Мор - ученик смерти

           Thingscametoaheadatlunchtime.Shesweptintothegreathallandfoundnoplacehadbeensetinfrontoftheroyalchair.Byspeakingloudlyanddistinctlytothebutlershemanagedtogetthatrectified,thensawdishesbeingpassedinfrontofherbeforeshecouldgetaforkintothem.ShewatchedinsullendisbeliefasthewinewasbroughtinandpouredfirstfortheLordofthePrivyCloset.

           Itwasanunregalthingtodo,butshestuckoutafootandtrippedthewinewaiter.Hestumbled,mutteredsomethingunderhisbreath,andstareddownattheflagstones.

           SheleanedtheotherwayandshoutedintotheearoftheYeomanofthePantry:’Canyouseeme,man?Whyarewereducedtoeatingcoldporkandham?’

           HeturnedasidefromhishushedconversationwiththeLadyoftheSmallHexagonalRoomintheNorthTurret,gaveheralonglookinwhichshockmadewayforasortofunfocusedpuzzlement,andsaid,’Why,yes...Ican...er....’

           ’YourRoyalHighness,’promptedKeli.

           ’But...yes...Highness,’hemuttered.Therewasaheavypause.

           Then,asifswitchedbackon,heturnedhisbackonherandresumedhisconversation.

           Kelisatforawhile,whitewithshockandanger,thenpushedthechairbackandstormedawaytoherchambers.Acoupleofservantssharingaquickrollupinthepassageoutsidewereknockedsidewaysbysomethingtheycouldn’tquitesee.