Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85794 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85794 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
The servant at the door was the same one who had brought them their clothes and led them to the banquet the night before. He must be assigned to them, Phoebe thought.
“Yes? What do you want?” Sirex asked, frowning down at him.
“Hello, Lord Sirex.” The servant boy made a nervous bow and cleared his throat. “I come with an invitation. Lord Thruck has invited all the males in the palace to join him on a Grox hunt today. He would be most gratified if you would meet him at the gallumpher stables around the west side of the palace. A fresh air breakfast will be served before the hunt commences and a jolly time will be had by all.”
He sounded like he was reciting something he had memorized, Phoebe thought. And then he just stood there, waiting for the answer.
Sirex frowned.
“What if I don’t wish to accept the invitation? I have never ridden a gallumpher before. In fact, I don’t even know what one looks like.”
“Oh, they’re extremely gentle!” the servant boy assured him. “And I don’t think it would be wise to refuse the invitation. Lord Thruck gets offended when his guests don’t agree to his plans,” he added in a half-whisper.
“I didn’t come to the palace to be a guest of Lord Thruck,” Sirex growled, scowling down at the servant. “I came to meet with the Emperor. How long will it be before I can see him? My time is valuable!”
The servant went pale and shrank away from the angry warrior.
“F-forgive me, my Lord, but I don’t know,” he stammered. “Lord Thruck is very particular about who he allows to meet with the Shining One.”
“But you have access to him—don’t you?” Phoebe asked, stepping out from behind Sirex. “I mean, the servants of the palace still get to see the Emperor because you wait on him, right?”
“Well…” the servant boy began.
“What if you helped us get access to him, just for a minute?” Phoebe went on, not giving him time to refuse. “We could be very discreet—no one would ever have to know. And I’m sure my Master would make it worth your while.” She looked up at Sirex for confirmation and he nodded.
“Indeed I would.”
“But you don’t understand—only Hil’de’guard has access to The Shining One!” the servant boy blurted. “She’s the Emperor’s personal servant and nurse. And she reports only to Lord Thruck.”
“I see.” Sirex nodded. “Very well then. Please forget we asked.” He dug a five-credit golden coin out of the pocket of his tight leather trousers and handed it to the servant.
“My lips are sealed, my Lord.” The servant bowed again. “Er…can I tell Lord Thruck to expect you at the gallumpher stables for breakfast and the hunt?”
“You can tell him I’ll be there. But first I have to help my female get dressed,” Sirex told him. “Will she be coming with me on the hunt?” he asked.
The servant boy’s eyes went wide.
“A female on a hunt? Goodness, no, my Lord! That would bring terrible luck!”
“Then what is she supposed to do while I go on the hunt? And what is she supposed to eat?” Sirex demanded. “I wasn’t allowed to feed her at the banquet last night.”
“Er…I can bring a tray to your room for her,” the servant offered, swallowing nervously. “That way she can eat at leisure while you hunt.”
“All right—excellent.” Sirex nodded. “See that you bring her only the best. I don’t want her losing her curves.”
“Yes, my Lord!” The servant bowed deeply. “I’ll go and get a tray from the Royal kitchen for her now. Can you find your way to the hunt yourself or should I come back to lead you there?”
“I believe I can manage. On the west side of the palace, you said?” Sirex asked.
The servant boy nodded.
“Yes—by the gallumpher stables. You’ll know it by their cries—they get most excited before a hunt.”
“All right. I’ll be there as soon as I finish getting dressed.”
Sirex closed the door before the servant could say anything else and turned to Phoebe.
“Well, I guess I’m going on a hunt,” he said and raked a hand through his hair.
“Be careful,” Phoebe urged him. “I remember something else Be’ti’ta told me before the Sparkler kicked in. She said someone fell off their gallumpher and died on the last hunt!”
“Maybe they’re not quite as docile as the servant would lead us to believe then,” Sirex growled. “Don’t worry—I’ve ridden one of the fire drakes of Kazax Centauri before—I’m sure the gallumphers can’t be worse than those.”
Phoebe wasn’t sure about that.
“All right—just remember if something happens to you, I’ll be stuck here,” she reminded him. “As a woman alone, I’d have a pretty hard time getting away from the palace and back to the spaceport.”
“Look at me…” Leaning down, Sirex tilted her chin up with one finger and looked into her eyes. “I’m not leaving you alone, Phoebe,” he murmured. “Haven’t I sworn to protect you?”