Torgan Wine Ch. 49

"Lerians neither serve nor prepare unclean meats when they have an Aran guest, Prince Burgath." Yornaith's lips tightened as he held his polite smile.

"We are very careful. The Duchess' delicate digestion is worried over by my brother and all of her servants. Her foods are kept separate as yours have been."

"Of course." The look Yornaith shot her was one she remembered from childhood. It held commiseration and an unspoken promise to try to help. He took hold of her hand and squeezed it as they followed behind Burgath. "Your father sent his best wine and enough little luxuries to lift anyone's spirits. You've never eaten well when you're unhappy. Yarmina sent a book filled with her sketches of Eshho. She spends half of the year there now, Mareth of House Heridis dotes on her. At her urging, he put an impressive sum into the purse being offered to whoever can bring you home safely."

"A purse?" Isonei looked up at him in surprise.

"King Tamnaeuth won't agree to consider any punitive measures until after the coming Festival. Your father began offering a large sum to whoever could bring you back, Torgan, Lerian, Aran... he doesn't care who or what brings you home as long as you're safe. House Neriris doubled it. Ravaris, Heridis, Messelis, Beivaris, Brynelis, Urivaris, and one or two others have more than doubled it again."

Isonei stopped and released his hand, covering her face as she laughed helplessly. Yornaith wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

When she composed herself and pulled gently out of her brother's comforting embrace, Burgath was looking at her bemusedly. "That amused you, Isonei?"

"Yes and no. Now I understand why Draeseth wouldn't even let me go to the Temple by myself, and why he was so upset when I spoke to Hesh-Caeridith for a moment when I saw him."

"We thought you knew." Burgath's eyes widened in surprise.

"No! Your brother won't allow me to learn Torgan, that limits who I can speak to, and the servants... Master Krouth is loyal to Draeseth without question. Ximesra is a good friend as well as a maid to me, but she's terrified of Draeseth. If she knew she wouldn't say a thing."

His eyes glittered as he offered his arm, "Draeseth said you were asking Hesh about his family when he approached. He thought he had interrupted you plotting your escape."

"The thought didn't cross my mind, Burgath. I know better than to run from your brother." Holding Burgath's arm with one hand she reached the other behind her hoping her brother would take it. He clasped it and squeezed, coming to walk on her other side.

°°°°°°°°°°

Before entering the dining room, Burgath gently pulled his arm away, allowing her to walk in with her brother. King Orgath's eyebrows rose as he saw her holding Yornaith's hand but he seemed less concerned when Ougath leaned to whisper something to him. In turn, he reassured the Queen who was giving them a scandalized look.

"Will you make introductions, little Duchess?" King Orgath gave her a peculiar smile and she bobbed a cheerful curtsy without releasing her brother's hand.

"King Orgath, I have the tremendous pleasure of introducing you to my eldest brother, Yornaith of House Iarmaris. Brother, this is King Orgath, he's been very kind and generous during my stay, and next to him is his jewel, Queen Deventha and his son Prince Ougath. You've met Prince Burgath."

"Kindness to my sister is kindness to my House." Yornaith offered a courtly bow, "And I see that the beauty of the Torgan Queen has not been exaggerated, Prince Andnaeuth's praise didn't do her Majesty justice."

"Duchess Isonei has spoken of you fondly. Is it Lord Yornaith?" Queen Deventha offered him a warm smile.

"No, your Majesty, not for many years, I hope. My father, Lord Yuleth, holds that honor, but I am the eldest son of House Iarmaris, as well as Isonei's eldest brother."

"In Torga, as a courtesy to your father, you would be called Lord Yornaith to indicate your station." The King corrected him with a faint smile.

"In Ara, it would be considered wishing ill to my father. A good son prefers his father's presence to his title. While I thank you for the courtesy you wish to offer, I am in no hurry to be called Lord Yornaith. My House indicates my station."

"Such peculiarities make Ara difficult to navigate." Burgath interjected, "You have to be familiar with the Houses as well as which are currently waxing to know a man's station. The women are no easier, every noblewoman holds the title of Lady but to know her station you must know her House and if she is Arranged to anyone."

Yornaith inclined his head putting his polite smile back in place. "Her House is most important, but it is ill-advised to be rude to any Aran Lady. It isn't unheard of for a Lord of a waxing House to have an Arrangement with a woman from a waning House. House Brynelis, for example," he looked at Isonei with a hint of impishness, "Lady Avletha Arranged herself to House Urivaris and House Ernelis, reversing the fortune of her House through sheer force of ambition."

Isonei huffed, "Don't point out my other mother's faults in front of other people. She's a wonderful woman despite her ambitious nature."

