The carriage rattled through the streets and as is often the case with two people gong out alone together for the first time , the talk was safe , non controversial almost like two skilled fencers circling each other to look for points of attack or defense. Pala admitted that he shared her nervousness and that he too was glad to spend a little time with someone else other than servants or the dog.
He nodded as she mentioned the size of the new city built by the strange Ikerealites but before he had a chance to reply they were brought to a halt and the business of getting out was at hand. The “Crowns” reputation was lived up to and they were swiftly and efficiently seated. Their table situated just far away from the other people dining so their conversation could not be easily overheard. The second flour gallery provided a fine view of the plebs below milling around the twenty sided bar that was a gleam of brass and glass and a wicked thought sped into his mind ,
from here it was a matter of little skill to flick bread roll pellets over the balcony and down onto unsuspecting drinkers.
He grinned as he pulled out Alicia’s chair and then slipped it in under the smartly dressed table; taking his own seat he leaned across and in a low voice spoke to answer her question.
Tonight is a night to warble so please warble or wibble away and I shall feel free to do much the same. I do not spend much time here in Alleria prime I am very much a wanderer these days moving between Centripax and Carmelyn as issues arise and I feel the need to stick my nose in.
He tapped the patrician nose with a finger and with a smile carried on.
I have not managed to get to Eunasia yet but hopefully the spring will settle that oversight yet saying that I have had a chance to look around the capitol. I had a spare morning and was in a mood of reflection so I sought out the first little hovel I ever owned, a sad little three room house in the Domicilium .It is still there a mean hovel but I loved that house all be it for a short stay but it made me think, that what the Ikerealites did for Alleria Prime was to build a shell, a façade, beautiful yes, but it does not hide the underlying meanness of life for the poor and down trodden. For a lad who started poor and worked his way a little up the ladder of life that hovel in some forgotten street was a stark reminder of how tenuous a little fame and wealth really are. The Allerians did a wonderful job for people like you and me but they did little for the people that we serve.
His forehead clouded and then as if he remembered he was with a beautiful elf in a wonderful restaurant he smiled again looking deep into her eyes.
Oh bother, sometimes I get a guilty conscience it creeps up behind me and thwacks me around the head to remind me I am a nobody , I shall try and ignore it whilst in your company. …….
Before he could finish two waitresses approached the table and offered them
menu’s and the delicious business of choosing what to eat and drink could begin. Everything looked delectable and from the aromas drifting from kitchens and other tables everything smelled enticing. Wine and drinks were another problem but he solved that by ordering bottle’ s of Arakmatian red and white wine for them to try… ..of course if Alicia would like something else it was not a problem gold was not a problem now …
Fortunately guilty conscience did not make another appearance.!