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CHAPTER SEVEN
Since they had spent a lot of the previous day sitting around waiting on other people to make decisions concerning them, Kate found herself drifting in and out of slumber. She could hear the snuffling that passed as snoring for Rick. Since it wasn't very loud she seldom had any problem sleeping through it. But she wasn't overly tired so she had woken up to Rick's cute little snores.
The field mattresses weren't anything like the sinful mattress that Rick had on his bed at the loft, but they weren't bad for what they were. She was just about to roll over onto her left shoulder when she suddenly felt uneasy. She focused her hearing and could barely hear careful footsteps near them. Since she was flat on her back she slowly let her head dip toward Rick and the noise she thought she heard.
She opened her eyes to just a slit, just enough to make out shadows in the darkened room. She could make out a larger dark blob hovering over Rick. He had something in his hands that looked just like another blob.
She opened her eyes a bit more and was able to make out the form of a pillow in his hands. Kate could now see that the dark figure was standing over Rick with a large pillow in his hands.
"Rick!" She shouted. Then tossed her blanket at the figure in the gloom.
She quickly rolled to her feet and launched a judo kick at the blanket covered blob. A hand reached out and grabbed the blanket and tossed it aside. Suddenly Kate saw a glint reflect off of something now being held in the assailant's hand. All the light that she had to navigate by was that which leaked from under the door and through a small window high on the door covered with a latticed grill. Apparently the hallways were always lit.
"Rick, get up!" She held her pillow out in front of her. As long as what the intruder held in his hand wasn't more than a typical knife, she was confident that her pillow would protect her.
She was trained in hand to hand combat and was pretty sure she could disarm the individual with her pillow. All she had to do is make sure that any thrust that the intruder made toward her would get caught in her pillow. Then it would be easy to disarm the person.
"What's going on?" Her sleepy companion finally found his voice. She glanced and saw the other dark blob on the mattresses finally moved.
She kept herself and her pillow between Rick and the intruder, forcing their assailant away from him.
"We have uninvited company." Kate felt rather than saw Rick roll away and quickly stand up next to her. "Move away from me while watching how he moves. We have to make him divide his attention. He won't be able to keep track of both of us."
Rick slide sideways away from Kate. "What is he doing here?"
Kate snorted. "From what I gathered, I interrupted his attempt to smother you with a pillow that he brought with him."
Rick circled farther to the intruder's left. "Not very friendly. Why a pillow? Why not just use the obvious knife?"
Kate wanted to glare at Rick, but she had to keep her eye on their visitor. "If he gets the pillow tightly pressed against your nose and mouth you can be smothered without making any noise. It doesn't matter how quickly you shove a knife into someone, there will always be a pain reaction to the thrust. Which will cause a shout or grunt of pain." She spared a second to look toward Rick. "Since there were two of us, it was hoped that the dirty work could be done and leave our dead bodies to be discovered much later in the morning."
Rick chuckled. "Someone obviously didn't clue this loser as to who the dangerous one is in this duo."
Their midnight intruder realized that Kate was maneuvering both her and Rick so it would be difficult deal with both of them and still make an escape. Suddenly the intruder shouted. The abrupt, unexpected noise caused both Kate and Rick to flinch for a second. Just long enough for their visitor to throw the knife at Kate and run toward the door.
Kate deflected the knife with her pillow but their assailant was able to reach the door and was off down the hall before either Kate or Rick could make a counter move.
Kate rushed to the door and looked down the hallway each way, but she didn't see anyone. Since there were several branch hallways that could have been taken, Kate had no idea where their failed murderer had gone.
Kate dragged herself back into the room. "Well, since I don't know the layout of this castle, there is no way I could guess where our visitor went." She blew a few loose tendrils of her long dark hair out of her eyes. "Also, since we are in the middle of a king's castle. You can bet that most of the guards in the interior of the place will be mostly around the King's personal chambers."
