Bonding over Breakfast
Chapter 9 - Part 1 (Voyage of the Dawn Breaker)
Previously, Flur, Rana, and Kiesha went off to the galley in search of food, leaving Ria alone with Rhyslin. Taking advantage of it, Rhyslin asks Ria what she really wants. When she explains her fondest wish, he asks her if she remembers the binding oath. When she nods, he suggests that she recites it to the Mistress of Chains, then answers with an oath of his own, thus binding them together.
“Maighstir, we've returned with breakfast,” Flur called out as Rana opened the door to the great cabin and pushed it wider with her right foot.
“How do tavern maids carry more than two of anything without dropping it?” Rana inquired as she stepped inside.
“Those large trays that they carry,” Keisha said as she followed the spell blade. “That and lots of practice.”
Flur followed Rana and Keisha, shutting the door with her foot. “Let's set these down before we drop something,” she suggested as she went to the low table in the corner, carefully placing her two plates in the center. “Maighstir Rhyslin, we're back,” she called out.
“We'll be right out,” Rhyslin called back. “Are you hungry?” He inquired, looking down at Ria, who was curled up in his lap with her head resting on his shoulder. Unlike Flur, who wanted sex, Ria wanted to be held.
“What?” She purred as his fingers found the sensitive spot between her shoulder blades. “A little,” she replied to moments later. “Do you know how long it has been since someone held me?” When Rhyslin didn't answer, Ria snuggled into him and gave him the answer. “The last time someone held me was just before Rana was born.”
She raised her head and gazed into Rhyslin's hazel eyes; then, as if drawn by an invisible current, she brushed her lips across his and fell into a whirlpool of emotions as he captured her lips and kissed her deeply.
Ohhh Maighstir, she moaned. When they broke the kiss, she reached up and caressed his cheek. “I could stay like this all day, but eventually, Flur would barge in, and Rana would be right behind her.” When he chuckled, she arched her brow, “That amuses you?”
“A little, yes,” he admitted. Rana is on the cusp of becoming a young woman. She'll start experiencing the longing at some point.”
Ria sighed, “Don't remind me.” She nestled against him, moving her hand from his cheek to the back of his neck. “I don't want her to grow up.”
“I understand,” Rhyslin said as he kissed her head. “I'll do my best to teach her how to survive.” Ria looked up, trying to hide her fear. “I wish I could say she would be fine, but I don't have control over the future.”
“I know,” Ria commented as she disentangled herself from his lap, feigning a shallow smile. “Let's go break our fast.” She stood near him, waited for him to stand up, and smiled as he slipped an arm around her. “Do you think they'll be mad if I change before eating?”
Rhyslin shook his head, “I don't think they'll mind, and if they do, it won't matter. I won't let them break the fast until we are all together.”
Rhyslin, as it turned out, kept his word and waited for Ria to change clothes and join them. She had replaced the nightgown with a red silk tunic and a matching skirt that fell to her knees. Her bare feet whispered over the wooden planks as she crossed behind the draoidh, pausing just long enough to kiss Rhyslin's left cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered and knelt at his left side.
“Now that we are all present,” Rhyslin commented, “Flur will serve us.”
“As Maighstir wishes,” the golden-haired bhanna murmured as she looked around for the plates and utensils. “Maighstir, do you have tableware?” She blushed, “We didn't think to bring any from the galley.”
Rhyslin accepted her silent apology. “Behind you, there is a red cabinet. In it are plates, cups, bowls, and utensils.”
Flur flashed him a relieved smile and gracefully turned to look for the cabinet. When her eyes fell on the cabinet, she stepped forward and looked at it. The outside edges were painted red, while the rest of the cabinet contained a painting of the Croabh na Cruinne[1] with its branches reaching for the skies. Each limb was golden green, ending in a filigreed silver rune that denoted one of the gods. In the center of the tree trunk was a latch shaped like a Darach.
The golden-haired Thràilleil looked back to Rhyslin, who nodded and reverently reached out and turned the Darach. When the Croabh split in two, Flur carefully opened the doors and looked inside. “Oh my,” she whispered, seeing what was held within. There were plates and bowls made of porcelain and crystal, cups made of crystal and electrum, and forks, knives, and spoons made of silver. She carefully brushed her fingers across one of the plates and turned back to Rhyslin. “Are we to eat off of these?” She inquired as she brushed a lock of hair behind her ear.
“Of course,” he replied, “Why else would I tell you where they are?”
The tips of her ears tingled as she turned back to the cabinet. “Maighstir, may I ask for help?” She was hesitant to pick up the beautifully crafted dishes.
Instead of answering, Rhyslin gestured to Ria to assist Flur, the former queen nodding as she stood and joined Flur.
“Look,” Flur whispered, pointing at the cabinet's contents. “I'm almost afraid to touch them.”
Ria looked over the tableware. “Oh my,” she murmured. “Didn't you have things like this?” she inquired, reaching out to run her fingers over a cup.
“No, we didn't,” Flur replied. “Even though Mathair is called a queen, we lived in a small manor house. We had just enough gold to pay for the upkeep.” She blinked away a tear. “Momma doesn't believe in taxing the people above what was required to provide a defense.”
Ria nodded, “I know. We lived in a small manor on the edge of the desert.” She carefully took five cups and five sets of silverware. “After Garion died, Maya inherited the Castle. I just wanted to escape my pain.” She watched as Flur picked up five plates and bowls. She smiled at her niece and turned back to the table. As she approached Rhyslin, her smile broadened into one of contentment.
Rana watched as her mother walked back across the room and knelt across the table from Rhyslin. It was Ria's smile that caught the young woman's attention. She looks happy. Rana tried to remember the last time she had seen her mother genuinely smile. I don't think I've ever seen her so happy. Then she turned her attention to Flur. Her cousin couldn't contain her joy, practically dancing as she joined Ria on the other side of the table. The two women worked together and set the table, then filled a bowl, a plate, and a mug before serving them to Rhyslin.
“Your breakfast, Maighstir,” The golden-haired thràilleil murmured as she placed the bowl of cereal in front of him.
“May it nourish and strengthen you,” Ria whispered as she placed the plate of eggs, meat, and bread beside the bowl. She watched as Flur handed Rhyslin the mug of juice.
Rhyslin accepted the mug, “Thank you for serving the meal.” He looked at Rana and Keisha, “Thank you for helping fetch the food.” He gestured to Ria and Flur, who were serving Rana, Keisha, and finally, themselves.
Before breaking the fast, they looked at the draoidh, who lifted his plate to the sky. “Thank you, Mathair, for this food we are about to eat. May it nourish our bodies as your love fills our hearts.”
Each woman mirrored Rhyslin, replying, “Goddess bless,” before setting in to eat. Every so often, Ria and Flur looked up to ensure that Rhyslin didn't need anything further. After eating his fill, he pushed the plate away and drained the mug before casually watching the women as they ate.
[1] World’s Tree
There’ll be more of this story coming up next week.
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