Doyle and Barinthius stood in stunned shock.  Cel had been released 
six weeks early.  He lounge arrogantly in his chair, smirking.

"Welcome to my feast, gentlemen," he said condensendly.  His guards 
laughed.  

Just then the queen entered.  She was dressed in leather and laytex.  
Andias looked like an S&M movie star.  Kevames escorted her, dressed 
simularly.  He was armed to the teeth.  His whip hung over a 
shoulder, like a braid on a military uniform.

"I see Cel has ruined my surprise," the Queen said merrily.  She sat 
down in her throne.  Kevames stood behind her, on the left side.  
Doyle thought it interesting that he chose the same side Cel sat on.

"Come, Doyle, you know your place.  Barinthius, be seated."  The 
Queen smiled.  There was nothing in it that was not pure evil.  The 
two Unseelie moved to do as ordered.

Once they were in place, the Queen rose.  "I want to thank you all 
for coming to the feast tonight, in honour of Prince Cel's release.  
I for one am glad to have my son back with me.  As you can see, Doyle 
has came back as well.  While I still honor the agreement I made 
before with Cel and Meredith, I can understand that some of my court 
does not wish to have a mortal Queen.  Doyle is one of them."

Doyle stood ridged, seething on the inside.  'Damn it all!  What is 
she doing?  She knows as well as I that I am only here because she 
gave us no choice.  By making it sound like I have turned my back 
against Merry, she is hurting any support Merry had here at Court.  
She is also opening Merry to an attack,' he thought.  'I have to warn 
Frost.'

"After the feast," Andias continued,  "we shall have tonight's 
entertainment.  I understand that a few people wish to challenge 
Doyle to a duel.  They feel that he betrayed me by chosing to go with 
Princess Meredith.  While no one has ever defeated my Darkness in a 
duel, I cannot stop any who wish to challenge.  It will be 
entertaining.  Let the feast be served!"  Andias cried out, 
laughing.  Her laugh was a sound that sent fear running down Doyle's 
back.

'Cel is free,' he kept thinking. 'Someone must have attacked Merry 
after I left!  By his punishment having been ended, he avoids 
death.'  Doyle looked quickly for Barthinus amoung those being
served.  He saw Barthinus staring back at him.  He nodded slightly.

"My Queen," Doyle began, dropping on one knee beside her.  She turned 
to him and ran a hand through his loose hair.  She had specifically 
told him to leave it down until she said otherwise.  

"You will entertain me, Doyle.  You will learn that you serve me, and 
no one else."  She continued to play with his hair.  "So you bay like 
the dogs of the Wild Hunt, Doyle?  That will make tonight after we 
retire interesting, I think."

"As you wish, my Queen.  Can I ask for a favor, before I fight the 
challenges?"

"I don't promise to grant it."

"My back.  It is not properly bandaged.  Barthinus began to, but I 
did not wish to anger you by being late.  May I take him and see to 
it, so that I will better be able to fight in these challenges?  As 
it is now, I fear I will have to end these duels quickly."

"Why Barthinus?"  The queen's voice was colder than ice.

"He is the only one I trust to bandage it properly.  I beleive others 
would not do it properly, to give my challengers an advantage."

"Very well.  You have twenty minutes."  The queen pulled her hand 
from Doyle's hair, none to gently.  Several strands stayed twined 
around her fingers.  He took her hand and gently kissed it.  

Rising, he went to Barthinus' side.  "Come with me.  We have twenty 
minutes."  They quickly left the hall.