Torgan Wine Ch. 41

Isonei gleefully took her seat and offered them to first to the priest and then to Krouth, with a mischievous smile, "Draeseth isn't here to fuss."

"As you wish, your Grace."

Brother Beraigh laughed as Krouth explained in a resigned tone, taking a bun as well.

It was quiet for a moment as she devoured one and sipped her tea. The taste of the bun was a little peculiar and she looked at one of the remaining buns curiously. "What flower is this?"

"The Phaethians call it veorola. It has some similar medicinal properties to the merciful breath but it is milder. It will help you rest and soothe your stomach to make eating easier for you."

"It would be nice to eat without worrying about being ill."

"You have been eating too little, your Grace. The Halloc was concerned. As am I. I could not leave you in Mes' care as delicate as you have been."

"I hope Draeseth doesn't get too sharp with her, he's accustomed to you knowing what he needs before he does."

"Perhaps he will come to share your appreciation, your Grace." His smile was almost smug for a moment and Isonei gave him an impish grin.

"You are too clever, Master Krouth."

He changed the subject without acknowledging her words, "Your presence was requested for dinner by Prince Adareth if you are well enough."

"I don't think I am tonight. Could you give him my apologies, perhaps, tell him about the medicine I didn't react to well? I don't want him to think I'm avoiding him, he seems very sensitive to slights."

"Of course, your Grace. Brother Beraigh will be looking in on him before he returns to the Temple. I will have the message relayed gently."

"Thank you, Krouth." She tried to stifle a yawn.

"Back to bed, your Grace. I will have your dinner brought here."

"Thank you, Krouth." Rising with a smile to the priest, she placed her hand over her heart. "Please thank Brother Beraigh for all his help."

Krouth was speaking to the man as she went back to her bedroom. Isonei briefly considered fetching her book before climbing into bed but she didn't think she could stay awake long enough to read much of it. Curling into her pillow her eyes fluttered closed.

"Are you ill, daughter of Liadith?"

The weight of a hand on her head made her eyes open again. Lothlaerith was looking down at her with concern.

"I haven't been able to keep much food down and I wasn't resting enough. The Halloc tried to give me something called merciful breath but it was too strong for me. They're trying something now called, uhhmm, veorola."

"I know of it. Your arm..." He touched the cuts that had been made and his concern turned to anger. "They harmed you again."

"They believe bleeding is healthy. It was done to help me when I could not be woken."

"I want you home. Safe in Leria."

"Are these-these dreams real?"

His expression softened, "Arissa said you were uncertain, but that you spoke of me warmly. She also said the Torgan keeps you confused by desire and acts of kindness."

"I have moments of certainty. Sometimes I catch glimpses of a way home."

"Tell me." Zenaethe settled next to her and rested his head on her shoulder. "I need hope."

"Draeseth has another lover. He's left the palace to see her because she may also be with child."

He gave a mirthless laugh. "Why does that not surprise me?"

"It will prevent him from forcing me into a marriage. I can use it to make him keep to the Arrangement and take her for the other half of the year. And that will give Andnaeuth an opportunity to bring me home... if I can convince the Queen to invite him. I need her on my side on this and that may be easier said than done."

"You still believe Andnaeuth is the only way to return home?"

"My maid, Mes, gave me a book from Hesh-Caeridith. Even if I'm wrong, I think the Gods are heavily favoring my return." She smiled and kissed the top of his head as he laughed softly, pulling her closer.

"Hesh presented himself to your Daga for punishment, asking for death to free him from his shame. I think the wounds the Torgan left him with hurt him less than knowing you had intervened on his behalf after the way he treated you. Liadith told him to redeem himself and bring you home instead. I have more faith in him than I do in Andnaeuth."

"Andnaeuth may be able to bring me home without a fight. When Mes returns, she promised to help me slip out to speak to Hesh. It won't be easy if she can truly manage it. I'm barely allowed out of bed now and Draeseth has been insistent that I'm not to leave the palace at all unless he's by my side."

"Rest and regain your strength, Isonei. You may need it." He sounded anguished as he squeezed her. "They wish to wake you. It pains me to let you go each time, knowing you will wake in Torga and not here in my house."

