Ardeneaux checked the boy for other injuries. His strength was fading and he wanted to make sure he at least healed anything that might be fatal if left unchecked. Ethan was honestly quite lucky he was still alive. He'd been able to heal that large wound on the back of Ethan's head, but it had taken a lot out of him. It looked like there were still bruises all over and several broken ribs.
Briar Rose returned moments later with blankets and towels, "I'm heating some water on the stove. It should be ready in a bit."
Ardeneaux nodded and went back to his work. One slip up and the rebound would land him in serious trouble as well. He carefully pulled away Ethan's shirt and pressed a hand just over the bruised and swollen chest. His arm was starting to go numb from the energy it was costing him to heal the boy, but he kept going. Ardeneaux gasped for breath as soon as a few of the ribs were back in place. There was no way he could keep this up. Briar Rose walked in hurriedly with a large bowl of water. "Sir... Ardeneaux?"
Ardeneaux shook his head and gestured toward Ethan, "I don't have the strength to do more. Get him some dry clothes, they'll be in my dresser" He tried to stand and his legs wobbled beneath him. He grabbed the edge of the couch and steadied himself. What did you get yourself into this time Ethan?

* * * * *

Christopher waved as the carraige pulled away. He had wanted to do the nice thing and let Ethan and Briar Rose take the carraige home without him tagging along, but riding with all those giggly girls made him so nervous. He must have been stuttering and shaking the whole time, but they didn't seem to notice. They just kept talking about silly things he didn't understand in their high pitched voices. He pulled off his mask before walking into the old shop.
The lights were out, but he knew his way around. Ethan was as good as his word and the horses were already put away. Chris trudged up the stairs to his room and immediately threw off the costume. Foul thing. Couldn't hardly breathe in it. He sure got a lot of attention though. He smiled to himself and pulled on his pajamas. As far as he was concerned it had been a total hit. He hopped into bed and pulled up the blankets over his head, but he it was a while before he could sleep. His mind was still racing from everything that'd happened.

Saturday morning came all too soon, and with it, the joy of delivering a brand new batch of packages all over town. Christopher sighed and heaved himself out of bed. By the time he was dressed and ready to work, his father was already downstairs in the shop, making someone a deal, and his mother was just finishing up cooking breakfast. He was about to go into the kitchen and pinch some toast and maybe some bacon, but the shop door flew open, and the little bell to alert them of customers jingled crazily. It was that weird pompous guy from last night and at the auditions. He was going to have to remember to ask the man for his name sometime.
The man strutted forward, looking down his nose at anyone and anything. He stopped at the counter and pulled a scroll and a small purse of money from his pocket. He handed the coins to Christopher and stated, "Payment for your services at his majesty's ball last night." He cleared his throat. "I also have a message from his highness for you:

Mr. Christopher Hodge and Mr. Ethan Fawks,

Your performance last night was nothing short of splendid. I insist that you both come again next Friday to a more personal and private party I am throwing for some friends. You will be compensated handsomely for your excellent work. I look forward to your next performance.

His Royal Highness"

Christopher looked to his father, Allen, then at the startled customer at the counter. "Ah... yes. We'll be there."
The man nodded, "of course. I shall inform his majesty." With that, he turned on his heel and left the shop as quickly as he'd come.
"Excellent work son!" his father gave him a hearty clap on the back that shocked him back into reality. "I always knew we dragged that piano up a floor of stairs for something!"
Chris nodded, "um... thanks." he thought a moment, "I should probably get to those deliveries... and I need to tell Ethan, make sure he knows about it..."
Allen laughed, "of course, of course. You just worry about the delivery to the Lemmond's and the Dorey's. I'll take care of the rest. You and Ethan go have fun."
Christopher smiled broadly, "really? Thanks Dad!" He raced out of the room and grabbed some breakfast to eat along the way. In moments he had the cart loaded and the horses ready to leave. He made a few clicking noises and flicked the reins to get the horses going. Everything was going so well today. Ethan's going to be so excited! I can't wait to tell him!

