Torgan Wine Ch. 50

Isonei took a breath and nodded with relief, "We should consider finding a new jest for that."

Draeseth barked a laugh. "If it pleases my silver Duchess. I have things to attend to, I will leave you with Lislora. On my return, we will discuss the Arrangement. Father would like it formalized tonight or tomorrow before your brother returns to Ara."

"Of course." She let him give her a kiss on the head and stepped aside so that he could offer the same to Lislora.

As the Torgan Prince was leaving, Krouth entered with a new dress and a servant behind him carrying a pitcher of water.

With a reassuring smile, Isonei stepped out of the washing room and let the Torgan woman wash and dress. She took a seat to wait, looking to the door curiously, wondering where Ximesra had gone. Krouth exited the washing room and seemed to notice.

"Yornaith asked if he could borrow Ximesra. I believe he wishes to discuss your treatment here and your wellbeing with her under the guise of being attended to."

"Thank you for allowing it, Krouth." Her eyes fell on the chest of gifts in the corner and she remembered about the soap and oils. "I almost forgot. I'm going to need some spare bottles for the soap and oils for the Queen. I offered her enough of each to try. Could you have some pretty ones found?"

Krouth smiled faintly, "Of course, your Grace. How large should they be?"

"At least half the size of what my father sent, no more than three quarters. You're welcome to look at them to judge."

He moved to the chest and opened it, drawing things out to look. When he held up the lavendela oil she smiled. "I'd ask you to put that with the rest of your medicines but it's so pretty I'd like to keep it where I can see it."

"It should be kept out of the light, your Grace. I will put it with your jewelry."

"Thank you, and if you get a headache, Master Krouth, I insist you tell me."

"As your Grace wishes. Would you like the book to go with the other as well?"

"The book?" Isonei rose from her chair to look. "He hadn't given me everything yet. It was... brought to an early end." She took the large book from him and peered into it. "My sister's sketches! Have you seen the city of Eshho?"

"No, his Highness had no interest in what the city had to offer. He had a glassmith and spices were more of interest to Prince Burgath."

"It's a beautiful city, Krouth. There's a hillside that..." Isonei found the sketch of what she wished to describe and showed him with a smile, "Here! It overlooks the city, you can see Udnerath's pearl glinting in the sun between the buildings when it strikes it just right, and the Sea of Glass in the distance."

"A lovely picture, your Grace." He inclined his head and took the oil into the bedroom.

"What are you looking at?" Lislora came out of the washing room with a smile, "You sound like an excited child."

"My sister's sketches. Let me..." Glancing around she frowned, "I haven't missed the sofa until now."

Lislora laughed, "We can sit at the table."

Yarmina's sketches were well done, showing them to Lislora wasn't quite like showing off the city itself but it felt glorious to see the familiar sights again and tell stories of the visits she'd made with her father. She could almost smell the sea air as she spoke of the docks and pointed out the details of the Statue of Udnerath.

"What is this?" Lislora turned the page in the middle of her rhapsodizing.

The picture that looked back at her made her heart ache. "That..." Isonei touched the page gently, "That is my father's house. My home in Ara."

"It is magnificent, Isonei! The Keep of Kroscur must have seemed so..." The Torgan woman turned the book to stare more closely, "So many arches and are those carvings?"

"Most of them are. A few are painted to look like carvings, grandfather wanted the house to look more ornate and it was the style at the time. The windows are all rounded at the top, but he had them painted to look pointed, that was the style as well. These arches around the outside ring the inner walk. It's the paved area around the house. The gardens are behind it, and there's a small fountain tucked in here." She pointed at the side of the house.

"The three main doors are all the size of the front door; for parties, we would have them all open and guests would go around the walk to different entertainments, dancing in the ballroom, food and music in the large dining room, conversation everywhere... With the fields and the gardens in bloom, the air was heavy with the scent of flowers. People would come from the other side of Ara just to attend."

"The royal palace is the only thing that comes close to this, Isonei. I... You were raised in this house?"

"Yes!" Isonei laughed, "My room is here." She pointed to the top floor on the left side. "If you think my father's house is impressive you should see the Aran royal palace. It's far larger and more opulent. My brothers get so envious every time they go to Court. I was always very content with our home. I was in no hurry to Arrange myself to anyone, but if I did I knew he, or they, would have to have comfortable houses like my father's. I never wanted anything much larger, but smaller wouldn't be pleasant either."

