AYLETH
They made it to the center just as the bells began to toll. Or rather, they almost reached it. Despite his grip on her hand, her Lord and his man had been hissing words at each other the entire walk—which wasn't far. And when they were almost there, he urged her to go ahead, that he would follow her in a moment. Assuming he had to discipline his Clown, who seemed to act awfully familiar for his position, she nodded and started around the tree that hid the secret passage through the maze. But just then the bells began to ring, and he suddenly clutched her hand and stopped her, pulling her back into the dim shadows of the tree. "No, wait!" he whispered.
She came back immediately, much happier to be with him. "It's time!" she cried and reached back to untie her mask. The dratted strings had tangled with her hair. "Don't worry, it will only take a moment. Take yours off!"
