Temptations of the Flesh - Part 3: Look Who's Coming to Dinner
Dinner, as it turned out, was to be held in the uppermost floor of the manse. A large, roofless room offered a spectacular view of the surrounding hillsides. The view was marred only by ominous storm clouds that loomed overhead, lighting up the sky with flashes of ball lightning. Thunder rumbled off in the distance and echoed through the dining room, shaking the table such that the tableware tinkled as the guests entered.
Ilmarė's arrival elicited a gasp from the male guests. She wore a white tunic that covered her from neck to ankle and was fastened at the shoulders with clasps. It wrapped just under her bosom. A shawl was wrapped around her shoulders and arm. Ilmarė's almond-shaped eyes and arching eyebrows were further accented by careful application of kohl. Her lips were tinted with alkanet root and ochre. Ilmarė's purple and silver hair was up in a bun held by a net of gold. Pearls adorned her throat and pointed ears.
"You clean up nice," Kham whispered with admiration. None of them had ever seen Ilmarė dressed for a social occasion before.
Ilmarė frowned. She stiffly carried a box in her hands. "These garments are difficult to move in."
Beldin stroked his beard, which had been carefully combed. He wore a smaller white toga. Hanging from the end of his beard were several small gold beads in the shape of warrior's faces. Beldin's long hair hung in ringlets around his shoulders.
"Actually, I find it quite comfortable," the dwarf replied.
"I don't," said Sebastian, his eyes darting nervously to and fro. He wore his toga long enough so that his hands were not visible. Most notable of all was the complete lack of white hair; Sebastian had donned a gausapa, a wig made of thick black hair. It covered his ears and framed his face in a fashion similar to Beldin's. He had a wooden box under one arm.
"I'm with the elf," Kham added, tugging at the sleeve of his toga. "I'm afraid this toga's going to slip off of me. Quintus seems to be in his element though."
Quintus walked ahead of them, his focus on the guests already reclining around the table.
Morushun, the Beltinian Prelate of Enpebyn, was already reclining on a divan near the table.
"Where are the seats?" whispered Beldin.
"Welcome to a royal feast in Coryan," said Kham with a smirk.
"Hurrian is pleased this night," Morushun said. He looked at the High General Menisis val'Tensen, seated at the head of the table. "He sends good portents for his most favored son, the great General Menisis."
Seated at the head of the table was the High General, who loomed over them all even when seated. His toga picta, entirely purple and embroidered with gold stars, immediately identified him as a victorious general. Menisis' frosted head of hair and imposing physique were intimidating even when he was relaxed. The small scar on his left cheek did little to mar the infectious grin that had won the hearts of the citizens of Empire. He stood up to greet his guests.
"Hail High General!" said Quintus. "I am Quintus Aurelius Ignatius, Signifer of the Legion of the Triumphant Rays of the Invisible Sun." He gestured to each of his comrades in turn. "My companions include Kham val'Abebi of Altheria, Ilmarė Galen of Entaris, Sebastian Arnyal of Canceri, and Beldin of Solanos Mor."
Menisis lifted his goblet in greeting. "Ah, welcome lady and gentlemen." His voice rumbled like the thunderheads above them. "I thank you for honoring our humble home with your presence."
"The honor is ours," said Quintus in measured tones. He smiled. "Thank you for having us."
Menisis turned to the guests nearest him. "These brave souls risked life and limb rescuing one of our own from the Harvesters of Ymandragore. My good cousin, Senator Tensen-Balin, spoke highly of them and felt that their company would enhance our small gathering."
At Menisis' right was a handsome young man with a perpetual scowl on his face. Built like a warrior, he was slurping loudly from a goblet of wine. He wore a white toga and tunic with purple bands. Judging from the wine stains on his toga, it was an action he had performed many times that evening.
"Great heroes indeed, uncle. No need to fawn over them. "In truth, I believe our good cousin the Senator wishes to spy on our festivities and find out why such prominent members of the Mother Church are…"
One withering glare from Menisis silenced him. "Gaius val'Tensen is my nephew," said Menisis. "You've met the others I believe, but for this distinguished gentlemen here." He gestured in the direction of the blonde-haired man. "This is Acastus val'Assante', Illiirite Prelate of Coryan."
