Authors: Gloria Harchar
Allegro paced the length of
Nicola
'
s dresser as he waited for
Glissando
. He wanted to consult about the latest development concerning the Garland Ball. Although society
'
s opinion didn
'
t matter to the Earl of Falconwood, Allegro nevertheless feared that inviting not only
Nicola
but also her father might be detrimental to their union. The whole situation seemed too volatile. He merely wished the two would marry and all would be over.
"
Where is that infuriating pixie?
"
he muttered as he glanced at the watch that measured
Nicola
'
s aura.
"
Glissando
is a mess, is he not?
"
a voice spoke above. Allegro glanced up to see Major C floating down to land next to him. The viceroy flexed his scrawny knees as he alighted, the knobby shape of them delineated beneath his tight-fitting green hose.
"At least he hasn't slipped
a note
to the enemy this time—at least, not
ye
t."
Allegro bowed before his curiosity overcame him.
"
What has happened? Why are you here?
"
Major C straightened his scarlet cape.
"
Maestro sent me to tell you that you won
'
t be seeing
Glissando
for a week, so you will have to work on your own—although in my opinion you will be better off for it.
Glissando
is lazy and not at all respectful of our laws.
"
Although Allegro agreed with the list of
Glissando
'
s faults, he didn
'
t feel comfortable saying so to the Viceroy.
Besides, Glissando might say he's lazy, pretend to be lazy, but Allegro was discovering differently. Why would Glissando want that image? Why promote the prejudice?
"
What is going to happen to him?
"
"
He
'
s been relegated to hard labor for one week.
"
Allegro resisted twiddling his thumbs.
"
What, precisely, did he do?"
"
He wrote on a
human
'
s slate, exposing himself to someone who is not a Chosen One. In my opinion, the Maestro is being much too lenient.
"
"
Is that all
Glissando
did?
"
Allegro asked, wondering about the episode with the balloon.
The viceroy puffed out his barrel-like chest.
"
Isn
'
t that enough? He
'
s going to get us all in trouble, I just know it. Why,
Glissando
should understand the importance of our laws. They are strict to protect all creatures, both in
Lumiè
re
and Earth.
Ye
s, in
1120
we faced mighty decisions, and my legacy of greatness start
ed with great Grandfather Notes…
"
Allegro stifled a sigh, not
wanting
to hear a lecture
about the state of the worlds Before
Harmony,
and the feats of the famous Grandfather Notes, who Allegro had secretly heard wasn
'
t all that brave. But offending such a powerful pixie as Major C the Fifth would be foolhardy, particularly when he wanted
to become mayor of Overture. S
o Allegro
pretended to listen. All the while, he
thought of possibilities to help the romance between
Nicola
and Falcon
. To make his pretense believable, he even murmured little words of encouragemen
t while he paced, and pondered
the implications of
Glissando
getting away with his balloon trick.
Was
Glissando
right? Was Allegro too rigid with his following of the law? Perhaps he could test it and give
Nicola
a nudge toward sealing the bargain between her and Falcon.
"
...
for one, the catastrophes that led to the Discordant Age.
Glissando
will be the one who will lead us into another dark period, mark my words.
"
Allegro frowned, irritated.
"
Thank you, Major C, for your advice and your reminder of your exalted relative.
"
"
Why, I
'
m pleased to help. You will go far, Allegro. In fact, I
'
m certain you will succeed and become mayor of Overture.
"
"
Do you really think so?
"
Allegro asked, unable to keep the eagerness from his tone.
"
Indeed, I do. Yo
u are an exemplary pixie. I wouldn't be surprised if you became
senator.
"
Wonder swelled in Allegro
'
s chest at the thought of such an honor.
"
Thank you, Major C.
"
The pixie straightened his officious-looking cape, making certain the points were even on each shoulder.
"
Now, if you
'
ll excuse me, I have a lot to do.
"
Allegro breathed a mingled sigh of awe and relief as he watched the Viceroy catch a mote and spark away into the atmosphere. Then he himself leaped onto a particle of dust and directed his transport to the Garland Ball, making final notes in his mind about a daring new plan.
"
I still don
'
t understand why we were invited,
Nicola
. We don
'
t belong in the Upper Crust.
"
Her father adjusted his cravat as if it were strangling him.
Nicola
glanced up at the brilliant chandelier and wondered if Allegro was twinkling in one of the crystals, or perhaps he hid in the blue john stone ormolu around the doors and chimney pieces. He had disappeared earlier that day, plotting mischief she was sure. Taking a deep breath, she decided not to worry about it. She had more important things to concern her, such as the ball and the Earl. Right now, she wished with all her might she were a
pixie
so that she could disappear in the flash of lights.
Her gaze flitted to the patrons crowding the ballroom. Women glittered with jewels. Just one of those diamonds was large enough to provide for a stockinger and his family for a good ten
ye
ars. Even the men in their finely cut evening suits flashed with wealth the likes of which most laborers wouldn
'
t see in their lifetime.
"
I have never witnessed such riches,
"
her father muttered. He glanced about the circular ballroom.
Nicola
followed his gaze. Eight huge sections of looking glass covered the walls from floor to ceiling, separated with delicate plasterwork painted silver and gold. She looked back at her father and saw his
eyes
widen.
"
Thunder and turf
, will you look at that?
" her father exclaimed on a wheeze.
"
I
'
ve never viewed the like.
"
She turned to stare at the entry to the ballroom, both sides flanked with tapestries. The intricate gold-and-rose pattern reminded her of the Gobelin wall hangings she had seen in a book about Prince Regent
'
s furnishings.
Her father shuffled
as if he couldn't decide where to stand
.
"
I feel like a duck amid the swans.
"
So did
Nicola
. As she
'
d donned
her cream-colored gown patterned
with small airships
woven with
Clockwork Blue
string, she had thought her attire more than efficient
. Her hair, adorned with a twisted satin band
dyed
in
Clockwork Blue
, looped with pearls and small bluish metal washers
, had made her believe it was the crowning glory she
'
d needed to fit in. Her efforts hadn
'
t helped. Next to all the shimmering glamour, she felt quite dowdy.
She rallied, determined not to be intimidated.
"
Believe me, Papa, these top-lofty
gents and ladies
are only human beings. Why, they have to use the convenience just like us.
"
"
What a refreshing view,
"
someone said behind her.
The sound of that familiar drawl caused
Nicola
to whip around. Her breath caught at the sight of Falcon resplendent in a bright silver waistcoat and breeches. Heat rushed to her face.
"
My lord, you were not supposed to hear that comment.
"
"
Then perhaps you should not have said it.
"
Her father stepped forward.
"
I will not have you judge my daughter harshly, sir.
"