Gerald opened the door to peer into the great hall.
"How does it look?" asked Anna.
"I"ve never seen it so packed," he grumbled, "and all here to see me getting raked over the coals."
"Nervous?" she asked.
"Wouldn"t you be?" he responded.
"I remember a time, not so long ago when I was," she said.
He looked back at her, "Yes, you were about to speak to the nobles for the first time."
"Do you remember what you told me?" she asked.
"No," he replied, "I can"t say as I do."
She smiled, "You called Tempus to stand beside me."
"I remember now," he said. "He made you feel safe, he always has."
"You do too, Gerald. I may have to tell you off today, but I shall always value your friendship. This whole gathering is all for show."
He closed the door, shutting out the noise of the great hal