"I will rest and regain my strength." She turned and tilted his face up so that she could press her face to his. "I will come home, I promise you, Zenaethe."

"If you break your word to me I will never forgive you." He gripped her head pressing his face to hers more firmly.

"Nei?"

Isonei winced and whined as someone pinched her side, opening her eyes and feeling as if she were still half in the dream with Lothlaerith.

"I told you I could wake her." Kresh looked pleased with herself as she tugged at Isonei's arm. "Get up, Nei. You sleep so deeply you make your servant think you might be dead."

She wanted to say something sharp but her mouth felt filled with cotton and her mind was foggy. It was easier to stumble along behind Kresh who kept pulling her arm. Letting the Phaethian woman push her down onto the sofa, Isonei blinked as Krouth's worried face filled her vision. It occurred to her he had said something.

"Your Grace?" He tilted her face and his frown deepened. He began speaking in Torgan and to her surprise she understood. "She's not awake. Her eyes..."

"Some Munians have a peculiar response to veorola, they become dreamy and pliable. She must have some in her line."

"Or they had Aran in theirs. The Sons of Mun trade as heavily with the Arans as the Lerians do and they have been known to mix with both. I heard jests from some merchants in Ara that the soldiers are for show and the women are the ones who ensure the borders are protected." The voice sounded like Burgath's.

"The Empire will devour them like ripe fruit when we reach them. If the women are all as exquisite as this one, they will be kept as a sign of wealth and power. Perfect, delicate flowers."

Staring up into the dancing gold flecks of Kresh's eyes Isonei realized she was lying with her head in the Phaethian woman's lap allowing her hair to be stroked. She could feel the tiny hairs on her arms trying to stand on end at the woman's words. "Shhh. Listen to them, daughter of Liadith." Lothlaerith's voice murmured into her ear.

"The palaces there are built for pleasure and not defense, not once did I see anything that could withstand a small Torgan force much less a Phaethian legion if they could reach the shores there. As easy as it would be to overrun them it almost seems dishonorable. Trading with them and taking their women as wives seems a better choice."

"If I may?" Krouth interjected carefully, "These are not a deceitful people. Their religion is very concerned with honesty and kindness. Mes brought her Grace a book of Myths to help her feel more at home and I have looked through them. The tales are wholesome for the most part and her Grace has a very firm grasp on the importance of fidelity. If they could be taught modesty, I believe-"

"Why are we allowing a slave to talk?" Kresh snapped sourly.

"Something you have yet to learn your Imperial Highness, servants here serve many purposes. My brother listens to his counsel and the Duchess drowsing in your lap adores him. Draeseth says she trusts Master Krouth more than she trusts him."

"I share gossip with her Grace and do all I can to make certain her interests are looked after. Were I to translate your words for her she would never speak to you again. Slavery is abhorrent to her. She tries to ignore the topic where she can in an effort to be polite but the slaves she meets she seeks to set free."

She heard Burgath laugh, "Without asking anything in return my brother says."

"Her Grace has many childlike and endearing qualities. It's always startling when she puts her foot down and shows some steel. But her temper cools quickly if you know how to appease her."

"How?" Kresh looked at him distrustfully. "It's only a matter of time before I upset her."

"Be thoughtful and kind in your actions. Gifts do very little unless they show a great deal of thought and care."

"That's why my brother dotes on her constantly."

"It did not come easily to him. She is very gracious when she says you would be able to find an Aran wife easily. They require an enormous amount of time and affection, and their comforts must be seen to. The amount of bathing required to keep her content is appalling."

"She always smells like I could take a bite of her. So sweet."

"They all smell like that, like they should be served as a dessert. It isn't hard to understand why the men are more interested in fucking than fighting. Draeseth says she makes him bathe far more often than he wishes to but she rewards him in ways that would make him walk through fire if she asked."

"She calls it encouragement." Krouth's tone was not entirely approving.

Burgath laughed. "Arans are not prudish. He said he could never be content with a Torgan woman after having his Aran Lady just once. I think he took a Torgan lover once more to be certain. He should have given her the whoreweed he prevented his wife from taking."

"It was sold to help pay for her keeping," Krouth spoke coolly. "She is expensive to care for, aside from the soaps and the labor of drawing baths, she requires overly warm rooms."

