Torgan Wine Ch. 48

"This is too lovely a place not to use."

"That was what a few of us thought." Ximesra's silvery eyes sparkled as she dimpled and sat next to Isonei. "And no one ever bothered us. Some of us even walked the second tier even though we were told we couldn't leave the first. The Queen won't go anywhere she might risk seeing the King's other women and the Princes seldom come down here."

"I don't understand why she allows it if it bothers her so much."

"Torgans are peculiar." She looked like she wanted to say more but Rogath came into view carrying both of his daughters.

Their dresses were matching again in red and white but despite the bright colors they looked subdued and miserable.

Isonei stood from the bench and moved to meet them. "My little loves, I'm so happy to see you again." She tried to give them her brightest smile. "I'm so envious of your beautiful dresses."

Rogath translated and Kas smiled shyly, reaching out for Isonei to take her. With the child clinging to her, Isonei dropped to the stone floor as gracefully as she could, pretending the child was so heavy she couldn't stand. "Oof! Is your father feeding you stones?" It was a game her Daga had played with her when she was small enough.

Kas giggled and her answer was translated, "You cannot eat stones, Aunt Isonei."

Feigning disbelief, Isonei rocked side to side with the girl. "No? You don't eat stones in Torga? I thought all giants ate stones! Are you sure your father doesn't eat stones? I think your Uncle Draeseth does."

The Torgan Prince laughed before he translated and it even got a smile from Ror. She whispered something to her father and he crouched down in front of Isonei. "Ror would like to sit with you as well."

"Please, it's much colder in Torga and I need help keeping warm." Adjusting Kas she opened her other arm and beamed as Ror came to cling to her as well, sitting on her black skirt.

The younger girl began to idly twist one of the ragged pieces of the over-cloak. She said something that was seconded by her older sister. "They want to know about Ara."

°°°°°°°°°°

Ximesra had fetched a blanket for them to sit on as well as a platter of warm honey blossom buns and juice. Isonei told stories of her home and family in Ara and how her father always served the buns when her mothers came home. Kas had settled across her lap, and Ror laid at her side in the same posture as Rogath who was lounging on the edge of the blanket.

She hadn't realized it was time for lunch until she saw a small army of servants carrying tables and trays of food. Draeseth followed behind them with Lislora on his arm.

"Adareth saw you all here on his walk and urged father to have lunch served in the garden." Draeseth looked down at his brother lying on the blanket and his eyes glittered. "I would have expected my silver Duchess to sit wherever the children were but to see you on the ground like a child..."

Rogath muttered something and in a blur of motion rolled and lashed out at his brother with a swift kick. Draeseth turned and took it on his leg, shielding Lislora from an accidental blow.

Isonei clapped her hands sharply and huffed at them, "If you boys are going to play rough go outside and do it, but don't get your clothes muddy!"

Both Princes fixed her with sour stares as Lislora and Ximesra struggled not to laugh. Kas plaintively asked a question and Ximesra coughed and turned away leaving Rogath to mutter an answer. Neither of the girls held back their laughter.

King Orgath and Prince Adareth approached looking curiously amused and when the King asked a question Kas answered with a broad grin pointing to her father and Uncle Draeseth. His eyes sparkled and he clapped Draeseth on the shoulder as he made his way toward the bench.

"Only you can tease Princes of Torga that way without giving offense, little Duchess. Any other woman would wound their pride."

"Perhaps because I do it with affection and not disrespect?"

The older man's face split in a teasing grin, "Or perhaps because you are also on the floor like a child?"

Feigning offense, she opened her mouth and huffed, "Your Majesty! I'll have you know I'm on the floor like a Princess!"

The men broke into laughter and Ror sat up repeating a question twice. Lislora answered her with a smile and both girls grinned.

"They look much happier now." Adareth gingerly lowered himself onto the second blanket that had just been laid. "Draeseth said you could cheer them but I had difficulty imagining it. They looked so sad this morning."

"My silver Duchess can cheer anyone." He found a seat on the now completely blanket-covered floor and said something to Ximesra who hurried off. "Some cushions would make sitting on the floor for lunch more comfortable." Lislora hesitantly sat next to him and looked relieved when he pulled her a little closer, keeping an arm around her.

