Torgan Wine Ch. 39

"The very rare occasions I've been allowed my father's wine it's been like walking in his fields. If I could hold onto that it might make things easier but the taste fades. I would love to have the painting..." Isonei rolled back to face Arissa. "But it would never reach me. Draeseth hated it. He won't even let me read my father's letters, he would destroy it rather than risk it making me more homesick or risking anyone here seeing it. He thinks it's immodest."

"Their religion is very concerned with modesty. Do you... do you share it?"

"No, I considered adding Ganas to my Gods but the Kamrus at Court was adamant that it wasn't acceptable. Draeseth insists I kneel with him when he prays, but he hasn't taught me more than a few words of Torgan so I can't understand a word of the prayers. Praying to my own Gods is difficult though... the last time I tried, Krouth splashed water in my face and insisted that I pray to Ganas or not at all. I have no privacy."

"You should try. Perhaps your Gods can help you."

"If this dream were real I would ask you to have my father leave offerings for all of the Gods, and tell him not to forget Teth and Udnerath." Isonei let herself smile, "If I do find a way to come home, I'll go back to Ara and leave them all something myself. I may even kiss one of Tyhnoth's priests."

Arissa giggled and pulled her close. "You have to come home to Liadith first. We miss you."

"I will. I promised to see your father on the way back, then I will come home to Liadith to kiss every statue in the crypts," she paused to giggle with Arissa, "and then I will go home to Ara and spend time with my father and brothers, and give gifts and thanks to all of my Gods."

"Is it really so hard to want that more than staying?" Arissa brushed her hair back with a smile.

"I care for him. And he still smells like leather and spices..." Isonei bit her lip suggestively and raised her eyebrows before dissolving into giggles with Arissa.

"Is he delicious enough to stay in Torga for?" The Lerian woman gave her a mischievous smirk, "Daga Lothlaerith has been pining for you. He keeps the painting in his bedchamber."

"He does not!" Isonei pushed her playfully, laughing and blushing. "I have had the most wonderful dreams about him, though. He's such a beautiful man."

"I thought so too, but he was so cold."

"He was. He was intimidating, and then he played his kanon and sang." She could feel the giddy smile on her face at the memory. "His voice and the way his hands moved..."

"Come home, I'll make him promise to play for us when we bring you home. Daga Liadith plans to come fetch you from Oyeth Lothlaeri himself."

"I would love that." Her insides twisted.

"What's wrong?"

"I wish my father and brothers could come too. I miss them, even Ialath."

"Isonei..."

"Isonei, ulzen ungst vor ourst yent." Draeseth murmured softly as he rubbed her back.

"Mm," Isonei snuggled into his side burying her face wishing she could sink back into the dream as she tried to slur out the same to him.

He laughed softly. "I have to rise and prepare for breakfast. My father wishes to eat with Adareth."

"I want to come too." She rubbed her eyes as he pulled away and rolled out of bed. "I want to see how he's feeling."

"You are to stay in bed until the midwives or the Hallocs see you, and tell you, you may rise for more than trips to the washing room."

"But-"

"Do not argue with your husband." Draeseth leaned over the bed and kissed her forehead.

With a yawn and a pouty look, Isonei curled onto her side choosing to go back to sleep. She could barely keep her eyes open, staying in bed was probably a good idea. After a short while, she heard Draeseth call loudly for Krouth and changed her mind, climbing out of bed with a frown.

She had barely left the bedroom when Draeseth came back beaming and lifted her up into the air with a wide, exultant grin.

"What-"

"The barley is sprouting." He put her back in bed and covered her face in kisses. "A son, you are giving me a son!"

Isonei had to laugh at his giddiness. "I thought we both wanted a daughter!"

"I would be happy with either but a son..." Draeseth grinned and kissed her ardently. "Every father wants a son." He pulled away still beaming. "My father will want to celebrate."

"Then tell him after you have breakfast with your poor brother. He should get his father's love and affection while he's injured." At the annoyed face Draeseth made she added as sternly as she could, "And don't you dare tease him for getting hurt! Don't let your brothers do it either."

"You coddle Adareth as if he were your own child."

"I'm coddling him like he's my baby brother. You be nice to him!" She folded her arms and he laughed leaning over the bed again to steal a kiss.