"The cold doesn't agree with her. She isn't as sturdy as a Phaethian. We can live anywhere in our Empire."

"Torga is not part of your Empire." Burgath's words had an edge to them but Kresh snorted.

"Torga was never fully conquered, if it were, none of the Imperial line would have been given to strengthen yours. Nonetheless, you are bound to the Empire by blood and Accord. You send a portion of your forces to Phaethia to be commanded by the Emperor and he may call your armies if he requires them. Torga is part of the Empire."

Lothlaerith whispered in her ear, "The Dagas will find that illuminating. Wake fully. See them as they are and be wary."

Isonei shuddered and blinked.

"Are you awake now?" Kresh smiled down at her, stroking her hair again.

Rubbing her face she frowned and tried to move from the woman's lap. Burgath said something in Torgan with amusement but she found she could no longer understand him.

"Her Grace can be sour on waking." Krouth was at her side helping her sit up in an instant. "Prince Adareth made his dinner guests promise to look in on you, your Grace. He was worried."

With her mouth so dry she barely managed to rasp, "Why do you keep waking me if I'm supposed to rest?"

Burgath brought a cup to her. "Drink something, Isonei. Perhaps it will make you less sullen."

She took a sip of the Mezi and turned to give Kresh a sour look, the urge to say something sharp to her battled with the certainty she should conceal what she'd heard. As Kresh narrowed her eyes Isonei settled on grousing, "You pinched me. Hard."

Burgath barked a laugh and Kresh's annoyance faded to amusement. "Your servant was worried. For the second time today, he could not wake you. I woke you."

"Her Grace is always woken very gently."

"She sleeps deeply enough without medicine. It does not surprise me that she is hard to wake when you give her something to help her sleep." Burgath brushed her hair behind her ear and tilted her face up. "If Draeseth were here she would be trying to bury herself in his chest the way she did in the carriage, I think."

"She can sleep in a carriage?" Kresh sounded amused.

"Very well, it seemed. Her father traveled with her as a child; that may have helped."

"He did not take her far, I think. Her Grace did not make the journey to Torga well."

"We went to Eshho and the south of Ara several times and every year we went to Leria but never farther than Daga Gildith's."

"He was barely a day's travel from Liadith. With a more direct route from Ara, it would not have been a more strenuous journey."

"My father would occasionally leave me with Daga Gildith or Daga Liadith when he needed to go back and forth or deeper into Leria. It was easier to travel without me underfoot."

"In Torga you would have stayed at home with a carer. Sons-"

"Let her eat something," Kresh interrupted him. "I want her to try the Phaethian foods my cook prepared for her. The suckling lamb has gone cold but it will still be good." She gestured imperiously to Krouth. "Prepare her a plate."

"Lamb is nice." Isonei took another sip with a sidelong glance to the Princess. She could be wary and still polite.

Kresh smiled smugly and rubbed her arm as if trying to soothe a child. It made her realize she was only in her nightdress. Isonei lurched to her feet nearly spilling her drink.

"Your Grace?" Krouth dropped the plate he was preparing, to help Burgath steady her.

"My robe!"

"It took you so long to notice?" Burgath laughed and said something in Torgan to Krouth as he helped her toward the bedroom.

"That would not be appropriate, your Highness. Her Grace is in my care; her husband would not be pleased if I allowed you to take her into the bedroom in a state of undress."

"Then he should have stayed and seen to his wife instead of going to look after his other woman." Burgath pushed her slightly making her step forward toward the bedroom. "I would not give her more veorola. She seems more awake but..."

"Pliable. It will last for hours." Kresh rose and stepped toward her but Krouth hurriedly took her arm, wrapping his other around her back and pulling her toward the bedroom.

"I will see to her Grace. She will not be given more veorola."

Burgath stepped back with a frown as she was pulled out of the room.

Once inside her bedroom, Krouth released her and closed the door firmly leaning against it for a moment. "Forgive me, your Grace. I do not trust either of them with you in this condition."

"I trust Burgath." She tilted her head slightly as he gave her an exasperated look.

"Your judgment is clouded. I have heard rumors-" A sharp rap at the bedroom door cut him off prompting him to grab her robe, pulling it on her and tying it securely before braiding her hair much as Lothlaerith had and pinning it into place quickly.

