"Baron George, could you please relay to us the information you have brought?" Jonathan demanded, bringing the rooms attention to George. Now everyone was watching him, George had to obey, and pay attention, which was exactly why Jon had chosen that moment.
"Scanra's creations are thought to date back to the Immortals War, they've just been keeping them under wraps. Improving them. Inar Hardensra is sposed to have assisted the making of those metal creatures."
Numair groaned loudly, annoyance hanging in the sound. "It makes sense. After all, he's certainly powerful enough. They also have Dawn Niconsri, a black robe, and countless other extremely impressive mages."
"But you've beaten Inar Hardensra before, in the Immortals War, which is surely evidence that your magic's superior to his..." George yawned, not even pretending he was listening any more. They had been over this point, he and Alanna, when he had first discovered the news. Alanna had acted out Jon's role, saying the exact words the King was now. Proved how well she knew him, come to that.
Jon stood, signalling the close of the meeting that had seemed endless. "We meet the next time there's news."
...I think he means for me to go away again.
"George, will you be returning to Scanra anytime soon?"
I knew it.
"As you wish, your Majesty."
"When exactly will you be leaving?" the King demanded.
"Sometime next week, your Majesty."
"Until then you will be..." He trailed off, meaningfully
"Keeping out of your way," George said promptly.
Alanna grinned, slinging an arm around the shoulders of both males. "Look, this isn't doing anyone any good," she said, mainly speaking to Jon. "We all need to relax. George needs to spend a fortnight with his family, and I need to look after him. You need to unwind, spend some time with Thayet. She's probably forgotten what you look like."
"Very funny." Jon shot Alanna a smouldering look, making her blush. George lifted her arm away from Jon's, embracing the Lioness tightly.
"Marking out your territory?" she whispered.
"Want to find Thom?"
Alanna smiled. "He's far too big for his Ma." But she allowed him to tow her away from Jon anyway.
"Alanna!" Jon called his Champion back; she groaned in frustration.
"See you later," she said, apologetically, over her shoulder. He smiled tightly. "See you."
--
"George! Have you seen Jon?"
"Yes, he's still in the council chambers with Alanna. They'll be out shortly."
Thayet grinned. "Discussing sword tactics, no doubt."
"I have to return to Scanra, week after next. Direct orders of his royal Majesty."
"Sorry, George. He's just concerned about the upper hand that Scanra seem to have. He'll be back to normal when this is all over."
"Ye missin' him?" George asked, kindly. The brunette was looking slightly forlorn.
"Yes."
"Fancy a drink, down the Dancing Dove?"
She nodded. "Let me change first."
"Don't bring any money," he warned.
Thayet laughed. "I'm not stupid."
"I never said you were." He watched as she walked briskly off.
--
"And then, the hag said, "No, I'm not." Isn't that just so unbelievably funny?" Thayet dissolved into giggles at her own joke. George watched her, worriedly. He scrutinised the unfamiliar innkeeper. Solom was among those who had died in the events leading up to the coronation; many of these rogues were now unfamiliar. Was it possible that he could have tainted the Queen's drink? Water didn't usually influence a person this way. The brunet at the bar scowled at George's suspicious look.
"George!" Marek, the new King of Thieves, worked his way through the crowd.
"Marek." Past king leaned back to speak to present. "Who's the new innkeeper?"
"He appeared a while ago, beggin' fer a place. Why? Ye got a problem wi' him?"
George motioned to the still-giggling Thayet. "No, but she has. Or will have when she sobers up."
Marek winced. "What's happened?"
"She drank somethin' from him."
"What was it?"
"I don't know, but it's clearly not what I ordered!"
"So what did ye order?"
"Water! Ye think I'm stupid! I'd never give the Queen alcohol! Alanna 'n Jon'd kill me!"
"Thayet's had alcohol?"
Both men turned. Marek bowed mockingly.
"Yer Majesty. Welcome t'my humble home."
"Where is she?"
George winced, and pointed to the oblivious, visibly drunk, swaying Queen.
Jon shook his head in a disappointed fashion and walked over to his sniggering wife.
"Come on, Thayet."
"Thayet? Who's that? Was she the hag in that joke? Have you heard that joke? It's so funny..." Jon looked at George with raised eyebrows. He took Thayet's arm, and led her away. Marek and George could hear Thayet telling the hag story to Jon as he took her out of the Dancing Dove.
Marek whistled. "What got into his loincloth?"
"Obviously not Thayet. What, in the name of Mithros, happened to her?" It was Alanna who spoke, just having entered the inn.
George faced his wife. "Don't ask."
"That bad?"
He nodded. "Marek, you'll sort it, won't ye?"
"I dont think I'll be able t'. I mean, 'm only th'King of Thieves, after all," the thief said sourly.
George grinned broadly. "Sorry. Forgot, for a minute there. Now, Alanna," he said, turning his attention to his wife. "What were we about t'do, before the King interrupted us so rudely?"
She smiled. "I don't think you need me to tell you, laddy-me-love."
His grin widened. "No, I don't. You're right." He leaned down and kissed her.
--
As mentioned before, I'm doing this fic with Radella. I'll tell you one thing, but you'll have to guess what else is in store. Each chapter has to be exactly 1000 words, not including Author's Notes, and end in the words - and kissed her/him. Not too difficult to grasp, is it? Course, I forgot to tell Radella this was up, but she'll find out soon enough. I updated loads of stuff recently. Got inspiration from going round Buckingham Palace. Radz'll have her chapter up soon. I think. This'll be funny.