Orro raised his hand and counted on his claws.

“We’re it,” I said. “If we can help him get to the altar, he will give us access to the special portal and their abandoned mining outpost on Karron, so we can go look for Wilmos.”

“What were they mining?” Caldenia asked.

“Fuel for a weapon,” Sean told her. We had done some research. “They mined a bunch of it and then decided the weapon was too inhumane to be used.”

Caldenia raised her eyebrows. “It broke.”

“Probably,” I said. “The point is, we have no other way of entering that planet.”

“How many?” Orro asked. “How many beings total?”

I tried to sound upbeat. “Three hundred. The ruler’s retinue, the candidates and their escorts, and the observers. A lot of powers in that region of space are sending diplomats to see what will happen, since the marriage will affect the balance of power.”

Orro blinked. “How many species?”

“At least fourteen. Probably more.”

He blinked again.

“Screen please,” I told the inn.

Gertrude Hunt sprouted a small screen on a tendril and held it up to Orro. He scrolled through the guest list.

“They are due to arrive in two days if we say yes,” I said.

“Of course, you must say yes.” Caldenia clapped her hands. “This will be marvelous.”

I had to do it now. “Your Grace, there is one tiny issue. The ruler is…”

“Don’t tell me!” She jumped up. “I want to be surprised.”

“Letere Olivione…” Sean started.

“Not another word! You will not ruin this for me.”

She swept out of the kitchen, the sleeves of her long green gown flaring from the wind of her passage.

“Well, shit,” Sean said.

I slumped onto the back of my chair.

“I take it there is a problem,” Marais said.

“Not yet,” Sean said. “But there will be one.”

I groaned. This was exactly what I was afraid of.

“I can get her. We can have the inn hold her and tell her,” Sean offered.

“She would be mortally offended.” I sighed. “Do you want to deal with her carrying a grudge for the next six months? Because I don’t.”

Orro had stopped scrolling and was staring at the screen, his eyes distant.

“Orro?” I asked gently. “Are three hundred guests too many?”

He raised his head. His eyes focused. “What are you implying? Are you implying my skills are not sufficient?”

Oh no, no, no, we’re not taking that scary road into Orro’s Offended Woods.

“She is asking if you need some assistance,” Sean said.

The chef frowned, pondered it for a second, and his eyes brightened. “Two!”

“What?” I asked.

“I will need two assistants! Maybe three. I need the species list. I need to go shopping. I need to go to Baha-char! I need things and money!”