°°°°°°°°°°

For breakfast, Mes brought in the twice baked bread slivers again, as well as bowls of salt and honey, and a pot of hot tea. Isonei eyed it all distrustfully.

"You have to try to eat, your Grace." Mes fidgeted next to the table. "Maybe you could start with the tea?"

Holding her cup and breathing in the vaguely familiar scent, the tea did seem like a good place to start, but once it was in her mouth she felt differently. Setting the cup of wretchedly bitter tea on the table with a frown, she held the back of her hand to her mouth for a moment.

In her dream, Arissa had talked about salted honey candies and Isonei grudgingly decided to attempt the bread. She dipped a sliver in the honey and salted it heavily as the Queen had suggested. The combination was surprisingly nice as she licked it tentatively off of the bread. Opting not to risk the bread making her ill again, she used the sliver as a spoon to eat the honey with, salting it generously each time.

Krouth cleared his throat as he entered the room and saw her breakfast. "Your Grace should attempt to eat the bread as well."

"If I can keep down the salted honey I might make the attempt later." Isonei resisted the urge to make a face at him.

"In Mun pregnant women often eat pickled shade peppers and pearl onions. It's so common; jars are given as gifts as soon as the news is shared." Mes smiled wistfully. "Here they eat pickled cabbage. I'll see what the cook can find if the salted honey agrees with you."

"Thank you, Mes, pickled shade pepper does sound good." Isonei tilted her head as she sucked the honey off of the bread. "At the very least they should have some kind of pickled onions here. Pickled onions and honey sound very good to me..."

Mes tried to stifle a laugh but her dimpled smile was undisguisable. "I'll go ask now, your Grace."

"If you feel better, eat the bread, your Grace." Krouth frowned at her, "It would be better for you than honey and salt."

She forced herself to eat two bites of the twice baked bread and found herself rushing to the washing room as it came back up.

"The tea may-"

"The tea nearly made me ill before I'd eaten anything, Krouth." Isonei rinsed her mouth with the water he offered her.

"Halloc Aurim insisted you should drink it."

"Is it the purifying tea I had before?" Isonei looked at him in surprise, the tea had been familiar smelling but the taste was more awful than she had remembered.

"Yes, your Grace, it-"

"Halloc Urroth said it might end the pregnancy, he was adamant I shouldn't drink it."

Krouth opened and closed his mouth for a moment before he was able to get words out, "I-I will have it taken away at once your Grace, forgive me."

"You didn't know. They were arguing about it while you were looking in on Adareth. He said they do things differently here."

"They do. Their knowledge of herbs is better here. Halloc Urroth should be trusted more on this matter. For spiritual matters, I would defer to Halloc Aurim."

Isonei nodded thoughtfully. "I suggested Halloc Urroth grant him a concession like the smoke. I'm not sure why it's so important to Halloc Aurim but..." She watched Krouth try to suppress a smile.

"How was that taken?"

"I think they were amused. Their discussion sounded more friendly afterward."

"You do have that effect on people, your Grace. If your son inherits your charm he will serve his King well. Had you been a son you might have been a diplomat." Krouth escorted her back to the table.

"No, more likely a jester." Isonei grinned impishly as he took away the tea with a put-upon expression.

"Your brothers are very proud men, your Grace. I have little doubt your father would have raised you the same way. He should not have spoiled you so tremendously."

"He doted on me, but I wouldn't say he spoiled me. My father tried very hard to encourage me to seriousness with the sharp side of his tongue."

"He should have tried the flat of his hand," Krouth replied dryly as he opened the door, "I will bring some Mezi for you-" He stepped back bowing and speaking rapidly in Torgan.

"You allow your servant to jest about striking you, little Duchess?" King Orgath eyed the bowing servant icily. "Draeseth always tolerated too much unpleasantness from him."

"Not at all, he was jesting that my father should have attempted the flat of his hand instead of the sharp side of his tongue when he tried to encourage me to seriousness. I have a habit of testing his patience for sport." Isonei smiled warmly at the King as she rose. "Please don't chide him; it's taken me months to get him to jest with me."

Orgath made a dismissive gesture to Krouth and the man disappeared through the door. "How are you feeling this morning? How were the bread and honey?"

