Torgan Wine Ch. 58

Isonei started to laugh and he kissed her head. "That's much better, sweet girl."

"I'm sorry for being so sour, my Daga."

"We should be home tonight. It will get better, Isonei. Your uncertainty will fade and I promise you, you will not be offered to anyone until you're ready."

Taking a deep breath, she held him tighter and then let him go. Isonei offered him a grateful smile and watched as he began to put his clothes together before putting her hand on her hip, "You should wash too. I don't understand why anyone would get dressed without washing first if they have the option."

He gave her an annoyed look, "I gather my things first. I prefer not to traipse around the family rooms half dressed and I keep the habit when I stay in other homes."

"It's family, why does it matter if you're half dressed. When we don't have guests in Ara-"

"This isn't Ara!" He poked at her and shooed her toward the bath. "I prefer not to walk around half dressed. Your other brothers may do what they like."

Grinning to herself she went into the bath and stripped off her nightdress, washing alone in the warm running water. By the time she'd finished, Daga Liadith was waiting with his things by the door. She made a face at him as she passed by with only the towel wrapped around her.

"If this is what having a sister is like, father spared me by letting you stay in Ara." He made a face at her in return and she put on a look of mock offense.

"Spared you? You'd be a much more patient man! Ask my brother, Ivorith! Father used to tell him often, 'If you can find patience with your sister, you can find patience with anyone.'"

He broke into a broad grin, "I have noticed that your brother can be a very patient man."

"That's the benefit of having a sister."

"I'll be certain to praise him for it now that I know how much he suffered to learn it." His muddy green eyes sparkled.

"I think your father must have been sparing me. Having a seventh older brother as a child would have been unbearable!"

"And how many older brothers did you steal from Draeseth?" The Daga wrinkled his nose with amusement.

"Borrowed! I didn't keep them!" Isonei gave him the most exaggeratedly indignant look she could summon, "And one of them was younger than me!"

Laughing, he leaned in the doorway of the bath, "Go get dressed. Your seventh brother needs to wash before dressing, and we'll be summoned to breakfast soon."

Putting on another of the warm brown gowns Daga Velarith had given her, she sat to brush her hair. It was surprising how quickly a maid came to fasten her gown and braid her hair, especially considering she hadn't summoned one. Isonei was ready and waiting by the time her Daga came out of the bath straightening his scarlet mantle.

"Come Isonei, Daga Caeridith will be waiting. Hesh may even be there for you to scold." He led her out of their rooms with a smile.

"I'm not going to scold him, I just want him to be as proud as he should be."

"You want him to be as proud as a Daga." Daga Caeridith's voice was low as he approached them from behind.

"You were eavesdropping." Daga Liadith smiled faintly.

"The elder Dagas were curious." Caeridith inclined his head and placed a hand on Isonei's back encouraging her forward again. "I would encourage you to stay another night and rest but it was clear that you need to be taken home to Liadith."

"I do." Pausing and turning to look at him, she took Daga Caeridith's hand and gave him a regretful smile. "But I wish I had longer than breakfast to sit and talk with you, and I wish I had a gift that could express even part of my gratitude to you."

"Knowing that my son has redeemed himself so fully that you would encourage Daga Gildith to make him his Onsh expresses that, daughter of Liadith, even if it would take my son from beneath my roof." He smiled and began walking again, holding her hand. "I would suggest to your Daga that Gildith still has time for his daughters to give him an Onsh."

Daga Liadith exhaled and took her other hand, "He might consider it if it means he can keep Maraphina at home. Giving away his daughters has been difficult, and with the one he lost... I think it would be too much to give away the last of them."

"Daughters of Gildith are difficult and often sour. Hesh may not like her."

"Maraphina can be feisty and a little sharp at times, but she's got her father's charm and beauty," Isonei spoke up with a shrug. "Prince Burgath was so taken with her he asked if Daga Gildith would ever consider allowing her to marry a Torgan."

"I hope you laughed at him." Daga Liadith looked at her incredulously.

