Hadrian turned round, intending to talk once again to the mysterious figure in red. He was gone.<span style="font-style: italic">That's odd,</span>he thought.<span style="font-style: italic">Where could he have run off to?</span>A small boy from within the crowd stepped forward trembling.<br/><br/>"Sire...If I may ask, what was that message you wanted to deliver?" Hadrian was slow to respond, his mind not fully off the scarlet arrow. When the little boy had regained his attention, he smiled warmly.<br/><br/>"I wonder, could you deliver my message for me?" He asked openly of the boy.<br/><br/>"I-it would be an honor, sire!" He stammered, his eyes wide with the task ahead of him.<br/><br/>"Excellent! Then I would like you to deliver a message to the William's estate. Regrettably I am unable to stay and approach them myself, so this is very important." The boy nodded feverishly, wanting him to continue. "I would like you to speak to the residents there, and inform them they have been cordially invited to a masquerade ball." Excited murmurs from the crowd.<br/><br/>"A ball? There hasn't been a ball in years!"<br/><br/>"Oooh...this is so exciting!"<br/><br/>Hadrian made to continue. "Yes, it seems fitting that we have a ball to rejoice for our successful times. Know that there is a section open to commoners and you are now all invited." He leaned down close to the boy. "But make sure you get that message to the William's." He reminded with a wink. The excitement was clearly evident on the child's face, so bright appeared his countenance.<br/>"And with that, I'm afraid I must depart. Good luck to you all and I of course hope to see you at the ball." Hadrian bowed slightly to the buzzing crowd, chuckling at his rhyme. Many return the bow and many waved as he made his way back up the hill.<br/><br/>"It does make me wonder where that scarlet man might have gone. This is most certainly curious..." He muttered aloud.