Torgan Wine Ch. 55

"I may take a third home, but if you expect me to give something up instead of adding to what I have, you don't know Arans." She watched his eyes widen slightly and a bemused smile spread over his face.

"I've never seen you look so certain or so solemn."

"Some lessons are more pleasant than others, and I learned a great deal in Torga. I know now what I cannot tolerate, I know who I am and what I believe. I know where home is, my Daga, and I know what I need."

"Leave room for change, Isonei, that is all I ask."

She inclined her head slightly, "Yes, my Daga, I will try."

°°°°°°°°°°

Isonei found the sight of Master Gwathe waiting anxiously outside his inn with the rider Daga Liadith had sent ahead somehow amusing. She made it a point to beam at the man as they came closer and placed her hand over her heart.

"Master Gwathe! It's a pleasure to see you again."

The Lerian's face lit up and he seemed to relax slightly as he returned the gesture, "Lady Isonei, seeing you safe is a joy." He moved to help her down from the front of her Daga's saddle.

"Being safe is a joy." She clasped his hands for a moment tilting her head as his smile faded.

"You could have stayed here. We would have protected you. Why didn't you ask for help?"

"I didn't know I needed it. I thought I was safe with him." Saying it aloud she felt wretchedly foolish and her teeth found their way into her inner lip.

"Forgive me." Gwathe's anxiousness returned and he looked to the Daga for help.

"The daughter of Liadith will need to bathe and rest. Her journey has been taxing." Daga Liadith placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Has there been word from Hesh-Caeridith?"

"He is bringing the caravan here, Daga Liadith, he said you would come eventually. The messenger he sent also spoke of unrest in Torga."

"It was expected there might be some if we could steal back my sister." Yornaith came to stand next to her. "The Kings and Dagas can discuss it among themselves. Lady Isonei does not require-"

"I would like to know what's happening. My Hodrim is still there and-"

"We can't bring him out of Torga, Isonei," Yornaith murmured with a regretful frown.

"I wouldn't ask you to. He would be as miserable outside of Torga as I was inside its borders. He has Lislora and Kamrus Rimathe but I want to know what's happening there." She set her face sternly and he took a half step back.

"Your brothers will have to see for themselves that you've changed, Isonei." Daga Liadith smiled faintly. "Let them adjust before you show them how you've learned to glower."

"That wasn't a glower, my Daga." Isonei inclined her head trying not to let her annoyance show on her face.

"You've spent too long with Torgans." He reached out to pat her cheek with the back of his hand. "You looked a great deal like your father when you made that face. I look forward to seeing the surprise on Lord Eliorith's face the next time he chides you."

The way he tried to flutter his lashes made her laugh but she sobered quickly, "I think he may be as regretful as Draeseth was to get what he asked for."

Daga Liadith's brow furrowed slightly.

"Father always wanted to see a more serious, stern side to me. Draeseth wanted me to be more strident and use the sharp side of my tongue."

"Liadith wants your happiness and your safety." He stepped closer and she embraced him, burying her face in his scarlet mantle. "I faulted you before, for your sweetness, it was wrong of me."

"You weren't the only one, my Daga," Isonei murmured, breathing in the sweet smoky smell.

"Caeridith praised you for it, as did Velarith. Who else was so great a fool as to fault you for it?" His tone was very gently teasing.

Looking up at him with a wry smile, she tried to explain, "Before we started to get along Onsh-Lothlaerith did." Isonei tried to imitate his displeased tone, "'The daughter of Liadith should have more steel in her.'"

The Daga's green eyes brightened and flickered between shades, "If he complains of your sharpness I will remind him of that. He neglected to mention that you failed to get along well at first."

"He was cold and his demeanor made me nervous, but he warmed." She swallowed, feeling suddenly unsure as she often had in Torga. Her heart ached as she remembered that he could be warm and sweet.

"You do not have to make any decisions now, sweet girl. You will go home and heal, and if you return to Oyeth Lothlaeri to consider him perhaps he will have discovered his mistake and done what he could to fix it. Lothlaerith is stubborn but strong enough to see his mistakes and correct them." He kissed her head and looked to the innkeeper who was fidgeting a few steps away and studying his hands. "Master Gwathe, please forgive our rudeness for keeping you standing here. Go with him and rest, Isonei."

