The cow barn was not impressive. Far from it. It was a typical low ceiling building with a cement floor. Both sides of the aisle were lined with hay between the simple iron wrought bars to separate spaces for each cow and long hay troughs set low for the cows to eat from.

There were several of said cows in the barn, lazily feeding or lying down on a mound of hay. For a moment, all seemed well. Light filtered through the windows, illuminating the lazy stream of dust that gently came down from the hay loft up above. Nothing seems wrong, why was I called here? Flora looked around to see if she could find someone with answers. It didn’t take long before one of the milkmaids found her.

“There you are!” The woman exclaimed, throwing her arms into the air as if exhausted by Flora’s perceived tardiness. Before Flora could ask what was wrong, the woman took her by the arm, locking their elbows together, and began detailing her many woes. “We are far too understaffed here! One of the cows calved early this morning, one of them has gone lame, and three of my girls quit! I hardly have anyone to milk the cows, let alone deal with everything else!” Which meant not only was Flora rightfully worried, all of what she worried about had come true.

This woman must be Irene, Flora thought, recalling the name of the head of the cow barn. Flora had only seen Irene a handful of times, and Flora was usually milking a cow and never actually saw Irene’s face. Which was fine with her, since Irene usually only scolded her.

“Here,” Irene paused in front of one of the cows, gesturing to the stool. “I need you to help milk some of the cows while I go get some helping hands.” She finished, her face drawn in a disapproving scowl. The woman was much older than Flora, likely old enough to be her grandmother. Irene’s hair had long gone silver with age, tied in a neat bun at the back of her head and kept in place with a white bonnet. She wore the typical blue work shirt with a white apron that most milkmaid wore, stained with age and use.

“I’m sorry?” Flora stuttered. She called me here to milk the cows? Does she think Leon is still the Beast Master? Flora didn’t really know how to respond to such a request.

“You should be! It’s your job to make sure I have enough girls to work here!” Irene turned from disapproving to lecturing in a heartbeat. So she does know, and just thinks this is an appropriate use of my time. Flora thought miserably.

“If you want, I can go and-” Flora started to explain but was quickly cut off.

“No! No! I’ll take care of it, you stay here and help!” And with that, Irene swept out of the barn and left Flora alone with the cows. Flora sighed with resignation and nearly fell onto the stool next to the cow. She found a bucket already waiting for her, pulled it over, and began the tedious process of milking the cow.

Flora flopped down into her bed, barely managing to peel off her boots and pull off her soaked work clothes. She lay there in a clean undershirt and simple pants, running through the events of the day. For a first day, it certainly could have gone better. She grimaced, her muscles were sore and her body ached as the work finally caught up with her.

Irene had been able to call in two new girls to help with the cows with the promise of work and housing, but neither had ever milked a cow before. Flora had found herself having to not only train the two women, but also milk a number of cows on her own. It seems Irene expects me to help with the evening milking until she finds another hand. Flora rolled over and stuffed her face in the pillows, grateful for their plush relief after bending over animals all day.

The lame cow was taken care of by one of the castle smiths, and the new calf was healthy and hardy. By all means the day ended well. So why doesn’t it feel like that? Flora couldn’t shake the feeling that her work was not yet done, as she knew that she had to prepare for the Spring Inspection in between her regular duties for the next month.

Flora was ready to drift off into sleep, the night sky deepening into black outside her windows, when she heard a knock on her door. Trying and failing to hide the moan of despair at being pulled from her warm bed, Flora quickly threw on a light jacket and went out to the common room door, calling out to let her visitor know that she was coming.

She opened it to find a young page waiting patiently. When she opened, he handed her a neatly folded and sealed letter. She politely took it with a small thank you before the boy dipped a bow and ran off. Belatedly, Flora realized that he was King Erick’s page, and as she flipped the letter to reveal the seal it proved to be from him.

Her heart sunk to the bottom of her stomach as she immediately began to worry. Why would he send a letter so late? Does he think I’m not good enough after today? Flora chewed on her bottom lip as she entered her office, sitting heavily in her chair as she tried to pull up the courage to open the letter. Eventually she split the seal open and read the letter.