He shrugged. "I would think so, and this room is just a store room anyway. Apparently we're not important enough to have a guard." He stepped back and showed her what he had done during those couple minutes she was in the hallway.
Both field mattresses were placed on each other than bent over in the middle so they formed a chair like cushion up against the far wall.
He smiled. "I figured you wouldn't want to try and go back to sleep, so I thought we could just cuddle until we are called for the morning breakfast."
With a big grin on her face she stepped up to him, and with her thumb and fore finger pulled his face down to her level, and kissed him long and slow.
Once they broke to regain their breath, she used her deep bedroom voice. "I do like the way that you think Sir Richard."
The cuddled couple were interrupted a few hours later when someone knocked on the door, and a servant slipped in with a bowl of water and wash cloths and towels. She set them on the small table off to one side of the door. The woman gave them a quick curtesy and a knowing smile.
It was obvious from the ambient light now coming in from a set of small dormers with glass aligned along one side of the ceiling that it was morning. Kate vaguely remembered a number of bells that rang not long ago, but she didn't think to count them.
She managed to extricate herself from Rick's possessive clutches.
"No, don't get up yet." He mumbled into her shoulder.
"It's time." She pulled herself out of his grasp. "The maid brought our sink in so we can wash up for the day."
Rick stared up at her with a smile on his face. "I'm sure glad that I wasn't born in an era where there were no showers to use every day."
"Come on lazy, time to get up. I would expect them to come get us for breakfast and…" She frowned. "Whatever they decide to do after that."
Rick chuckled. "They do seem to have a problem agreeing on a plan of action."
The 'couple out of time' had finished with their wash ups and straightened up their sleep mussed hair and clothes. They were just at the point of deciding whether they should leave the room and look for someone, or just wait and see it someone would remember to come and get them.
They hadn't had long to wait for a few moments later there was a solid knock on the door and Geoffrey poked his head in.
"Is everyone decent?"
Kate broke out in laughter at the idea that the Captain of the Army might be embarrassed that their guests might be still rolling around under their blankets.
Rick walked over and pulled the door fully open. "Come on in, Captain. We are both as ready as we can be for whatever this day will bring us."
Geoffrey nodded with a slight smile. "Excellent, we'll have a full morning breakfast and then retire back to King Zachariah's chamber." His brows dived when he noticed the somewhat chaotic look of the room.
Rick shrugged. "We'll fill everyone in when we get back there after breakfast. I don't know about you but I'm hungry."
The breakfast was very filling. For someone like Kate who rarely ate anything in the morning and just settled for her coffee to satisfy the start of her day, it was not expected or wanted.
But that was not the way that these people started their days. The large table was laden with various portions donated by the pigs. These included slabs of ham, large slabs of bacon and fat back, whatever that was. And other parts of the pig that Kate declined, not having any curiosity as to how it might taste.
They also had eggs prepared a few different ways, and even some sort of grain mush not unlike oatmeal. She had no idea how any working man would be able to even move after such a meal less being able to go out to deal with that day's chores.
The conversation, by some unspoken agreement, was always about frivolous topics, or talk of the weather. Apparently no one wanted to spoil the geniality of a pleasant breakfast. The drudgery or seriousness of one's daily tasks will need to be dealt with soon enough.
Once breakfast was declared finished by the ranking person at the table, everyone is free to excuse themselves and leave to take care of their daily responsibilities. Since their table was headed by the king himself there was never any question who would be dictating the length of the morning meal.
After most of the folks left the table to scurry off to whatever they had planned for the morning, it left only the same six people that were in the King's chambers last night.
The King stood. "Please take a few minutes to freshen up and deal with any needed tasks." He winked at the mild laughter he invoked. "Please come to my chambers as soon as you are ready so we can come up with a plan of action." The King singled out his Captain of the Army. "Geoffrey please escort our guests to their room and make sure they get back to my chambers." He gave them a smile. "I'd hate to have them get lost wandering around the halls of the castle."
