"What is this about, Your Majesty?" Alfredo asked, slightly curious as to why Heyho, Vulcan, and Flamel were seen before him.
"Alfredo," King Erik greeted, "For the Holly Days festival to continue, I require the aid of you and your restaurant. The second day will begin tomorrow morning and everything must be perfect. To that end, I ask that you work with my court chef, Allan."
The royal cook bowed from the side of the exchange. Alfredo nodded. "I remember Allan. He taught my student to make magic omelettes some time ago."
"Can I count on your services, Chef Alfredo?"
"Just say the word, Your Highness, and I'll make personally sure every morsel you request is appropriately seasoned and cooked to perfection."
"Excellent. Then follow Allan to the kitchen and he will fill you in."
/-the following morning-/
The town crier finished off his glass of water and cleared his throat. "Hear ye, hear ye!" he called. "His Majesty the King will address those that will hear momentarily! Gather in front of the castle and await him!"
"Another announcement?" It was the man from yesterday. "Two days in a row?"
"Well, we are in the middle of a new celebration; he's just letting us know how to celebrate it."
"I suppose I can't argue with logic. Let's go."
The two men, amid a stampede of villagers, approached the castle where, again, King Erik spoke from the balcony. "Good morning, everyone," he greeted cheerfully, "and Happy Holly Days! First, a note." He read the page in his hand, "In keeping with the festival, and to further raise town morale, it will now be customary - though not required - that people during the Holly Days greet and leave each other with the phrase, 'Happy Holly Days', as I have."
He tossed the card aside. "Now that that's out of the way, this morning marks the second of the Holly Days celebrations: the Festal Feast!" Many nods and murmurs of vague understanding told Erik that the name wasn't quite enough to get people going. "Today, like yesterday, is very simple: starting after breakfast, citizens are to cook their favorite dishes and bring them to the castle where, beginning at lunch, we will feast on these and more until supper. And, as a show of my good faith, the queen and I shall both cook our own favorites to share as well. I hope to see you all at the banquet and, again, Happy Holly Days!"
"HAPPY HOLLY DAYS!" came the deafening reply from below. Well, at least that was going to catch on, if nothing else.
As the crowd dispersed, King Erik hopped off his stool, sticking a finger in one ear to cease its ringing. "That went well."
"Oh, I wonder what I should bring to the feast," Ophelia pretended to think. "Hm... What about my special apple pie?"
Erik began to drool at the thought of his wife's world-famous apple pie before a thought occurred to him. He had no idea what to make! He would have lamented the thought of being made out as a liar to his subjects, but his stomach began to growl. He'd think after breakfast.
/-a little after that-/
One of two Castelian couriers made his way to Port Puerto Palace, at King Erik's command. The port guards let him through with little trouble, and he soon found himself in the governor's office. "If you're looking for my sister," said the man at the desk, in lieu of Governess Olivia, "you can probably catch her at the docks. I, meanwhile, am likely of little use to you, so -"
"Actually," the courier said, "if you don't mind, I have a letter for you as well, Vice Governor."
Andy raised an eyebrow. "A letter from who?"
"King Erik, of course." The younger man handed the acting governor an envelope.
"Uh, thanks?"
"Happy Holly Days."
Before Andy could question the notion, the courier was off. He opened the letter, hoping to find out just what this "Holly Days" was.
'To Olivia Pescado, the Governess of Port Puerto,'
'What's up? I hope this is not too abrupt, but I forgot to invite you to our Holly Days celebration yesterday. Don't worry, because you and one guest (who I'll just assume is your brother, if it's all the same) can still make it to the Festal Feast today by way of Port Puerto Air. We've sent ahead proper funds for the trip. The feast lasts from lunch to supper, so I hope you didn't fill up on breakfast.'
