Kros Voyeh Ch. 23

The woman wasn't known for anger, though she'd been warned Isonei had a temper. Everyone was blaming Lislora for keeping Draeseth away from her when circumstances had been-

"My Lady?" Gharol's soft, concerned tone got her attention and she realized she was leaning with her head in her hands.

"Duchess Isonei is a kind woman but I have a gift for saying the wrong thing, and I... I worry that she'll be upset with me because no one came to visit during her recovery."

"Master Krouth visited when he could, and the boy, Hodrim, I think." The Karisian had her hands clasped and a small, reassuring smile on her face.

"She's fond of them." Lislora sat back in her chair and ran her hand over her face, "She wants to adopt young Hodrim, which I approve of, I'd adopt the boy myself if she didn't. And she wants to name a daughter after Master Krouth." She watched the Karisian woman's eyes widen, "But I would be upset if I'd had no other visitors."

Sighing she added, "That I unintentionally broke the knife she gave our husband... I want to be as thoughtful as I can. I should go visit with her and if she's sour then I will have to endure it, but she'll need a little time to get comfortable first."

Lislora rose from her seat and went to wash her hands and face. She was coming out of the washing room fussing with the snug bodice as the maid cleared the food away. If she wanted something to read she'd need to fetch it herself.

It felt as if she'd barely begun her book on the Saints when the door opened and Draeseth entered followed by Krouth.

"Cousin?" She rose and he came with a smile to embrace her.

"I spoke with Isonei, my flower. You were right to tell me not to worry so greatly."

She overheard Krouth beginning to give orders to have her things taken back to the larger rooms and looked at her husband in bafflement.

"My silver Duchess has asked for some solitude but she doesn't want me to be unhappy. She wished to have me invite you to trade rooms."

"Her Majesty will be furious!"

"I doubt that. I sent Rogath to her to let her comfort the girls, that will buy her some goodwill."

"When her Majesty hears how her Grace's eyes wander back to the place she was attacked and her face grows pained, I believe she may understand," Krouth offered in a surprisingly gentle tone. "Her Grace attempts to conceal her pain but her face is more expressive than she may wish at times."

The reminder of buying goodwill brought her promise to speak to him of the morning's earlier conversation to mind. "I need to speak to you about what you promised your father this morning, cousin."

"Walk with me. The servants have their tasks and I'm in a better mood today."

Wrapping her arm around his, she let him escort her out to the gardens, noticing the lightness in his step. "She's in a good mood?"

"She's grieving, but she still strives to lighten mine. We spoke, briefly. I believe she wants to become a Sister, but-"

"Good!" Lislora interrupted him and met his incredulous look with a stern one, "You can tell your father that what you promised him might drive her away and keep her from being forced to degrade herself that way. Why would you promise him such a thing?"

His face relaxed into a smile, "Arans are less shy about such things. The book is something she would be pleased to do and if I thought the demonstration would upset her greatly I would not have offered it. You need not be concerned, my flower, I have no intention of broaching the subject with her until she's out of mourning."

She opened her mouth to protest again but he made a loud sound in his throat.

"Isonei has said often she is not ashamed of enjoying me. The woman has spoken openly of bedding me in front of my father. This will not be a hardship for her. It will be more difficult for me." He gave her a look that suggested she stop arguing and she inclined her head.

If Isonei wanted to argue she would take the woman's side, if the Aran truly didn't mind... it would be foolish to upset their husband over it. They walked for a time in comfortable silence before venturing into a glass house.

"I prefer my winter garden but Father's flowers are lovely." Draeseth's low, quiet voice carried.

"They are." Lislora squeezed his arm and offered him a smile. "But I prefer yours as well."

He lifted her hand to his lips with a smile.

°°°°°°°°°°

As they were considering lunch, Gharol came to them and curtsied. "Master Krouth asked me to tell your Highness that his Majesty has called for lunch to be served at the gazebo on the second tier. Prince Adareth requested it after seeing Prince Rogath and the Princesses there with Duchess Isonei."

"What was Adareth doing there? And why would they choose such a remote place to sit?" Lislora frowned as if the maid would have the answer.

