42 Evening's banquet

The same evening of the king's arrival, a banquet is set up in the castle to celebrate the victory. In the throne room the tables are arranged with the delicacies of the royal cook, decorations hung between a chandelier and the other and a small stage was prepared for the musicians.

The new baron is in a guest room with Desmond and Jason. Simon is agitated, since he arrived at Carvin everything was too sudden and chaotic. Now he is sitting on a chair while some servants finish arranging Desmond's dress.

Jason amused recommends "Guys! I do not allow you to escape! Have the evening dress prepared for you and follow me docilely to the banquet. The only advice I can give you is not to talk. Better to believe that you are shy or silent than stupid."

Simon answers discouraged "They will all jump on us like a pack of wolves on prey. Let's go back home! "

Desmond "My lord Baron Forb I am sorry to inform you that he has sworn to serve the king in war and peace. So you have to come, stupid! "

Simon offended "Infamous!"

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Following the precise instructions of the old strategist, the three enter the hall from a side entrance, using columns and tables to hide themselves from view. Confident Simon moves from one column to another as if his life depended on it. While Desmond checks the rear lines, the young commander stealthily moves to make sure he never enters anyone's field of vision. Jason points his finger at a small recess near the entrance to the kitchen where to place the camp.

The banquet begins without problems. The king and his family are presented by the herald taking the attention of everyone present.

King Colton IV walks amicably among the guests exchanging short talks with the most influential nobles.

Simon relieved by the king's ability to attract all eyes, he allows himself the luxury of getting out of his shelter to try some delicacies. To his surprise, Jason is already chatting to some soldiers while Desmond is quietly eating in front of one of the central tables.

While the boy is enjoying a strange meat-filled pastry, a small hand tugs at his dress.

"Hello!"

Simon avoiding to strangle himself with his mouthful open his eyes watching the little girl of about six years hold the jacket of the dress "Princess Judith?"

The little girl with a pout "You're a bit rude. I greeted you and you can only say my name."

Perplexed Simon apologizes "Excuse me Princess. Hello!"

Judith smiles and squeezes his hand she pulls him to the table "I decided that tonight you will be my knight. Dad said you are strong so you will help me." Then pointing to the scones resting on a small pyramid of dishes "I want those!"

Simon, worried that he has left his safe place, picks up a couple of scones and gives them to the child "Here are her scones, Princess!"

The girl puts a entire scone eagerly in her mouth, making Simon laugh.

Even a young nobleman attends the scene, approaching reproaches the child "Princess! You do not have to learn to eat from these villagers. Come like me, the son of a Marquis is more suitable to accompany you than a miner. "

Simon is speechless, he did not choose to take care of the little princess but the boy's words left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Judith instead takes the second scone and with a single fluid gesture, she sticks it all in her mouth, starting to chew with difficulty then with her mouth full "Excuse me sir marquis but I'm busy now."

Simon, conscious of being weaker than a little girl of six years, collects a couple of scones and fills his mouth with those.

The Marquis's son turns away irritably while the two laughing away from the opposite side in search of some raisin cakes.

Desmond noticing the scene approaches his friend "Simon can you introduce me this lady?"

Simon amused replies "Princess Judith, can I introduce you to my knight Desmond?"

The girl smiles as she eats some small biscuits "Obviously baron Forb. My pleasure, Sir Desmond. Can I ask you a question? Are you stronger than Simon? "

Thoughtfully Desmond says "Obviously I'm stronger. In a fair fight I would beat him ten times out of ten. In the open field where he can use all his devilries the outcome is quite uncertain."

Simon with his eyes on the sky "What are you talking about! Maybe you would have beaten me up until recently, but now I can beat you whenever I want. "

Little Judith laughs happily at the little scene of the two boys.

A few seconds later the king, his wife and two older children approach.

King Colton IV starts talking "I see that little Judith has already done the honors of our guest. All right, Simon? "

Simon embarrassed answers "All good Majesty! Fortunately I was chosen as a guide for this beautiful princess. "

The eldest son Colton V comments "Wait and hope before you can accompany a princess. You're not even close to my little sister's level. "

Sarah, the king's wife hastens to warn her son "I thought I had better educated you Colton. Simon is our guest and your sister Judith has kindly offered to help him integrate into the banquet."

The amused father adds, "If we were in a real battlefield, the roles would be reversed. Have the good sense to become friends, from tomorrow you will train together. I hope from the bottom of my heart that the new generation will go out of love and harmony like the old one. General Forb and I have been training together for years. He was obviously more worn than me in physical challenges but when it came to humanistic and mathematical studies I always humbled him."

Vivien, the second-born, pushes her brother forward and the prince extending his hand "Nice to meet you Sir Simon. I hope you will be an opponent up to par during training because I have a lot of difference with my father, I am a lot worn with the sword."

Simon returns the handshake while a hasty Jason joins the discussion "The Prince may not know that my commander does not know the use of the sword. Unfortunately, he is self-taught so his moves are quite rough. On the other hand he managed to channel his strength into a proper weapon, the halberd."

Desmond whispers in Little Judith's ear "He uses the halberd because when you fight multiple enemies it's easier to catch something. Otherwise it would not even be able to touch the opponents. "

Those present smile at the joke in front of an embarrassed Simon.

Judith turns to the wall and pretending to shake hands with an imaginary friend, she starts talking "Hi Elza, come with us. Do you already know Simon? .... Yup? Fantastic."

Those present smile at the game except Simon, who, with his eyes out of his orbit, observes Elza and the little princess talking quietly together.

Only Vivien notices the preoccupied look of Simon and when he understands to be observed self-imposed a certain composure.

King Colton IV impatiently scolds his wife "Dear, now Judith has grown to believe that she can still talk to this certain Elza."

The wife hugging her daughter replies "Dear let her do it, it was decided long ago that she will be one of the priestesses of Elza, deity of Fate. It's her way to please this thing."

Desmond naively adds "Even Simon talks to Elza since he was born. Every now and then he talks to her still convinced that no one hears it."

Simon bleaches while Judith emphasizes "Of course! Elza told me you're her favorite but you're a coward!"

Fortunately, the speech is suddenly left in the middle after some Ministers and the same Duke have called the royal family to start the dance.

Simon sighs letting himself slip into a chair.

Elza next to him laughing says, "You did not think you were the only one who could see me. All my most trusted priests have the ability to hear my words, Judith is a special case, her heart is still pure enough to allow her to see me. Perhaps her innate ability is already showing in some strange way."