34

"With all due respect to His Majesty, who starts a holiday at dawn?"

"I see you have yet to embrace the non-negotiable nature of the royal decree," Harlowe says with a curious smile.

The rest of the day is tortuously busy—you scarcely have time to fit in more than one nap. Fig and Harlowe are put through their paces helping to assemble a touring company of the assorted minstrels in Westfenster and the redoubtable actors, speakers, musicians, and tumblers who call Hondelet their home.

It's exciting to be in the thick of many other experienced hands, a sensation you've missed from your days in Ruffino's Court.

As soon as word gets out that you serve Her Majesty the Queen directly, your stature goes up considerably. Whoever could have leaked out such an intriguing detail? you think innocently as the other performers pepper you with disbelief and envy.

The Grand Tour Begins