The Tales of Tarya, Books 1-3

Chapter 13 - Masks and Madness-1

Masks and MadnessIn the banquet hall the garden of lanterns and flowers had transformed into an extravagant jewellery box. The tables were in ordered rows and the curtains, which last night had been the same lush green as the stage curtain, were transformed into a fragile gold so pale it was almost white. Great candelabras in muted gold cast a gentle light throughout the room. The candlelight caught on crystals that hung everywhere on white gold filigree threads, casting sparkling stars around the room. Glistening crystal bowls sat on the tables, over white tablecloths covered in silver cobwebs. Candlelight caught and fractured in the water. It was a room of stars and snow.

Mask after mask rested on vast tables outside the doors to the ballroom, their blank eyes vaguely disturbing. But these weren’t the heavy, distorted masks of playing. Rather, they were like works of art. Some covered half the face, while others were full-face masks in fantastical shapes and impossible colours, decorated with gems and ribbons. There were moons and woodland faces, and even a unicorn complete with horn.

Three masked women with gloriously extravagant dresses stood behind the table, choosing a mask for each guest. Isabella was already entering the ballroom, donning a golden star mask, when the other three arrived. One of the women let out a shocking shriek, then pointed to the table. Her companions, seeing what she pointed at, burst out laughing.

‘Perfect,’ one of them declared, and reached across to claim the mask, which they passed to Mina. She was a little reluctant to accept it, hoping to choose her own, but a second glance made her gasp.

‘We’ve waited all night to find the perfect person for this mask,’ a faceless woman said, ‘and it must be you!’

‘We’re so jealous,’ another said.

‘It’s by far the prettiest mask here!’ said the last.

Mina admired the beautiful creation in her hands. It was a half mask, painted the deep forest green of her dress and accented with swirls of gold. Across the top sat a row of gemstones, in pale pinks and blues and deep purples, like the flowers on Mina’s dress. Tied to each side of the mask were four long green ribbons, and sewn onto these were tiny flowers created from silk ribbons.

‘It is made for your dress!’ Lisette exclaimed. She helped Mina fix the mask to her face. Then Mina helped Lisette don a pale blue mask with clouds floating across its surface. Mama Tina’s mask was black, with a large flower in ruddy purple on one side.

As they entered the ballroom they felt a charge of excitement in the air. Between the dining tables and the high table for royalty was a large space for dancing, and Mina and Lisette were swept away by dance partners almost before they were in the room. Even Mama Tina was swept into the maelstrom of music and laughter. Every time a song seemed about to end, a new melody emerged.

Stewards stood near the dancers with trays of crystal, offering drinks. One of Mina’s partners spun her close and swept a drink into her hand, a sparkling, delicious concoction that she downed in the excitement. In the crazy whirl it was impossible to tell how much time passed, but each time Mina tried to excuse herself another partner appeared before her, whirling her into the dance again. Her goblet was taken from her when it was empty. A new partner offered another drink, which she refused. Already she was spinning too much inside. She caught glimpses of Isabella’s red dress now and then. It was too hard to tell whether she knew any of the other dancers, because they moved so quickly in one direction and she in another that she couldn’t decide what she saw.

Finally, panting, Mina tried to break from the crowd and was thwarted yet again. This partner had green and black tights on, and a green velvet jacket very similar in colour to hers, slit to show a black velvet lining. His mask was a full-face mask, half green and half black. Instead of leading her back into the crush of dancers, he followed her trajectory and helped her escape to the edges of the laughter.

‘My lady, you looked like you needed to escape,’ he said. His voice was familiar, but muffled by the mask.

‘Do I know you?’ Mina asked.

‘We’re not supposed to reveal our identities, but I do know you,’ he replied.

He wasn’t tall enough for Dario, or Ciro.

‘I’ll be your admirer for this evening,’ he said. ‘You are the fairest maiden in all of Aurea, and your heart shines with a beauty beyond the beauty of your face, if that is possible.’

His words had the eloquence and charm of Isabella’s player admirer but he was more familiar than someone she’d met only once.

‘I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth, if you’ll allow it. It is a great honour to encounter such beauty!’

‘Jal!’ Mina said, remembering the first time she’d met the Inamorato of the troupe. He had used those very same words. The figure stepped back and gave a great bow, placing a finger to the lips of the mask. His parting words were lost in a burst of trumpeting that silenced the dancing melody.

A voice, equally as loud as the trumpet burst, proclaimed: ‘Pray be silent for their Royal Majesties, King Udolfi the Second and Queen Eleni the Fair.’

As the king and queen and their retinue entered the grand ballroom, everyone bowed low, peering from under their masks to find the answer to the most important question: what was the queen wearing?

‘Please, please, stand,’ the king commanded. Everyone stood. The queen’s magnificence was revealed. Mina registered the daringly low cut bodice and a dazzle of stones, before her eyes slid to the girl standing to the queen’s left. Once again Miranda had returned to haunt her. Even wearing a mask shaped like a bird, her eyes and hair gave her away. Without warning, an anger as strong as Papa’s rages surged through Mina. She felt herself start to tremble with it. Miranda stood there in a dress of extravagant blue and gold brocade, looking smug and beautiful, and Mina hated her. She didn’t hear what the king was saying at all. It took all her concentration to stop herself from running up to the black-haired girl and screaming at her.

