The Royal Banquet

Manni woke her mistress with just enough time to prepare for the banquet.

Meili felt infinitely better after her rest and with the salve applied to the sting. It had completely settled the intense itchiness.

Manni had outdone herself with a light tan brocade dress with a high collar and a sparkle rippling through the cloth. It was richly embroidered with lavish red lilies. Accessorised with a matched delicate floral headpiece and perfectly matched lipstick, her mistress looked for all the world like a little doll.

Manni smiled in delight at her work. It seemed like painting an ugly black stroke through a masterpiece to cover her face with a veil, she thought, as she looped a tan veil across Meili's ears.

Meili was buzzing with excitement as she left the tent. All five of her brothers waited outside for her and she looked at them all in wonder.

"Why have you all waited for me? I can walk a few hundred metres on my own."