Dear Beast Master Flora Acker,

Unfortunately I must inform you that the preparations for the Spring Inspection have been moved up. A few things have come up - a certain Aunt may have been involved - and I need you to be ready by the end of the week. I’m very sorry for the inconvenience. To make it up, you are invited to join us for breakfast if you wish. Your presence would be appreciated.

~ King Erick Vincorne

P.S. I’ll make sure Dante behaves.

Flora wasn’t quite sure how to feel. She was immensely relieved that she was not fired from her job, but panicked that she now had no time to prepare for the Spring Inspection. Furthermore, the King himself invited her to breakfast. Breakfast. He wants me to join him for breakfast. Is that normal? Does he usually invite others like this? Worry nagged at her and she returned to chewing on her lip like a horse cribbing on wood.

Looking at the small clock on her desk, Flora saw that it was getting late. Very late. With a sigh she set the letter down on her desk and went back to her bedroom. She went to her closet to see what kind of clothes she could bring. Between what few clothes she had of her own and everything that Leon left, it would have to make do. She would have to fold and pin the clothes that belonged to the old lion shifter, but she didn’t imagine getting clothes that fitted her any time soon. Leaving the closet, she flung herself back into bed and finally fell asleep.

This time, Flora woke up on time. She actually heard the chime of her clock as the early sun filtered into her room. For a moment, Flora forgot where and when she was before she remembered the events of the past two days. Ugh, I don’t like waking up like this. Flora thought as she rolled out of bed and stretched. At least she had slept well, the plush bed more than inviting to her weariness.

Quickly pulling on some clothes that were at least presentable, if a little oversized, Flora quickly pulled herself together before heading out for breakfast. Having breakfast with the King was a new kind of fear, but Flora knew better than to ignore an invite from her king. Grabbing her jacket on the way out, she swiftly found guidance to where the breakfast was happening and made her way there. She arrived just in time.

The King held breakfast on the second floor, in a grand room with a long table in the center. It was clearly the center for eating with guests, as the table could easily seat twenty people or more. Flora took in the large chandelier hanging above the center of the table, fashioned as if a million little unicorns and dragons held up the flames of the candles in shining gold.

The room was decorated with a long midnight blue carpet patterned with gold thread, and the walls held a decorative patterned paper of a similar but lighter color. Windows were open and curtains drawn back to allow the sweet morning breeze to drift in. Several paintings hung around the room, all of various peaceful depictions of unicorns and dragons. It made sense, given the clans united under the parents of King Erick, but it felt like a bit much to Flora.

Seated at the table were few people she could recognize. At the head was King Erick, who politely nodded at her entrance. He was once again dressed in the more ornate clothes meant for presentation, although they didn’t look terribly comfortable. Seated to his right was Dante, already smirking at her with a mischievous grin. Flora rolled her eyes. Next to Dante was Leon, who barely acknowledged her presence.

Seated to Erick’s left were two women, one not much older than herself, and the other much older than herself. The first must clearly be a relative. Flora noted, as the woman had delicate twin pointed curved horns not unlike a pronghorn. The older woman must be his Aunt Martha. Flora guessed, noting the sour look the woman gave her.

The young page from last night pulled up beside Flora and showed her to a seat, placing her next to the woman she assumed to be King Erick’s Aunt Martha. I’m not sure if I like this. Flora’s stomach felt sick, and she couldn’t tell if it was from the lack of food, having skipped dinner last night, or worrying about being in a room surrounded by shifters. She gave a wry smile to the woman next to her, who only scoffed at her, eyes clearly assessing Flora’s choice of clothing.

“Beast Master Acker, I’m glad you could make it.” King Erick started, causing Flora to nearly jump out of her seat at being addressed. King Erick had his usual expression of impassiveness, but Flora could see the inner turmoil in his eyes. Flora gave a polite nod and a small thanks, nervously eyeing the woman next to her.

