The big trial had finally arrived. On the 55th of Zi’da, the first party ever took place at
Smooglenuff Manor. Invitations had been sent out a couple of trials earlier – to Saoire, to the leaders of the two settlements on Faldrass, to the Albarech and the Scalvoris Council as well as a number of other people – letters that had been written with golden ink and that were contained in scented envelopes that smelled faintly of cinnamon and vanilla.
There would be dancing and music, and a most extravagant dinner – each dish would have a special effect – but there was also a more serious aspect to the party. Baron Devin who had arranged it wanted to raise awareness for mental health issues and collect donations for the Spirit’s Rest Oasis, a business that was located on Faldrass. Anybody was welcome to attend the party, although the guests were asked to dress in a way that matched the theme, if they were able to.
The theme of the party was “Winter Wonderland”.
It was dusk when the festivities started. The sky was painted in different shades of pink, red and orange as the sun disappeared behind the horizon. Countless lanterns lined the last couple of metres of the two roads that led up to the manor – from Hopetoun to the west and the dock to the south. The house, a large mansion house that was made of grey stone, with a purple roof and several balconies, had been decorated, with fake snow, with crystals and shimmering orbs that were reminiscent of the ornaments that Saoire had worn in her hair once, as had been the wall that surrounded it.
There was a guardhouse next to the gate that every visitor had to pass by. The guards that were dressed in wintery outfits, in gold and white, greeted every visitor politely and informed them that they would not be allowed to take their weapons with them. They would be collected and kept safe them safe until the end of the party. This was going to be a peaceful party, a night that was filled with fun, music and good food.
Violence would not be tolerated.
There was a stable where any mounts that the guests had brought would be able to stay in the meantime. They would be kept warm, and they would be given food and water.
Each guest was greeted by the butler of Smooglenuff Manor, Korim, a young Biqaj, before they proceeded into the entrance hall that had been decorated appropriately for the season, with garlands, ornaments that were shaped like ice crystals and fake snow. The walls as well as the floors had been polished.
The guest rooms had been prepared for those that wanted or needed to stay at the manor overnight and decorated to match the theme. The guests could head there before the party, in order to get changed, freshen up and relax a bit. On the table in each guest room stood a wicker basket that was filled with sweet treats – a gift from Baron Devin.
Each sweet treat had been made with an unusual ingredient.
There were heart-shaped chocolates with fizzy candy that caused a most interesting sensation in one’s mouth. There were macarons with a marbling effect, green and yellow, that had been filled with a delicious ganache, with cucumber juice being the secret ingredient. There were zucchini chocolate muffins, and there were cookies that contained Night Scented Stock rather than vanilla.
Each wicker basket also contained a little personal note that had been written with golden ink and signed by Devin personally:
“Thank you for coming to my party. I hope you’ll have a great time!”
Finally, the guests were taken to the ballroom that was incredibly luxurious and that had been decorated in a wintery fashion, with garlands, ornaments and fake snow. It was filled with light and warmth, from the candelabras and the fireplaces, while it was getting darker and darker outside, the moons rose, and numerous stars appeared in the sky.
All of the servants, and all of the helpers, students that had come from Saoire’s School in order to get a bit of real-life experience, wore outfits to match the theme of the party, white and golden, with hair ornaments that looked like ice crystals or snowballs, for example. Tables with beautiful place settings surrounded the dance floor, and there was a small stage where the musicians would play later on. It was still empty for the time being though.
The guests had just enough time to find a seat and peruse the menu if they wanted – there was one in front of each seat, together with a beautiful red and golden napkin and an assortment of spoons, knives and forks – before Korim, the butler that wore a snow-white top hat and a white suit with beautiful golden embroidery walked through the door and announced in a firm and clear tone of voice,
“His Grace, Baron Devin von Smooglenuff.”
A moment later, the mortalborn son of Zanik walked through the door and into the ballroom.
He was dressed in a snow-white, extravagantly cut suit that was not made of normal fabric, but a magical Duplicity Suit. It was covered with delicate embroidered stars made of golden and silver thread that shimmered in the light. A luxurious white cape with a fur collar and golden embroidery was draped across his shoulders, a very long cape that looked almost like a train of sorts. It swished in a most interesting manner as he walked.
His feet were encased in white leather boots that were approximately knee-high and had a small heel, and silver ornaments that resembled snow crystals were in his black hair.
“I bid you all welcome!” he greeted the guests with a wide smile on his face because he was just so very happy and excited and let his gaze drift across the ballroom for a few moments. He could see the people from the Spirit’s Rest Oasis, his classmate Magdalene who had helped him with the beer crisis as well as Mrs. Hale from Haven Farm who had provided the goat cheese for the canapes, for example.
“I bid you all welcome to my winter party – that will hopefully only be the first in a long line of parties at Smooglenuff Manor. There will be music and dancing, delicious drinks and good food. I came up with and helped make all of the dishes you can see on the menu”, he pointed out because he couldn’t help but brag a little.
“There is also a more serious aspect to this party though. A little while ago, I was contacted by the Spirit’s Rest Oasis. They wanted to work with the Barony, so I offered to collect donations for them and raise awareness for mental health issues. The collapse of the docks, the eruption of the volcano and the war against Slag’s Deep have shown how important such is. Nobody should be alone and without help after such a tragedy and suffer”, he continued in a more somber tone of voice.
A moment later, he already smiled again though and produced what looked like a small snow globe.
“First of all”, he said, and the smile on his face widened.
“I have a surprise for you all though. You’ve probably noticed that it’s not snowing at the moment, and that there is in fact very little snow on the ground – that’s due to the orange sand. A winter party without snow barely deserves to be called such in my opinion though. And thus, I’ll give you a winter wonderland now. Please look through the windows!” he announced, almost brimming with excitement because this was going to be fun.
Having said that, he shattered the snow globe that was really a magic item called
Saoire’s Kiss without further ado. A moment later, it suddenly started to snow heavily. Countless snowflakes fell from the sky and covered the previously nearly barren ground, creating an almost magical atmosphere.
Winter had finally arrived on Faldrass for real.
I will post again in approximately two weeks.
