[ussbansheec] The Road to Perfection
- From: Andy Maluhia <CaptainAndy@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: ussbansheec@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 15:57:33 -0500
_The Road to Perfection_
by Eris t'Ghaladriel, Kasen tr'Tegh, Dhiem tr'Haith, Maec & Khiy
S'Aimne, Nakai tr'Chee, & N'alae t'Kilyle
The invitations had been sent in the old traditional way: hand written
scrolls tied by hand and delivered by hand. Eris had chosen
t'Khialmne's oldest grandchild, a boy of ten, for the honorary role of
page. She knew the older woman had been immensely proud yet she'd also
heard her warning the boy within an inch of his life to not fail in the
honor trusted to him...or else. There were a lot of scrolls, too.
Invitations were carefully made to the oldest Houses and to the right
influential senators even, Eris had thought with a sigh, to Dhiem
tr'Haith. Considering the nature of the occasion, the formal
announcement of her new title, all had accepted with alacrity.
"No doubt," she snorted aloud as she pulled on her dress that evening,
"they want the gossip behind the story."
"No doubt, lhhei," her personal maid servant said quietly as she began
lacing up the back of the dress.
Eris had made him seek a tailor so that he wouldn't embarrass her and
Khiy had given him the addresses of appropriate firms to use for
clothing, boots and any other adornments. Kasen sniffed in amusement as
he took out the light green tunic with a simple sash of a darker green.
The tailor had told him it suited his colouring and temperament. His
black pants fit to perfection but then the price he'd paid they damn
well ought to. His father's kaleh was at his waist while a thin chain
of gold held the sigil of his House. As he inspected his outfit, he
hmphed in appreciation of the simple, elegant look. One thing left. He
had decided against the traditional cloak and gone for a much more
modern, full length overcoat of black with the same sigil he wore round
his neck on each lapel. Giving himself one more appraising look, he
nodded and turned to leave his apartment in the centre of the capital,
making sure to pick up his invite.
tr'Haith primped and preened worse than any female or vain man ever had
before he left his well appointed apartment. He had to look his best.
There was too much at stake tonight. For whatever reason, Erianath had
ceded title to his sister (not that anyone expected his brother to be
given the honor since the two hated each other) and that meant the lady
was free to make a marriage contract. He nodded at his sallow
complexion and smiled before dabbing on a bit more perfumed oil. Ie, he
told himself as he stepped out, it was going to be a night to remember.
Kasen's long legs made short work of the walk from his apartment to the
Ghaladriel estate. He gave a smile and bow to the doorman, offering
over his invitation. Spotting Khiy inside, he slipped up to him and
asked, "Is your Di'nanov attending tonight? I was hoping to speak with
him about etiquette." He had seen the old man a few times since Khiy
had suggested it and had, in fact, run his outfit past him before
wearing it. Maec was certainly helping him.
"Are you joking?" Khiy asked dryly. He nodded with his chin toward the
center of the house. "He's in the kitchen staring at people for
t'Khialmne. Cook's too busy and she wanted to make sure things were
done right. Retired or not, the old man's still a terror when he wants
to be."
"Perhaps I will join them," Kasen chuckled. "I will always find it more
comfortable at that side of the divide than this." With another smile
for Khiy, he headed off in search of Maec.
Eris Surveyed herself in the mirror after the maid was finished with the
ties. She didn't consider herself a vain woman but she did think she
looked good. There was a familiar knock at the door followed by Khiy's
presence.
"My lady, the guests arrive," he said with a bow.
"Excellent, Hru'hfe, hann'yyo," she said with that same smile. She
approached him, the distance suggesting a more personal relationship
than one of employer to employee. "Tell me, Khiy: do you approve?"
"There are rough edges, my lady, but he is a vast amount above the
others who've ever had the nerve to express interest."
Kasen watched from the sidelines for a moment as the servants scurried
this way and that at Maec or the cook's orders. Like a well oiled
machine, he thought to himself. "Maec," he called soft voice when there
seemed to be a lull in the onslaught.
