Storm and Aurora set off the next morning to go attend the ball that was scheduled to take place in the next few days.
The venue for the event was a small winter estate located a short distance away from Stone Helm. Considered to be one of the largest cities on the continent.
Using their passes which were included with the invites, they hired a small carriage to take them to the venue. They came across Order patrols several times during the journey, but they were let through after only a brief inspection.
As they pulled up on the estate, that more closely resembled a small castle than a mansion, the driver parked the carriage in front of the entrance and opened the door for them.
Storm took Aurora's hand and guided her down the steps towards the ground before looking around.
Numerous nobles from all over the continent were gathering by the entrance where Order Guards were checking invitations.
In order to blend in, Storm had changed to a regal blue and gold Tunic with a scarlet red cloak over his shoulders with gold chains and clasp.
Cleverly a scrying stone had been set into the clasp, Celestial would be watching the faces and calling out notable figures for Storm.
A single ear piece was hanging from his left ear and was enchanted so that Celestial could communicate directly in Storm's mind.
A pair of calfskin black boots completed the look and a sword with a gold pommel and a red scabbard was tied to his waist. A gold rings with a large ruby set in it's face was on the ring finger of each hand.
His long black hair flowed freely to his shoulders and he had allowed his illusion to grow a short black stubble around his mouth.
Aurora beside him was wearing a long white dress with it's back open up to the center of her back, with a crystalline circlet with matching slippers that almost looked like they was made from glass. Her long silver/white hair flowed down her back.
Celestial had spent a long time picking out and matching their respective outfits. Storm's outfit was meant to convey 'strength and authority' like a prince from a far off empire.
Aurora's meanwhile highlighted her formidable grace and beauty. Storm heard several murmurs from the other nobles and traders in attendance.
Celestial had warned Storm beforehand that this would be their reaction, and that he shouldn't be alarmed.
Nobles in general were a highly social community that spent excessive amounts of their time meeting up and entertaining each other with opulent feasts and celebrations.
As a result, most of them knew what the others looked like, but the sudden arrival of a new member that they hadn't encountered before tended to spark their paranoia.
It causes them to react somewhat like cornered animals in the presence of a potential predator.
They eagerly approached such unknown 'princes' and try their upmost to receive a good first impression in the hopes of gaining favor with this 'new player '.
Celestial had specifically chosen his outfit for this purpose. That way Storm would have to spend less time having to try and infiltrate their circles of influence. Instead they'd try to invite him themselves.
Aurora didn't seem to like the attention directed at them, but tried her best to smile at her admirers.
Storm leaned in and whispered in her ear.
"Easy there... according to Celestial these humans can smell fear... try to relax..." warned Storm.
"I'm not nervous!! I'm 'uncomfortable'! These damn shoes hurt my feet!!" Complained Aurora.
Storm looked down at the narrow, high heeled footwear that was the reason for Aurora's discomfort.
"Strange... As dragons we should be accustomed to such a stance? They mimic our own back legs after all?" Whispered Storm.
"Do I need to remind you that human feet are shaped differently to ours?! Why they would insist on tormenting themselves wearing something that doesn't suit their shape when a pair of boots are much more comfortable is beyond me!?" Whispered Aurora.
Storm suppressed a smile.
Once they arrived at the entrance a large knight in ornate dress plate that was better suited for high society events blocked their way.
"Invitations please!?" Asked the knight.
Storm held out the 2 Invitations that Leyocan had stolen for them. He eyed it for a moment before placing it in a box on a table beside him.
"Welcome to the 'Ruthhall Ball.' ! Please make your way inside and wait for a greeter to announce you! I'll need you to hand in your weapon as well!" Stated the knight.
Storm unbuckled the sword without hesitation. He didn't need it and it was just for show anyway. Fulgur was currently conceiled in his arm if he needed a weapon and his magical skill had increased so much that he didn't even need a weapon anymore.
Once he handed in his weapon, the knight paid him no further attention and continued on to the next guest.
"Greeter?" Asked Storm.
"Damn!! I forgot about this human tradition!! They use people to announce high ranking royals or generals along with their titles before entering a high society event!!"
This is a problem, Storm!! We don't know who's on the guest list, so I can't risk giving you the name of an influential figure to use because we don't know if they're in attendance!!" Exclaimed Celestial.
Storm slowed his stride to buy him and Aurora some more time.
"Can't we just make up a name?!" Asked Storm.
"Trust me!! These nobles know each other well! Even if they've never met someone, they know of him by reputation alone! If you use a false name, it won't take them long to figure out it doesn't exist!!
Using a name of a well known family is also out of the question!! There might be members of that family in attendance and they know every single family member by name!!
Can you buy me some time while I figure this out?" Asked Celestial.
Storm and Aurora hanged back a bit while they waited for Celestial to contact them with a solution.
Several people went past them and entered the celebration while Storm waited.
"By what name shall I announce you, sir?!" Said a unknown male voice.
Storm jumped when the young man suddenly spoke up beside him.
The youth eyed him curiously.
It was a short young man still in his early twenties with colorful bright red formal clothing and a small feathered hat.
"You'd better hurry, Celestial!! We're out of time!!" Warned Storm.