two days in one, day 5 and 6. now at 10072.

  

 

I woke and started to panic thinking I had fallen sleep and so was going to get yelled. Then woke up the rest of the way and laughed. My fault for having snuck in here so long to hide so much when I needed a break, but then I had no way of knowing I would be using the room. It is so strange, and only going to get more so. I got up and went to shower, enjoying a full bath. It was nice to have the right soap and shampoo for a change. I had missed the scent of it, for all I had thought I had adjusted, have it felt right. Made it feel like coming home, for all I wasn’t really home. I will have to send one of the others to the market before we leave, have them get me a few local things for those times I need a bit. I had better reminded Daren that he can’t go to the market. It has been to long since he was a prince and he is likely to forget how it upsets them to have nobles go to the shops. I bet he never had the chance to make that mistake. I had just wanted some paper, didn’t see why it was such a big deal when the store was right there, but it scared the shop owners. I got out of the shower and dried off then went out to the main room and shook my head, not that I hadn’t expected to find him waiting with my clothes. “Now this is going to far Olivier, I can get my own clothes. I can see you bring breakfast, for it would look strange to the house servants if you didn’t. However the clothes really?”

Oliver bowed. “I am glad to have this chance to see you are taken care of, Ma’am. You do too much that you shouldn’t, it doesn’t look right and yes they would notice. The servants know who you are and took me to task for not being with you when you landed as well as the fact that Ben saw to your bags. Told me that I had best shape up or they would see that you had a fit servant. I was good and didn’t say that I didn’t belong to, but it is tempting. If only things were a bit less shaky. As they are the best thing to do is for me to show that I am capable.”

I smiled a bit. “Given that then fine, but I will dress myself. I am sorry they took you to task. I didn’t think they would recognize me. Tell who ever you give the tray to that Ben has rank and asked you to step aside as he had a message. They will find that actable, and will see that those here know that I will accept messages sent with servants. Such is common here, but they might worry that I would not find it fit. Those of Jada get offended if a message is delivered by a servant, but a child is acceptable as messenger. Or so it was when I was here. It can be a mess keeping it straight so I hide of court functions even more back then. If you are comfortable with it go ahead and use the servant’s room here, where they are watching so close. Now if you can’t it is fine. Just get with the rest and work out which to say you are bonded with and why they are not yet able to transfer to my house. I truly didn’t think they would be watching that close.” I reached the clothes and started putting them on.

Oliver said. “I will see to it that my things are moved in, if you are sure you will be able to rest with me that close. It is not a problem for me but on seeing the rooms we were worried that they were too close for you. There is going to be a lot stress. Telling that about Ben will work well, for we both know that he will be sent over to check on you at other times. Yet. Well your rank is high so why would he rank me where you only have me? I have already explained that I just recently finished school and confessed to being a bit over my head when it came to court. Ben can be my mentor, he was a friend be for and has been a servant longer. I think he will like that, if it will work.”

I nodded and moved over to the table smiling a bit as he placed food in front of me. “That’s fine, and I think you are better at this than I am, but then I never had to think of ranks. I will be fine, yes it is odd, but it will help. I can’t recover if I continue to keep everyone away. This set up is really the best way to start. Ask them to see that there is a kettle of jasper tea sent up in the evenings. I should ask for something and it will nice to have it again. Don’t worry it will be sent with scones, but go ahead and say that they are needed. Let them see that you are worried about me. Complain about how hard it is to get me to rest and eat if it feels right. That will earn you back a few more points and won’t hurt anything, besides having the benefit of being completely true. I will do my best to let you do your job, and we will see how it goes.” If things were where I can I will see if Father wants to place someone in my house. It is time I stopped running from it and took on a few servants, and that would be a good will gesture, for I would know the person would be reporting to him. I don’t want it, I am scared to, but I can’t keep hiding from my responsibilities.

Oliver nodded. “I am to ring for the maid, the cook said that if I took the tray down you would leave without me and I would just get lost trying to find you. They saw how little you ate at supper, I explained that it was the gates but I don’t think they believed me.”

