A Way of Honor (Champions of the Crystal Book 2)

Chapter 2.2

It took nearly half an hour to transport Sabrina's things down, and after that they spent several more minutes arguing with Praxatillus Control about Mara's things. Control refused to permit Khediva to put anything down in the Royal Residence, so Sabrina and Haaron brought Mara's things down with them and turned them over to a small army of footmen (armed, fortunately, with half a dozen anti-grav lifts).

"Éllina will be expecting me home for dinner," Haaron said. "Will you join us?"

Sabrina looked at the chaos of her living room with a sigh. "No, but thank you. I think I'll get things straightened out here, maybe track down Scotty. Then I think I'll try to achieve unconsciousness as soon as possible. It's been a hell of a day. Give my best to Éllina. Maybe we can all get together soon."

"I hope so, and I know that it is Éllina's hope as well." Haaron took Sabrina's hand in his, then leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "Courage, Sabrina. I know it is all strange and overwhelming, but I hope in time you will come to consider this your home."

"Thank you. A spot of cleaning and some food in the fridge, and I'll do nicely. It's certainly a step up from my dorm room." She gave him a brave smile as they started for the main door.

"If you should need anything, you have only to call," he said. "I am hoping for a diplomatic post soon, but with the King's funeral and the change of government, everything is uncertain. So I will definitely be here for a while."

"I'm sure it won't be long, Haaron. Mara knows how talented and reliable you are."

"I would be flattered at any recognition from Her Majesty, but I wish to succeed strictly on my own merits," Haaron said.

"Don't worry. I won't go asking for favors for you," Sabrina said wryly. "Not that anybody here would listen to me anyway."

"My best to Scotty," Haaron said as they reached the main door. "I would like to see him again too, if his duties permit."

"I'm sure they will. I'll tell him you asked about him."

When Haaron was gone, Sabrina wandered back into the living room, picked a pile of clothes at random, and carried them into the main bedroom, resolving to lose her loneliness in work. After she finished hanging her clothes in the depressingly vast closet, she went into the kitchen to explore. There was no food, though there was plenty of storage space; there was what looked like a food provender, but it was reading a no-power error message. She sighed, wondering if she would have to go up to Khediva to get dinner.

A knock on the main door startled her. She hoped it was Scotty as she hurried to answer it, but it was a stranger in royal livery.

"Sabrina Devon?" he intoned.

"Yes," she said, wondering vaguely if she was in more trouble.

He looked to his left and gestured, and Sabrina stood back as servants filed into her rooms, some carrying cartons of food and others carrying cleaning utensils. The cleaners went to work with a will as she followed the others into the kitchen. "What's all this?" she asked.

"We were made aware that your needs were not being met. I must apologize for the state of your chambers; they are one of the few still habitable, but it was not realized how long they had been disused. I hope the choice of foodstuffs will be to your taste; if it is not, simply call the kitchens and state your requirements."

He delivered his speech while staring at a point just above her right shoulder. Sabrina found him awe-inspiring. "Thank you," she managed to say. "Um...can I ask who you are?"

"I am the Royal Chamberlain's Third Deputy Household Supervisor," he replied.

"Thank you, Supervisor."