When she emerged from the bedroom followed by Krouth, Kresh was filling her plate. Burgath was standing next to the door with a scowl to rival one of Draeseth's.

"Nei, sit." Kresh put the plate at a clear place on the table and gestured to the chair next to her. Isonei obeyed and the Phaethian woman rested her hands on her shoulders. "Answer me honestly, if you were given two commands, one by the servant and one by Prince Burgath, who would you obey?"

"Krouth." The snort of laughter from above her was followed by an incomprehensible muttering.

"Why?" Kresh turned her head toward Burgath. "Do you not trust him?"

"I trust Burgath, but Krouth takes care of me and he's usually right in his judgment of things."

"Obey Burgath instead." Kresh sounded amused.

"No. Krouth is worried. That means something's not right and I should listen to him carefully."

"I told you to obey Burgath." Kresh tilted her head up uncomfortably, forcing her to meet the woman's gaze.

"I told you no."

"She is not entirely pliable," Burgath sounded amused, "but she sounds more like a child than usual."

"Nei is not of servant stock," Kresh smirked as she released her. "And the effect of the veorola is waning. I want you to be honest with me, Nei. Tell me what you think of the food."

Frowning as she looked away from the Phaethian, Isonei huffed, "I'm always honest. Sometimes I'm just a little selective or I round the edges to be gentle."

Kresh snorted, "I prefer sharp edges."

"No, you don't." Isonei took a bite of the lamb. "You only like them in your favor. If you really liked them you would appreciate when someone bests you."

"You did not best me." Kresh snapped before muttering something in Phaethian.

"I would have paid a great sum of money to witness that bout." Burgath settled into a comfortable chair. "Draeseth will be pleased to know that even if his son is small he should still be able to fight."

"Arans tend to be quick." Isonei savored another bite of the delicious lamb trying to identify the familiar flavor.

"You told Adareth he should try Aran armor? He did well in the lighter armor from the north but it lacks dignity. Torgan armor, and Phaethian, is heavy and impressive. A man looks intimidating."

"Is it more important to look dangerous or be dangerous?" She looked at him curiously and he inclined his head with a wry smile.

"I take your point. I will support him in finding lighter armor and a lighter weapon. You said Andnaeuth uses a curved blade from the northern isles?"

"He does."

"He should learn to wield the imperial blade as the Torgans have." Kresh scowled at her expectantly.

Trying to ignore her comment, Isonei answered her question about the food. "The lamb is wonderful. What is that flavor? I can't place it."

"Fish. A small-"

"Yes!" Isonei beamed looking down at her plate, "The little salty ones! This is lovely, Kresh!"

"Try the rest. Phaethia would have suited you better than Torga. Bir Viccord is warm and my father makes certain the best food is brought from all over our Empire. The lamb is a specialty of the Karisians. They serve a stuffed artichoke with it but you cannot eat swine."

"Have you had them fried? The artichokes?"

"Yes!" Kresh looked pleased. "That is a Phaethian dish."

"I had it in Leria, it was delicious. Daga Lothlaerith served it."

"His Imperial Highness, Prince Narses nearly conquered Leria. There were rumors he got a child on the Lerian woman he'd claimed as his own." The Phaethian curled her feet under her. "And our Legions enlarge our Empire with swords of flesh as well as steel. It is unsurprising the children of the Empire cling to some things even after so long."

Isonei swallowed the urge to throw her fork, instead, giving the woman the most gelid look she could summon as she hunted for words.

Burgath spoke quietly, "Isonei, I know your loyalty to your Daga and pride in the people of Leria are immense, but you should be very careful. You are in Torga."

"I am well aware of where I am, Burgath." Even to her own ears, her voice sounded unsettlingly cold and she felt a strong certainty in her next words. "The Lerians do not cling to the ways of the Desecrators. They have accepted that not all that was brought was evil. Those children were not of your Empire, they were of Leria. What was taken was reclaimed."

"Desecrators." Kresh smirked, "Prince Narses' missives mentioned that the Lerians began calling him that after they began slaying the priests and smashing the crypts. He wrote that the smell of the dried, burning Dagas was sweet like-"