Page 67 of No Strings Attached

“So, I guess that position must match what’s in his heart? Fighting against slavery?”

“It wouldn’t surprise me. The Melinor always stand for something important.”

A yellow and green Ophidian dropped down from the monkey bar framework above right then, lowering itself to be eye level with Vi, “Queen Violet, my King and Queen are wondering if you and King Caussus might meet with them privately, along with Prince Steve?”

Bobby leaned toward her and whispered, “Take Mister Beastly.”

Vi shook her head at him, looked up and nodded at Mister Beastly, and then said, “Certainly. I will collect the King and his guard. Please lead the way.”

She walked over to Caussus and Acken, interrupting a seemingly dull conversation with a green, amphibian-looking alien. She linked arms with Caussus and whispered in his ear, “Time to meet the royals,” gave Acken a meaningful look, and then they all followed the yellow and green Ophidian around the side of the pagoda.

Twenty-Eight: He Ain’t Gonna Like You and You Ain’t Gonna Like Him

Bahbi watched Vi untilshe was out of sight and wasn’t terribly surprised when Trak and Friend came over to join him and Mister Beastly at the seats. Mister Beastly had dropped down into the chair that Valis had used, and Bahbi was still sitting on one side of his, leaving Vi’s space open. Trak dropped into that space. Friend sat on the floor facing them.

No one here had any interest in mingling with them. They were inconsequential, no matter the size of the gold and emerald medallions they all wore and were mostly being subjected to a high level of extremely inconsiderate gawking.

Trak was clutching a tankard of ale, and he took a swig before saying, “Seems to be going OK so far. I just hope we can get out of here before we fuck something up.”

Mister Beastly nodded in agreement and scratched at the fur on his stomach.

Friend wagged his tail and said, “Well, I think it’s going great! Many people have complimented my manners this evening.”

Bahbi looked around and saw all the curious looks they were getting, but no one approached. “I just hope things are going well with the Ophidians. They didn’t seem too happy with Steev.”

A Trallian approached, cautiously, with a platter of small food bites. Mister Beastly held out his hand and the Trallian lowered the platter for him to choose a morsel, but Mister Beastly flummoxed him by taking the whole thing. He began popping the morsels into his mouth.

Bahbi caught the Trallian’s attention and said, “Thank you.”

He nodded, looked around furtively, then said, “Is it true what the guards told us? She doesn’t keep slaves? You’re not slaves?”

Bahbi nodded, “It’s true. Oz does not permit slavery. Queen Violet hates slavery.”

“What is that like?”

“Hard to get used to, honestly.” Trak nodded in agreement with Bahbi’s words.

The Trallian glanced to the side and quickly scurried away. A few seconds later, Valis stood before them.

He said, “Hello, again, Bahbi. May I join you?” Bahbi nodded.

Valis sat down cross-legged on the floor beside Friend, who turned to him, tail wagging.

“Hello, trawg, I am Valis of the Melinor. I spoke with your queen earlier about joining you.”

“Hello, Valis, I am Friend of Oz. This is Trak of Oz, and that is Mister Beastly of Oz. I like your hair!”

“Thank you, kind trawg. May I pet you, Friend?”

“Yes, please.”

Jarxtan Prag appeared behind Valis and nodded at the group. “I have arranged a suite of rooms for Oz. Who would like to come with me to inspect them for suitability?”

Bahbi stood and said, “I will,” then turned at the sound of crumpling metal and saw Mister Beastly had folded the serving platter in half.

He looked around the group slowly, then said, “Ay-lis,” and held Bahbi’s gaze.

Bahbi regarded him for a moment, understanding dawning. He looked down at Valis and said, “Mister Beastly will not leave the vicinity of Queen Violet, and the Estranian is with the King and Queen. Mister Beastly does not want me to go into the station unaccompanied. Would you like to join us?”

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