The Life and Times of Bonnie Chance

Poisoning at the Party

"And Bonnie also said that they're going to have a party to celebrate the king's recovery in a few days!" Carol said happily, sharing the contents of Bonnie's latest letter with Memphis.

Memphis was quiet.

"What is it, Memphis?" Carol asked.

"Did Bonnie invite you to this party?" Memphis asked.

"No, she said the queen said it was just going to be with their neighboring countries," Carol said.

"I see..." Memphis said.

"Is something wrong with that?" Carol asked, concerned.

"It's just... some rumors have been brought to my attention," Memphis said. "I've heard that they've invited leaders from as far away as Syria and the Hittites, yet the two of us have received no invitation, when we are also trading partners with Minoa?"

"You're right. That is strange," Carol said. "But they're just rumors, right?"

"It's also possible that Minoa has simply taken into account that I wouldn't want you traveling in your condition, and I wouldn't want to leave you alone with all the tension between Egypt and Babylonia," Memphis said.

"I'm sure that's it," Carol said. "Bonnie would have said something if she thought she needed help. I'd be worried if Hittite was really invited, but from what Bonnie has said of him in her letters, King Minos seems fond of her, and she has Ruka with her. I'm sure they'll protect her."

"I'm sure you're right. It's nothing for you to worry about," Memphis said, worried she was going to put stress on herself and the baby. "I shouldn't even have mentioned it."

—∞—

"So you've only just learned that the handmaiden of the daughter of the Nile has bee in the Minoan kingdom for all of this time and that she has healed their king? By herself?" Ragash said to the soldier who had just delivered a message to him, surprised. "So she's not just a pretty face?"

"What are you saying? Bonnie has healed many people before now," Isis said, a little annoyed by the admiration Ragash was showing Bonnie. "Prince Izmir himself told you that it was her who destroyed the Hittite's old capital, and I heard she was also responsible for helping Carol come up with the idea to flood the Assyrians."

"She really did all of that?" Ragash asked, amazed. "What a woman!"

Isis frowned at him. "You're the one who underestimated her. Don't look so happy."

"Sorry, my queen. Are you jealous?" Ragash asked, smiling at Isis. "There's no need to be." 'Damn. I had such an amazing person in my grasp, and I let her go... Prince Izmir must be laughing at me, although he was unable to hold onto her in the end...' Ragash thought.

—∞—

A few days later, it was time for the party. Bonnie had put on her best dress and was waiting in the throne room for Minos and the queen dowager to finish getting ready. 'It's a shame Ruka isn't going to be sitting at the banquet table, too...' she thought, disappointed that he was being left out because he was 'only a bodyguard'. 'Ruka was fine with it and promised to watch over me from the shadows, but...'

Minos and the queen dowager arrived at the same time, dressed splendidly for their party. Minos sat on the throne, and the queen dowager stood beside him. "Open the doors. Let everyone in," Minos said to the guards.

The guards opened the doors and the guests, who had lined up outside the room, entered in an orderly fashion to greet the king and the queen dowager with their escorts, who were carrying boxes that probably contained gifts to celebrate the king's recovery.