Draeseth answered with some amusement leading her in the direction of the lower tiers, "Ximesra was going to walk with her in the gardens, my flower. She would only know the first tier, and Adareth has been told to walk to restore his strength."

As they made their way down she was amazed to see the swarm of servants carrying tables and warming trays that certainly contained food, the smell was delightful. The food was nearly forgotten, however, at the sight of the Crown Prince of Torga lying on a blanket on the ground and Isonei seated close by, clad in black mourning rags with a princess draped across her lap, the other lying next to her listening to whatever the soft-voiced woman was saying intently.

The pale Aran stopped and looked up at them with a smile and a curious tilt of her head as they entered the gazebo.

"Adareth saw you all here on his walk and urged Father to have lunch served in the garden." Draeseth looked down at his elder brother on the blanket and teased him. "I would have expected my silver Duchess to sit wherever the children were but to see you on the ground like a child..."

"I'll give you a kicking like when we were children, you black bastard," Rogath muttered in a tone Lislora couldn't place and in a blur of motion rolled and lashed out at his brother with a swift kick.

Draeseth turned and took the blow on his leg, keeping himself between her and his brother.

To their surprise, Isonei clapped her hands sharply and huffed at them, "If you boys are going to play rough go outside and do it, but don't get your clothes muddy!" Her tone was almost stern enough to make Lislora think she was serious.

She had to bite her tongue and look away from the tiny woman's expression of motherly imperiousness to keep from laughing.

"What did she say?" The younger princess asked plaintively and the maid began to cough.

Lislora had to cover her mouth and take a half step away.

"She called us boys and said that if we were going to roughhouse we should go outside, then she told us not to get our clothes muddy." Rogath sounded almost sour but his daughters broke into peals of laughter.

King Orgath and Prince Adareth approached and Lislora dropped a respectful curtsy. Neither acknowledged her.

"What's so amusing?" His Majesty asked curiously.

Kas pointed at Draeseth and her father, grinning like a smaller version of Isonei, "They were roughhousing like boys and Aunt Isonei told them to go outside to play but not to get muddy!"

The King looked deeply amused as he clapped Draeseth on the shoulder before making his way to the bench.

"Only you can tease Princes of Torga that way without giving offense, little Duchess. Any other woman would wound their pride."

"Perhaps because I do it with affection and not disrespect?"

His face split in an almost wolfish grin that surprised Lislora, "Or perhaps because you are also on the floor like a child?"

The Aran opened her mouth and huffed dramatically, her expressive face showing exaggerated offense, "Your Majesty! I'll have you know I'm on the floor like a Princess!"

It set the men laughing and Ror sat up inquiring, "What did she say?" She received no immediate answer and scowled, "What did she say?!"

Lislora answered her with a smile, "He teased her for being on the floor like a child and she said she's on the floor like a Princess."

The answer seemed to delight both girls.

"They look much happier now." Adareth gingerly lowered himself onto a blanket that had just been laid. "Draeseth said you could cheer them but I had difficulty imagining it. They looked so sad this morning."

"My silver Duchess can cheer anyone." The larger Prince found a seat on the floor that now was completely blanket-covered and spoke to the maid, "Fetch cushions. Neither my brother nor my delicate wife should be on the cold floor."

Ximesra hurried away and he translated, "Some cushions would make sitting on the floor for lunch more comfortable."

Lislora wasn't certain where she should sit and chose a place next to him rather than next to Isonei and the Princesses. It was a relief when he put his arm around her and pulled her a little closer.

"Cushions would be nice." Isonei inclined her head with a smile at his thoughtfulness and Lislora felt him relax.

"I had intended to invite you to lunch, little Duchess, but this is much more pleasant. I used to take meals in the garden on occasion with my Queen or my Duchess." King Orgath smiled faintly as he looked out over the lower garden. "My Duchess enjoyed this spot as well. My Queen preferred to eat near the fountain."

"Why did she stop?" Isonei tilted her head curiously.

His Majesty's smile faded. "Burgath will be returning tomorrow. He mentioned there was something he needs to thank you for."

She watched the Aran's pale blue brow furrow. "That seems like a very short trip."

