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I scanned the table. I did not see Lancelet’s parents. They were nobles but had a fine house in the city and that was where they preferred to be most of the time. They were not social climbers, and they had a bevy of other children, younger than Lancelet, who they seemed to actually enjoy raising and spending time with.
“I’ll try,” I promised, and then let Kaye lead me down the row to the king’s table.
The air was heavy with the fragrant scents of freshly baked bread and roasted meats. The tables were covered with lavish dishes. I caught sight of a platter of roast peacock, with small capons nesting beside it, cooked to a crispy brown. On another large platter sat an entire boar, surrounded by baked apples, with a huge sugar plum stuck in its mouth.
I spotted one of my favorite dishes, roast whitefish with herbs and breadcrumbs. My stomach began to rumble. Perhaps righteous fury could only feed one for so long.
A servant passed us, swiveling gracefully to one side to avoid being knocked over by Kaye. They carried a wooden platter full of desserts. Small bowls of custards and puddings, sweetmeats and candied fruits, and, my favorite, small pieces of marzipan shaped into tiny animals.
“I’ve missed you, Morgan,” Kaye complained as he led the way.
A pang of guilt replaced the pang of hunger.
“Yes, I’m so sorry.” I really was.
I usually visited Kaye almost daily. He had his own room in another tower. His days were filled with lessons from various tutors, some fencing, and a few hours of leisure to spend with his few friends. He lived a fairly quiet life, like I did. One of the things we both liked best was to walk in the gardens together, or find a copy of a book we both enjoyed and take turns reading it aloud. With snacks and a roaring fire, we could be happy for hours in the castle library, reading into the wee hours of the night, talking and laughing.
“I’ve missed you, too,” I said, a lump in my throat.
“Is it because of the...” Kaye glanced around then lowered his voice. “The other night. The hunt. Did I do something wrong?”
“Not at all,” I exclaimed. I lowered my voice. “Not at all, Kaye. You were magnificent. You did exactly the right thing. You were so helpful. Even Baudwin said so.”
I stopped. Remembering. Baudwin. He was dead.
“He did?” Kaye looked very pleased. Sadly, I didn’t think he received a great deal of praise. At least, from anyone besides myself.
“He really did.” I decided I would not tell Kaye about Baudwin. Not yet.
I wondered if his next question would be about my rescue, but instead he broached a new subject.
“Arthur says we are going on a journey, Morgan,” Kaye said, his eyes gleaming. “A Royal Progress!”
We had reached the table. I followed Kaye up the two steps and to his place beside Arthur. My brother was engrossed in conversation with Sir Agravaine. He looked up briefly and nodded his approval, then turned back to his advisor.
Sometime between my entrance in the hall and arrival on the dais, Florian had finished his meal and vanished.
That was fine with me.
I sank into my chair with relief, pulling a platter of stewed greens towards me.
But Kaye’s announcement had sparked my interest.
“Are you certain, Kaye? A Royal Progress? Really?”
Kaye was nodding so hard I thought he’d become dizzy. Only a pre-teen boy could have this much energy.
“Really, really, really, Morgan! Arthur says I’m to come. I’m sure you are, too.”
I already was fairly certain I was so it was easy to smile.
“We’re going to travel all through Pendrath, and perhaps even as far as Liria!”
“Liria!” Arthur had spoken of visitors joining us at the spring festival from Liria, the capital of the southern kingdom Lyonesse. Was he intending to strengthen the bond between our two lands this quickly?
Suddenly a thought occurred to me. Perhaps Arthur intended to wed. A princess or noblewoman from Liria would make an excellent choice, for they were our closest neighbor. Not to mention our wealthiest.
“Why did you avoid me, Morgan?,” Kaye was asking. “If I didn’t do anything wrong, where were you?”
