Ryk Handelaar, wealthy merchant, never arrived early to an event. He usually tried to arrive last, it was good for catching the attention of all the attendees. But tonight he had some business to conduct with Feldyr, and he wanted it out of the way before the little bird got there. So when he arrived a good half an hour before the festivities were to begin, the servants were unsure what to do. He ignored them mostly, walking in with a young woman in tow, to find the house man not far inside.
"Vineck, I have business to conduct with your master, and I'm sure he'd like it as much as I would, to have it completed before the party. I'd be grateful if you could fetch him, or get his instruction on where to lead me for our meeting."
Ryk Handelaar, wealthy merchant, didn't have to wait long for Vineck to return. Men like him never waited long. He was lead to Lord Feldyr's study, and the man waited there with two cigars in hand. As he entered he signaled the young woman to stay outside.
"Vineck, could you have a servant fetch my beautiful date a drink while she waits. Perhaps if there is a free house boy, he could show her the gardens. That's a good man." And Ryk tossed the house man a gold coin for his troubles.
He turned back to Feldyr and the man had a cut cigar held out for him. He reached for it, and let the man light it as he puffed. "I know you prefer I not tip your servants, but I must make an exception for Vineck. He puts up with my ridiculous demands," he motioned at the papers Feldyr had spread out, "Shall we?"
Her family did not arrive as early as Ryk would have thought they would. There was some talk that a match was to be made between their families. The boy Feldyr seemed a bit young to getting married in Ryk's view of things. Leave weddings and business to men, not boys. Lord Feldyr seemed practical enough to realize this, but Einin Beirne wasn't getting any younger, and he probably recognized the power he'd gain by marrying her into his family. A servant he had bribed ran up to him with word that her carriage had arrived. He politely excused himself from his conversation about dual-masted or tri-masted vessels, and positioned himself between the door and the Feldyrs.
"Caitlyn," he turned to his closely following date, "Rufus asked you to attend this ball with me because I have a special need of your talents. You are an exquisite creature, and very talented, from what he's told me." She only smiled at his compliment, and he continued, glad that she didn't speak unnecessarily, "I want you to draw the attention of the young Lord Feldyr, and be sure he leads you out of the ball where Einin Beirne will see." With only a nod she was off.
The Beirne family was making fairly quick rounds, and clearly headed for the Feldyrs. He waited for the perfect moment to insert himself into their path, and thrust a greeting upon them.
"A good evening to you Lord Beirne. Lady Beirne, you are looking as gorgeous as always," he said with a sly wink, "It has been much too long since we've all conversed. I see your daughter is with you this evening." He took the hand of Einins wounded arm in his and passed his lips gently across the back of it. As he released her hand he reached up and gently squeezed her arm right below the wound. He could feel the thin dressing she had underneath and wondered if her parents knew of the wound, and what excuse she had given. "Such a lovely young bird you've grown into."
"Do you like my attire this evening," he asked, plucking at his pink trimmed black coat, set over a pink vest. The color matched Einin's hair perfectly. Just then he turned, noting Caitlyn was trailing behind the young Lord Feldyr.
"Well it seems the boy Feldyr has made an early catch this evening. A pity, I hoped to converse with him," he hid the grin that briefly spread across his face.