Acastus had a noble profile, with piercing gray eyes and curly blonde locks that identified him as a val'Assante. His long golden robes and large ring in the shape of a sun identified him as a high-ranking priest of Illiir. He politely inclined his head in Quintus direction.
Quintus bowed low. "We are doubly blessed," he said.
Kham rolled his eyes.
"Now, please," said Menisis, "join us and enjoy our simple repast."
Quintus took a divan to Morushun's right. Ilmarė sat with perfect posture next to Quintus. Everyone else took the remaining available divans at the end of the table.
The first course that the servants brought out was a huge bowl of green, leafy salad. Ilmarė's expression brightened as the bowl was passed before her. Beldin frowned.
"No meat?" he whispered to Kham.
"Eventually," Kham said.
"I've heard much about you all," said Gaius, his singsong voice striking just the right annoying notes, "How goes your transfer from your old legion, Quintus?"
Quintus blanched. "Slowly," he said.
"Ah yes, what was it?" Gaius put one finger to his chin. "Oh that's right! You upstaged a centurion. Quite an achievement for a man of your rank, don't you think?"
Quintus strained to smile through clenched teeth. "You flatter me."
"Oh don't thank me, thank Senator Tensen-Balin," said Gaius with a sneer. "I dare say it's thanks to your good deeds that he keeps you in the legion at all!"
Quintus face turned bright red but he held his tongue.
"Speaking of our dear cousin, have you heard the latest gossip from the capitol, uncle?"
Menisis was doing his best to ignore his nephew. Gaius blathered on.
"No? Then let me tell you: he is opposing our glorious Emperor's request for a slight increase in taxation!"
"Our glorious Emperor wants that money to enlarge the Summer Palace in Salantica," said Menisis. "Senator Tensen-Balin merely believes that the taxes upon our citizens are high enough."
"Expanding an already luxurious villa could be perceived as frivolous in these times," said Acastus.
Gaius feigned a shocked expression. "Does not our Emperor deserve to have a few moments of respite from the burden of leading our Empire? To oppose such a small request is tantamount to treason."
Everyone turned to look at Gaius as he spoke the last word.
"This guy makes Quintus look like an anarchist in comparison," whispered Kham out of the side of his mouth to Beldin. The dwarf merely nodded.
"We are all his servants, after all," Gaius said. "I would toil all the harder if I knew that it would give His Glory comfort during his few moments of rest, for I love our Emperor."
Menisis took a deep breath and put down a forkful of salad. "Given that you have never toiled a day in your life, I'm sure the Emperor is relieved to know that you are now ready to make such a grave sacrifice."
Gaius' response was interrupted by the next course of roasted duck with almonds and assorted vegetables.
Beldin licked his lips. "Much better," he said.
"Speaking of loyalty," said Gaius, "I heard the Leonydes val'Vridan led an attack on Ventaka itself. Is that true, Attalus?"
The redheaded young man that had previously fended off the dark-haired beauty's overtures chewed for a long moment before answering. "Yes, it is true. Not all Nierites share the Sword of Heavens' …perspective."
Gaius smiled sweetly. "Such measured tones from such a tempestuous people! Surely, the slaughter of the Nierites at the hands of some of our guests today speaks volumes about your kin."
Garan cleared his throat. "Even an invasion can bring about change. My people have been rallied in a vay dey have never been before. Indeed, it is largely because of de attack dat I am here—to promote peace and unity amongst all peoples."
Gaius sneered at Garan. The guests he had hoped to inflame had outwitted him.
"While we're on the topic of the differences between people, Quintus mentioned you were from Altheria, correct?" Gaius asked, inclining his head towards Kham. "You're quite light-skinned for an Altherian, and a val at that. I bet you've got some Coryani blood in you. "
Kham's eyes turned to slits. He put both open palms face down on the table.
