From the kitchen, servers appeared with small covered plates. Sarah noticed one of the servers was Josh. James took his lid off first to expose a salad. He took a bite as everyone watched. Sarah was amazed at their behavior. But then she had never dined with a Royal Family before. When King James took his second bite, everyone else removed their lids and began eating; except Orion.

   “So,” James broke through the clatter of forks on porcelain.

   Sarah looked up to notice Orion hadn’t uncovered his plate. “Did you forget something?” She asked.

   His expression was mournful and distant, “perhaps.”

   The room was once more filled with the clinking of porcelain and silver, “PHD or MD?” James asked.

   “Both sire.”

   “No, call me James. That’s my name.”

   She nodded, “as you wish.”

  “You’re well educated.” He grinned.

  “Where did you go to school?” Roa asked.

   “Bredone.”

   “I didn’t think women were allowed to attend Bredone.” Floria questioned.

   The servers appeared, removing everyone’s plates.

   “I was part of an experiment. They admitted twenty women to see what we (women) could achieve.”

   “You did well.” James remarked.

   “Thank you.”

   The servers brought out the next dish. The family followed the same routine for the soup as they did the salad.

   “So what are you doing here?” Juliah asked.

   “I don’t know.”

   “You go places without knowing what you’re going to do?” Paul seemed shocked.

   “Dr. Carter and I have been friends for a long time. I come to my friends when they call.”

   “Dr. Carter is busy.” James told everyone. “I’m sure he will come get you when he is ready.”

   “I am sure he will.” Sarah smiled.

   “And guess what we have?” Orion just stared at her.

   She started giggling, clapping her hands. “Hot water!” 

   “Not an endless supply but I’d say enough to make you happy.”

   “Yeah, I love hot water.” She sighed.

   Roa asked, “Was there no hot water on the train?”

   “Luke warm,” Orion answered. 

     Sarah was standing in the middle of her assigned guest quarters. She marveled at the size of everything. All the furniture seemed big and old. She looked at the figure staring back at her from a mirror across the room.

   “How did you get here?” She asked. There was a knock at her door, forcing her to jump back into reality. “Come in.”

   An older woman walked into the room. “Your presents is requested at dinner Dr. Zabane.” The lady curtsied.

   “There is no need to be formal with me.” This lady wouldn’t look up from the floor. She was dressed very plainly in a white dress. “Can you tell me about this room? It is amazing.”

   “It was the Queen mother’s room. That was before my time.”

   “Oh.” Sarah continued to look around the room.

   “To dinner?” The lady stood in the door way.

   “Yes of course, lead the way.” She smiled following the lady to the dining room. The lady curtsied before disappearing, leaving Sarah standing alone in the doorway.

   “Orion,” James roared happily, “introduce everyone. You spent weeks with this girl.”

   Sarah’s first impression of James was Santa Claus. Not so much the way he looked but the way he acted. He seemed jolly and full of life. But nothing about his hair was as snow. She could only assume that if Orion wasn’t sick his hair would be as black as his father’s.

   Orion got up, walking over to Sarah. He offered her his arm like a polite gentleman to escort her around the table. “Doctor Sarah Zabane, this is my family; James King, master of all he surveys.” He was sitting at the head of the table. “Queen Rao was sitting to his right. Across from Rao, “You have met Juliah, my sister.” Beside of Juliah, “this handsome young man is my son Paul”, across from Paul, “this is his mother, my wife Floria.” He pulled out the chair beside Paul for her to sit in. Then he sat in front of her beside Floria.

   “Hello,” she smiled, slightly bowing her head.

   “Welcome, welcome,” James greeted her. “Your journey was a pleasant one?”

   “Yes.” She glanced across the table at Orion.

   “Let’s eat.” James bellowed.