Kros Voyeh Ch. 25

Notes: 1) If you see this anywhere but Literotica, it isn't supposed to be there!

*****

Lislora devoured the cold roasted meat heaped on toasted bread from the platter with gusto. Gharol had arranged for food to be waiting when she'd returned from speaking to Isonei and she'd wanted to embrace the woman when she'd seen it.

"They had desserts left from the Aran meal, I-"

"No!" Lislora nearly choked in her haste to decline. "No more Aran food today please, I can't face anything else creamy or sweet. The thought..." She pressed the back of her hand to her mouth and cleared her throat waiting for the moment of queasiness to pass.

The Karisian woman dropped into a low curtsy. "As the Lady pleases."

Shuddering as she got her stomach under control she tried to explain, "Even their meat dishes are sweet. The chicken that was served had a creamy fruit sauce. I understand now why the Duchess barely ate anything in the Kroscur. The small bowls of goat stew brought out were the best part of the meal." She shook her head, "And I despise goat."

Gharol had her eyes pinned to the floor but she was struggling not to smile. "There are better meats, my Lady."

"There certainly are." She eyed the nearly empty platter and thought about what needed to be done today. "I need paper and a quill." Rising from the table, she made her way to the washing room to clean her hands first.

"A letter, my Lady?" The maid asked curiously from the doorway of the study as she stepped out with clean dry hands.

Frowning and deciding to go in and fetch the items herself, she realized the woman had laid things out at the desk. Mollified, she took a seat in the chair. "No. I need to write out my wishes for the Arrangement. Duchess Isonei and I discussed things and I want to have everything prepared."

The woman's brow furrowed and Lislora could see she wanted to ask about the matter.

"Where is Master Krouth? I wanted to speak to him as well."

"Finding suitable bottles for the oils and soaps the Duchess promised her Majesty. He said she requested pretty ones."

"I had forgotten."

Lislora began her list with the first thing she and Isonei had discussed. A proper Torgan marriage... It dawned on her that if she phrased it as Isonei had suggested he'd be required to marry her immediately. She put a line through those words and rephrased it slightly, if one wife should die or one Arrangement is dissolved by Draeseth, he would be required to give the remaining wife a proper Torgan marriage. The second item-

"Is there something I can help with? Master Krouth may be some time." The Karisian was looking at her hopefully when she lifted her head.

"He's required to spend more time with Duchess Isonei. The woman looks at him as a member of the family and she finds him to be a comfort." Remembering what the woman had said she smiled faintly, "I think she looks at him as a father figure. She wanted me to encourage him to adopt a child when we return home."

She returned her attention to her paper, secondly, as wives, they would not live in the same house. They would trade places between the Keep and her inherited house. Thinking for a moment on the logistics, she added that their security and comfort should be provided for by their husband and that he would not visit the separate house without discussion and permission from both wives, but the children would be permitted to travel freely.

Lislora would take Penst and Dipf, Isonei would have Shprayt and Ailzem, accompanying their husband to the bouts.

The matter of giving birth, that had been a relief to hear the Aran suggest and she wanted that to be perfectly clear-

"Lislora?" Draeseth sounded as if he were calling from the doorway but only the startled maid was there.

"I'm here, cousin."

He gave her a sour look as he strode into the study. "Isonei wasn't to be left alone."

"She and I were both getting sour. I was hungry and she was tired." Beckoning him closer she gestured to the paper, "We discussed the Arrangement and the gifts she gave Hodrim when Karmus Rimathe took him as an attendant." She gave their husband a look almost as sour as his own. "I need to ask you how much I can spend on a gift for him myself. I want to give him a traditional gift. We might have discussed the Arrangement further but when she made a veiled threat about making me miserable if the children suffer for my jealousy-"

Draeseth made an amused sound in his throat.

"-I thought it was best if I allowed her to rest. The guard posted by her door seemed like enough protection."

"Agreed. And she will love your children because they are mine. I have no doubt she will quarrel if you do not do the same."

"She'll love them because they're children. Isonei was already discussing adopting more."

A growling grunt escaped from him. "I want it put down that neither of you can adopt more children than you give me." He tapped on the paper, "Put it in."

"These are all things I discussed with her. If you want to limit her adopting children you'll have to put it in the new Arrangement you make with her."

