Chapter 7 : Tour of the Capital

“We’ll show you some of the wonders of our kingdom, starting with our city tonight after dinner,” Jordan says as I sit there in silence, thrown by the offer.

“After that, you can get down to the business of hunting the Olympic Howlers,” Kent adds. “But it sounds like you need a break.”

“And we’re here to serve. We have quite an evening planned,” Wiley finishes.

I think over their proposal. Are they just putting on another show for me? Their masks of kindness and flattery have to fall eventually and they can’t hide hungry, abused people from me. So maybe it’s a good idea to take a stroll around town with them.

“It sounds amazing,” I say. “Yes, count me in.”

I’ve been so absorbed in the conversation that I’ve eaten half of the delicious venison on my blue-and-white china plate. The meat is broiled, lightly spiced, with sides of wild rice and mashed potatoes. It seems incredibly simple for a royal dinner, but I’m not complaining.

It’s the kind of thing my parents and I normally ea