"Cushions would be nice." Isonei inclined her head with a smile refraining from agreeing or disagreeing with his comment about her skills in cheering people.

"I had intended to invite you to lunch, little Duchess, but this is much more pleasant. I used to take meals in the garden on occasion with my Queen or my Duchess." King Orgath smiled faintly as he looked out over the lower garden. "My Duchess enjoyed this spot as well. My Queen preferred to eat near the fountain."

"Why did she stop?" Isonei tilted her head curiously.

The King's smile faded. "Burgath will be returning tomorrow. He mentioned there was something he needs to thank you for."

Frowning she recognized the tactic as his Majesty avoiding the question. Trying to think what Burgath might want to thank her for was certainly baffling enough to distract her.

"That seems like a very short trip."

"It was. I had hoped it would be longer and that trade would be reestablished." He gave her a pointed look and she sighed, bowing her head.

"I wish I could make you understand, your Majesty. I'm fond of you and I'm grateful for your kindness and care, but I would never repay you by harming you and I will never repay the Dagas for their kindnesses by harming them."

"I fail to see how it would harm them." He waved his hands dismissively. "It is done, however. Burgath's missive was short. He assured me he will have far too much to share than can be put to paper."

Looking up from her hands she noticed the three Princes all giving him silent, stern looks. Ror asked something with a solemn tone and Lislora answered shaking her head and giving her a smile.

"Ror wants to know if you have been chided for something." Adareth smiled ruefully, "Even in mourning rags it is easy to forget you need to be shown more care than usual. You seemed so cheerful until father took the smile off of your face."

"It isn't his fault Adareth. I can't explain it in a way that would make him understand."

"I understand why you need two, Draeseth." Rogath gave her a slightly mischievous look, "It would drive me mad to have a wife who grew sad instead of angry."

Draeseth snorted. "She has a temper, brother, and I do not advise provoking her." His gaze shifted to Isonei and his lips twitched, "She once threw a brush at me."

She folded her arms and pretended to be indignant, "You deserved it for being the most infuriating man I've ever met!" As they relaxed and grinned at her Isonei unfolded her arms and gave a smile to Lislora, "He's much better when you're around. I think he tries to provoke people to incoherent fury less when he's happy."

Rogath rolled onto his back as he laughed and said something that made Draeseth give a growling grunt and hunt around until he found a small rock to throw at his brother. Ror and Kas giggled.

Isonei looked askance at Lislora.

"He said they should have brought me to Court years ago if I make him less insufferable." Lislora placed a hand on Draeseth's leg and was rewarded by being pulled closer against his side.

A servant interrupted with a quiet throat clearing and gestured toward the now filled tables along the path.

Remaining seated with the two Princesses, Isonei and Lislora waited patiently while the men looked over the food and filled plates. The King brought his back to the bench, and Rogath brought two, one for each of his daughters but they were heaped high and he grinned as he began to steal food from their plates for himself. Kas tried to give him more, but Ror tried to smack his hands.

Draeseth carried two plates as he approached and Isonei smiled warmly at him expecting one to be for her. He walked past her, however, and gave them to Lislora as he resumed his seat. The Torgan woman hissed something at him and the King and Rogath began to laugh. Draeseth was taking his feet again when Adareth brought her a plate.

"Thank you, Adareth. That was very sweet of you."

"It was my pleasure. Your food was on a separate table, I hope you do not object to me trying some."

"Not at all! Please." She set her plate on her lap as Ximesra returned with her arms loaded with large cushions. "Xagorath makes the most wonderful food."

"My wife's cook is hoping you will try her food." Rogath stole a medallion of fried meat off of Ror's plate. "I think most of her former slaves have asked if you require any more servants. The way you treat yours is apparently spoken of with astonishment even among the Torgan servants."

"Do you really eat with your servants instead of eating alone? I heard rumors you let them eat at the table with you, and give them good wine." Adareth had moved closer to sit on a cushion that had been put down.