Pulling the quill out of her hand he wrote it down himself. "If you can forbid me from visiting one of my wives and some of my children, I can have that added."

Lislora took the quill back. "You'll be spending the year-"

He began to laugh and kissed her head cutting her off, "-with the wife carrying my child. Yes. Arans insist on that. It would be kind to allow the other wife to visit occasionally during the course of the year."

"I haven't written anything forbidding it, I just... I would be upset if you visited her at the other house during our time."

"What else did you discuss?"

"We wished to discuss funds with you. Perhaps we could establish a ledger and budget separate from the household and from maintenance of roads and trade so that both Isonei and I can have funds for joint projects in the interest of the well-being of the people of the Kroscur."

Draeseth looked down at her with a stunned expression for a moment. "If you wish."

"It was her suggestion so that you wouldn't worry about both of us being generous and emptying your purse."

A faint smile crossed his face, "Was that all?"

"No, but the rest wasn't fully fleshed out. I think we've discussed the matter enough before that I can write it out with confidence."

He made a curious sound and she began to elaborate, "Our children will be equals. Should anything happen to either of us the children will be raised lovingly by the other as if she were a second mother. Any adopted children will be included in that agreement, I think Isonei would insist. Any disputes that may occur will be dealt with between the two of us, the children will never suffer for any disagreements we may have."

His smile widened. "My sons will be equals. Burgath insisted I was a fool for not sitting in on the discussion. He didn't believe my wives could come to an agreement I would be pleased with."

"You have two wives who want your happiness and trust you to see to ours." Lislora smiled up at his proud, doting expression.

"Ganas has blessed me more than I could ever deserve."

°°°°°°°°°°

Lislora glared at the slim servant as he spoke reasonably.

"Her Grace gave Master Hodrim two very rich gifts, one of them being her red ring. They should suffice. The amount of money that's been spent, your Highness, is going to be felt for some time to come. Lady Lislora has required several of her new dresses to be let out, and with all of the expense of-"

"Agreed." Draeseth cut the man off with a frown. "My flower, the boy doesn't require more gifts."

"She gave him Aran gifts! I want to give him something as well, something Torgan. I don't want him to think-"

"Sit down with the boy and speak to him. That ring alone is worth a good horse at the very least. The stone was fine enough that the Queen would have worn it with pride. I cannot allow you to spend so frivolously when the boy has already received richer gifts than any of the other attendants."

She smoothed her skirt with a scowl. It was all perfectly reasonable but it still rankled. "Let Kamrus Rimathe know that I wish to speak to him and young Hodrim. I want to congratulate the boy and to extend the invitation to have the child's clothes bought-"

Her cousin opened his mouth and looked as though he wished to protest, Lislora cut him off sharply, dropping the end of her own sentence. "It's the least the child can expect and as his adoptive family we are expected to provide for him."

"I doubt he'll need anything immediately," Krouth smoothly stepped in, "Her Grace insisted he have a good wardrobe. Offering will cause no harm."

Draeseth made a sour sound. "He's a good boy but I would prefer to provide for my own children."

"You'll want to discuss adoption with Isonei, I doubt she sees a difference in the boy and a child she might give birth to."

He passed his hand over his face, "Rogath said that. He overheard Yornaith speaking to the boy about the Aran tradition of building a family by love instead of birth. That was what was done for my wife when her mother died. They make no distinction between a child that was born to them and a child they took in. The Lerians are the same." Draeseth exhaled and glanced to the door. "I cannot understand how you can love a child not your own the same as your own. But... I will allow you to do as you see fit in the matter of his care."

A knock came at the door and as Krouth answered he bowed low, "Your Excellencies."

Lislora rose to her feet, and gave Draeseth a stern look as he remained seated, as the three men entered the room he grudgingly rose. Kamruses Rimathe and Gillaugrim she recognized immediately, the third, a gaunt man, she thought she recognized from descriptions. She offered a curtsy.

"Kamruses," Draeseth's tone was cool. "To what do we owe the honor?"

"I remember you being a warmer, more devout man when last we met, your Highness." The gaunt man's smile was thin and unsettling.

"I am still devout, Kamrus Olauth, Ganas has blessed me more than I deserve. My wives are fine, good-hearted women."