"I took so long trying to find a way to tell him no firmly enough but still be gentle he took it to mean it would be complicated but there might be hope." At her Daga's aghast and angry expression she shook her head, "At every opportunity after that, I encouraged him to look for an Aran wife instead. An Aran woman can refuse him without hurting his feelings. He never mentioned Maraphina to me again."

Daga Caeridith began to laugh, "I see why Daga Lothlaerith calls you his 'little thorned blossom'. You're sweet but deceptive. A man would need to watch for your thorns. You can prick him without him noticing."

"I'm very fond of Daga Lothlaerith, but he may not think so at the moment." Her lips twisted, "What was it Hesh said? Every time he tries to grasp me he gets a handful of thorns?"

"Daga Lothlaerith shouldn't be trying to grasp you yet."

"I think he knows you have warm feelings for him, or he wouldn't have been so affectionate in the baths." Daga Liadith gave her an arch look and she flushed. "I haven't seen you do that before. What was it he was doing?"

"You shouldn't have allowed him to do anything at all." Daga Caeridith frowned and squeezed her hand. "She needs time to heal and recover, she should be able to trust her Daga to protect her."

"I trust my Daga," Isonei held tightly to both men's hands as they stopped and faced each other. "And I don't need protection from Daga Lothlaerith. I think he must have spoken with one of my brothers about Aran flirting because he was doing it very well. He was kissing the back of my neck as he was braiding my hair for me. In Ara, it's almost innocent, but it felt..." She could feel her blush deepening and Daga Caeridith's face softened.

"In Leria, it isn't innocent, but if you allowed it, it isn't so scandalous that your Daga should have spoken harshly to him." Caeridith gave her a peculiar smile, "Why was he braiding your hair?"

"I haven't yet learned to do it myself, and he seems to enjoy it."

Caeridith's face broke into a broad smile. "It allows him to be close enough to kiss your neck." Gesturing forward he let her Daga begin walking first, "I would have been hesitant to allow a daughter of mine to bathe with him. I've never understood the appeal of bathing with so many others as they do in Oyeth Lothlaeri."

"The baths are wonderful. They seem almost Aran to me." She gave Caeridith a smile, "We enjoy bathing together in Ara. Most Lerian baths are a little small for it to be pleasant. The pools in Oyeth Lothlaeri are perfect for it."

Stepping into the dining room she heard Ximesra break into laughter. Isonei looked curiously at Ivorith who was seated next to their father on the cushions.

"Father was telling them how you sat through a business meeting with Master Zorrith as a child and then just before the papers were signed, commissioning him to make our bottles, you chirped, 'Master Zorrith?'" He paused as Ximesra began to laugh again and Xagorath grinned. "'You might be handsome if you washed your face.'"

Lord Eliorith smiled wryly, "I was furious with her at the time. Master Zorrith took it very well, he even seemed amused. He thanked her for her advice and said his beloved who waited at home agreed. I did my best to teach her never to say anything unkind about someone's appearance again. When Kyssula returned home with the children," he gestured toward Ivorith, "I spoke to her on the matter and she taught Isonei a game. They would try to find as many things to compliment about anyone, even the servants, as they could. The winner was given a honey candy."

"I'd forgotten that game!" Isonei beamed as she accompanied the Dagas to their table.

"It makes more sense to me now." Ximesra nodded and made a peculiar gesture tapping her cheek just below her eye and then the tip of her nose with a knowing expression, "That's why you were able to see good qualities in Prince Draeseth and Princess Kresh. You were taught to look for them in everyone."

"Our sisters played the same game," Ivorith tilted his head. "Isonei was always better at it and she took the lesson to heart in a way they didn't, I think."

"I agree," Yornaith spoke up with a wry smile. "Mother gave them coins when they would win. If she'd done that with Isonei, my father would have been paying a great deal more. They hated playing the game when little Isonei was around."

"Hmm?" Oberath blinked and yawned as Yornaith reached over and squeezed his arm.

"You didn't sleep well, cousin?" Isonei gave him a concerned look and he smiled sheepishly.

"I tried to stay awake longer than your brothers to slip out and keep you company. When they finally fell asleep, Daga Caeridith's guards very gently suggested I remain in the rooms I was given. Unlike the guard you were assigned in Oyeth Lothlaeri, they didn't nod off or leave the windows unguarded."