King Udolfi concluded his speech. ‘Let the feasting begin!’

‘Mina …’ Lisette said, tugging at her friend, frozen amidst a swirl of colourful plumage. ‘Mina, let us find a seat.’

Her gentle voice recalled Mina to herself. They quickly found a seat at one of the long tables, surrounded by friends, or perhaps strangers who might become friends. Mead and champagne continued to flow with abandon. Stewards in silver and black brought huge steaming platters of food, carrying them to the high table. When the king nodded his approval, a stilted row of stewards brought food to the other tables. Everyone ate tiny portions of each dish in order to sample all the exotic delights on offer.

Throughout the feast the masked revellers grew more and more riotous. Nothing could be done about the competition results and everyone had clearly decided to forget their anxieties. Still, Mina noticed not everyone drank as much as their frivolity would suggest. Perhaps others had decided, as she had, that a clear head might be required when the competition winners were asked to perform.

After each remove the steward called for silence, and the king made a brief announcement. Mina discovered the words she’d missed before the feast began had been to announce the royal painter and sculptor for the next five years. Mina had seen none of this artwork, but others seemed excited by the choice, or perhaps by the mead. The first remove, of bread and cheeses and spiced vegetables, was followed by the announcement of the royal cirquers and royal dancers. There was more dancing, then the second remove of meats and fruits were served. The meats were fragrant, melting on the tongue and there were tarts of meat and spices and tiny fruits.

Once the eating had begun in earnest the five tumblers who had won appeared in costume and performed a gravity-defying act to loud approval. The winning group then stood to repeat their traditional courtly dance. After these performances the king announced the royal musician, and Mina wondered again why the harpist had been disqualified, when her music had been able to transport the entire audience to Tarya.

‘Now we must announce the winner of the playing,’ the king declared.

Mina gripped Lisette’s hand under the table. However, the king decided to draw the moment out, speaking about the high standard of performances, the skilful illusions the players had created with their masks, and other inanities, until Lucien, sitting opposite Mina, was twitching in his seat. Mina had seen his face when he lifted his mask to search the room for Isabella, who now sat next to him.

‘Get on with it,’ he muttered.

As though the king had heard him, he finally reached his point. ‘The Council of Muses were unanimous in their decision this year and it gives us great pleasure to pass the mantle of royal troupe to the Gazini Players.’

A flood of cheering filled the room. Lisette’s hand flew to her mouth and she let out a small ‘oh’. Mina wasn’t very surprised, but before she could wonder why, Mama Tina was kneeling beside them, a wide grin evident below her mask. Uberto approached the high table with elaborate bows, much to the amusement of the audience and the royal party. The king handed Uberto a scroll, and a pouch of a pale gold fabric. A cheer swept the hall.

Stewards entered the room again with more platters, but before Mina could see what was on them, Mama Tina swept her from the room, with Lisette following behind. They hurried back to the empty grand ballroom, which was nevertheless filled with candlelight and anticipation, and then to the dressing rooms. Isabella entered immediately after them in a cloud of scent and hauteur, strangely quiet. She claimed one of the two seats with a smile just twitching at the edge of her mouth. Lisette and Mina looked at each other, puzzled. Surely Isabella should have been exclaiming loudly at their victory? But they were all quiet, waiting. It was when Uberto arrived, followed by Roberto, already in costume and carrying the women’s outfits, that excitement erupted. Uberto held the royal scroll.

‘Show me, my love!’ Mama Tina entreated her husband, but he shook his head and nodded to the door, waiting for the rest of the troupe. As if on cue, Dario and Jal almost fell through the door, both in costume and carrying the boxes of masks. Ciro, Vincenzo, and Luka followed in a more dignified manner, but even they were noticeably excited.

‘Well, we have done it, my friends,’ Uberto said. ‘For the first time in many long years the Gazini Troupe return to the palace. We have broken the hold of the Andreinis on the royal favour! With each year they have grown greater, able to procure more elaborate sets and costumes. I think they will be a little dismayed to return to life on the road.’

‘How long have they been the royal troupe?’ Luka asked quietly.

‘Ten years!’ Uberto replied. ‘Ten years they have held favour, but now we offer something new! I am so proud of you all, my friends, my family. Tonight, Harlequin weeps with pride. You are all so magnificent. You cannot understand what this means, how …’

Uberto fell silent, turning away. Mama Tina went to his side and enveloped him in her arms.

Dario coughed, drawing all eyes to him. ‘Ladies, we must perform for royalty soon. I suggest if you do not wish to perform half-dressed that you don your costumes. Men, let’s give them some space.’

The men trailed from the room. Mama Tina walked out with Uberto. Isabella, Lisette, and Mina quickly dressed each other. Mina had her new narrator’s outfit to wear.

‘New costumes!’ Isabella said, her eyes flashing. ‘Life is going to be wonderful. We’ll have many new costumes now. And the food … as long as we don’t eat too much of it.’