"Taking two wives is an Aran perversion." Gillaugrim frowned. "Duchess Isonei can be taught better and from what I've been told she would be pleased to adopt the son Lady Lislora will be giving you and make him an equal to her own children."

Clearing his throat angrily Draeseth scowled at them but did not speak. Lislora spoke quietly, "Arans believe a child needs his mother. That was why she suggested the Aran Arrangement. She's a good woman and has no intention of taking my child from me. The thought of becoming a second wife has taken getting used to but I find I prefer it to being a mistress. Both Isonei and myself-"

"This Aran woman should have been brought to the Shrine at Gogmenos, your Highness." The gaunt man spoke as if Lislora didn't exist. "I believe her illness to have been a deception and that some demonic-"

"I do not." Kamrus Rimathe spoke up. "Duchess Isonei is a delicate woman and an honest one. Her temperament would make her a fine Sellac but her health-"

"No devout Torgan, as his Highness was, would consent to such debasement without some demonic influence!"

"I believe that Halloc Aurim dealt with that." Gillaugrim lifted his hand to forestall more bickering. "The Aran isn't what we came to discuss, the perverse Arrangement that you wish to enter into is, your Highness. We would plead with you to remember yourself and not betray your faith."

"I have not betrayed my faith." Draeseth's scowl pulled at his split lip. "Both of my wives would have me pray more and spend my wealth on the people of the Kroscur instead of on indulgences. Ganas has given me two fine women and I intend to keep them. The Arrangements will be made."

"Mezaldir-" Kamrus Olauth began but came to an abrupt stop as Draeseth made a loud displeased sound.

"I will not be dissuaded."

"Duchess Isonei will speak with us." Kamrus Rimathe gave a meaningful look to Gillaugrim. "She has a tremendous respect for-"

"You will leave my silver Duchess in peace. The woman is not to be harassed."

"I have never harassed her." Rimathe looked slightly insulted. "She would see me if I requested it. Perhaps you would feel more comfortable if I saw her alone?"

"No." Draeseth's hands curled into fists and Lislora moved to his side immediately to stroke his arm. "My Duchess is fond of you and she respects Kamrus Gillaugrim immensely, but as her husband, I decline on her behalf. She is resting from a strenuous day."

"I was told she was grieving after she returned from the Temple." Rimathe frowned.

"She was and then she was compelled to put on a cheerful face and entertain over lunch." Draeseth relaxed slightly, "By the end of the meal she was struggling to maintain her composure. If her brother had not brought news that upset his Majesty the matter of the Arrangements could be put off for a short time, until Isonei is out of mourning."

"What news did her brother bring?" Gillaugrim looked surprised.

"They received word she had been forced-" Lislora stopped short as Draeseth spun and pulled her bodily to stand in front of him, his body blocking her view of the Kamruses.

"If my father did not tell them..."

"They must have annulled the Arrangement in Ara." Gillaugrim sounded pleased. "I suspected they would when she told me of the circumstances."

"The Arrangement was made in Torga and neither King Tamnaeuth nor the Aran courts were consulted on the matter. My father does not consider it annulled." The sour Prince turned back to face the Kamruses.

"Speaking with the Duchess' brother may be wise." Rimathe was smiling faintly.

"I had intended to invite him to the Temple." Gillaugrim gestured to the door. "As much as Duchess Isonei enjoys the prayers I suspect he would as well."

"The woman truly enjoys the prayers?" Kamrus Olauth looked unconvinced.

"She doesn't understand them but she finds them soothing." The door closed on their voices.

"I will need to speak to my brothers." Draeseth glowered at the door.

"I'll wait in Isonei's room. Go." Lislora felt deflated as he stepped away without any of his usual affectionate gestures. She turned to speak to her maid and gasped as he embraced her from behind.

"I am not angry with you." He kissed her head before stalking out of the room and she felt lighter.

"I will go with you to make certain her Grace doesn't require anything further." Krouth moved toward the door purposefully. "Gharol should come with us to be certain we won't require further assistance."

"What of Hodrim?" Lislora was looking for a way to keep the woman out of the Duchess chambers more than wishing for the boy to be brought, but it was the first errand to spring to mind.

