"Hey Lina," Gourry said from the doorway.
Lina nearly dropped the platter of food she was carrying when she heard his voice. "I thought you were asleep," she said as she turned around.
Gourry took the tray from Lina and one for himself while Lina grabbed two cups of coffee. "Naw. I woke up a minute after you left and followed you down here. This stuff smells good," he said, sniffing the food on the trays.
"Follow me," Lina said, rolling her eyes. "And don't eat any of the food on my tray." She led the two of them out of the kitchens and down a narrow hall that opened into a small chamber surrounded by glass windows and filled with sunlight. "Take a seat and eat your breakfast," she invited as she grabbed her tray and sat down. She took a long swallow of her coffee and sighed happily. "Now that's good coffee!"
Gourry sat down and looked around him. "Where is this place?" he asked.
"This is my sun room. I can come here early in the day and this place will be filled with warm sunlight. You can see the moon and stars from here at night too. So, what do you think of my home?" she asked, talking between mouthfuls of food.
"It's a very nice place. Big too," Gourry replied. He crammed his mouth full of a honey bun and chewed.
Lina nodded and ate her own meal.
"What will we be doing today?" Gourry asked later, after the meal was done.
"You will all be coming with me to be presented to the King and Queen. Then, we'll begin planning for the war," Lina replied. She picked up her tray and cup and led the way back to the kitchens.
"Who will we be going to war with?" Gourry asked once they were back in the Great Hall. He looked a little worried.
"Yes Lina, tell us who we'll be going to war against," Zelgadis said from behind the two.
Lina and Gourry turned around to see everyone standing behind them.
"We'll be going to war against the Zephelian army," Lina replied. "Amelia, Sylphiel, Martina and Filia can stay in the Castle and help heal the men injured from the battles. The guys can help me fight. If you've all eaten, I'd suggest changing into the clothing you want to meet the King and Queen. We'll be leaving in 20 minutes," she said, sounding like a general.
"I don't know what I'm going to wear!" Martina wailed as she ran up the stairs, the others girls following her, Lina at a slower pace.
"What are you going to wear Lina?" Gourry asked.
"My ceremonial dress," Lina replied and walked into her room, shutting and locking the door behind her.
Everyone met in the Great Hall 20 minutes later, everyone looking their best.
Lina had a long crimson cape covering what she wore and it swirled around her as she marched down to the stables and saddled her horse. "Everyone ready to go?" she called as she rode her horse out into the sunlight.
"We're ready," everyone called back.
"Then let's go," Lina said and turned her horse around. A quick nudge in the mares sides sent her galloping away.
Lina's long dress was encrusted with rubies and diamonds around the hem, cuffs and bodice while glittering crystals were scattered across the crimson velvet of her skirts. A crimson ribbon with the same glittering stones decorated her hair.
"Wow!" Amelia, Sylphiel, Martina and Filia gasped. "We'll never be able to top that!"
The guys were more than a little stunned by Lina's outfit, but they hid it a bit better than the girls did.
"Welcome Lady Inverse. Are these people the help you sent for?" the King asked as the group approached the dais.
Lina dropped into a cursty. "They are. May I present Gourry Gabriev, Zelgadis Greywords, Princess Ameila Wil Tesla Saillune, Filia ul Copt, Xellos Metallium, Ladt Sylphiel Nels Lahda, King Zangulus and Queen Martina Zoana Mel Navratilova? Guys, this is King Mercham and Queen Amalian. Their daughter, Princess Amia, is visiting her relatives right now, so you can't meet her yet," Lina said.
"We are pleased to meet you," the Queen said, a small smile on her lips.
The King got off his throne and shook hands with the men and kissed the hands of all the women. "I hope you will enjoy your stay with Lady Inverse. She is quite the good hostess,"he said.
"Any more flattery and I'm going to be sick," the Queen said, a wider smile on her face.
"So will I," Lina said and grinned. "Now that you've met almost all the people I've sent for, can we get down to planning this war?"
"Of course. But I'm curious as to who else you sent for," the King said as he led the way to a long table in a room behind the thrones.
"I sent for a woman who calls herself Naga the White Serpent. She should be here soon if she doesn't get lost along the way," Lina said and took a seat at the table, gesturing for Gourry to sit at her side. "Let's start planning this war, shall we?"
