Chapter 3 [Whitgate, Nemeth]

Life flowed at a calm pace about the smaller capital. Merchants sold their goods in the square. Impacts rang out from blacksmiths' forges. Rowdy Cheers blasted from the Lower Town's Wormy Apple and other taverns. Some streamed up the road toward the nearby arch. Summer's warmth led to Wheat's and Rye's bounty.

Some went to the royal pantries. The rest well, Gentle Reader, judge for yourself….

[Plaza Upper Town]

[Malodius and Ywain are from Chretien de Troyes' Yvain.]

Hungry citizenry massed in a small group before Citadel's granite stairs. Their eyes remained fixed on the platform just around the door. Their hands reached out for sustenance. Hunger stabbed at their stomachs. Wanting and Impatience kept them on edge. Still, Monthly Feeding proved incentive enough.

A dozen emerald-clad knights watched them from halfway up the stairs. Sol glinted from their chain mail. Purpose kept them prepared. Their hands rested close to…but not on…their swords' hilts. The monthly ritual tested nerves. A few eyes drifted toward Citadel's door and the large lion lying beside it.

The door opened. A slender brown-haired teenaged girl dragged a large wicker basket out onto the top step. Then she repeated that effort twice more. She exhaled a relieved breath. Her eyes surveyed the waiting people. The crowd is smaller. Perhaps the new labor is helping. Praise be! She smoothed her white dress. She raised her hands. "People of Nemeth! Hello! As you can see, I have brought out more baskets this time! On behalf of our gracious King and Queen, I will give what I can!"

"PRINCESS! PRINCESS MITHIAN! HUZZAH! HUZZAH!" the crowd chanted. Routine kept them in their places for the most part. The knights held a few back. The majority, however, knew her kindness. Her hunts (which her fellow nobles ridiculed) led to extra meat for their tables. Rodor, Taene and she checked the marketplace's grain prices. Mithian and Taene kept their own wardrobe costs down to support these grants.

Mithian smiled. "People! Bring the children to the front! They will be first!" She noted a taller red-haired servant emerge next. "I believe we have everything, Britomart?"

Britomart curtseyed to Mithian. "Aye, Milady." Formality had its display for due course and in the public eye. Still, Respect flowed much deeper than that between them. She strode over to the lion's side. "Ever watchful, Malodius?"

Malodius harunged. He rubbed against Britomart's side. Then he motioned toward the crowd. He strode down toward the group. Purrs came from his mouth for the youngest subjects in front of himself.

"Malodius will not hurt any of us! He is here with the knights to ensure our safety!" Mithian dragged the first basket down the stairs. She stopped halfway to the bottom. "Sir Galahad, please keep watch. Sir Ywain, can you steady this basket please? Britomart, let's see to these people."

Malodius lowered his head. He allowed the families to approach him. Children stroked his fur and mane. Affection guided his tongue to lick a child's arm or face. His eyes stole glances at the crowd. Desperation saddened him. Still, Children's spirits being lifted raised his own as well. Gratitude overwhelmed Fear's issues. Acceptance outweighed Prejudice in that moment. His outreach, after all, mattered equally to the food. Bonds and Kindness built Trust's bonds.

"Aye." A large knight with shoulder-length blonde hair hustled to her side. He secured the basket in question. "We are ready, Princess."

"Of course, Milady." Britomart reached into the basket. She brought out Bread's still warm loaf.

"Sir Galahad, stay close to me please." Mithian surveyed the three dozen subjects in front of herself. Pity moved her. She stooped down in front of a slender dark-haired woman with two toddlers. She held her hand out to Britomart. "Give her the entire loaf for her children and her." She turned to the mother. "For you, Lady. I wish it was more."

"Thank you, Princess!" Surprise widened the mother's eyes. Her shocked fingers barely hung onto the loaf in question. She curtseyed as best as she could manage. "May the goddess bless you!"

"And you. Thank you." Mithian offered the children a warm smile for a few heartbeats. Then she moved onto a balding man leaning on a gnarled walking stick. "Good day, Sirrah!" Her eyes turned to the red-haired boy with sunken eyes. "What is this?"

"I'm sorry, Ma 'am." The boy bowed with effort. "My brothers and sisters need more. I don't eat as much. Thank you for your gift. The meat was good."

"Henry, that's enough. We should not bother her." The elder shook his head at the child. Disapproval and Embarrassment reddened his face. "Sorry, Milady. He's a boy."

Mithian shook the elder man off. "That is all right. He only tells me of his situation. It seems he is very polite as well." She stooped down to the boy's level. Memoria did recall a visit a couple of months earlier to the man's village. "He thanked me for the venison. I am glad I can help." Understanding prompted a smile onto her face. "I wish it was more for you." Mithian's heart ached over the boy's words. "You are a fine example as an elder brother, Young Master. Keep being as such. Can you do that for me?"

"Aye, Princess!" The boy's face brightened. He kissed her skirt's edge. "Thank you for your kindness."

"Thank you." Mithian watched Britomart hand the boy a loaf of bread. "Now you make sure the others have a share as well. All right?"

"I sure will! Thank you!" The boy bowed again.

Mithian maintained Warmth's smile on her face. Underneath that façade, however, Lament depressed her. She greeted each parent and child in turn. Sentiments, Kind Words and Bread's Loaves eased Pain for a few of Hourglass' grains at least. Concern ate at her over the small turnout. She knew many more remained in their villages. How I wish I could wave my hands and make more bread appear! Then Grace and Equal Treatment guided her hand with the others. With Galahad's presence, she talked with each person in turn. Each basket yielded up its contents to her people. Then, she stepped back onto the stairs. "I wish it was more. That is what I have. Thank you! May the goddess bless you!" She nodded to them. Unlike her predecessors, Service proved enjoyable and necessary. "Sir Galahad? Malodius?" She waved to the group. Then, she backed up the stairs. Finally, she disappeared through the door and back into the citadel itself. "So many hungry." Her hand rubbed her forehead.

"Still trying to bribe the hearts and minds for your hunts, Sister?"

Mithian somehow kept a straight face. She turned toward the gibe and man in question.

Appreciation and Empathy, it seemed, remained in short supply….