Kros Voyeh Ch. 26

Going inside with Isonei and their husband she began to wish she hadn't. She was starting to feel almost trapped in the small room. The priests were between them and the door and the servants stood outside looking almost nervous. The Kamrus and the young priest began to inspect the items laid on the bed without touching anything. The way the Kamrus eyed the jewelry made her teeth clench.

"Are they safe?" The Kamrus asked, looking intently at the lovely silver ring Isonei had worn.

"Something is..." The young priest held his hand out over her jewelry as the Kamrus clearly wished him to do, but moved it until it was over the book of Aran myths. "This is not safe. Something... preserves it."

The way he cradled his hand and stepped away from it made the hair on the back of Lislora's neck rise.

"Where did you get this?" Kamrus Olauth turned a cold look on the smaller Duchess.

"It was a gift."

Isonei didn't seem inclined to offer more and his tone became sharp, "From?"

"His Majesty-" Ximesra began but she was cut off in the same tone.

"She must answer."

"Ximesra's brother saw it and thought of me, but he wouldn't have if it hadn't been sent from Leria."

"Who is it from?" Draeseth frowned and turned to look down at the Aran woman.

"I'm not sure, but I think it's from Daga Caeridith. The book is inscribed to Hesh-"

"I should have killed him when I was told he was here. That wretch-" The Prince began to mutter in Torgan but Isonei interrupted him.

"Not the Hesh you know. This book is old, and, unless I'm mistaken, it was a gift from the daughter who was given to the Aran King a very, very long time ago. That Hesh-Caeridith was her brother. It would have been preserved in the crypts."

That gave him pause and Lislora couldn't help but wonder what that meant, 'preserved in the crypts'...

"Why would it be given to you?" Draeseth's expression became thoughtful.

"It was given to Hesh to comfort him, to ease his worry about his sister. I think it was given to me to ease my homesickness and comfort me."

"You kept it hidden?" Kamrus Olauth eyed her as if he intended to catch her in a lie.

"I kept it put away. Aran myths mention our Gods and I know Master Krouth wouldn't approve of me leaving it lying on the table. I would bring it out and read it when I felt homesick."

Krouth spoke from behind Halloc Aurim, "When it was given to her, at his Majesty's command to have things found to delight her, I made inquiries about a more appropriate book immediately. She chose to read the Book of Truths more often."

The Kamrus nodded, "Knowing it was not appropriate, you chose to keep it?"

"It's very appropriate for an Aran. I was being thoughtful by having it put away when I finished."

"A gift from a demon is never appropriate," the Kamrus snapped.

"The Dagas are not demons." Isonei's tone was stern and certain, Lislora only wished she could share that feeling.

"Is this the source of her protection?" Kamrus Olauth beckoned for the smaller Duchess to come and stand near him as he directed his question to the young priest.

'Protection?' Lislora mouthed up at Draeseth and he frowned before prodding Isonei gently forward. She wasn't certain if the woman was truly that afraid of the Kamrus or if the Aran were doubting the Dagas.

"Pick up the book, Duchess." To his credit the younger priest seemed hesitant about having her pick up the book, glancing at the Kamrus and wearing an almost pained expression.

Isonei picked it up, hugging it as if it were a child. The priest held his hands over her shoulders, closing his eyes and Lislora blinked realizing this man was one of the touched. She should have realized it sooner.

"This... When she holds the book her protection covers it. It is not the same. The book feels hot to me. This is..." His hands lowered until they were almost touching the woman. "The protection covering her is gentle but cold." The young priest's eyes fluttered and he shivered. "As cold as death."

"She prays to their god of death. I thought she'd stopped." Draeseth murmured partly under his breath.

"You asked an Aran god for protection?" The Kamrus eyed her with dubious surprise. A false god shouldn't be able to offer protection.

"Tyhnoth, sweet and dour. He is the God of death."

"You asked him to kill?" Kamrus Olauth looked as though he wished to take a step back as he asked the question Lislora wanted to.

"No. I asked him to protect me. He judges us but he's merciful and kind. I asked him for comfort and his firm cold hand, to be spared from pain and given a gentle death."