"Yes, my Daga."

Gwathe led her inside and upstairs to a plain but clean and comfortable looking room with a large bed and a servant's bed at the foot. "I'm not accustomed to entertaining Dagas but the merchants who've stayed here prefer this room."

"It looks very comfortable." Isonei gave him a reassuring smile before a question occurred to her. "Do you get many Aran merchants?"

"Only a few a year, Lady Isonei. Those who come this far north make longer stays in Oyeth Lothlaeri and only stay a single night here once or twice a year." He ushered her to the bed. "I will send the maid to let you know when the water is ready for bathing and dinner will be ready in a little more than an hour."

She nodded and perched on the bed, feeling tired but trying to hold the smile on her face.

"Lady Isonei?" Gwathe hesitated by the door. "The Arans are always very polite and very clean," he tilted his head slightly, "but they flirt with the maids."

"Aran charm can be mistaken for flirting very easily, I learned that in Torga." She made a face and watched him try to suppress a smile. "But if it makes the maids uncomfortable the men should be told so that they can apologize and watch the Lerian men more closely to learn how they should be behaving."

"Would they receive lessons well?" He looked at her with surprise and curiosity.

"My father was always very eager to learn and disappointed when I took a little longer to grasp things. I think lessons would be received very well as long as the subject was approached with kindness. You might ask my brothers, Ivorith and Yornaith, their opinion."

"And the other Arans?" Gwathe looked suddenly sheepish, "If I'm permitted to ask, Lady Isonei."

"Oberath is my cousin, the son of my mother's sister. He's the only other Aran..."

"The man and woman with silvery eyes and white hair? Their skin is much like yours." He frowned slightly.

"Sons of Mun!" Isonei laughed and shook her head. "Xagorath and Ximesra came with me from Torga and have been kept from their home for far longer than I have. I wouldn't have survived to make it home without them."

He studied her face as he stood in the doorway, "There were rumors you were ill."

"I was ill in Torga. I was also poisoned more than once and I think Kamrus Olauth intended to kill me if he'd been able to get me to Gogmenos." She wrapped her arms around herself and took a deep breath reminding herself she was safe, "Some of the priests of Ganas helped me recover from my... illnesses. Xagorath and Ximesra made certain I had delicious, clean food, and that I ate it. They kept me from being so miserable that I starved myself to death." Realizing she was staring into the middle distance she drew her attention back and tried to give the now grim looking innkeeper a smile. "They stayed with me when they didn't have to, they didn't hesitate..."

"Isonei?" Ivorith peered past Gwathe, "Daga Liadith suggested I ask you if you need me to stay with you again tonight. He'll be sharing the room with you."

"It would be nice, but I don't need you to stay tonight. I don't want you to see so much of me you want to run away in the first few days." Isonei smiled faintly.

"It will take at least a week," he made a face at her as if trying to make her laugh but it only made her ache to stay close.

"Will you sit with me?"

"Of course." Joining her on the bed he hugged her tightly.

°°°°°°°°°°

For a moment Isonei wasn't certain of where she was as she woke. It felt as though she were on the edge of the bed and someone was clinging to her from behind, snoring softly. Carefully she wriggled free in the dark and stood, rubbing her eyes.

"Come here, daughter of Liadith." Her Daga's amused voice was quiet in the dark. "Velarith said you rise as early as a Daga." He lifted the cover on the lamp to let her find her way to the larger bed. Climbing in with him she curled close and got comfortable. "I intend to send word to Daga Gildith before we begin our journey home. I know you promised to visit him on your way but it may be best if he comes to us."

"I've missed Daga Gildith."

"I know you've missed his gardens," Liadith teased gently. "When you were a child and he told you stories, did he tell you the story of Liadith and Gildith during the Desecration?"

"No. When he spoke of it, he never spoke long and he looked so angry I never asked questions. I never knew who the Desecrators were or what had happened, only that they had tried to conquer Leria and tried to destroy the crypts."

