The Chancellor's wife laid her hand upon his forearm. "Soul of my soul, let us not ruin this celebration with talk of politics and war."
As the Chancellor nodded agreement with his wife, Justin sank back in his chair. Candace handed him a card printed in gold script. "Does this say what I believe it does, Justin?"
Justin read quickly. "Hmm. Most interesting. It says that the crystal, cutlery, and china being used at this reception banquet were specially created for the celebration. Each piece will be washed and packed up after use so that each guest may take away his place setting as a reminder of this celebration."
Candace smiled as she held up her crystal water glass and slowly turned it to study the four crests etched on it. "I recognize the Steiner Fist and the Federated Suns Sword and Starburst symbols, but what are the other two?"
Justin shrugged. "I think the dirk is from the Campbell family crest, which would represent Hanse's mother. And I would suppose that the lyre is for Arthur Luvon, Melissa's father." Glancing at the long, slender champagne glass, Justin narrowed his eyes. "Oh, this is a switch."
Candace frowned. "What's wrong? Isn't it the Hasek Lion crest?"
"Yes and no. In one paw, the lion bears the Davion Sword and Sunburst. That's how the crest used to appear when George Hasek was Duke of New Syrtis. After Michael's battle with Hanse for the throne, he deleted the Davion symbol from the Hasek crest."
Candace shook her head. "Why the return to the old symbol? Is it a slap at Michael?"
"Worse." Justin nodded toward where Morgan Hasek-Davion stood speaking with some guests while awaiting the arrival of the royal couple. "The best man offers the first toast to the couple, hence the crest on the glass is his. Adding the sword and sunburst back into the Hasek crest must have been Morgan's choice. Duke Michael has a son, but he has no heir."
The arrival of Hanse and Melissa cut off further discussion as spontaneous applause arose from the guests. Hanse led his bride to the dais, then gently lifted her up over the steps. Melissa took the centermost seat at the head table and the Prince took the seat to her left. Morgan Hasek-Davion sat on the Prince's left and Misha Auburn on Melissa's right, with the rest of the wedding party filling out both wings of the table.
ComStar Acolytes passed throughout the room filling the champagne glasses from heavy bottles of champagne or with a sparkling paffelcider from the Lyran Commonwealth for those who wished no alcohol. Watching them intently, Justin noticed how automatically each Acolyte matched the name at the place setting with the choice of beverage before pouring. Incredible that ComStar could have compiled enough information to know who drinks and who does not, but apparently they've done it. In a universe where knowledge is power, ComStar's peaceful facade seems to hide a very strong body.
Once all the glasses had been filled and the ComStar Acolytes had left the floor, Morgan Hasek-Davion stood and raised his glass. "I would like you to join me in a toast to the Prince and Princess." He beamed as he turned to face the newlyweds. "May your love be greater each day than the last, yet not as great as in the day to come, and may anyone who hopes to cause you trouble fail as miserably as did those who attempted to interfere with Melissa's passage aboard the Silver Eagle."
Justin's glass stopped halfway to his mouth as the significance of Morgan's phrase hit home like a missile. Melissa was on theSilver Eagle and we didn't know it!He shot a fearful glance at Tsen Shang. "Tsen, why didn't we know?"
Tsen frowned as he looked toward those seated at House Kurita's table. "Draconian idiots saved face by covering up their failure!"
Just like Hanse to have Morgan put that little tidbit into the toast,Justin reflected. I wonder what other surprises he has in store for us?
ComStar acolytes served the wedding meal with no further incidents of political importance. As Justin worked his way through the salad, he, along with all the others at the meal, discovered that the gold-rimmed, bone china dish was indeed special. Inscribed in gold script around the rim was the date as well as the names of the bride and groom. When Justin had cleared the bowl of its salad of lettuce and thin purple rinioshslivers, he discovered the crest of a world in the Lyran Commonwealth.
Candace smiled at him. "I got Izar in my bowl? What did you get?"
Justin narrowed his eyes, looking down at the stylized lightning bolt and the legend beneath it. "I got Pacifica, better known as Chara III. My brother served with the Kell Hounds on that world."
Candace winked at him. "Do you think it's a message?"
Justin shrugged, shaking off his uneasiness. "The Spirit of Blake alone knows."
The main dish came in two different selections, and Justin noticed again that the Acolytes showed no hesitation in serving the guests. He received a plate of beef in wine sauce, with pomteraand another vegetable he utterly failed to recognize on the side. Candace, on the other hand, was served fish steamed in rice wine, with nearasprouts and water chestnuts on a bed of rice.
She smiled at him. "ComStar apparently chooses not to recognize your change in allegiance, Citizen."
Justin nodded reluctantly. "Is it treason if I enjoy the meal? It's been a long time since I've eaten the foods I grew up with."
The Duchess of St. Ives pretended to reflect for a moment. "I think, Citizen Xiang, that with the proper presentation of your argument, I might be convinced to grant you pardon for such an unforgivable crime."
Justin smiled. "I look forward to our legal discussion."
The dinner plate bore gold decorations similar to those Justin had found on his bowl. Though the Federated Suns world image he found on his plate did not surprise him, he began to lose his appetite as he uncovered more of it. He continued to eat mechanically, but his thoughts were on more than food.
Kestrel. The world owned by the Allard family.Justin looked up from the image of a falcon clutching a Davion sword in its talons. So, Hanse, did you command ComStar to deliver me this plate, or was it merely my bad luck to get it?
As if in answer to his unvoiced question, the Prince smiled enigmatically at Justin just then. Justin nodded curtly, then looked over at Candace's plate. "I see you have uncovered Axton, Duchess."
Candace nodded. "Do you know it?"
Justin forced a smile. "When traveling to my first assignment, my duty on Spica, I spent two weeks on the beaches there. The ocean is a deep blue and the beaches are blacker than night on a moonless world. Volcanic activity warms the oceans, making the coastal areas livable. The rest of the world is a polar wasteland, though many people praise the skiing found there."
Justin smiled to himself. It's also one of the worlds where I believe Hanse Davion has hidden his secret NAIS 'Mech Research Facility. How curious it is that Candace ended up with that world. An omen, perhaps?
While some ComStar Acolytes cleared the plates, two others carefully wheeled a four-tiered wedding cake to a spot directly before the head table. Hanse assisted Melissa down from the dais, then stood with her beside the cake. Huthrin Vandel, Precentor New Avalon, handed the Prince one of the swords used earlier in the wedding ceremony.
Grasping the sword together, Hanse and Melissa cut the first two slices from the cake. Hanse returned the sword to the Precentor, then he and Melissa returned to their places at the head table. An acolyte delivered the first two pieces to them, but the newly weds waited until other Acolytes had sliced up the remaining cake.