Torgan Wine Ch. 54

"I will ask Daga Velarith if I might borrow his carriage. He was right when he said your journey had been difficult enough."

"My Daga... I need to see my father."

"You will. We will travel as quickly as we can while keeping you well."

She let her head drop onto Oberath's shoulder again.

"Yornaith said that Arans are deeply attached to their kin. Taking an Aran from home and family is one of the worst fates imaginable. You need to spend time with your kin in Ara." Daga Liadith stroked her head, "We will go to my home on your way; there is something I should have done before you left, and the eldest needs to see you, but I will not keep you for long."

Taking a breath she offered softly, "Your home is my home as well, my Daga. You are family too. I have two homes and I love all of my family."

"Sweet girl..." He stepped back, "Help her up, she should come back to our rooms. She needs to rest and eat and then you should do the same. We leave early."

Her legs felt unsteady as Ivorith and Oberath helped her stand. The sudden wish for Draeseth to be here to carry her took her by surprise and she blinked before glancing at her Daga wondering if he would be amused.

His muddy green eyes began to sparkle as he seemed to guess her thoughts, "The Torgan would be useful but you'll have to find someone else to carry you around like a child."

A wry smile found its way onto her face, "It's strange to miss him, even after everything."

"You can't take back a piece of your heart, and there's no harm in keeping hold of the good, sweet girl. Come," Daga Liadith held out his hand and she let Ivorith help her over the cushions to take it.

°°°°°°°°°°

Isonei woke early and listened to the quiet, even breathing of the two men sharing the room with her before rising as silently as possible and making her way to the bath. She stirred the small fire back to life and slipped out of her nightdress to wash, intending to have a soak before her brother and her Daga woke.

The door opened with a jerk. "Isonei?" Ivorith peered in looking disheveled and concerned.

"I just wanted to wash and soak before you both woke."

"It's the middle of the night, come back to bed."

Shaking her head she smiled wryly, "It's not. It's just very early morning. You can lie back down for a bit, brother."

"No, if you're awake I'll stay with you. Are you so anxious that you get out of bed instead of rolling over and going back to sleep when you wake at night?"

"It isn't..." sighing she shook her head. "I am anxious. I want to go see father, but I got into the habit of waking for the early prayers in Torga and the early morning is a peaceful time of day. I may keep the habit."

"I'd like to hear about Torga, if you can... if it isn't too difficult for you."

"I'll do the best I can." She turned back to her washing and laughed as her brother came around the raised tub, naked, clearly intending to join her. "I haven't bathed with anyone but Draeseth in months. You should have seen the look on the Torgan's faces when I told them I bathed with my brothers in Ara."

Ivorith's face relaxed into a smile. "From what I understood of them, it would be almost as scandalous if you said you bathed with our sisters. Why were you reminiscing about bathing with us?"

"Wash and come soak with me, I can tell you about borrowing Draeseth's brothers because I missed mine so terribly."

Once they'd both washed and climbed into the tub's warm water she began to tell Ivorith about Burgath and how he reminded her strongly of Ialath sometimes. She spoke of Adareth and Rogath, briefly of Ougath, before rhapsodizing about Ror and Kas. Speaking of Hodrim was harder. Isonei was telling him about giving the boy her ring and the puzzle box when the door opened again.

"Will the two of you be coming out for breakfast?" Daga Liadith looked at them peculiarly. "You can talk at the table."

"Of course, my Daga." Isonei made a face and started to rise from the water.

"Do you bathe with your brothers often?"

Ivorith began to laugh, "It's easier in an Aran pool, but yes. We've rarely bathed alone."

Daga Liadith sucked his lips against his teeth. "Lerian families are close, but not that close."

"You weren't raised with brothers and sisters, my Daga. Didn't you bathe with your father?"

"When I was a child! I was very proud to be allowed to bathe by myself."

"Arissa said she was happy when she was allowed to bathe alone too." Isonei shook her head as she dried herself.