“Master Acker, I believe you haven’t met many of my relatives yet.” King Erick continued. “This is my eldest sister Esther,” He motioned to the woman sitting next to him. Her hair was dark like his, but appeared to have a green undertone where his was blue. She had a small loose braid wrapped around her head and the rest of her hair flowed down to the middle of her back. She wore a simple forest green dress accented in gold, which complemented her deep green eyes. She gave a polite nod to Flora but said little, her eyes seeming to be able to look right into her soul. If this is one of the sisters, would the other two be with King Erick’s half brother? Flora mused, wondering at why they would be split up.

“And next to you is my dear Aunt Martha.” King Erick finished. Despite him referring to her as such, Flora got the feeling he did not hold her in high regard as he looked at her with ice in his eyes. While Esther had dressed modestly, Lady Martha had dressed in a more ornate gown. The color was a more vibrant blue green like the ocean, with puffy shoulders and flowing cuffs around her wrists. The dress billowed out at her feet, the color shifting with shades of blue and green like waves cresting on the sea. Similar to Esther, the color of the dress matched her eyes, and her expression made them look like the angry seas of the Draconus Ocean.

She did not reply beyond a hrrumph, looking down her nose at Flora as if she were nothing more than a mouse. I might as well be one when compared to them. Flora’s heart sank, and worry nagged her brain as she thought of all the ways this breakfast could go so very, very, wrong.

“Don’t worry Flower, we don’t bite. Usually.” Dante flashed a toothy grin at her, which only made Flora cringe. Erick must have noticed it, because he glared at Dante, who in turn shrugged in apology.

Flora shifted uncomfortably in her chair, and thankfully the food was brought in just then. Flora sighed in relief, grateful to have avoided keeping up the conversation. It’s not that she wasn’t grateful to be here, but she wasn’t sure how she could really talk to any of the people sitting with her.

Servants brought in various platters of food including meats, fruits, cheeses, and bread. They even included small pastries unknown to her. Flora tried to hide her surprise at the amount of food, grateful now more than ever to have been included in the breakfast.

As food was served, a quiet conversation picked up between Erick and Dante. It didn’t sound like much, and Flora didn’t mind not being included as she continued to eat. She couldn’t help but cast glances over at Lady Martha, who had kept a keen eye on Flora the whole time.

“So Ms. Acker,” Leon’s gravelly voice pulled Flora’s attention away from her food. “You’re finally going on your first Spring Inspection. I suppose it’ll be different now that you’re not on the farm anymore.” Leon gave her a wry smile. “I’m sure you’ll do fine. Probably.” He finished with a wave of dismissal. Flora couldn’t help but notice the worried look Dante gave King Erick, who in turn looked simultaneously confused and upset. Flora swallowed anxiously.

“What do you mean by first time?” King Erick turned his attention to Leon, glancing at Flora for a brief moment. Leon looked startled, then made a show of coughing before responding.

“Ah, it just uh, slipped my mind is all. Never took ‘er on any of the Spring or Fall inspections.” Leon finished quietly. He did not look the King in the eyes, looking at his plate of breakfast instead. Flora could see King Erick calculating his response behind his eyes before he replied.

“And yet you think that she’ll be able to do it now?” King Erick did not sound angry, but his voice held a lethal edge to it. Even Esther and Martha had stopped talking.

“Ah it’s just numbers on a page.” Leon tossed a hand as if it were nothing. “And you’ll be there. She’ll be fine.” He finished, though he looked back down at his cup rather than his king. Flora’s gaze darted back and forth between the two, suddenly feeling very very small. There was a long pause as King Erick weighed the situation, choosing his words carefully.

“I expect you to teach her everything she needs to know before we are scheduled to leave. Do I make myself clear?” It was more a threat than a question, but Leon nodded all the same. “Good.” King Erick reclined in his chair, returning to his breakfast. And like a candle being blown out, the tension in the room dissipated. Even Flora released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Quiet conversation resumed, and Flora found herself a quiet participant. Despite being asked to join them for breakfast, they made little conversation with her, least of all King Erick. He’s probably just being polite, it would be terribly rude to talk across the table. Flora shifted self conscientiously, noticing that Lady Martha still made an effort to glare at her.

“Aunt Martha I really don’t think it’s polite to stare.” Esther’s voice was crisp and short, letting everyone know that her politeness was only pretense.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Lady Martha replied with an air of disdain, now directed towards Esther.