Existence

Ianthe rose to her feet after finishing her dance with a skillful drop into the splits. She lowered her head respectfully, her auburn hair falling in front of her face as she waited for the King and Queen to make their judgment. Silence pressed in on her from all sides for a few moments.

"Very good, Autumn Dancer!" the Queen said approvingly.

"Yes, very good..." the King agreed, his eyes trailing over Ianthe's body.

The human girl bowed quickly and left the castle, shuddering once she was outside; she hated it when the King looked at her like that. The ground lurched and sent her tumbling down the stone steps, wildly reaching out for something to hold onto; but she landed in an ungraceful heap at the bottom.

She pushed herself up, brushing the dirt of her leather pants which had been custom made for her, they were an earthy brown and were embroidered up the side of one leg with a red leaf pattern. Ianthe stretched, checking for any injuries; apart from a cut above her left eye, she was fine.

She straightened her white silk top and looked around, wishing she had her chain sword with her. Other people were looking around too, for the source of the ground lurch. Deciding that the best thing to do now would be to get her chain sword, she hurried back into the castle and down to the entertainers' quarters.

Soon she had her chain sword strapped to her veiled belt and was heading back outside. Her chain sword had a black handle with a green grip and with a citrine gemstone in the hilt; the blade was made of silver and it was almost impossible to tell that it could separate; a black vine patten decorated one side.

Ianthe strode into town where people were starting to crowd around a large crack in the ground.