Looking at his many reflections as they passed numerous mirrors on their way to the Great Hall, Steve couldn’t help but feel as though he was one of Robin Hood’s merry men. Dark green tunic, khaki trousers, and brown leather boots. All he needed to complete the picture was a hat. With a big feather. He chuckled. At least the material was comfortable and lightweight. Sarah was incredibly fetching in her floor-length gown. As with his new clothes, her dress was a lightweight material as well, with several swirl-type gold designs on the bodice. He wanted to inspect the designs a bit closer, but that sort of thing could wait. Don’t want to give off the wrong impression amongst their new friends.
Together, they walked into the Great Hall (without Tristan’s help – Sarah had watched him intently the last couple of times they had been escorted from their room) and looked around. There were general murmurings everywhere as people conversed with one another over what today’s activities would bring, whether the weather would hold for the harvesting of the crops, and so on.
Sarah selected an empty table off to the side and sat down. Steve sat down at the other side and looked around.
Noting that the Nohrin were finally sitting, Tristan caught the eye of the head of the kitchen staff. The soldier looked pointedly at the young couple then back at the king’s chef. Several other servants gathered behind her. Is that them? Her eyes asked. Tristan nodded. Yes, take care of them.
The king’s personal chef selected her most efficient server, a young peasant woman, and whispered instructions to her. The girl darted off at once to the table where Steve and Sarah sat.
“So, I wonder how we go about getting something to-”
At this time the servant girl arrived. She introduced herself as Julia, and very politely inquired what they would like for breakfast. Certain that a glass of cranberry juice and a bagel with cream cheese were out of the question, Sarah went with their waitress’ opinion. “Julia, what do you like to have for breakfast?”
Surprised to have her opinion asked of her, Julia paused a moment as she thought about it. “I like to have a glass or two of tara juice, with a chedra.” Julia smiled. “Maybe two.”
Steve leaned forward. “What’s a chedra? What’s in it?”
“Bread and cheese, mostly.”
“Is tara some type of a berry?” Sarah wanted to know.
“Aye, they are small red berries that grow in the southern valley.”
“Okay, then, I’ll have a glass of tara juice and I’ll try one of those chedras. Thanks Julia.”
Uncertain whether or not these chedras would actually fill him up, Steve hesitated. Sarah, knowing her husband well, spoke up. “My husband would like something heartier. What would you suggest? What do the soldiers usually have in the morning?”
Certain she would be reprimanded if she suggested gruel and sausage for the famous Nohrin, Julia looked quickly over to her supervisor. Watching intently, the chef was ready with her response: Give them whatever they want.
At that moment, Mikal came running up to them and joined them at their table.
“Good morning to ye!” he said to his newfound comrade-at-arms. “And to ye,” he added to Steve.
“Mornin’ kiddo!”
“Good morning, Mikal,” Sarah said. She looked at the bright boy before them, an idea occurring to her. “Listen, we could use your help.”
“Sure, anything!” Eager to please, his enthusiastic response made them both smile.
“My husband was wondering what to have for breakfast. We don’t know what’s good here, and he usually has a large breakfast. What do you think he’d like?”
Mikal thought a moment, and then looked at Julia. “Bring him some sheppard pie. I bet he’d like that.”
Doing his best to act as nonchalant as possible, Steve inquired what was in it, knowing full well what was in the Irish version he was familiar with.
“It’s a pastry type of thing,” Mikal explained. “It has meat, some cheese, and-”
Steve slapped him on the back. “Sold!” He looked at Julia. “I’ll have some of that sheppard pie.” Deciding to risk the tara juice, he also ordered a glass.
Mikal, wanting to impress his new friends, also ordered the sheppard pie with a glass of tara juice.
Across the Great Hall, the queen stood, watching silently. Her precious son was laughing and having his morning meal with his new protectors. They were getting along spectacularly, she mused. Her husband came up behind her.
“What are ye doing?”
Putting her fingers to her lips, she shushed him and pointed to where their son sat, eating his breakfast.
“Mikal has taken to them very fast. They are quite good with children.”