"I was doing very well until I tried to eat some of the bread with my salted honey." She made a face.

"And he is fetching Mezi?"

"The purifying tea that was brought-"

"Is nothing you should be drinking. I learned that with Draeseth's mother." He frowned sharply. "I will make certain my son is aware."

"Where is he?" Isonei peered past him into the hall.

"Still enjoying breakfast with his brothers. He was beaming when he arrived and suggested I visit you to find out why." King Orgath's face softened. "I was told it was something to celebrate."

"I don't think I've ever seen him that excited." She led him toward the washing room.

The bowl was sitting on the windowsill and quite a few of the grains inside it had little white sprouts. Isonei stood quietly for a moment as the King looked at them. When he turned with a bemused smile, she shrugged returning it wryly, "I told him to let you give Adareth your full attention. How is he?"

His face split in a grin very much like Draeseth's, "That was why he would not tell me."

"Isonei?" Draeseth called into the rooms, his cheerful voice accompanied by others.

"Here!" She laughed as he came in behind her and wrapped his arms around her speaking to his father in Torgan.

"Out of the way, brother! Let us see." Rogath's voice came from behind her as Draeseth was pushed, making her stumble.

The King snapped something in Torgan and Rogath came around them and bowed, "Forgive me, Duchess."

"There's nothing to forgive, brothers roughhouse."

"They will be more careful with you present, little Duchess." Orgath gestured to the door behind her and said something in Torgan, prompting Draeseth to release her and the four Princes to clear the way for the two of them to pass.

As the Princes lingered in the washing room speaking amongst themselves for a moment, Isonei took the opportunity to ask her question again, "How is Adareth today? Is he still feverish?"

He took a seat at the table and eyed the bowls of honey and salt, "You ate most of the honey?"

She blinked and furrowed her brow realizing he didn't want to answer. When he looked at her and frowned she realized he'd asked a question. "I'm sorry, your Majesty. I did, with salt it was very nice."

"Where did Mes run away to? I was told she spends as much time as she can with the Munian cook."

"She went down to ask him about pickled shade peppers and onions. Before I tried the bread they sounded delicious."

His wryly amused smile faded, "Adareth lacks your skill in hiding his pain and discomfort. He tried to be cheerful but his pallor..."

"I have an advantage, your Majesty." She offered him an impish smile as he tilted his head slightly. "I'm so pale no one can tell if I get just a bit paler."

King Orgath barked a laugh, "I will see you safely married to my son before that child arrives, if only to ensure I have a jester nearby to brighten my moods."

Isonei laughed but shook her head, before she could delicately phrase her protest Draeseth and his brothers came back into the room laughing and clapping him on the back.

"My wife was disappointed, she was certain it would be a daughter."

"Perhaps the next one will be." King Orgath gave her a wistful look. "I dote on my granddaughters, but a grandson would be welcome. If he fights like his father and trades jests like his mother he will be truly impressive." Shifting his gaze to Draeseth he smirked, "Give him a better name than Mallath. A name worthy of my first grandson."

"What do you suggest, father?" Draeseth's displeasure was clear even though she couldn't see his face. He kissed the top of her head and rubbed her shoulders as he waited for an answer.

"Perhaps... what was that name you mentioned, little Duchess? The name your father had intended for you, if you had been the son he expected?"

"Isionath?"

"A fine name."

"It is, but so is Mallath." She tilted her chin down as Orgath gave her a sour look.

"My wife believes I should be choosing the names. She is helping because our culture would give her the responsibility." Draeseth rubbed her shoulders and neck as if he were trying to soothe her. "Isionath is not a name I would choose, but we will seek another if Mallath does not meet your approval."

"Good, I-"

The door was pushed open abruptly and Mes rushed in, blinking in surprise at the gathered men and bobbing a low curtsy.

"Mes, good of you to return." The King's voice was cool as he fixed her with an annoyed look.

"I... your Grace!" Mes held up a jar with a flushed face, "He had a jar, he grows his own shade peppers!"

"No!" Isonei rose from the chair to take the jar with a wide smile before embracing Mes and giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you! And thank him for me!" She turned back to the table with it, turning it in her hands. The sight of the whole small peppers and little round onions made her mouth water.

