Tasks For The Day
POV: Alexandra
The next morning, I woke up just as the General poked his head in the tent to yell at his soldiers to wake up. Derek rubbed his eyes and sat up. The blanket slid from his chest to reveal that he hadn’t worn the shirt he had been wearing to bed. His well-defined chest and abs were there for all of us girls to see. I widened my eyes and took my eyes away from him, “Derek, where is your shirt?” He shrugged, “I got hot. Oh and I think it is worth mentioning that I think you ladies should clear out before I get out of bed unless you want another show.” Jess gasped, “Are you naked?” He scratched the back of his neck, “Well, I was really hot. I didn’t think about where I was until now.” Alita was laughing, “I don’t swing that way my friend but if I did, I might be tempted to hang back just to see what kind of sword the best soldier in Vellum is packing.” She winked at Jess and wiggled her eyebrows, “Alexandra and I might need to be the first two out of here.” Jess pulled the blanket over her head likely in an effort to hide the blush she so easily got when Derek was concerned. I sprung from my cot and pulled on my clothing in the changing area of the tent. I waited for Jess and Alita before I left the tent.
We made our way over to the mess tent and we were halfway there when Jess asked, “I heard you left us yesterday morning to talk to Doc about my condition. Did you find anything out?” I shook my head, “Sadly, no but he did give me an idea that I need to explore when I get a minute.” Jess waved her hands, “No hurry, I was just curious what he had told you.” Alita was with us so I felt terrible for leaving her out of the conversation and I was just about to change the subject when Nystasia came skipping up to us, “Hello ladies, do you mind if I join you?” I nodded and turned to Alita so I could introduce her to Nystasia when I noticed a bit of a sparkle in her eye and I knew then that she had found Nystasia attractive. I smiled at her, “Alita, this is Nystasia. I’m sure you are aware that she is a Princess of Seely.” I looked back at Nystasia who was looking at Alita with that same sparkle. I knew then that there was a mutual attraction between the two which made me happy. Nystasia leaned toward Alita and kissed her on the cheek, “As a priestess of the Temple of Aphrodite in Seely, I bestow upon you the blessings of my Goddess and protector.” Alita’s eyes widened and she looked at me, “Is that a good thing?” I nodded, “From what I understand, the Princess is the head priestess of the Temple of Aphrodite in Seely. She’s just bestowed upon you the highest blessing of my Mother Goddess. It is truly an honor.” Alita returned to Nystasia, “I cannot bestow you with a gift like that.” Nystasia shook her head gracefully, “If you truly wish to repay me, I would enjoy spending the evening with you. That is if you are available.” Alita looked at me again, “She’s asking you on a date in her uniquely glorious and weird way.” Alita smiled at her, “Oh. Well, I have to tend to dinner tonight but I can spend time with you after until curfew.”
I waved my hand, “I think if you ask, Your Highness, the General might make an exception so you can be out later.” Nystasia nodded, “I shall seek out Ronan then. Excuse me, ladies. I am on a mission now.” She turned to walk away but stopped to look over her shoulder at me, “Alexandra, I have asked the Elder in charge of your tasks to assign you a special assignment from me. He will give you the details in that tent called mess. I don’t understand why they call it that though.” I laughed, “I can tell you quickly. It is a term from an old meaning for mess which meant ‘food for one meal’ and mess is short for mess hall or in this case mess tent.” She laughed, “Ever the smart one. Now, I must get going.” She skipped along towards the King’s tent. I had wondered if she even knew where Ronan was and how she even knew his name since it seemed to me that they had little to no interaction. Nothing really should surprise me coming from that fae but she continued to do so. We finally made our way to the mess tent and walked inside. Edgar and Enzo were sitting at a table together when they spotted me and waved at me. I waved back to let them know I would join them shortly. Alita made her way around the table and put an apron on. She smiled, “Looks like we have a variety of meats, eggs, and some sort of porridge. I leaned towards the pan that held the porridge and it looked something like grits from Terre. I smiled and pointed at the pan, “I think I want that and some bacon.”
