Fear not! This thread shall not die! (I hope) 

//Trompeur//

"That is our target," whispered the magician as he pointed a scraggly finger at Temperance. I gasped.

 "I know her! I would never kill her!" I protested, "Killing in cold blood is not in my blood."

 "Shall I take you to the torture chamber?" asked the magician. I shook my head.

 "So, um, when, where, and how do I kill her?" I asked nervously.

 "During the next eclipse," answered the magician. "By then, the queen will be done with her. Her majesty will lead young Temperance into the Garden of Eves and there you will be waiting and hiding. You will kill her with a slow Black Myrte."

 "I don't know what and how to do a Black Myrte," I said.

 "A Black Myrte is when you hit someone with a sort of bolt that is shaped like a black worm," stated the magician, "The worm goes into the target's body, and eats its way into the other side, spraying black ooze everywhere. If you place a Black Myrte on a forehead though, things can get pretty gory." (Is the term GORY used in this time period? If not, ignore it and turn it into the word GROSS or something.) 

 "I don't know how to do it," I said. The magician sighed. 

 "I shall then teach you," he said. "Follow me. By the way, you can call me Ghetto."

 "Ghetto?" I asked dubiously. "Is that--" I stopped, awed by the magnificance that I was suddenly facing. 

 I was in a round room, walled with grey and burgundy brick. The ceiling was over 50 feet high, with shelves along them that held different coloured bottles, vials, books, and other unidentified objects. There was also a set of stairs that led to the very top of the roof. 

 At the very top, the roof was slanted. Underneath the slant, was a small loft used for stargazing from the skylight in the celing. The view was breathtaking.

 There was also a rectangular table and a fire place. The fire was cackling loudly, making the place seem very homely. The flames were blue.   

 "Welcome," Ghetto said proudly, "to my humble abode." 

I forgot to mention that after showing Trompeur Temperance, he led her to his little tavern-like place. Sorry.

Sorry. I didn't mean to want to kill you. It's all Trompeur's fault. *points finger at self* You know, you don't have to die. You could fake a death, or battle me and kill me, or have me turn to the good side again. The character's in this story are very unpredictable you know. *tuts at Trompeur* 

Well, we'll just see where things go, eh?  ;)

//Temperance//

"What do you mean 'Sigman's feeling under the weather?'" the Queen demanded of the maid.  I made a tiny "ha" sound in the back of my throat and she whipped her head around to look at me.  I saw her eyes narrow and she waved the girl away without so much as another glance.  The maid looked relieved to get away. 

"Lady Wickler," the Queen began, sounding as though she was working hard to keep her voice even, "when I said I wanted you to figure out who my traitor was, I did not give you permission to help him incapacitate my magicians." 

"Sigman is not permanently incapacitated," I scoffed.  "He's just been humbled.  No one likes an arrogant man.  Besides, the banquet will be all the more enjoyable without him staring at me, contemplating revenge.  Has your nephew reappeared yet?" 

"No, and do not change the subject."  The Queen folded her arms across her royal blue velvet gown, her sleeves trimmed with white ermine.  The golden tiara on her head displayed three large sapphires to complement her ensemble.  "I also happened to chance across my niece Evadne earlier.  She was getting ready for tonight.  That was four hours ago." 

I laughed out loud, picturing the blond girl trying every single one of her dresses on over and over for hours.  "Well, I can assure you that neither Sigman nor your niece know anything about your traitor or anything useful about the Rhombus." 

The Queen opened her mouth to snap a retort but there was a knock on the door.  She yanked it open and glared at the boy who had dared to interrupt.  "What!"

"Your M-Majesty, Lester wishes t-to know if he might bring the new witch to the b-banquet?"  The boy gave a frightened bow. 

"New witch?  What new witch?" 

"The-the one who came to us with Prince Aalton and Lady W-Wickler."  He shot me a terrified glance. 

"Rhi?"  I raised a mocking eyebrow at the Queen.  "What, you haven't had her killed yet?" 

"That was merely a hypothetical question!" she snapped at me.  "Boy, has Lester said what her abilities are?" 

"N-not to me, Highness." 

"Oh, let the girl come," I said, waving a careless hand and standing.  I brushed a piece of lint from my gown.  It looked exactly like the Queen's, only an emerald green instead of blue.  A gold belt hung around my waist, its ends trailing down the side of my left leg.  It would make a very useful weapon tonight if the situation called for it.  "She complained often enough about how she never had a hint of luxury in her life during our travels, the least you could do is show her a good time before you have her killed." 

"Who said I was going to have her killed?" wondered the Queen.  She waved the boy off and told him that Lester could bring Rhi.  "Lester obviously found something useful in her not to have done away with her yet.  Who knows?  Perhaps she's a better witch than you." 

My grin widened.  "That would be deLIGHTful.  Maybe you could use her and release me." 

