Torgan Wine Ch. 60

"I prefer Berissaethe, why didn't you suggest Morissaethe, Isonei?"

"I have to leave something for the two of you to discuss." Isonei fluttered her lashes.

As they entered the dining room Arissa smiled warmly at Lord Eliorith, "Is what she said true? Isonei didn't have a name for a week because you were convinced she was going to be a boy?"

"It is. It might have been longer, but Wynnan said if her little love didn't have a name by sundown she would name her herself. She said very pointedly that she liked the name Wreynei, after her father. Isionath became Isonei shortly after that."

"You never told me that part, father!" Isonei laughed and walked around the tables to kiss him on the head before taking her seat next to Daga Liadith.

"Wreynei wouldn't have suited you. It was a day later that I realized I could have named you Ilonei after my father."

"Isonei suits her well." Daga Liadith inclined his head.

Xagorath and Ximesra hurried in and Xagorath started to offer a Torgan bow of apology before he caught himself.

"There's no need to apologize. You wished to speak with Prince Andnaeuth before he left. Do you know him?" The Daga gave them a curious look.

"No. We wanted to encourage him to support the Torgans."

"Did he give you a hopeful answer?" Daga Liadith gestured for the food to be brought out as they took their seats.

"He did," Ximesra looked at Isonei with a slight frown, "but he didn't seem as happy with the answer we gave him."

Isonei tilted her head curiously. "What did he ask?"

"If you'd spoken of him. I told him you had, that you'd told me how clever he is and how certain you were that he was going to come help you escape Torga. He looked like you do when you're trying to cover your misery with one of those sad little smiles."

Nibbling her inner lip, she decided she would write Andnaeuth a letter so that he didn't think she blamed him.

"The delay on your return home will give me time to compose a letter to King Tamnaeuth." Daga Liadith reached over and squeezed Isonei's hand before he began filling her plate. "He needs to be reminded of certain parts of the Accord as they pertain to the daughters of Dagas and the matter of the delegation to the Phaethians will be discussed." He glanced at her with a smile, "What is your opinion of Daeira?"

"I like her. She's less mischievous than Andnaeuth and a little quicker to take offense, but she's shrewd and sensible."

"I'll suggest she be the mediator if Oberath isn't up to the task."

"Oberath?" Ivorith looked a the Daga with horrified amusement. "I would hesitate to suggest that, Daga Liadith. King Tamnaeuth may not take it well."

"He should be aware that Oberath and Andnaeuth have the same father. If Oberath is not his then neither is Andnaeuth and he should have a more certain heir with another lover."

"If you approach it that way he might listen," Isonei murmured and took a bite of her fruit-filled breakfast roll. "Or he might disinherit Andnaeuth. They don't get along well."

"I will treat the matter with care, sister."

The conversation over breakfast turned to plans for travel the following day. Lord Eliorith was feeling well enough to travel without the makeshift bed in his carriage and they expected to be home by evening if they were able to leave early enough. Ximesra looked at Isonei pointedly each time leaving early was mentioned.

After the meal, Arissa and Daga Liadith left Isonei to entertain their guests in the garden. The topic had turned to home and the Sons of Mun barely needed anyone else to join the conversation.

"The first thing I want to do is help mother make a feast, and then spend hours listening to father and Xadroth bicker about who should be taking the ship to Ara and who should be making glass." Ximesra dimpled almost giddily.

Xagorath laughed, "The Captain will be telling me I'm going to stay put in the workshop making glass until I die."

"If I thought he wouldn't nail my skirt to the floor I'd offer to sail with you to Ara and help you with your contracts. That way Xadroth could work glass the way he prefers."

"It reminded me of home and kept me alive and out of worse positions in Phaethia. I don't mind it as much now, though I'd still prefer to sail."

"I loved being on the water, but I want to be home or close to it. Ara is probably safe enough." Ximesra gave Lord Eliorith a smile.

"You'll be welcome in our home any time you wish to venture past the docks." Lord Eliorith inclined his head with a warm smile and then glanced to Ivorith, "And if you enjoy travel, you might consider taking an Aran lover. Ivorith-"

"Father!" Ivorith flushed and looked the older man incredulously.

Ximesra covered her mouth trying to stifle the laughter that had burst out of her.

"You said you thought she was beautiful and you were fond of her." Lord Eliorith adjusted himself on his cushions.

