(This is a reboot of Lady Kate’s wonderful Winterball RP ~ posted by permission)<br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>LadyKate43 wrote:</cite>The evening of the Winterfest Ball had arrived. Weeks of preparation were at an end. Kate had the dressmaker, Mrs. Snead make a dress from cloth that she had chosen. It was pure pink silk and pink lace. The dress had a sweetheart neckline and full ruffled hem at the bottom. She had Ann, the head housemaid help her with her hair. Kate looked in her vanity mirror as Ann braided her hair and pinned it to the top of her head. The rest of her auburn hair fell loose in the back to her slender waist.<br/><br/>Lord Lyons shook his head as he walked into Kate's open room and stood behind her.<br/>“I would like you to wear this tonight. This is your mother’s tiera and you have grown to look like her every day. She would want to have it.”<br/>Kate sat breathless, “Papa it’s beautiful. My how handsome you look in your new uniform. Is there anyone special you want me to meet?”<br/><br/>Lord Lyons shook his head, “I learned my lesson. No more match making. Dance with anyone you wish.” Kate scooted her chair, rose and hugged her father and kissed his cheek, “Relax, have a good time tonight.” Kate sat back down as Ann pinned the silver, diamond, and sapphire tiara in her hair.<br/><br/>Lord Lyons and John entered the main hall together. The whole manor was decorated for the occasion. A 10-foot tree was in the corner of the parlor and opposite the parlor was a marble and alabaster spiral staircase. The banister was dressed in a rope of greenery as were the windows and the main door has a huge wreath with a bright red, taffeta bow. The manor’s kitchen permeated the air with baked chicken, spiced apples, oranges with clover.<br/><br/>Kate did not realize the main hall was full of male officers as she descended the staircase. She was proud of them all, for they had just fought some major engagements months earlier, pushing the Orcs, Trolls, and their minions back to the Barren Lands Of The South. Currently the land was safe as the pass was closed and a time of celebration and feasting was in the air. She saw her father and brother John talking to an officer she had never met. She had only seen him when he arrived at 14. He was a scared and shy child that picked up swordplay quickly and stayed mostly to himself. He had grown into a tall, muscular, and handsome young man. He and her brother were going to be knighted in the Spring. She ambled to her father’s side confidently though so many eyes were upon her. Prior to this night all the soldiers were told to keep 10 paces away from her. They would be confined to quarters. Kate managed to hide in the bushes, trees, and the attic to gain a glimpse of shirtless men fighting target dummies. Kate smiled warmly as she approached and semi-curtsied, “Good evening, Happy Winterfest Gentlemen and Welcome!”</div></blockquote><br/><br/><br/>~ ~<br/><br/>Cedric was nervous. He had not been to this manor in some time, and though he remembered his time here, he was driven to try and be good at his studies and training. He never felt comfortable around people, but due to his platoon of men managed to hold the flank when the orcs attached from the highlands, Lord Lyon wished to speak with him.<br/>“I read the reports of our victory. It appears you had a hand in its success!”<br/>“Thank you, sir. I just did the best I could.” Cedric answered.<br/>His son John said,<br/>“Cedrics platoon was given the important task of watching the left flank at the pass. The flanking attack was unlooked for yet could have been disastrous for us had it succeeded.”<br/>John gave Cedric a nod and a smile. Cedric started to feel his nerves ignite under his skin, and he worried he would start to perspire.  He shuffled slightly and said,<br/>“I lost six of my men, nine counting the wounded….John here deserves the praise for leading the counterattack…”<br/>Lord Lyon cut him off. He turned and had everyone face the stairwell. Cedric paused, then turned and stood tall at attention. A beautiful young woman made her way down the stairway and looked around with a smile. Their eyes locked but for a moment, but Cedric sensed a slight familiarity. She was a young girl reaching toward adulthood then. Now she was a young woman. He remembered the orders they had while there. Lord Lyon’s daughter was not for their eyes! Yet now she approached, and Lord Lyon stood there beside him. Cedric smiled as she greeted them, and remembering his courtesies, bowed slightly to the lady. Lord Lyon proudly said to all there,<br/>“Ladies and gentlemen, my daughter Kate.”<br/>Cedric tried to avert his eyes, but her smile had captivated him. He almost missed hearing her brother John introduce him to her.<br/>“Kate, this is Cedric, lieutenant of the 7th Platoon of the King’s Infantry.”<br/>Kate smiled and offered her hand, and Cedric took it gently and bowed and kissed it. He said,<br/>“It is my honour to meet you Lady Kate.”<br/>Lord Lyon watched the exchange carefully, then took his daughter’s hand and turned to formally introduce her to some of the other officers. Cedric sighed as he took a breath. He was a mere lieutenant junior grade, one march out of cadet school. He was given the mountainous flank position because it was the least likely place to be attacked. Yet the orcs surmised this and had made every effort to break his line and cut the road supplying the rest of the army. His men were mostly recruits like he, green in battle. The old sarge was the binding that held them all together when the attack started. When he fell shortly after the attack, the men waivered. Cedric stepped in front and stood over his sergeant and rallied his men to stand. He could not be prouder of his platoon….<br/>“Refreshment sir?”<br/>Came a voice of a maid carrying a tray. Cedric set the empty wine glass on it and took a fresh one.<br/>“Thank you.” He said to the serving maid as she smiled and walked on. Cedric took a breath. He had to remind himself that this was a celebration, and he needed to forget the war. He turned and smiled as another officer came over to talk, but he would glance over at Lady Kate as she met all the other officers.