Back to the Castle

You return to the castle with some time to spare, and your first order of business is to dunk your head into a basin of cold water to try and clear some of the lingering sexual tension left by your unfinished encounter with Talaitha. Perhaps it would make sense to summon Valerie, your mistress... but she has preparations of her own to make, and by the time she could be found it would likely be too late. Once you are dressed and ready, you step out onto your balcony and look down upon the city square, which is filling with people - already at least twice the number that you have ever seen gathered there before, and still growing. Your lungs will get quite a workout as you try to make yourself heard over such a huge crowd!

A flash of bright red draws your attention to the short road and bridge which leads from the square to the castle gate. There you see three horses with riders, and the red which caught your eye belongs to the dress worn by the one on the left. In the middle you recognize Trina, and so this must be Talaitha and Hanzi. Talaitha looks up at the castle as they approach, but you cannot tell from your balcony whether she sees you - you are about to wave, but occasions when you have done this in the past have created something of a sensation down in the streets, and the City Watch has enough to contend with at this time.

It's still a bit early, but not so early that you have time to do anything else, and so you leave your parlor and make your way downstairs. The castle bustles with activity, and for once people do not stop in their tracks to bow their heads or otherwise acknowledge that the King is in their midst, as they are too busy making final preparations. It's actually something of a relief to be able to just walk through the Great Hall. The only one who actually sees you is young Yvette, Valerie's handmaiden.

"Sire!" she blurts out, stopping in her tracks and offering a graceful curtsy.

"Ah, Yvette," you reply, "I'm glad I ran into you. Will you please inform Valerie that I will be escorting two of the visiting Romani to the opening events? One is a woman who should be seated at my side, and the other is a child who may be seated anywhere in the front row. Please convey my apologies for this last-minute change in arrangements."

"Of course, Sire," Yvette says. "Er... forgive me Sire, it may not make a difference, but I do not know who the 'Romani' are."

"It is the proper name for the Gypsy folk."

"Oh!" she says, and her eyes betray a hint of surprise. "I will see to the arrangements, Sire." Yvette runs off, which says something about her state of mind, as proper protocol would demand that she wait to be dismissed before leaving your presence; it is no matter, of course, but Yvette is ALWAYS observant of her manners.

It did not occur to you before Yvette's reaction that it certainly is most unusual for one of the Romani to be so honored by the king of any land; as Trina had said, they are usually only barely tolerated at best, and often greeted with outright hostility. It now occurs to you that some of your noble guests will undoubtedly consider it a slight that you have offered such favor to those who they consider inherently inferior. This would normally not concern you - after all, those same lords generally consider YOU to be inherently inferior. However, it would not do to have Talaitha and Hanzi greeted with ill courtesy, and at the very least it might be wise to speak with them in advance.

"Captain," you say to Navarre, who of course walks just behind your right shoulder.

"Yes, Sire?"

"Lady Trina brought two honored guests I spoke of to the castle just moments ago. Where would she have most likely taken them to wait for the opening ceremonies?"

"As there remains at least half an hour before the opening ceremony, I should think that she would have brought them to the Royal Gardens."

"Then let us make our way there."

The castle gardens are small, out of practicality; since the castle was built upon a foothill made mostly of rock with steep slopes all around, there was little space available for planting trees and flowers. However, the builders (whoever they were) made the most of what they had, and the result is a beautiful multi-layered garden which ascends a terraced slope, and a mountain stream redirected to run through it. There is only a very narrow archway with any sort of view of the surrounding landscape, but that gives the garden a very private and secure atmosphere. You have always found it a restful place to go when you wish to collect your thoughts, or read up on matters like the histories of nearby kingdoms - one of the less pleasant aspects of being King, but a necessary one.

As you enter the space, Talaitha comes into view just across the stream, making her way down the stone steps.

In the woods, she seemed ethereal, almost inhuman in both her appearance and mannerisms, as if she herself were one of the spirits with whom she claimed to speak. Now, Talaitha is a woman... and the transformation has only made her more beautiful. Her dress is rich and layered, a bold and vibrant pink with gold trim, lined with silk dyed lilac purple; it should be a garish combination of clashing colors, but instead it looks festive and bright. It is also quite daring, cut low across her bosoms, and it seems almost as though her breasts strain to burst out of the dress. Talaitha has allowed her hair to flow free in the breeze, and the Sun catches the highlighted locks. She wears no jewelry or other such adornment, and it occurs to you that although she is likely wealthy due to the high prices she charges for her services, she has no real need to spend it on such trinkets; the only people who would see them are Hanzi and her clients, and the jewels she wore when you met her at her camp seemed to be symbolic and totemic rather than decorative. The look on her face is one of uncertainty, as one might expect, as she is unused to showing it to the world.

