Disclaimers: See Chapter 1
Additional Note (Please Read): This tale is a companion with, Xena & Gabrielle: A Twist of Destiny. If you haven't read both story's chapters preceding this one, you should do so now. A special thanks to my favorite Beta, Jinxie and all my readers. Enjoy :-)
The Conqueror & Ri,
A Twist of Destiny,
By, Ahkiken
Chapter 29: Pestiferous
The evening dinner for the six visitors inside the Banquet Hall had been long under way into the night. Already finished partaking in their meals, the denizens, soldiers, nobles, guests, and royals, began immersing themselves in the festivities of entertainment provided. At the Royal Table, Meleager was seated in the center with Prince Lyceus sitting on his right and Queen Boadicea adjacent to him on the Chancellor's left. King Leonidas reclined next to Lyceus and King Antigonus II sat beside Boadicea, respectively.
Meleager turned his attention to the long tawny-haired warrior queen who was adorned in a multicolored tunic, a heavy cloak covering it that was fastened by a brooch, and a golden torc circling her neck. "I pray the repasts served tonight was to your liking, Queen Boadicea."
"It was relishing." She answered, signaling for the Oriental Chambermaid to refill her goblet. "But the wine is to die for."
Once Akemi replenished her cup with the spirit, she started filling Meleager's too, but he declined. Returning to her post, standing in back of the Chancellor, they all continued to listen to the musicians and distant chatter from people, along with their laughter.
After several candle-drips passed, Boadicea turned to the Chancellor. "I don't wish to damper your mood with talks of Brittania's affairs, but it's imperative I discuss the dreary events that's taken place there."
"I've been informed you wanted to speak to me." Meleager replied. "Other matters of importance has detained me from granting you an audience, hence why I've arranged for your seat to be near me. What is amiss in Brittania?"
Leaning closer to Meleager, Boadicea whispered, "Brittania may be on the brink of a bloody civil war."
The Chancellor looked at the British Queen, agitation diluting his content. "Civil war, just like Rome?"
"Similar, yes."
"Has this internal strife commenced yet?" He asked.
Boadicea shook her head. "No, but I fear it will soon."
"Who is the cause of this?" The Chancellor inquired.
"The catalyst is named Carausius, the Duke of Essex." Boadicea disclosed. "He has incited the citizens of Essex to feel abjection to my rule by declaring I'm not a true Brit; that I only hold the Celtics interests to heart and not all the inhabitants of Brittania. As you are aware Chancellor, my husband, Prasutagus, was Celtic, and so is the Iceni Tribe. The chap is basing his allegations off that. I'd sent a contingent of warriors to apprehend him, but they were barred from entering Essex by the citizens whilst he fled to Londinium, where he cultivated my Regent, Hadrian, and more followers to his cause."
Meleager became livid, hardly sheltering his displeasure at the news. "The Conqueror told you to take up residence in Londinium and make it your capital; it has a huge population."
"My husband's people are of Norfolk." She asserted. "They stood with me throughout Caesar's campaign to conquer Brittania before the Lord of the Grecian Realm united all of Brittania's tribes to defeat him. I couldn't leave them to take occupancy in Londinium. The Iceni would've interpret that as an act of abandonment."
"You forfeited a greater populace, and now have an insurrection on your hands." Meleager pronounced. "So, Carausius still lives and made his intentions known to oust you. What does the insurgents' forces number in?"
"Thirty thousand." Boadicea responded. "He has all of Essex and most of Londinium flocking to his revolt. My troops did outnumber theirs. I have Norfolk, plus both Suffolk and Wessex are true loyalists to me."
"You did outnumber theirs?" Meleager noticed Boadicea's past tense phrase. "What do you mean?"
"Those bloody, damned Cimbri arrived from Gaul and allied themselves with the insurrectionists, multiplying their warriors."
The Chancellor slouched in his chair. He recalled General Vercinix's report on the Cimbri's association with the Teutons, until the battle to take Gaul from the Grecian Realm proved to have an unfavorable outcome. In the end, the Cimbri deserted the Teutons, leaving them to their disastrous devices.
