Torgan Wine Ch. 51

"You need something from my room?"

"Your gifts. I would look at them and make certain they are safe to take with us. Prince Draeseth has allowed-"

"I have not," Draeseth growled and beckoned for Isonei to take his other arm. "I have agreed to consider it, she asked to return to the Kroscur and if she does not wish to go to Gogmenos I will not force her."

The Kamrus fixed the Prince with his unsettling smile, "Has allowed us the opportunity to show him why the journey should be made."

Isonei took Draeseth's arm and held it tightly.

"Why are you frightened, Duchess Isonei?" The younger priest looked at her curiously.

"I don't know. The Kamrus seems..."

"I am often told I frighten children." The Kamrus' lips twisted unpleasantly. "I was warned that in some ways you are much like a child."

They stood in silence for a moment until Krouth came to the door of her room and gestured for them to enter. Laid out on the bed were the now nearly empty bottles her father had sent, as well as the books of sketches and Aran myths, the glass wreath, silk flowers, and her Aran jewelry.

The room felt crowded, even though the servants had stepped out of it. Halloc Aurim stood in the doorway and Draeseth kept hold of his Duchesses, standing at the foot of the bed. The Kamrus and the younger man looked over the items carefully, without touching anything.

"Are they safe?" The Kamrus asked curiously.

"Something is..." The young priest held his hand out over her jewelry but moved it until it was over the book of myths. "This is not safe. Something... preserves it." He shuddered and stepped back cradling his hand as if it had been burned.

"Where did you get this?" The Kamrus looked at her coolly.

"It was a gift."

"From?"

She could hear Ximesra trying to answer in Torgan but the Kamrus snapped something and looked pointedly at Isonei. "Ximesra's brother saw it and thought of me, but he wouldn't have if it hadn't been sent from Leria."

"Who is it from?" Draeseth frowned down at her.

"I'm not sure, but I think it's from Daga Caeridith. The book is inscribed to Hesh-"

The Torgan Prince began to mutter in his tongue and she interrupted him. "Not the Hesh you know. This book is old, and, unless I'm mistaken, it was a gift from the daughter who was given to the Aran King a very, very long time ago. That Hesh-Caeridith was her brother. It would have been preserved in the crypts."

"Why would it be given to you?" Draeseth looked more speculative than sour.

"It was given to Hesh to comfort him, to ease his worry about his sister. I think it was given to me to ease my homesickness and comfort me."

"You kept it hidden?" Kamrus Olauth eyed her as if he intended to catch her in a lie.

"I kept it put away. Aran myths mention our Gods and I know Master Krouth wouldn't approve of me leaving it lying on the table. I would bring it out and read it when I felt homesick."

Krouth spoke from behind Halloc Aurim and the Kamrus nodded.

"Knowing it was not appropriate, you chose to keep it?"

"It's very appropriate for an Aran. I was being thoughtful by having it put away when I finished."

"A gift from a demon is never appropriate," the Kamrus snapped.

"The Dagas are not demons." Isonei tilted her chin up with a frown.

"Is this the source of her protection?" Kamrus Olauth beckoned for her to come and stand near him as he directed his question to the young priest.

Draeseth had to free his arm and press her gently to make her move.

"Pick up the book, Duchess." The younger man seemed uncertain.

Picking it up, she wrapped her arms around it, protectively hugging it to her chest. He held his hands just over her shoulders and closed his eyes. "This... When she holds the book her protection covers it. It is not the same. The book feels hot to me. This is..." His hands lowered until they were almost touching her. "The protection covering her is gentle but cold." The young man's eyes fluttered and he shivered. "As cold as death."

Draeseth murmured something under his breath.

"You asked an Aran God for protection?" The Kamrus eyed her with surprise.

"Tyhnoth, sweet and dour. He is the God of death."

"You asked him to kill?" The Kamrus looked as though he wished to take a step back.

"No. I asked him to protect me. He judges us but he's merciful and kind. I asked him for comfort and his firm cold hand, to be spared from pain and given a gentle death."

"Yes." The younger man took a deep breath and stepped back, "There is no malice, only protection."

