The men laughed over her bumbling comment, Sir Arnell most of all. She blushed a deep pink color, embarrassed at herself. Sir Robert waved it off, then catching his breath said. "No need to get embarrassed, he gets that all the time. Now, miss, your name?" She grinned at his kindness, and gathered her courage again. "I am Emma of Corus, sirs." She attempted a bow, knowing a curtsey was way beyond her reach. The knights nodded to her in return, then Sir Robert cleared his throat. "Well, we must be going, Emma of Corus." Arnell jumped out of his at this, nodding his agreement. "Quite right, Robert. Thank you for the excellent service. We will be returning, hopefully." The two nobles gathered their cloaks, and pushed their way into the crowd still pushing about outside. The inn seemed to breath a sigh of relief as the rogues returned to normal with their boasting and drinking loudly. Even Ellen sighed in relief and slumped into a chair by Emma. "How'd it go? I couldn't hear you myself, without raising suspicion." Emma smiled a slight smile, reliving the conversation in her mind. "It went quite fair, they were rightly nice." She called over her shoulder as she headed across the room, already starting to serve more people
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Sir Robert and Arnall made true to their word, appearing almost everyday, ordering the same bread and ale everytime. Emma continued to serve them everytime, as Samara and Ellen had no inclination of wanting to. They had more conversation, about trivial topics of no use, until Emma felt as comfortable with them as she would any customer, maybe more so. The nobles interested her in a way she couldn't explain. They had a certain air in the way they carried themselves. She caught herself many times trying to talk like them, laughing at the ridiculous thoughts she had. Acting like a noble? I have lost my mind, she thought. Her parents shook their heads everytime she mentioned the nobles or the talks they had. "Emma, nobles aren't are type of people. Please remember that," He would plead, kindness and sadness showing in his eyes. She would nod, but could never understand what he meant. Nobles were people like themselves, and they seemed nice enough. However, it wouldn't do to argue with her pa.
A fortnight since Emma had first met with the knights, she was at the Dancing Dove as usual, serving Robert and Arnall. The talk was much the same, with greetings and the like. She was going back to fetch their ale and bread when she spotted, out of the corner of her eye, Sir Arnall reach over and whisper to Sir Robert. The former nodded in agreement, ending the whispered conversation. Intrigued, as the two never whispered things to each other, Emma hurried back to the table. Sir Robert had strange look in his eye as he received the food and drink brought to him. His eyes still on Emma as she straightened up, done with giving them their food. "Just a moment," he said to her, as she proceeded to turn around and serve others. She stopped and whirled to face them, running over her memory in case she had forgotten something. Mentally shaking her head, she could think of nothing she had forgotten. "Yes, sir knight?" She questioned. He gestured for her to sit in an empty seat at their table, the first time he had done so. She hesitated for a second, glancing back at Samara who shrugged, then ungracefully plopped into the chair. She raised her eyebrows as a question, and Robert obliging continued. "Emma," He began, locking his eyes with hers, making sure she wouldn't look away. "How many men are in this inn?" She frowned at the odd question, but answered automatically, "Sir, there are 16, one upstairs and two in the kitchen. And if you notice, there is one hiding by the shadows in the corner, glaring at you two." Arnall nudged Robert, looking pleased. She wondered if she ought to be telling these men this, seeing little good coming from it. Still he continued to question her. "How many are wearing jewelry?" Again she answered, although she had no reason why. "12 men, sir." Sir Robert nodded looking pleased. "You may go now, Emma." A confused look on her face, she turned and headed back to the kitchen.
Ellen, nosy as she was, bombarded her with questions the minute she stepped inside the area. "Why did they ask you to sit? What did they ask you, Emma?" She shrugged in response; she could no more answer, confused as she was. "They asked me questions about the men in the room. Number questions." Ellen frowned but said nothing more. She ushered Emma back to serving, saying, "No time to ponder nobles. Work will never be done." She gratefully went back to work, glad that questions were being dropped for the time being. Routine picked back up, as she went from table to table, taking orders and being told dirty jokes.
As the knights were leaving, however, they called Emma back to their table one last time. She sighed, hoping no more illogical questions would be asked. She thought her brain would explode as she tried to explain the other ones. Standing up, Sir Robert was a very tall man. He now leaned down to whisper close to ear. "Two days from now, do you think you could meet me at the palace's gates?" Her eyes wide, she nodded. Has he lost his mind? I am a serving maid. Why is calling me to the palace? , Emma thought, questioning his sanity. "Good. I will take you inside to meet someone." He said to the confused girl, then gathered his things. Shortly afterward, he and Arnall left, giving no explanation at all.
That is a short one I know.
They next will be longer, explaining her visit and nervousness before said visit.
MertleYut// I have already answered your question, but I'd still like to thank you! Your my first reviewer. YAY!