"If Guardsman Greethe had been rested and not pressed into duty as punishment he wouldn't have fallen asleep either." Isonei gave him a mischievous smile, "And no one expected you to climb up to the window a second time, not after Daga Lothlaerith expressed his unhappiness with it."

"I respect the Dagas, and I even like quite a few of the Lerian's I've met." Oberath made a face at her, "But I worry about my cousin being alone."

"She wasn't alone. I need some time with the daughter of Liadith as well." Daga Liadith took her hand and squeezed it. "But if you haven't slept, Oberath of House Neriris, you may ride with Lord Eliorith and rest today. Isonei will be riding with me and I think she would like someone to keep her father company."

"Forgive me," Yornaith cautiously interjected, "I had intended to take Oberath with me and ride for Ara as quickly as we could. Prince Burgath said the missives were urgent."

"There is nothing to forgive. Ivorith can ride with Lord Eliorith if he has no objection."

The tables were quiet as the tiered trays were brought out. Isonei was going to ask where Daga Caeridith's sons were when Yornaith broke the silence wearing one of his forced polite smiles, "Is there anything you would like to send to King Tamnaeuth, Isonei? Anything you wish to add to Prince Burgath's missives?"

Daga Liadith finished filling their plates, "I doubt we have time for her to write a letter. The time to ask would have been last night."

"I haven't read Burgath's missives, and there's very little advice I could offer. But I would suggest that if King Tamnaeuth wishes to send a coronation gift to the new King of Torga and heal any rifts that may have been formed by my foolishness," she paused, "Rogath is more trustworthy than his father, and he dotes on his daughters. Ror adored the puzzle box I gave my Hodrim, and she would enjoy a book of riddles, I think. She's a clever child. But Kas is more charming and mischievous. She begged her grandfather for a 'starlight dress' when Draeseth spoke of meeting me at the Festival, and she loved the stories I told."

Yornaith offered her a bemused smile, "You suggest giving him gifts for his daughters?"

"I do. He wants them to be happy and safe. Anything he does for Torga, or in defense of Torga will be done more for them than for anyone else."

"He sounds like a better man than his father," Daga Caeridith murmured.

"He is," Isonei answered as quietly. "I don't know if he'll be a good King, but he should be a good-hearted one."

"He wasn't your favorite of Draeseth's brothers?" Daga Liadith tapped next to her plate.

"No, Burgath reminded me a great deal of Ivorith and Ialath. Often more of Ialath than Ivorith. Because I missed my brothers so much he was my favorite. Rogath didn't seek me out the way Burgath did, either. The only time he came to find me was when his daughters needed cheering. He was apologetic for intruding on my grief and he didn't demand I entertain them." She took a bite of a tiny tart filled with egg and cheese on her plate.

"Like Burgath, he tried to make certain I was treated well. He made it known he thought I was good for his brother and that he thought his brother should treat me better. He supported me in my request to the King to have Lislora given an Arrangement, while making certain I knew he would back me if she treated me poorly and I wished to reconsider. And the Kamrus said he argued, publicly, on my behalf as I knelt on the scaffold."

"Draeseth didn't?" Daga Liadith gave her a stern look.

"The Kamrus said that both he and Adareth knelt with me in supplication."

"He did," Ximesra spoke up and nervously cleared her throat. "Prince Rogath didn't kneel, he stood and argued, but Princes Draeseth and Adareth knelt, it embarrassed King Orgath. Princes of Torga don't kneel in supplication that way."

"This Rogath sounds like a Torgan that could be supported. I would hesitate to trust any of them, they are Torgans after all, but..." Daga Caeridith took a bite of one of the rolls on his plate, "If you wish to tell the Aran King that we are considering offering support to the new King of Torga in his war, you may. Our Accord requires us to be in agreement to declare war, but not to support one. He may send his thoughts on the matter to Daga Lothlaerith."

"It may be better to hear such a thing from the Dagas..." Yornaith inclined his head with a speculative glance at Isonei.

"A missive will be sent with the daughter of Liadith when she returns to Ara. She requires some time in her Daga's house." Daga Liadith gave her eldest brother a cool look.