The horses made their way down road toward Ethan's house. Christopher hopped from the cart and knocked excitedly on the Fawks' front door. Rachelle, Ethan's mother, opened the door. "Ah Christopher! How are you?" She peered out the door. "Where's Ethan? Did he run off already? That boy..."
Chris looked confused, "No ma'am... I was going to ask you where he was actually..."
Rachelle looked worried, "Didn't he stay the night with you?"
Christopher wasn't quite sure what was going on either, but he didn't want to worry Ethan's mother. "Ah, yes, he did, but he left earlier. He must've had a lesson with Professor Ardeneaux. I totally forgot. Sorry to bother you!" he waved as he ran back to the cart. Not here... what's going on Ethan? He got the horses going back toward town and decided it might not be a bad idea to stop at Ardeneaux's... just in case Ethan had somehow ended up there. He was always very antsy around the professor. He always felt in awe of the elf. Chris tied up the horses out front and noticed there was already a brown and white spotted horse tied at the post. He already has company? Maybe I shouldn't bother him...
Christopher knocked timidly on the door. He was met by a tired looking Professor Ardeneaux. In fact, Chris couldn't ever remember seeing the professor looking anything less than flawless. But now, his robe was a wrinkled mess, his hair stuck out here and there, his face was paler than usual, and his eyes looked very, very tired. Christopher wondered what sort of company Ardeneaux had over if he was looking like that. "Professor Ardeaneaux? I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm looking for your apprentice, Ethan... is he here?"
Ardeneaux stepped away from the door and motioned for him to come inside. "He's here."
Ethan was lying messily on a large couch. He was dressed in one of Ardeneaux's robes, which made Chris even more wary. Just what kind of lessons is he teaching? Chris shook away the thoughts as he got closer. Ethan was a wreck. There were bruises everywhere. "What happened to him?"
As if on cue, Briar Rose entered the room, looking just as messy as everyone else. "What's all the noise about?"
Chris took a step back, "you are..."
"Hey, you're that shopkeeper!" she pointed out.
"Will someone please answer me? Just what is going on here?" Chris was starting to get frustrated. What was this girl doing here?
Ardeneaux gestured toward an empty chair and Chris took it without question. "We'd like a few answers as well. Miss Briar Rose showed up at here fairly late, for a chat, and then Ethan appeared at my door late last night, looking much worse than he does now."
Chris put a hand to his head, "You're that Briar Rose he's always talking about? I might have known..."
Briar Rose put her hands on her hips, "Just what is that supposed to mean? I already heard an earful from Ethan about what a horrible person he thinks I am, I don't need to hear it from anyone else!"
"I told him..."
Briar Rose looked annoyed, "Told him what?"
"That you wouldn't be the wonderful person he thought you were. That you were just like the others..." He looked her in the eyes, "Ethan and I had already had trouble with some of the sons of the nobles... All of which, I'm sure you already know, would gladly court you. When they heard that a poor boy like Ethan was the one that took you to the ball, they must've snapped." Christopher cursed a few times.
Briar Rose looked rather surprised, "But... they wouldn't do that... They're not the brightest guys, but they wouldn't go around doing something like this..."
"Obviously they would." Chris emphasized.
Ardeneaux interrupted, "enough. This arguing isn't going to get you anywhere. Miss Briar Rose, I think it might be a good idea if you left. Your family is probably quite worried."
Briar Rose grabbed her cloak and stomped her heel, "Fine. The atmosphere here was getting a bit too cold for my taste anyway." The door slammed behind her.
Christopher turned to the elf, "Is he going to be alright?"
Ardeneaux sighed, "He hasn't woken up yet. It'll take me a while to heal him properly. Two or three days. He was in pretty bad condition."
Christopher balled his fists, "I should've been there to help him."
Ardeneaux shook his head, "It would've just meant two bodies to heal instead of one. This couldn't possibly have been done by only one man."
Chris nodded, "So much for today turning out well."

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