All Things New Chapter Seven

Heh. Uh, more notes at the end!

CHAPTER SEVEN: THE DANCE

At the dance, the couples were standing together, quite prepared. Podo left them there, promising to come back and pick them up around ten o’clock.

Nia was a tad embarrassed. Whoever danced with her, would be announced, and Nia was not overly fond of attention. She liked compliments sure, but not…. full blasted attention.

Artham and Arundelle were quietly standing towards the back of the room, watching Nia waver between Esben and Rudric, Biggin and Jodi eat some sandwiches, and Olumphia force herself on Clout.

Arundelle smiled. “Everyone looks so happy.”

Artham smiled. “Are you happy?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Artham was about to say something else, but then he got interrupted by some bickering, and he saw Rudric and Esben in a slight scuffle over Nia.

“One second, Arundelle,” Artham said, walking over. He saw Biggin walk towards them too.

Artham grabbed Esben and pulled him back, and Biggin wrestled Rudric back.

“No need to fight,” Artham scolded.

Artham was beside Nia now, Ari was beside Biggin, Jodi was beside Esben, and Rudric was by someone else.

“And, who gets to dance with the birthday girl?” The head of the dance asked.

“Artham Wingfeather!”

Nia and Artham’s jaws dropped, and they looked at each other, bright red. Ari looked at Biggin, Jodi looked at Esben, and Rudric looked rather sick…because the girl next to him had a slight beard.

“Well,” the announcing man continued, “let’s begin!”

Artham took Nia’s arm and walked to the dance floor. A lot of time passed while the dances began. Artham and Nia found themselves feeling awkward at first, but then they both laughed at the situation, and soon began having a nice time. Artham gained over at Arundelle and saw that she and Biggin were having a nice time too. In fact, everyone was enjoying themselves.

“So, Nia, are you enjoying your party?”

“Yes. I will admit, I am happy I landed up with you.”

“Why?”

“Because I wouldn’t want to hurt Esben or Rudric’s feelings, so it was easier to dance with you.”

Artham smiled, but then it faded. “Um, Nia, who is that?”

Artham turned so Nia could see, and she saw a rather shady looking character, slinking towards the back, darkness his cloak and his friend.

“Hmm. I don’t know. But I don’t know everyone who’s here. Maybe it’s Nibbick,” Nia suggested.

“No, Nibbick’s over there.”

“Well, then, I have no idea who it is.”

“Do you mind if I lead us a little closer to Esben?”

Nia shook her head. “Of course not.”

Artham did, and he kept his eye on the man. Nia tried to speak to him, but Artham was focused entirely on that man. He saw the man slip his hand into his cloak and pulled out something that glinted in the light. And then he reached behind him, and pulled out something log and curved.

Artham’s heart stopped. A bow and arrow. The man placed the arrow in its place, and lifted it up, so subtle in the back of the room that only Artham could see. No one else could.

Artham looked where it was aimed, his feet firmly planted, Nia unable to pull him from his fixation. He thought for sure it was aimed at Esben, but then with some shock, and a fair mix of anger, he saw where it was aimed.

It was aimed at Arundelle.

So, this dance was fun to come up with! And uh, did anyone see Ari as the target?? 😅

Let me know if anything seems weird or wonky!