Amethyst nodded, saying some tea was fine for her, too.
Calla Grovershire nodded, giving a peer curtsey¹ and said, "The King is waiting for you in the solarium². Constance will lead you there, I'll meet you there with your teas and King Gregor's as well."
The head housekeeper instructed the Handlers and Amethyst to follow, and they arrived just before Grovershire.
"Thank you, you three for being so prompt. I called you, Amethyst, and the parents here because there's been another attack. Much worse than simply hanging a doll."
"Sire, there's not much worse that can be done." Amethyst frowned as the Duchess handed her, Mrs Handler and King Gregor their teas.
"Thank you, Duchess Calla. See that we are not disturbed." Gregor stated.
After curtseying, Grovershire pulled the doors closed behind her as she left.
The king took a sip of tea before acknowledging Amethyst's remark. "As you said. Not much worse. An assassination attempt is, however." He looked at the three. "A knight that was under Sir Cornwall made an attempt on Clair. She was poisoned when she bit the hand of the culprit, who also tried to kidnap her. Thanks to Dr. Service, Princess Diana, and the Crimson Avenger, she's on her way to a full recovery. You must know, Clair is already very loved by several of the girls, and despite how shy she is... Or maybe because of it... Is one of the most popular and loved, here. She's made friends with not only Lythikos and Cordonia, but the Amazons respect her, and Monterisso has actually commissioned her. For what I can scarce imagine. The noble has even confided in me that she's very impressed."
Gregor sighed, took a sip of tea, and continued. "Taking her out of court at this stage would be a travesty, I want all three of you here for added protection, which brings me to the reason I asked you to come. In order for you to stay here to help keep an eye on Clair, but please do not interfere with the courtly games... I need to know about how much you make at the store on an average day, so that I may compensate you for the losses you'll incur to help protect your daughter."
Amethyst frowned. "The Avenger is here?"
Gregor nodded. "And unmasked. She lost her hat tackling the kidnapper. I've postponed her sentencing until after court. I hope in that time, we, meaning you, I and she, can change the minds of the knights. She understands that after the games per day, she is under house arrest, as it were. I'm sure if she continues to keep her nose clean, the knights will be convinced she doesn't need jail time. She has been stationed with Clair, effective tonight, and two guards at their door. She is one of Clair's saviours, after all."
Amethyst frowned, "With Avenger and Diana..."
"They are only two people. They can't be everywhere. Tomorrow is scouting. That means being one with nature, alone. Amethyst. You know there are several girls who can't ride a horse well. Everyone deserves an equal shot at the points. I'd like to have you three stationed at the checkpoints, but I need to know the Handlers are onboard, and how much days wages they'll lose on average for being a part of the court guard."
Amethyst smirked at Mr. Handler. "The perks of knighthood! Even retired, you can be a court guard!"
---------------------+-+------------
Aurora sighed and shook her head. "No. This would still have been a business date. If Dr. Monroe is joining us, it just became a meeting." She nodded to the maid. "Show him in."
The same salt and pepper haired gentleman Clair knew well, came in and took off his hat. "I daresay, you aren't my old friend, Bristol!"
Aurora extended her hand. "Aurora Service. Cordonia. I study under Lt. Arden."
"That old soldier finally recruited a nurse. How well do you know your medicine, young lady?" Monroe smiled taking the hand in a firm shake.
"Take the chair, I'll move to my bed to sit. Well enough to have saved Clair here from adamantum poisoning."
The two doctors switched positions and Monroe sat in the chair Aurora vacated.
"Sounds like you have quite the head on your shoulders. Most women don't make it because of either panic or weak constitution."
This caused a back and forth between the two physicians that Clair would have no hope of following, but would learn some medical jargon if she was quick enough with her quill and ink.
"I am impressed, Dr. Service. Monroe said, laughing. He then looked at the table, really observing the pieces on it. "What's this then?" He asked.
"That's an idea Dr. Arden and I have been fiddling with, and Clair has been kind enough to try to put together. It had only started as an idea, Clair is the mind to hopefully get it to work, we were just about to put the invention together. Clair? Will you take it from here?"
---------------------++++-----------------------;;
Igthorne and Cornwall agreed to the terms, and paid the half. "You get the other half when we see these criminals' heads." Igthorne said.
¹-A peer curtsey would be a half curtsey a noble would give another of like or lesser rank. By giving a Merchant one, the Duchess is respecting the Merchant's rank as a fellow noble.
²-Solarium is basically a room with a lot of glass... A medieval greenhouse.
