The Shattered Way (Champions of the Crystal Book 7)

Chapter 4: A Call to Duty

Sabrina spent the rest of her day doing some research and voting for her chosen candidates. Then she went to bed early, hoping Ford would be home in the morning.

She awoke to find Praxatillus celebrating a historic event—the first non-Miahn prime minister in nearly a millennium. Calene Betharn, head of the Fellowship of the Trees party and a native of Mthalgar, had accepted the Prime Minister's seal the previous evening. Sabrina watched the vid and was relieved and a bit amused to see how happy Rassir looked.

She was barely dressed when a messenger appeared at her door, wearing the royal livery. "Her Majesty invites you to dine with herself and the new Prime Minister this evening," he recited.

Sabrina stared for a moment. "But—" Then she closed her mouth. It was not possible to decline an official invitation issued by the monarch, after all. She listened to the particulars with growing dismay, then thanked the messenger as sincerely as she could manage.

Dropping into the nearest chair, she looked at Tristan, who had come out when he heard the door close. "What am I going to wear?" she wondered. It was odd—no, unheard of—for Mara to include her in a strictly governmental function, as this was. Traditionally the prime minister dined with the monarch, the Heir, and one or two guests chosen for their importance in the government. Sabrina had never been all that important—except for the Regency, now a historical event—and now she was on what Mara knew was likely a permanent leave from her position.

After a few minutes, she made her slow way to her study and entered a command on her comconsole. The Castellan of Dansestari was not presently available, his system informed her, but she was welcome to leave a message.

"Therenden," she said, "help me. I've been invited to this dinner tonight and I have no idea what's going on. And I need a dressmaker to make an emergency call—none of my court gowns fit right now! And my assistant's on her honeymoon. Can you make any recommendations? Or at least clue me in on why I'm included? Thanks. Oh, and congratulations on your mother's win! I know she'll make a fabulous representative for Pendarazloch."

Sabrina sat down to drink a cup of cocoa and make herself eat something—only because she knew Ford would ask if she'd been eating, and it was not possible to fool him. She was nearly finished when Therenden called her back.

Therenden nar Jhovhar was one of Sabrina's oldest friends on Praxatillus. As deputy to the Minister of Justice, he had helped her defend Tirqwin when he was accused of murdering King Baldaran, and he had been her staunch friend and supporter during her regency. He had been involved in the Miahn councils for a while after leaving the government; now his position as Castellan of Dansestari was part of the Queen's household. Looking after the massive palace complex and its residents was like being mayor of a large, unruly city, she often thought. But he always knew the latest news, and she hoped he could shed some light on her current situation.

"Good morning, Sabrina. I am pleased to see you well again," Therenden said. "I have made an appointment for one of the Queen's seamstresses to visit you—there's no time to make a new gown, so you'll have to alter one of your current ones."

"Thank you," Sabrina said fervently. "Do you have any idea why I've been invited?"

"Why should you be surprised? You are a member of the Queen's family, and in government service."

"Oh please. Do you at least know who the other guests are?"

"I have heard that Commander Mukryilla will also be joining the party."

"Good," Sabrina said. "At least it's someone I know. Anyone else?"

"Not that I know of." He smiled. "Relax, Sabrina. Is it so odd that Her Majesty should want to honor you, after your hard work on Meskath? Not to mention bringing her son back alive from the last two places Homeworld sent him."