Time seemed to fly as it often does. A blink and hours have pa.s.sed until a hidden threshold is pa.s.sed, and the pa.s.sage slows until the time seems to stop. Our party was outfitted and prepared to head out an hour ahead of time, but Lohne informed us that being fashionably late was required.The higher Ranked, the later one was expected to arrive.
Cedric and I spent the time channel surfing, searching entertainment streams, and allowed me to understand more intimately what was popular. There didn"t appear to be a talk show or celebrity gossip program. Dramas were highly stylized illusions that depicted historical events. News were tailored towards and propagandized the ruling Monarchs. But most of the available content seemed to be tailored towards craftsman.
Reality shows that demonstrated technique and innovation for a myriad lexicon of crafts and interests. Gardening, Cooking, Needlepoint. If a craft existed, then a magic stream existed to encourage the novice to the Grandmaster.
We departed so that we would time are arrival to be exactly one hour late. The precedent long since established. We were simply victims of ennui and a hidebound society, that could live forever, and their inability or unwillingness to adapt.
This was the first time I"d seen Lord Kel"s keep since my abrupt departure.
Although obvious signs of welcome were displayed, tapestries and flags emblazoned with my device, nothing could soften the stark features the keep had been modeled on. It had obviously been designed with a battle in mind.
I admitted to myself that the keep had aged well.
I had no idea how many centuries it had been since it was constructed, but it still exuded the same steadfastness and st.u.r.diness it must have had when newly constructed. It was built on a bedrock of enduring functional architecture, and things like comfort and utilitarian design were ignored.
The skimmer we rode in was greeted by the Keeps Majordomo, Desmond A"Kel, and Head Butler, Ewan A"Kel.
I found it interesting that Lord Kel or his family were nowhere in sight.
You would have thought he would send his daughter, at the minimum, to greet me. I could only conclude that Lord Kel was angry with me, and this slight was probably just the first of many he had planned for tonight"s event.
"Prince de Belenos, Lord Kel extends his greetings and acknowledges guest rights. He asked that I a.s.sure you, no repeat of the attack or kidnapping will occur this night," Majordomo A"Kel said, immediately attempting to ignore the provocation Lord Kel"s slight had fostered.
I didn"t believe it.
Lord Kel had proven, at the minimum, he had no idea what was going on in his own fortress. More likely, he knew and encouraged those actions. I did believe Lord Kel instructed his Majordomo to make this promise. But the promise was made by proxy, I wasn"t sure it would remain valid if circ.u.mstance demanded action.
I nodded to let the Majordomo know I"d heard his words, but I refused to respond.
There was no point.
Lord Kel was flexing his metaphorical muscle and attempting to either intimidate me by demonstrating how much more powerful he was than me, mollify my with words and plat.i.tude, or demeaning me by demonstrating how little regard he gave my rank and level.
Either way, it served no purpose to vent my anger and disgust on staff.
I was sure I would have plenty of time over the next few hours to return the slight.
My thoughts became prophetic just moments later. After we had entered the foyer and were walking towards the ballroom that had been converted for tonight"s banquet, Desmond explained how the night"s events would proceed.
"Once Your Highness has been announced, Squire Leian, Lord Kel"s heir will step forward to escort you to the dais. You will be seated on Lord Kel"s left while Squire Leian will be seated to your immediate right."
I stopped abruptly, forcing those surrounding and following to pause in confusion.
"That won"t be happening.
"Knight Cedric, Knight Uron, and Knight Lohne are my sworn Va.s.sals and will be seated appropriately. You will have to change the seating arrangements," I demanded.
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"But Your Highness, the dais will not support three more seats! We might be able to squeeze one of your people in, but three is an impossibility. The dais simply isn"t large enough," Desmond said obsequiously. His voice and intent slimy and a.s.sured, certain that he and Lord Kel had the upper hand, and I was left with no recourse.
He was wrong.
"In that case, please give Lord Kel my apologies," giving actions to words, I turned and started walking back to the entrance of the keep.
"Your Highness?" Desmond asked, fl.u.s.tered for the first time.
"Since Lord Kel is unable to accommodate this simple request, I see no reason to partic.i.p.ate in tonight"s banquet. Unfortunately, we are departing tomorrow, so there will be no time to reschedule," I clarified continuing to head towards the exit.
"Majordomo Desmond misspoke, Your Highness," Head Butler Ewan said frantically, "it will take but a moment to make arrangements.
"Please.
"If you wouldn"t mind waiting a few moments in the atrium attached to the ballroom, my staff and I will make adjustments to seating to accommodate your Va.s.sals."
Desmond was obviously fuming both at my demand and Ewan"s capitulation, but I couldn"t care less. I refused to start this evening at an even more of a disadvantage and separating me from my supporters would accomplish exactly that.
Ewan and his staff were efficient.
We spent barely ten minutes waiting before he informed us, they were ready. Motioning for my guards to check out and clear the room, we waited another minute or two until they returned to inform me it was safe.
Nodding to acknowledge their a.s.sessment, we moved to the ballroom entrance.
"His Highness, Prince Mac de Belenos. Knights Cedric V"Mac, Uron V"Mac, and Lohne V"Mac," a crier shouted, announcing our presence and drawing the attention of everyone in the room.