Disclaimer: I do not own Tortall, or any of the Tamora Pierce characters- obviously. Only characters a hard core fan doesn't recognize are mine- IE Aaurie, Branic and Illean.
AN: SO sorry this took SO long. As I've said before, this whole story is laid out in my head, at least the bigger moments, and sometimes I just can't slow myself down to write all the 'in between' chapters. I'll try and be better about this, I promise!
Recap: Aaurie begins the feast nervous and embarrassed for having scolded Denroe so publicly; but she is quickly distracted by Dom's reassurances. Meanwhile Denny plays mind games with Kel, and scholarly lord Latner pries rather successfully into Aaurie's past. What are these Galan nobles up to though?
"Was that so terrible?" Aiden asked kindly, casually having made his way to Aaurie the moment the meal had ended and music had begun. Several had left immediately following dinner, but most remained to enjoy the light music and what Aiden assured the group were Galan's famous after dinner spirits- strong enough to encourage merriment, but likewise weak enough to keep the nobles from embarrassing themselves publicly.
"Not so bad as I would have thought- and no worse than any other of the day's embarrassments," Aaurie sighed, trying to keep to the outer corners of the room and away from the young men who seemed eager to dance to the springy melodies floating around the room.
"I do apologize for Latner- he's never learned tact and I'm afraid his Gift makes him that much more…obnoxious," Aiden grinned, enjoying the small giggle which burst from Aaurie's lips.
"I didn't know that people had such gifts," Aaurie admitted, still a bit shaken by the man's questions and ability to draw answers from her.
"We have quite a collection of mage's here- the strangest gifts you could imagine. Nothing to rival your Wild Mage, or her husband- Draper was it? But interesting nonetheless," Aiden smiled.
"Diane and Numair? I wasn't aware there was anything…funny going on about them…" Aaurie frowned slightly. Aiden quirked an eyebrow.
"The Gift makes you uncomfortable?" Aiden realized.
"Healing, well that's fine- I can understand why it's necessary…but the others, it makes me nervous. Such foolery ought to be left to the Gods- not gifted on normal folk," Aaurie shivered. Aiden watched her face, realizing how affected she seemed.
"You're afraid of magic aren't you?" He wondered aloud. Aaurie flinched, looking around to see if anyone had heard; Alanna was standing nearby, but seemed wrapped up in conversation with Latner.
"Yes I am…the Gods do terrible enough things with their gifts sometimes, but men are far worse. I could go a lifetime living in a small village where nothing extraordinary happened and all that was need was an old healing woman," Aaurie admitted.
"And yet you aim to be a knight of Tortall, surrounded by these fantastically gifted people?"
"Once I'm a knight- gods willing- I can leave…do as Alanna did, adventure, explore…I need not surround myself with magic then," Aaurie considered.
Aiden opened his mouth to question further but Aaurie was watching a beckoning Thom across the room. Aiden smiled politely, though slightly put off, as Aaurie excused herself.
"It's the hair milord."
"Excuse me?" Aiden turned to stare at the newly attired Jenner holding a fresh drink for the royal.
"Scanrans are superstitious about red hair your Highness, every terrible mage ever to try and take Scanra had red locks, and it's been noticed that most babes born with that hue have the gift- it's come to be feared that a woman would give birth to a red-haired child who may one day tear Scanra to pieces. It's hard to have a good opinion of the Gift when you've seen what it does to people, when you've likely been watched for signs of it- probably feared a little."
"I see…" Aiden trailed off, watching Aaurie as she laughed at something Thom said.
"Milord, I'm sure she'd have no worries over your Gift once she comes to know you better," Jenner offered quietly, seeing the concern on his over-lord's face. Aiden nodded.
"Perhaps…perhaps."
Aaurie had felt a certain amount of relief that Aiden did not seek her out again, and she was able to spend the rest of the evening hidden in a small cluster that included Thom, Liam and a few low key Galan nobles who seemed enthralled by Thom's stories. Liam was smiling silently to himself, probably as glad as Aaurie to not be the center of attention.
"I see you've been hiding over here since after dinner," Alanna smiled, hand on her godson's shoulder. Liam smiled down at the shorter woman.
"It's all a little overwhelming, I'll admit," Liam shrugged. He was used to being the youngest son, usually overshadowed by his brothers- and quite happy for it. Being the lesser known prince gave him much more freedom.
"He's just moping because he knows he has to be on good behavior and there are some rather lovely women here in Gala," Thom teased, earning a few modest chuckles from the Galan nobles nearby.
"I hate to admit that there are likely no spring flowers left among the Galan court, Denny seems to have made it his personal mission to pluck every one," one of the nobles laughed, reddening slightly when he realized Aaurie and Alanna had heard him, "pardon me ladies, no disrespect."
"How is it then the Lord Denroe hasn't earned himself a rather well deserved beating from a father then?" Liam asked, a small grin forming on his face as he recalled them many fathers in Tortall who would likely love to take a swipe at him.
"Milord Aiden always steps in with remedy for the girl's reputation. He and Denny may not get on well, but they were close as children and milord still honors that, he's a good sort- and I'm sure under the drink and the hurt, Denny is too."
As he spoke a tray clattered to the floor, earning the whole room's gaze. Lord Denroe has returned to the hall in just his breeches, looking unsteady on his feet and swinging around what appeared to be an empty bottle of wine. A servant was scrambling to recover the fallen tray and appease the drunk lord.
"WHY is it SO impossible to get…to get a damn…a damn decent- DECENT I say, bottle of wine? Hmmm? The last, the last," Denny looked down at his fingers trying to count, "three- three bottle you brought me- they were empty!"
"Begging your pardon milord, they was only empty after you drank them all…" the servant shuddered, flinching away from the man as if expecting to be struck.
"LIES! You bring me another one and make sure it has something in it!" Denroe demanded.
"Begging pardon milord, but I've orders to stop you after three…I…" this earned the man a clumsy and not well aimed slap to his head.
"Enough Denny!" Aiden demanded, stepping between his brother and the frazzled servant who seemed nevertheless used to the Duke's antics. "For Mithros' sake man, go back to your chambers and get hold of yourself."
"I would most…most HAPPILY…happily go back to my room if only I had- had some wine to comfort me!" Denroe reasoned, his eyes hollow and his face twisted as if in pain. Aiden frowned, shaking his head.
"Get him whatever he wants, but see that he keeps to his room," Aiden whispered to another nearby servant who appeared to have been trailing the intoxicated Duke. The staunch looking man bowed before taking Denroe by the arm and trying to guide him from the room.
Before he could get him fully out the door, Denroe pulled away from the servant to deliver one last comment to the room.
"You…you don't KNOW me…I was…was a good man once. You could have LOVED me then…I was…I was good. Loved me…just you see…" Denroe slurred, turning just as those nearest could make out tears pooling at the corner of his eyes. Eyes turned towards Aaurie, assuming he was speaking to her, causing her to flush. Aiden stepped between his brother and the overly interested room.
"Come on Denny, let's get you into bed,' Aiden offered kindly, personally guiding his brother out of the hall.
There was an unsettling silence as the door closed behind them and the servants hurried to clean the small mess and circulate through the room refilling people's glasses. Conversations and hushed whispers resumed, most were likely commenting on the Duke's spectacle.
"Can I fill your glass milord?" A servant asked Neal, forcing a smile. Neal shook his head.
"After such a scene, I don't know that I'll ever touch the stuff again."
