Page 92 of The Eye of the Fifth
‘Air Warden,’ the kingsguard said by way of greeting. ‘His Majesty is most pleased to know you are in his city, and requests an audience with you at the palace, by means of a banquet in your honour.’
‘I do not suppose this is the kind of invitation I would be able to decline?’
There was a pause. ‘It would be unwise to do so. You and your earthling companion are expected before His Grace imminently.’
Naal gave a great sigh. ‘I do hope His Grace knows he is interrupting a reunion between old friends?’ The kingsguard did not deign to respond. ‘Nevertheless, I accept this invitation. However, I came alone. You will find no earthling in this house.’
Kyra was suddenly very aware of the sound of her breathing.
Another pause. ‘My report said-’
‘Your report was wrong, my good sir.’
‘I have a warrant to search this house for-’
‘By all means, search away!’ Naal said. ‘All you will find is a half-drunk cup of tea that I have not had the privilege to finish.’ The kingsguard muttered something about refreshments at the palace, and Naal gave a tinkling laugh. ‘Oh, I am sure there will be plenty, though I doubt it will taste as sweet in the king’s company.’ Still in the armchair, Maressa winced at Naal’s acrimony toward the monarch, as though it struck fear into her gentle heart. ‘Would you still like to search the house and waste more time? As I recall it, His Majesty is not the most patient of males. Let us be on our way.’ Conceding to Naal’s careful manipulation, the kingsguard mumbled his agreement. ‘Selwyn, thank you for your hospitality. Do tell Maressa the same. I will call back later tonight. Well, what are you waiting for, dear sir? Lead on.’
There was a hasty goodbye from Selwyn before the door was closed once more, leaving Kyra invisible and alone with the two waterlings in a stunned sort of silence.
Chapter Twenty Six
The Lorish King
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Blythtrie Bay, Loros.
Naal.
In the great hall of the Silver Palace, Naal sat at a table of edible extravagance and waited for the King of Loros to grace her with his presence.
She had, of course, expected this. Planned for it, even. It did not make the looming meeting appeal any more pleasant however, and the fact he was making her wait had already chipped away at her patience. Which was always thin where the Lorish King was involved.
The dead, blank eyes of a rather large tropical fish stared at her from the platter it lay on. She doubted very much if it had been killed in any kind of humane way, nor thanked for its contribution to the circle of life. Naal sent a silent prayer to Corla on the king’s behalf.
So much edible decadence in this palace, when it seemed Maressa and Selwyn could barely feed themselves.
‘Naal. Too long it has been,’ a familiar voice echoed through the hall like a viper’s hiss on the wind.
She stood, bowing her head. ‘Your Majesty.’
Clad in immaculate armour of the darkest blue, the Lorish King approached the banquet table. A human servant rushed to pull back his chair for him to sit. He did not acknowledge the young girl at all. Instead, his arrogant eyes lingered obsessively on Naal’s face. The left was a shade of murky blue, the right a silver light central to a metal contraption that stretched around to the back of his head. A replacement for the eye he lost in battle many years ago. ‘So glad you could accompany me. I hope I did not interrupt your… reunion.’
‘You did,’ Naal replied bluntly. ‘But who am I to ignore the summons of His Grace?’
The king smirked. ‘Have we not known each other long enough for you to call me by my name?’
As he sat, Naal did too. ‘You are a king. I will address you as such.’
‘Ah,’ he said. ‘How courteous of you. Though, I prefer my friends to call me by my name. Are we not friends, Naal?’
‘That depends,’ Naal said before thanking a servant for handing her a napkin, ‘on the manner of this meeting.’
‘Wine,’ the king barked at the young servant girl. She rushed to fulfil his needs, pouring a hefty serving of wine into his chalice. He ignored Naal’s last comment and instead gestured to the excessive amounts of food that ran down the centre of the table. ‘Do eat. The red snapper is a favourite of mine.’
‘Thank you, but I am not hungry.’
‘Wine, then,’ he said, motioning for the servant girl to fill Naal’s chalice too, but Naal put a hand over the top of it. The Lorish King narrowed his eyes. ‘Is my wine not good enough for you?’
