"Very dashing," Emmaline grinned, catching Markus by the collar flaps of the coat and stealing a kiss. That was true, the dark and severe cut made Markus seem even more lean and dangerous. The style was not that similar to what duelists had been wearing when she had last been in Altdorf. Imperial fashion being what it was, the style might have come from, or traveled too Marienburg before appearing here.

"Though with clothing so fine we might run out of even fake coins," she added with a smile. Markus smirked.

"I notice there was no such concern when you were picking out YOUR wardrobe," he observe. Emmaline waved a hand loftily.

"That is a completely different thing," she explained earning another snort from Markus.

"Do you think Sketti will be a problem at the ball?" she asked. Imagining the slayer at a ball was a bit like imagining a Orca in a temple, only not as reassuring.

"He better be," Markus said darkly.


_____________________________________

"Captain Markus Flintbrook of the Hammer Sloop, and Lady Emmaline Von Morganstern," the stern faced greeter boomed, as Markus and Emmaline were escorted through the stone linteled door of the manor house. The house was faced with stone and timber, a mark of true wealth in a place where wood was at a premium, and decorated with globes of glass stained various pastel colors with inset candles. The effect was probably meant to be elegant but it struck Emmaline that so many conflicting colors was like a rainbow vomiting. The great and the good of Tobaro more or less ignored them as they swept into the great ballroom. It was forty yards long and half again wide with two great curling stair cases at the end with velvet rugs. The floor itself was of cunningly polished stone, each in subtle hews to create a subtle pattern. A small orcestra was playing a waltz from a stage between one stair case and the wall, while tables laden with food and drink lined the opposite side. Men and women, even a few elves, in expensive clothing danced on the floor, laughing and chattering at a dull roar. It was obvious that the duke was not yet in attendance.

"Well," Emmaline whispered into Markus ear, "I suppose a free drink is a free drink."