Part 85 (1/2)
Kylas knocked again. ”Open at once! I bring a message from Queen Sollace!”
The maid at last unlatched the door; Kylas stormed into the parlour. ”Madouc? Princess Madouc!” She went into the bedchamber, looking right and left, then into the dressing room. Finding no trace of her quarry, she called toward the bathroom:
”Princess Madouc! Are you within? Her Majesty insists that you attend on her at once, that she may instruct you for the day! Princess Madouc?” Kylas looked into the bathroom, then turned angrily upon the maid. ”Where is the princess?”
”She has already gone out, your ladys.h.i.+p.”
”I can see that for myself. But where?”
”As to that, I cannot say.”
Kylas gave a croak of annoyance and rushed away.
Madouc had taken herself to the Morning Saloon, as recommended the night before by Prince Jaswyn. This was a large room, pleasant and airy, with sunlight streaming through tall gla.s.s windows. A buffet, running the length of the room, supported a hundred dishes, platters, bowls and trenchers, offering foods of many sorts.
Madouc found King Audry and Prince Jaswyn already on hand, taking their breakfast together. Prince Jaswyn gallantly leapt to his feet and escorted Madouc to a place at his table.
”Breakfast is informal,” said King Audry. ”You may serve yourself or command the stewards, as you wish. I would not overlook either the ortolans or the woodc.o.c.k; both are prime. I had an order out for hare and boar, but my huntsmen were unlucky, and today we must do without, nor will we eat venison, which, after all, is somewhat rich for breakfast, especially in a ragout. Please do not think the worse for me for my paltry board; I am sure you are fed more adequately at Haidion.”
”I usually find enough to eat, one way or another,” said Madouc. ”I am not likely to make complaints, unless the porridge is burned.”
”The last cook to burn the porridge was flogged,” said King Audry. ”Since then, we have had no more difficulties.”
Madouc walked along the buffet, and served herself four plump ortolans, an omelet of morels and parsley, scones with b.u.t.ter and a bowl of strawberries and cream.
”Whit? No fish?” cried King Audry aghast. ”It is our fame and our pride! Steward! Bring the princess some salmon in wine sauce with new peas, and also a good taste of the lobster in saffron cream; also-why not?-a dozen each of the c.o.c.kles and winkles, and do not spare the garlic b.u.t.ter.”
Madouc looked dubiously at the plates set in front of her. ”I fear that I would grow very fat indeed were I to dine with you regularly!”
”It is a delightful risk to take,” said King Audry. He turned at the approach of an official. ”Well then, Evian: what is your news?”
”The Flor Velas has been sighted in the Cambermouth, Your Majesty. King Aillas will be on hand shortly, unless he is set aback by an offsh.o.r.e wind.”
”How blows the wind at this time?”
”It veers, Your Majesty, from north to northwesterly, with a gust now and then from the west. The weatherc.o.c.ks are faithless.”
”That is not a favoring wind,” said King Audry. ”Still we must start our colloquy by the schedule; timely starts make for happy voyages. Am I not right, Princess?”
”That is my own opinion, Your Majesty. The ortolans are delicious.”
”Clever girl! Ah well, I had hoped that King Aillas would be present at the opening ceremonies, but we shall not delay, and he will miss nothing of substance, since we must proceed through a round or two of encomiums, salutes, n.o.ble breast-beating, laudatory allusions and the like. Until King Aillas arrives, Prince Dhrun shall listen with the ears of Troicinet, and speak the official Troice eulogies. He is over-young for such service, but it will be good training for him.”
Dhrun, with his three companions, came into the Morning Saloon. They approached King Audry's table. ”Good morning, Your Highness,” said Dhrun. ”Good morning to you, Prince Jaswyn, and to you as well, Princess.”
”No less to you,” said King Audry. ”Your father's s.h.i.+p has been sighted in the Cambermouth and he will be on hand shortly-certainly before the day is out.”
”That is good news.”
”Meanwhile, the colloquy begins on schedule! Until King Aillas arrives, you must act in his stead. Make ready, therefore, to deliver a resonant and inspirational oration!”