He gave the King a slight bow. "Of course your Majesty." With a nod of his head Geoffrey indicated that they should follow him.
Once they are back in their repurposed storage room, Rick turned toward Geoffrey and gave him a quick blow by blow of what happened last night with their intruder. The Captain was furious, but Rick waved off his anger with a 'later'.
"Okay, any advice as to how I present what happened to us last night, and how might I use that to further my and Lady Beckett's cause." Rick smirked at the Captain. "I don't mean to be critical of this excellent kingdom, but we'd really like to find a way to go home."
Geoffrey shot Rick and understanding expression. "Look Sir Richard, I understand and I feel sorry that you've gotten caught so far away from your home. But by you own story, the method used to lead you into our realm was provided by this dragon that has suddenly reappeared to vex us." He shrugged. "It seems the solution to both our problems have a single solution. We have to defeat this dragon somehow."
Kate frowned. "Are you sure that this dragon can't be reasoned with?"
Geoffrey spread his hands in exasperation. "I don't know. There are tales from long ago that claim that men and dragons fought together at times, but I don't know anything about dragons. I haven't even heard rumors of a dragon except from stories since I was a child."
Kate nodded. "So we are restricted by the only person we know who has ever seen a dragon, the king. And that was when the elder majesty was just a child."
"That's about it."
"Great."
It was only a few minutes until everyone from the night before found themselves back in the same room that they had the night before. Kate pursed her lips because she wondered if the Bishop would hold onto his distrust of them, and if Zolitorus would tamp down his child like excitement regarding the dragon. She didn't know what the man could actually do, but it would be nice if he took things more seriously.
Only Geoffrey and the King seemed to be actually worried about resolving the possible problem and cared that she and Rick made it back home.
If Bishop crabby robes had his way, he'd have both her and Rick burned at the stake just in case they were aligned with the dragon.
A servant brought in a tray with goblets on it and a pitcher of some liquid. She filled each goblet from the pitcher, then curtsied to the King and left. Geoffrey handed the King one of the goblets and took one for himself. The others reached over and took one also. Rick glanced over at Kate. She shrugged, so he grabbed one for himself, and one which he gave to her.
Kate took a sip. It was some sort of weak wine. Probably served to clean the palate from the heavy meal that breakfast had been. It was sweet but exactly which berries provided the mash escaped her…again.
The King let his gaze play over each of them before he spoke. "I assume we can forgo the introductions and get right to the problem at hand."
Zolitorus spoke up first. "Since you are the only one who had seen a live dragon Sire, I'm hoping you can give us all a description of the beast."
Everyone nodded, including the king.
"I will warn you all once again. I was a young child at the time, and I can't vouch for how old the dragon might have been."
The King went on to describe a lizard like beast only it was about the size of two fully grown bulls from front to back. It had two huge back legs and two much smaller front legs. His skin seemed to be leather like, only he seemed to be able to moderate the color. Along his back his skin was more all pebbly like a big river croc, but his head wasn't as elongated as one."
He took a drink. "There have been rumors, and in some of the old tales, it's said that a dragon can spit fire, though I never saw anything remotely like that."
"Sire," Kate interrupted. "You keep calling the dragon 'he'. How did you know it was a male?"
He smiled. "I later heard tales that the female of the species were larger, but barely ever moved. Once she found her lair she settled down, sat, and spent the rest of her days eating and producing baby dragons." He took another swallow. "I also heard from someone who supposedly had run across dragons as a young man. The females were all just a plain grey-brown color. They had no colorful accents." The King shrugged. "Of course, those were just tales which is most of the information we have on dragons. I imagine if you looked hard enough and asked enough people, you could get almost any description of a dragon and how they look or act."
Kate rolled her eyes. "Of course."
"Now those could have been just tales spun for the entertainment of children. I can't vouch for the validity of any of it."
