A mages' gala.

The hall beyond was a spectacular sight. Magical lights danced through the great space, hovering just over the heads of the revellers or swirling round as high as the rafters three stories above. On the floor below, mages flocked. Some sat at tables at the edges of the room, feasting on rare delicacies, but many more danced in the centre to the ethereal, sourceless music or gathered in groups to converse.

Although the red and black of the Shadow Star mages was predominant, she saw the colours of the others of the Seven Orders there too. And there were non-mages, too, guests of the Order. The companions of the mages ran the gamut from simple street whores to well-dressed nobles to more exotic beings – she saw several elves, magical creatures, spirits, elementals and demons. A handsome satyr walked among the crowds, women gathering to coo over his long cock, rock hard from the attention. A succubus strolled by, gloriously nude, tethered to her owner by a long gold chain.

Enhanced by her earrings, her hearing picked up the tell-tale sounds of passionate moans. It was still early in the evening, but couples had already begun to find secluded spots to act out their carnal desires. In fact, Kari was amused to note one particularly daring pair had occupied one of the balconies above the hall. The woman gripped the rail, her bare breasts swaying over the crowd with each thrust of her love. Kariath smiled. This was going to be her kind of party.

At the far end of the room, Archmage Fioresse sat enthroned. Senadras stood beside her, gazing coldly out over the crowd. Kari wondered if she should greet her employer, or simply seek out something at the party to… occupy her.