Night of the Theran Ball

By: Gnaash Posted on: January 15, 2008

[Author's note: This short story is recorded as it was told on a Midwinter's night in the voice of Gnaash Bora'k, the troll.]

Once upon time in Thera, was very pretty girl with golden hair and twinkling blue eyes. Girl was envy of all other girls of the village, but was so gentle and so nice that no body could hate for long. On night few day before Mayaween, many year ago, mayor of town of Thera announce huge ball would be held and important people from all across Sapience would be invite to dress in they finery and dance until dawn.

Little girl was all aflutter with excitement!

Girl mother say for her, "You can not attend the ball! Do you have any idea what sorts of people will be there? Out of the question!" But little girl really want to go. So after finish up chores, she sneak out of the house and into the dark streets of Thera.

Was chill on air that night, and little light shine from New Moon. Stars twinkle, but with distant cold light. But girl no would be daunted. Walk boldy right into grand ballroom dressed in simple blue dress with long pale ribbons. All most famous people were there, dressed in costume: Viziers and Archons, Vicars and Prelates, Regents and Leat... Leath... hmph! Eleusians. King Nissandar, Great Mhunna, Gods and Goddesses even! All dress up in most elaborate costume had ever see. Dancing, dancing, dancing! The music so moving and so rich with harmony, the little girl cry a single tear from happiness.

She begin twirl and skip around the room, dancing happy, until little girl run smack into tall, dark handsome man. Pow! After blush fade from little girl cheek, she do little curtsey and smile. Man was stand very tall, very straight. Aura of power and confident presence was exude from every pore. Shadow cling to his long cape. Man smile a toothy smile and nod head. "Would you care to dance, my dear?"

Little girl swallow with a gulp. "Yes, sir. That would be divine!"

Man shudder slightly, but then smile and take little girl hand in his. Skin was cool and smooth. The man was dress all in black. "A most detailed costume," the girl thought, "with perfect silken fabric veined in silver thread. He must have powdered his face. And those teeth! I wonder where he got them."

Girl and man dance for several hours until little girl start to feel sleepy. Her head nod against man chest. Her heart beat slowly thump-thump, pulse steady and loud in man's ear.

Without warning, the ballroom disappear in flash of smoke! Twirling around slowly now, man dip girl low, cradle her head in hand. She no feel a thing as his long, sharp teeth pierce the fragile skin of girl neck. Blood flowed freely, spilling over the delicate trim of her dress. With a final gasping breath, little girl speak a single word, and with a sated smile the man raise his face, lips and teeth stained with blood...

"Zsarachnor," she said.