"If Arranging herself to your father was a fault, it was one our mother shares." Yornaith widened his eyes feigning innocence and danced out of the way as Isonei tried to poke him.

"You allow her to poke at you that way?" Ougath was grinning.

"Allow is a strong word, Prince Ougath. My youngest sister didn't travel with us and couldn't benefit from my father's cleverness, she sometimes lacks the ability to use her words in response."

Isonei exaggerated her offense and folded her arms, "You're always so thoughtful, brother, you truly don't have to try so hard to make sure I miss you less when you leave." She struggled to not to smile as he grinned at her.

"There's my risible sister. Yulayn would be scolding me for misbehaving in front of royalty, and Yarmina would be mortified and furious. Isonei would have to be shattered beyond recognition not to jest back." Yornaith stepped forward and pulled her into an embrace. "That's how I know you've treated her well." He glanced to the King and inclined his head as she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest for a moment.

"I have often said there is no need for a jester when the little Duchess is at Court, but she should not be provoked to jesting at the moment. She has more than a week left of mourning."

Looking up and pulling gently out of his embrace, Isonei looked to the empty seats. "Where are-"

Rogath entered the room before she could finish her question, accompanied by Ror and Kas in matching white dresses with red embroidery. None of them looked happy. He said something sharply in Torgan to his father and the only word she caught was Sebba.

Yornaith murmured to her with a frown, "Someone named Sebba will not be joining us."

Before she could answer, Kas ran over to them and held up her arms. Instead of lifting her up, Isonei dropped down to embrace her. "Kas, this is my eldest brother, Yornaith. Yornaith this is Princess Kas, her sister Ror speaks a little bit of Aran."

He greeted her warmly in Torgan and Kas clung to Isonei with a shy smile asking a question. Yornaith grinned and said something that made the girl giggle. Rogath called her back over with a more pleasant expression and Isonei stood to give him a warm smile, "Prince Rogath, have you met my eldest brother, Yornaith of House Iarmaris?"

"Not yet," the large Torgan moved closer bringing the girls with him, "Burgath mentioned him. He leapt at the chance to come when Andnaeuth refused."

The words felt like a blow but she tried not to let it show on her face.

Comfortingly placing a hand on her arm, Yornaith responded diplomatically, "Prince Andnaeuth was regretful that he had to decline. Prince Draeseth's temper is well known and in these circumstances, King Tamnaeuth could not risk his only son."

"I understand. It was bold of him to allow his son to visit us when he was younger." The Prince's tone betrayed some annoyance.

"There was less risk he would provoke a member of the royal house into forgetting he was an honored guest," Yornaith inclined his head with a wry smile, "before my sister traveled to Torga."

Rogath made an almost conciliatory sound. "My brother has made it clear he feels his silver Duchess is worth killing for. If he had to watch Andnaeuth court her, it would be possible."

Isonei caught a movement out of the corner of her eye and looked to the door. Hodrim, in a handsome green and black tunic, tentatively entered and looked around nervously. She held out her hand to him with a welcoming smile and he seemed relieved, coming to her immediately.

"Alma, ahh-"

"Alma?!" Yornaith blinked at her.

"Let me introduce you to my Hodrim, brother. Hodrim, this is my eldest brother, Yornaith. You may call him Uncle if you wish. Hodrim is learning Aran, he's a wonderful boy."

Looking bemused, Yornaith began to speak with him in Torgan. Rogath touched her arm and gestured for her to step away.

"Alma?"

"As a child, I called my father 'Atha' and my mothers were 'Alma'." She smiled at the thoughtful look on his face.

"You called for your father when you were ill, not your mother."

"Yes. I love my mothers but they would come and go. My father was always there."

His face set in a look of determination, and as Ror tugged on his sleeve with a frown, he turned a grim smile on her and crouched to speak to speak quietly with her, beckoning Kas closer.

Turning back to her brother and Hodrim, the Torgan boy was looking proud and as awed as he had when he'd met the King. Yornaith finished what he was saying and Hodrim put his hand over his heart as he gave an answer. Isonei understood that he was thanking her brother and she moved closer to put an arm around the boy. They both beamed at her.

"I welcomed him to our family and explained that you're carrying on the tradition of building a family with love and not merely birth. As well as that in Ara he would be welcomed as yours without question."

She kissed Hodrim's head and then stepped forward to embrace Yornaith. "Did he tell you he's going to be a priest? I'm very proud of him."

Burgath touched her back, "Perhaps you could join us at the table while we wait for the rest of my brothers? We would all enjoy conversing with your brother."