"It was. I had hoped it would be longer and that trade would be reestablished." His tone wasn't sharp but the look the King gave was pointed.

Isonei sighed, bowing her head, and the sadness of her expression and her posture suddenly reminded Lislora that the woman was in mourning. Her cheerfulness had made it possible to overlook the rags she was wearing for a moment.

"I wish I could make you understand, your Majesty. I'm fond of you and I'm grateful for your kindness and care, but I would never repay you by harming you and I will never repay the Dagas for their kindnesses by harming them."

"I fail to see how it would harm them." At the silent stern looks his sons were giving him, King Orgath ended the conversation, waving his hands dismissively. "It is done, however. Burgath's missive was short. He assured me he will have far too much to share than can be put to paper."

The woman's head came up slowly.

"Has she been chided? What did she do?" Ror asked with a solemn tone.

"No, the discussion is heavy and your Aunt is still in mourning," Lislora answered, shaking her head and giving her Highness a smile. It would be too much to explain to a child.

"Ror wants to know if you have been chided for something." Adareth smiled ruefully, gazing at the Aran. "Even in mourning rags, it is easy to forget you need to be shown more care than usual. You seemed so cheerful until Father took the smile off of your face."

"It isn't his fault, Adareth. I can't explain it in a way that would make him understand." Isonei's soft tone seemed to make the girls unhappy.

Noticing, Rogath began to tease the woman, "I understand why you need two, Draeseth. It would drive me mad to have a wife who grew sad instead of angry."

The Black Prince snorted. "She has a temper, brother, and I do not advise provoking her." His gaze shifted to Isonei and his lips twitched just slightly, "She once threw a brush at me."

The Aran folded her arms and put on a sour look so out of place on her face it was laughable, "You deserved it for being the most infuriating man I've ever met!"

The Princes grinned and relaxed and Kas looked like she was trying to imitate the face.

"He's much better when you're around. I think he tries to provoke people to incoherent fury less when he's happy." Isonei offered her a smile as she unfolded her arms.

Lislora was almost startled by it, she'd barely been acknowledged by anyone since she'd arrived at the gazebo.

Rolling onto his back as he laughed, Rogath teased, "If she makes you less of an insufferable prick we should have sent for her years ago!"

Draeseth gave a growling grunt and hunted around until he found a small rock to throw at his brother. Ror and Kas giggled.

The Aran was looking at her curiously for a translation. "He said they should have brought me to Court years ago if I make him less insufferable." She had no intention of translating the insult and placed a hand on Draeseth's leg to reassure him. Her reward was being pulled closer against his side.

A servant interrupted with a quiet clearing of his throat and gestured toward the now filled tables along the path.

Noticing that Isonei and the Princesses didn't make a move to stand, Lislora stayed in her place as well, waiting for a plate to be brought back for her.

The men began returning with food and Draeseth carried two plates as he approached. The Aran was smiling warmly at him but her expression changed to confusion and surprise as he walked past her.

Without thinking Lislora took the plates, expecting him to go back to fill another, but he was already seating himself.

She hissed at him sharply, "You're not going to make her fetch her own plate!"

The King and Rogath began to laugh. Draeseth looked chagrined and was taking his feet again when Adareth brought the tiny woman a plate.

"Thank you, Adareth. That was very sweet of you."

Lislora gave their husband a stern look as he sat next to her once more and grudgingly let him choose a plate from her hands as Isonei and Adareth had a pleasant conversation about the food.

She would have been content to ignore them and focus on her own food if the maid hadn't arrived with the cushions and Rogath changed the subject.

"My wife's cook is hoping you will try her food. I think most of her former slaves have asked if you require any more servants. The way you treat yours is apparently spoken of with astonishment even among the Torgan servants."

Her mouth went dry.

"Do you really eat with your servants instead of eating alone? I heard rumors you let them eat at the table with you, and give them good wine." Adareth moved closer, sitting on a cushion that had been put down.

The Munian brought the remaining cushions to them after making certain everyone else had one. Draeseth took the plates to let Lislora put one beneath her. She struggled to get it under her and get seated properly again, the Aran had managed it with her usual easy grace.