Lislora laughed and shook her head and then seemed to deflate slightly. "We do need to speak of the Arrangement. His Majesty wants it done today."

Isonei carefully closed the book. "We need to discuss your wants and needs."

"I... I want him to myself, Isonei."

"I would give him to you if I could." Frowning, Isonei took a breath, "Perhaps I can, if the first requirement for you to enter into this is for him to give you a proper Torgan marriage should I die or the Arrangement with me is dissolved. It might make the Arrangement more palatable for the Kamruses as well."

The Torgan woman inclined her head thoughtfully. "What else should I ask for?"

"We have to decide on halves of the year unless you think we can live in the same house."

"No." Lislora grimaced. "You are always kind but I would have him to myself for the time that is mine."

"Agreed. I would like the winter, otherwise, I'll freeze." Isonei made a face and Lislora stifled a laugh and nodded.

"I will take Penst and Dipf and leave you with Shprayt and Ailzem. You will enjoy coming to the bouts more than I will." Tentatively the Torgan asked, "Will he visit me when I have our son?"

"When you carry his child he spends the year with you. He'll be with you when you have your son." The relief on Lislora's face made her smile. "We will need to discuss when to have all of the children together and if we want to work together on some things, like schools or helping the poorer villages."

"Yes, of course. If you use my house, we could allow the children to see each other when they wish. It is far enough to keep Draeseth from trying to visit without our knowledge and close enough not to be a taxing journey on you or the children. It may be some time before I have as generous a reputation as you do, but I would like to spend some time giving aid to the people as well."

"We may want to give Draeseth some sort of reassurance that he'll still have money for things like roads and trade. With both of us being generous he may begin to worry."

"That would be wise." Lislora glanced to the chest of gifts. "Is there anything else we need to decide?"

"How many children I'm permitted to adopt?" Isonei widened her eyes putting on an expression of hopefulness and Lislora broke into a smile.

"I will let you decide that with Draeseth, I have no objections to you adopting children. They seem to love you and you always look more cheerful when you have them around you."

"I adore children. I would take all of the orphans in Torga if I could."

Lislora laughed and leaned back in her chair, relaxing. "I doubt he would allow that, but improving things for the children and sisters at the orphanage would be welcomed. Life there is grueling. Hodrim was the only bright spot in it."

"He's going to be one of Kamrus Rimathe's attendants. He made the choice today."

"It will be good for him." Lislora's smile took on a hint of sadness but she tilted her chin up. "Kamrus Rimathe serves the Dalcur and, I have heard from Krouth, he is known for his persistence and gentleness in reclaiming the Lerians who choose to marry and live in Torga."

"Letting him go was so wretched, but it's what's best for him and he's so happy about it."

"We should give him a gift."

"I gave him two. A puzzle box and the ring my father gave me when I came of age." Isonei blinked as the Torgan woman gave her an icy look.

"I would have liked to give him something as well, with such rich gifts nothing I give him will matter."

"It will if you give it with love. Are there traditional Torgan gifts for a mother to give her child before he goes away like this?"

Nodding slowly, Lislora answered, "He should be older, but the other attendants will have them."

"What-?"

"You will see them when I give them to him." The slight huff in the woman's voice made Isonei try to hide her smile.

"Of course."

Lislora adjusted herself in the hard chair. "This was less painful than I had imagined it would be, I should thank you for that."

"Let's move to more comfortable chairs, and you don't need to thank me. This is how it should be between us, friendly and comfortable."

"I will try to remember that, Isonei. It may be more difficult when I know you'll be having sex with my... our husband."

"I understand." She frowned as she moved to a different chair. "As long as none of the children bear the brunt of your unhappiness, I won't be offended if you're sometimes sour." The Torgan woman's dubious look prompted her to add, "I will be disappointed. Our husband will have to endure that."

"If you complain to him he'll be sour with me." Lislora remained in her uncomfortable chair.

"Then perhaps you should practice being gracious while you imagine flinging me from the parapets?" Isonei gave her a sweet smile.

