Camilla nodded completely relaxed for the first time in many weeks. This was a battlefield on which she knew the rules, the stakes and every move by heart. Tilea was a small nation compared to the Empire but its courts operated at a level of sophistication that would be dizzying to a new comer from these cold northern lands.

[b]"Merely men I fear and we did little enough, save of course for what the Swords of Ulfric could not,"[/b] she replied with a warm friendly smile. The popinjay looked puzzled for a moment before the rebuke struck home. He stiffened slightly as it sank in. The woman was made of sterner stuff, her cheeks coloring slightly at the subtle rejoinder.

[b]"Do all Brettonian women go to balls armed? Have you so little faith in your menfolk?"[/b] she asked with a simpering glance at her immaculately dressed companion. Camilla was aware that other couples near them were listening to the exchange, doubtless cataloging the exchange for future gossip. With a slightly theatrical gesture she lay her hand across the hilt of the weapon.

[b]"We find it proper to spare them the exertion of eradicating vermin not worth their effort,"[/b] she said sweetly, [b]"think of it as a measure of devotion."[/b] Her tone held the slightest tinge of mockery and the woman responded by gripping her companions arm a little harder. It was all theater, Camilla really doubted that actual Brettonian women went to balls armed.

[b]"Not that there is any shortage of devotion her in the Empire of course,"[/b] she commiserated addressing the comment to the woman but letting her eyes go to the man. The popinjay coughed and led his date away. There were a few half concealed titters following her.

[b]"Amatuers,"[/b] she remarked to Cydric as the moved on through the crowd. A moment later the orchestra struck up a dance tune and she led Cydric out onto the floor. She and Cydric drew eyes for their strangeness and she suspected for their apparent celebrity. A fact which she suspected the young Jisele's loose lips had more than a little to do with. Men glanced at her with the familiar look, some overtly lustful, others with less honest expressions. Women eyed her as well, some jealously, other scandalized to see her wearing a sword. The women looked at Cydric too, wide eyed or speculative.

Gripping his arm possessively she lead him out onto the floor where several dozen other couples were already taking their position. In hushed whispers she explained to him that he should put his hands around her waist and where he should put his feet when the other couples began dancing. She wondered if she ought to have gone for red and gold rather than silver and blue as the waltz began, she quietly counted the time for Cydric when a though struck her like a blow and she nearly stumbled, an act so unusual for her as to be equivalent to a shout.

The Chamberlain had said that the mage had fussed over him. That Frauline Rotharrgier had. Rotharrgier.

[b]"Cydric,"[/b] she said quietly, [b]"Rotharrgier means red haired in old Reikspiel dosent it?"[/b] Red haired. A Red Lady.

[@POOHEAD189]