"Maybe you should have stayed in Brittania and sent a messenger in your stead." Meleager stated.
"And miss the Conqueror's Tribute... Bullocks." Boadicea chuckled at the incredulous suggestion. "Besides, my daughters are keeping a watchful eye till I get back, which shouldn't be long."
"The Tribute is postponed while the Conqueror is on progress, Boadicea." The Chancellor avowed.
The Queen's eyes widened. "When is she scheduled to return?"
"At this point of Cronus, it's uncertain." Meleager was thoughtful of Boadicea's plight. "There's a critical situation concerning Rome that dictates me to take action. I won't be able to lend the Realm's armies that are here to your benefit."
Boadicea scowled. "Are you saying I am on my own?"
"No, that isn't what I'm saying." Meleager rectified. "I have another army stationed in Gaul. I'll have a missive sent to Lieutenant Kira, detailing her to take half of the Fourth Army to meet with your daughters in Norfolk."
"Thank you, Chancellor." Queen Boadicea said.
"You are welcome." Meleager picked up his cup of water to drink its contents. "If the Conqueror doesn't come back to Corinth within four days, you will have to elect a substitution in your place for the Tribute and go back to Brittania. Do you understand?"
Taking a swallow from her goblet as well, Boadicea gave him a nod of concurrence.
A couple of spaces over, Lyceus was engaged in conversation with the short cut ebony-haired, long bearded, bare-chested Spartan King.
"You should visit Sparta, young Prince. You'd be guaranteed comforts fit for your station and I'm sure we could teach you differing aspects when dealing with combat." Leonidas affirmed, clad in a leather battle skirt and a scarlet cape that was pinned closed by a brooch bearing his crest of kingship.
"A generous offer, King Leonidas. However, I'll have to decline."
"If it's a woman who's keeping you here, she can come also." Leonidas expressed.
Lyceus glimpsed the table where the sole individual, whom garnered his affections and was wearing a sapphire chiton, lounged by her lonesome. He wondered how she could refuse to talk to him. After all, he did repair the mistake he made, anent to her and Tessa's friendship. The Prince couldn't grasp what reason Ri had to remain disgruntled with him.
'I didn't speak of her leave to Athens with my sister. She accuses me of an iniquity I haven't done. From what Akemi relayed to me, I have a legitimate excuse to be upset and angry, not her!' Lyceus cogitated. "There's no female keeping me here. I'm taking a bigger role in government and have a lot to learn."
"Ah, I see. Smart move." Leonidas assented. "You are the heir of this expansive Empire. A great ruler knows almost everything that is going on in their domain."
"Like you." Lyceus grinned.
"By the gods, no." Leonidas responded. "That's what my queen, Gorgo, is for."
The Prince and King laughed in merriment while at another table, Alexander II, Cassander, and Ming Tien, observed them. The Macedonians wore matching purple tunics, with lavish jewelry decorating their necks, arms, fingers, and waists. Minus an extended pony-tail hanging from the back of his head, the bald, former Emperor of Chin was dressed in an emerald-colored daopao with his insignia etched in the middle of it.
"This is an insult." Alexander voiced his fury. "I am placed here and the Chancellor's table is filled with royals, as if I'm not one myself. I'm my father's progeny and this is how I get treated."
Cassander gently touched Alexander's shoulder. "Calm down, Alex. You did assert your desire to be elevated to king. He will take it under advisement. The Chancellor is-"
"Meleager could give a flying fuck." Alexander shrugged Cassander's hand off of him. "He's not considering it either. I'll have to wait like a child for mommy-Conqueror to award it to me."
"Or deny it." Cassander avouched, adding to Alex's petulance.
"Seems we are in the same position." Ming Tien proclaimed. "The Conqueror dethroned me as well."
Alexander's bluish orbs flared at Ming Tien briefly, before espying Cassander, silently speaking in his ear, "This fucking matricidal jackass has the absurdity to compare himself to me! Can you believe that?"
