Ch. 10

The dining hall proved to be as magnificent as the rest of the castle tower. The table was a solid piece of tiger cypress, polished to perfection and adorned with simple yet tasteful settings of lilac and white. The team filtered in and saw that everyone had their place. As Martis feared, he was seated right next to Princess Septieme, who hadn't made her grand entrance yet. However, he was relieved when he learned Alice was seated right across from him.

"Don't worry, I'll help you if you get stuck when it comes to protocol," she said. "Plus, you can assist me when we get down to business."

Martis nodded. He looked around and saw Carlotta, who bowed to him in greeting. She still wore a servant's uniform, with her red curls kept securely in place by her headband.

"Splendid to see you again, noble sir!" she said. "I'm so glad you are well!"

Martis bowed to her in return.

"Miss Carlotta," he said, with a smile, "the feeling is mutual. I'm sorry…I heard you were assigned to this post tonight."

"Assigned?" she asked, then gave him a wicked grin. "Nonsense, noble sir! I asked to be your tester tonight."

Martis was shocked. "You were?" he asked. "But…but, why?"

Carlotta bowed again. "Your concern is a great kindness," she said. When he didn't reply, she continued. "Two reasons, the first being that I can share with you the latest report of the Shadowers from Cavern City. May I presume that is one thing you should like to know?"

Martis nodded emphatically. "Any word on the big g-er, I mean, Corporal Oland?"

Carlotta shook her head. "I was informed that was one of the reasons for you coming. I'm afraid there have been too many rumors of him. My team is still sorting them out. He's become a legend to them, you know. I'll fill you and your team in on the more probable ones later."

He nodded again and brightened. "Figures, but at least having rumors is a good sign." He turned to her. "What's the second reason?"

She gave that grin again. "Entirely personal. I was just happy to work with you and your team once more."

Martis laughed. "Well, hopefully there are no rapids this time!"

Carlotta laughed in return. They almost continued but Jacques voice boomed in the hall signaling the entrance of the Princess. They all rose from their seats, and Carlotta and the servants quickly went to their places. Alan entered and took his position near the team, watching the windows and the doorways for any sign of anything out of the ordinary.

"Presenting Her Royal Highness, Princess Septieme!"

The Princess entered while he was still speaking, wearing a rather subdued, but tasteful gown in the official royal colors of deep violet with forest green and silver.

"Can it, old man!" she commanded. "I told you I wanted this to be as informal as possible!"

Jacques sputtered. "But…I say! Princess, you mustn't!"

She gave him a scathing look. He sighed wearily.

"Forgive me, your Highness," he said, "I'm afraid my royal duties are too deeply ingrained."

She waved her hand in dismissal, rolling her eyes. Martis coughed a laugh. She reached her place at the head of the table, bowing to the group, who bowed in return. She sat down. The group sat. She then clapped her hands twice and dinner began.

Everyone was served a splendid array of colorful appetizers with a light, fizzy white grape juice, one of Rodelia's prized exports along with their wines, of course. Since the Princess was still underage, no wine was offered, much to Oreldo's dismay, but the juice was delightful and proved to be a great palette cleanser when the main course arrived.

The testers did their jobs well. They were expertly trained, remaining completely unobtrusive until necessary. It was they who actually served the group, spooning their portions slowly after carefully sampling each dish first.

Alice was used to it so she turned to Septieme, leaning in so Lionel wouldn't hear.

"Your Highness, if I may broach the true reason for coming…"

She stopped abruptly, realizing Septieme's attention was elsewhere-namely, upon Martis, who was trying his best to be polite but was clearly uncomfortable. She sighed in sympathy.

"Mister Martis," Septieme said, trying to be coy, "may I say you look just as fashionable as when we first met?"

Martis gulped and smiled, thanking her. It wouldn't do to anger the coltish princess, although he was fairly certain she wouldn't have him executed for rejecting her adolescent advances. Fairly certain.

