YEAH!! MY WRITER'S BLOCK HAD DISAPPEARED!!!!!!!!!! I can now update!! Here you go! Alas, writer's block has returned again, so I am in desperate need of more ideas! FYI though, I've sort of lost interest in this story so updates will continue to be sporadic.
Chapter 8
Cat returned to her room sweaty and happy. Upon entering the room, her eyes flicked immediately to a letter on her bed. Walking over, she picked it up. Her name was on the front in neat hand. She opened it and read:
Dear Caterin, it read, Please talk to your mother about court clothes; Thayet and I have decided to formally present you to the court tomorrow night to stop most of the nasty rumors from flying. Also, once you are free, come to my study. Raoul and Gary want to meet you, and I thought they would have a right to do so. –Your Father.
Cat put the note on the bed and thought for a second. Her mother wouldn't be back for a while –she was with the Rider trainees- so the best thing to do would be to change and go meet with her father. Decided, she pulled on clean breeches and a shirt that didn't have horse slobber on it, and left, locking her door behind her.
She made her way through the halls, stopping occasionally to remember the way to Jonathan's study. Once she'd found the polished wood door, she knocked. "Come in," came the voice of her father. She opened the door to see him standing up and talking to George.
"Hello," she said, nodding to George. "You said you wanted to see me?" Jon smiled.
"That I did." His gaze became thoughtful. "It's almost midday; why don't we have lunch and see if Gary and Raoul want to come. George?" The Baron shook his head.
"Can't," he said shortly. Jonathan didn't ask any questions as George left the study. He smiled down at his daughter.
"I'll get a servant to ask them," he said thoughtfully. "They will probably be here in a matter of minutes." Right on cue, a servant entered, bowing.
"Your Majesty," he said, respect ringing in every syllable. "You sent for me-"
"Could you please inform my prime minister as well as the knight commander that I would greatly appreciate their company in-" He thought for a split second, the hesitation barely evident. "In the dining room nearest my study? Also inform the kitchen staff that the king will be having lunch for four in that room in several minutes time." The servant nodded and left, bowing. Caterin stared, impressed. Jonathan only sighed.
"I often wish that I hadn't been born Crown Prince," he said ruefully. "There's a lot more freedom in the life of someone not the future king. And yet," he added. "Had I not been Crown Prince, I would never have met your mother, or Thayet. And you wouldn't be here, nor would any of my other children." Cat grinned.
"My mother would also have never been a knight, never have rescued the Dominion jewel, never-" Jonathan cut her off with a laugh.
"Point taken, Cat," he said. "Now, shall we proceed to our luncheon?" She gave a curtsey.
"I'd be honored, Your Majesty." The effect of this respectful statement was somewhat ruined by the mischievous twinkle in her eyes, so much, Jonathan reflected, like the one often present in her mother's. He opened the door and allowed his daughter to precede him into the hall.
The Prime Minister, Sir Gareth of Naxen the Younger, was already waiting for them at the door of the dining room. He greeted Jonathan with a shallow bow. "I intercepted the servant," he explained, a smile on his face. "Raoul should be here soon." Cat hung back -suddenly shy- and studied the famous man. Chestnut hair, with a few threads of grey at the temples topped a head with brown eyes. What few wrinkles he had indicated that this was a man who smiled often and easily. He had the body of a desk-knight, but was not as out of shape as some of the nobles who spent their time at court. A few ink stains showed on his right hand. His tunic had the badge that showed him to be the heir to Naxen. He smiled at Cat.
"So this is the famous Caterin of Conte," he said, his voice holding no trace of mockery. "The girl who has –in one appearance- set every tongue at court wagging." Cat blushed slightly.
"It's not my fault, sir," she said. "Most of the blame can be attested to my parents." Gary's smile widened.
"That it can," he said, shooting a humor-laden glance at Jonathan. "I presume both of you were surprised?" Jon nodded.
"We might want to go inside," he said, gesturing to the door. "It wouldn't do for someone to pick up on some of what you, Gary, are bound to say." Gareth laughed and opened the door. Jonathan entered first, followed by Cat and then Gary.
The kitchen staff worked fast. Already set on the table were appetizers. "Help yourself," Jonathan said, noting the way Cat's eyes had snapped to the food. Needing no further encouragement, Caterin made her way hastily to a platter of sausages folded in dough. After she'd eaten a few, she returned to the conversation between her father and his prime minister.
"You never told me or Raoul," he accused, humor glinting in his eye. "I feel so hurt and left out!" Jonathan laughed.
"You know quite well why we couldn't tell you," he shot back. "I wonder what your reaction to that would have been." Cat joined in the laughter.
"Amusing I'm sure," she said sarcastically. "Oh my! Squire 'Alan' is sleeping with the prince! What have we missed?"
"Too much," came a voice from the doorway. The huge Knight Commander of the King's Own, Lord Sir Raoul of Goldenlake and Mallorie's Peak entered the room. "Hello Jon, Gary. And you must be Cat." Cat nodded.
"Guilty as charged," she said ruefully.
"Was that a comment on me?" Jonathan asked. "Because that would make me and your mother oh so hurt." Raoul coughed, the very forced kind of cough you utter when trying to hide something. Gary choked –he must have caught what Raoul had said. Jonathan stared from one to the other with suspicious eyes.
"What do you say about your king behind his back?" he asked. Raoul looked as though he were trying very hard not to laugh.
"Absolutely- nothing," he choked.
Jonathan snorted, a very unkingly sound, but didn't comment. Instead he turned to Cat. "What do you think of them?" he asked.
Cat grinned. "I think we're going to get along rather well." Gary grinned.
"I would agree with that," he said, finally regaining the power of speech. "Lady Caterin," he said, sweeping an elegant court bow. "I am honored to make your acquaintance."
"Is that Caterin of Conte, Pirate's Swoop or Trebond?" Raoul asked. "Because you know, it would be just disastrous if someone were to miss your titles!" Cat thought for a second.
"I'm not sure," she admitted. "I've been Trebond for fourteen years- but I'm not Trebond by birth or even adoption. So, I don't know."
"I'll have to talk to your mother, Thayet and George about that," Jonathan said. Then he shook his head. "Mithros, that sounds strange- your mother and Thayet."
"It should," Raoul pointed out. "You're married to Thayet- that's kind of the point, that you won't ever string those two words together in a sentence." Jon nodded.
"True," he conceded. "It still sounds strange."
The kitchen staff chose that moment to bring in lunch. Cat's stomach growled as she saw the food being spread out. The staff bowed and retreated. The four of them sat at the table, Gary chuckling.
"I've forgotten what it was like to be fourteen," he said. "Always hungry." Cat made a face at him.
"I'm not always hungry," she corrected. "Just most of the time." He laughed.
"I stand corrected. But, since you are obviously hungry now, Jon? Can we eat?" The king nodded.
The four of them dug into the food eagerly.
A/N Please review and send in any ideas you have for the continuation…it'll be at least a week since I'm on spring break (YIPEE!!!) and I'm going to Martha's Vineyard for break. Zhai'helleva! ~Queen's Own