Alexander's aged mentor smirked, knowing full well how his pupil felt about Ming Tien. The knowledge of the Green Dragon's treachery toward Lao 'Ma and her mysterious lover were known in every location on Terra. How a son could plot the death of his own mother, puzzled Cassander.
'A man like that can be a dangerous adversary, or a powerful ally.' He mused.
Ming Tien didn't like the expression Alexander gave him, nor his secretive whispering. It bothered him to be subjected to such disrespect. In his country, the irritant who committed a transgression in his presence would've gotten dealt with swiftly. Ignoring the angry blonde-haired man, Ming Tien sipped on his wine.
Cassander moved his mid-length grey hair from his face. "Control yourself. I will ask for a confabulation with the Chancellor. We were once good friends. I have faith everything will work out in your favor."
"You don't need to try pacifying me, Cassander." Next, he caught sight of the person he wanted to mollycoddle him. "If I'm denied my status by Meleager or the Conqueror, damn them to Tartarus. Now, if you will pardon me."
Alex stood on his sandals and Cassander gazed at him traversing the Banquet Hall when Ming Tien warned, "Your friend should learn better manners. His current incivility could be pestilential to his health."
"Just like you; he's disappointed that his birthright has been neglected since the Conqueror annexed Macedonia." Cassander explained. "There is no need to carry grudges for one another, we're on each others' team."
"You're right." Ming Tien acceded. "Nonetheless, tell your companion what I said."
"I will make a note of it." Cassander's gesture brought a Corinthian servant over to refill both their cups with the red liquid. "Your reputation precedes you, Green Dragon."
Ming Tien discerned the question he knew was coming. "If you want to know whether I killed my mother; it's true."
Cassander was cautious to press for information, but proceeded anyway. "Weird that the Tribute ceremony has taken place these last two years and we've never spoken. Let's share a little about ourselves. Who knows, perhaps we can become friends and discover a common enemy between us."
Cassander raised his cup of wine in a toast. Understanding the Macedonian's proposal, Ming Tien copied the motion, a sinister grin curling his lips as their cups clinked.
On his trek to the General of the First Army, Alexander passed two other Generals without acknowledging them.
Leaning on the wall, remaining at a subtle distance, he began inquiring, "How can you tolerate wearing those trousers?"
Nale countered with his own, "How can you not? One would assume you like showing off your muscular legs."
"Their soft as well. Would you like to feel them?"
Nale hid his smile. "I rather not, King Alexander."
"I love the sound of my name escaping your lips."
Nale kept an air of stolidity. "You just love the appellation of king."
"Hmm, that's what it is." Pressing himself firmly onto the wall, Alex sighed. "What are your plans later tonight?"
"To sleep in my chamber. I have to meet Chancellor Meleager's recruitment quota for the Realm's addition of troops in the First Army. He's been moody lately, so whenever he inquires me about it, I want to have an acceptable reply."
Alex scoffed. "Enough about Meleager. I'm only intrigued by his sexy General. Can I sign up, recruiter?"
"No." Nale held back a laugh, searching for prying eyes. "You're going to get us revealed. If that happens, I won't be meeting you tonight."
"If I go, will we have a thorough discussion on this subject of joining your army?" Alexander playfully asked.
"If my mouth isn't preoccupied." Nale teased.
Feeling a surge of arousal, Alexander II straightened off the wall. "Let's hope that it is, General Nale."
Before Nale could retort, Alex quickly left him to stroll in between the two Generals on his second pass, causing them to make space for the un-caring man. Again, he refrained from offering them any pleasantries, nor an apology for interrupting their conversation.
"I hate that guy." Palaemon sneered. "We'd rescued him from his wrecked vessel in the Chalcidice and this is how be shows us gratitude."
"Discourteous asshole." Draco mirrored Palaemon's annoyance at Alexander II. "Can't wait for the Tribute to be over, then he and Cassander can leave Corinth."
"It's too bad the Tribute is shelved until the Conqueror's arrival back here." Palaemon reminded his fellow General. "Don't forget the Amazons might be making an appearance also."
"I haven't forgotten." Draco uttered.
They both traipsed farther away from the men and women who participated in dancing to the music that was being played.
