Door opens, creakily, there stand a drenched Zebra.....
Forgive me, your Majesty, I'm rather wary of lions given my species and your natural predatory ways, but my mistress, Nungate said you could be trusted not to chase me. She bid me to convey her apologies but she will be unable to attend this evening's meeting owing to a case of the dreaded lurgy which has rendered her unable to leave her sickbed. She hopes to be well enough to return to the festivities at the next meeting of the MOFC.