"They have such small baths. If they had pools they'd enjoy it more." Ivorith shrugged and took one of the towels that had been laid out for him.

"The baths in Oyeth Lothlaeri are very nice, did you get to use them?" Isonei gave him an impish smile as Daga Liadith muttered something under his breath and closed the door.

"I did. Those reserved for visitors are not quite as luxurious as-" Ivorith stopped as she clapped her hands over her mouth.

"He made you bathe with the ignorant?!"

"That's rude, sister. You've spent too much time here." Ivorith narrowed his eyes at her.

"No! That's what they called them when I bathed there. A very nice woman spoke to me and helped me find my way around the baths, when she learned I wasn't ignorant of what to do she had me bathe with her daughters. She had to explain to them that I wasn't ignorant, I was just Aran!"

"Stop saying ignorant." He frowned at her.

"The unwashed, then."

"That isn't better!" The look he gave her was very much like those their father gave when she was misbehaving.

"What would you call them, brother?"

"Visitors."

She pulled her nightdress back on to leave the bath with a small sigh.

Dressing hurriedly, Ivorith helped her fasten the back of the fresh brown winter gown that had been laid out for her. This one was a lighter shade and had a few small white flowers embroidered on the sleeves.

Miry bustled in to brush her hair and put it up in a crowning Lerian braid as Ivorith went out to join the Daga. When she had finished, Isonei stepped out of the bedroom, smiling to see both Dagas at the table with her brother.

"You look much better this morning." Daga Velarith rose in a smooth motion to walk her to the table. "I was going to insist you stay another day if you looked as pitiful as you did last night."

"Your concern is deeply appreciated, Daga Velarith. I can't speak highly enough of your warmth and kindness, but I have to see my father. He needs me."

"I'm certain he would want you to be kept comfortable and well as you travel." He gestured for her to take the seat between himself and Daga Liadith. "But I understand how important it is to you. I'm sending Onsh-Velarith with you so that you may have the use of our carriage."

"Thank you, Daga Velarith!" Isonei gave him the warmest smile she could and placed her hand over her heart, "I'll be very glad of his company and of the carriage. I want to go to my father as quickly as I can but," she made a rueful face, "I don't think a journey on horseback would be ideal."

"Agreed." His dark green eyes sparkled as he began to put food on his plate. "I was telling your Daga that you were fond of our tables, when his child is born I may send one as a gift."

"That would be wonderful!" Before she could say more she heard Daga Liadith suck his lips against his teeth.

"We have enough tables, and that would be a gift for Isonei, not my child."

"Daga Velarith offers his guests a choice of the Lerian style tables or the Aran style tables, my Daga. How is it not a gift to your child to be able to offer the same impressive hospitality?" She tilted her head and arched a brow.

"If Lothlaerith fails to persuade her, I beg you to offer her to Onsh-Velarith," Daga Velarith grinned and his eyes brightened. "She is a gracious guest and it would be a pleasure to have her in our home for a longer stay."

"If he fails to persuade her." Daga Liadith inclined his head with a wry smile. "It may be some time before he has the chance. I think she needs to spend time in Ara."

"I do. And..." Isonei winced and gave Daga Velarith an apologetic look, "I spoke with Onsh-Velarith. He doesn't believe Daga Lothlaerith would take it well if he fails to persuade me and he does not wish to risk his friendship."

The Daga's dark eyes shot through dangerously with cracks of paler shades. "I will speak with him and explain that the friendship between Dagas is stronger than he believes and the momentary jealousy of seeing one you desired with her match passes quickly when you find your own."

"If Daga Lothlaerith can't be patient or persuade me, and Onsh-Velarith wants me to return, I will be glad to, Daga Velarith."

"Good. You should eat, child."

Isonei nearly laughed as she realized her Daga had filled her plate. "Yes, Daga Velarith. Have you had these egg pockets before, my Daga? They're delicious." Noticing the bemused look on her brother's face she gave him a smile, "Try the egg pockets, Ivorith! You'll like them."