A Frabjous Festival
Chapter Seven: A Quiet Moment
In the ensuing months after the Fair had ended, the Court at Marmoreal had been abuzz with gossip. The Morningsides had been banished from Court for one full year. When Lady Morningside had protested what she-and she alone-viewed as an unfair, biased decision, Mirana had coldly pointed out the number of times she had viciously slandered the Staynes. Several members of the Court had presented evidence of times they had heard Lady Morningside say this, that, or the other, and many had also stepped forward to tell stories about the many times Alannah had cured their wounds, coughs, and sometimes simply listened when they needed a sympathetic ear. Michael's fellow soldiers had arrived en masse to the throne room one day and spent several hours praising not only their fellow soldier but Ilosovic as well, with one older rook stating that Stayne was the finest and fairest Captain he had ever had the privilege of knowing.
Katarina and Victoria too had their defenders, mostly the young Lords and Ladies of the Court. The Lords admired the eldest Stayne for her ability to speak intelligently to them, and, it had to be said that quite a few were a bit taken with her. But since it had become clear to even the most ignorant that she was thoroughly taken with Erik Rogers, the Lords had settled instead for winning her friendship-and there was much acknowledgement that she could ride a horse better than anyone. The elders of the Court admired her for her artistic skills, and during the Festival her drawings had been snapped up, with one couple paying nearly triple the price for a drawing she had done of the Castle in profile, at night. She was constantly getting commissions to draw portraits of the Ladies, and it became a status symbol to have your portrait done by Katarina Stayne. But she had a few drawings that she did strictly for friends and family, including one of Chess sleeping, his body curled around Tarrant's Hat and a blissful expression on his face. She had presented it to him at his Unbirthday Party, and Chess had flown to her arms and rubbed against her, purring loudly-a Rare Sight indeed.
Victoria was fast gaining a reputation for Cordial making, and once Mirana had requested that when a Feast was planned, that she make all the drinks. At first, Victoria had been a bit scared and overwhelmed, but her family assured her that she could do it-and the drinks and Feast were a resounding success.
One day, as everyone had gathered for a lunch in the Stayne's Garden, Margaret made an observation. "You know, I think this is the first quiet moment we've had in weeks! Katarina, you've had portraits to draw left and right, Ari is making more dresses than ever, and we've all just been so rushed, that it's nice to sit and have a leisurely meal with family."
Katarina snitched a tart off her father's plate, earning a glare and a loud "OI!" and grinned at Margaret. "I have to draw a portrait of Lady Hundersen next week, and I'm trying to think of a way to draw her so that she doesn't end up looking like a pig in a dress. She's a wonderful lady, but she has a rather unfortunate shape. Dad, what's wrong?"
Stayne huffed. "You stole my tart." He chuckled. "But, what else should I expect from the child of the Knave of Hear…OI!"
Michael and Victoria had snatched up his two remaining tarts. "Thieves."
Alannah burst out laughing at the indignant look on her husband's face. "Children, quit stealing tarts from your father. That's my job."
Katarina giggled, nodding. "Yes, Mum. Oh! I nearly forgot! Tarrant, I've got something for you!" She ran into the cottage, returning with a wrapped package, and handed it to Tarrant, smiling. "I was going to give it to you at your Unbirthday, but it wasn't quite finished. I hope you like it."
Tarrant tore open the paper and gasped in delight at his present-a portrait of the Windmill, its sails shiny and new. In front were the Tea Tables, piled high with teas and goodies. Tarrant wiped a tear from his eye. "Lass, it's beautiful. It looks better than it ever did in Life."
Arianna peeked over, grinning. "I've always wondered how the Tea Party looked when Mum first arrived. I'm guessing it's not that."
Alice laughed. "No, most decidedly not! For one thing, your father was being most infuriating and rude. Telling me my hair needed cutting!"
Tarrant smirked at her. "Well, it did. Course, now it's the right proper length for my right proper Alice."
Everyone laughed, which was broken by a sharp cry from Arianna. "Oh!"
Michael immediately turned to her, concern and worry on his face. "What's the matter, love?"
Arianna didn't reply for several moments, and Michael began to feel slight panic. "Ari? Love, what's wrong?"
Arianna placed her hand on her stomach, and then gave Michael the widest smile he had ever seen. "The baby just kicked!"
Michael grinned. "Really?"
Arianna placed his hand on her stomach, and Michael's proud peacock grin grew wider when he felt the strong jolt. "This babe is quite the kicker!"
Alice chuckled. "Josiah kicked quite strongly-I was sure at some points he was actually Futterwacking in the womb! Of course, you weren't much better, but at least you could stay still for a bit. I just can't believe you're going to be a mother in five months! Where does the Time go?"
Tarrant grinned. "Well, Time goes here, and he goes there, and then he goes from there to here, or here to there, or nowhere, or everywhere."
Margaret blinked in confusion. "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"
Tarrant giggled. "Probably not." He took a sip of cordial, smacking his lips. "Delicious. I must say, things at Court have been much more pleasant since the Morningsides left. I was growing quite tired of Lady Morningside and her horsey-faced husband and idiotic son."
Alannah smirked. "For my part, I'm glad I don't constantly have to hear how Ilosovic and I have cast some sort of mind altering spell on the Queen, and on you. For one thing, I've no idea how to cast spells. I'm a Potions Mistress, not a witch. For another, the Queen's willpower is far too strong for any sort of mind-spell to have an effect, and Tarrant-your mind is far too fractured. It would be like me trying to control the tides."
Stayne chuckled. "I learned many things at Salazen Grum, but spell casting and magic weren't a part of my lessons."
Alice grinned. "You certainly knew how to cast a spell over Iracebeth."
"That was just a matter of knowing what to say and when to say it. But it did put me at an advantage, I won't deny." Stayne gave a soft smile. "And I had a spell cast over me by Alannah."
There was a brief silence, and then Arianna turned to Alannah. "Could you sing a song about love?"
"Of course. Give me a few moments to think of one."
Alannah took a sip of cordial to clear her throat, and then began singing, her clear, strong voice reverberating throughout the Garden.
"If you listen I'll sing you a sweet little song
Of a flower that's now drooped and dead,
Yet dearer to me, yes than all of its mates,
Though each holds aloft its proud head.
Twas given to me by a girl that I know,
Since we've met, faith I've known no repose.
She is dearer by far than the world's brightest star,
And I call her my wild Irish Rose.
My wild Irish Rose, the sweetest flower that grows.
You may search everywhere, but none can compare with my wild Irish Rose.
My wild Irish Rose, the dearest flower that grows,
And some day for my sake, she may let me take the bloom from my wild Irish Rose.
They may sing of their roses, which by other names,
Would smell just as sweetly, they say.
But I know that my Rose would never consent
To have that sweet name taken away.
Her glances are shy when e'er I pass by
The bower where my true love grows,
And my one wish has been that some day I may win
The heart of my wild Irish Rose.
My wild Irish Rose, the sweetest flower that grows.
You may search everywhere, but none can compare with my wild Irish Rose.
My wild Irish Rose, the dearest flower that grows,
And some day for my sake, she may let me take the bloom from my wild Irish Rose."
