Athos Remidigous sat in the coach that was slowly jostling it's way up to the front door of the great Degrass estate. With the prince dead, the queen in mourning and the king slowly killing himself with the drink, Duke Degrass was trying his best to ease some of the wounds by hosting a party in celebration of the life the prince lead. What would the good duke think if he knew the man who was instrumental in the current state of the kingdom would be coming out at the very party he helped to cause. How ironic. Athos thought, as the carriage pulled to a stop in front of the front door to the massive estate.
Dressed in the latest fashion, Athos Remidigous stepped from the coach and onto the cobblestones of the front walk. Almost immediatly, a finely dressed man came to him, his shoes making ringing sounds against the stone of the walkway and his perfect stride causing him to appear to levitate off from the ground. The man asked Athos his name and his title, so he could be announced to the estate, as he entered and Athos told him.
As the little man walked with Athos to the front doors, Athos' mind went back to a lesson his master Yzo had taught him early in his apprenticeship. "Azo," he had said "people look far ahead of them, without looking directly in front of them. The greatest place for a shadow to hide is in plain sight. Our very purpose is to be seen, but to not be noticed. Remember this lesson, boy, for one day, your life will depend on how well or badly you can walk.". Tonight was the night Athos would see how well he could walk.
"Announcing Count Athos Remidigous of Forestry!" the herald cried, as Athos stepped into the great hall that opened up from the front doors. People barely even noticed him, but for the few that sat at the high table, those who had no intrest in the drinking and general frivolity. The king, sitting upon the highest seat in the middle of the table, Duke Degrass sat beside his leige and the queen sat, dressed in black to the right of her husband. The king was rapidly becoming drunk, anyone with an eye for the drunkenly dangerous could see. His voice was growing louder and his attitude angrier.
Athos mingled for a time, he introduced himself here, smiled and flirted with all the right ladies and shook hands with the correct men. He ate, but did not drink, he had never drank before and doing so tonight would be both out of character and dangerous for his cover. It was on his way to the great buffet table, that he bumped into a tall man with gray hair and a gentle smile. "By the god, boy you startled me!" the man said, as he recovered. Then, there was a moment of recognition in his eyes and a look of horror mixed with the need to pass along information.
"I am sorry, Duke Trelini." Athos replied, as he bowed low, having caught the look on his conversation's face. As the new noble stood, he continued "I truly hope I did not hurt you or cause offense."
"No, no, boy you didn't do anything of the sort." Duke Trelini replied, motioning for Athos to follow him down the buffet line. The duke grabbed food from the table in front of him and the plate in front of him high with all the delicasies it would hold, before he continued to a table, where three other nobles sat about, chatting, joking and laughing.
Not knowing that with these were the first steps to his destiny, Athos Remidigous followed the Duke to his seat.