"Ah. Gildith and Liadith had quarreled often before the Desecration, but when Daga Gildith was killed he had only a very young daughter. Liadith defended her and raised her in our home. We've been as family ever since."

"Did she become a Daga? Like the daughter of Lothlaerith?"

Daga Liadith laughed softly, "No. Her match was welcomed by the line of the Dagas Gildith and he became Daga Gildith. It happens from time to time, when one Daga has only daughters and another has an extraordinary son who would not otherwise become an Onsh."

Isonei contemplated those words for a moment and then asked curiously, "Has Maraphina met Hesh-Caeridith?"

"I wanted to ask you what you thought of him before I suggested it to Daga Gildith."

Cuddling closer she told him of being locked in the cart and that Hesh had somehow taken it from the guards. She told him of the way the door had been opened and how Hesh had rushed her to safety, staying behind to destroy the wooden frame himself. "I think very highly of him, my Daga."

"I will suggest the match to Gildith. His grandsons are all Onshes in their own right and I think it might break his heart to give away his last daughter."

There was a long silence before Isonei spoke again, "How is Arissa?"

"She's well. She traveled with me at first, but now she stays home or visits her family while I'm away." He rubbed her back in slow smooth strokes, "Your father has charmed her despite their differences. He and your brother stay with us more than they do with Gildith now. They always bring the salted honey candies that we sent you."

"I didn't get any of them. King Orgath had the sweets given to the Princesses. The servants kept back one of the Lerian braids for me and Ximesra was able to smuggle it to my room."

"He gave them to his daughters?" Daga Liadith's voice sharp.

"No, his granddaughters. I adored them. I would have been glad to share with them, I think that's why he didn't give me the chance. His sons tried to shield me from the worst of his displeasure, even Kamrus Olauth knew better than to be cruel to me in their presence."

"Then Gildith and I were not entirely deceived in our estimation of them."

"No. They can be good men. Burgath is a great deal like Ialath. You have to be wary of his ambitions, but there's a good heart there. And Draeseth released me of his own free will before his father intervened and put me in the custody of Kamrus Olauth. Draeseth did all he could to protect me, if I'd had enough time I might have been able to convince him to send me home, but..."

"Why did he refuse?" Daga Liadith squeezed her.

"Because he loved me. When we arrived in Torga and I took ill, Halloc Aurim managed to convince him that the Dagas are demons. I'm not sure how. He couldn't bear the thought of giving me over to demons, he wanted to keep me safe."

Exhaling, the Daga answered thoughtfully, "The dreams you had of being pulled away... one of the priests was part Lerian. We could sense him and he could sense us. The eldest struck at him. I have no doubt the effect of the blow was impressive even in Torga." His tone changed slightly to one of annoyance, "Father was not pleased that as often as you've kissed his name you never read it."

"I've never read Lerian well and the writing in the crypts is a little peculiar looking." Her lips twisted wryly, "Besides, he gave me permission to kiss it, not to speak it. Trying to read it didn't seem-"

Daga Liadith turned abruptly and positioned himself to look her in the eyes. The green of his was clear and unmistakably glowed in the dimness. "You are the daughter of Liadith. You should know your Daga's name. It was my fault that you left without knowing it. I thought you knew my father's and it would be enough. If Daga Lothlaerith had not spoken as if the match had already been made-" He frowned and glanced to where her brother lay, and she noticed the snoring had stopped.

"My brothers don't sleep as deeply as I do."

From the servant's bed, Ivorith's voice came with some annoyance, "Father mentioned once that you learned to sleep through his business meetings when you were very small. I hope you can forgive me, but I never learned how to sleep through people talking."

"We should have tried to dress quietly and taken our conversation elsewhere." Daga Liadith bumped his forehead against hers. "Isonei is accustomed to rising as early as I do."

"That may be why she falls asleep in the middle of the day," Ivorith groaned and she could hear him adjusting himself on the small bed.