"When no one else will walk beside you, Death will," Ximesra spoke softly into the silence. "The sailors always said that, even the Sons of Mun."

The Kamrus snapped something and straightened his white robe, "The Duchess will come to Gogmenos, the book will be destroyed, and she will be purified and reclaimed before she returns to the Kroscur."

"No. I won't let you destroy something so precious. This book is priceless! Nor do I have any intention of going with you anywhere. I'll return to the Kroscur." Isonei looked to Draeseth.

He hesitated before inclining his head, "You will leave in a few days. Arrangements for your travel must be made."

"Thank you."

"I do not want the book in my home."

"Allow me to find Hesh-Caeridith and give it to him. I don't know if he can safely return it himself or not, but he'll know someone who can."

A Torgan conversation sprang up around her and Halloc Aurim approached holding out his hand expectantly. Draeseth translated the firm words the Halloc spoke, "Give him the book."

"Halloc Aurim, I'm fond of you. I know you to be a man who is stern but kind. I also know that you hold your Lerian ancestry in such disdain that you refuse to speak your mother's language. I will not entrust this priceless piece of shared Aran and Lerian heritage to you. I do not believe you will treat it with respect."

He withdrew his hand and studied her face for a moment before speaking solemnly in Torgan. The Kamrus swept out followed by the Halloc. The younger man lingered a moment. "Duchess, it would be better for your soul to give up the book."

"I disagree."

Before she could tell him her soul was not his to worry about, Krouth interrupted, "Brother Sarroth, the Kamrus is waiting impatiently."

The priest winced and hurried out of the room.

When Krouth gave a curt nod, Draeseth ushered Isonei and Lislora back into the main room, allowing Krouth and Ximesra to put the things laid out on the bed away again. Isonei kept hold of the book of myths.

"Sit." The Torgan Prince paced for a moment as both women took seats. "I had intended to have a private conversation with you today, Isonei. To tell you that I love you more than I-" He cleared his throat and clenched his jaw for a moment, "-I love you more than I have shown you, and you have deserved better. I spoke to Krouth for hours after I left you. It was made clear that the only way I have left to show you my love is to give you what you need, though it wounds me. But if I release you now you will not be safe."

Lislora exhaled and leaned back in her chair. She covered her face for a moment and then spoke solemnly, "She would be homeless, with no title or family-"

"-and in possession of a demonic object." Draeseth folded his arms and glowered at the book as he finished Lislora's sentence.

"I have titles, and family, but not here in Torga." Isonei tilted her head slightly at Draeseth, "You gave your word to my King to return me. My brother mentioned, in Burgath's presence, that King Tamnaeuth won't agree to any sanctions against Torga until the Festival has passed and I am not in Ara. Returning me of your own free will would go a long way to smooth things with the Dagas and trade could be reestablished. It would be best for everyone."

"I do not believe my father would allow it. You are an expensive prize he would keep out of pride and spite. And the priesthood will not sacrifice a gentle creature to demons for trade."

"Burgath may help, perhaps even Rogath."

"Burgath may." Draeseth made a displeased sound. "Rogath would keep you to care for his daughters. He followed your advice out of curiosity and witnessed Sebba being cruel to his girls. She mocked their Phaethian names and said they would be changed at the convent. He has refused to see her since."

"That's why they wanted him to marry me."

"You are beautiful and of the upper nobility of Ara and Leria. His daughters, whom he adores, love you. He would not let you go if I put you aside."

"You have, Draeseth, and I'm grateful you have. I'm also grateful you haven't done it openly. You promised to see to my care until I was returned and I won't ask more of you than I absolutely must. Wherever I'm sent, let me take Ximesra and Xagorath with me."

He frowned but before he could speak Ximesra interrupted, "I've spoken to my brother. We'll go with her anywhere she goes, even if we get paid less. We have a debt to repay."

"The priests may not offer to pay you at all, but I will give you a small purse if she is forced to take the journey to Gogmenos. There would be guards traveling with you, you should not hope to flee along the way."

"I understand, your Highness." Ximesra bobbed a curtsy with a determined smile.