I had to laugh a bit. “I’m sorry, don’t worry I will eat all of this. I did try, but the first night anywhere is rough on me. I will do better today. I bet they are not the only ones wondering about why I am so thin. Don’t worry they are going to ask about the rumors they have heard about demon attacks in our area. That will give the guys all the opening they need to tell of the drake last month. I still would love to know where it came from. At least it was just my legs that were laid open.” He shook his head a bit. “Go ahead and ring I am all most done here than am going to go talk with Ryder, as you clear this. We are going to be outside so I can wear my knife openly. I want my sword, but that would be pushing it until the games start, so my knife will have to do.”

He bowed, smiling. “Yes Ma’am I have it on the belt there for you. Don’t worry you gear is ready if needed. It is all set so you can get it on fast after calling it. You are doing fine, none of your fear showed last night.”

I smiled a bit. “We are close to the border here but in truth the danger is less. They all know how close they are and what the threat is. All of the guards on that side of wall have had encounters with greater demons. The commander was trained directly by a vet of the last war. There is not going to be any slacking. That helps a lot, it is not so hard here to appear unarmed, but I am glad that there are times I don’t have to.” I moved back and stood up before I picked up my plate, for all it was just a matter of putting it on the tray I needed to let him. As silly as it was it was a part of his job to pick up after me and I need to get used to it. As much as I don’t like it, I am going to have to have a servant. I went through the door to check on Ryder, for all I knew I didn’t need to. “Why is it so hard to let them do their jobs? I had servants before I went to school, in fact I had to get someone to show me how to make a bed that first night. Yet now it bugs me to be seen to.”

Ryder said. “You are not the child you were any more than I am. We all change, that is life. It will be rough but we will get used to it, and you are right it is time. For all it is hard, we need to stop isolating. It is not only you, some of the reluctance you feel comes from me. I was raised to see being cared for as a weakness. I know better, but the aversion is still there.”

I smiled a bit, relaxing. I was always a bit on edge when we weren’t together, even though it was just a thin wall it bugged me some. I was better than I used to be. That first year I panic if I could see him. Luckily that was expected and so they had arranged my classes before I even knew it would happen. “It is so odd to be here and realize how much I have changed. So much has happened in the last eight years. To think that I was scared to get close to any of the dragons, now look at me. I do need to find a way to explain that some of you can talk before one of you forgets and answers. I do think where they have had more contact with Colemen it won’t be as starling, but best to be safe.”

Ryder nodded. “Yes that would be best. We do try but it is hard not to just answer at times. Now try to enjoy your day. I will let you know before I join you so you can tell them I am coming. They do know that you need to be near me so should be able to accept my being there when there is space enough.”

I smiled. “The maid has left so I had best get moving. They should know, but likely they will be shocked. However it will be good to have you there. See you soon.” I left and went back to the main room. “Now then do you mind helping get a ribbon worked into my braid?” I sat down knowing he would like nothing more. He loved to braid hair. Likely Max had sent him. “I just can’t get it show without shouting. It just needs to be enough that it is seen, but not shouting it is there. Does that make sense?”

He said. “Yes ma’am, it won’t long but if you need me to step back just say so. Thank you for letting me do this. Now I am just going to undo this braid and brush it bit then put it up. There is a ribbon here that will match your shirt, so that will do just fine.”

I had to smile at how hard he was trying not to say I had used the wrong ribbon. “That sounds fine. I am relaxed enough now, but best try to see I can undo it myself. I don’t know if I will be able to let you. I am going to be worked up when I get here, more so if I haven’t found time to go for a run or get a work out in. The first days are always the hardest. No different than the court at our games a lot of deals start before the games do.”

Oliver said. “Not a problem with these but for fancier ones it is not going to be possible to get them right and something you can take down, so we will just have to do them in stages. There that should do, and the bells will be no louder than they were, just sparkle a bit to make sure the ribbon is seen.”

I looked in the mirror nod then stood up. “Perfect, now there will be some frowns for ribbons are not worn in hair here, which is just why I need it seen. It is all a dance, after all.” With that I started to the door, but let him open it, which he did with a bow, and a slight smile, knowing I hated it.