"Perhaps you even are a distant member of our glorious val'Tensen clan," continued Gaius. "I know that some of our ancestors dallied with their servants."
"Kham…" Quintus warned.
Just then, the raven-haired beauty stood up and bowed towards Menisis. "If I may?"
Menisis nodded back at her. Everyone stopped talking as the room's attention focused on her.
"Who is that?" asked Beldin.
"Oriena val'Sheem, a Larissan priestess," said Kham, still glaring in Gaius' direction.
Oriena stepped away from the table and began inscribing a holy circle of prophecy about her on the stone floor with a consecrated piece of red chalk. One of Oriena's servants in one corner of the room began rhythmically beating a drum.
Oriena's practiced hands finished inscribing the intricate circle. She grabbed a goblet filled with fine Savonan wine and held it up to the heavens. Then she began to sway within the mystic confines of the circle, moving slowly at first to the pace of the drum and slowly increasing, faster and wilder.
With each sultry movement of her arms, swaying of her hair, and bucking of her hips, some wine sloshed out of the goblet inside the inscribed mystical circle. The drumming and dancing reached a frenetic pace, entrancing everyone at the table. Kham caught himself tapping his foot to the rhythm.
The music finally reached a fever-pitch crescendo. Oriena twirled so quickly she became a blur of black and scarlet. Then, with a final loud beat, it was over. The priestess lay in the exact center of the circle, folded up like a pre-morn rose, her long black hair splayed about her like a gigantic spider's web.
Everyone caught their breath, waiting expectantly for what would come next.
"What is she doing?" asked Ilmarė.
"She is a Larissan priestess," said Quintus. "She is reading the spills and splashes of the wine in the circle to divine her prophecy."
Ilmarė crossed her arms as Oriena rose from the center of the circle. Her eyes rolled back in her head as she spoke in a strangely masculine voice.
"Hail the High General of the Empire. Hail the conquering hero. The wailing of the vanquished shall be your heralding and the throne shall be your spoils."
And with that, Oriena dropped to the floor like a marionette whose strings had suddenly been severed.
The all-pervading silence of the room was shattered by Gaius' nasally whine. "It looks like your liberation of Milandir will be successful. Best to keep your eyes upon that throne, great uncle, for the other is beyond your reach."
A strained smile crossed over Menisis' face. "Blood is only so thick, dear nephew."
Oriena resumed her seat at the table as the main course was served. It was roasted wild boar with an assortment of roots and vegetables. Beldin rubbed his hands together in anticipation.
"What, don't they feed you in Solanos Mor?" asked Kham.
"Not like this!" said Beldin as a servant sliced two, then three, then four slices of meat onto his plate.
At the other end of the table, Garan spoke in the tongue of Canceri to Sebastian. "It is good to see one of our own here," he said with a smile.
"I was not present for the rescue of the Senator's son," responded Sebastian in the same tongue. "I have come on behalf of Master Elabac to present a gift to the High General."
Garan nodded, still smiling. He switched to common. "As have I. But dat does not diminish our presence amongst dese honored guests. Your accent is very good. How long have you lived in Canceri?"
Sebastian's lips became a grim line. "Too long. I have traveled much. I was staying with the dwarves in Solanos Mor prior."
"Ah. Dat explains it. And yet, you seem reluctant. Is everything alright?"
Sebastian attempted a smile. "I can sympathize with the boy's dilemma," he said in Cancerite.
Garan winked at him. "I understand, say no more," he replied in the same tongue. "There are no Harvesters here."
Sebastian's gaze flickered to Gaius. "But there are plenty of snakes."
Garan smiled politely. "And now, it is time to present our gifts."
Garan reached behind his divan and pulled out a box. He looked to Acastus, who did likewise. Morushun and Oriena followed suit.
Sebastian took out his own box. He arched a questioning eyebrow as Ilmarė did the same.
Acastus stood up and approached Menisis. "I bring greetings from Coryan. Please accept this gift as a small token for your generous hospitality." The servants opened the box and Acastus lifted from it a glittering gold chalice. It was inscribed with benedictions to Illiir. Menisis smiled and nodded.