They bantered back and forth for several minutes. Kate likened it to a room full of lawyers who argued the same points over and over without offering any movement toward a resolution. She wanted to yell at all of them, but she felt she had expressed herself enough in this matter. Especially since she knew that women during these times didn't always have their thoughts and opinions held on the same level as men.
Rick was being frustrated as much as she was with the back and forth, circular arguments. She finally caught his eye. He looked at her with an expression of annoyance. She gave him one of her stern looks and gave him a quick, small nod.
She knew he got the message.
Rick finished off the last of his drink and set the cup down on the table.
"If I may interrupt gentlemen, and Sire. I haven't heard any plan as of yet that included actually talking to this dragon. I've been able to discern that by your tales that the nature a dragon isn't one of a born evil creature."
"What do you know about dragons Sir Richard?" Bishop Blackmon snapped at him. "You claim that you have no dragons in your realm."
"We don't." Rick smiled. "But we do have a lot of them in myths and fables. And in those stories dragons are both good and bad." He held up his hand before he was interrupted again. "All this speculation as to what the dragon might want is pointless… unless we ask him."
Bishop Blackmon glared at Rick. "What are you suggesting? We just put together a parade for the beast?"
"Too soon for that." Rick smirked at the Bishop. "But I don't think it would be foolish to put a small group together to mediate with him. Find out why he's here and what he wants."
"And what if he wants to destroy all of us?"
Rick shrugged. "Then we'd know and our failure would warn the people to arm for the worst." He paced in a small circle. "But I don't believe that's what he wants. From all we've heard is that he is one dragon, causing some mischief. Where is his army? How is he supposed to overcome a kingdom of thousands of people by himself?"
Blackmon frowned. "Who said he's alone?"
Rick shrugged again. "Well, no one. But have any of the rumors that have been circulated indicate some kind of massing of dragons? Has anyone heard anything about more than one dragon causing trouble?"
Geoffrey looked pensive. "Can we afford to make such an assumption?"
Rick shook his head. "No, you can't. That's why I propose that Dame Beckett and I, along with two or three more volunteers set out to find the dragon and parlay with him. Find out why he's making his presence known now, and how can we come to some agreement that benefits both parties." He spread his hands in a gesture of inclusion. "If he turns out to be strictly a dangerous enemy and kills us all, then the King and the realm will know they need to prepare for a conflict. If not, all's well that ends well."
"I want to go!" Zolitorus blurted out. Everyone looked over at him. "Well, I do. I've never seen a dragon and I don't want to miss out on this chance."
"Even if he eats you?" Blackmon scowled at the man.
Zolitorus made a dismissive wave with his hand. "Everyone dies eventually, even wizards." He grinned. "So I only make to my three hundredth birthday."
Kate's eyes grew big. Three hundred? No that couldn't be right.
Rick smirked at Kate's goggle.
"So, as I said, If I and Lady Katherine, along with Zolitorus and one more. I think that would be enough of a representative group to parlay with our dragon. I'd prefer the fourth person be a high ranking military man who can give us a chance to get back out if it all goes sideways. Someone who has a chance to get back and warn the King if I'm completely wrong."
Geoffrey nodded. "I will select someone."
Bishop Blackmon still wasn't through being a pain in the butt. "So, Sir Richard. Why should you and the Lady Beckett be a part of this parlay group? You don't represent this kingdom or this realm."
Rick shook his head. "No, I don't. But he is the reason why I'm here now. He likely put, or had someone else put, that mirror portal thing right where I and Lady Katherine would come across it. And as lovely as this place is, we'd really like to get back to our own homes."
Silence feel over the group. They each took turns looking into the eyes of the others. Zolitorus seemed eager. Blackmon held onto his scowl. It was clear that Geoffrey was thinking of someone he could send.
The King sat in his chair and stared at his own fists clenched together. After several long silent moments passed the King looked up.