Nancy joined us in the main hall. “They have just went out to the front lawn, as some wagons are arriving early. I believe they said Daven, but I do not know where that is so I might have misheard.”

I hoped neither of them noticed my wince. This was going to be interesting. “It is a person not a place, the Governor’s second son as it happens. I didn’t know he was expected at all. Last I knew he was lost in a dessert down south, but that was years ago.” I wonder if he even knows that I bonded to a dragon. I know he heard of the test and Alanta so that is something. I do hope that he doesn’t say anything right off. I went out the door and over to the others, making sure I was smiling. “My guard said that there were some unexpected wagons? I do hope that ours didn’t mess up the timing.”

Herny said. “No, or not this time at least. It is John’s there, and my son. Now John’s are just a few hours early but Deven is a week early so it will be a bit before we take that tour. I just want to see if he is up to joining us.”

I frowned, for it was strange that he would come. He hated all the stuff that went along with treaty talks. “It is no problem, I well know how mixed up the first days are. Very little ever goes as expected at ours.” I had to smile a bit. “At least there are no red tents so not near as bad as the Clarness games.”

He laughed. “Right you are. I still can’t believe those reports, never mind I have read seven different accounts of them.”

I said. “There are some pictures of them in one of Glacers archives, if you like I will get some copies sent for you. They are worse than the reports made it sound. I do wonder why just how there came to pictures of it that survive.

Herny said. “I would like to see those. Do any explain what a fire breathing dancing jaybird is by chance?””

I flushed a bit. “Well a friend told me that jaybird was a slang term for fool in Nibia. So possibly, give there is a naked man that appears to be breathing fire.” He shook his head. “Like I said it is worse than the reports, but you will see when they get here.”

Steven said. “I have to see those as well. I just can’t believe that it could have been as bad as those accounts made out.”

John said. “There are pictures of it? I do think that all will want to see those. Well if there are some without the naked man, that is.”

I said. “They are all wild but only a few have undressed people in them. I will see that more than one set is sent. It likely won’t take more than a week, and they will send them with a fire dragon. Those little guys make great messengers once you can get them to settle long enough to hear you.”

John nodded even as a few others shook their heads. “We use them to, just have to give them a bit fruit. The blue ones are the best but any of them will do it, just the red ones have to play.” I nodded but was saved from responded as the wagons showed. “Those are mine. I will see to them, then be back. No need for you to Herny, I know where they are to set up, and Elan can show the others to the rooms just fine. You just go see what that boy is up to.” He took of as a bright red wagon came to a stop cause me to cough and look at Herny.

Herny shrugged. “Well it still isn’t a tent and is only one.”                  

There was a laugh. “Sorry I was worried about that, but the other wagon was worse. I promise this is going to go into a barn and stay out of sight. I do wish there was a better choice, but finding anything not covered in glitter in Kissten is a feat. So I took the one I could find, for all it is red and brings up those horrible old stories. I am sorry Father, I do hope that I am early enough it is just friends here.”

Herny shook his head. “Leave to you, though a bit is timing. You see General Nastice had just offered to get us copies of the pictures Glacer has of that ill fated game. She says that they make it look tame. You made good time and none here are going to be alarmed. I do wonder just how you managed to ride in that bright thing. Ron will you show his driver where to hide it, then show them to the rooms. Your rooms ready, or we were just going to walk the grounds if you feel like walking.”

Daven said. “A walk sounds great, I need to move., and that will keep me out of their way. They get grumpy if I try to help with the bags. There are really pictures of that? So it was a real thing? That is as shocking as learning that some from Glacer is here, I never thought they would come out of there. Or do they just have trade with them?” Herny shook his head and Steven coughed. “What?”

I said. “Yes it is a real event I couldn’t believe it when I found that there were still pictures of it.” He looked at me and froze, clearly he had not seen me before I spoke. Best let him know how I am. “They are wild, as I am sure you will see when the copies reach me. The distance between our lands has been allowed to go on far too long. It should have ended sooner. The trade agreement that was made with Alanta started talks, but it took time.”