“Yes,” I smile at her, “I had to have it altered when we arrived at the Court of Warriors. Their fashion at court is a bit different than ours.”
“We can see that,” another Discerni wife, Maryann, gives a small grimace, eyeing my exposed shoulders and chest, “you didn’t think to wear something more suitable for Knowledge tonight?”
“I can’t say the desire ever came to me, Lady,” I reply.
Maryann shifts in her chair, turning to look around the room at the normal attire gracing the rest of the women here as Lord Alexander hides a smile behind his whiskey.
“And the court there?” Constance asks in curiosity, leaning forward in her seat, “we have not visited since His Highness took over as Leading Lord.”
I smile at the woman, thinking of the smokey room of Gaumond and the open stars in its ceiling. Then I think to the people there, all who live and enjoy life.
“Lively,” I grin.
“And you and your crew were hosted by the Prince?” Sir Petarch asks, leaning forward with his wife.
“We were,” I nod, remembering the anxiety that coursed through me on that first night, “a properly nervous night for me as you can envision.”
“We can envision,” Constance chuckles, giving me a knowing smile.
“And where exactly did your travels take you this time, Lady Alexis?” Maryann’s husband, Sir Thomas, asks coolly, “what part of Pyre?”
“Through the border of Disce and Livyatan, into the city of Red Falls.”
The full of the table shifts quietly, but Thomas’ eyes narrow on mine just slightly.
“Have you ever been, Sir Thomas?” I ask him sweetly, taking a sip of my drink, “to Pyre?”
“I have yet to make the travel,” he replies.
“A pity,” I extend my glass in a toast and smile again, “to your safe travels to Pyre, then. Whenever they may be.”
Miles shifts in his seat next to me, as does his wife, but I drink to the Discerni man knowing that he’ll never make the trip for the rest of his years.
“And what of the Prince?” Constance asks, averting my gaze from Sir Thomas, “did he take the travel with you?”
That’s the second time her and her husband have inquired into Keane. Why?
“He did,” I nod to the Discerni woman, “we had a full company. His brother, Prince Desmond, Lord Daniel, and a few human soldiers as well.”
“Fascinating,” Constance smiles. She leans back in her chair and looks over the rest of the table slowly, “a proper delegation accompanied the Lady Alexis, one that was sanctioned by our King.”
I try to hide my grin.
She’s reminding them.
Reminding the men and their wives that I traveled on behalf of Zander and was escorted into foreign lands by his sons.
She’s reminding them to play nice.
“And Golem?” Sir Kirke glances behind me with a small scowl directed at the magical creature, “has he been at your side as well?”
“He has,” I quip, not caring for his tone.
“Why?”
I narrow my eyes on him before slowly turning in my chair. Golem looks back at me with one of his rare smiles and nods his head softly. I grin in understanding and turn to the table, making sure to look directly at Sir Kirke in my reply.
“Why, for the adventure, of course.”