"I would be concerned the Kamrus might have asked him to speak with her." Krouth looked deeply unhappy, his mouth set in a hard line, "I believe part of her grief today was from allowing the boy to become an attendant. He asked for her permission. She said it was the most difficult thing she'd ever done but it was the right thing to do. Hodrim's needs come before her own. I believe if the boy were to ask her to refuse..."

"Ganas be merciful. You know that she'll want him to be there-"

"I intend to send Ximesra to fetch him and speak with him. He trusts her and if he's been counseled to persuade her Grace to refuse the Arrangement she can explain to him that her Grace would be put in a poor position. He's a thoughtful child, he won't put the Duchess in such a position."

A knock came as Krouth reached for the door and he opened it with a cool expression.

"I wish to speak to Duchess Isonei and the guards wouldn't allow me to her door. Her Majesty wants to make her anticipation of the soaps and oils very clear." Lislora recognized Countess Giserona's voice and remained silent, out of sight of the door.

"Duchess Isonei is still resting after the exertions of the day. They will be brought by the end of the evening, I assure you. Her Grace asked for pretty bottles to put the Queen's oils and soaps in and I had the Munian cook, a former glassmith, seek some of good quality."

"I will inform her Majesty." There was a slight pause, "I heard that she was weeping this morning in the garden but she entertained over lunch?"

"Her Grace was grieving deeply this morning and then put on a pleasant face to do her duty as a Duchess of Torga. It exhausted her."

"When her husband has a second Duchess perhaps she can be spared some duties." The woman sounded almost pitying.

"I have no doubt she will be." He bowed before he closed the door.

"Go see to the bottles, Krouth. Make certain the Queen gets her soaps and oils. If Isonei falls out of her Majesty's favor..."

"As the Lady pleases."

°°°°°°°°°°

Ximesra had been stepping out of the Duchess' bedchamber when they arrived. Lislora allowed Gharol to pull the Munian woman into the hall as she put her own head into the room to see the tiny Aran woman soundly asleep in bed.

The voices of the maids could barely be heard but she closed the door and went to speak with them herself.

"What if I meet the Kamruses on the way?" The Munian looked almost frightened.

"If you should meet them, tell Kamrus Rimathe that he left before Lady Lislora could speak to him about Hodrim's clothes. I want to make it clear that his needs will be seen to." She spoke up before Gharol could.

"Perhaps you could also suggest that her Grace would find the boy's presence a comfort." The Karisian woman's brow furrowed thoughtfully. "I doubt you'll meet them. They wished to speak with the Duchess' brother."

The white-haired woman looked less nervous at that answer and hurried out.

"I would have you remain outside in case she wakes."

"I understand, my Lady." The maid pulled the door closed.

With nothing else to do, Lislora went to the chest of gifts and opened it. She lifted out the oils and inhaled the sweet scents of vaina, of autumn clove, and what she thought might be uziadamon. The lavendela oil seemed to be of excellent quality as far as she could judge, the bottle would have cost a small fortune if she'd had to buy it here. Lifting out two small wooden boxes, she carried them to the table.

Opening one, she saw carefully cut squares of some sort of honey candy, and in the other were rounds of some sort of golden braided treats. Lislora closed the boxes leaving them next to the book that still lay on the table. She was going back to the chest to see what else was inside when the door to the rooms opened.

"Aunt Isonei?" Kas barrelled in and looked around.

"She's still asleep. I-"

Rogath and Ror followed with Draeseth.

"Isonei is still asleep. I was looking at her gifts, the oils and soaps are decadent and the lavendela oil her father sent would cost a small fortune here."

Rogath opened one of the boxes on the table and took out a square of candy looking at it curiously. "What are these?"

"Some sort of honey candies, I think. I'm not sure if she knows they're-"

The Crown Prince popped it into his mouth and then tilted his head peering down into the box, "Salted honey candies... they're odd but-" He gave one each to Ror and Kas.

Ror looked delighted but Kas made a dubious face.

"Your Aunt Isonei gets upset when people spit out foods she enjoys." Draeseth smiled faintly at the girl. "She made your father eat a hot pepper without spitting it out."

The girls giggled as Rogath gave his brother a flat look. "Both my mother and our father would enjoy these."

"Have them sent. Isonei enjoys sharing her foods with those who are appreciative." Putting an arm around her briefly, Draeseth kissed her head.