The woman looked as if she were offended and amused at the same time. "I will, thank you for your advice, Duchess." The last word sounded as if it were meant as an insult.

"You are most welcome, Duchess." Isonei echoed it back to her with a bright smile.

Glancing at the door Lislora, rose from her chair. "Ximesra should be back by now. Krouth had errands to attend to."

"She's attending to my brother. He can talk for hours."

"So can she. The woman is too chatty for a maid."

"I enjoy it. The other maids here are silent and it's unnerving."

"They're meant to do their tasks and leave without drawing attention. Only certain servants get to enjoy speaking to their lords."

"Consider her a certain servant. I'll keep her with me if she bothers you."

"I have no objections to that." Lislora smiled ruefully and moved to the door. "I will find someone to bring us something to drink while we wait for Draeseth."

"You don't have to hurry, I was considering lying down. I feel much more tired than I should."

"I can leave and let you rest. Send Ximesra to fetch me when Draeseth returns."

"Of course."

Isonei went to the bedroom, grateful for the silence after Lislora left. Slipping out of her layers down to the black chemise she crawled into bed and closed her eyes, letting sleep pull her down.

°°°°°°°°°°

The feeling of someone climbing onto the bed roused Isonei from her dreams of walking in Daga Gildith's garden with him. Little hands gripped her shoulders and a stern Torgan voice seemed to give a command. Turning onto her back, Isonei looked up at Kas in bafflement.

"I told her not to be rough or pinch you. She was going to wake you as she does her sister."

"I think it would be a much better idea to go back to sleep." Isonei hugged the girl and tried to roll back over with her.

Kas squealed, wiggling and laughing.

"Why is my new pillow so wiggly?"

Rogath laughed as he translated and Kas started trying to pinch Isonei as she gave a reply.

"She's not a pillow, Aunt Isonei, and she will pinch if you try to use her as one."

Isonei huffed and turned the girl loose with an exaggerated pout. "Well, I suppose I don't want a pinchy pillow."

Draeseth spoke with amusement from the doorway. "I will be your pillow, woman."

"You're a very firm and comfortable pillow, my flower wine." Isonei laughed, shaking her head. "I suppose I should get out of bed?"

"Where is Ximesra?" Draeseth looked at her curiously.

"Is she still tending to my brother? That's where she was when I laid down for a short nap."

He made a displeased sound in his throat. "I will have her sent for. You give her too much freedom."

"My brother can talk for hours, and House Iarmaris has strong trade ties with Mun as well as Leria. If he knows her family she might have had a very good reason to stay. Besides, I don't need someone to hover over me while I sleep. I'm not that fragile."

"Or she could be bedding your brother." Rogath gave her a stern frown.

"Why would that be anyone's concern but theirs?" Isonei tilted her chin up and arched her brows. "Torgans are so baffling to me. As long as no one is being harmed, why does it matter what other people do?"

"My silver Duchess is Aran, brother. As long as the maids are willing he could bed every one of them without upsetting her."

Rogath made an amused sound very much like the ones Isonei was accustomed to hearing from Draeseth. "You will require a second Duchess to keep order in your house."

Kas climbed from the bed chattering to her father and he grinned, scooping her up as he answered in their language.

"We will allow you to dress. My girls wanted to see you."

"Where is Ror?" Isonei glanced around the room with a smile.

"She thought it would be rude to wake you, and I think your gifts held more interest for her. Lislora is showing her the sketches."

"My sister did a wonderful job on them. She even included one of my father's house that impressed Lislora."

Rogath looked suddenly interested, "Did she?"

"Yes, you're welcome to look."

He said something to Draeseth that sounded speculative and Kas pointed imperiously to the door adding her own opinion.

Draeseth closed the door behind them and helped her out of bed. "Lislora suggested finding a way to put a sofa in your main room. You entertain more than she does. I would put you back in the larger rooms as my father wishes but Krouth insisted it would distress you."

"It would, I don't want to stay in those rooms again. And while it would be nice to have a sofa, I'm comfortable without it. I haven't been entertaining people and I don't want to encourage it at the moment." Seeing his slight frown she reassured him, "Family is different. I'm always happy to see your brothers and nieces. However, all of them at once is a bit taxing for me as I recover."