"King Xavier," she says, offering a slight but sincere bow. "I hope I have chosen an appropriate dress for the occasion?"

"You could not have chosen better," you assure her. "You look very lovely, Talaitha; you will outshine every other woman at the ceremony, I am sure."

"You are very kind, Your Majesty," she says, and for the first time, she smiles. It is not the tiny, almost imperceptible smile she showed you in her camp, but a very genuine smile, from a woman who likely does not have much in her life to be happy about. In that moment, she becomes more than simply beautiful; she is breathtaking, perhaps the most appealing woman you have ever seen - and Elyssia does not want for such women!

It takes you a moment to find your voice again, and when you do you are relieved that you can speak steadily. "Talaitha, I prefer to avoid the more formal titles; 'Sire' is more than sufficient. And when we are alone, as we are now, it would please me if you called me simply Xavier. I was not raised as a king, and so I crave the company of equals whenever I can have it. I beg of you, speak to me as a man and not as a king."

"I fear I am unaccustomed to speaking with men OR women, except when I do so as a seer," she replies. "It is rare that I have the opportunity to... be myself, so to speak. But I will try, Xavier."

"That is all I can ask." You take her hand and gently kiss her fingers. "We have a little time before the ceremonies begin, and I am glad to find you here, as this is a quiet and private place where we may relax before what I fear may be an exhausting experience. The events of the first day will have us mingling with the lords and ladies, the noble guests, leading citizens... to put it bluntly, it is not my kind of party. Perhaps I did you a disservice by inviting you, and I would now give you the opportunity to decline if you wish. I would take no offense if you did so. Please understand that I would not have asked you to accompany me if I did not want you here, but I do not wish for you to feel obligated to accept my invitation just because I am King."

"I am not unaccustomed to dealing with nobility and royalty alike," Talaitha says. "Of course, it has always been under very different circumstances... and I confess I do feel uneasy about the prospect. But I will not allow fear to hold me back, nor will I refuse to accept the kindness and generosity you have offered, Xavier. Besides, Hanzi would be devastated if I refused; he is so excited, he can barely contain himself!"

"Where is Hanzi?" you ask, looking around.

"He is exploring the garden; he has never seen the like, and neither have I for that matter. Your castle is the most beautiful I have ever seen, and I have seen much in my travels!"

"I wish I could take credit for it, but it is the monks who built it who deserve the accolades. We have worked hard to restore the castle, as it had been long abandoned, but we have only repaired what was already here." You pause for a moment, then offer your arm, which Talaitha takes after some hesitation; it is likely that no one has ever offered to escort her in this manner before! "Talaitha, I hate to bring up an unpleasant matter, but I feel I must do so for Hanzi's sake at least. I am sure that you are well aware that your people, the Romani, are not always looked upon with favor by those with power."

"Of course, this is known."

"Please also know that I do not share these vile opinions; as I have been raised here in Elyssia, where people from all over the world have come together, I have seen with my own eyes that it is a folly to assume that any are inherently superior or inferior to others. I find the Romani to be a fascinating culture, with people of both character and dignity. But it pains me to say that I cannot promise you and Hanzi will be well-received at the ceremony and the reception to follow; as you accompany the King, none will insult or **** you directly, but there are more subtle ways of belittling a person."

"Do you suggest that Hanzi and I hide our heritage?" she asks quietly.

"Never! Never that, Talaitha. I will not validate the evil thoughts of others in that way, nor would I ever suggest that you should feel ashamed of who you are. Let them feel shame, as they see your grace and charm, and perhaps in some corner of their minds they will begin to question their own assumptions. But, there is no sense in pretending that you will see no scornful looks, and experience no slight of hospitality."

"I am aware of how my people are seen, and so is Hanzi," Talaitha says with a sigh. "It is impossible not to be aware of it. I thank you for your concern, Xavier, but we will endure whatever comes. The Romani are also a proud people, and as such we can withstand the ill manners of others."