Finding a secluded corner, Palaemon inquired, "What are we going to do, Draco?"
"We can't set out to find her. She could be in Crete or at sea. We have no way of knowing which one."
"I'm not talking about the Conqueror." Palaemon professed. "What to be done with the Amazons?"
"There isn't anything we can do." Draco averred.
"Of course there's something we can do." Palaemon suggested.
The dark-skinned General stared at Palaemon in disbelief. "What are you implying?"
"We combine our armies, only taking our best fighters to hunt them down and put their elaborate contrivance to rest in advance of it getting started."
Consciously, Draco conceded with Palaemon's idea. He felt the Amazons' message for acceptance to the Conqueror's Tribute was a ruse. Welcoming the harlots would aid them in gaining entry into the castle to possibly assassinate the Lord of the Realm. However, the Chancellor decided to let the Conqueror make the final decision on whether they were welcomed to Corinth or not.
"An edict from the Regent is the same as if our Lord has given it. Going against the Chancellor's decree is treason, Palaemon."
The Third Army's General was stupefied by Draco's response. "You've seen those unnatural women, you know what they are capable of."
Draco got frustrated. "Damn straight I saw them and their capabilities. They wear assorted animal masks to terrify their enemies. They're skilled combatants; able to utilize swords, staffs, bows and arrows. They can climb trees with spectacular proficiency similar to squirrels. If we ventured into their fucking forest to hunt them, we would be the hunted. They'd trap us like easy prey, making us nothing more than hares, bunnies, and deer for game. The woods are the Amazons' territory; they've learned how to use it to their advantage. I've seen what a single Amazonian tribe can do. Imagining more than one spooks the shit out of me."
"We take our entire army then." Palaemon wouldn't relent.
"Are you insane?" Draco queried.
"They must be stopped!" Palaemon yelled, losing his patience and bringing unwanted eyes in their direction.
"Why is your pursuit to purge the Amazons so strong, Palaemon?" Draco questioned.
"Their goal is to bring harm to our Lord Conqueror. I will not standby and allow that to happen."
"The Conqueror can protect herself." Draco stepped closer to Palaemon. "I have to prepare the Second Army for whatever mission the Chancellor has for us, so I cannot help you in this endeavor either way. I urge you to wisely obey the Regent's order to let the Conqueror handle the Amazons. You wouldn't want many, if not all of your soldiers in the Third Army to perish, would you?"
Leaving the inquiry in the air, Draco started to walk away, but Palaemon seized his wrist. "What happened to you, huh? These bitches are planning war. You and I know that, yet you'd pretend everything is fine. You're a fool."
"My pertinence on this matter is unchanged." Draco jerked his appendage from Palaemon's clutch. "Don't ever touch me again or I'll show you who's a fool."
After his threatening words, Draco footsteps carried him away from Palaemon and, incidentally, onwards to Ri, who was sitting at a table enjoying the music and the people's dancing.
"Lady Ri." He growled with an evil leer.
She visibly tensed. "General... General Draco."
Continuing his trot, Draco derived satisfaction from Ri's obvious fear of him. The ex-Handmaiden watched the General walk off till he was gone out of view. Closing her eyes, Ri tried to slow down her racing heart while exhaling the breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Since their confrontation outside Ri's chamber, Draco scared her horribly. She was tempted to apprise Meleager about it, but was afraid Draco would hurt her before he faced punitive measures. His threat remained fresh in Ri's mind.
'If you ever offend the Realm by becoming argumentative again, I'll do worse than those slavers.'
The menacing boast was the main reasoning for asking the Chancellor to announce her postponement to Athens during the banquet, which she hoped he would do soon. She didn't want to risk Draco misinterpreting her delayed departure as an act of defiance to the Realm. Though the slavers from the past hadn't had the opportunity to molest her to the extent of deflowering her, Ri was certain Draco would make good on his promise. The storyteller nearly regretted coming to the Banquet Hall; wanting to entertain its occupants paled in comparison to facing the General of the Second Army.