The old man had managed, as he did when he was still Hru'hfe, to keep
himself clean in the midst of chaos. He avoided t'Khialmne's swinging
ladle (swung at some poor assistant in exclamation) and turned to face
their lady's Intended, even if that wasn't official.
"What is it, tr'Tegh?" he asked. He liked the man. He was respectful
not just of the House, as any of them ought to be, but of Maec's own old
age. Like Hru'hfirh Erianath and his rinam, young tr'Tegh valued his
advice because of his age and not in spite of it.
"I just wanted to confirm my etiquette for this evening," Kasen said as
he approached then dropped his voice to a low whisper only Maec could
hear. "I do not wish to embarrass my lhhei by approaching her too
swiftly or being too close with her before it is time. Remind me, how
should I behave with her?"
Maec hmmphed softly. Smart man. Elements preserve us all if the lady's
plans are trifled with. "The announcement of Intention is a surprise,
na? Until then, if I were you, follow her lead. Do not forget, either,
that you did also receive an invitation. You are a master craftsman, na?"
"Ie, I am." It was not arrogance, it was simple truth. He had already
started on the marriage bracelet for her and it would be like no other,
it would put them all in the shade, just as Eris' beauty out-shone even
the brightest of stars. He flicked a finger at the intricate gold-work
on his lapels. "These are from my hand."
Maec leaned forward slightly to peer at the lapels. Though he would
never own such (and certainly didn't want to), he'd served the House a
very long time and had, over the course of the years, become a good
judge of quality. Of course, it also helped to know which merchants and
vendors purposely did things to make stingy or ride customers look bad.
"Na bad," he hmmphed. "Certainly better than many I've seen. Do not
forget, boy, that you would have received an invitation as a master
craftsman whose work would be used in the House. For that alone, you
have the right to an invitation."
"Hann'yyo," Kasen said respectfully at the compliment. Na bad from Maec
was as good as saying it was beautiful work. "But is it enough to allow
me to approach the lhhei? To have words with her, however brief? Or
would it best if I stayed away?"
"You were invited, tr'Tegh," Maec repeated. "You may speak to the lady."
Kasen offered the man a smile and shrugged. "You can see how
inexperienced I am. Di'nanov was the one who knew how to behave with
the high born. In that, I was a poor study."
"He should have smacked you in the head upon occasion then," Maec said
dryly. "Even Lady Eris' Hru'diranov would do so to her brothers upon
occasion."
Rubbing just the spot he remembered at the back of his head, Kasen
smirked back. "Oh, he did that more than often," he chuckled. "He had
a long reach too."
"And do yourself a favor. Do not answer questions about the dianvm and
Hru'hfirh Erianath's decision," the old man said quietly. "Even if you
were long married, that would still be the lady's to voice."
"Hann'yyo," Kasen said softly, offering the old man a bow. "That is
something worth knowing. I can be as closed mouthed as I need to be. I
will simply say that I cannot comment and leave it at that."
"Now go," Maec said with a shooing motion. "The old hag is getting
cranky." He jerked a thumb at t'Khialmne, who made a face at him.
"I'm going," Kasen chuckled as he sketched a bow for the old man and the
cook. "Hann'yyo to you both." His smile stayed in place as he moved
out to mingle with the other guests.
tr'Haith's smile was fully in place as he stepped into the house. He
saw the look on the door girl's face. Of course she was thrilled he was
back. Which of them wouldn't be: knowing that such a fine Rihanha as
himself was going to be the hru'fir of the lady of the house? And
wasn't it just an even better thing that that officious, stuck up
Erianath was gone? tr'Haith wondered about that but surely Eris would
tell him privately. And didn't Eris herself look just splendid? Oh
what he wouldn't give to see her out of that dress! "My lady," he said
with a bow and an oily smile.
"Etre tr'Haith," Eris said with the same smile she gave the other guests.
