Kros Voyeh Ch. 29

A mat was rolled out across the wooden bench and covered with blankets and cushions. A few rugs were put down and a basin on a stand was brought as well as a covered chamber pot. It didn't seem like enough but as she stood twisting her fingers surveying it, her husband made a soft sound and gestured for her to come back to the bars.

"This is only for a short time, my Duchess. I will be comfortable enough until I can return to you. Promise me that you will rest and keep well."

"I will."

"I'll make certain she does, brother." Ougath looked at the two of them against the bars and shook his head, "Rogath has been talking about finding another wife. He wants to know how you've managed to find two who dote on you despite your temper."

"I have thought myself blessed by Ganas, but he has taken one of them from me and I fear he may take the other." Draeseth pulled her more firmly against the bars. "The thought alone..." He made a loud sound in his throat as if he were clearing away a lump and when she looked up his eyes were damp.

"He would not punish you that way, my joy. Isonei should have been permitted to become a Sister when she asked after her recovery. It was Kamrus Olauth who did wrong and he was punished. I believe she will be protected. Consider apologizing to Kamrus Gillaugrim as well."

Pressing a kiss to her forehead between the bars he sighed softly, "I will consider it, my flower."

"I will leave you both to your meal." Prince Ougath smiled faintly and inclined his head before slipping past the servants now bringing food for the tables.

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"Your Grace, you must rest!" Krouth was giving her a sour look but Lisora sighed and rubbed her temples.

"I'm not doing anything strenuous, I want to have dinner with my husband."

"You've had two lunches and a dinner with him already, your Grace. He will be returning to the rooms soon, I was assured of it." Frowning at her he gestured to his head, "You have a headache that should be enough reason to rest. I kept back a small amount of the lavendela oil, Lady Isonei had wished for it to be kept with my medicines but she couldn't bear to have the bottle taken too far from her. I put it in a small opaque vial to help it keep. I can use it for your head..." He slipped from the room.

The thought of the tiny woman not wanting to be parted from the bottle and being forced to leave it behind didn't help her headache. "You should have said something before I gave it to the King. She'll be upset if-when she comes back and finds it gone."

"Lady Isonei is more concerned with the comfort of others. She would have shared gladly if she were here." Holding the small vial he put just a bit on his fingertips. "Please sit, your Grace."

Not wanting the oil he'd already put on his hands to go to waste she complied, unpinning her mourning cap. "Are you certain?"

"The Lady would have insisted I use it for my own headaches, your Grace. She would want the discomfort of others to be eased even if it meant the bottle was no longer in her possession. It wasn't to be kept from use." Krouth began rubbing her temples.

Lislora exhaled, closing her eyes as he continued, "The bottle reminded her of home, she wished to be able to look at it. I..."

She opened her eyes as he stopped speaking, "Is something wrong?"

"No, your Grace, I have a suspicion." He moved back from her temples rubbing in soothing circles and she closed her eyes again.

"A suspicion of what?"

"I have given it thought... Hesh-Caeridith spoke often with Xagorath. He would have wanted a way to redeem himself in the eyes of the Dagas and return home and the Munians would have required money to return home to their islands."

A chill moved up her spine.

"Xagorath may have helped the jester in the Kroscur, he almost certainly gave a report of what occurred when the Lady had him freed. I suspect he arranged to have the Lerians waylay the carriage. That the Lady was put in a sealed carriage might make things difficult for them but if-"

"You think she's been kidnapped?"

"I think she would view it as a rescue. She will be eager to return to Ara and as many Arans as have put forth money for the purse, approaching twenty thousand gold Aran cenura it was whispered to me, I believe they'll keep her there."

"That..." Lislora exhaled and let herself relax, "She's wanted to go home to her family since she arrived. If it would ease her pain I would be happy for her."

"As would I, your Grace. If young Hodrim could be permitted to visit her she could still be reclaimed."

Smiling with her eyes closed, she resisted the urge to shake her head, "You speak as if you know she's-"

A firm knocking at the door startled her and Gharol was at her side in an instant helping her put her mourning cap back in place. Krouth waited until it was pinned before opening the door. The slim servant stepped outside immediately.

After a few long moments, Lislora considered sending Gharol out but the man came back in looking as if he were contemplating a task.

