Terrible lie.

There was silence until Larkin and Tic stood behind the doors that would take them into the ballroom. The party had already started amongst the lesser nobles and entertainers. The shouts and cheers and clanking of food platters and silverware came through the door, and Larkin saw Tic squirming with anxiety. He smiled and placed Tic’s hand on his forearm. They would be arriving last, as a host and whom he was escorting should.

“Why do you resist?”

Tic finally lifted his eyes to peer up at Larkin, but the man was not looking at him. He was peering through the slightly cracked door at the governors as they arrived slowly, one by one, coming down the stairs and onto the marble floor, cheered and clapped for. Their families and personal servants followed them. Some faces were concealed by beaded masks, others not.

“You’re not one of them any longer.” Larkin said. “It wouldn’t matter if you went back into the ground, they wouldn’t have you. You’ve betrayed your people and if they don’t kill you first, then you’ll die alongside with them.” He put his hand over the one on his arm, patting gently. He was silent for a moment, the scenes through the door distracting him from his thoughts. Then, “You fight in vain.”

Larkin turned his head and looked down at Tic, then lifted his hand and fearlessly wiped a tear from under the boy's eye. “Don’t look sad, cosset.”

The doors flew open and the masses turned to see. There was a hush and then Larkin lifted a hand to them and bowed. The crowd roared with cheer.