The Queen returned the smile, though hers was cold.  "Oh no, Temperance, I think not.  You're mine now.  And if my nephew is determined to be problematic, I'll use you in any and every way I can think of to keep him in line." 

ZNZ: It's your turn to pick a book for the book club.

//Trompeur//

"Why are the flames blue?" I finally managed to stutter out.

 "Because I want them to be," replied Ghetto, "You know, I can teach you how to do that. And much more." he waved his hand across my face, "For a price." I felt the temptation tugging at me, but living with eight brothers and sisters, most of whom knew the art of blackmail and bribery had trained me to steel myself against such temptations. But still, it was interesting.

 "What price?" I asked.

 Ghetto looked around nervously, as if expecting spies to jump from the rafts any minute, then he finally said, "You must not only kill Temperance, but also Her Majesty."

 "Why do you want to kill the queen?"

 "I'm old and only good for teaching. There are more magicians than there were when I was "hired". And better ones too. I have to face it, that if I don't get rid of the queen, she'll get rid of me. I've gone out of my way to avoid her as much as possible, but my due date is coming soon. Unless I get rid of her."

 I sighed, as much as I didn't like to murder, I didn't like the queen even more.

 "How do I kill her?" I asked, sighing. 

 "Oh, a number of magicians probably enchanted her with numerous protection spells," stated Ghetto, "Therefore, we need to go back to the old days. All the magicians she trusts nowadays use only the modern spells. And the old day spells are much more reliable and don't use up so much energy. Sadly, they have much worse side effects. But you can avoid them if you're careful."  

 "You still haven't answered my question."

 "Because I don't know the answer. We'll have to go to the books. I'm sure I can find a few spells that might help."

 Ghetto went to one of the shelves, and ran his finger along the spines of the many books. Finally, he stopped and pulled out a fairly thick book. Coated in dust.

 He blew the dust off it, put it on the table, and opened it. 

 "First of all," he said, "I need to train you. Do you swear to be my apprentice?"

 "I swear so." I said in a solemn way that mocked him.

 "Good, now we need to find out what type of magic you tend to use."

 "I usually use incanations." I said. Ghetto sighed.  

 "Typical. But I'll learn to make use of it." suddenly, there was a sharp rap at the door. 

 "Strange," mumbled Ghetto, "No one is supposed to know that there was a door." he opened it nonetheless.

 I saw a pair of beefy bronze arms seize Ghetto. I panicked.

 "Attero." (destroy) I whispered, pointing at the arms. Sadly, I incinerated the door, as it had been closed more. Outside, I saw a noble, dressed completely in black and red, with eyes that were about as red as blood stare at me reproachfully. 

 "You wish to kill the queen," she whispered menacingly, surprisingly, I could hear her, "My name is Cruor. I am a trusted assassin and spy of Her Majesty. As much as I would like to kill you, I am told to find all magicians and invite them to the banquet. Well, at least the ones the queen favours. I will invite you because you have an aura of great potential. I expect to see you tonight?" 

 "Um, yeah. Sure." I mumbled nervously. Cruor smiled devilishly, her white teeth standing out greatly from her coal black skin.

 "Wear your best." Cruor said sweetly but sarcastically. She snapped her fingers and a long rack of extravagent dresses appeared in front of me, "Oh, and you will be killed after the banquet, if Her Majesty doesn't find you useful. If she does... She probably won't so there's no need to tell you the luxuries."

 "What about Ghetto?" I asked. I suddenly heard a cry of pain. It made my skin crawl, as I knew it would haunt my dreams. Both good and bad. 

 "He is," Cruor looked behind her, "He's now dead," she turned behind her, "I told you to give him a Black Myrte! Not decapitate him!"

 "He did nothing wrong!" I screamed, my anger suddenly boiled over me. Before I knew it, a red orb of energy exploded, it's centre was me.

 As the red energy faded into mist, Cruor smiled.

 "You killed my guards," she said happily, "I think you will be very useful. You may stay here while waiting for the banquet." she turned around and her black lace trimmed, velvet dress trailed behind her. 

 I sighed sadly.

 Might as well make the best of this. I thought. 

 I shifted through the rack of dresses and frills, looking for what suited me best.

 (I'm assuming that the banquet is tonight, correct me if I'm wrong) 

TOP!

Wrong.  Banquet is... NOW!  Hehehe.  Since I get the feeling it's high time all (or at least most) of our characters got together, I'm going to write assuming everyone's there... except for Ven.  Not sure what her big plan is, but I'm going to have Aalton back in place because it makes the most sense for a dastardly plan.  Does that make sense?  Yeesh.  Maybe I should just start writing...

//Temperance//

From the High Table, Temperance watched as the feasting hall filled with people.  To her left sat the white-blond Evadne, whose hair, makeup, and ensemble actually looked as though she had spent four hours on.  Which, thanks to Temperance, she had.  On her right, in a raised throne, sat the Queen.  Her beautiful features were pulled into a mask of detatched interest, but Temperance could tell she was furious.  Aalton had shown up not ten minutes ago, refused to explain his absence, and demanded to see Rhi. 

