A/N: Thanks for the reviews!! Yes, this chapter does take a rather wild turn. I just started grad school, so I don't know how often I'll be able to update, but after this chapter, there may not be much interest in updates anyway! LOL
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Chapter 4
The SCA had nothing on this. At least, nothing I had ever seen.
That was my initial impression as I was led into the hall and observed the room full of colors and gaitey and the tables of food.
As I made my way towards the head of the room where the Queen's table was set crosswise to the other tables, I could almost feel the hush that came over those whom I passed. Whatever conversations they had been engaged in, even I, an alien to this society, could tell that I was quickly becoming the topic of discussion. The sidelong glances and hushed tones told me all I needed to know.
Thankfully, I had come dressed prepared. I don't care what people say, there is something about being dressed to kill that instills an enormous amount of confidence in a person, and wearing a flattering gown went a long way towards boosting my ego in this crowd. Of course, it had taken the servants almost two hours to transform my anxiety into, well, something a little less anxious (I really hated being the middle of significant numbers of strangers—especially when all those eyes were looking at me), but I would have been positively sick had I walked into this place in my jeans and t-shirt.
I quickly discovered that I liked dressing up like this, at least for tonight. The Heralds could keep their comfortable Whites if they wanted. Being decked out like a princess was fun!
As we approached the Queen's table, I realized that I had forgotten to ask how to properly greet her—not that I could have learned court etiquette in one afternoon, but it still would have been nice to know something of it, especially in a public setting. But then I realized...I was not expected to know, nor was I expected to be something I was not.
Talia was sitting to Selenay's right, and the seat to her left was vacant. It was mine, I assumed, as the servant led me around the table towards the Queen's left. Selenay stood and extended her hand to me as I neared my seat. I blinked for a moment in surprise, and then reached out and shook it. She must have seen the question in my eyes, because she leaned towards me and whispered,
"Rumor has it this is the way it's done in your world."
I smiled at her. "It is indeed."
She returned the smile as we sat down. "Do you suppose we've scandalized the entire Court by not following the proper rites?"
I looked out over the gathering to find rather stunned expressions on the faces of those who had taken note of the exchange. "Probably," I replied.
"Good," stated Elspeth, who sat to my left, and I was hard-pressed to keep from laughing. Of course, it was all well and good for them—no one outranked them. But I was just a guest, and I didn't want to cause any trouble.
Talia leaned forward to speak to me. "Relax. All will be well."
I remembered then that she was an Empath. She must have been using her Gift, because at that moment, I sensed some of the anxiety I had been feeling ebb away. I just smiled gratefully and nodded, and turned my attention back to Selenay, who had risen from her seat.
"Tonight is the Great Feast," she said, "and we have much to be thankful for, not the least of which is the return of our Heir, Elspeth, and her fellow Heralds, who had been lost due to a rogue Gate." She looked down on me and I felt my face grow hot even before she said anything. "We owe their safe return to this woman, Jaelle, who willingly gave of her resources and time, and has sacrificed to help them return from her world back to ours."
She was waxing Bardic, and I could only pray that she would end her speech soon. I hated being the center of attention, and I hadn't really done anything that great to begin with. I went through the Gate with them today, and tomorrow morning, I would go back. End of story. But I could feel everyone's eyes on me, like the echo of insect legs all over my skin. I resolutely stared at the tabletop and tried to keep from fideting.
"It is in her honor," Selenay said, "that I dedicate this feast."
With that, she sat down, and I let out the breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. As though the end of her speech were a signal of some sort, servants started to bring out trays laden with food and drink.
I looked up from the table to find Selenay regarding me with a curious expression. "I'm sorry," I said. "I hate being the center of attention. I'd rather crawl under the table than have everyone looking at me."
She just smiled at me. "I can understand. Unfortunately, the people are very curious about you. Rumors of your world are spreading fast. It's already been said that the Bards are composing songs."
Thank God I wouldn't be here to have to listen to them! I thought.
"I do hope you won't leave too soon," she finished.
"I think I'll be fine one-on-one, thank you," I replied. "It's the all-at-once that I really hate."
"Well, that's over," Elspeth replied, "so just try and enjoy yourself. They'll be dancing later on as well, if you like that."
"I do like it,"I admitted, "though I'm not very good at it."
"I'll let you dance with my husband," Elspeth said. "He can lead anyone."
Husband? Had she married Darkwind? Now that I thought of it, I hadn't seen any Tayladras or gryphons or anything out of the ordinary (well, as far as ordinary could get here). Exactly when had I landed? And why was she still Heir? And where was Selenay's husband and her twins?
I had to force my attention back to Elspeth and her offer. "I didn't know you were married," I said. "Is your husband here at the Feast?"
"Not yet," she replied. "He's back in our suites, trying to calm our daughter after a nightmare she had when she napped. He should be here soon."
Daughter? I knew it had been a long time since I had read the books, but I also knew that Elspeth did not have children. What was going on?
"I look forward to it," I replied, keeping my expression as neutral as I could. Obviously, while I had stepped into Valdemar, it was not the Valdemar I knew.
I spent the next hour or so chatting with Elspeth and Selenay and Talia. Finally, Selenay rose, which seemed to be a permission of sorts for the rest of the court to rise from the tables and begin intermingling. I had a feeling I was going to be overrun quite soon, judging from the glances I was receiving from the courtiers. I gathered my courage and prepared myself, but just before I started to move towards a friendly-looking gentleman, I felt a light touch on my shoulder.
I turned to see Elspeth standing there with one of the most handsome men I had ever seen...black hair, perfect features. He seemed familiar somehow.
Elspeth smiled at me. "Jaelle, I'd like you to meet my husband, Kris."
Kris? As in Kris-who-was-supposed-to-be-dead-shot-with-arrows-at-Ancar's-palace?
He smiled at me, an angelic expression.
I was definitely not in Kansas anymore.