Torgan Wine Ch. 59

Impulsively, she lurched forward and embraced him, wrapping her arms around his neck and nodding.

"If I had an Onsh, I would insist you be offered." He pulled away gently and smiled at her. "But I will consider your words on Hesh-Caeridith. They have given us an Onsh once before."

Cuddling close to the older Daga she nodded again thoughtfully and added, "Caeridith seems very giving and kind. I've promised to send them a copy and translation of the book I was given. I want to give them more, but there's nothing I can think of that they might want or that I could possibly offer."

"If Maraphina wishes him for a match and if Daga Caeridith is truly willing to part with Hesh-Caeridith, I will teach you what gifts best convey deep gratitude."

"My Daga said he needed to teach me about gifts that have a great deal of meaning and which ones are never given for that reason."

"He does. I would have you give me your word, you will never give another knife as a gift."

Isonei smiled ruefully, "I give you my word, I will never give anyone another knife. I may even hesitate to pass someone a knife at the table."

He gave an amused cough, "Your Daga will have the blade and carcanet altered into a gift that can be given to your match without risk to you. The stone should not have been shattered but you will recover, sweet child."

"I'm almost certain Lislora did that. I think it might have been a fit of jealousy. She gave him a knife as well, but I think he was still wearing mine unless he was sparring. I noticed that he left it in our closet once. He may have left it in hers."

"We were very lucky he did not fully understand how to use it to cut the bonds between you and us. His intent was strong."

"What gift would be safe?"

"A gauntlet was once a very traditional gift. The gauntlet could be very ornamental, it was replaced by rings and jeweled pins for our mantles. Shields were also a common gift once, but when we no longer found ourselves fighting amongst ourselves or with our neighbors they fell out of favor."

She smiled faintly as she imagined it, a gauntlet of steel, silver, and gold, set with gems would be a very ornamental piece. "I didn't see any gauntlets in the boxes of jewelry-"

Daga Gildith began to laugh his peculiar laugh and squeezed her. "They were not meant to be passed down like rings or pins. It was a gift given to only one man. The shields are hung where our wives and those children who remain with us rest."

"Do..." Isonei caught herself before she asked if the wives had to stay but the flicker in his eyes suggested he understood.

"No one is in the crypts against their will. Liadith is your Daga, if you were to rest in anyone's crypts you would desire to rest in his. When you take a match and look to a new Daga that will change." He smiled faintly. "You cannot see it yet, because you are not ready to consider leaving your Daga."

"In Ara, a woman returns home."

"In Ara, a woman does not change Houses. Here, she must. You will always be a daughter of Liadith, and even when you wear the color of another Daga you will be welcomed into his home with love. If your father had not reacted so angrily, you might be less afraid." The Daga stroked her arm. "Have we talked for so long?"

Isonei looked up at him in bafflement.

"We have crossed under your Daga's gate. I can feel the difference." Daga Gildith smiled more warmly.

"My Daga said I could stay in the crypts until the elder Dagas suggest I go sleep in my own room, or I get tired of sleeping on stone instead of in a bed." She found herself feeling suddenly nervous again as if he might change his mind.

"Then that is where you will stay. I will expect you to visit me when you have more time and are more yourself, sweet child."

Burying her face in his mantle as he turned toward her slightly, she nodded.

"I can see clearly the crypts are where you need to be," he murmured, resting a hand on the back of her head. The carriage came to a stop and he held her for a few moments longer until the door was opened.

Allowing the older Daga to help her down, Isonei found herself embraced almost immediately. Arissa kissed her cheek and tried to crush her, breaking into tears. The tears were too much and Isonei couldn't hold back her own, clinging to Arissa.

She could hear a quiet murmur behind her but it took a few moments for the two of them to compose themselves enough to pay attention. Isonei kept her arms wrapped around Arissa as they both turned to face the Dagas and the rest of the guests, their breath still coming in occasional quavering bursts.

"Come inside. I welcome you all into my home. Food will be sent to your rooms so that you may rest, bathe, and replenish yourselves. In the morning, we will take breakfast together." Daga Liadith spoke warmly in Aran.

