|
The dinner date was settling down into that easy familiarity, that good food and wine bring to any table. Palacrisis had ordered a Crafties Crabs as an entree and then decided on rack of lamb and finished with Kempota. Their conversation as befits people of their rank was of matters broad reaching and yet tinged with the spark of fun that two attractive people enjoy on such occasions.
He chuckled at her mind reading act and flipped a gold crown on the table. I bet you two to one that you could not hit your target before the evening is out by the time you get around to it old baldy will be so drunk he will not stop swaying long enough for you to hit him…..a mouthful of the delicious crab and he replied .
Your sense of fun and my temper well they can get us into trouble ….I remember in Tearsfall just after I was appointed thane, Aeri sent an aid caravan. There was little enough to eat for those who had not fled .I was ready to do anything for the people and swallowing my pride was a small sacrifice for bread but the general in charge of the militia refused it, we had a blazing row in the middle of the square and I told him I would stick his head in the horse trough if he did not cool down …..I learnt a lesson that day that it’s not wise to rile up the military but oh it was fun at the time.
He took a sip of the wine and settled back in his chair as she spoke again of the plight of the people.
We live in hard times Alicia, rebellion and discontent is in the air, orcs and elves in disharmony, crime rife and a new government searching for a direction to lead the people towards. What ever we do it must be for the benefit of those who have no voice , their needs are simple bread, shelter and warmth and then a sense of self worth, be it in the task they perform however so humble or lives lived in a world of security. It is the least that we can do yet it seems so hard to achieve.
He cut into the lamb and chewed a small piece with evident enjoyment before answering her enquiry.
“Well Alicia I read whatever I can get my hands upon, I admit that I do not always understand all that is on some of the pages but it wiles away a candlemark or two. Of course the children are a comfort and a joy most of the time, Meyra my adopted daughter is a delight and shortly I shall be holding off suitors at swords length. She is in Diana with Raliric Ered’Gard’s daughter taking lessons from one of Aeri’s nuns. Kallick came to me in Tearsfall I was friendly with his father, a dorin and over a bottle of scotch one darkening we vowed to look after each others children should the worst come .Unfortunately he was murdered and so I have an adopted dorin cub as my son, he is training to become a squire under Raliric down in Centripax.”
“So what else do I do? Well its remarkable who wants my ear so I often invite people to dine with me informal gatherings for people who like to boast they have met the Imperial Consul , but its useful I hear things that would not normally come to me through official channels. “
“I planned to take further instruction in the sorcerous arts but that is something I shall have to do when things quiet down a little but I suspect that may have to wait until I am in my dotage but all in all my life is busy and fulfilling in the main. I miss J’lyara dreadfully but life has to go on. …
He looked down at his plate as if embarrassed to speak her name whilst in the company of another woman but shook his head to drive that feeling away looking up with a soft smile he asked
Enough about me I am really a dull soul. What is it that gives you joy?
__________________
CIR
|