Topics: Note / Feast / Kisser
Challenges: None (actually, I forgot :doh )
Words: 800

With A Kiss

The note, when it was passed, went unnoticed. It was transferred by mental impulse from the sharp but unscrupulous mind of Lady Yue to the portalink elegantly concealed within her ivory hairband. It was then dispatched towards the link owned by Gart Belhaus - Revered Ambassador of Draconis, seated at the far end of the banqueting table and feigning fascination at the ice-sailing anecdotes of a lesser diplomat. The note cleared the long table in an instant, passing through the fragrant herbacco smoke and braying laughter without a ripple.

Gratefully shutting out the diplomat's descripton of a nasty squall on the icefields of Boor, Belhaus saw the message materialize in the air before him, tuned to his bio-signiature and visible only to himself.

The Red Garden.
Five minutes.
~ Y

He glanced up just long enough to catch the luminous brown eyes of Lady Yue and silently ackowledge the summons. He looked again shortly afterwards, to watch her slender form ascending the stairs. It was customary to stand and acknowledge the Potentates children when they left a room, but Lady Yue was only third in line for the throne, and her reputation made the gentry reluctant to acknowledge her at all. The only response to her departure was, perhaps, a subtle decrease of tension in the room.

Belhaus arrived in the Red Garden a few minutes later. The fragrance from the Lowland Blooms filled his nose as he stepped into the moonlight, but it was the fragrance of the nineteen-year-old heiress that he found compelling. Though politically unpopular, she was certainly favoured by the menfolk of the palace. She was young enough to be Belhaus granddaughter, which only increased his interest.

They greeted each other with a nod, and Yue spoke first. So you claim to have information for me?

Belhaus nodded. I have a secret. One that might prove useful to someone wishing to ascend the throne.

Yues eyes narrowed. And how did you obtain this secret? Draconis ruled half the world once, but your tiny island is a shell of its former self. Yet you claim you can break the hold my relatives have on the thone of the Sovereignty?

Its an old secret, Lady, Belhaus smiled. Very old, and very powerful.

Her eyes gleamed. And youll give me this secret?

Belhaus shrugged. That depends on what Ill get in return.

Yue smirked. Help me to ascend, she cooed, and I could do a lot for Draconis. And meanwhile She looked up at him coyly. I could do a lot for you

There it was. Lady Yue was infamous for her promiscuity, and always let her flirtatious games interfere with politics. She was a foolish brat, but Belhaus knew as his eyes moved over her athletic young body that she would have her uses.

She moved towards him, too eagerly. She didnt even know how to tease properly. Belhaus arms moved around her, and he allowed himself a smile as their lips touched.

Yue relaxed into the kiss, forgetting the mans age and weight and scratchy moustache. Soon all his secrets would be hers. These decadent old politicians were so easy to seduce.

She was almost beginning to enjoy herself when it happened. Belhaus lips stiffened and turned cold, as did the hand gripping her arm. She tried to pull away, but his other hand was on her neck, pulling her in. The cold was flooding through her, as if he were breathing the very chill of death into her throat.

The last thing she felt was Belhaus shudder, her terror giving way to the twisted joy that always accompanied the Change.

The guards came running at her screams. Seeing the Revered Ambassador huddled on the ground, they assumed that a stealthy assassin or sniper had been at work. A later autopsy would reveal that Belhaus had expired from a heart attack. Given his lifestyle, few were surprised.

Their first priority was to Lady Yue, staring in fright at the fallen man. If her horror was a contrast to her usual sardonic coolness, she could hardly be blamed and - as the guards would later whisper - the haughty little sow could afford to be taken down a peg.

But behind Yues seemingly terrified eyes - eyes which, against all appearances, were just as dead as those of the Revered Ambassador - the Entity watched with grim satisfaction. Until tonight, It had worn the fat and aged carcass of a figurehead ambassador from a diminished island. Now It had a new body - young and strong and athletic - and was third in line for the throne of an emerging empire.

And under Its guidance the Sovereignty, just as Draconis once had, would achieve power of which its former rulers had never dreamed.


THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

Say what you like about the hip hop culture, it's produced some really stupid hats.




~ FLAT EARTH ~
~ IN THE FLAT SEAT ~
~ BORROWED TIME ~
(Chapter 6 posted)