Hubert Nip

CHAPTER 1 (The HighTower)

   "Well, I appreciate the warning." Then Hubert looked over his shoulder at the fleeing soldiers. "Though, I am sure we would have come to an understanding."

   "Lions do not come to understandings with sheep." Oro suggested.

   Hubert retorted. "Comandante,you are a sheep." And pushed him away. "I need to be in the kitchen before the stoves are turned off.

   "Prince Hubert, you must not call me Comandante, but simply refer to me as Oro." He stood up and was brushing his hair behind his shoulders. "Try and look past my masculine features and fine fashion to notice that even though I am the Comandante of the Royal Caballeros and Gold Guard of HouseHubertus, I am also your friend."

   Hubert changed the subject." Comandante...I mean Oro. Can I ask you a favor?" The Comandante's face lit up with anticipation. "Will you save me a seat in the Dining Hall for I must speak with Chef Caput."

   "Yes, but do not linger long because they are waiting for you. Oh, and I am very excited because the Senhoria Sancha Teles de Ansesseli has arrived this morning."

   "Sancha in the Dining Hall?" Hubert asked in a high voice. "Do you know why she is visiting the HighTower?"

   "She has arrived for the beginning of the Winter Holiday Season." The Comandante answered while oddly adjusting his jacket. "She is a special kind of royal. Prince Hubert, do you not agree?"

Hubert added. "Did you know that she is from Ansesseli? That is one of the Forbidden Realms!"

   "Yes, and she is very mysterious." Oro answered, then headed in the direction of the Royal Dining Hall.

   As soon as he was gone, Hubert rushed around the corner and did not stop running until he pushed through a set of red double doors. Inside, the kitchen space was hectic as dozens of miniature cooks in white cooking hats were scurrying around the counters. They were relaying the incoming orders and he was having difficulty dodging them.

   He shrieked when he felt a pain in his ankle. Holding a rolling pin and with a stern expression under his white puffy hat was Chef Caput. His most distinct feature was an extra-long mustache and beard that were purposely styled to resemble the facial hair of a human. The Chef exclaimed. "To me, you are no prince but still the local nip dealer ."

   "You mean the local dealer known as the Prince of Nip!" Hubert corrected him and exited from the kitchen with a stolen piece of cake after avoiding another blow to his shins.

   He was now standing outside the Royal Dining Hall with one hand flicking cake crumbs off his outfit and the other holding the half-eaten cake. However, as soon as he began pushing on the door a soft voice was heard nearby.

   "Master Hubert, are you finished with your dessert?" Asked a feline who was rubbing her hands together in anticipation.

   He had his head against the doors of the Dining Hall to overhear the conversation within. "There is a lot of commotion in there."

   Inside the hall and around the table the mother of Hubert remarked. "If I had known a year ago what I know now, I would have tossed the prince back in that wooden trunk, and this time with a pile of rocks." In agreement, the nobles were knocking on the dining table with their knuckles. The Marquessa Albeasa was her name and she added. "Or maybe I should have done that after his birth." And the guests laughed louder.

   Hubert forced a smile at Dingles then whispered. "Albeasa likes to tell jokes. She is not being serious."

   His father, named the Marques Faran, suggested. "Oh, stop."

   Hubert whispered to Dingles. "I think Faran probably cares about me? Probably more than her."

   Then the high voice of another noble woman said. "No offense Albeasa, but if you and Faran have another child, let me be the one to properly abandon him in the forest." Followed by more knocking on the table.

   The squeaky voice of an elderly man added. "The Prince is feral and wilder then a basajuan. "There was more clapping and laughter.

   The Comandante Oro added his own opinion. "A year ago, when Hubert was arrested he fought very well on the beach. Considering the circumstances that he was out numbered three to one, and not to mention the absence of a weapon, he demonstrated a brilliant display of courage and ingenuity."

   Hubert wished that Oro had remained silent because the compliment was sure to instigate more harsh remarks.

   "I agree with the Comandante, for I have also heard of his bravery." Replied the soothing voice of Senhoria Sancha.

    A silence filled the hall then Albeasa announced. "To the Prince of Beets OR a more suitable title of...Prince Dead Beet!"

   "Did you hear something?" Faran asked. "I am looking forward to dessert. You over there, check in the hallway for our food."

   A caballero opened the doors. TING. The soldier's boot tapped a glass plate of cake crumbs. He searched the hallway in both directions, but there was nobody to be seen.