As Kasen entered, his eyes automatically found Eris and he couldn't help
but beam brightly. Elements but she was the most beautiful creature
he'd ever seen and he was still stunned that she would be his. He
weaved through the crowds just as their eyes met and he offered her a
gentle, loving smile.
"Master S'Tegh," Eris said with a slow smile, her eyes bright. "I am so
glad you made it on time."
Khiy was a veritable bundle of nerves and calm but then he always was.
Tonight, though, he felt the nerves were winning. He was moving all
over the house, making sure the servants did the work in a respectable
manner, as he was supposed to, but aie! Why did no one tell him the
priestess was coming? Elements! I should have been warned as he moved
toward the front door as quickly as dignity allowed in front of guests.
Kasen took her hand and bowed low over it, as any lord would for a
lady. "I was most pleased to receive an invitation, lhhei. You look
stunning."
tr'Haith steamed inside. That blasted handyman dared touch her! "Ie,
this is a fine occasion, lhhei," he said smoothly, ignoring the man. "I
should hope it will be even finer later."
It was all Kasen could do not to laugh but his restraint was such that
all he did was nod. "Ie, I'm sure it will be." Then he smiled again at
Eris as he added, "Thee shine, lhhei."
"How very gracious of you," Eris said softly. "Have you met Craftsman
tr'Tegh, Dhiem? He's quite the artisan."
Khiy offered the Lady Priestess and her bondmate a deep bow. Most of
the household held great affection for them, especially for her
husband. Nakai tr'Chee was no noble born. He was an artist, though all
and sundry had to admit that he was a damned good one. He was the
lady's husband and the father of her children yet he'd hardly changed in
that he never thought himself above any of them.
"Come, my lady, Etre tr'Chee," Khiy said as he straightened. "Lady Eris
will be pleased that you've arrived."
Kasen offered the man beside him a warm smile even as the scent of the
oils hit him like a brick wall. He had to clench his kaw slightly to
hold back from gagging. Elements but Di'nanov had been so scathing
about men who wore such heavy perfume. And to think this had touched
his precious Eris. But he was gracious as he offered the man a slight
bow. "It is a pleasure, rekkhai," he said respectfully even as his
stomach did another turn.
tr'Haith hmmphed at the other man. "You must be getting quite a thrill
to be invited here rather than being given chains of cash as an
employee," he said with obvious disdain.
Inclining his head respectfully, Kasen forced himself not to snort in
the man's face. "The invitation was an honour, rekkhai, but it was one
deserved." His dark eyes cast around the assembled crowd to settle on
tr'Chee. There were other master craftsmen here so he felt much more
confident, even if he would never put himself in the same class as the
artist. "Wasn't the invitation a thrill to you too? Don't you find it
an honour to be here among such beauty?" Na, he thought, you think it's
your right.
Eris bit back a snort. Kasen was handling Dhiem so well and Elements
but the man still stunk of perfume. "Honey tongued as well as fine
handed," she said sweetly. "Hann'yyo."
Hand in hand, N'alae and Nakai wandered over to greet the mistress of
the House, as was only proper. Nakai knew his wife wasn't oblivious to
the stir they created but she let that run off her back. He, on the
other hand, found it damned amusing.
"Ie, but notice who lives in these houses, tr'Tegh. Not your common sort
of laborer. Your sort comes here on cash alone," tr'Haith snorted.
"You do not believe that skill can earn someone a place within the high
society?" Kasen mused, his smile a smirk now. "You hold no respect in
you for a beautifully crafted sword, a lovingly constructed piece of
furniture or a well rendered painting?" His smirk turned back into a
respectful smile as he noticed the Priestess and her husband so close
that they were probably listening. "Interesting."
Nakai looked at his wife. She offered him an expressive shrug that said
'go ahead' and then wished their eldest son had been there to watch.
Chihnyih would have been so amused. "Are you saying, Etre tr'Haith,
that my wife hasn't the sense the Galae and the temple accords her?" he
asked the younger man curiously. "Perhaps we should be thankful there
are wise ones such as yourself to make them both see the error of their
ways."