"I also said it was inconsiderate of men to be trying to pursue Isonei before she'd even made it home! Lady Ximesra has other considerations at the moment, father."

Noticing the mood souring, Isonei put on a bright smile, "That's exactly what the elder Daga Lothlaerith did, father. He decided it was time for his son to be matched and pushed him. The young Daga had taken lovers like the other soldiers, but he'd never pursued anyone. Be glad father isn't making you play an instrument and sing for us, brother dearest."

Xagorath sat up with a grin, "He didn't. That cold, commanding man in Oyeth Lothlaeri sang for you?"

"He did! I've never heard a more skillful player or a man with a more beautiful voice. I liked him much better afterward."

"House Seivenis-"

"Father." Isonei gave him a pointed look and Ximesra began to laugh again.

"He wants grandchildren, Isonei. He's been doting on Lady Arissa and making remarks to your brother about finding a nice girl or two almost since we arrived." The Munian woman dimpled at her, "You'd know that if you hadn't been hiding in the crypts."

The reminder of the child she wouldn't have made her heart ache. Swallowing she tried to keep a cheerful face and find some words to redirect the conversation.

Ivorith stepped in quickly, "Yornaith said Hodrim was a very sweet boy. If we can persuade this Kamrus to allow him to visit, perhaps father will stop trying to press us into Arrangements."

Isonei gave him a grateful look and took a breath, "Yes. My Hodrim is a wonderful boy, very sweet and a little stern. He's clever and so certain about what he wants to do with his life. I think he'd love to visit our home."

"Kamrus Rimathe is a decent man." Ximesra smiled encouragingly, "I think he'd leap at the chance to visit Ara. Even if he may spend the time trying to 'reclaim' you."

"Taking him to Oshhenaes to see the temples of the Gods might be worth the expense. We could have Hodrim's name spoken at Maeralya's temple, or perhaps even give him a proper name," Eliorith frowned speculatively.

"Father!" Narrowing her eyes, the sound of Ximesra dissolving into laughter again kept her from chiding her startled looking father.

"You looked just like your brother!" The Munian woman sighed and grinned impishly, "The angry flush, the way your eyes widen and then narrow."

A servant stepped into view looking at Isonei expectantly.

"Yes?"

"Two men have arrived, Lady. They're waiting outside the gate."

"Outside the gate?"

"They are not known to us."

"Inform the Daga. Have they asked for anyone or anything?"

"Yes, Lady. They wish to see the Sons of Mun."

Rising curiously, Isonei beckoned to Xagorath and Ximesra. "There are two men outside the gate asking for you." She turned back to the servant to inquire, "Have they offered names?"

"They call themselves" he hesitated slightly before pronouncing the names, "Veschelroth and Schadroth, Lady."

Ximesra darted forward and grabbed Isonei's arm, "Did he say Vexelroth and Xadroth?"

"Yes, I think." Before she could say more the Munian woman began to drag her.

"Where is the gate?!"

"This way." Isonei put a hand over hers and led her through the garden to the paved entrance inside the gate.

Just outside it waited two Sons of Mun, one clearly Lord Eliorith's age and one who seemed a few years older than Xagorath. The loud, piercing whistle Ximesra let out made Isonei wince and the men's grim faces broke into broad smiles. The younger of the two lifted his hand to his mouth and returned the whistle.

The Sons of Mun rushed to the closed gate, reaching through and the way Ximesra laughed with tears streaming down her face reminded Isonei of seeing Yornaith in Torga. She glanced to her father and took his hand with a small smile, embracing him as he pulled her under his arm. They stayed back watching from a distance as the four spoke through the gate.

"Open the gate," Daga Liadith spoke quietly as he joined them and servants moved forward to obey. When it was open and they were embracing and speaking in their own language, he approached with an amused smile. "You are welcome in my home. Xagorath, Lady Ximesra, please bring your guests inside for refreshments. Isonei will take you back to lounge in the gardens."

"Lady Ximesra?" The older of the men looked at her with a baffled smile.

"They're just being courteous, father." Ximesra embraced him again and then wiped at her eyes, "Daga Liadith has been very kind. All of the Dagas have been."

"Please," Isonei stepped forward with a warm smile, "I had hoped to meet you. You have such wonderful, kind, and generous children. They kept me alive in Torga, it's a debt I can never repay."

