Yes, for about the last ten minutes. And if you say it one more time, I will be extremely tempted to slap you. "Why, thank you very much, Prince Ralph." said Oceana as sweetly as possible.
"Queen Oceana, would you care to take a ride with me tomorrow at noon? I wish to show my recently acquired stallion." asked the Prince of Buioy.
Yeah, and if I have to go on one more ride with you, where you can't even control your own horse, I'll hit you over the head with my staff, and leave you for the vultures. "I am so sorry Prince Ethen, but I have several meetings already scheduled tomorrow at noon. Perhaps another time?"
"That would be absolutely delightful, Queen Oceana."
For you perhaps, but not for me, jerk! Thankfully, the bell rang, signaling the end of the dinner. "Thank you all for partaking in this dinner with me tonight. Please feel free to stroll in the gardens, enjoy the lake and do what your heart desires. If you need assistance, just ring for one the pages and they will gladly help you. I wish you all a good night."
Oh! What a long day. And it's not even over yet! I wish I could just take a few days to relax. As she entered her room she saw her long time friend lounging in the couch. If anyone was asked how old they thought her friend was, the would probably say: surely, no older then mid-twenties. And I guess they could be easily deceived. Sarris was tall and well built and years of training had added muscle. She was the one that had taught Oceana how to ride, fight, both hand to hand and with a sword, and shoot a arrow. Sarris was also notorious for hating social functions and nothing could entice her to wear a gown.
"Long day, Queen Oceana?" inquired Sarris in a mocking voice.
"Sarris, how many time have I told you not to call me "Queen". I hear that enough as it is. "Queen Oceana this..."and "Queen Oceana that..."! I'm sick of it!"shouted Oceana exasperated.
"Just hit them over the head with your staff, if that doesn't work, do it again, harder." Sarris said grinning.
Oceana smiled, remembering her previous thoughts. "Unfortunately, most of them are prominent people. Oh well! I guess I can stand them, if I have to. Anyway, I called you here to tell you that there might be war declared on us."
Sarris stopped grinning. "Who, why, and predicted date of declaration?" she asked in her no nonsense , hardened military voice.
"By the King of Pelth, because the Chancellor of Pelth thinks that my compromises weren't good enough and I think that it will be declared in a month or two." said Ocean as she slouched down onto her lazy chair with a look of despair on her face.
"Oceana?"
"I really don't need this now. Sometimes I wonder if we really have any allies left. And then, those...those...barbarians are chasing after me like hounds after a fox."
"Oceana?" asked Sarris again.
"You know, those "princes" who I can out shoot, out ride, beat the crap out of and am far more superior in intellect than."
"Oceana!" said Sarris a little more sharply.
"What?"
"You look like you just fought a battle in hell. Yes, those "princes" are just a bunch of lazy, good-for-nothing boys. The council isn't listening to you or being effective and you aren't having a pleasant time with foreign affairs. You barely eat anything these days and Leasha said that you haven't been getting enough sleep. The country and the unruly ambassadors can wait for now. I have taken the liberty of canceling the rest of your engagements tonight and tomorrow morning. You need to rest or you are going to get sick and then who will be left to run the kingdom?" Sarris stated, her military pose never even twitched.
A stunned silence filled the air. Then..."You WHAT!!!!!!!!," yelled Oceana, with the staff in her hand posed to hit, "How could you do such a thing! Do you realize that the meeting tonight was with the ambassadors of our neighbor on the southern border? Who's going to take my place? Who's going to be the conductor of the meeting? Who's going to -"
"Oceana! Be quiet!" Sarris yelled in her rarely heard drill Sargent voice. Oceana stopped mid-sentence. Sarris had never used that tome of voice with her! "Now, are you quite done?"
Oceana nodded her head, her face stunned. "Then you are going to have a quiet night and sleep in tomorrow morning. Tonight's meeting was rescheduled for two in the afternoon tomorrow."
Gradually, Oceana relaxed and got over her stun. Sarris is right. I do need some rest, so I might as well say thank you. "I...I...thank you Sarris, I needed that lecture." replied Oceana meekly.
"I'm glad that you agree. Now, why don't you get out of your formals and we can play a game of chess?" asked Sarris hopefully. Oceana was the only person that could present a challenge at chess.
"That sounds really good. I haven't had a decent game of chess in a long, long time. Oh! I can't wait to sleep in tomorrow morning! maybe I can even get Lesha to being me breakfast in bed!" squealed Ocean, like she was a child again.
Sarris grinned, seeing her friend finally relaxed.