Eris bit back another smirk. The few times that she'd ever met the man,
he'd hardly ever spoken. Nakai tr'Chee was not a man who wasted words
but oh were the ones he was using now choice.
Kasen inclined his head to tr'Chee. "At least we know now how House
Haith sees craftsmen, rekkhai," he observed ruefully.
"I'll keep that in mind," Nakai said with an absolutely straight face.
It would have to be done carefully so that no one would be hurt or worse
but he made a note to make sure no one working for that house would work
too hard or too well.
N'alae had chosen civilian attire for the evening but there was no doubt
that she was an enarrain under the silks. She skewered tr'Haith with a
glare for daring to insult her husband and son then smiled at Kasen.
"I'm told, rekkhai, that you've opened your own business here in the
capitol. Expect visitors from our craftsmen in Mhiessan."
"I welcome all visitors and look forward to them," Kasen said with a
bright smile. "It is my hope that, once my business is secure in the
capital, I will expand out into other cities. That won't be for many
years yet but it's in my plan."
"My di'nanov is the current craftsmaster of our city's guild," Nakai
said, turning his back on tr'Haith with ill concealed contempt. "See
him if you need help in that."
"Why not you, tr'Chee?" tr'Haith wondered.
"Too busy sharpening my own kaleh," was the answer.
Kasen really did have to bite back a snort even if his eyes did dance
with dislike for the over-scented bag of wind. "I will do that,
hann'yyo, rekkhai. If you ever have need of help with metal work, I
would be most honour to aid you. I am still young but my hand is talented."
"And I would hope," Eris added, "that if anything you see here
tonight strikes you with inspiration, that you will let me see it,
rekkhai. It should prove to be a memorable evening."
"How could one not?" Kasen mused, his eyes now all for Eris. "With such
beauty to observe." He then turned to the Priestess, clearly including
her in his comment.
N'alae hmmphed softly. She had no eye for anyone but Nakai but she
could always appreciate a sincere compliment. She offered Kasen a
slight bow. "It's well that I brought my cards with me this evening.
I'm interested to see where the future of this House leads now," she
said with a smile.
"He'll never know," tr'Haith muttered.
"Silence your tongue," the priestess said without even turning to look
at him.
Kasen shot the man a dark look. What veruul spoke so in front of the
High Priestess? It may not have been directed at her and was, in fact,
directed at himself, but that idiot clearly had no grace whatsoever. "I
would ask for a reading for my own small business, if it were not being
too presumptuous."
"Then I will certainly do so after the festivities," N'alae said with a
slight smile.
Eris saw t'Khialmne's little grandson edging into the room. Elements
bless Khiy, the man's timing was excellent and he'd sent the boy in at
the right time. She beckoned the child closer.
"Hann'yyo, lhhei," Kasen said respectfully.
Nveid edged past all the important adults, concentrating mightily on the
job he was supposed to do. He wanted to smile at the man who used to be
the apprentice rianov but his Hru'nanov had threatened bodily harm if he
made a mess of this job. Instead, he ignored Etre tr'Tegh and went
straight to Hru'hfirh Eris. Stiffly and without a word, he bowed to
her, holding the hand tied scroll out to her.
"Hann'yyo, Nveid," Eris said gently as she picked the scroll from the
boy's hands, with a twinge of pity for the child. She had no doubt he
was going to collapse after this. "You may go and tell of a job well
done." Then she gave Kasen a wink that only the priestess saw.
Kasen made a mental note to make a small plaque for the boy, declaring
how proud the House was of his service. That should please the old cook
and the boy as well. Smiling in deep adoration at his lady, he took a
place slightly behind her for the reading of the scroll.
Eris looked at the assembled guests, who were now all watching her,
waiting to see what the boy had brought. Obviously messages didn't have
to be carried that way but one still did things the old fashioned way
for matters of great import. 'She should have that girl who lives with
the hru'Airifvir record this' was heard muttered by more than one. From
her other side, tr'Haith watched her hungrily, waiting.