He was sitting on the Queen's right with Rhi on his other side and he hadn't stopped whispering to her since they'd been seated.  Evadne had elbowed Temperance earlier and made a snide comment on the Heir Apparent's "newfound infatuation" and the annoyingly uncooperative piece of Temperance's mind had bristled.  She wasn't jealous, of course.  She didn't care one way or the other what Aalton did anymore--or Rhi, for that matter.  She'd said it earlier: they were no longer her problem.  So why then was she straining to hear Aalton's whisperings? 

So far, she'd caught a few phrases like "can't allow that," "think of how she's helped you,"  and "have a plan," but couldn't hear much more over the din of goblets clinking and the chatter of nobles.  She gave the back of Aalton's head a final glare and focused on the crowd. 

The Queen had insisted upon every magician not guarding the palace to attend the feast so as to give Temperance an easier time of observing them all.  There was an old man seated next to Rhi that Temperance had taken an instant dislike to, but he seemed an unlikely recruit for the Rhombus.  A tall dark woman in black and scarlet was gliding around the hall, talking to various people--and pointedly NOT looking in Temperance's direction.  She would bear watching. 

Dinner was served and the room started to eat.  The Queen gave a wonderfully acted speech about how it was only right to celebrate the safe return of her glorious nephew and Heir.  Aalton stood at that and nodded politely then sat back down and bent his head towards Rhi, muttering something in her ear.  The back of Temperance's mind fumed.  The meal lasted for a good hour.  Evadne shoveled food into her mouth like it was her last meal while Temperance's plate went untouched.  When it became apparent most people had finished, the acrobats and jugglers bounded into the room and started their tricks.  Evadne smirked as the daggers tumbled through the air and produced her stolen one under the table. 

And that was when something inside Temperance shifted.  She gave a little gasp as the little bubble of consciousness in the back of her mind popped and she came flooding back into herself.  The Queen, thankfully, didn't notice since she was busy growling something at Aalton.  Evadne gave her a funny look but was promptly distracted by the whoosh of one of the firebreathers. 

Temperance sat there, taking in her fine velvets and silks, the Queen's hand resting lightly on her right arm, and the jewels on her fingers with mounting revulsion.  How had this happened?  One minute she and Aalton and Rhi were in the Rift and the next--she could remember everything she'd done and said, but it was like watching someone else instead of herself.  She chanced a glance around the hall and noticed that nothing had changed, everyone was still talking, laughing, and drinking.  No... not everyone. 

Rhi was staring straight at her.  Expectantly. 

Temperance stared right back.  It was impossible.  Rhi had told her she couldn't do much more than conjure buttons with her magic... it was simply ludicrous (love that word) to think that she could puncture the kind of spell that had held Temperance.  Yet...  The old man had told the Queen earlier that Rhi could do truly spectacular magic.  

Temperance whipped her head around as there was a shout of "NO WAIT!" from across the hall.  The tall woman in black and scarlet was finally looking at Temperance and even from a distance, Temperance could see the hate in her red eyes.  And the incantation forming on her lips. 

She moved without thinking and snatched the dagger from Evadne's fingers, pushing her seat back as she sprang to her feet.  She briefly registered the familiar face of a girl behind the dark woman, looking horrified and angry, but there was no time to wonder what she was doing in the hall or why she seemed to be surrounded by a glowing red circle.  Temperance threw her arm forward just as the dark woman shouted something. 

The dagger flew through the air, passing a thick stream of black smoke.  It hit the woman with a thump and she jerked back, staring down at the ornate hilt sticking out of her chest.  The Queen was up and screaming for her guards but the smoke was still headed straight for Temperance.  She flinched as it was about to crash into her--but nothing happened. 

Opening her eyes, Temperance saw with amazement that the smoke was spreading out sideways as though facing an invisible wall, trying to reach her, but it was getting no closer.  She heard the Queen mutter "Well it's about time someone tested out my protective spells" and then there was an enormous, scarlet explosion from across the hall. 

Temperance had enough time to register the screams and panicked scrambles of the nobles seated around the hall, the flashing lights of counterspells flying randomly through the air, and the look of grim preparedness on Aalton's face before he reached around his aunt and grabbed Temperance by the wrist. 

"Come on, Temp," he said into her ear, motioning for Rhi to follow.  "It's time to go." 

"But--"

"Where do you think you're going, girl?" snarled the old man to Rhi.  "You're helping her!  Kill her like I told you!" 

Temperance and Aalton froze and stared at Rhi...

ZNZ: The dark woman is Cruor. (see the post before this one) 

Temp: Do you want Cruor to be dead?

ML: Where are you?

Koffee: Are you going to post still?

Megan: Are you going to join still?

Everyone: I'll post once I know if Cruor's dead. Oh, and Aalton's just a bag of awwness. :-P Laterz!