(Very funny, Zen. Here, have some Durian...
)"...Skiphotep. My friends call me Skip. You're the first elephant I've ever looked after. Hm...what do you like to eat and drink?"
Big Tusky's trunk started to point towards the bails of hay, then spotted several beer kegs stacked in the corner. A mischievous glint in his eye, he pointed to those instead.
"Really?" Skip looked uncertain. "Well, if you say so...they *did* order me to take specially good care of you..." He walked over to the keg stack and started rolling one in Tusky's direction.
*****
Meanwhile, in Queen Cleopatra's chamber, the travellers had formed a receiving line. Dione led her Queen down the line and introduced each foreigner in turn.
"This, My Queen, is MRed. She is renowned for the quality of her herbs."
"Honoured to meet you, Your Majesty," MRed curtsied.
"The honour is mine," Cleopatra replied regally.
"My Queen, may I introduce the Roman warrior Civis Romanus. He was...very brave during our escape from your Esteemed Brother's regiment..."
Civis stared into the beautiful Queen's eyes until MRed nudged him sharply in the ribs. After which he managed to stammer out a suitable greeting.
"May I introduce the Honourable Zen and Jayhawk, O Queen."
Zen bowed low and spoke diplomatically of the privelege of such an audience, but Cleopatra barely heard him. She gazed at Jayhawk, somehow without making it look as though she were staring rudely. She extended her hand to him, which he took as he bowed. She nodded to Zen when he'd finished speaking.
"And finally, O Queen, may I introduce--"
Incon looked up at the Queen and prepared to bow, then got her first good look at the young woman's face. Her eyes widened. "Cleo!" she cried.
Cleopatra's eyes widened further. "Incontinentia!!" she responded.
Incon smiled delightedly. "Stone me, girl, it's been ages! I had no idea you worked at the palace! Blimey, don't you look well!! How the devil have you been??"
Everyone stared aghast at Incon's unacceptable familiarity with such a powerful figurehead. Jayhawk shook her shoulder. "Incon - you're addressing the Queen of Egypt!" he hissed.
Incon laughed at him. "No, I'm not! This is my old friend Cleo - she's a servant! And an old student of mine. When are we meeting the Queen, by the way?"
"Right now, I fear," Dione muttered, near fainting with the audacity of the governor's behaviour.
Incon stared at her, then looked at the Queen. Cleopatra shrugged and nodded. "They're telling you the truth. I am the Queen of Egypt, Incontinentia."
"Stone the flaming crows," Incon muttered as the news sank in.
"Perhaps I should explain," Cleopatra turned to the others. "You see, a few years ago I heard of the Governor of a Northern Roman Province who, it was said, could not only Lambada to rival Da-An-Set, but taught a dance class in the community hall of one of the large temples of her town..."
"Tuesday and Thursday evenings," Incon mumbled, still in shock.
"Correct. I decided to travel to your Empire, and take a course of lessons for myself. But, in order to do so safely, I had to disguise myself as a simple Egyptian serving girl and travelled to Londinium with a caravan of traders. I lived there for 6 rather enjoyable months - though the food does leave something to be desired, I must confess - and, having graduated from the dance school's advanced class, I returned home. Father passed away not long after that."
"Damn!" Incon remembered suddenly. "Your arrival to your first class should have been a dead give-away. Being carried by two royal messengers, rolled up in a carpet like that..."
"Old habit," Cleopatra confessed. She sighed. "I still remember that wonderful young Roman lieutenant who had just arrived at the Londinium garrison, who was in my class. We partnered a few times. What was his name...tall, muscular, wavy brown hair..."
Incon's brow furrowed in thought. "I think I remember him...Something-Antony, if memory serves..."
"He was *dreamy*," Cleopatra sighed again, then remembered her other guests. "How rude of me. Let me order you all some refreshment, and then we can talk. I require your assistance in some pressing matters..." She turned away and clapped her hands to call more servants.
Incon came out of her reverie and turned to her companions - four round-eyed, open-mouthed faces. "What?" she asked them.
"You're - *mates* with the Queen of Egypt?" MRed gasped.
"I didn't know that at the time!" Incon replied.
"Is there *anyone* you won't teach how to Lambada, Incon?" Jayhawk asked levelly.
"Dunno. Never turned anyone down yet," she shrugged. With that, the food arrived, and everyone seated themselves on overlarge silk cushions around a low table to partake of the meal...