Book 3: Chapter 20 (1/2)
A man wearing a suit of armor pushed aside a heavy wooden door. He stepped into the room, his boots leaving deep impressions on the plush carpet behind himself. Ahead of him, a woman was sitting on a throne-like chair, a cup of tea in her hands. A saucer lay on the table in front of her, on top of a pile of documents. She raised an eyebrow at the approaching knight as she placed her cup of tea onto the saucer, folding her hands in her lap, smoothing out the wrinkles in her noble dress. “Well?”
“Everything you’ve asked for has been secured, Grand Duchess,” the knight said, dropping down to one knee. “The magicians are ready to proceed with the summoning ritual at any time.”
The woman, Apollonia, nodded, her golden hair falling in front of her face. She swept it back with her hand and leaned into her seat. “And what of the other dukes? Have they responded?”
“Everyone you’ve sent the invitation to has accepted,” the knight said. He added after a short pause, “Including the demon lord.”
Apollonia’s hand that was reaching for her cup of tea froze in midair. “Her? She accepted an invitation? She is personally coming to attend my autumn banquet?”
The knight nodded, and Apollonia collapsed back into her chair. “Unbelievable,” she said, deep wrinkles appearing on her forehead. “She turned down every single invitation ever sent by any noble. For what reason is she attending the banquet? Could she have found out?”
“Anything is possible, Grand Duchess,” the knight said, his knee still on the floor. “While I was outside, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of a pair of eyes watching me. I wasn’t able to find anyone, but I was highly uncomfortable.” He paused as Apollonia’s green eyes narrowed into slits. “I don’t mean to alarm you, and it’s possible my paranoia was acting up again. But as an insurance, may I suggest relocating the position of the summoning portal? The fortress by the dragons is relatively empty, and no one will travel that far north during the banquet.”
“Very well, Daniel. I leave it to you,” Apollonia said. “Remember, you’re my most trustworthy retainer. Don’t betray my expectations.”
“If all goes well, you’ll be empress before the flowers bloom next spring,” the knight said, lowering his head even further.
A faint smile appeared on Apollonia’s lips. “And if things don’t go well?”
“They won’t. Nothing short of a natural disaster will stop your plans from coming to fruition,” the knight said and raised his head, meeting his master’s gaze through his visor. “Even if it costs me my life, I will accomplish anything you ask of me.”
“Don’t be stupid, Daniel,” Apollonia said. “The last thing I want you to do is die. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Grand Duchess!”
***
“Excuse me.” A man with a mustache leapt onto the driver’s seat of the wagon that Vur’s party was in. He nodded at the five people before facing Tafel. “We’re about to enter Grand Duchess Apollonia’s territory.”
“About time,” Alora said as she stretched her arms and legs out. “It was getting too cramped in here.” Her gaze drifted about before landing on Stella and Mervin. “Especially with these two annoying things talking up a storm.”