"Who was it?"

"It was one of the scribes, your Grace. He's a friend. I was just informed that I should expect a summons from his Majesty when he finishes speaking to his brothers. Prince Burgath sent a brief message by bird from the Celsecur where it meets the Dalcur. He wants Lady Isonei's things brought to his Keep in the Dalcur immediately, the Lerians have her and they must be persuaded to acknowledge it."

"Most should be packed to send to the Kroscur, make certain-"

Another knock came at the door and the man turned to open it. "Your Highness." Bowing he allowed Ougath into the rooms.

"Lislora, forgive the intrusion but we need to gather all of Isonei's things that were left in your care and send them to the Great Gate."

"How did she get to the Gate so quickly?"

"The Lerians smuggled her over the cliff, I would bet a great deal of money on it. It would be suicide to follow them down but Burgath can meet them at the Gate and make certain she's well. From the tone of his note..." He stopped and looked at her with a frown. "This may not be something to trouble you with."

"You've already troubled me. Please." She offered him a rueful smile, "Krouth, gather all of Isonei's things. Make certain to send the empty ring box and the note so that she doesn't think we kept it. Gharol, help him."

"As the Duchess pleases."

The servants hurried into the bedroom and the study to begin gathering the chests and condensing them, she expected. Lislora gave Ougath a searching look.

"What's wrong?"

"From the tone of his note, it was brief, and we could have misunderstood," the Prince looked almost nervous, "I think he's concerned the Lerians will keep her from Ara so that we face the possibility of either a war on two fronts or the prospect of a possible war with Phaethia without allies."

Her head started to ache again and she rubbed her temples. "I'll speak to Draeseth and discuss having her carcanet and the knife she'd given him sent as well if you feel they need to be bribed with her things to return her."

"I'll speak to him about it, you need to rest. It's less that we're bribing them to return her than forcing them to show her to us to claim her things. If we can tell Tamnaeuth that she'd made her way to Leria we may be able to salvage some part of this."

"What would they gain by pretending she's still in Torga when they have her in Leria?"

"Leverage to have your husband hanging from the Great Gate for one, or to have us all punished in general for refusing to return her..."

He stopped as Lislora lurched to her feet rushing to the washing room to retch. There wasn't much left in her stomach to come up, lunch had been hours ago but it didn't stop her from heaving until she brought up something opaque, liquidy, and unfortunate looking. At least this time she hadn't gotten any on her sleeves.

As she caught her breath and let her head clear, Garol rushed in to wipe her face with a cool damp rag, dipping it in the fresh water that now stood like a permanent fixture on the stone window sill. "Have Krouth fetch the knife and carcanet, send everything that can be sent. Ask King Rogath for the lavendela oil-"

"We don't need to go that far," Ougath spoke with some amusement from beyond the doorway. "We just need enough to-"

"He's my husband! And your brother!" Lislora stormed to stand in the open door with a scowl, "Do you want to risk him hanging from the Great Gate? I won't."

"I will take care of everything, your Grace." Krouth bowed and then gestured for her to go into the bedroom. "You need to rest."

"I need to speak to my husband!" She marched toward the door feeling a little too warm again, but the cells were cooler.

"Lady-" Ougath began and she spun on her heel.

"Duchess. Duchess Lislora, your Highness, and I am going to see my husband."

The Prince looked startled and glanced at Krouth. As he did, she turned again and stormed out heading toward the cells. She tried to calm herself as she walked. King Rogath wouldn't allow it, she felt certain. But if... if they went to war with Phaethia over the death of Princess Kresh and needed allies or supplies desperately... What kind of position would they be in to bargain with the Lerians?

She stopped to lean against the wall feeling dizzy and entirely too warm.

The cool damp rag was what woke her and Lislora's eyes flew open as she tried to sit up immediately.

"You will lie down or I will have Krouth tie you to the bed, my Duchess." Draeseth pressed her back down gently.

"I needed to see you, Prince Ougath-"

"I owe my brother a thrashing for upsetting you, Krouth told me when I carried you in from the hall." Her husband smiled down at her and ran the cloth over her cheeks and throat. "You have no need to worry over anything, my flower. Rogath allowed me to give a public apology at the prayers after our lunch. I am not to leave our rooms until we go home for any reason but my brother's command."