"The purse waiting for them in Oshhenaes should help with that, sister." Ivorith placed a hand on her back.

Shaking her head she insisted, "There is no amount of money that could repay them for what they've done for me."

"This is the Aran Lady we've heard about?" The man a little older than Xagorath looked at her curiously.

Beaming, Xagorath seemed to collect himself, "Let me make some introductions, Lady Isonei, this is our brother, Xadroth, and our father, Vexelroth. Lord Eliorith, is her father, and this is her brother, Ivorith."

"One of her brothers," Ximesra corrected him. "Daga Liadith is also one of her brothers, and she has several more in other Aran Houses. I think she collects them." The Munian woman gave Isonei an impish smile.

"The more love the better." Isonei made a face at her and sent her into a fit of giggles.

"They're going to collect the purse?" Xadroth blinked and gripped his brother's shoulder. "All of it?"

"Two-thirds." Xagorath shrugged. "Lady Isonei is adamant that Hesh-Caeridith should have his third and he did get us down the cliff into Leria."

"From the rumors, that's still more than ten thousand gold pieces." Vexelroth studied Lord Eliorith as Isonei put her arm around her father.

"It's true, Master Vexelroth. I offered five thousand for my daughter's safe return and other Aran Houses more than tripled it. Her mother's House, House Neriris, offered as much as I did."

"I know House Neriris." Vexelroth inclined his head with a smile, "Lord Wreynath dotes on his granddaughters." He pulled Ximesra close to his side and kissed her head. "I wanted to take you both home immediately, but we can make the time for a trip to Oshhenaes."

"We leave tomorrow Master Vexelroth." Ivorith stepped forward to put his hand on Isonei's shoulder. "We'll arrive at our home in Ara by evening and we can travel to Oshhenaes the next day. I know Xagorath and Lady Ximesra are eager to return home."

"Let's go sit while we make plans." Isonei put on a warm smile despite the way her heart sank at the thought of leaving so soon. "Refreshments will be brought out. Or would you prefer to bathe after your travels?"

"We didn't bring an abundance of clothes, Lady Isonei." Xadroth grimaced. "We wanted to reach Torga and buy back my sister as quickly as possible."

"Yornaith said he would send word." Ximesra pulled her father ahead into the garden.

"He did. Lord Yuleth makes it a point of pride to know the Captains. He reached out to those who'd lost ships and kin to the Phaethians. His eldest looks to Leria more than the islands but..." Vexelroth took a seat on the edge of the wide bench looking at his daughter oddly as she

started to lounge.

"Fresh clothes will be lent to you both and your clothes can be washed if you wish." Isonei settled onto another bench with her father.

"They would take too long to dry." Ximesra dimpled at her. "Unless you were hoping to stay here longer?"

"It would give me time to tell your father about all of your kindness and bravery in Torga."

°°°°°°°°°°

Isonei put on a bright smile as she climbed into the carriage. Hesh-Caeridith hadn't arrived as expected the night before but the Sons of Mun and her father and brother couldn't be persuaded to wait another day. Daga Liadith also had misgivings about letting her go without accompaniment, but had left the choice to her.

Her father's arguments that waiting would prove she required protection in Ara and that it was cruel to make the Sons of Mun wait any longer to return home finally persuaded her. Hesh would be welcome to join them if he wished. Isonei told herself that even if he didn't come, and truthfully she didn't expect him to, she would be returning to Leria soon.

It was still nearly three months to the next Festival, that so much had happened in such a short period of time felt almost surreal. It would be another two months after that until the month of Obris, but if she wished, once the Festival had passed she could return to Liadith.

She tried to remember that it wasn't so long ago that a year didn't seem like a long time at all, and that Ara was also her home, but part of her ached at having to leave her Daga's house so soon.

The letters for King Tamnaeuth were in a satchel next to her and one of her scarlet formal gowns and some of Liadith's jewelry were being sent along with her this time. Her father had seemed nervous on seeing the gold jewelry but had refrained from asking that it not be sent. As she looked out of the window, letting her father and brother talk amongst themselves, Isonei wondered if his restraint had something to do with the small chest Daga Liadith had given him.

"You look grim, my little love." Eliorith touched her arm and drew her attention back.

"I wasn't ready to leave, father."