Arissa kissed her cheek again, "I had your room readied. I've changed a few small things but I think you'll like it."

"Speak Aran for our guests, my love." Daga Liadith gave her a wry smile and came closer to touch Arissa's face. "Isonei will be staying in the crypts until she feels well enough to sleep in her room."

"Forgive me, Daga Liadith, but you said she should be asked and permitted to choose. I would like her to know she can choose to stay in our rooms." Ivorith frowned and Lord Eliorith placed a hand on his shoulder whispering something in his ear.

"I am not commanding her into the crypts, Ivorith." Daga Liadith gave Isonei a tired smile, "You may sleep wherever you wish."

"I want to sleep in the crypts." Lifting her hand, she gave Ivorith a pleading look, "I've been terrified that he'll change his mind about letting me stay there. The crypts are where I want to be, and where I need to be, brother. I love you, and I love our father, please don't be angry with me."

Ivorith studied her face and his frown softened, "I'm not angry. We want you to be safe and comfortable, and I worry that you'll try to keep your unhappiness to yourself when you should be leaning on us. You shouldn't be alone."

"I won't be alone. I'll be with the elder Dagas." She tried to give him a smile, "It's where I need to be right now, Ivorith. I need you and father too, but I need this first."

"My little love," Eliorith moved forward and extended an arm.

Isonei released Arissa and met him halfway, embracing him and taking a deep breath.

"You are loved. And no one is angry with you. If you change your mind..."

"If I change my mind I'll come find you, father." Taking his hand she walked with him into the house and let the Daga lead the way to the rooms her father and brother would be sharing. Isonei embraced both of them before turning to leave.

"Are you sure?" Ivorith asked, following her to the door.

"I am." She gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Sleep well and make sure father eats something before bed."

"You should eat too." Her brother looked as if he wanted to protest again before Daga Liadith made a small peculiar noise. "Sleep well."

Ximesra and Xagorath were the next to arrive at their rooms and Isonei opened her mouth to apologize for not speaking to them more on the journey, but before she could speak Ximesra embraced her and kissed her cheek.

"Sleep well, and eat something, Isonei." The Munian woman dimpled at her and Isonei gave her a grateful smile. "We spoke to Hesh. You don't need to worry."

Xagorath reached out and squeezed her shoulder with a faintly concerned smile, "Keep your own head above water. The Lerians have been kind and your brothers have been trying to make certain we understand what's going on around us. I was sad to see Yornaith go, but Ivorith is a good man."

"He is."

"I like him much better than Prince Burgath." Ximesra gave her a pointed look and Isonei couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm much fonder of my brother too. I only borrowed Burgath because I'm so accustomed to having my brothers around me, I felt like I was missing a limb without any at all."

The Munians looked at each other and clasped hands, "We can understand that." Ximesra looked back to Isonei with an impish smile, "But I think a doll would be a more suitable substitute than a Torgan."

Isonei made a face at her and Xagorath snorted a laugh, "A doll wouldn't have given me a purse of money, on top of what he gave her to spend, to be certain she had clean food. He may not be as good a man as Ivorith, but he treated her well."

"I didn't know he did that!" Isonei smiled and shook her head.

"All of Prince Draeseth's brother's gave at least a small purse. I didn't think about saving the basket from the burning cart or we would all have a little less concern for travel expenses."

"You need have no concern for expenses in this house." Daga Liadith stepped closer behind Isonei and she smiled moving back to put her arm around his waist. "You are honored guests. My Arissa's favorite maid, Amay, will be attending you both. She speaks Aran and will help you with anything you require."

"She's a very sweet woman." Isonei nodded and gave the Munians a reassuring smile.

"Thank you, Daga Liadith." Xagorath inclined his head.

The Daga led Isonei back out of the rooms. Hesh was taken to his rooms and Isonei noticed the smile he gave Maraphina as they parted ways. Arissa followed Daga Gildith and her sister into their rooms to say goodnight as Isonei waited with her Daga near the door. It seemed to take forever, and Isonei glanced longingly in the direction of the crypts.