She pulled out a bowl and a small plate and she started to serve me what I requested when the shadow wisped out next to me. I laughed, “I think we had better get my shadow familiar with some meat.” Alita nodded, “Yep, looks like it. I will go get his bowl.” She placed the bowl and plate on my tray and walked through the tent divider to the kitchen. She came out a short while later with the bowl labeled for him. She had it loaded with scraps of meat, grain, and vegetables, “The chefs are actually happy he is around since they can feed him the waste they would have otherwise chucked in the trash.” I took the bowl from her with a smile, “I am sure the appreciation is mutual.” I heard a bark come from my shadow companion and we all looked down at him and smiled. Alita said, “I think he’s confirming that with us. Enjoy little guy.” We walked over to the table where the two Elders were sitting. I placed the bowl down for Sebastian who vigorously started to eat. Enzo chuckled, “He’s certainly very enthusiastic about eating but it’s good he’s keeping his strength.” He shifted in his seat looking uncomfortable, “Excuse me, I’m an old man and these seats are not very nice to my backside. Now, let’s discuss your tasks for today.” I looked up at him, “Yes, I understand and am ready to listen.” He smiled at me and started, “Today you will be shadowed by Edgar. The King has requested that you take a walk around the main part of the Glades to see if you can sense where the magic is that is suspected to be used to cause this disaster. After you do that, you will come to the Elder tent for an interview with the two of us. Last, you will need to go speak with His Majesty about your punishment for walking around camp without an escort.” I winced at the mention of the punishment but I really did deserve it. Enzo snapped his fingers, “Oh actually the last thing, which is optional, the General is gathering the camp later tonight. He apparently has a soldier that he is punishing.” I knew it was going to be Derek and it seemed the punishment was going to be a public ribbing at the hands of his fellow soldiers.
I finished my food and had a pleasant conversation about the day ahead with the Elders while I was eating. Enzo had to go meet with Lucien and Ronan three-quarters of the way through my meal. We cleaned up our table and I walked with Edgar to the King’s tent where we would wait for Ronan to emerge. We stood outside talking about how nice the weather was and plans for what we were going to do when we got home from this humanitarian trip. The Elder talked about how the council, minus other members, would need to meet to vote to bring charges against their fellow council members and the father and daughter of House Maigny. He said the council agreed to meet in Blackwood Deep since they would need to hear evidence from my brother, my father, and Ronan. They didn’t want to expose my brother to the danger of The Order. They would then take over my father’s study in private to discuss and vote based on the evidence they have heard. He turned to me, “I wonder, Your Grace if you might be willing to tell the council about your experiences as the target of The Order and ultimately the Maignys. This might help the other members understand what it is like from the victim’s point of view.” Jess stepped up next to me, “Sir, may I be allowed to speak?” He smiled at her, “Of course, Lady Kellen. His Majesty sings your praises in regards to your wise counsel in personal matters.” She cleared her throat, “Might I be able to speak to the council as well since I am an empath and can also help convey the feelings of, not only Alexandra but those around her who truly care for her. I feel like this would be a good picture of what the actions of that greedy and bigoted organization have brought upon this realm.” He was silent just staring at her, likely contemplating her statement to him when finally he nodded, “I believe you might be just the person to convey the experience but we might be able to show instead of telling.” I asked him curiously, “What do you mean?” He smiled, “Oh there’s a magic Enzo possesses that allows him to project the feeling from one to another. We might have more effect if they can feel what others have felt and Lady Kellen will be an excellent catalyst.”
Ronan finally emerged from the tent with a loud pained grunt, “Ah, Your Grace, I was hoping you’d be here when I was finished.” I looked at him concerned, “General, you sounded like you were in pain just now and I can see you holding your side.” He looked down at the hand cradling his side and dropped it, “I doubt it is anything. Just a little pain in my side.” Jess shook her head, “Sir, I might be speaking out of turn here but I really think you are masking to Her Grace just how much pain you are in.” I gasped, “Really? General, can you promise me something?” He sighed and cocked an eyebrow, “I suppose if it is nothing too strenuous. I think Kellen just outed me to you.” He gave a short glare to Jess and she crossed her arms and said, “I regret nothing, sir. She will ultimately ensure you will be well taken care of.” I nodded at her, “Which brings me to my ask of you. I would like for you to go see Doc just after we are done with our inspection today. Would you be willing to do that for me?” He smiled, “Of course, Your Grace. If it makes you feel better.” I laughed, “Well, yes it would but I think it would really help you to feel better.” He chuckled and then held his side again, “I think you might be right. At the very least, Doc can give me a potion for the pain.” Jess sighed, “Let’s hope we can get through this inspection without you fainting, sir.” He rolled his eyes, “That’s enough from the peanut gallery, Kellen. She stiffened up, “Yes, sir. I shall shut up unless asked from here on out.” He nodded and then smiled at me, “On that note, let’s get going then.”