"Uh, what are they doing?" asked Kham.
Quintus' eyes were wide. "It is a gift ceremony," he hissed through gritted teeth.
"Do we have a gift?"
"No," Quintus said ruefully.
Morushun stood up next. "I bring greetings from Enpebyn," he said. "Please accept this gift as a small token for your generous hospitality." Morushun reached into his box and produced a large ring mounted with a topaz opal. Menisis graciously accepted it.
"Aren't you supposed to know these sorts of things?" asked Kham. "Everyone else knew to bring a gift. The Cancerite has his. Hell, even the elf brought something. Maybe she can present it on behalf of all of us."
Beldin shrugged. "Sebastian presents on behalf of Solanos Mor, so that will be my gift as well."
Garan approached Menisis. "I bring greetings from Nishanpur," he said. "Please accept this gift as a small token for your generous hospitality." He presented a Sarishan dagger, gilded in silver.
Quintus looked over at Ilmarė. "Where did you get that gift?"
Ilmarė didn't look at him, her attention focused on the gift-giving ceremony. "A servant gave it to me during the bath."
Oriena sashayed over the Menisis. "I bring greetings from Savona," she husked. "Please accept this gift as a small token for your generous hospitality." She bowed and spread her arms. A dozen female servants stepped forward, all clad in very short tunics.
"Oh man, the priestess just gave him twelve girls!" Kham exclaimed in hushed tones. "How are we supposed to beat that?"
"What's in the box?" asked Quintus.
"A beast of some sort, carved of green stone," she said, rising to her feet.
It was Sebastian's turn. He swallowed hard and rose to his feet.
"I bring greetings from Solanos Mor," he said, his voice unsteady. "Please accept this gift as a small token for your generous hospitality." He bowed low and presented the open box to Menisis. Menisis gingerly took a silver gladius from the box. The word "emtavas" was etched on the blade.
"A worthy gift indeed," said the general. He personally handed it to one of his servants, impressed.
"Another one of Elabac's failures," said Kham. "Great."
Sebastian returned to his divan.
"You did well," said Beldin with an encouraging smile.
Sebastian turned to Ilmarė. "Your turn," he said.
Ilmarė made her way over to Menisis. Quintus matched her stride for stride.
"What kind of beast?" he whispered.
"I'm not familiar with it," she said. "It has great tusks, with large ears, and a long trunk."
They were both standing before the general. He stared at them expectantly. Ilmarė started to open the box…
Quintus slammed it shut.
"I must apologize, General. We have no gift."
Ilmarė turned to Quintus. "What? But-"
"Later," Quintus hissed. They awkwardly backed away from Menisis and returned to their divans.
There was an uncomfortable pause, broken only by Gaius' snort of derision. Then Menisis rose to his feet and raised his goblet to his guests. "Thank you all for your generosity. Please, enjoy the rest of the evening."
Menisis left the room. The other guests trickled out after him.
"What was that all about?" asked Ilmarė, irritated in the hallway in front of her quarters.
"That statue is of an elephant," Quintus said. He seemed more exhausted from the dinner than she had seen him in any battle.
"And?"
"Queen Alezha gave the Emperor the very same gift upon her arrival to the Empire. Giving it to the High General would imply that he is having an affair with the Queen."
"Better to be slightly embarrassed by presenting no gift at all," said Sebastian behind them, "than to give that to our host."
Sebastian and Beldin disappeared into their own rooms.
"Quintus," said Ilmarė, "I…"
Quintus held up one hand. "It's alright. I know you are well traveled, but you can't be expected to know every nuance of Coryani custom. Someone tried to manipulate you to get us all thrown out. We will have to remain extra vigilant."
"Oh, I intend to," said Kham before he shut the door to his own room.
Ilmarė was still searching for words as Quintus turned on his heel and walked into his room. The door thudded softly behind him.
The Elorii bit her lip, her hands balled into fists. "Stupid human customs!" she snarled. Then Ilmarė stomped into her room.