Not that she wasn't trying to be an adult about it. Indeed, she wasn't all giggly and googly-eyed like a certain Sergeant-Major he knew, despite her being older. The Princess didn't have that luxury, which made Martis feel a little sorry for her.

He'd have to find a way to be gentle and kind about it. There was simply no other way.

"And you have certainly grown!" he said, racking his brain as quickly as he could. Taking a cue from Alice, he asked, "How goes it with the Shadower refugees? Have they caused you any serious problems?"

"Must you talk about them now?" she asked, her voice growing bored. "I was hoping if you knew whether or not that hot dog vendor ever recovered."

Martis laughed, knowing he had to indulge her just a bit.

"Actually, I checked on that the day before I boarded the train. He's doing just fine now. He even managed to pay back the taxes he owed."

Septieme lit up. "That's great! I can't wait to go back to the Imperial capital to see him again!"

"Yeah, and this time we won't have to run away from any thugs!" Martis added. They both laughed.

"It's a sure sign the capital city is on the way to recovery, Your Highness," Alice said.

Septieme looked at her, as if just noticing for the first time she was there.

"Being indirect doesn't suit you, Alice," she said. "I know what you're trying to do."

Alice bowed her head. "I'm sorry, Your Highness," she said. "I know you want this to be a fun night, but we really need your help."

"She's right," Martis added. "Any help you can give us would be so awesome!"

Septieme huffed, but then brightened. "I realize your using common speech is a calculated move, Mister Martis, but I'll allow it, because it's been so long since I've heard it. Very well. Please summon your tester for me."

Martis signaled Carlotta and she went to his side immediately. Septieme then snapped her fingers once and Carlotta raced around the other side and knelt so that only the trio would hear her.

Farther down the table, Oreldo was trying to make amends with Stecchin, who barely touched her food all night despite her tester's assurances. When she did swallow something, it had no flavor.

"Come on, Lily!" Oreldo said. "I said I was sorry. Look, the Princess ate that stuff, so it must be safe, right? You've got to keep up your strength!"

Stecchin pushed the food around her plate in a haze. She almost couldn't hear Oreldo above the din of her own musings.

Mister Alan…kissed my hand, she thought, her head in a whirl, then he…he asked to…call on me…that's like a date, I think! A handsome gentleman…a bodyguard wants to date me!

She wanted to smile and sigh dreamily, but instead she felt wan and listless.

Stupid Oreldo! she thought. Ruining everything! I never got a chance to answer! I wonder if he'll be there at the ball? Well, of course he will if we'll all be there…but I wonder if they'll let us…dance?

"Lily?" Oreldo called. "Hey…are you all right, twerp?"

When she didn't respond to the insult, Oreldo knew something wasn't right. He looked her over. Stecchin's skin was flushed, her eyes were blank and she swayed slightly in her seat as though drunk.

He signaled his tester, who happened to be the maid Jean, who also signaled Stecchin's tester, a rookie named Lucia. Jean put her hand on Stecchin's forehead.

"Oh no!" she said in a low tone. "She's burning with fever!"

"Was it poison?" Oreldo cried. He stood up.

"Sit down, Mr. Oreldo," said a voice behind him. He turned and looked up at Mr. Alan, who spoke to him even though he was only looking at Stecchin, who had suddenly fainted. Jean and Lucia caught her and quickly pulled her to the floor.

"You must not stand above Her Highness while she is dining," Alan said.

"Screw that!" Oreldo snarled. "We've got a medical emergency!"

"Which is precisely why I need you to stay in your seat, sir," Alan replied. "No telling what may happen next. We can't protect you all if you each start panicking and moving around without our support. I will inform your superior."

He finally turned to look at Oreldo, bowed and said, "Please."

Oreldo frowned and gauged the man's expression for a long moment. He then gestured with his head, and Alan rushed to Alice and the others.

Mwahaha! The plot is finally cooking! ;)