I took a look around. I couldn’t believe the size of my room. It was almost as big as my old longhouse in Sedah. The bed was big enough to hold three people, and the pillows were stuffed with feathers instead of hay. There was a large wooden dresser and three cushioned chairs. The bed’s covers were made of satin. The only downside was that the door couldn’t be barred from the inside.
I walked over to a window that overlooked part of the courtyard. It was full of servants, guards, handmaidens, and pages all going about their business. Across the courtyard, from the shadow of a darkened doorway, I thought I saw someone staring up at me. I blinked and rubbed my eyes, then took a closer look. Nothing was there.
I drew back. My lack of food might have made me see things that weren’t really there. Who would want to spy on me? Maybe Premier, or a concerned guard. Or maybe just a curious servant. I went to the bed and lay down. I had never slept on anything so soft. Maybe I would take a nap. I had a feeling it was going to be a long, tiring night.
----
I woke up when I heard a chain rattle. Footsteps crept across the stone floor. It was a servant with a candle and hot water, so that I could wash and change before dinner. I had just finished when Ardimus appeared at my door.
“I have come to take you to the dining hall.”
“Where’s the princess? I thought she said she’d come and get me.”
“Her Highness is busy.” His expression said I had a lot of nerve questioning anything the princess did.
“I can’t wait to eat!” Demay said when we were all in the hall. “I’m starving. I hope these humans can cook as well as us.”
“Demay, please,” Prastian said. “I’m sure the feast will be enough to fill our starving bellies. My younger brother meant no offense, Ardimus.”
“None taken,” Ardimus said. He turned to me. “Hellsfire, I never got the chance to properly thank you. I owe you what my people call a ‘debt of honor.’ I will not rest until I fulfill it, although my first duty will always be to the princess and the king.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but stopped. I knew it would be pointless to argue. My mother had once told me about debts of honor. They were unbreakable unless one person died or the debt was fulfilled. They were common among those from the Burning Sands, but many people had their own variations—those from places where honor and duty were paramount. I nodded to him and hoped that he wouldn’t need to fulfill his debt. If he did, then that meant I was in serious trouble.
When we entered the dining hall, I froze. It was filled with powerful, well-dressed people. Men wore gorgets with slight patterns along the bottom edges. The bright reds and oranges contrasted with the browns I was used to. The women wore slim and modest gowns. Necklines were high and white or black gloves covered their arms.
“We should be as sociable as we can,” Prastian said.
Behast grunted.
“Even you, Behast. We need to see if anyone here knows what happened to our people.”
“But the princess said she hasn't seen any elves,” I said. “And I believe her.”
“I know, Hellsfire. I believe her too. That doesn't mean that no one else knows anything. Someone must have seen something.”
“I'll do my best.”
“Good. Also, please try not to cause any more incidents.”
“Incidents?” I asked. “What do you mean?” Prastian had already left the group. He smiled and greeted some people he knew.
Demay went off to try and be like his brother, talking with nobles. He walked right up and complimented the women on their choice of dress. Behast went to talk to the one group of people he could—soldiers.
I stood there trying to figure out who to approach. As I scanned the room, I realized there was no one I could relate to. I wasn't a soldier, so I couldn't talk about weapons or fighting. I wasn't a noble, so I couldn't talk about ruling or ordering people around. I had the most in common with the servants, and they were too busy with their duties.
“You look like a statue,” Princess Krystal said, from over my shoulder.
I turned and bowed. “Your Highness.”
“Why are you standing here all by yourself?”
All the other people were engaged in conversation. They laughed and smiled at unfunny jokes or told battlefield stories. Some whispered lies I’m sure were far deadlier than any sword or magic. “I honestly didn't know who to talk to.”
“Are you enjoying yourself, at least?”
I gazed into her violet eyes. “I am now.”
She smiled. Although she was schooled in not showing her feelings, her color heightened faintly. It was not quite a blush, but it was close.