Opening her irises, she glanced across the Hall at Lyceus and begun missing his friendship. It was his fault they weren't on speaking terms, yet Ri ascertained it was her doing for continuing on being standoffish to the Prince.
'And we came so far from when I was younger.' Ri thought, sadly.
"Uncle Meleager, you're back!" I exclaim, dropping my scroll and running to be scooped up into his arms.
"Ri, I've missed you." He reply, twirling me off the ground. "I swear, you're growing bigger by the candle-drip."
"No, I'm not." I giggle. "You haven't seen me in a while."
"Maybe." He concedes, putting me down. "Where is Iona and Glaphyra?"
"Inside." I answer concisely. "I chose to read out here and enjoy this beautiful day."
I look behind him, seeing Lyceus tether the two horses he and Meleager rode on. I wave to him and he gives me a slight nod, briskly walking by us to enter Iona's parents' house.
I ignore Lyceus' curt hello, realizing someone isn't among them. "Is Milady coming?"
"No, kiddo. She sends her greetings to you, but she's still busy in Corinth."
Feeling crestfallen, my excitement dwindles. Milady has been in Corinth for two years. I'm beginning to deduce she lives there now, and cogitation makes me jealous. Has she taken a lover? Is the castle there more promising than me? How could she abandon me like this? Why didn't she take me along with her? Living here in Tegea, I have grown to love Uncle Meleager, Lyceus, and Iona, who is deeply dear to me. I like Darnelle, he tickles me and Iona a lot, but he's not around as much. I am growing fond of Glaphyra also, who secretly practice with small knives; throwing them at specific marks on trees when she presumes me and her daughter are asleep. I wonder if she's training to be a warrior like her husband. I'll keep her secret, just like she is keeping mines about my premature monthly cycle.
Everyone of them cares for me, as do I, but I rather be with Milady. Doesn't she want to be with me, too? My vexation at her disappearance almost makes me mad at her. She saves me from slavers, nurse me back to health while being cordial with me, then leaves me. I thought we were congenial friends after declaring my birthday will be celebrated on hers from now on, since mine remained unknown. Why would she trick me; promising we'd always be together? She lied, and blaming myself is all I can do. How did I allow Milady to influence me into loving her? I haven't known her for very long, but I feel drawn to her and lonely by her absence.
"What happened to your cheerfulness?" Meleager fakes a pout. "Does my presence bring you sadness, instead of joy?"
"No." I force a smile. "I am delighted to see you. I'm glad you've returned."
"Lyceus is here, too." He affirms.
"Yeah." I say with less enthusiasm.
Uncle Meleager notices. "Didn't you miss him as well?"
"Somewhat."
Meleager looks concerned by my assertion. "What do you mean? You and Lyceus use to always have fun playing those games you've created."
Use to, is correct. The passing of my tenth birthday seem to juxtapose with Lyceus ceasing to hang around me. I probably vex him because he's older than me, which is understandable. Although me and Uncle Meleager can manage to get along, despite our age difference, I guess Lyceus has outgrown me. He's twenty, and perhaps he has become weary of me.
"Well, the truth is, I feel Lyceus thinks of me as a pestiferous child to him." I confess.
I'm taken aback at Meleager's chuckling. "You couldn't be more wrong, Ri. I'll let you in on a secret; in the duration of our travels, all he talked about was you. Mostly, the way you make him laugh with the imitations you do when y'all play the guessing game."
"Really?" I'm astounded.
"Yup, yup." Meleager does his habitual repeat. "He loves your stories also."
"Everybody's falling in love with Ri's prodigious storytelling." Glaphyra states, standing in the entryway.
"Hello, Glaphyra." Meleager steps forward, gripping her forearm in an embrace. "Thanks for taking care of Ri for us."
"She is a joy to have. Iona absolutely adores her." Glaphyra began looking at the two steeds. "My husband hasn't returned with you?"
Meleager releases her arm. "There's been a grievous betrayal by Megara. Darnelle was in the City-State when they defected from the Peloponnesian League to join the Delian League."
"By the gods." Glaphyra covers her mouth in shock. "Is he in danger?"
