When the royal gala had first been announced Sky was a little reluctant. A party at the keep seemed like such an extravagant event, not something that an ex-pirate would attend. But then the king himself had sent her an invitation, perhaps after their encounter at the tavern . . . it would be bad form for her to decline a personal invitation from the king. She knew then she had to go, but that just caused her even more grief! She loved social situations, but she considered herself a bit too rough and tumble to mingle with nobility and the wealthy. She was used to stealing from them (she may have engaged in a few harmless heists as a pirate)!

And then there was an even more pressing issue: what would she wear! Despite everything Sky considered herself a young lady and had to find something becoming of her. All she had in her wardrobe were the things the dragonriders provided and that was hardly of royal party quality. Nor would she have time or money to find a seamstress to make her a dress, not that they would take her order now anyway. Chances are, a few days after the announcement, there wasn't a seamstress or tailor in Woodkeep who wasn't busily working away at orders. That meant only one thing was left. It was a bit awkward to consider, but it would fit among the nobility in a way. The only problem was it was incredibly transparent and risky.

So Sky arrived the evening of the party wearing her finest captains regalia. A woolen surtout with gold trim and folded back cuffs, high leather boots and a frilly white neckerchief. It wasn't a fancy dress nor a suit, but it was the finest clothing a captain would wear on the seas, the most formal thing she owned. Well, it wasn't unlike the things she wore normally during her off time from the dragonriders, but this one was a much more expensive trim, the clothing carefully pressed and neatly worn. The only problem was, and Sky continued to try and convince herself it was merely her own perception, she screamed pirate to those who saw her.

Half of them aren't even paying you any attention and the ones that are don't care. Aren't you supposed to be relaxing tonight? Ly mused in her mind, watching from somewhere among the keep's towers where the dragons mingled.

Not until I get a few drinks in me, she shot, grumbling away. This was a bad idea, this was a bad idea, this was a bad idea. "This was a bad idea!" she mumbled under her breath without even realizing it as she found the closest thing that contained alcohol.