers. She was gentle about it with her entire attention on it while Wrik's entire attention was on her. Her fair countenance. Her hair was longer than his and left unbounded on both her shoulders, unlike the other time when she left it bound on her back. That was not the only change. He had never seen her wearing any ornaments, but today she had jade-emerald earrings on with a matching necklace. She had done light make-up and with her big emerald eyes blinking; she looked nothing but stunning. 

"What are you looking at?" she asked, finding out he was looking at her. Her corner of right brow raised with a sweet smile on her full red lips. 

"Did I say, you look stunning yet?" he said.

"You have not," she said, finishing her job. "And since when have you become such a smooth talker?" 

"I don't know," he said, giving her another look head to toe. She was wearing a full-sleeved satin gown with an emerald design worked into it. It was tight till her waist, and it was long enough to catch all the dust on its way. Not any area of her was exposed, but she looked nothing but stunning. "Maybe I'm spellbound." 

Tanya clicked her tongue and left, though her lips still held the smile. Byul, who was standing close to them, gave him a mischievous look showing she had heard and saw everything.

Wrik glared at her slightly, and said, "What do you know you are only a child?" 

Byul snorted and joined Tanya and Michelle, still holding her gown. Michelle squinted her nose and remained her again, then she only rested a little.

The seven of them walked towards the stair before the lofty building. It was prepared well considering the ball. To be honest—well—was a word that understated it. Wrik had never gone to a ball like this one, so his judgement might be biased, but with all the light glittering from the glass lid window above with the slight music that came into his ears proved he was in for a show. 

The seven of them came before the main entrance. The guard with white clothes opened it for them while another person announce their names. 

Wrik was right, he was in for a show. His eyes moved around the hall and found many things that he imagined to be and many things even more extravagant than his imagination. Many gave them a smiling look and nod as they went inside.

The walls were designed to allow the people to have a proper viewing of the distinctive artistic feature with the stairs that were stained with glass, glittering the lights. The small glass window above the marble floor, the portraits of landscapes on the wall all told the story of extravagance. 

Most of the portraits held noblemen in proud position and there were also others such as the image of the seal of the tower, different kinds of mythical animals that might be true or not. Each of them was detailed coloured—real or not, that's another matter. At least they appeared real in the portraits.

Wrik recognised few, but most were outside of his knowledge. Noblemen have some personality to collect weird things—few of these portraits proved that. House Sanyal was one of the big houses in Gala and their recognition only lost out to House Kavan and House Rogard. 

Foods were held in large tables with different kinds of fruits to tens of types of drinks, and not to day the tens of dishes. 

The ball today was for no reason other than fawning their marvel and showcasing their wealth and pedigree. 

"Welcome," greeted one young man with two others behind. He had a blue tuxedo on with more extravagant than any one of them and suited him well. He was like most noble good-looking with the air that tell he was superior to others.  "I'm Kelek from the house Silfare." 

The other two were introduced as well. House Silfare had quite a good standing in the nobilities, but the other two were from lesser noble thought they were still nobles. Their dresses, accent and way of presenting themselves reeked out extravagance and noble blood. 

Wrik sighed inwardly and introduced themselves in the ways of nobles. "Good evening, Lord Silfare, Lord Turgon, and Lord Tharoar," he said in a calm voice. "We are new to this place. I would like the lords to show us the way.. . ."

"Well then, let's go to the upper floor then. The real ball is there," Young Lord Kelek from House Silfare said, gesturing towards the glass stair.

Wrik looked at the others and none declined, so he let the Young Lord Kelek bring them to the so-called real ball. 

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The few chapters here will be detailed. There hadn't been romance for 50 or more chapters, so now it's time to give a little romance. Hope you like it.