King Steward said, "Dearest, come meet your son as his mother." The door to the living quarters opened, and a majestic Pegasus stepped into the dining area. Neither Alaisdair nor Pretty Lady had met her before. The King looked and said, My dear heart, I meant in your human form."
She instantly morphed, and Alaisdair and Pretty ran to her, squealing, "Aunt Maud!"
Alaisdair knew her as the healing lady living deep in the woods who came to their village once a month, always insisting on seeing the children of the close.
Pretty also knew her as the healing lady who traveled to their world every other month, visiting different schools - she always looked forward to seeing 'Aunt Maud' when a child.
'Aunt Maud' explained, "Yes, now that Alaisdair has retained all the memories he encountered this time, I will not stay in the shadows anymore and expect time with my grandchildren."
Alaisdair asked, "Should I call you Mother or Mom? I need to start whichever you wish immediately because I have called you Aunt Maud for many years. And I may slip."
"You may call me whatever you are comfortable with. I would say keep Mother or Queen to official gatherings. My name is Maud, so if you slip, I will still know you are talking to me."
"We need a quick bite to eat before getting down to business. Children, will you arrange things? Pretty I know you have the kitchen staff poised on a moment's notice and Alaisdair if you would help her," said King Steward.
Pretty said, "Come Alaisdair, let me introduce you to the crew I have working in the Kitchen."
After they exited, Maud said, "Soloman, this is a lot for the kids to understand. They are both so young."
"Yes," said the King, so I need them involved. In the youth today, many times they look at the old ways as being done, gone, and archaic - they need to know we, at their age, were the ones as a group of survivors who came together and formed this land and there are rules we abide by."
Maud said, " I thought more of them 'knowing the fact' we are from the beginning, and here we are in the middle will be confusing. They need to understand the time traveler stuff, and some of us live longer than others - everything depends on our lifestyles."
"Ah, here are the kids," said the King. "And our faithful servers." As The Waiter staff handed food around, the King and Queen asked about their families and health.
Finally, they tucked into their food and discussed who needed contact and how to swiftly gather all the tribunal members for a session tomorrow afternoon.
Pretty arranged for all food and clearing matters for the moment and for the evening repast and all needed for the morrow, Alaisdair was charged with speaking to Fallon and mustering all the men into action. A delegate is required to be sent to each Kingdom.
But first, it was essential to know where in time each King and Queen were. And if they were unavailable, a substitute for each must be sworn in. Each worker was a key to accomplishing all that was needed, and the leaders were to show the way.
Fallon took Alaisdair to the Warriors' room. He stood in the middle of the room and quietly said to Alaisdair, "These portals are all the different time zones we occupy. Now listen to me address them all at once."
Fallon activated a button on his lapel, saying, "Attention all time travelers from the Land of Myst, this is Commander Fallon Harold Peyton. An emergency Tribunal hearing is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, Land of Myst time zone pre-history and the start of time travel time.
If the Royal is out of Kingdom time and unable to fulfill their duty - two alternates must be stated within the hour. Send your reports via the time ticker - either the royals are in the Kingdom or out and can or cannot attend. All, please acknowledge post haste."
Fallon turned to Alaisdair and said, "Go to the dining room and ask your father for a guide to the barracks. Here is the pin you need to show authority. Fallon pinned it to the right side lapel. They all know you as the Prince, but you must also be in the right mindset. This pin will verify you are to be obeyed.
You must meet all country's Liaisons in the Land of Myst - each one is to proceed to their country with a crew or squad, depending upon the rank of the Royalty, to be escorted back - the reports are now in transit to each Liaison. I will meet you back in the Dining room within the hour. I now must oversee the outfitting of the envoy groups."
"Yes, Sir, Commander Peyton," Alaisdair replied while saluting and quickly striding back for the King's orders and a guide to the barracks.
Chad was assigned as the guide to the barracks and said, "All the men should be at the ready, with the correct number of men to accompany them and the royals back for the Tribunal scheduled tomorrow in mid-afternoon. Each cottage designated to each country is also ready for guests, and the food service is in place for a full meal or snacking tonight on their arrival."
"Chad, everyone is well coordinated to the needs of all, and I just realized we had this many in our protection services, farmers, servers, and crafts," Alaisdair said in delight.
Chad continued, "There are more that rotate in and some of these out to other time slots to keep The Land of Myst safe and secure, all using their abilities to their full capacities.
There is also a two-week work span on and two weeks off - the family unit is fundamental, maintaining a continuously healthy lifestyle.
Since the beginning, our city and country unit has not required a court session dealing with an internal or an adjoining country in our union."
"Many of our guests will be here tonight?" Alaisdair asked.
Chad replied, "Yes. It is better if they rest here tonight. They will have the morning free to walk the gardens on their guest plot. Or visit with friends until the time for the Tribunal; family units accompanying them will be cared for in their absence in court.
The prisoners will be among the ruling crowd and announced when all are seated."
"I am glad to hear the freedom of time as I promised Clayton I would be at the hospital again to play for Mercy," Alaisdair said.
"You will not need to go so far, as she is staying with Clayton in your residence. She was discharged today, and Queen Maud and her sisters arranged the transfer.
Tomorrow morning, there will be breakfast and a meeting with Clayton, Mercy, and the three girls. The King and Queen of our territory, your Mother and Father, and the rest of your immediate family will be present as witnesses to the testimony given by Clayton and Mercy. I'm sure the children will speak also."
"Chad, I am amazed at your knowledge of happenings. The networking is fantastic," Alaisdair exclaimed.
"Yes, Prince Alaisdair, thank you for your praise. We are all known for our attentive and outstanding service to our King and Queen. I believe your parents are awaiting you for evening rations."