"Yes." The younger man took a deep breath and stepped back with relief toward the fireplace, Lislora noted. "There is no malice, only protection."

There was a brief silence as he tried to surreptitiously warm his hands behind his back.

"When no one else will walk beside you, Death will," Ximesra spoke softly into the silence. "The sailors always said that, even the Sons of Mun."

"There is no true God but Ganas." The Kamrus snapped and straightened his white robe, "The Duchess will come to Gogmenos, the book will be destroyed, and she will be purified and reclaimed before she returns to the Kroscur."

"No. I won't let you destroy something so precious. This book is priceless! Nor do I have any intention of going with you anywhere. I'll return to the Kroscur." Isonei looked to Draeseth for reassurance.

He tensed, hesitating before inclining his head, "You will leave in a few days. Arrangements for your travel must be made."

"Thank you."

"I do not want the book in my home."

Lislora wanted to kiss him for telling the woman that. She didn't want it in her house either.

"Allow me to find Hesh-Caeridith and give it to him. I don't know if he can safely return it himself or not, but he'll know someone who can."

"If she doesn't object to giving the book away to a Lerian I can find someone more likely to allow it to be destroyed. It may take a day-'' Krouth began at once.

"Would it be so wrong to let her send it back?" Ximesra asked and received a stern look.

"Demonic objects should be destroyed. If she wishes to return it to a Lerian..." The Kamrus gave Halloc Aurim a pointed look.

"She'll protest." Draeseth fell silent as the Halloc stepped forward.

"She's a gentle, obedient woman. Child, for the good of your soul, give me the book."

Their husband commanded in a firm tone, "Give him the book."

Whatever the Aran said in the peculiar language she used with Kamrus Rimathe, seemed to disappoint him. He withdrew his hand before speaking solemnly, "I should have done more to make certain the demons could not touch you again, child. I will see you purified again and make certain of your reclamation this time."

The Kamrus swept out with the Halloc on his heels looking oddly uncertain. The younger priest lingered for a moment. "Duchess, it would be better for your soul to give up the book."

"I disagree."

Isonei looked ready to argue but Krouth interrupted, "Brother Sarroth, the Kamrus is waiting impatiently."

The young priest winced and hurried out of the room. Lislora wasn't sure why but she pitied him.

They stayed in the room until Krouth gave a curt nod. Draeseth ushered them both back into the main room, allowing Krouth and Ximesra to put the things laid out on the bed away again. Isonei kept hold of the book of myths as if afraid someone would steal it.

"Sit." The Torgan Prince paced for a moment as they both took seats. "I had intended to have a private conversation with you today, Isonei. To tell you that I love you more than I-" He cleared his throat and clenched his jaw for a moment.

Lislora looked at the floor.

"-I love you more than I have shown you, and you have deserved better. I spoke to Krouth for hours after I left you. It was made clear that the only way I have left to show you my love is to give you what you need, though it wounds me. But if I release you now you will not be safe."

Exhaling as she understood what he meant and leaning back in her chair, Lislora covered her face. It would be a lie to say she wasn't relieved at his words but it was a terrible time to do it for Isonei's sake. "She would be homeless, with no title or family-"

"-and in possession of a demonic object." Draeseth folded his arms and glowered as he finished her sentence. The book would derail their ability to take care of the Aran outside of a marriage.

"I have titles, and family, but not here in Torga." Isonei tilted her head slightly with a frown, "You gave your word to my King to return me. My brother mentioned, in Burgath's presence, that King Tamnaeuth won't agree to any sanctions against Torga until the Festival has passed and I am not in Ara. Returning me of your own free will would go a long way to smooth things with the Dagas and trade could be reestablished. It would be best for everyone."

"I do not believe my father would allow it. You are an expensive prize he would keep out of pride and spite. And the priesthood will not sacrifice a gentle creature to demons for trade."

She could see on his face as he said it, that he wouldn't sacrifice the Aran to the demons either. Even if she now had a husband to herself, she was certain she still had to share his heart.

The Aran was more concerned with the problem at hand. "Burgath may help, perhaps even Rogath."