"He won't send you to hang even if..."

"No. I've told Krouth to take the knife and Isonei's carcanet. The Queen will keep the lavendela and the nearly empty bottles of Isonei's soap and oils. What's being sent should be enough to allow Burgath to see her. Krouth will act as a witness and be able to tell us if she's well."

"You're sending him?"

"I am. He suggested it." He smiled grimly. "Isonei once told me that Lothlaerith would want someone hanging from his gate and that it would be better if it were Krouth. I reminded him of it and he told me that was why he wished to go. Either he would return and be able to give a thorough report or by his death, he could ease the Dagas' anger and be of service to Torga.

"I need the man, but I owe him a title and a house."

"At the very least." Lislora reached up and caressed his face. "Give him Javos and Evenos and have a house built for him near the Keep. We rely on him but he has to be rewarded."

"As my Duchess pleases." His smile warmed.

The bedroom door opened and a throat cleared politely.

"Come in and speak Krouth. We have a matter we need to discuss with you."

"As your Highness pleases." The slim servant was frowning as he entered the room with a letter in his hand. "I've organized everything and had it sent to be put on one of Prince Burgath's carriages as King Rogath commanded. I will be leaving early, before the morning prayers.

"I don't believe Lady Isonei will be upset at the amount of what is being returned, but she mentioned that her father had a temperament not unlike King Orgath's... If you wish to look over the letter I've written-"

"I trust your judgment, Krouth." Draeseth rose from the bed and offered the man his hand, "Isonei made a point of telling me I could not possibly pay you what you deserved, and my brothers often agreed. Duchess Lislora has suggested I give you Evenos and Javos, a house will be built for you and you will be raised to Lord Krouth of the Kroscur. We rely on you, and I would ask you to continue offering me your counsel and to act as steward, assisting my Duchess should I not be present at the Keep."

The slim servant stared at him for a long moment before taking his hand. "If I survive, I hope to serve honorably as steward but the title of Lord would only be meaningful if I had children."

"You may adopt if you wish. Isonei insisted I encourage you to do so. I don't believe she will allow you to hang, my friend. You will kneel before the King and pass your title to a child you've raised."

The man's face broke into a smile. "When she was ill with the terrible fever in the Dalcur, she asked if I had children and told me that I should because I would be a good father. I will find a wife first, the child will need a mother."

Draeseth smiled and inclined his head. "I will write the letter to my brother and you may take it before you retire tonight. A Lord should have better accommodations than a servant's chamber-"

"It will suffice for now." Krouth bowed. "Until I see you have a proper replacement I'll attend you, your Highness."

"I thank you, Lord Krouth."

Her husband turned back to her as the slim man bustled out. "You will rest, my Duchess. I will return and I expect to find you sleeping peacefully."

"As my husband pleases." Lislora smiled as he bent and kissed her tenderly.

°°°°°°°°°°

"Then move the furniture so that you can train!" Lislora eyed her cousin with annoyance, three days of being confined to the rooms and the man was ready to climb out of a window.

After her collapses, which hadn't reoccurred since he'd returned to their rooms, he'd been afraid to bed her and she was beginning to understand why Isonei had kept him up at night begging for kisses and had rubbed against him in her sleep. It must have been unbearable for the woman to offer her the one lesson and allow her to have the bed for the night. She wouldn't have allowed the woman's presence to keep her from washing Draeseth the next morning either.

As she was sourly considering those things, her husband had stripped off his tunics and begun moving the furniture to clear space in the room. It didn't help dull her desire to drag him into the bedroom to spend his excess energy.

He glanced at her and his face flushed, grinning. "You look both angry and filled with desire, my flower."

"How did Isonei endure not being able to take you to bed!" She scowled as he broke into laughter.

"She washed me, kissed me, and rubbed against me constantly. I thought I would go mad from it. If I hadn't been able to spar I might have." Draeseth came to embrace her covering her face with kisses. "I have learned from my mistakes, my Kros Voyeh, I resisted when they told me to think of her comfort and health above my desires. If I had listened to the Hallocs she might not have had as much difficulty. I will not wait until you are bleeding and confined to bed to consider your health."

