Christopher started to regain his composure and tried to explain. “Well, it’s just that I had this dream while I was sleeping that . . . that . . .”
“Well, what was it about, Christopher?” King Richard asked, sensing that his son was afraid to say anything for some reason. “Go on, you can tell me, and I won’t laugh.”
Suddenly, the dream was gone from Christopher’s mind, leaving him dazed and confused. “I’m sorry, Father,” Christopher said, pulling away from him finally, “but I just can’t remember what it was about. I really wish I could, so I could tell you and feel better, but I just don’t know.”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Father. Please forgive me.”
“Well, don’t you worry about it too much, now, my son. It can’t be that bad if you can’t remember it,” King Richard assured him. He put a hand on his son’s forehead. “I think you may have a fever,” he said. “It was probably the sickness making you think weird things.”
This made sense to him so he nodded in agreement.
“Now, listen very carefully, son. I know I was hard on you today in that argument, but I just want you to know that I love you very much. You do know that, don’t you, Christopher?” His son nodded again. “Good. Now I’m gonna leave to get ready for this banquet of yours tonight, and I suggest you do the same, or you’ll be late, and we don’t want that to happen, do we?”
“No, Father. I'll get ready right away,” Christopher replied almost joyously.
His father shut the door hurriedly and Christopher could hear his father walking over to his own room. Shortly after, he started to get ready himself.
I still don’t see why we need all these banquets, he thought as he looked about his room.
Hate them though he might, Christopher did not want to disappoint his father, so he got ready for the banquet. He looked through his closet for his red surcoat and pants, and he put them on, first making sure they weren’t wrinkled. Next, he chose a nice black sash to go with it. He then groomed himself in front of his mirror to make sure his hair and face looked nice. Almost ready, he found his brooch and ring with the insignia of an eagle on them and put them on. He took one final look and decided he was ready.
“Adam! Talon!” Christopher called out, wishing to speak to them. They rushed from their respective hiding places to his door immediately.
“What is it that you require of us, my liege? Are you in any danger? And might I say that is a very nice outfit you are wearing, sire!” both of them said in unison. They had done this many times before and knew just what Christopher liked to hear.
Christopher gave up his hopes of not being called ‘my liege’ for the moment and didn’t say anything about it. “I’m glad you approve,” he said, as haughtily as any noble. “Both of you will be my guests tonight at the banquet. I expect you to be dressed in your formal clothes and be back here in twenty minutes so we can be early. Now go.” His tone made it clear it was a command and not a request.
Talon balked, blinking and turning his head away. “I’m sure your father would not want such lower-class servants like us at a banquet of such prestige.”
“It’s not his decision,” Christopher rebutted. “It’s mine.”
“Still,” Talon continued, looking at the prince again, brow furrowed, “I don’t think it would be in His Majesty’s best interests, and we would not want to upset him, would we?”
“On top of that, sire, twenty minutes is not nearly enough time to get ready for such an event,” Adam blurted out. He gave the prince a wistful look. “Had you but given us a little more time, we might have been able to go, but now, for sure we will have to stay at home.”
“Oh, quit your complaining and just do as I say, you two!” Christopher barked. He placed his hands on his hips. “If my father can invite a hundred nobles to a banquet in my honor. My honor,” he stressed, “then I can certainly invite my advisor and my bodyguard, now can’t I?”
He glared at both of them and they both hung their heads in shame. “On top of that, you are bound to follow my orders, and I have given them. I would hate to be the person who refused to obey my orders when my father got back from the banquet. I don’t think that would be in your best interests. What do you think?”
Let’s see them wriggle out of that! he thought with an evil grin, slowly rubbing his hands together.
“Yes, sir, whatever you say, sir,” Adam and Talon said mechanically, like two soldiers to their commander, saluting him. They knew better than to argue further.
Quick as lightning, they ran off to their rooms as fast as they could to change for the banquet. Christopher had given them twenty minutes, but something told him they’d be back in ten.
Well, if nothing else, at least I was able to get rid of Talon for a moment. Too bad there’s nothing fun to do in the interim. Oh, well, with guests of my own along for this thing, the banquet might be fun after all.
* * * * * * * * * *
Christopher and his two guests entered the grand ballroom about ten minutes to six, a little bit ahead of all the nobles. Not ahead of King Richard, though – he was already sitting in his immaculate chair when Christopher and his guests came in. They left the door open to allow a little more light into the room.