"Burgath may." Draeseth made a thoughtful sound. "Rogath would keep you to care for his daughters. He followed your advice out of curiosity and witnessed Sebba being cruel to his girls. She mocked their Phaethian names and said they would be changed at the convent. He has refused to see her since."

Lislora arched an eyebrow, he'd forgotten to mention that.

"That's why they wanted him to marry me." Isonei looked almost amused.

"You are beautiful and of the upper nobility of Ara and Leria. His daughters, whom he adores, love you. He would not let you go if I put you aside." His affectionate words made the Torgan woman feel a little deflated. He was already reconsidering putting her aside.

"You have, Draeseth, and I'm grateful you have. I'm also grateful you haven't done it openly. You promised to see to my care until I was returned and I won't ask more of you than I absolutely must. Wherever I'm sent, let me take Ximesra and Xagorath with me."

Draeseth looked as if he might protest but before he could, Ximesra spoke up, "I've spoken to my brother. We'll go with her anywhere she goes, even if we get paid less. We have a debt to repay."

"The priests may not offer to pay you at all, but I will give you a small purse if she is forced to take the journey to Gogmenos. There would be guards traveling with you, you should not hope to flee along the way."

"I understand, your Highness." Ximesra bobbed a curtsy and seemed pleased with the permission.

That kind of loyalty was rare and it raised her opinion of the Munians.

Draeseth moved one of the room's chairs next to Lislora's so that they were seated together facing Isonei. The small, pale woman looked at them pensively and then began to smile, "I'll need to find you both a wedding present. The usual gift my family gives in Leria is a pair of golden cups inscribed with blessings, that doesn't seem appropriate here in Torga."

"No." Her husband leaned back and rested his hand on the arm of her chair. "You have given your jewelry back, that seems enough."

"That wasn't a wedding gift!" Isonei protested and looked to Lislora, "I could give you a book of drawings and suggestions like I gave Arissa."

"No!" Lislora sat up straight and then remembered her manners, even if it was an inappropriate gift the woman's heart was in the right place. "Thank you, but no. Enabling our marriage is enough."

"The two of you would have married eventually." Sighing, Aran settled back into the chair studying them. "A more traditional gift among family would include pearls for fertility but... the necklace my father sent might be a good choice. The white scapurite gems are meant to symbolize a pure heart and the pink are for beauty."

Draeseth made an amused sound and brushed her arm as he shared the jest. "There were men wearing pink stones in Ara."

"Men can be beautiful! You should be well aware of that. I was going to give you the bracelets to have a belt buckle made." The woman looked full of mischief despite her mourning rags and Draeseth laughed.

But since the woman had made the suggestion, "It would not be offensive to have them made into something more... Torgan?" She felt rude for asking as if she were insulting the gift though she didn't mean to. The woman's jewelry was lovely and delicate, it would look ridiculous on her.

"I would not be offended." Isonei offered a reassuring smile.

A sharp knock at the door made Draeseth flinch and she noticed that both she and Isonei did the same as a reaction to his startlement.

Krouth answered the door promptly. "Prince Burgath, are you looking for your brother?"

"No, is Isonei here?"

"Come in." Draeseth removed his hand from her chair, "I am enjoying the company of both of my Duchesses."

Burgath entered with a glance to his brother before pulling a chair close to Isonei, facing them. "You should while you can. Kamrus Olauth is demanding Father have Isonei sent to Gogmenos. Her brother has already been sent back to Ara. He will not be able to protest."

At the news that her brother had been sent back to Ara, the pale woman closed her eyes and looked as though she were struggling not to weep. It brought tears to Lislora's own eyes thinking how it must feel to only briefly see a member of your family after so long and to know it would be longer still until you saw them again. Burgath gave an apologetic look and received a nod from Draeseth. The younger Prince carefully took hold of Isonei's hand and she opened her eyes with one of her heartbreakingly sad smiles. He looked at a loss for words.

"You never told me how your trip to Leria went. I would love to hear about it."

Lislora wiped at her eye as the Aran tried to put on a pleasant face and make conversation. Even having been put aside she was every inch a duchess.