The words made her feel warm. "My joy, I'm grateful for your thoughtfulness, but I'm not as delicate as she was. There has to be a compromise."

"If you wish to consult with the midwives I will have them sent for. As much as I desire-"

A sharp knocking at the door cut him off and he made a loud displeased sound before going to fetch his tunics. Gharol moved to wait patiently by the door until he was dressed. He gave the Karisian woman a nod and she opened the door, immediately dropping into a curtsy.

"Your Majesty!"

"I should have sent someone ahead to be sure I didn't have to wait at the door." Rogath stepped in with a faint smile and then looked around curiously. "What..."

"I moved the furniture to be able to train. You were waiting while I put my tunics back on." Draeseth smiled and bowed. "My Duchess was appreciating the view."

Lislora gave him an incredulous look, feeling her face begin to flush.

The King laughed. "I remember you said Isonei enjoyed watching you move furniture as well. I thought you might be pleased to know she's supporting us."

A weight she hadn't realized was there lifted from her shoulders.

"Burgath sent a bird from his Keep. She made it clear you were not to hang and she's been encouraging the Dagas to offer us support if the worst happens and Phaethia goes to war with us. Because she speaks so highly of him they want Burgath to continue to mediate matters.

"I would marry that woman myself if she came back."

Draeseth folded his arms and made an annoyed sound as his brother grinned. "Father would have approved but men would be jesting about Duchesses of the Kroscur finding their way into the King's bed and I would be sour."

"Save your sourness for Prince Arrun. He'll be arriving before dinner. I want you at my side. I want him to remember our performance at the Melee."

Both began to grin.

"I'll have your Duchess sit next to my girls. They're fond of her and Ougath said she made him flinch when she snapped at him. Arrun might be less likely to cause trouble if she's with them."

"She doesn't speak Phaethian, brother, he might try to take advantage of that."

"I'll tell them to stay with her and to make certain she knows what's being said." Rogath was smiling but she could see the worry behind it as he spoke, "They don't leave your side, Lislora."

"As my King pleases." She inclined her head but Draeseth made a displeased sound.

"And if she falls ill? She's been well since I've been in our rooms but I've made certain nothing is said to cause her distress."

"Gharol speaks Phaethian." Lislora put her hand on her husband's arm. "She can attend me, and help me look after the girls. If I fall ill, her duty will be to the Princesses first."

He didn't look more pleased by that.

"If he says anything untoward she can alert your Duchess as well, brother." King Rogath nodded and gave her an approving look. "I'll make certain my girls understand that they're to obey you and not their Uncle Arrun."

"How many will be coming to the dinner?" Draeseth took a half step closer and wrapped her arm around his.

"Family only. Ours, Mother's... Prince Arrun's visit requires a state dinner and I would have myself surrounded by those who I know I can trust. It will be slightly smaller than the Aran dinner Father held for Isonei. Dress in your mourning clothes, this isn't a celebration. I've tried to make that clear. I'll have you sent for when Arrun arrives. You'll greet him with me."

"If you send my chain, I can wear it with the leather beneath my tunics as I did in Phaethia."

Rogath grinned and reached out his arm offering it to Draeseth, "I was hoping you would offer brother."

They clasped arms and Lislora felt a ball of worry begin to form in her belly.

After the King left she followed her husband into the bedroom, "Are you expecting an attack?"

"My father should have had someone like Krouth at his side reminding him that Phaethians cannot be trusted. He would never have allowed Kresh to poison my wife or given her the opportunity to murder him if he had. Arrun is the one Kresh wrote to most often and the one who sent her letters and gifts. If he's heard the news of his sister's death he may try to attack Rogath. I intend to be ready."

She sat on the bed as he carefully chose his tunics, the worry didn't seem to be going anywhere. "Don't forget your knife."

"I will not." He kissed her tenderly. "It's a fine blade and if I should need to use it, it will serve me well, my flower."

The chain he'd requested was brought and as she watched him dress with the help of the servant who'd brought it she felt she was watching him prepare for a battle. It didn't seem like enough. His Majesty summoned Draeseth earlier than expected, almost as soon as he was finished dressing and she was left alone with her gnawing concerns.

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"Your Grace..."

"It's just a small headache, Gharol." Lislora waved the woman away. "The cup of veorola tea is all I need."