"Well done," Mistress Tillie said. "And usually only the king comes this way."
They walked in silence. Did Serena just save their magic-less King's life? Someone's life, maybe, since it had been triggered by movement and not by recognition of a specific target. Dangerous and inefficient. It had the feel of someone who had not trained well.
Serena looked at Thomas. She was surprised to find him carrying Buffy, but he looked grim. When Mistress Tillie directed him to one door, he handed Buffy over to Serena.
"Be careful," he warned and paused by the open door, looking around worriedly. "Whoever created that trap has magic. They're going to know you stopped it with your own power."
"Everyone must have heard that I have magic by now."
"Hearing about it and seeing it in action is entirely different. Trust me."
"I am putting Serena and Buffy in the suite across the hall. Get cleaned up and rest for a while, Tommy."
He gave a sigh -- probably at the name -- and nodded. In a moment, he had disappeared into his room. Mistress Tillie led them a few more steps and pushed open another door with a nod.
"Can you tell me if there has been any word about my parents or the others?" Serena asked before she went into the brightly lit room.
"You poor child," Mistress Tillie said and hugged her, with Buffy protesting squished between them. "Everything will be fine. This is Lina and Enya. They'll take care of you. Rest while you can. This will be a long night."
The older woman hurried away. So there was no news.
"I've never had anyone take care of me but Mom," Serena confessed. "I confess, you are on your own."
They did fine and seemed to enjoy having free reign over how to get both her and Buffy clean and pretty. They were also quick and gave them time to sleep before the late festivities started.
Serena didn't feel in a festive mood. She was exhausted and fell into a light slumber with Buffy in her arms.
"Serena? Buffy? We need to talk."
"Mom?" Serena said, blinking. Then she reached out and caught hold of a hand. "Mom!"
Mom hugged them both, and Buffy didn't complain about being squished this time.
"I am sorry we had to worry you," Mom said as she pulled back. "Let me tell you the story. Someone from the western lands has infiltrated the court. A rumor from outside the city said a plot would hatch on the night of the festivities. The King had hoped we would figure it out first. But then the ship came under attack, and he had to sweep us all up --"
"He. The King," Buffy said. "He has magic. But --"
"He's hidden his power," Serena guessed.
Mom nodded and hurried on. "Something will happen tonight. You two and Thomas will be on the lookout for it at the ball. Use your usual spell to draw my attention as soon as it hits. Your father and I will be on the roof. It won't take long for us to reach you. Your father is explaining it all to Thomas now."
Mom stood and moved off to the door. She paused. "You have a good sense for handling trouble, both of you. Be careful."
Then she left.
"Merp?" Buffy said with a shake of her head.
"We better do this right. And I don't dare look too happy, or someone might guess about Mom and Dad."
Lina and Enya returned and enjoyed getting Serena into her ball gown and fixing her hair in a lovely tiara. Even Buffy had a jeweled collar.
"This must be horribly boring for the two of you," Serena offered as they began to try to find shoes that would fit her.
"Oh no, Princess," Lina answered. "Boring would be standing by to help Princess Risha, who will change clothing five times and purposely ruin things to make her maids look stupid. The Queen has threatened to take all the maids away, but Risha doesn't behave for long. There! Your hair is perfect."
Enya handed her a looking glass, and Serena took a quick glance and then looked again. It could not possibly be her with her hair in little ringlets around her face, and her eyelids shaded in sparkling blue to match her dress. And where did that little circlet of gold come from that now looks far too much like a crown. This could not possibly be her."Wow," Buffy said as she walked in front of her and looked up. "You look great!"
Serena realized she had to trust Buffy on this one. And besides she didn't want to be Risha and start ordering another set of clothes.
They left the room a few minutes later. Serena was glad to hear that Thomas had already headed downstairs. She felt clumsy and was soon out of sorts -- until she saw Mom and Dad waiting for her at the first turn of the stairs.
"You look lovely," Dad said as Mom hugged her carefully. "Go in and get the introductions done. You two be careful."
"I feel this won't take long," Mom added.
Serena hoped so. The tension from worrying about everything was starting to bother her. This wasn't like their other adventures. The King's life might be in her hands.
And they were on show the moment they stepped into the ballroom. The sparkling chandeliers, crystal goblets, and jewels on every hand surprised her. Even Buffy stumbled and barely recovered.
Three thrones stood across the room where the King and Queen sat with a smaller throne between them. Oh yes, that was Empress Fluffy Kitty, beyond a doubt.
"Let's get this over with," Buffy mumbled as they crossed the room.
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