Scene 5


Grand Dining Room, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot


I was about to go over to speak with the California members when I heard Dee call for the attention of everyone in the room. I noticed that he had left his post at the top of the stairs and moved to another hallway that opened into the Dining Room.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he addressed the gathering. “I present our guests of honor this evening, Riverkilt, Graham, Hamish, and Andrew Breecher”

All those gathered turned to face the hallway and applauded the entrance of the members. Three orderlies came in pushing wheelchairs, in which the first three members were seated. Andrew walked in following them. Although all looked as if they were still recovering, especially those in the chairs, each was dressed in their formal attire.

The guests of honor accepted the applause, but they seemed embarrassed about it. I saw that Mike had moved over to greet the men. After greeting them, he looked over at me, and gestured for me to join him.

When I joined him, he introduced me to the men seated.

“Gentlemen,” he said, “This is Mr. Dove, the leader of the team that rescued you.”

“Mr. Dove,” said Hamish as we shook hands. “I am so glad to finally meet you and give you my thanks.”

“Hamish,” I answered. “I am so glad that I was able to assist in any way. But I was just a small part of the rescue. Several others participated in the effort.”

“And I plan to thank each one of them,” he replied.

The other two men expressed similar sentiments when I spoke to them. Mike then directed the men to their seats and moved to stand behind the podium at the front of the room.

“Would everyone please take your seats?” he called out.

When everyone was seated, he continued. “I would first like to thank everyone who could make it today. The number of people attending shows us just how respected these men are.”

The room again erupted in applause. When it died down, Mike continued. “Tonight, we are gathered together to celebrate the recovery of Riverkilt, Graham, and Hamish from the harsh treatment at the hands of the forces of Globo-Fashion. Andrew Breecher, although he recovered much earlier than these gentlemen, is also being honored, because he also suffered the same treatment.”

“Some time ago,” he went on, “We honored the individuals who participated in the operation to rescue these individuals. Tonight, we are presenting to these men the Golden Thistle, for the suffering they experienced.”

Mike left the podium and went to each of the men. He presented a medal to each of the men and shook their hands. When he was done he stepped back and joined the applause in honor of the men.”

He returned to the podium. “But this occasion is not all happiness and celebration. There are some who have not yet recovered from what they suffered. Let us all take a moment to think of them and pray for their fast recovery.” The room was completely silent as we all thought of those who had still not recovered.

“And now,” he continued, “Let’s enjoy our evening.”

After that, Mike returned to his seat. Servants came from the kitchen and began serving the assembled guests.