Shield of the King by MB Mooney

Author:MB Mooney [Mooney, MB]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Yorkshire Publishing
Published: 2024-05-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

When they served us lunch, I wanted to eat every piled platter.

After fighting with dozens of goblain yesterday, barely eating this morning, and the match with Imam, I could have curled up in the corner and slept the rest of the day. Raging hunger kept me upright, though. I changed into fresh clothes before arriving at the dining area.

The royal servants laid out platters of meats, cheeses, fruits, and flatbreads on a long table in another meeting room under the bleachers of the arena. The King and his family sat at a table on the far end of the room with Shaul the Shield and twelve guards around them. The servants brought him food.

Father stood nearby the King, Qatal hanging from his belt.

The King’s Trust gathered around another table perpendicular to the royal one, a handful of guard around them. I glanced at Aiken, the Lord of Coin, who gave me a slight bow when he noticed me.

“Do you need me to get a plate for you?” the voice came from behind me.

I turned. “Refa. No, I can manage.” I glanced down at the tunic and trousers. “I do need to thank you for the fresh clothes. They fit perfectly.”

Refa gave a bow. “Gladly doing my duty.”

I chuckled. “I’m not sure about that, but again, thank you.”

“Of course,” the servant said. “Please let me know if there’s anything else.”

“I will.”

He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “You made your kingdom proud today.”

I might have stood a little taller. “Thank you.”

“No. On behalf of Jibryl, thank you.” Refa moved on past me while I headed to the food.

I piled food on my plate – some hornoth steak cubes, roseberries, and three flatbreads. With a mug of clear water, I wove through tables to an empty one. I passed Mia and her son at one table, Odger and Conor at another. Forced smiles lasted until I reached the table, sat alone, and hunched over my food, shoving it into my mouth.

A figure appeared across from me like a shadow. “That was impressive,” the voice said.

I looked up, my jaws filled with half-chewed food. Julius leaned back in the chair. I raised a brow at him.

“Many thought your inclusion at the Tournament a joke,” he continued as if I didn’t look like a garden serpent that was trying to swallow a war lizard. “Your stunt with Xong, while clever and effective, didn’t improve those thoughts among many. Today, however, you showed skill. You showed that you belong among masters.”

Drool started to escape my lips, and I sucked in air through my nose as I started chewing. I gulped a large portion of it down. It got stuck in my throat for a moment, and I almost choked, but I swallowed so I could sit straight and say, “Thanks.”

“You are welcome.” Julius brushed his robe during a pause. “Were you able to hear much of our conversation last night from the stable door?”

I choked, then turned my head so I wouldn’t spew bits of food on him.

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