Waymakers (Champions of the Crystal Book 9)

Chapter 12.2

Scotty walked into the room as Sabrina was speaking, his children in tow. They went immediately to their mother to tell her about their day, shouting to be heard over each other. "Well," Scotty said, "you could always go get him. That'll get his attention for sure."

"I don't want to make things worse. Mara asked me not to practice on my own, after all," Sabrina said. "Since there are so many of us, we'll use the formal dining room tonight. We need the big table."

Scotty grinned. "Less likely to have food fights break out, too. Unless you want to send the kids to the nursery for dinner?"

"No, they may as well eat with us. We can talk business after dinner," Sabrina replied. "Ah, Cynthia. How is Ranja today?"

"Up and walking, and her mental function is almost back to normal. The kids are doing great too," Cynthia replied. "Hi, your majesty."

Baldaran grinned at her. "How many times, Dr. Grayson, do I have to ask you to call me by my name?"

"I will when you call me by mine," she retorted, grinning back. "Sabrina, Liara's on her way up, but she wasn't sure if you'd need her."

"Probably best if she hears things firsthand," Sabrina said. "So we're just missing Mara, Seuréa, Ford, and Tirqwin."

Baldaran said, "I extended the invitation to Commander Rigeon, but she had a prior commitment, I'm afraid. So I asked Commander Mukryilla if she would mind giving us a military perspective."

"Oh, excellent—I should have thought of that," Sabrina said.

A moment later, Treva walked in and was immediately mobbed by the children. She was followed quickly by Seuréa popping in, but Mara chose to appear in the hallway and walk into the room in what Sabrina recognized as a Guardian's courtesy.

"Tirqwin will be with us shortly," Mara said. "Malvarak is objecting to his quarters and advocating to be involved in our strategy, but Tirqwin is explaining yet again why that would be unwise."

"Is that what's holding Ford up too?" Sabrina asked, though she knew the answer. Ford was still tinkering on the Kyan ship, she could tell.

Mara shook her head. "My son is brave," she mused, "but there are some things he cannot face. You must be patient with him, Sabrina."

A soft chime sounded to alert them that dinner was ready to be served, and Sabrina sighed. "We might as well go in and get started," she said, pitching her voice to catch everyone's attention. "This is an informal dinner, so please choose your own seats."

She led the way into the dining room, sitting in one of the two chairs at the head. The table had been specially constructed after her investiture, to enable both co-rulers to sit at the head and emphasize their equal status. She had never sat in this chair without Ford in its twin, and it felt strange.

Tirqwin appeared just as they were all sitting down, and he took an empty chair beside Lily, who had claimed the foot of the table. Sabrina waited a beat more to see if Ford would join them before nodding to the butler to begin the dinner service.

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Ford arrived when they were nearly finished with the first course, having detoured to clean himself up, Sabrina deduced from the fact that his hair was still damp. He gave everyone a genial wave of welcome as he made his way to his chair. "Sorry I'm late, everyone, but I see you didn't wait for me, so hopefully I'm forgiven."

Baldaran chuckled. "Sabrina has, as always, taken good care of us, brother. Though we are glad to have you with us. Did you blow something up?"

"Not exactly," Ford replied, sitting. He gave Sabrina a kiss on the cheek. "Sorry, darling."