'Happy Holly Days,'
'King Erik Stone of Castele'
Andy frowned for two reasons. One: the letter didn't sufficiently explain what "Holly Days" meant, and two: King Erik hadn't even bothered to write a separate letter for him, and just copied what he'd written for Olivia's.
...Well, he didn't know that for sure yet; he'd have to compare his letter with hers. But he was pretty sure that was the case.
/-/
"Lord Daemon," the towering dark knight, known simply as Odin, said, "A messenger from Castele was here a moment ago."
"What did he want?" the current Dark Sultan asked. Odin answered by handing him a pre-opened letter. "What's this?"
"An invitation to a 'Holly Days' banquet. I made sure it was not a trap."
Daemon read the letter out loud.
" 'To His Darkness, the Dark Sultan Daemon Helbourne,'
" 'How's it hanging? I trust your father is in good health? I am throwing a celebration of togetherness I am calling 'Holly Days'. It is three days long, and it only occurred this morning to inform our neighbors. You and one guest may come to Castele Castle by way of air to share in the Festal Feast, which lasts today from lunch until supper. We have sent ahead proper funds to Maajik Air to accomodate you in the event you accept.'
" 'Happy Holly Days,'
" 'King Erik Stone of Castele' "
"Lord Daemon, I must insist that I be your plus-one. Ties with Castele have only recently been mended; I would not believe foul play to be beneath the king."
The current Dark Sultan glanced over the letter once more. "Hm..." After a moment, he smiled, "Very well, Odin. We will leave for Castele as soon as we can."
/-/
As soon as anyone could comprehend it, lunch rolled by, and the Festal Feast was in full swing in the Great Hall. A large, squared U-shape table was laid out in the middle, covered by an assortment of delicious food over a fantastically plain tablecloth. Just about everyone in Castele, as well as the honored guests from Port Puerto and Al Maajik, were eating, conversing, or otherwise enjoying the event.
Laura looked around at the people having a good time, and jumped when someone tapped her shoulder. She turned to glare at them, but her expression softened when she saw who it was. 'That dress looks royally uncomfortable.'
She snickered. "I'm glad you could make it."
'I wouldn't miss this if the world ended.'
"Don't say that; it almost did, remember?"
They shared a laugh. 'I guess it did.'
King Erik entered through the kitchen behind a plate of sugar cookies as high as his crown. "I apologize for my tardiness, Laura," he said, "but the cookies needed more sprinkles."
"It's no trouble, Dad," she said as Hiro one, "but maybe make them a little sooner next time."
"Duly noted. Is there space on the table?"
"Yes. Here, I'll take them."
/-/
Laura walked off with the platter, leaving her father with her mute friend. "I hope you like sugar cookies, my friend." The quiet boy made several hand motions Erik didn't recognize. "Um... Could you repeat that?" More hand signs. "Er..."
" 'Yes, I love sugar cookies, Your Highness.' "
The two of them turned as Laura translated. "Dad, you know you don't know sign language."
"I know, but I just wanted to see what he thought of my cookies."
Another round of signs. " 'They're delicious, but this is a little embarassing.' "
"Why is it embarassing?"
" 'Because I also made a large batch of sugar cookies.' " Hiro pointed to a tray some six feet from Erik's, stacked nearly as high as his. " 'I only make them on special occasions because they're so rich and unhealthy.' "
"I see. Well, I guess it's only fair that I taste one of yours if you're eating one of mine."
"You'd better hurry, Dad, because Porthos is making his way down the line."
/-/
The king half-ran to the table, leaving the two to their business. 'That was awkward.'
"Come on, it's not like you and he planned to make the same thing. This is just a big coincidence."
'A coincidence that could have been avoided if sugar cookies weren't my first choice.'
"You're overreacting. Hey, Cervantes brought this weird egg-and-milk drink he says is delicious. Apparently he drinks a glass every morning with breakfast. Come on, let's see how it is."
'Just a sec...' he smiled at the king's reaction to his custom-made cookies. 'Alright, let's go.'