Noticing her impatience, Daga Liadith squeezed her hand. "A bath and a meal first, and then I will take you down to them. They're as anxious to have you in the crypts as you are to be there."

°°°°°°°°°°

Isonei nearly pulled her Daga down the stairs leading into the crypts. Arissa had bathed with her and not permitted her to have just a hurried wash, and Daga Liadith had insisted that she eat more than she felt hungry for over their late meal. The waiting to go down to the elder Dagas had made her skin feel as if it were on too tight.

"Slow down!" Arissa laughed, following behind them.

"She'd be running if I weren't holding onto her hand."

They reached the bottom of the stairs and one of the veiled priests stepped forward. Isonei pulled her hand away from her Daga and embraced the priest.

"Sweet girl." The priest gently pulled away after a moment, "They all wish to speak with you but you are to go to the eldest first."

"We are to wait until we are summoned." Daga Liadith took Arissa's hand and began to turn to leave.

"I thought you were going to tell her..." Arissa frowned.

"I will, but the eldest feels that some things are more pressing." He turned to glance at Isonei with amusement, "Daga Gildith has been telling a very confused Maraphina that Isonei has done well for a child who lacked the benefit of her Daga's guidance, and comparing things he taught his daughters with the gaps in Isonei's education."

"She's confused?" Arissa smiled at him.

"Your sister has tried changing the subject, but he speaks as if he's conversing with someone else." Daga Liadith began leading her out. "We can tell him he was heard before we retire if you'd like. You can take the opportunity to ask Maraphina what she thinks of Hesh-Caeridith."

The veiled priest began moving into the crypts and Isonei followed. The lamps were already lit and she reached out to touch the statue of her Daga's father as she passed. The priest laughed softly and took hold of her hand before she could.

"You need to see the eldest first, sweet girl. He wishes to be the one to welcome you home. As much as you wish to visit with the first Daga Liadith you knew, things must be done a certain way."

Offering him a tentative nod, Isonei followed. Her Daga had never scolded her but the younger Daga had said he wasn't pleased that she'd never read his name. She couldn't help but wonder if the eldest was going to chide her. He hadn't been happy that she was leaving willingly with Draeseth or that she hadn't been able to speak Lerian well the last time she'd visited him.

"There's no need to look so worried, sweet girl. There may be chiding later but it's not what you need at this moment. You are loved and the eldest was wounded when you were pulled from his grasp. Your need to be in the crypts is an echo of his need to reopen the door and strengthen what remains of your bonds."

"It wounded him?"

"He will speak of it."

The way through the crypts seemed shorter than it had before, and she held her hands as she looked at the statues in passing. The urge to reach out to them as she recognized their faces from the walk with the Daga was immense.

Entering the more spacious room with the stairs that she knew led up to her Daga's bedroom, she moved directly to the statue that stood like a sentry, his hooded face hidden and his hands on his sword hilt. Impulsively she put her hands on top of his and leaned close, rising on her toes to press her face into the opening of the carved hood and kiss the hidden face.

Isonei heard a soft laugh from the chamber opening, "Come and greet me properly, daughter of Liadith." Another veiled priest stood patiently inside as she entered. "I would have you kiss the name, but first you must read it and speak it."

His authoritative tone put a wry smile on her face. She approached and studied the name for a moment.

"Can you read it?"

"Though I've gotten better, I was never very good with Lerian writing, and this looks different to me, but... I think it says 'Iehmarthe'?"

There was an exhale that made her look up, "Yes. You should have learned to read Lerian and the traditional script with the young Daga. Say the name again with confidence, daughter of Liadith."

"Iehmarthe."

"Now you cannot slip from my grasp again if any should try to take you by force." He sounded relieved. "Kiss the name and sit with me, your Daga needs you to be close."

"Can you explain that to me?" Isonei bent to kiss the name and felt a peculiar tingle in her lips before she climbed up onto the sarg and found a comfortable spot to curl. The stone warmed beneath her.

"There is a great deal I need to explain to you. The young Gildith thinks it would be dangerous to allow you to return to Ara without certain lessons being taught."

