Nissassa looked at the flowing garb she wore and thought about how awkward she felt in it. As an Ogre Commander, she had never been required to dress for dinner like this. At least she thought she hadn't. As she tried to remember what life had been like before the Shadow Lord had become ruler of the Ogre Kingdom, her head started to ache. She raised her hand to her temple, and the fuzzy memories of the past slammed into a sudden misty darkness inside her mind.
Instead, her thoughts were brought to the present again. Seeing the white cotton dress she wore, Nissassa couldn't help but remember the awkward events that had led to her wardrobe change.
Nomed had sent for Nissassa to learn more about her people. When the blue Fairy had taken Nissassa to meet with him, he had asked her about their magical abilities.
"So, the Ministry are the only really strong magic users?" he'd asked, disappointment evident in his voice.
"Yes. We soldiers have limited magical knowledge, just the necessities, like elementary fire control, quick sharpen weapon spell, and blinding light."
"I see. Why is that?"
"Well it takes a lot of time and dedication to be a good soldier. So as young Ogres we pick our path. Mighty Warrior or Ministry cleric. Don't get me wrong. We appreciate their help against magical foes. If it wasn't for them, we might not get real hand-to-hand fighting since magic users tend to be cowards."
Nomed had smiled wistfully at her, and Nissassa had stopped talking abruptly, hoping she hadn't just insulted their lord. He put his hand on her rosy cheek as she blushed and looked away, causing her to look up in surprise and meet his gentle gaze.
The red in her cheeks darkened. Even now, remembering, the same warm glow radiated from her hot face, and Nissassa covered it with her hands.
"Thank goodness no one is seeing me right now," she thought to herself as she paused in the hallway outside Nomed's room and stared at the closed door in front of her.
After their earlier conversation, before sending Nissassa on her way, Nomed had invited her to come back to eat dinner with him.
The blue-haired Fairy that had taken Nissassa to Nomed had been waiting outside, exactly where Nissassa now hesitated. She had assaulted Nissassa with a barrage of questions as soon as the door had closed.
Nissassa had informed her that she would be returning to have dinner with Nomed later.
The blue Fairy had been indignant at hearing about Nissassa's invitation. She had been secretly hoping he would choose her to be his companion this night.
As they walked past the new quarters taken up by the Fairies, she'd said, "Did he really invite you? Didn't you already tell him everything he wants to know?"
"Maybe we will have found the Ministry by then. He may be looking forward to an update," Nissassa had said, shrugging.
Two other Fairies had come into the hallway upon hearing the discussion.
"He could have asked your General," the blue Fairy said, remembering the ill-mannered brute she'd met earlier.
"Cera," interrupted one of the Fairies that had joined them in the hallway. She shook her head from side to side, causing the blue Fairy to stop talking altogether.
Nissassa turned to see a dazzling woman with delicate wings resembling intricate golden filigree. Her hair shone like the sun itself, and her eyes were the color of ripe wheat on a sun-kissed field.
Next to her stood the other Fairy, a twin in every aspect except color. That Fairy had shining silver hair, like the polished surface of a brand new shield crafted by a master silversmith. Her mirror-like eyes matched her hair, seeming like liquid metal pools.
As Nissassa stared into them, she saw her own reflection.
"What will you wear?" the silver Fairy asked.
"What . . . I'm wearing . . ."
"What!" the two responded in unison. They had been horrified to learn that Nissassa would be wearing the same filthy armor she'd been in all day. She had even fought in that.
"No," the golden Fairy had replied. "You will not disrespect him that way."
"Come with us," her silver sister said, taking hold of Nissassa's wrist.
The blue Fairy had then watched disgustedly as the other two Fairies groomed the savage Ogress. If it had been up to her, the woman would have gone as she'd planned and made a fool of herself.
Nissassa had noticed the disparaging look from the blue Fairy, but she did not know why she wore that expression.
"What's your problem?" she asked her directly.
Not used to such bluntness, Cera stammered, uncrossing her arms, "I . . . . I . . . don't have a problem."
"No? Then why the sour puss?"
"The what! How rude! I don't have to stay here and listen to this," she said, leaving hastily.
Nissassa had turned, smiling, just in time for the golden Fairy to put a full-length mirror in front of her.
Meanwhile, the silver Fairy combed out Nissassa's luscious black hair.
"I almost look like one of them, only not shiny," Nissassa thought bemused. "Did you use magic?" she asked.
"No," the silver Fairy responded, amused.
"I don't think I've ever looked like this."
"Why not?" the golden Fairy asked.
"It's not practical," Nissassa replied.
She had always worn her hair up. Her loose, long hair in battle would have given an enemy the advantage.
"Well, there's a first time for everything. Now you aren't as offensive," the silver Fairy said.
"Um . . . thank you . . . um . . ." Nissassa said, hesitating because she didn't know her name.
"Plata," the Fairy offered. "And my sister is Dorada."
Now that she remembered it, the Fairy had given her a back-handed compliment. Still, they had worked wonders for her appearance. Nissassa's skin had never felt so smooth and refreshed. The creams applied by the Fairies were very nice indeed.
Reaching for the door, Nissassa tried to compose herself before knocking.
Several seconds passed without a response, so she knocked again, more loudly. Still no one opened the door.
Nissassa leaned against the door to listen, and heard nothing. Finally, she reached for the handle and opened it. Slowly, she peered into the room.
The table had been set with a small, intimate banquet, lit by candles.
Nomed was not seated at the table, so Nissassa walked into the room and searched for him with her eyes.
Next to the glass door to the balcony stood an ominous dark shape made out of swirling black mist. It turned toward her suddenly, its distorted smoke face nothing more than a vicious row of sharp, jagged teeth and glowing red eyes.