"He's okay for now. He chose to stay there and spy on Megara's dealings with Athens." Meleager elucidate.
Glaphyra emits a terse, relieved laugh. "My bonehead for a husband. He places himself in harm's path to aid in ending this war."
I'm not totally familiar with the prospects of Greece's City-States. Nonetheless, I do know Milady is a warrior in Corinth. She'll be fighting for the Peloponnesians, so Megara has betrayed her, too.
Strolling to my uncle and Glaphyra, I expound angrily, "Megara is dishonorable for their perfidy. If their disloyalty causes Milady to be wounded in any way, I'll muster an army myself to see that Megara is burned to ashes."
Both adults look at me in amusement. Next, Glaphyra chuckles and Meleager laughs heartily. I realize what I'd averred and my anger fizzles at the preposterous statement.
Bending to my level, he assures me, "All will be fine. No need for you to raise a band of soldiers, Ri."
"Alright. I won't call upon an army." I jive.
Smiling, Meleager ruffles my strawberry hair, coaxing a grin out of me.
As he arose to his full height, Glaphyra's heartened expression waned. "Does Megara's shift in loyalty pose a threat to the safety of Tegea?"
"No. Arcadia remains hostile, but prior to Tegea's defeat before we settled here, the young King of Sparta gave his oath that he'll protect it if they swore to switch allegiance to him. Tegea is no longer an Arcadian province, but a Laconian one for good." Meleager respond.
"Tegea is part of King Leonidas' domain indefinitely, but Megara is allied with the Delian League." Glaphyra eyed me for a split moment, before turning her honey orbs to Meleager. "We should go inside and converse about how this may affect the Arcane's Order."
Twice I have heard of this Arcane's Order since being in Tegea. What is that? It is as mysterious to me as the name it's given. Are they a confidential militia? If so, whom side do they fight for; Milady's or her adversaries? I want to inquire Uncle Meleager, but I understood Glaphyra's denotation for wanting to be discreet.
"Ri, play outside. Once Glaphyra and I have finished talking, we'll be heading home."
"Will Iona be coming out to keep me company?" I question.
"She's sleeping, but Lyceus can be a replacement in her stead. He's been gone for a while, surely y'all want to spend Cronus together to catch up." Glaphyra profess, entering her home with Meleager.
Not long afterwards, Lyceus exits the house and walks to his horse without saying anything to me. Did Meleager exaggerate his profession of Lyceus speaking fondly of me?
Pushing my doubts aside, I sashay to him, bashfully stating, "Hey, Lyceus. How have you been?"
"I had better days." He sounded irritated, petting the tall animal.
The horse's neigh startles me and I take a step backwards.
"Can we talk over there?" I ask him, pointing to an area far away from the frightening beast.
Halting his ministrations, Lyceus nods his agreement. We walk side-by-side and the silence bothers me.
"Me and Iona played this new game called Run and Hide with some of the neighboring children. Do you want to play it with me?" I offer.
"No." He rejected.
"Uh, okay." I think of something else to appease him. "What would you like to do?"
"I rather be inside listening to what is happening now that Megara is our enemy." Lyceus vocalized.
"It's my fault you're out here." I admit. "I didn't want to be alone and Iona's asleep."
"Whatever."
We cease our footfalls and I noted Lyceus hasn't espied me once during our interaction. I start to feel like a pest again.
I decide to query about a topic he'll hopefully want to indulge in. "Do you have any knowledge on what the Arcane's Order is?"
"The Arcane's Order is us. Well, to be precise, it's my sister and Meleager. They're the ones gathering people to help restore peace in this land. They are in service to Arcane, the leader of the Order."
Therefore the name of Arcane's Order. "Aren't you with them as well?"
He smirks. "You can say that, but really I'm a peon. Meleager and my sis know Arcane personally and are involved more than anyone. Soon they will end the Peloponnesian Purge; restoring peace and become heroes."
"And you will be a hero also." I beam, touching his arm.
Lyceus' blue irises connect with mine and he smiles. Suddenly he stiffens, diverting his gaze off me.
