After Mr. Pitts had left for home, the exhausted apprentices with the Lynex headed upstairs. At the head of the stairs they said their goodnights to each other and then entered their rooms. Within minutes the Lynex was back in the narrow hallway tiptoeing softly towards Jacob’s room. With a quiet tap he knocked on the door and Jacob opened it.
“Come on in Lynex and thanks for coming,” whispered Jacob.
The Lynex marched into the room and quietly Jacob closed the door. At ease with himself, the Lynex slid out the desk chair and climbed up seating himself, while Jacob, still suffering from his dark cravings walked unsteadily to his bed and sat down trembling.
“I really need your help Lynex,” said Jacob, as the Lynex leaned forward and scratched his bottom.
“I am great because the prince can always count on me. I will do what you need and do it well.”
“Thanks Lynex. I know I can always count on you,” responded Jacob, feeling grateful for his loyal support.
The Lynex held out his chest, pleased with Jacob’s show of confidence.
“I need to go to a palace in the enchanted realm for a little while and I need you to cover for me. I want you to wear my toe nail transformation locket and take my place for a few days. But this has to be kept a secret, just between you and me. No one must know that I’m gone.”
“Not even Emalynn,” questioned the Lynex.
“No, not even Emalynn,” said Jacob, in a serious tone.
“But you will be in danger if you go to there?”
“I know what I’m doing and I’ll be okay. I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t have to.”
“I will keep your secret then, to the death,” said the Lynex, shaking his fist.
“Good,” replied Jacob, “I’ll load up the locket with my toe nail clippings and after you wear it you will take my place. The big dance is tomorrow night and in my closet are my suit and dress shoes. I hate to miss all this but I have no choice, I have to leave. I just can’t wait any longer. I know you’re a good dancer and that will be enough to make Emalynn happy.”
“I get to go to the big dance! Oh master prince you’re too good for this lynex!” exclaimed the Lynex with a big smile and eyes moist from his new found happiness.
“No Lynex, you’re too good for me,” replied Jacob.
The following morning Jacob had hardly said a word at breakfast, and before Emalynn could corner him for some of her girl talk he had already headed up the stairs. The day passed quickly, with Emalynn in her room trying on her new dress and Jacob locked in his room with the Lynex. Dinner was at six and the dance started at seven. Mr. Pitts had made prior arrangements to accompany them.
The Lynex took a deep breath, held out his chest, and then descended down the stairs with the transformation locket tucked under his shirt. Dressed in a turn of the century black suit, white shirt, and a dark bow tie, he pulled his comb smartly through his slick oiled back hair and smiled. “Soon I’ll be at the big dance showing off how great the prince can be, and he will be so pleased with me when he returns,” he merrily thought, as he stuck out his chest further and strutted towards the living room. Clutched in his hand he held a large brown paper bag containing a surprise that he had thoughtfully prepared for Emalynn. “Am I good or what? After tonight Jacob and Emalynn will be extra grateful to me,” he boasted to himself proudly again. In the living room sat Mr. Pitts and Mum, approvingly watching him as he entered. To appease their admiration more, he turned gracefully around and proudly modeled his suit for them.
Mum and Mr. Pitts stood up from the couch clapping their hands. “My, don’t you look nice Jacob,” complimented Mum.
Mr. Pitts was dressed in a brown suit with a light blue shirt and a matching blue tie. In his hand he held a yellow corsage of roses. “You look great in that suit Jacob,” he said, handing the flowers to him. “I brought this corsage for you to give to Emalynn.”
“Oh thank you,” said the Lynex, as pleased as he could be. He took the flower in his hand and sniffed it with a long draw of air, sucking the petals tight against his nostrils. After enjoying the scent he began to attach it to his jacket. “I am always great, but I am also always modest, I will receive this as your humble appreciation for me,” he replied happily.
“Jacob, that’s not for you, it’s for Emalynn!” exclaimed Mum, looking surprised.
“Err-uh-I know. But don’t you think it matches my bubbly personality better?”
“Oh here she comes!” cried Mr. Pitts. He excitedly stepped forward and then held out his hand to receive her.
Mum clapped her hands in approval. “My how pretty you look!”
Emalynn then entered the living room looking as charming as possible while grinning from ear to ear. She accepted Mr. Pitts’ outstretched hand and turned toward Jacob. Mr. Pitts then escorted her across the room to present her to the Lynex. She wore a stunning pink velvet dress with a satin waist, accentuated by a light blue ribboned belt tied in back with a large bow. Long pink lace sleeves adorned her arms and a lace collar encircled her neck. Her polished pearl necklace covered a portion of her lace collar and glistened in the light. Attractively her hair was elegantly placed up, and in her hand she carried a petite pink purse.
“Wow, you don’t look like Emalynn,” said the Lynex. “I mean you look like Emalynn but you actually look a lot nicer than her. No I mean, you look nice as regular Emalynn too, but tonight you look special.”
“Why thank you Jacob. You look cool with that antique suit and your hair is really great,” complimented Emalynn.
The Lynex held out his chest, as he looked at Mr. Pitts and proudly pointed at his great hair.
“I did her hair,” said mum with a smile, “Don’t you think it came out lovely?”
“Very nice, very nice indeed,” agreed Mr. Pitts, “Your parents have impeccable taste Emalynn, that dress suits you perfectly.”
“Thank you all so much,” said Emalynn happily.
Reluctantly the Lynex stepped forward and then hesitated a bit, while he longingly stared at the corsage. After a long sigh he pinned it onto her dress.
“Oh thank you Jacob, it is so lovely. It matches my dress perfectly,” she said, and looked down at it admiringly.
“Yes indeedee, we have a wonderful night ahead of us,” said Mr. Pitts. “So shall we go?”