"I hate eating alone and it was a lovely meal. Wonderful conversation-"

With a tone as annoyed as Lislora felt, King Orgath interrupted the woman, "I will feel less flattered when you say the same about an evening at the royal table."

Isonei didn't appear bothered, turning to offer him a small smile, "Your Majesty, for once I didn't have to carry the conversation. I didn't have to perform or entertain, I could just enjoy the company of my dining companions. There were stories about family and I felt comfortable and content. Your table is always a pleasure, I do enjoy conversing with and entertaining my dining companions, but sometimes it is a truly wonderful thing to have a more relaxed meal. Enjoying one doesn't diminish my ability to appreciate the other."

The sourness melted from his face as the woman spoke. "Aran charm should be taught with the language."

She watched as the Aran tucked her chin down and widened her eyes, "If it were, you might learn to defend against it and I'd have to try harder."

The men began to laugh again and Lislora couldn't keep the envy off of her face as she began to pick at her food. Isonei began to eat with an expression of delight.

"What's she eating? I want some." Kas sat waiting with her fork at the ready looking at the Aran woman's plate.

"She wants to taste your fish." Rogath smiled faintly, "Is it as hot as the peppers?"

"Hotter, but it has a hint of sweetness. A small taste wouldn't hurt."

"It's spicy fish, you probably won't like it." He cautioned the child but she still reached her fork toward the plate.

Isonei gently took the fork and put a very tiny morsel on it. The Princess gave her a sour look but the Aran smiled and shook her head, "If you like it you may have more. If you don't you'll be glad I gave you such a small taste."

The elder Prince translated as Kas put the tiny bite into her mouth and reached her fork toward the fish again immediately. Isonei moved her plate closer and it looked as if she were trying not to laugh as the girl suddenly hesitated. Rogath grinned as Ror offered her fork with a curious look and was given the same sized piece.

The older Princess chewed it with a dubious frown and then gave the Aran a smile as she took a larger bite from the proffered plate.

"It's always a pleasure to find someone who enjoys the food I do here in Torga. You might like Lerian food, Ror. You should take her with you when you next visit the Dalcur, Rogath, I think she'd enjoy it."

"I may. Their mother never allowed me to take them when I traveled." He spoke to his daughters in Torgan, "Your Aunt suggests I take you with me the next time I visit the Dalcur. She says you'll like the food there if you enjoy what she does."

"Are you going to sell us?" Ror looked almost worried, and Kas' eyes had gone wide. "Mother said that the only women who travel are slaves. Noblewomen should stay in one place."

The Prince's jaw clenched and she felt Draeseth tense at her side. She glanced at him as his brother translated most of it for the Aran. Both men were scowling.

"Oh no, my little loves. In Ara, most children travel with their mothers. I grew up traveling with my father," the woman's tone was gentle and reassuring.

The words were relayed and Kas nibbled on her bread, asking, "If most went with their mothers, why did she go with her father?"

"Why did you not travel with your mother?"

"My mother died when I was younger than Kas. My brothers' mothers raised me as one of their own, but I lived with my father all year. We traveled to Leria and the Sea of Glass when they were away. I loved it."

"Her mother died when she was younger than you are, my red Torgandine. Her father's other wives were kind and acted as mothers to her, but she stayed with her father all year. He took her places, the sea and even into Leria, with him."

Ror devoured Isonei's fish as the woman smiled wistfully. The child asked, "It wasn't frightening? No one was cruel to her or tried to steal her or sell her?"

"You were not afraid? No one was unkind?"

"The only time I was ever afraid was when I came to Torga. I didn't know what to expect from the people here. Some Torgans have a poor opinion of Aran women because they don't understand our ways, and Arans think Torgans are prudish and cold for the same reason. Neither is fair."

"The only time she was afraid was when your Uncle brought her here. She didn't know much about Torgans and she was afraid we would be harsh. Arans are a very gentle people and we sometimes misunderstand each other."

He gave Isonei an amused look once he'd finished his translation, "You were more prudish than I expected. Sebba said you were as disapproving as my wife, she thought you might have secret plans to leave my brother and steal me away."