Book
Three
Chapter
Eighteen - Counting Down
When
Robin checks in at her room earlier in the morning of Archer 6, there
are two messages waiting for her.
The first is --
"The
Coronation's FQA:
by Random, soon-to-be King.
1: A major exercise in bladder control, the coronation is
organized as follows:
A: The arriving of the people,
and the excited milling around
B: The arriving of the nobles and
ambassadors,
and the dignified milling (around)
3: The arriving of the royal
family and the bored milling (around)
4: The arriving of the
King/Queen/Prince and the swooning, reeling, writhing, and
fainting in
coils.
5: The vague promises and
reminders of past prosperity
6: The coronation. Note:
Crowns, not cornets. V. thought cornets bad idea. Not
musical.
7: The meaningless platitudes and
intimations
of future security and stability
8: The giving (by you) and
receiving (by us) of oaths of allegiance. Again. Really,
the
point of this
thing is to do this in front of me and everyone, so we've got to.
Winter will
send you all copies of the oath. It's crufty, but serviceable.
9: The standing by and watching
while everybody else does the same. In order of
precedence.
2: Precedence. Who comes first, except in a stuffy way.
3: Martin, Benedict, Corwin, Caine, Fiona, Bleys, Llewella, Florimel,
Julian, Gerard, Reid, Lilly, Aisling, Cambina, Jerod, Merlin, Marius,
Conner,
Brita, Paige, Brennan, Lucas et. al, Jovian, Robin, Solange,
Vere,
Ossian, Folly, Dukes and Duchesses, Counts, Countesses and Earls,
Marquesses and Marquessites, Barons, Baronesses, and Life Peers.
Knights,
new Knights and nobles, Representatives of the peepul, chosen for their
peepul-ness, and/or importance to the realm."
Robin breathes a sigh of relief when she reads that
order. Though she has to chuckle at her and Solange's proximity
regardless.
"D: The blessing of the fleet.
E: Then you better get me the list pretty quickly, don't you think?
VI: Queen Vialle will be in charge until I get back. She
may set up a Queen's council. Or she may rule with a despotic
hand. Either way, it'll be interesting.
VII: A coronation masquerade. In the grand ballroom, with the
candlestick."
The second is hand delivered by an extremely sleepy page,
who has obviously been 'staking out' her room
"Dear Robin,
I
hope you will join me and some other ladies this evening for a late
supper and light entertainment. I realize that this is somewhat short
notice, and understand if you have already made other
plans.
Please let me know if I can expect you. I
look forward to seeing you this evening, or at the
Coronation.
Yours,
Vialle"
It is written in the handwriting of Vialle's secretary,
Ember, who has also worked with Cambina.
Robin sends an immediate response back with the page in
her own handwriting, which is a very solid, easily read block
print. With a few ink smudges on the corners of the paper.
Majesty,
You honor me greatly with your invitation and I treasure your
consideration. Unfortunately, I am afraid that I must miss what
sounds like a wonderful evening. I hope that we will have future
opportunities to meet.
Thank you,
Robin