Hesitating for a brief moment, Burgath took up the conversation. "I did attempt to get the Daga's name from the daughter of Gildith. Arranging a private meeting with her was difficult. I had expected Maraphina to arrive, but to my surprise, Varenia had used her sister's name and the messenger knew no better. She assured me, the only name you could possibly know would be your own Daga's, and the girl tried to deceive Arissa into sharing Daga Liadith's name. She was given a false one. We were both caught the moment I spoke it." He sat back with a frown, releasing her hand.

"I remembered your advice, to be completely honest with the Dagas to salvage any hope of repairing relations. I told them you had been pressed and poisoned," he looked haunted as he recounted, "that it was possible you would die without ever having given up the name. I thought Lothlaerith might murder me. He was trembling with rage and his eyes actually glowed with green fire. He truly looked like a demon.

"Varenia was brought before the gathered Dagas, Liadith, Gildith, Caeridith, and Lothlaerith. She tried to deny she had given me a name but they knew of the name Arissa had given her. They took her into another room for her judgment. When they opened the doors again, the girl was gone, only the Dagas came out. Their faces were so grim I knew not to ask what had happened to her."

"They are demons, Isonei." Draeseth's tone was firm. "The book should be destroyed."

"They aren't demons, Draeseth. And I won't allow it."

"They murdered a girl for speaking a name." Burgath shook his head grimly. "I believe they would have killed me if you had given a name and I had spoken it."

"I tried to explain to you that it isn't a small thing. Speaking a Dagas name that way would be like holding a knife to your father's throat. You can expect to die for that."

"She did try to tell me. Her stubbornness saved my life but it will only continue to anger Father. Has she agreed to a new Arrangement?" Burgath eyed his brother with a frown.

Draeseth shook his head.

"If you cannot convince her to make a second Arrangement I worry that Father will no longer honor the old one."

"I trust Burgath, Draeseth. He should be allowed to know."

Prince Burgath raised his eyebrows.

Grunting before speaking, Draeseth began, "I have released her. The Arrangement has been dissolved. I am still responsible for her care as I promised King Tamnaeuth. I will not willingly return her to demons or those who will allow her to consort with them, but neither will I allow her to come to harm or to be-"

Burgath interrupted furiously, "If you no longer care for her, Rogath or Adareth will-"

Isonei put her hand on his arm and gave him a stern look. "Burgath, there is no lack of affection between Draeseth and I. We care for each other deeply. He released me because I needed him to, it hurt him to do it. Even if it weren't wrong to bed two men from the same House, it would feel incestuous to me. I love you all like brothers."

Lislora rubbed Draeseth's arm soothingly as he clenched and unclenched his jaw. Trusting Burgath with the news was probably a mistake.

"You wish to go back to Andnaeuth?" Prince Burgath sounded thoughtful.

"No. I want to go back to my family. I wanted Andnaeuth to come and take me home. I was so certain that if Draeseth and Lislora could have a few months alone together he would ask to dissolve the Arrangement. I would have helped you with whatever trade agreements I could to ease your disappointment at not having a familial attachment to the Aran Royal House. I want the best for my brothers." The genuinely apologetic look on the Aran's face seemed to amuse him.

Looking as if he might laugh he lifted her hand and kissed the back of her fingers. "I have no doubt. You are a very loyal woman and being a borrowed brother is to my benefit." Burgath lowered her hand and pressed it back to his arm before looking to Draeseth, "What do you need, brother?"

"I need to keep her from the worst of Father's displeasure. I wish to send her back to the Kroscur. Kamrus Olauth can be harsh. If she were Torgan, I would be less concerned but she is too delicate to endure what he may suggest. I will ask Kamrus Rimathe to speak to her of the book and place her in his care if he feels she requires purification."

"Wise. I will do what I can. Tell no one else that you have dissolved the Arrangement, it will make things easier." Burgath frowned, eyeing Isonei again, "Gather your wits and try to put our father off gently if he insists you make a second Arrangement. If you have no other choice, make it. Draeseth can release you a second time."

"That would be agreeing in bad faith. Arans don't do that, Burgath."

"Arans can be deceptive at times, brother," Draeseth spoke with a faint smile, "but they are honest at their core. They may conceal, but they do not lie or make promises in bad faith."