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Cap. 13 The conference at Les Ornielles

After Saito and Louise returned to Les Ornielles, a few days passed with few notable events. For example, Michelle and Claude's banns were posted at the local church. And Saito had sent some messages.
As a result, a few days later a dragon flew in and settled in the meadow near the mansion. And this dragon had riders.
The young woman with the blue hair and the gnarled staff was of course the Queen of Gallia, Charlotte, but better known to her friends as Tabitha. The handsome young man sitting behind her was Julio Césare, the Flamen and her brother-in-law.
Immediately after the dragoness landed, there was a vortex of air and Sylphid disappeared. Instead of her, a young girl stood on the meadow, completely naked. But the passengers had taken precautions and gave her clothes, which she quickly put on. Not that she was embarrassed by her nakedness - Sylphid had no such thing as shame. As a dragon, she was always naked anyway. But she was aware that when she was unclothed she irritated human observers considerably. In her human form, she bore a striking resemblance to Tabitha (who had also served as a role model for her familar), only her bust was better developed.
As the three of them walked towards the house, it was Tabitha who said: "We should take advantage of the opportunity to climb into the hot spring here. Are you joining us, Sylphid?"
The dragon girl nodded, but Julio shook his head."You have to do without me. Tabitha looks too much like Josette for my taste."
Tabitha laughed quietly. "Do you desire my twinsister that much?"
Julio smiled somewhat forcedly. "She is my master and I am her familiar. As simple as that! Of course I love her! And if I were to see my dear sister-in-law unclothed, it would remind me very much of my beloved mistress. And I don't want that to be obvious."
Tabitha laughed. "You're excused, brother-in-law. We can climb into the hot spring in different layers, male and female separately. I just want to know why Saito insisted so much on you coming with me."
Julio shrugged. "He only wrote that he wanted to speak to me in my capacity as a Flamen."
"We'll hear about it soon," Tabitha said. "What's going on there? Any renovations?"
There was a pile of boards piled up at the foot of the steps, and people in simple clothes were just coming out of the open front door carrying furniture, a table and several armchairs. "They still look pretty good!" said one to the other two who were carrying the table.
"The young gentleman said we could take them with us, he didn't need them," replied one of the table bearers. "But this stuff is heavy. If we want to get all this to the village, we need a cart."
"Yes, especially for that huge four-poster bed. And then over those rumpy tree roots on the way," the other agreed. "Oh, there are people! Where do you want to go if I may ask?"
"To Mr. Saito," Tabitha replied. "He requested our coming."
"I know you," said one of the chair porters. "Didn't you live here for a while?"
Tabitha laughed. "That's true, but it was a few years ago. Where is he?"
"Down in the basement we're clearing out, young lady. Where is your car?"
"We don't need it," Tabitha said. "We came by dragon."
"So important people. If you want to come in - then I will register you. Who should I report to the Lord?"
"Tell himTabitha is here with Julio Césare."

The person addressed put down his chair. "I'll tell him straight away. Michael, go to the village right now and get a cart."
One of the table porters now put down his load, nodded and set off. The speaker motioned for the three newcomers to follow him. "This direction, please."
In the large entrance hall there were two doors under the gallery. The villager walked towards one of them, unlocked it and disappeared into the gloom behind it. A staircase led to the basement and voices came from below. Tabitha recognized Saito's voice: "So far, so good. But we can't get this huge four-poster bed out of the room in one piece. We'll probably have to take it apart."
The answering voice could only be Louise's: "That was probably the way this huge thing got into the cellar in the first place - in individual parts that were only put together down here. The canopy is probably just attached, and the posts look to me as if they could also be removed."
"You're probably right, Louise," came Saito's reply. "Oh, that would be easy if it was just a tatami!"
Since the three visitors, following the villager, had already descended some of the steps, Louise's laughter could be heard more clearly, then her voice: "If we want to raise the canopy, we need more people. Four corners, four people."
Julio Cesaré cleared his throat and said: "That shouldn't be missing.  Although I don't think we were invited to move furniture."
"Well. Look who we got there?"
"Visitors, Master Saito," their guide called through the open door. "I think you know them. They've been here before."
"Oh..." The room behind the door was lit by several lamps, and Saito now appeared in the open door. "I thought I knew the voice! Julio, Tabitha and Sylphid. You were very quick. The post owl could only have reached Lutetia yesterday. Welcome!"
"My Ivaldi!" Tabitha replied, smiling. "What are you doing here? And what's a four-poster bed doing in the basement?"
"Hmmm. We'll fill you in soon - but not down here. What we have here could be useful, but should not be peddled. "Claude?"
"Your Grace?"
"Not so formal!" reprimanded Saito. "Come in, guys. May I introduce you to the knight Claude Bourouné? Our steward."
The one so designated bowed slightly. "Very pleasant, gentlemen. With whom do I have the pleasure?"
Saito pointed to the newcomers one by one. "This is Tabitha – better known as Queen Charlotte, Queen of Gallia. The gentleman next to her is Julio Cesaré, a Flamen from the Church of Romalia - and the queen's brother-in-law. The other girl is Irukukuu - but that's just an alias. She is better known as Sylphid, the queen's draconic familiar."
The steward bowed deep. "I am deeply honored, Your Majesty. Reverend, I know your name. Chevallier Saito mentioned you in connection with an offer he made to me."
"And that would be, Mr. Knight?"
"He offered to have you perform my wedding ceremony."
"You want to get married, Mr. Knight? And – there should be a priest here in town! Why can't he give you marriage?"
Claude shook his head. "The matter is quite delicate, Reverend. My fiancée is not of my class – she is a Commenor-girl."
A broad smile appeared on the Flamen's face. "I think I understand. Marrying a Commenor would isolate you socially, wouldn't it? But if a Flamen performs this marriage, it would mean that this union enjoys higher approval from the church."
"That was my thought on this," Saito chimed in."That's within your competence, Julio? It would take some of the edge off the process."
The Flamen laughed quietly. "Holy Mother Church is reluctant to interfere in social conventions."
"And this from a Flamen who married a former nun – and who became the familiar of said ex-nun," Saito said maliciously.