Chapter 34
{Ryanna’s POV}
"He that buys land buys many stones,
He that buys flesh buys many bones,
He that buys eggs buys many shells,
But he that buys good ale buys nothing else."
Aurelius’s voice echoed in the hall sending a chill down my spine. His earnest eyes, fixed first on me, for a second longer than I was comfortable with. Then on Casper, but lighter, almost warm even.
Casper held his stare for a moment before Aurelius dropped his goblet, the crystal clinking softly against the polished wood as he set it down.
He resolved back into his chair, with comfort. As he gestured for us to eat. The air, already dense with the fragrance of roasting meat and flavored wine, became stale. Or maybe it was just me or my lungs narrowing.
I stared at my goblet, then at the platters before us. I couldn’t scent any poison in them — not like it would be that easy — Neither did I sense any ill intent from Aurelius… But, I knew better than to trust instinct. I had my Council close if anything went wrong. I was far from interested in this meal, but I picked up the cutlery and prepared to eat too.
Casper, beside me, was quiet and composed. For a second I wondered if his mind was as disturbed as mine when I caught his hand tighten into a fist at his side before he picked up his fork. Like mother, like son.
"Please, eat," came Aurelius' voice as he gestured to the spread. "It would be an embarrassment for such a dinner to go to waste."
I forced myself to pick up my fork too, before spearing a piece of roasted lamb. My lips first, and then my teeth separated as I took it to my mouth and munched gradually. The meat dissolved like butter on my tongue, gentle, succulent, and even tastier than I guessed. Even then, my feelings declined to dull.
I took another bite of the lamb just when Aurelius said; “I trust you’re both enjoying the lamb? I haven’t been in the cookhouse in ages. Forgive if my seasoning isn’t as sharp as it used to be.”
I could feel the food I had already swallowed return from my stomach. It took everything I had not to throw up.
“You cooked this?” I asked.
“Oh yes, I did… Ah, I see you aren’t familiar with this side of me, are you?”
“No, I can’t say I am,” I replied.
He laughed for a bit before saying “I know you’re repulsed by my cooking, it certainly isn’t as good as yours, after all. But, if little Casper ever feels like learning, I’m available anytime.”
He paused to take a sip of wine, then continued; "Mhmm, the battle with the rogues was long, I imagine. And eventful, from what I hear."
"It wasn’t long at all. It might have felt that way in the heat of battle but it certainly was eventful." I responded.
Casper finally picked up his goblet, taking a long, deliberate drink. He avoided Aurelius's gaze, focusing instead on the torchlight behind him.
"What a warrior you have become in the time you were, Ryanna. You trained an even greater warrior, our son. I’m fascinated Ryanna I must say" Aurelius mused, a weak smile dangling on his lips.
He scraped into a piece of the lamb with a silver knife, his actions exact and accurate, gradually. "Word journeys fast, even to these ancient halls. Especially when it concerns... certain remarkable feats. I heard the rogues were aware of your ambush. They even planned to attack the Hunt Ceremony. They might have succeeded in dwindling the number of my men if not for your assistance."
My hold on my fork narrowed. "It was simply a means to an end."
I tried to cut that conversation short. But he kept going. "A means to an end, yes. But still a fight, one that, by all accounts, you emerged from largely... unscathed. Which, I must admit, surprised me. Even Osiris, in his prime, would have found such an ambush difficult to navigate. Especially given the number of hidden cards they had."
I met his gaze as my own eyes narrowed. “ Ok, and?"
He giggled, "It’s simply interesting news."
He wobbled forward barely, relaxing his elbows on the table. "Tell me Ryanna, how did you manage it? To turn the tables so completely on an ambush, against such numbers?"
I took an unhurried gulp of my wine, letting the rich liquid coat my tongue, obviously buying myself a moment to bite back my fury. "With all due respect, Aurelius, I'd rather not address such a slaughter at dinner. It hardly seems appropriate to discuss deaths over a meal… Besides, a formal report is being worked on as we speak. It will be sent to you in about a day."
He tilted back, a glimmer of something indistinct in his eyes. Annoyance? Amusement? Approval? I can't notify. But whatever it was unsettles me.
"Ah, a formal report. Very well then, I understand. One must maintain decency, even when discussing... unpleasantries." He took another long drink, his eyes wavering on Casper, who had frozen, his fork halfway to his mouth.
Aurelius continued, "Then tell me, Ryanna. What would be appropriate to discuss over such a fine meal? The weather? The latest gossip from the pack members?" He paused, just to be extra dramatic as a sigh escaped his lips and he finished; "Oh, I know. Perhaps we could discuss how our son over here came about?"
That was it. His first real jab at me. It must have twisted his insides having to take so long to bring this up. For a second I wonder if it would have been better to talk about the rogues.
The hall had started to suddenly grow smaller, suddenly empty of sound, except for the distant howl of the wind outside. My breath hitched as Casper's head snapped to me, trying to calculate my response to that. The fork dropped from his hand, reverberating loudly in the sudden quietness.