Kings and Pawns

Chapter 4

I arrived at the palace dining room the same time as Caliet did. She wore a long green dress and enough   glittering jewelry as was fitting her station of a distinguished council woman. It was mildly disconcerting to see her dressed in something other than her usual training clothing.

"Good evening, Jerric," she said formally, "You look nice this evening."

I smoothed down the front of my dress uniform before replying.

"Hi Caliet, uh, nice...dress."

She chuckled at me, "Wow, Jer, you really know how to flatter a girl."

I cleared my throat and gestured to the door. "Shall we go in?"

I opened the door for her and followed her once she'd gone through. Merrit, Slade, and Talon were already sitting at the large table.

A servant dressed in the same color of red as the walls, approached Caliet and me. He showed us to our seats, Caliet to the left of the Emperor's chair and I to the right. Katelyn, dressed daintily in pink, and looking nothing like the skilled fighter that she was, entered the room with Coen as her escort.

We all exchanged friendly banter for the next few minutes while the rest of the recruits trickled in. They were excited, nervous, and curious.

I turned to Katelyn who was seated on my right hand side and asked, "Have you received any orders?"

She shook her head, causing her long dark hair, curled for the occasion, to bounce. "No Commander, just an innvitation to dinner."

She looked quizzically at me, "Should I have received orders?"

I smiled at her, "Maybe."

I glanced around the table quickly before leaning in and whispering, "You didn't hear it from me though."

She smiled at me and nodded before turning to talk to Coen.

After a few minutes, the dining room's side door opened and another red-clad man entered. "Please rise for his royal highness, Emperor Dawson."

We all stood.

Emperor Dawson strode through the doors with great dignity. Two of his attendants walked behind him like puppies following their master. After he had taken his position at the head of the table, he gestured to them and they scurried from the room.

"Welcome," the Emperor greeted us, taking care to rest his gaze on each of us momentarily. "Please sit."

Once we had regained our seats, he gestured to an attendant near a third door. In a matter of moments, servants began bringing plates in to the table.

For the first three courses, there was very little said, the recruits either too in awe at what they were experiencing, or too intimidated by the Emperor's presence to speak. Even the Emperor was silent, studying each of the recruits carefully.

By the fourth course though, tongues were begining to work again and there were several canversations going on, albeit quiet ones.

Emperor Dawson turned to me and spoke quietly, "Some of your choices seem unwise, Sir William. Are you sure that each of them are adequate for the positions that are to be given to them?"

I glanced around the table. Each of them had noticed my interaction with the Emperor, though they were being subtle about it.

"Your Majesty, I assure you that each of them possess the desirable qualities that are needed to carry out any task that they are given."

"Even the girl?"

From the corner of my eye, I saw Katelyn stiffen slightly, and I knew that she had heard the Emperor's question.