- - - ch 23 - - -
Celestia stared at the griffon in front of her. He had stopped talking, one wing was tilted slightly forward and to the side: he was waiting for an answer.
She had no idea what the question was. Casting a glance over to her secretary, she was relieved to see Swift Quill was still taking notes on the meeting. “I think I would like to take lunch, and think about that, before I give you an answer.”
Ambassador Stowyer seemed delighted at the idea, dropping his serious expression for a casual one. “Excellent, I’ve been hungry for the better part of an hour. Perhaps we could share a meal and casual talk?”
Celestia wanted to sigh, but she held her warm expression. “I would like that, Ambassador. I will join you shortly.”
Again the griffon brightened up. Giving her a bow, he then turned and left the room.
As soon as the door closed behind him, Swift sat her notes down. “No news, is good news, right?”
“I... hope so.” Celestia picked the notes up to read them. “What was his last question? I didn’t hear it.”
Swift gave her a sad smile. “He asked about purchasing some of the delta from you.”
Celestia sorted out her thoughts for a moment. That wasn’t a question she could answer today. Ponies lived in that wild swamp, she couldn't sell the land out from under them, but there was untamed land along the coast too. Perhaps a deal could be made. Some extra trade in the lowlands would be good for her ponies.
Looking out the window, Celestia was reminded how close spring was. Soon the delta would be getting ready for the First Graze festival. Maybe she’d take Clover to see it.
The smile fell from Celestia as the memory of the hospital came to her. “Ask the archives for maps of the lowlands, then take lunch.” Setting a smile on her face, Celestia left the room to join Stowyer in the dining hall.
She found him sitting at the long table, eating a meal of salad and ceviche shrimp. He stood as she neared, then sat back down after she was seated.
“I hope the meal is to your liking,” Celestia said, while two ponies sat lunch before her.
The griffon gave her a nod. “It is wonderful. Reminds me of home.”
Celestia took up her fork, and looked at her meal, it was an exact copy of what Stowyer had been served. It looked good. She hadn’t eaten since dinner, and that had been a light meal, yet she wasn’t really hungry. Still, she needed to eat, she had to keep her strength up.
Taking a bit of the meal, Celestia chewed while hardly bothering to taste it.
“Forgive me,” Stowyer said, sitting his fork down, “But may I ask what is bothering you?”
Looking up from her plate, Celestia met the Griffon's eyes. “That obvious?”
Stowyer only shifted his wings a bit, a silent invitation for her to keep talking.
“Do you have any children?” Celestia asked.
Stowyer shook his head. “No. I would like a family some day, but I am simply not home enough to start one.”
Celestia took another bite of her meal and chewed. She hoped a messenger would bring her word about Clover before she had to close the doors to the office again.
“The foal I adopted, he is very sick. The doctors don’t know if he’ll make it.”
Concern stiffened Stowyer’s posture. “You have my best wishes. If you need to reschedule our meeting—”
“No,” Celestia interrupted. “I will not ruin the Griffon Empire’s schedule over personal matters.”
The griffon gave her a nod of thanks, but worry still tainted his expression. “Fishing season is starting soon, and we do hope to increase our harvest this year. But that is business, let’s save that for later. Do you know what ails the foal?”
“Cow Pox,” Celestia said, then forced herself to eat some more. It was actually really good; she should have some sent over to Luna. While she was thinking about it, she should have the royal cooks cater dinner for the hospital.
Stowyer took a sip of his tea, his face scrunched up in confusion. “Is that not like our Down Hives?”
“It is. We do not know why it has affected him so.”
Silence took the table for a moment, before Stowyer again spoke. “When he is better, you have my invitation to come to the Griffon lands for a vacation. Ponies say the steppe is a healing place.”
Celestia gave the ambassador a honest smile. The plains stretching out from Griffonstone were famously good for a pony’s health. “I may take that offer.”