Asriel returned to the festivities as the party music blared up, couples pairing up for the dance; Asriel smiled when he saw Orron going to the dance floor with Amy. The Lucario looked around the gathering, smiling more when he saw Flae and Glace talking to two gentlemon's; Asriel recognized them instantly. 'Jace will make a fine husband for Flae,' Asriel thought as he watched the Jolteon talk with her. 'Jonathan will as well; he will make sure Glace is treated fairly and is comfortable,' Asriel thought as he looked at the leafeon, Glace laughing at some joke he had made. Asriel was startled when he felt someone tap his shoulder.

"Excuse me sir; can I ask you to come with me? Jaral Everglade wishes to speak to you," a servant said, his clear blue eyes low in the faint lawn light. "Certainly," Asriel replied, slightly surprised that she would summon him during her ball. Following the servant, Asriel gazed at the shadows, a deep sensation of someone watching him lingering on his fur. Before he could switch to his Aura Sight, he was led into the hall. "This is an excellent ball master Everglade is hosting; I give her great thanks for her hospitality," Asriel stated to the Vaporeon guide. "Yes," was all he got back in response, the guide seeming to not want to make conversation with him.

The rest of the way was spent in silence, the Vaporeon stopping outside a heavy oak door. "The Jaral is waiting for you in the Study," the Vaporeon stated before walking away in an almost bored fashion. Opening the door, Asriel walked into the room, a crackling fire in the fireplace giving light. A delphox was resting in a chair beside the fire, looking deep in thought and worry before she took notice of Asriel. "Take a seat Asriel; I have something to discuss with you," she said, sitting up with a goblet of wine in her paw; she offered Asriel one as he sat down beside her. "No thank you; I do not drink," Asriel replied kindly.

"I need to ask a favor of you," Everglade began, her eyes clouding again. "Yes?" Asriel asked, gazing into the fire, watching it dance to a rhythm of its own. "I need you to accompany my eldest son to Cillista as a defensive mage and healer; I know you are proficient in ward magic," Everglade said, getting Asriel to look at her in surprise. "The roads are dangerous this time of year; trade caravans are being attacked by thieves almost every time. I am assigning a squad of knights to accompany you to the country capital in case you are attacked. Sale, show yourself," the Jaral said; Asriel looked to the side as a Sylveon emerged from a separate room, his armor shining in the firelight.

Asriel could sense an aura of battle experience as he knelt to the jaral. "My lady," Sale said, his voice deep with respect and bass. "Asriel, this is Sale Farier, the captain of the squad I am assigning to your mission," Everglade introduced. Asriel nodded to the Sylveon before he rememge5red something. "Forgive me for being so blunt, but is Flae -," Asriel started to ask before the touch of a blade to his throat silenced him, Sale growling in his face. "Sale, stand down!" Everglade commanded, sounding embarrassed. "Don't speak my sister's name if you want to keep your tongue!" Sale threatened as he drew back, sheathing his sword, his paws shaking in rage and, to Asriel's surprise, a sadness so deep it made Asriel's heart lurch. "She is here with me today. I can show you if you want; she is outside, dancing," Asriel offered. However, as soon as Asriel finished speaking, a scream filled the air. Asriel was to his paws in an instant, racing out the room on Sale's heels. The clearing was a mess of panicking Pokemon, mothers collecting children while their husbands protected them, eyes scanning for threats. Asriel saw it a second after Sale did, the Sylveons body stiffening at the sight.

Flae was on the ground, blood pouring out of her pierced chest, foam at her mouth as Grace tried to apply pressure. "No..." Sale said, a look of helplessness crossing his face before he shook his head. "Go to the other guards; I will tend to Flae!" Asriel called behind him as he ran forward, weaving through the crowd quickly to the two sisters. "Asriel; I think Flae has been poisoned!" Glace cried, her voice cracking with worry. "Step aside; I need space!" Asriel commanded, his paws steady as he flared a bright white light, chanting healing spells, the ones necessary to save Flae's life. 'She definitely is poisoned; I have to work fast,' Asriel thought, speeding up his chanting to trace the toxin and to extract it from Flae's bloodstream. Restricting the blood flow from Flae's open wound, Asriel only let the toxins out before closing the wound; he was glad to see that Flae's breathing was fine, her chest rising and falling regularly.

Sale soon arrived, looking at Flae with wide eyes before he fell to his knees; Glace looked at him with wide eyes, looking lost as she stared at the Sylveon. "Sister," Sale sobbed, throwing himself at Flae, crying into her relaxed shoulder, his sobs telling Asriel he was thankful for him saving his sister's life. "Flae will be fine; she just needs to rest for a few hours," Asriel whispered, picking up Flae as he moved to leave. "Here; I can take you to the Jaral's healers. They can help if you overlooked something," Sale told him; Asriel felt a sting to his pride, but he let it slide.

However, as he led Sale to his cart, a sinister thought entered his mind, one that did not belong to Asriel.

'You are next,'

Cliffhanger! Yay! I hate them, but hey, they lead to a great new chapter! I have something really good planned for the next one! See everyone later in the next chapter! Peace out!