[RPG] [EI] [Perdan] The meal

[Jamie Cheyfetz]

Duke Screndt composed himself and said, "My Queen, I had asked not to be
interrupted unless it was a matter of life or death. If you will excuse me
for a moment." He bowed and took his leave, Breck ran out of the room before
the Duke.

Breck looked to the Duke trying to stand at attention, but his hand kept
going to cover his crotch. "Please, My Duke. I was told your orders, but I
had to come. Maelg...he would," he shivered and continued, "I had to come
in, M'Lord."

Duke Screndt had a pained look on his face, he was not paying much attention
to Breck. The Duke seemed to notice him when he stopped talking. "Go."
Before Breck could move, Screndt stopped and said, "And tell Maelg... I ...
He ..." a stream of emotions played out across his face: anger, distress,
pain and finally, with a slump of his shoulders, resignation. He looked up
at Breck and said, "Just thank Maelg for the information. Now go."

"You're not gonna ... kick me?"

Screndt looked up, anger rising in him, "Did you hear my words?" But all
Breck heard was, "Will you die today?" He ran from the halls, never looking
back.

Screndt grabbed one of the servers, "Tell the chef that there will be three
more courses. *Neither* of which will contain the slightest hint of
broccoli. The first will be a gelato to cleanse the palate. The others I
leave up to him." The server ran off to the kitchen. Screndt took a deep
breath, his shoulders rising, though his spirits did not follow them. He
walked back into the room, "My apologies, My Queen. I am sure you are well
aware of the lack of privacy when running a realm. The city is not so
different, though at a lesser level."

"Of course, Duke. I am well aware of the responsibilities of station."

He smiled, sat and continued, "I was also informed that the chef has a treat
in store for us. A new custom," *if only she knew how new* "has reached his
ears and there will be three more courses." Queen Evangeline, a master of
diplomacy, did not let the news affect her face, though she was holding back
tears and a primal scream resonated through her head.

"It seems the custom is to have a small second meal after the first, broken
by a palate-cleansing gelato. The second meal does not follow the theme of
the first, but offers a striking dissimilarity to the first portion of the
meal."

The Queen leaned forward in her chair, a smile covering her face and filling
her voice, "I have never heard of such a custom, but it intrigues me very
much. I can't wait for the next course. In fact, I won't even touch another
bite of this one to leave some room." One of the servants quickly cleared
the dish from her place.

The Duke smiled back, leaned back and had his plate cleared as well. He went
to the window and opened it a tad, clearing the air of the smell of the
meal. He turned back to the Queen and said, "Part of the custom involves
even clearing the room of the scent of the other meal." He flicked his eyes
up to the servants who quickly took the dishes from the room.

The Queen took a deep breath of the fresh air, "I am liking this custom more
and more."
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