"I hate eating alone and it was a lovely meal. Wonderful conversation-"

"I will feel less flattered when you say the same about an evening at the royal table." King Orgath sounded sour and she turned to look at him with a wry smile.

"Your Majesty, for once I didn't have to carry the conversation. I didn't have to perform or entertain, I could just enjoy the company of my dining companions. There were stories about family and I felt comfortable and content. Your table is always a pleasure, I do enjoy conversing with and entertaining my dining companions, but sometimes it is a truly wonderful thing to have a more relaxed meal. Enjoying one doesn't diminish my ability to appreciate the other."

The sourness melted from his face as she spoke. "Aran charm should be taught with the language."

Tilting her head down, she widened her eyes slightly, "If it were, you might learn to defend against it and I'd have to try harder."

The Torgans began to laugh and Lislora gave her an envious glance as she picked at her food. Isonei took a bite of the fish Adareth had brought her and savored the heat. It was very spicy with just a hint of sweetness and tasted like perfection. Kas asked a question and sat waiting with her fork at the ready.

"She wants to taste your fish." Rogath smiled faintly, "Is it as hot as the peppers?"

"Hotter, but it has a hint of sweetness. A small taste wouldn't hurt."

He said something cautioning to her but Kas still reached her fork toward the fish. Isonei gently took the fork and put a very tiny morsel on it. The Princess gave her an annoyed look but Isonei smiled and shook her head, "If you like it you may have more. If you don't you'll be glad I gave you such a small taste."

Kas put the tiny bite into her mouth and reached her fork toward the fish again immediately. Isonei moved her plate closer trying not to laugh as the girl suddenly hesitated and looked as though she were changing her mind. Rogath grinned as Ror offered her fork with a curious look and Isonei gave her the same sized piece.

The older Princess chewed it with a dubious frown and then gave her a smile as she took a larger bite.

"It's always a pleasure to find someone who enjoys the food I do here in Torga. You might like Lerian food, Ror. You should take her with you when you next visit the Dalcur, Rogath, I think she'd enjoy it."

"I may. Their mother never allowed me to take them when I traveled." He spoke to them in Torgan and she understood 'Dalcur', but Isonei was baffled when they seemed nervous.

Ror said something quietly to Rogath and his jaw clenched. "Their mother told them the only women who travel are slaves. Noblewomen remain in one place."

"Oh no, my little loves. In Ara, most children travel with their mothers. I grew up traveling with my father."

Her words were relayed and Kas asked a question while nibbling on her bread.

"Why did you not travel with your mother?"

"My mother died when I was younger than Kas. My brothers' mothers raised me as one of their own, but I lived with my father all year. We traveled to Leria and the Sea of Glass when they were away. I loved it."

Ror finished off Isonei's fish as she asked another question through Rogath. It made her think of the girl's mother.

"You were not afraid? No one was unkind?"

"The only time I was ever afraid was when I came to Torga. I didn't know what to expect from the people here. Some Torgans have a poor opinion of Aran women because they don't understand our ways, and Arans think Torgans are prudish and cold for the same reason. Neither is fair."

Rogath translated and then gave Isonei an amused look, "You were more prudish than I expected. Sebba said you were as disapproving as my wife, she thought you might have secret plans to leave my brother and steal me away."

Isonei snorted and tilted her head at him with a sharp look. "I return disrespect when it's given to me. And, in Ara, bedding someone of your own House is incestuous and never acceptable. I understand things are different here, but for the sake of your daughters, I wish you would find someone else who is kind and will love you, and them, more than herself."

"You should get to know her." Rogath frowned sternly.

"You're the one she's working to deceive. Hide somewhere you can watch her and listen to her, pay attention to how she treats others when you aren't there. She had no difficulty in showing me her true face." Isonei softened her face and took a deep breath, "It may not be what you want to hear, but you have to bear in mind that you're not just choosing a woman to keep you company, you're choosing a woman to mother your daughters as well."

His face stayed sour as Adareth tried to salvage the light mood by offering to sing. Doing her part, Isonei feigned interest and offered to sing as well if they knew some of the same songs. After trading a few, the meal came to a close and Isonei and Ximesra were left by themselves in the gazebo.