Rheia stepped away from Meryn and sat in the empty chair next to her. "Okay, no full time bed rest, but you have to stay in bed no less than eight hours a day, even if you don't sleep, and you need to drink at least seventy ounces of water a day."
Meryn's eyes bugged out. "I'll never stop peeing."
"Too bad." Rheia looked at Ryuu. "What has she been eating?"
Ryuu winced. "Meat kebobs and pudding."
Rheia waited as if she expected Ryuu to say more. When he didn't, she stared at Meryn. "And you have to start eating real food."
"Nothing else sits right; everything here tastes weird," Meryn complained.
Rheia circled her face with her finger. "Does it look like I care? Push me on this, Menace, and I'll slide a feeding tube down your nose in your sleep."
Meryn covered her nose protectively. "I can't eat anything else, really Rheia. It makes me sick."
Rheia frowned. "You weren't like this at home."
Meryn spread her hands. "Don't know what to tell ya."
"I may have an answer," Marjoram said, coming in from the antechamber. When the men started to stand, she waved them off and sat down in the first empty chair. "My apologies for being late, but I was getting the much needed supplies put away." She turned to Rheia. "We haven't been properly introduced, but judging from your scowl, you're Meryn's doctor. My name is Marjoram Johanson, I'm Ellie's grandmother."
Rheia smiled. "I'm her doctor as much as she'll let me be. What did you mean when you said you think you know what's wrong with Meryn's food?"
Marjoram tapped her finger to her lips. "I
t's just a guess, mind you, but everything she has been eating has one common ingredient, I believe." She turned to Sebastian. "Do you use fae Ceylon cinnamon in your pudding?"
Sebastian's mouth dropped. "Yes, yes I do. Not many can detect the difference with the amount of vanilla I use."
Marjoram winked. "I'm a baker as well. I won't know for sure without asking, but I'm willing to bet that fae Ceylon cinnamon is used in both the meat kebobs and meat pies on Level Six. It has a more woody taste that can lend itself to either sweet or savory." She looked at Ryuu. "Try adding the cinnamon to her dishes. If that doesn't work, she may have to drink it in a tea to settle her stomach before eating a regular meal."
Ryuu bowed low to Marjoram. "A thousand thanks for your advice in helping me with my charge." He rose to his full height. "Her health is my utmost concern."
"Of course it is; you're one of the best squires I have ever met."
Ryuu's cheeks took on a faint pinkish tint at her praise, and he stepped back behind Meryn.
Marjoram turned to Magnus. "Might we borrow a room down here for the physicians' meeting? We have space at the hospital, but I don't think what we will be discussing should be overheard by young ears."
"Of course, anything you need," Magnus agreed quickly.
Marjoram's lips pursed to one side. "You're on bed rest yourself until dinner," she announced.
"Thank the gods!" Elizabeth whispered.
Magnus stuttered. "I have too much to do to be lying in bed!"
Marjoram smiled sweetly then turned to Kendrick. "You look like you pack quite a wallop, young man."
Kendrick grinned at her. "I've been known to level a city or two," he said, buffing his nails.
"Told you I didn't take out the council building," Meryn crowed to Magnus.
Marjoram jerked her thumb to the prince. "Do you have enough juice to knock him out?"
Kendrick nodded. "Quite easily."
Magnus sputtered and looked around the table for some quarter of assistance. Everyone stared him down, including his own brother. Magnus sat back, looking defeated. "I am the prince around here," he muttered.