Sarabande: River of Falcons Book 4

33. Dinner at the Palace

The Artulan guards were clustered at the far end of the long dining table, talking quietly. An elderly man who had come to the Palace to report that crops had become diseased on the farms along the eastern coast was devouring his third plate of food, assuming, perhaps, that it would be his last good meal for a long time to come. At the head of the table, the Queen sat poking at her plate, a scowl on her face. Thistle sat next to her, but the other nearby seats were empty.

"There is a distinct lack of respect for authority," the Queen snapped, giving her food a sharp jab with her fork. "They come and go as they please, and don't even bother to tell me when they leave." She poked an artichoke with her knife. "But this is a new low," she added, glaring around at the empty seats.

Thistle nodded. "Yes, it does seem odd. Sasha and Nighthawk were at the front gate with Arty and June when I spoke with Onuma. I can't think where they could have gone. It's not like them to miss dinner, or refuse to accept my sendings."

"Well, it is like Ubi and Drift to miss dinner," the Queen grumbled.

Thistle hesitated, then said, "Well, actually, Ubi always came to meals until quite recently. I think it's only been in the last day or two. Since you, um, spoke harshly to him at lunch and he got upset and left."

"He deserved it. He does not follow instructions. In fact, none of them do."

Thistle nodded. "I agree, and I am upset about the absences, too. But of course Sarai and Summer are used to being independent agents, since they were exiles for so many years. I suppose they are in the habit of doing whatever they think is right. Still, the children ought to listen to us and keep us better informed. And as for June, she's not that much older than the children and she may be having a poor influence on them. I wouldn't be surprised if they've gone off with her now."

"When they get back, and I assume Drift will come back of her own accord since she's probably just gone off and done something irresponsible, I intend to let them know that this conduct cannot continue. Either you are part of the royal house, or you are not. It is imperative that we have proper discipline around here."

"Yes, I agree," Thistle replied, then added cautiously, "but don't you think that they probably are not in the habit of being answerable to a queen? Most of them were on their own, struggling independently against the sorcerers, for many years."

"They were struggling to reestablish the royal family. Why would they not recognize its authority!" The Queen jabbed at the artichoke again, this time so forcefully that it rolled off her plate. She glared at it.

"Well, you do have a point. All of them tend to act independently, and that has to change. I'm afraid they got in the habit when you were gone, and now we must teach them new habits. I do not hold with my own children's lack of obedience, but as for Drift and Ubi, well, they have not had the benefit of your maternal influence, and it may take some time to—"

The Queen held up a hand to interrupt her. "You're making excuses for them, Thistle. You know as well as I do that I have to lead with a firm hand. We are threatened on all sides."

Thistle patted the Queen's arm and said, "Yes, my cousin, I understand your anxiety and concern. However, don't forget that leadership has to be earned. We've been in the Palace for little more than a moon. Over time, I'm sure they will gain more respect for your authority. If you rule wisely and well, I think you will find that the children will naturally look to you for instructions, and also that our Fena and Artulan allies will look more and more to the Palace for leadership as it guides them through both its direction and its example."

The Queen pulled her arm away and sat back with a snort. "If? Are you saying that you don't think I'm a good leader? Because I don't think you should be lecturing me about leadership. All the time I was held captive, you were hiding in the Northern Wastes, doing absolutely nothing about all the problems that beset this land!"