"We'll be home tonight and you'll feel better, sleeping in your own bed. Taking the Sons to Oshhenaes could be postponed a day if you feel unwell or need to rest."

"No." Isonei looked out of the window again. "They should have their reward so that they can go home, and Hesh's should be sent to him. I think he was delayed by Maraphina, she may have already decided she wants him to be her match."

"It won't be long until Obris. We can visit with Daga Liadith a little longer then, if we aren't in the way. A new baby in the house is more upheaval than they expect, I think. Believing they'll be able to entertain guests is too optimistic."

Isonei rubbed her temples biting back the response that she wouldn't be a guest as he began to speak about the months after the births of her brothers.

Ivorith stopped him, "Father... I think Isonei isn't feeling well. Lady Ximesra said she began getting terrible headaches in Torga."

"My little love was warmer and less sharp before she was kept in Torga as well." Eliorith moved closer and put his arm around her. "What do you need?"

Choking back the urge to say she needed to go back, she murmured, "I need quiet. If I could lie down..."

Her father moved to Ivorith's seat and allowed her to curl on the carriage seat, pressing her face into the back of it. After a short while of lying there in silence, she heard the two of them begin to whisper about her health and whether she would truly be needed in Oshhenaes. Ivorith asked if they should have stayed until Hesh arrived. Whatever her father answered, it was in too hushed a tone for her to understand. Silence resumed and sleep eventually pulled her down.

She found herself wandering what felt like a very empty house. Going from room to room, she remembered the party that the elder Dagas had attended and it made her heart ache to be going so far from the crypts. Isonei stepped into the doorway of the sitting room and looked longingly at the entrance before a thought occurred to her. If the elder Dagas could visit her perhaps she could visit them as well. The entrance was here after all...

Curiously, she moved to the gate and peered down. It was open and it looked the same as it had always looked inside, well lit and welcoming. As she made her way down the stairs she saw a veiled priest coming to greet her and she felt a weight lift off of herself, darting forward she embraced him.

"Sweet girl," he sounded like Berdinothe. "You reach for the elder Dagas when you should be reaching for the young Daga." Gently, he disentangled himself and led her deeper. "I tried to tell the eldest that you would cling to the Daga you felt closest to, living or dead. He should have encouraged you to spend time with Boraethe."

"Perhaps, but I like to be close and the young Daga... I don't think he does." Isonei made a face.

"He needs some encouragement," the priest's voice was slightly amused.

Standing in the room holding the stairs to the Daga's chamber, Isonei started toward Iehmarthe's chamber.

"Wait, sweet girl."

Isonei stopped and looked at the priest with puzzlement. The sound of the door above opening came down to her and a pool of light formed at the foot of the stair. Boraethe in his scarlet mantle came down with a bemused look on his face.

"Your sister's heart was heavy and aching and she reached for the elder Dagas. The eldest needs his heart to be whole, he would have her reassured, but each time he does it-"

"She grows more attached to him and to the crypts."

"Yes."

Boraethe's muddy green eyes sparkled as he held out his hand. "Sister, come with me. I wanted you to stay until you felt as at home outside the crypts as you do in them. Having met Draeseth and spent more time with your father, I better understand why the Torgan was so appealing to you."

"I'm so angry with him. I wasn't ready to leave but I couldn't argue." Isonei took his hand and then embraced him letting him rub her back and make soft soothing sounds.

"Even away from our home, you carry us with you. If you need me you can come upstairs and use the door, sister. We miss you."

Isonei took a deep breath, relaxing and pressing her face into his mantle. The smell of home, of Liadith, filled her senses and she held him tightly. "Thank you, my Daga. I may come home before Obris even though father will want me to wait." She sighed and lifted her head. "I don't expect Hesh to follow us into Ara, he's probably too busy with Maraphina, but I may need someone to come get me."

"I will send someone if you do, sweet sister."

Clinging to him, she felt lighter and more at peace with the decision to go back to Ara so soon.

°°°°°°°°°°

"Isonei?" Ximesra woke her gently and helped her sit, pressing a cup of cool tea into her hands. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired but better now." Isonei sipped the tea and leaned against the woman's side.

"I told them to stop for lunch earlier, but they wanted to press on to Ara. Come out for some fresh air."

Letting Ximesra help her out of the carriage, Isonei offered a wan smile to the two concerned looking Sons of Mun waiting outside. "I don't travel well. Please forgive my-"