Part 4 of Come Home, Clary!

Humming to himself, Clary dressed for the ball. He had bathed, scrubbing the blood off of him before dressing in a black tuxedo and a red cummerbund. He then finished the outfit with a silver dagger, which he kept hidden in his coat pocket. Tonight would be the night!

After putting on his cloak, he slipped out of his room to stand upon the battlements. Already the guests were starting to arrive. Among them, he notice a woman with long hair, a scarlet dress and a matching scarlet cloak standing with a burly bodyguard with green hair and emerald green eyes. Both had disguise magic in their auras, for they were truly Lady Saiza and Drum in disguise.

As Clary went over the plan in his mind, a wicked smile spread across his face. It was perfect!

"Um... Clary?" A timid voice startled him from his thoughts. Looking to his left, he saw Princess FLute looking at him with an odd expression upon her face. "Are you okay? You had a mean look on your face."

"Er, I am fine," Clary said, his mind racing. Flute had seen his wicked smile! And the worry in her eyes told him that Queen Horn suspected something, and had sent Flute to spy on him! "Say, Flute sama, would you take a walk with me? There is something I need to talk to you about."

"Sure!" Flute said, forcing a smile. She fell into step beside him. They walked in silence, and although Flute was not aware of it, they moved toward a part of the castle that was usually deserted.

"What did you want to talk to me about?" Flute asked at last, growing uncomfortable by the silence between them.

Quickly deciding that this would have to do, Clary reached into his coat pocket and retrieved the knife. With the other hand, he gradd the princess by the throat and forced her against the wall. She struggled a little, but upon seeing the knife, her eyes widened and she grew still.

"That's a good girl. Now, why don't you tell me why your mother sent you to spy on me?" Clary hissed, leaning close to the gasping princess.

"I don't know what you mean!" Flute whispered, her eyes upon the knife.

"You lie!" Clary hissed. Moving slowly, he lightly drew the blade across Flute's neck, causing the terrified princess to whimper. The with a quick motiong, he drew back the knife and stabbed the wall, only a bare inch from her left ear. "I do not like liars."

"With that, he left the knife embedded in the wall and struck Flute in the head. With a cry, the princess fell unconscious. For a moment, Clary paused to admire his handiwork, before dragging her limp body into a nearby room. He tore strips from her dress, and used the cloth to tie her hands behind her back and her ankles together. After a thought, her tore yet another strip from her dress and stuffed it into her mouth as a gag. He did not want to run the risk of anyone hearing her screaming for help when she came about.

Pausing from his work, he stared down at the princess and gently brushed a strand of hair behind her hear. She would make a wonderful gift for Lord Bass.

Realizing the time, Clary straightened up and retrieved his knife. The ball had already started, and he still had work to do!