Pulling her close, he smoothed her hair with a faint smile that didn't pull at his split lip. "My nieces adore you. Lislora is envious of your way with children."

"I adore them, and she has nothing to be envious about. They'll love her when they get to know her."

"She asked me before we came to give her money for a gift for Hodrim. She wants to give him a traditional Torgan gift, because you gave him Aran gifts?" Draeseth began helping her into her black layers.

"I did. I gave him the puzzle box I'd insisted Krouth find for him and one of my rings, the one my father gave me when I came of age."

He made a peculiar noise in his throat. "Those gifts are too rich for an orphan."

"He isn't an orphan anymore. I'll share him with Lislora because more love is always better, but he calls me Alma."

Draeseth's eyes glittered. "The two of you are going to bankrupt me with your generosity. Save something for your own children."

"I told her we should give you some sort of assurance in the Arrangement that we'll leave you enough money to take care of roads and trade, we can have something included to allow you to put aside something for your own children if you have concerns."

Barking a laugh he pulled her into an embrace. "Father will be amazed at how different this is from a wedding. Promises given in the Torgan ceremony are vague, faithfulness, obedience, protection. Arans want everything written out clearly."

"Of course. It's better for everyone if we all know what is expected and what is required."

Releasing her, he helped her finish dressing in her black clothes and ragged over-cloak. Isonei covered her hair without bothering to have the rumpled looking braids redone and pinned the cloth in place hiding it all. She left the room on his arm and found the Torgans in the next room in a serious sounding discussion.

Rogath looked up and inclined his head, "Your father's house is a palace, Isonei. My daughters are insisting you must be a princess like their mother."

"I always thought my Daga's house was more opulent. Of my titles, daughter of Liadith is much closer to Princess than Isonei of House Ernelis."

"A Daga's son is regarded as a Prince." Draeseth leaned to look at the picture. "Your father's house is more impressive to me, Isonei. Your Daga's sprawled and the family rooms were luxurious, but this looks like a home even my father would enjoy."

"You saw the royal palace-"

He made an amused sound in his throat, "I thought it gaudy. This house is elegant."

"My father would like you better if he could hear you say things like that."

The two Torgan Princes laughed and gave each other an amused look. "If you have her show it to father he may have something like it built. Mother would enjoy it."

Ror frowned asking something hesitantly and her father snorted shaking his head as he answered, gesturing to Isonei. Kas turned a scowl on Draeseth and stood as tall as she could as she scolded him in Torgan. Both Princes broke into laughter and the little Princess folded her arms, stamping her foot imperiously.

Isonei looked to Lislora who was barely keeping a straight face. "What did she say?"

"She," Lislora cleared her throat, "she said you do not steal Princesses, it is not how things are done, and called him rude."

Isonei beamed at her and crouched down opening her arms, "My father would dote on you, Kas. You're just like I was as a child, and your sister Ror is just like my father always wished I would be. He would be so happy to know you both."

Rogath grinned as he relayed that and Ror looked thoughtful before she asked her father another question. He responded firmly, and Isonei understood he was saying no to something. But Kas joined in the argument, wrapping her arms around Isonei's neck.

"She asked if you could marry Rogath instead of being my Duchess." Draeseth tried to pull her up off of the floor. "Kas wants to keep you."

"Oh, my little loves. Your father is a very handsome man, but I'm fonder of your Uncle Draeseth. And I think, my dearest Kas, you might understand how a princess could get stolen. Sometimes we're so nice people want to keep us!"

Rogath laughed before he relayed her words. Ror's lips curved into a sly smile much like King Orgath's as she said something to Kas. The younger girl wriggled out of Isonei's arms muttering something that sounded furious and Rogath picked her up immediately, speaking quietly and soothingly.

Draeseth leaned to murmur into her ear, "Ror says Kas will never have to worry about being stolen. She is not nice like you."

"You could tell them I'm not always nice. I did throw a hairbrush at you."

He barked a laugh and pulled her against his side. "My brother does not need our interference. And Kas does not need to be advised to throw things."

The door opened and Hodrim entered followed by Ximesra. "I brought him back from the Temple a little early, your Grace. There was talk that-" The Munian woman blinked at the sour looks from the Torgan Princes and lapsed into their tongue. After a moment they seemed less displeased.