Free The Vildecaz Talents: The complete set of Vildecaz Stories including Nimuar's Loss, The Deceptive Oracle and Agnith's Promise by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro Page A

her hips and said, “I had planned the banquet to be ample, but now, there are seven more to eat with us – Fauthsku and his escorts, and two extra servants. I hadn’t planned for so many more.”
    “There are still Byton-fowl in the poultry pen,” said Erianthee. “Six of them should help you to feed the unexpected guests.”
    “Did no one know they were coming so soon?” Ver asked in frustration.
    “No. They weren’t expected for five more days,” said Erianthee, frowning as she said it. Why was Kloveon here early?
    Misreading her expression, Ver glanced quickly at Erianthee. “Don’t tell me you have found a vast number of entertainers, or I shall scream. I do not like serving magically conjured food to guests.”
    Erianthee chuckled. “No, Ver, there will be five of them, one fewer than we planned for.” She put her hand on Ver’s shoulder. “You will do excellently. You always do.”
    This time her sigh was slower and more eloquent. “It’s just the not knowing that makes it so difficult.”
    “Well, ask General Rocazin to help you. She can requisition whatever extra foodstuffs you need.”
    “But your father doesn’t approve of requisitioning,” Ver reminded Erianthee. “He wouldn’t encourage us to – “
    “Yes, very true. But he is also being put at a distinct disadvantage by so many unexpected guests,” said Erianthee.
    “We usually have the Imperial Courier deliver your official invitation to Court during the Reaper’s Moon,” Ver said.
    “The Imperial Courier?” Erianthee burst out. “You mean that Kloveon of Fauthsku is the Imperial Courier this year?” No wonder he had come early. How, she wondered, had he contrived to get that mission for himself?
    “So his escorts say,” Ver told her.
    “Where is he?” Erianthee asked.
    “In the Imperial Suite, of course. His escorts are in the Imperial Soldiers’ House, adjoining the stable.” Ver stepped into the pantry and took out two smoked geese. “This should satisfy the lower tables.”
    “Smoked goose? I would think so,” said Erianthee. “How many courses are you serving?”
    “I had planned six, but with the Imperial Courier here, I will have to contrive eight. I’ve taken all the eggs I can find, and I will make a souffle, and for the High Table, I have Badrei-fish stuffed with crab and prawns in soft cheese with ground almonds and garlic; the lower tables will have these geese. Shajdoch knows what I’ll find for stuffing.” As if immediately inspired by the kitchen-god she had invoked, she went on, “Walnuts and dates, perhaps, or sausage. The bakers are putting together sweet tarts for desert, and two of my assistants have gone to the creamery to get some of the best and ripest soft cheeses for the end of the meal, and we have dried apricots.” Ver closed her eyes for a long moment, then nodded. “Yes. I have enough now. Nothing magical need be served – all real food and from this duzky, or most of it. The wine-cellar is getting low on bottles. But that’s to be remedied later. I’ll work out what to offer at the late supper while dinner is being served. I seem to recall that there is still some game in the smokehouse, and a two elk with the butcher.”
    “You’ll manage superbly. You are always able to – “ Erianthee began.
    “Yes, yes; that’s why I’m Major-Cook” said Ver impatiently. “By the way, the big coach-horse is ailing. You know, Sanma. Your sister is in the stables, treating him even now.”
    “It is her responsibility,” Erianthee said.
    “And your father is off in his study, all his attention on that new research of his,” Ver went on. “If I have any questions, I fear I must direct them all to you.”
    “If you must, then you must,” said Erianthee. “But Hoftstan Ruch should be able to answer most questions you may have.”
    “He’s being hounded by the magician’s strumpet,” said Ver bluntly. “He has all he can do to remain at his assigned tasks.”
    Erianthee