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The Witches' Ball; Part 1

By Lonelyrider

Big shy James receives an unexpected & exciting invitation to his teenaged female best friend's rite of passage; to his surprise & delight, it seems she's chosen him to be her escort, & he spares no detail readying himself for her much anticipated company.

James LightningSword was practicing his battle technique outside in his courtyard, making the training dummy in the ground spin and wobble rather feebly against his strong blows. A slight built human on an equally slight horse interrupted him with an opening of a scroll and clearing of the throat; the man looked a bit afraid of the huge angelic gladiator, but he'd soon realize the big brute was a gentle giant. James greeted the man with a polite bow and sheathed both his longswords at his sides.

"Ahem, ahem, ahem. Lord LightningSword, you are officially invited by way of this telegram to accompany Miss Savera ThornVine, Apprentice Witch-In-Training, to The Witches' Ball, in the outskirts of the town of Bethel at precisely 7 PM sharp. If you accept, Miss ThornVine requests your signature, kindly, and sends her love and warm regards, as well as her congratulations on your mansion." The small man finished with a bow, his feather tipped hat swaying. James adjusted his huge ebony wingspan and squatted lower to read excitedly.

"Oh my! How very polite & formal. I'd love to...I mean, ahem, yes sir, I'd be proud to acconpany Miss ThornVine to the Witches' Ball, where do I sign?" James cleared his throat and said in a proud voice, puffing out his mighty broad chest, the small man gulped, looking intimidated again.

"H...here, Lord LightningSword. She leaves instructions to meet her at her residence near the crystal beach at 6:30. Good day." The man rolled up the fancy scroll as soon as James had signed his name in red ink and was riding hard and fast to his next recipient.

"Hmm....a ball. I'm so flattered she invited me, of all people. Oh my, what shall I wear?" James asked his horses Thunder and Diablo, who neighed at him loudly, he guffawed and patted them, getting nuzzles and kissing their snouts warmly.

"Lord LightningSword, did I overhear you say you needed a tailor, sir? I can send for one at once."

James jumped a little; it was one of his three personal servants his father had gifted him along with his mansion, and he wasn't yet used to having others around beside his beloved girlfriend, whose home he had reluctantly vacated just days before, to please his father.

"Oh, Luke, I didn't see you there! Yes, oh, uh...we can do that?" James scratched his thick black hair. Luke smiled knowingly.

"We can do almost anything, my lord. A tailor is no trouble at all. I'll summon him now, and he can make a custom ensemble for you to accompany your lady friend to her ball."

"Oh...yes, yes please! I should wash again too, and eat a little something, I want to give her my full attention on her special night, so nice of her to invite me, eh Luke?" James teased, truthfully the big bruiser looked rather smitten.

"Excellent, sir. I'll have Francine draw you a scented bath and Markus prepare you some afternoon tea. After you've eaten, I'll let the tailor inside and he'll make you a fine suit of your choosing."

"Wonderful!"

"Excellent, I'm glad it pleases you, my lord. Also, shall I have Alfred hitch your two fine brutes to your carriage as well?"

"I uh...oh my, I have a carriage?" James gasped, as he started up the ornate stairs graced with a lovely deep blue rug, towards his bed and bath.

"I'll arrange it, go on, enjoy your bath Lord LightningSword." Luke bowed and James tossed him and all the others a gold coin to show his appreciation; truthfully, especially after dealing with his hot-tempered father, James' servants weren't sure what to make of the kind-hearted gentle giant. James chuckled and made friendly banter as his servant Francine washed his hair and beard, his intimate parts concealed amid many scented bubbles. She simply nodded, not used to such a friendly master. Finally, she washed and rinsed his grand black wings, taking care to dry them so he could fly if he wished.

"Lord LightningSword, your lunch is served!" Luke called.

Francine led James to a mini changing blind designed for a man and handed him clean silken drawers, after he'd donned them, she came around and dressed him.

"Lightly Francine, the tailor is here!" Luke called.

"All right, he's nearly ready then!" she called back.

James felt awkward. He smiled kindly at his 8 servants, who beamed back as he ate his pumpkin soup. Francine took his empty bowl and the tailor pounced on James, measuring more and more fabric for the huge man, to fit over his muscles, as Luke prattled on and on about what manner of suit James could choose from.

6:00 PM.

James thanked and tipped everyone again, finally, he was alone outside with his gardener who also was in charge of James' many animal friends.

"Alfred...I was curious, no issue if not, could I perhaps drive on the way to Savera's? Once we arrive I'll sit in back with her, but I'm so very intrigued!"

"Ahh, I heard you were a horse-man. Come on then." Alfred handed the reins to James, which he took in his black velvet gloves; James' tailor had sewn him a fine suit of black velvet with satin red on the edging, along with a cape of the same colors and a high matching top hat. One of his father's huge jeweled gold and ruby amulets completed the look; James looked completely dashing, though he didn't realize that.

"I can't wait to see how Thunder and Diablo handle this. Boys, hyaah!" James called in a commanding but loving tone, the stallions stopped their friendly nibbling at each other and perked their ears, recognizing the orders of their beloved owner, they took off fast in their harnesses, James laughed happily as they lurched a little too hard.

"Oh my! This is fine for us, but it'll need to be more gentle once we have a lady on board!" James joked, though he wasn't entirely teasing.

"Yes, they'll get used to it, just pull back on their reins a little. Good, feel that?"

"Yes!"

"That's where you want them. Let them get into the rhythm of it. Take the left fork, James."

James grinned; he liked Alfred best of all his new servants, he was less formal and easier to talk to, plus like big James he loved animals.

"I like driving! How utterly delightful! Alfred, good man, will you please give these two boys some sugar cubes for me, and feed my dear dog a steak?"

"Don't worry James, I've already fed all your fine beasts today. Only the best grain and flesh for them all. I'll take the stallions out for some exercise while you're with the young dame and pick up that treat for them on the way back to pick you both up."

"Oh thank you! Here she is, this is her home where she lives with her three adoptive mentors, Morgana, Brigid and Eve. They are naga, and Savera is a harpy, we're not sure which tribe, though."

Alfred looked startled.

"A friendly harpy?"

"The kindest! You'll see, you'll love her! I....I'm nervous." James gulped. Alfred adjusted James' red lace ruffles at his throat, followed by his gleaming amulet.

"You look grand, don't worry, she'll be impressed. Spread your wings when you see her, it'll fan out that nice cape and make you look even huger than you already do. Go on." Alfred slapped James on the rear as he hopped down sportsman like and James opened the carriage door, with another gulp, he cleared his throat bashfully and gently rapped on the door with his big knuckles.

To be continued....