Highness

The King did not seem to be mind the question. "It is good for a woman, even a high-born one like Al'esha, to learn to serve," he said. "And it accords proper honour to you, as our guests. Of course, as a princess, once she is married she will have servants of her own to carry out such tasks. Hopefully that day will not be long delayed, for her betrothal is already overdue, and I know that she will make someone a good wife."

Fred noted the pride in the King's voice when he spoke of his daughter. Astra did not, being otherwise occupied. She had been startled to learn that the fourteen year-old princess could be thought in danger of becoming an old maid; though early marriage was common in many lands - since life expectancy was short - her own country was an exception and the earliest age an which an Aqualarian woman could marry was eighteen. As a result of her surprise, a mouthful of wine had gone down the wrong way, and she was having a coughing fit.

In an effort to help, Fred slapped Astra hard on the back. The King and Queen exchanged startled glances. What sort of people were these, that the man would touch a woman to whom he was neither related nor married? Was it possible that they had lied over being no more than travelling companions, for some unknown reason of their own?

When Astra's coughing abated, the Queen asked her: "Are you all right, Princess?"

"Yes thank you, Your Highness. It was just a mouthful of wine going down the wrong way," Astra replied, wondering if she could ever learn to adjust to the alien customs of this land. Not that she was likely to have much opportunity to do so, she reflected. She and Fred had no reason to stay here very long before they pushed on towards their ultimate destination.

When the meal was over, Al'esha brought in a tray on which rested four small cylindrical objects made of some dark, flaky substance. Each cylinder was about two inches long and a tenth of an inch in diameter. Al'esha took a taper and lit it from a candle. Then she carefully used the taper to light one end of each cylinder. They began to burn slowly, giving off aromatic smoke in the process.

Seeing Fred and Astra's baffled looks, the King explained: "These are made from the leaves of the plant which we know as mah'rijana. Smoking after a meal helps one to relax."

"Smoking?" Fred asked, never having heard of the habit.

"Why, yes. Like this." The King picked up one of strange objects and placed the non-burning end in his mouth. The Queen followed his example.

Fred and Astra knew that it would be very bad form not to follow suit, so did likewise. After a little initial coughing, they soon found that this "smoking" was in fact very pleasant.

The King and Queen had long experience of smoking mah'rijana, and so it had no effect on them beyond a general sense of well-being. However Fred and Astra soon began to feel light-headed and rather giggly.

The royal couple looked at one another. They had not anticipated their vistors' reaction to the drug. Those living in the Arabi were accustomed to smoking mah'rijana on almost a daily basis, and it was easy to forget the effect that it might have on someone who was new to it. Now that this opportunity had unexpectedly presented itself, they must be sure to take advantage of it. They might learn much whilst their guests' tongues were loosened.

1. They could also get Fred to make a commitment that he might not ordinarily make, the King hoped,

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