As she sat and tried to pry up the wax seal with her fingers the Princes began to laugh. Draeseth took it after a short moment and used his knife to open it. "You could ask me, my Duchess."

"And rob your brothers of their amusement, my flower wine?"

He handed the jar back, laughing with his father and brothers. They lapsed into Torgan as she fished one slim green pepper out. She closed her eyes as she bit into it, half expecting to feel ill but the mild heat and tang from being pickled didn't get the same reaction the twice baked bread had. Chewing slowly she opened her eyes and beamed at Mes.

"Don't eat more than one until you're sure you can keep them down, your Grace. That was his last jar."

"You may return and tell him to speak to the royal gardeners. There should be room in the winter garden for him to grow, what are they?" King Orgath eyed the jar with amusement.

"Shade peppers are what we call them. They grow best in the shade under trees."

"A place can be found for them." He reached for the jar, "I was told some peppers are sweet?"

"These aren't sweet but they're what I would call mild. I can borrow Draeseth's knife and cut one up if-"

"I have my own knife, little Duchess." His smile was both annoyed and amused. "My son said you were greedy with food you like; you should offer me a whole pepper if not the jar."

"If you and Draeseth have similar palates you'll take a bite and spit it out, and then I'll be sour with you, your Majesty. These have a lovely flavor and wasting them would be-"

"I will cut one up, little Duchess and if I enjoy it I will take the jar." He gave her a black look and pulled out a pepper. Laying it on the barely used breakfast plate he pulled a slim, jeweled knife from behind him and cut it into five small bites.

Isonei watched and waited with amusement as he and the Princes each took one and put them in their mouths. The King and Burgath managed to keep their composure as they chewed and swallowed but Ougath coughed and looked as if he might be ill and the two larger Princes began to swear through clenched jaws.

"These are mild! And they've been pickled; they had more heat when they were fresh!" She shook her head trying not to laugh at them. "If you have any of the soured milk," Isonei looked up at Draeseth, "like my Daga served? That should soothe your mouths." Taking the jar back she took out another pepper and ate it as they watched.

"She looks so delicate..." Burgath muttered with a perplexed expression.

"I grew up eating these, Burgath. Most people prefer to use them in recipes, but my father would eat them raw."

"And you ate anything your father ate." Draeseth snorted and muttered something in Torgan making his brothers laugh.

As she carefully placed the wax disc back onto the jar she heard the King making a frosty reply. He rose from his seat and gave her a kiss on the head making her smile up at him curiously. "Every father should have such an adoring daughter. One of the servants will see the jar is properly stored, little Duchess. You should go rest until the midwives arrive."

"Thank you, your Majesty." Isonei glanced to the door. "Krouth was going to bring some Mezi..."

"He may have difficulty finding it. Not even Ror and Kas drink it." He playfully stroked her cheek with his thumb. "Juice or watered down tea is what they prefer. I will have something sent. Go back to bed." His tone was cheerful and it sounded very much as if he were speaking to a child.

"Thank you, your Majesty." She offered him a smile and rose on her toes to give him a kiss on the cheek on her way to the bedroom. The sound of King Orgath speaking quietly in Torgan followed her until she closed the door.

A few moments after she had settled back into bed Draeseth opened the door and joined her. He climbed into bed and pulled her close. "My father scolded me for mocking your childhood adoration for your father. If I wish it for myself I must dote on you the same way." Draeseth kissed her head, "He said you respond to fatherly affection, that the traits I share with your father attracted you to me."

"That's true. You were protective in the garden." Isonei turned and curled against him trying to suppress the sudden urge to break into tears. She missed the man she had chosen to stay with. Once they had arrived in Torga he had become difficult to see at times, even though she tried.

"I will keep you safe and happy, my Duchess." He rubbed her back soothingly.

"When will the Arrangement be amended, Draeseth?" She murmured without lifting her head.

"We will be having a son, my Duchess. Marriage will give you all of the protections you ask for and it will make our son indisputably legitimate."

"You promised me, Draeseth. You said-"

"I asked you to call me yours."

Isonei didn't have to look up to know he was scowling and she knew she was starting a quarrel as she spoke resignedly. "I've called you mine each time you've used my name as you said you would. I don't want to have to keep a count but it's the only way to make you do as you say you will. You don't even keep your word to your God."