"Go back to sleep, Ivorith." Daga Liadith sat up and stretched. "Isonei will come with me for an early breakfast." He lifted the cover on the lamp again, this time letting it give a little more light as he helped her find her clothes. When they were dressed he fastened her warm gown in the back and gave her the brush gesturing for her to go as he took the lamp.

Downstairs, it seemed that the caravan had arrived and the floor of the breakfast room was filled with sleeping men and several boxes that hadn't been there the night before. Making their way carefully to the seats by the banked fire, one of the men sat up with a jerk and blinked at them briefly in confusion. It took a moment before Isonei recognized him as Hesh-Caeridith. His scarred grey face was bruised and mottled with shades of bluish green.

Gingerly, he got to his feet and joined them, stirring the fire back to life and putting more wood on it. Sitting quietly and brushing her hair, she frowned as he spoke quietly to her Daga in Torgan.

After a few moments, Hesh noticed her displeasure and inclined his head, "I don't wish to trouble you, Lady Isonei."

"Discovering that I still need to learn Torgan to keep people from deliberately excluding me from conversations troubles me, Hesh-Caeridith."

Her pointed look drew a smile from him, "I heard from the priests that Prince Draeseth refused to allow you to learn it. They strongly disagreed with him."

"You should tell her, Hesh." Daga Liadith took the brush from her and held her hand firmly.

"Torga is going to war." Hesh rubbed his bruised face. "King Orgath was murdered on the day you were sent away with the Kamrus. It seems he attempted to visit with Princess Kresh while his sons were escorting you to the gate. According to the rumors, at her," he snorted softly, "very prompt execution, she said that her brother would avenge her.

"King Rogath began making preparations immediately and Prince Burgath, the current Crown Prince, found us as we were lowering the goods on the last wooden frame. He came to speak to me, offering me wealth and position if I would give him anything he could use to gain the support of the Dagas.

"I told him the only thing he had that the Dagas wanted was Lady Isonei and I reminded him that if the time for their Festival came and went without her, they would be at war with the Arans as well. I then asked if he'd ever read the accord that binds the Arans and Lerians. That was when he hit me. The man Xagorath had called Taugh pulled him off of me after a few blows.

"While he was holding the Prince back, he asked where Xagorath was. I told him I had given the Son of Mun a horse and allowed him to pursue the cart his sister was in. They left immediately."

Looking to the Daga, she could feel her insides twisting, "Burgath had spoken of wanting to be free of the Empire. He didn't think they could do it without allies. They may not be the most trustworthy but that wretched Empire needs to fall. Making certain the Torgans don't starve to death and finding a way to help them communicate with the Sons of Mun and the men of the Northern Isles so that they may have a fighting chance..." She trailed off as he began to smile grimly.

"The Dagas will discuss it. That you would be willing to offer them support after all they've done may lend some weight to the suggestion." The Daga squeezed her hand before he released it. "Lothlaerith will insist on a high price for any aid if they choose to ask."

Isonei inclined her head slightly. The Torgans would refuse if the price was Draeseth hanging from Lothlaerith's Gate, but King Tamnaeuth might be persuaded to offer some small amount of assistance. When she returned to Ara she would ask.

"Should I rouse the innkeeper to begin preparing breakfast?" Hesh rose from his chair.

"No," Isonei kept her voice low, "if you all arrived late it would be unkind to wake anyone."

"They'll wake soon enough. The Sons of Mun are joining you." Hesh nodded toward the stair behind her.

Turning, Isonei smiled to see Xagorath and Ximesra cautiously coming down. They hesitated at the bottom. "Hesh?"

The Lerian was already crossing the room to speak to them as she began to ask. After a short, whispered conversation the brother and sister went into the back toward the place Isonei assumed the innkeeper and the maids slept.

Hesh returned with a wry smile, "They'll make breakfast without waking anyone. My men could probably sleep through an invasion after our journey."

"You had more difficulties than Prince Burgath losing his temper?" Daga Liadith frowned.

"The men who stayed with me rode hard to destroy the other two frames and meet the remainder at the last one. The others had been ordered to keep up a brisk pace to reach it as quickly as possible. I wanted things to be ready in case we brought Lady Isonei. With the wretched cart on fire, we took her to the farthest instead.