"Of course, Daga Liadith."

The quiet sounds of eating resumed. Isonei finished more than half of what her Daga had put on her plate before she turned to speak to Daga Caeridith. He raised his hand with an amused expression before she could get out any words.

"My sons are having breakfast in the family rooms, and I have heard the tale of how Hesh captured the prison cart and helped to free you. I'm very proud."

Isonei beamed at him, "I still wanted to tell the tale, and I want to show you the sketches my sister Yarmina sent me of Eshho. You've read the stories but never seen the city."

"I never read them. They've been told over and over in our family, but the book has remained in the crypts."

"I'll have the book of Aran myths brought too. The stories may have changed with the telling over the years."

°°°°°°°°°°

"My father was very pleased with your gift." Hesh-Caeridith eyed Isonei with amusement. "I think the pictures gave some of the stories we were told as children new life. As did your corrections to our translations."

"I meant it when I said I would send him a copy with a Lerian translation in it." Isonei shook her head with a smile. "Some of the words were a little archaic, I can understand how you might get them confused."

"The way your brother laughed and asked, 'How old is this book?' Told me as much." Hesh laughed and got comfortable in his seat. "There's much more room today but it seems odd to me they all wished to ride with Lord Eliorith."

"I think they wished to discuss Isonei and how long she may stay in Leria. Her father and brother want to get her back to Ara as soon as possible, and the Sons of Mun..." Daga Liadith frowned. "They seem uncomfortable with us."

"I spoke to Xagorath." Hesh shrugged, "They don't like being around so many people speaking a language they don't understand. It reminds them of arriving in Phaethia. It brings up bitter memories and they keep expecting someone to do something unpleasant to them. They feel more comfortable with the Arans." He smiled faintly at Isonei, "He said Isonei seems to be almost Lerian when she's with us. They prefer her when she's with her father and brothers or alone."

"I haven't spoken with Ximesra as much since we arrived in Leria." Isonei nibbled her inner lip. "Perhaps I haven't been a very good friend. If she needs-"

"You need to heal and spend time with family. You can't always think of others." Daga Liadith gave her a pointed look.

"She was selfless and kind, I should be-"

Her Daga raised his hand, cutting her off. "You never had to earn the trust or respect of a Daga as your father and brothers did. The Sons of Mun have been extended the same welcome given to you. If they're afraid it's from no fault in our hospitality."

"I would never suggest it, Daga Liadith." Isonei gave him a sharp look. "If they're afraid it's because I haven't done enough to reassure them. They've endured a great deal and still found it within themselves, not only be kind to me, but to put themselves at risk without hesitation."

Lifting her hand, she refused to let the Daga get a word in, "They remained with people who had kept them enslaved, people who had not merely threatened but done awful things to them. They went with me without hesitation when I was being taken to Gogmenos despite believing that the only things waiting there were beatings and bleedings. After Xagorath confronted the Kamrus about his desire to put me in that horrible cart, something the men hired by Draeseth failed to do despite being paid to see to my safety, and was assaulted for his concern, Ximesra grabbed the blanket we'd had lunch on and the basket with the last of the clean food and leapt into the back of the cart to go with me.

"My Daga, the men driving the cart were nearly the size of Draeseth and they stood, with blades drawn, to compel me into that filthy, windowless box. And still, I hesitated. She didn't. Ximesra deserves better from me."

"You will spend time in the crypts healing as we discussed, I will make certain they understand how much their sacrifices mean and how welcome they are." Daga Liadith smiled faintly. "You look like your father when you're displeased with someone, but the set of your jaw when you scolded me reminded me very much of my father. I think he would have enjoyed seeing it."

Isonei took a deep breath, "I think he would have given me that look that says I should be better behaved. I didn't mean to scold you."

"I'm not certain if there's more fight in you than there was when I first met you," Hesh offered carefully, "or if you've simply learned to express yourself better, Lady Isonei. If you'd scolded me that way I would have hesitated to draw my knife."

Isonei gave him a flat look and her Daga covered his mouth trying to hide his amusement.

"Don't tease her, Hesh. Lady Isonei might scold us both." Daga Liadith's eyes sparkled.