"The young Gildith?" Isonei tilted her head.

"Daga Gildith." The priest's tone carried a note of amusement, "He may be a few years older than the young Liadith but he is still young to me."

"I think he would enjoy hearing that." She let her eyes drift closed as he began to lament his uncertainty of where to start her lessons.

What felt like a few moments later the feeling of someone taking a seat on her bed stirred her from her slumber and she cracked her eyes open sourly. A pale-haired Lerian man whose face looked vaguely familiar peered down at her with an expression of amused annoyance.

"Am I disturbing your dream of sleeping in your bed at home?"

Furrowing her brow she looked around, it was her room in Ara but not as she'd left it. It held her childhood toys and looked as though it had been ransacked and had mud tracked through it.

She sat up and shook her head, "It isn't supposed to look like this."

"If you can remember my name I'll help you clean it."

Isonei blinked at him and then very carefully offered, "You look familiar somehow but I-"

"You kissed my statue." His eyes narrowed and began to flicker, it gave him the look of a man with green lightning flashing behind his eyes.

"Iehmarthe!"

His grey face broke in a wide grin as he stood, "You fell asleep while I was talking to you."

"I was very tired!" Clambering from the bed she embraced him. "You look younger than I expected!" As he arched an eyebrow she gave him an impish grin, "You did call Daga Gildith the young Gildith."

"If you tell him of your teasing, the young Gildith will certainly enjoy that." Keeping an arm around her, he looked around the bedroom. "This... is a child's room."

"Yes. My room in Ara doesn't look like this anymore, I'm not sure why this one still looks this way."

"Perhaps, when it's been cleaned, we can help you change things."

"I think I'd like that, Iehmarthe." Isonei made a face at the dirt on the floor and began to tell him the story of sweeping at the Temple in Nemauros. It had seemed so wretchedly upsetting at the time but it had begun to feel like it had happened so long ago it almost seemed funny. She looked up from the low shelf she was organizing her dolls on and saw the displeased look on Iehmarthe's face.

He seemed to notice her consternation and lifted a hand, "I'm not angry with you. The thought of a daughter of Liadith being told to sweep in one of their Temples galls me. You serve your Daga, not their God."

"They thought they were helping me. I'd had a nightmare about trying to clean mud and muck out of this house." Isonei paused and took a breath, "There was just so much of it."

"I know. I could hear and feel some things through the door but I couldn't reach you or make myself heard." The bitter tone twisted something in her heart.

She came to kneel next to him where he sat going through some clothes that were spilling out of the chest of drawers just inside her closet, and put her hand on his thigh. "Iehmarthe?"

"When you were pulled away from me I wasn't certain if you were alive or dead. There was a gaping wound in my heart. I had not understood the pain of a daughter being ripped from her Daga. It was done more often than it should have been in times long past, but never to me." Reaching down he took hold of her hand. "It wasn't until they deceived you into thinking we had given you up that I felt you. Your agony mirrored mine and I tried to tell you that you were loved and that I would not surrender you.

"You couldn't hear me. The only time I was able to pass anything through the door was the night you were given veorola. Lothlaerith marveled that he could be so close to you and share so much. The walls here became very thin."

"The young Daga Liadith was able to visit with me..."

"He did not need to use the door. Daga Lothlaerith helped him. He has a bond with you because you know his name." Iehmarthe gave her an arch look, "I felt the way you reached out for him. He hadn't realized the bond was not completely severed. You took him by surprise."

Isonei tried to put on a contrite expression but her face didn't want to cooperate.

Iehmarthe's eyes flickered again, "It would be a good match. Lothlaerith is... solid."

The words lifted a weight she hadn't realized was there and the Lerian bent to kiss her head. He then held up one of her dresses, something she remembered from childhood, a white dress trimmed with pale purple ribbons and embroidered with bees in lazy looping flights.

"You should have been brought to me as a child. Were none of your dresses scarlet?"

"I loved this dress! The little bees are lovely!" She gave him an annoyed look and he wrinkled his nose.

"You should have worn dresses stitched with scarlet and with scarlet ribbons."