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Cynthia was laughing softly as Lareth pushed her into the kitchen where Hal was waiting with the head chef. Thankfully, both of them liked her, otherwise she'd be a bit worried about both of them standing there like that.

"So what do you have planned for me today, Hal? I hope it's something with a bit more flavor this time," she commented, looking a little plaintive. Apparently it was just enough for the chef to relent to her and even look sympathetic at her even though it appeared Hal wasn't buying it at all.

Cynthia gave a soft sigh at the soup but gave in, knowing that it was better than fighting the older demon. Her eyes did light up at the mention of fish in the near future, remembering that old recipe for wrapping it in herbed clay and burying it in hot coals to cook...

As Lareth pushed her over to the table, she noted that he was eating the same thing she was and wondered if that was done to keep her from snatching anything from his plate. Knowing Hal, he'd planned it just for that reason.

As it was, she finished the meal quickly and gave a delighted sound when the chef placed a spiced baked apple in front of her, giving him a grateful look. Hal couldn't complain about the dessert. It was fruit. It was soft. It was healthy.

For her part, it also had flavor. She loved it. When it was gone, she wiped her mouth and smiled at all of them, "Thank you... I'll be looking forward to the fish, though," she said simply, wrinkling her nose impishly at Hal, which he only smiled at.

She knew she was probably heading back to bed at this point and knew she needed the rest, but couldn't help but wish that she could spend more time with Lareth. She really did hate being injured like this, having to rely on others to take care of her, unable to move as she wanted to... But she was accepting it better at the moment than she normally would have...

Ost arrived in the castle kitchen with soft steps and the good luck to be alone. The only good fortune to touch his path in months. He quickly and quietly assembled a small meal from mixed-up leftovers in an old wooden bowl and left for the main castle grounds to find a place to follow his orders without relaxing his vigilance.

((Exit to Lareth's Castle))

Cynthia turned from where she was trying to negotiate with the chef and smiled when she saw Yamille and Ost. The chef immediately turned and collected a meal for Ost that would be considered decent for him and set it on the table with a look that spoke volumes if he turned the meal down.

Cynthia, however, moved to give Yamille a big hug, "I've missed you Yammy..." she said in a soft whisper before pulling back from the hug, "We can talk later though. Right now I have to figure out how I'm going to convince the chef not to retire on me... We have no one to take his place yet.

"Not only that, but Hal tried to deliver two letters to you from Anube. Luckily, though Hal managed to spell them so they'd go back to him if they got lost," she told her then passed over the two letters she'd collected a bit earlier and had Yamille sit down at the kitchen table near Ost while one of the undercooks set a cup of warm tea in front of her and a plate of apple scones.

Then, while Yamille read both letters, Cynthia went back into the negotiations with the chef...

When she heard what Yamille had to say, Cynthia's hand went directly to her own belly with an expression her face that was both sad and happy. She looked up at Yamille, "Go to them, Yamille. I will be here for you to return to. They will need you, though..." she said softly and moved to give her a kiss on her cheek.

"We can talk later, Yammy. There seems to be a great deal of that kind of loss in the last few months. Only yesterday, Wren, our elven visitor, lost her own twins in an attack. And..." she hesitated to say anything about herself just yet, not sure how to bring that mess up.

She just shook her head with a small smile, "No, you need to go to your brother. He needs you," she said a bit more firmly.

Ost acknowledged Yamille with a deep nod and smooth formality. "It is an honor to meet you, Yamille." His proper decorum was as well trained as his self control. Neither one slipped easily or often, especially in the kitchen where he greeted Cynthia with a deep bow but said nothing. His earlier outburst was still fresh in his mind and he chose to lean toward caution even more than he used to.

Ost had developed a kind of reputation in the kitchen. He never seemed to care what he ate, neither liking nor hating anything and never making any requests. The chef did not like him and usually felt under appreciated in his presence. This could make Cynthia's negotiations harder. But, while Ost was usually unreadable, he did know how to push the right buttons sometimes. He had a vested interest in aiding the woman he most respected. So, as he began to eat, he paused. He blinked a couple times with his mouth full of food. Then he smiled and began to eat more quickly than usual. The food was good. But, it was always good. He knew that the chef would notice the appreciation though and that it would improve his mood if nothing else. Sometimes, subtlety is all it takes to tip the scales.

He was not oblivious to the conversation between the two ladies but it was mostly personal and not any of his business. There was no way that his present rank would allow him to be of great service. Not now. Perhaps when the king found time to instruct him in what he needed done... perhaps then.

Well, that didn't work as well as I hoped... but at least he was... mostly respectful in quitting. Ost thought as he finished eating and listened to Cynthia. He had a clearer feel for some aspects of the King's behavior than she did it seemed. But, that was as the King wished it to be. He wished to shield her from the ugly side of rule. Ost knew that she didn't really expect an answer from him. He wasn't a specialist in aquiring help. But, there was one thing that came to mind.

"The King does what he chooses, Lady Cynthia. It is for those who are lesser in rank or power to either accept and follow, or move to a safer distance." He looked straight at her with his usual calm. But, he was not happy to see her so confused so he decided to do his best to give her enough of a push to keep despair from setting in. Besides, he hadn't cooked in a long time; his current duties did not allow the distraction. "Perhaps a couple of the kitchen staff with a little guidance could fill in until a proper chef can be found? They must have noticed enough during their work to at least craft a passable meal or two."

Ost might have had more to say but he suddenly stopped and turned his head toward the castle entrance. A couple people had just arrived by teleportation. He felt their disturbance in the wards but did not feel any urgency or danger in them. So, while one of them was definitely a potential threat there was no present justification for him to go to meet them. Besides, he sensed that they were seeking the King. If they were enemies in disguise then they would be in greater danger by far when in the King's presence.

((Edit))