"I'm gonna go home." Lyceus seemed nervous.
"Now?" I'm perplexed.
"Yes." He answers, trekking to his horse. "I'll leave now and get dinner started for us."
"Our home is only farther up the road, not miles away." I try jesting. "I will come with-"
"Stay here and wait for Meleager." Lyceus interrupts. "I want to be alone."
Words falter from my mind whilst I watch Lyceus untether his horse and amble on home. He doesn't look back at all and I'm left by myself, wondering what have I done to coerce this change in him? Uncle Meleager was wrong, Lyceus' actions proves he sees me as a nuisance. I thought we were friends.
Sitting on the grass, I avow aloud, "I guess we're not."
'Whatever became of Arcane?' Ri mused. 'He hasn't ever come to Milady's court. Does she pay fealty to him?'
"RiRi."
Joxer's hand on Ri's shoulder ended her ratiocination. "Hey, you startled me."
"Forgive me." The Jester apologized. "I'm going to hide underneath your table."
"Okay..." Ri was bewildered. "Is this part of your performance?"
"Minya has followed me all evening and night, ruining my jokes." Joxer divulged, lifting the tablecloth and ducking below the table. "If she comes over, lie and inform her you haven't seen me."
Pulling the lengthy cloth back up, making Joxer visible, Ri wanted to mess with him. "Lying is bad. What will my payment be for doing this?"
"Remember that problem concerning the necklace? I promise we'll talk about it tonight." Joxer swore. "Now lower the cloth before she finds me, please."
"That might not be enough for me. Hmm, let's see." Ri pondered, tapping her bottom lip with her fingertip. "I want a loaf of nut bread, too."
"Extortionist." Joxer mumbled.
"What was that?" She queried, raising the table's covering higher.
"Alright." He acceded.
"I thought that's what you said." Ri grinned, hastily lowering the cloth to conceal Joxer.
Ri awaited for the castle's Cook to come to her while ruminating if Iona told her about the petite woman's confinement in her chamber. It was obvious Joxer wasn't privy to it or he would've said something. Everyone inside the Banquet Hall was in for a bombshell once Meleager made his announcement of Ri's cancelled departure to Athens.
"Ri?"
The strawberry blonde froze after hearing the voice that had spoken her name. Swirling in her chair, she saw the Lieutenant of the Fifth Army, donned in her polished brown armor.
Her mouth went dry. "Tessa."
"You're free from your punishment?"
"Yes. The Chancellor exonerated me today."
"I knew he would." Tessa cheered. "Iona will be happy to hear of it."
"Where is Iona? I have not seen her here." Ri surveyed the enormous Hall.
"She's with Lieutenant Oris. She didn't want to come to this dinner, knowing you couldn't be here because of your quagmire."
"Oh." Ri murmured.
Tessa could sense Ri's apprehension, contributing it to their night in the storyteller's room. The memory of it never strayed from the brunette's mind, bringing her both pleasure and frustration.
Following Ri's directed line of sight, Tessa perceived she was watching the participants dancing. "You know you owe me one."
"Huh?" Ri questioned, focusing on the Lieutenant of the Realm.
"You owe me a dance." Tessa reiterated. "We didn't get the chance to do it at your party."
"I don't know." Ri shyly answered.
"Please, for me?" Tessa stretched out her hand.
Enticed by the Lieutenant's proffering like a spell, Ri grasped it and followed Tessa into the mass of people. Meanwhile, Joxer learned why Ri vanished from the Banquet Hall on the day of her celebration as well as her chastening of being confined in her chamber.
"That's why she didn't come visit me, so we could converse about the strange jewelry." He formulated to himself. "What did she do to get in trouble by the Chancellor?"
Unluckily, his verbalization came when Minya sauntered by the table he was veiled under.
She tugged the tablecloth upwards and found her cowed quarry. "There you are. Are you hiding from me?"
"No way." Joxer gulped, stealing a quote from Ri, "What kind of monster would I be."
"Your jester duty can wait." Minya predicated with glee, yanking Joxer from beneath the table. "Let's dance."
To Be Continued...