Duron watched fromthe rooftop as the courtiers and wealthy entered the Imperial Manse. Tonight was the Thousand Scales Ball. He had been watching for days seeing how theguards come and go. His best bet was topenetrate the walls of the immense building as a guard. The ball was starting and the guards wouldchange in twenty minutes. Until then hewould watch and wait. Calahad gotten to the window without being seen. The princess was just inside. Tonight was the night. EveryDragon-Blooded and House member was here in the manse. Now was the night to exact her revenge, allshe needed was a disguise. Princess O'naof the House Ragara would do nicely. Cala looked exactly like her, same muscle tone and hair. Cala's skin was darker, but in the ill-lightedballroom who would notice. The princessleft the main room and headed for the bath now was her chance. Without a sound or flutter Cala entered theroom. She undressed and immediatelyfound suitable attire lying on the bed. Not much of an outfit. Two piecesof dense, fine linen for a skirt that draped down from an ornate belt that tiedat her hips. The top tunic was tight onCala but hung just below her chest. Goldand jeweled anklets, bracelets and necklaces made he look like a flitteringpeacock but she had to play the part. The final piece was a royal head band with the markings of theHouse. Now she looked like aprincess. Duronsnuck down from the roof with some difficulty, his two daiklaves didn't helpmuch either. Five minutes. Across the way and under the tall treeoutside the wall. Three minutes. He climbed the tree with great accuracy andvaulted the wall. He landed with a thudon the ground. Two minutes. He darted pass the gardens and pressedhimself against the building wall. There, his entrance, two meters to his left. Seizing the opportunity he made a break forit. Fifteen seconds. He closed the door behind him and releasedhis breath. Well done he said to himselfnow to find the armory and a place to stow his swords till all was completed. Theprincess walked back in to the room. Cala had barely enough time to hide herself behind the door. Well so much for stealth. A little blood goes a long way. Cala sprang and seized the princess'head. The small bones cracked at thequick twist and her last breath escaped her lips. A pity, the princess would have made a greatbargaining chip if needed. Cala donnedthe one necklace, headband, bracelets and anklets. She opened the door with as much dignity asshe could muster, walked down the hall to the great ballroom. Heslunk down the hall garbed in officers' dressage. Blue armor with tassels, ornate sword usedmore for show than a fight, white tunic underlay. The things he had to do in the name ofrighteousness. The door to the ballroomhad been left open. Not being one toblend well, he stuck out like all the other guards, blue spot in a sea of redand white. The lay of the room swirled aroundhim. Music, entertainers, people dancing and laughing, wine it was enough tomake any normal man dizzy, but Duron was here on a mission. Destroy the building that stood on the manseand liberate the city and the Realm of all dragon-blooded. That was why he had penetrated this building,trained for so long, and honed his skills