The Lynex picked up his bag and followed behind Mr. Pitts, walking next to Emalynn.
“What’s in the bag Jacob?” asked Emalynn, curiously looking down.
“Oh nothing much. Just a little surprise for later,” he replied with a grin.
The three exited the boarding house and strolled through the packed street towards the castle. As they drew closer they became aware of sentinels and apprentices joining in the procession, all wearing their best formal attire. As more materialized, the entrance way to the castle grew crowded until they came to a stop. The magistrate dressed in a white tux stood just outside the door, blocking the entering swarm by prolifically offering his welcoming salutations to each of the arriving guests.
“It’s too bad we have to start off the evening by seeing him,” complained Emalynn.
“Well at least he’s trying,” said Mr. Pitts. “I have to hand it to him for his effort. Before the gobzard incident he was planning a rather meager ball, with the dinner and dance music provided by the kobalds. But now with the gobzards gone, and his reputation soiled, he has fired the kobolds and at the last minute changed all the arrangements sparing no expense.”
As they slowly shuffled along with the crowd, the Magistrate looked their way smiling. “Welcome, welcome. You all look so nice tonight,” he said. “And my Emalynn your dress is exceptionally beautiful. I hope that you all have an enjoyable time.”
The Lynex nodded and Mr. Pitts expressed his appreciation with a cheerful, “Thank you,” while Emalynn turned her head and purposely took no notice.
The crowd pushed at their backs and they were swept up into the group, passing through the great corridor, into the hall, and eventually entering into a grand ballroom. The royal ballroom was huge, spanning three stories in height with the roof and upper walls displaying striking mosaics of dancing couples, partitioned by white ribbons of cupids in flight. The floor was a polished marble, reflecting a beautiful glowing crystal chandelier. And evenly spaced along the sides of the room were round dining tables draped in red tablecloths. On each of the tabletops candles flickered, setting the atmosphere for a glorious gala.
“Oh isn’t this romantic,” said Emalynn in a sweet voice, leaning in closer to Jacob.
“Man look at all that food, boy am I hungry,” selfishly replied the Lynex, licking his lips as he ignored her and pointed at a long table loaded with cookies, cakes, and a variety of punches in bulky crystal bowls.
Mr. Pitts continued to lead the way, heading them towards a table where Marcus’s former apprentices sat alone. As they approached, Mr. Pitts whispered in a quiet undertone, “With Marcus gone, they are temporarily without a trainer. They were quite upset over the whole incident so I think it would be nice if you two sort of befriended them tonight.”
Emalynn and the Lynex both nodded in agreement.
Upon reaching the table, Mr. Pitts smiled and offered a greeting, “Good evening Susan, Good evening Henry, tonight should be a fundangle of a dance, don’t you agree?”
“Good evening,” they both replied, looking up and nodding.
“My, you two look very nice,” complimented Mr. Pitts. “I understand that they have found a new trainer for both of you.”
“Yes, he’ll be arriving tomorrow,” replied Susan. “We’re very nervous about it.”
“I’m sure everything will be fine,” reassured Mr. Pitts. “Although I’ve never met him, I’ve heard good things about him. And I understand that you’ll be stationed in Snodvaria for the duration of your training.”
“Yes, what’s it like there?” asked Henry.
“Cold in the winter, warm in the summer, and in the spring the beautiful Snodvarian trees blossom with the bluest blue leaves.”
“Blue leaves! Really? I’d like to see that too!” exclaimed Emalynn.
“Yes indeedee, it’s a sight everyone should behold,” agreed Mr. Pitts.
From a side door dwarf servers dressed in red entered the hall, each carrying their own trays loaded down with mouth watering victuals.
“May we join your table?” asked Mr. Pitts.
“Yes of course,” replied Susan with a smile.
Mr. Pitts pulled out a chair for Emalynn and the Lynex half-way bent over holding his underside out, patiently waiting for Mr. Pitts to pull out a chair out for him also. Emalynn sat and Mr. Pitts then pulled out his own seat, abandoning the Lynex to his own effort. A group of servers approached their table and began unloading their trays.
“He wouldn’t have forgotten me if I were the great Lynex,” muttered the Lynex heatedly, as he pulled out a chair and sat next to Emalynn.
Within a matter of only a few minutes, their tabletop had been packed with a variety of delicious cuisines; glazed vegetables, mashed potatoes, cinnamon toasted bread, skewed roasted beef, and creamy oven burnt chicken, along with a vanilla pudding and two chocolate cakes for desert.
Round-eyed and drooling, the Lynex gapped at the collection of food and then eagerly tucked the red tablecloth into his collar. “Too bad the Lynex isn’t here for this! I know that he would really enjoy it!” he exclaimed, as he picked up his spoon and fork in both hands.
He leaned over the table, reached out, and rapidly began splashing food onto his plate. Within only a matter of moments, overjoyed and wide eyed, he was staring at a lofty heap of food mounded over his entire platter. Then acting on instinct similar to barnyard animals, saliva driveled from out the corners of his mouth. With his hand holding the side of his plate and his other hand clutching his spoon, he feverishly started in mixing and splattering his diner over his plate and across the tablecloth. After a promising blend of gumbo had formed, he began the job of shoveling the muck into his mouth. Silently, and in sickening awe, the others watched on while the Lynex wolfed down the mess with a slobbery runoff dripping down over his chin and into the tablecloth.
“Jacob, what are you doing?” asked Emalynn, looking outlandishly appalled.
The Lynex wiped a ring of slosh from off his mouth with his sleeve. “Thisss stuffs grate,” he mumbled with cheeks puffed out.
Everyone else at the table stared at him appalled.