"I've decided." Everyone turned his way. "I think Sir Richard's plan has given us the best chance of finding out this dragon's true purpose with the least immediate peril for the kingdom. As the ruler of this kingdom and this realm, I thank Sir Richard and his companion Dame Katherine for their willingness to help not only for themselves, but our people at the same time."
He raised his glass to Rick and Kate. Everyone followed suit even though most had drained their cups a while back.
King Zachariah captured Geoffrey's gaze. "Geoffrey, after we break here I want you to check with all your moles and spies that you can get a hold of and find out as much as you can about this dragon. Any rumors, even the most miniscule piece of gossip you can. I want you to have every advantage possible."
"Sire?" The man was frozen in place.
"Geoffrey, I want you to lead this group. We can't afford any missteps or mistakes. If Sir Richard is correct, then it will be a simple excursion into the countryside for you. If not, I'd like the best chance of getting information back possible. And that would be you."
Rick could see that Geoffrey was hesitant. His job was protecting the King and the kingdom by being in charge of his army. Rick would be happy to have the very competent solider along with them. Only if to have someone beside Zolitorus to talk to. He was pretty sure the Kate would have her lips tightly pursed most of the way.
"Of course your Majesty. It will be as you wish."
The king clapped his hands loudly. Immediately a young servant bustled into the room. She came right up to the king and curtsied.
"What may I do for you Majesty?"
He put a big smile on his face. "I need you to go down to the captain of the kitchen and let him know that there is going to be a big party for this evening's meal. He's to not hold back on anything." He pinched her cheek. "Tell him to see if he can out do his last party."
"Yes Sire." With a bright blush still on her cheek the servant hustled out of the room.
The King stood. "Take the afternoon to relax and put together how you plan to approach this dragon." He smiled. "Then we party in expectation of a successful journey." He held out his finger toward Blackmon. "No negative thoughts."
The King put his arm around Geoffrey. "Gather your group in the morning and be on the trail at first light."
"Yes your Highness." They broke from a full arm hand shake.
Geoffrey turned to Rick and Kate who were a bit shell shocked. "I'll get you back to your room to let you relax a bit and get ready for the party tonight."
"Thanks, "came from both lips at the same time.
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"I swear I'll never eat any sweet pickled pork smothered in a cream sauce again as long as I live." Rick stumbled through the door to their storeroom bedroom suite.
Kate laughed and shook her head. "Well, you challenged the largest guy at the table that you could eat more of them then he could before the next bell rang. What did you expect?"
Rick pouted. "I think he cheated. I'm sure I saw him feeding one of the dogs some of his food a few times."
Kate patted Rick on the head. "Poor baby, maybe that will teach you not to have eating contests with food you aren't familiar with against someone who wears shirts at least twice the size yours are."
He made a face. "I could have won if I hadn't had so many of those rolls with the strawberry filling."
"Ooh, those really were good weren't they?" She suddenly burped and immediately broke out laughing.
Rick stumbled over to where the two field mattresses had been laid out with pillows and blankets for them once again. He flopped onto his back.
"You know? I think that tea was spiked with something?"
She chuckled. "You're only figuring that now?"
Rick rolled over and kissed her on the nose. "I hope we won't have to fight off another assassin tonight. I don't think I'd be able to fight him off this time?"
Kate slapped him on his chest. "You fought him off! Buddy, I think you are flashbacking to your high school days and getting your history confused." She snuggled closer to him. "Besides, we won't have to worry tonight. Geoffrey put a guard outside our door tonight."
"Really! That's nice of him. I don't think I'd be able to save you this time."
"What?" She slapped him on the arm. "Who saved who? Your memory is very faulty Sir Richard." She giggled. "It was I who did the saving buddy boy." She tried to glare at him, but she was still giggling. "Rick? Are you alive?" She shook him. No response.
Kate blew out a breath of annoyance. Now he wants to sleep.
She blew a lock of hair out of her face and rolled over to her side, with her back toward him.
"You snooze you lose." She giggled, then fluffed up her pillow. She was asleep only a few minutes later.
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