"It should be known and thrice written that, with the approval of my
dianvm, the previous Hru'hfirh, that I, the only paehne of this House,
have agreed to declare my Intent of matrimony," she said in a clear
voice that was oddly sweet while still strong. She held her hand out to
Kasen. "Kasen tr'Tegh is a fine master craftsman and I have agreed that
we two shall be bonded."
Placing his hand on hers, Kasen stepped up to her side, a smile of
honour playing over his lips. He stared out at the guests, having a
small guess at what some of them would think but he didn't care. He
loved her and he would honour her for the rest of his life and beyond.
Nakai tr'Chee stared right at tr'Haith, a satisfied smirk on his face.
Stupid child of a susse-thrai, he thought. You get just what you
deserve. He almost snickered out loud when the younger man's face
colored to bright green.
He wouldn't goad him, Kasen decided, at least not in such an open place
and with so many witnesses. Instead, he chose to make his affection for
Eris very public, the consequences and etiquette be damned. Gently, he
placed a light kiss on her cheek and stepped closer to her. "I'jol'au,"
he murmured for her ears only.
Eris simply smiled and slipped her arm around Kasen's waist. She didn't
know if she could say those words yet but the feeing tickled at the base
of her brain. It was just biding its time to jump up and declare
itself, not unlike Kasen himself did. She stared pointedly at tr'Haith,
daring him to say or do anything.
tr'Haith, for his part, was apoplectic. Him? The man was hardly better
than a servant! A cash worker. Oh the travesty of it all. He noticed
Eris' smile, though, and the thoughts began churning in his head.
Perhaps, he told himself, stroking his chin, I might have her on the side.
Ah what joy in knowing it was official now, Kasen thought. Any
irritation he'd had for tr'Haith was gone in the face of being so
happy. His arm moved around her shoulders as he asked softly,
"Hann'yyo, e'lev, but what do we do now?" It was his first official
gathering and he had no idea what one did.
"Tolerate the sickly smiles and words until they all leave," she said
just as softly. "And beware tr'Haith. He's angry."
"Ie, I can see," Kasen smirked. "He will live and learn to accept that
you are my e'lev and I am your Intended." Then he turned back to the
Priestess, his smile back in place.
"Eris, should you speak to the former Hru'hfirh," N'alae said with a
smile, "tell him to tell our eldest son to try using a comm now and
then. He and the hru'Airifvir's ward went to that Lloann'na station and
we've yet to hear from him."
Kasen wondered if he was allowed to mention the stunning creature
Erianath had bonded himself to but he decided it was best to keep quiet
on that count.
"I will," Eris said, shaking her head. "He hasn't mentioned seeing
other Rihannsu, though. Simply a lot of Thhaei."
"An interesting people," Kasen mused. "The only one I have ever seen is
wise and sharp-witted."
N'alae hmmphed slightly. "I wonder if that old one is still among us:
Spock," she said with a smirk. "Your dianvm knew him well, Eris."
"Spock?" the craftsman asked softly. "I have heard of him but surely he
must be long gone to the Elements."
Eris hmmphed softly. "Erianath knew him? And never said so?" She
shook her head. "I'm sure the elder was disappointed that his plans for
unification failed but what a fascinating person, na? He and Erianath
must have argued fiercely."
"And come to an impasse," Kasen chuckled. "Mutual agreement that both
where right and neither were wrong."
Nakai hmmphed, almost to himself, and said, "I really ought to look into
him. If he lives, he is older than my own grandfather."
"Someone of that age, perhaps the hru'Airifvir knows him," Kasen mused.
"She's off planet," N'alae told him, "and quite suddenly at that." She
often wondered at the woman's age but that was one of those areas that
was best left alone. "There seems to be a lot going on at that
Lloann'na station after all."
"So it appears," was all Kasen would say on the matter. It was not his
place to mention anything to do with his future brother-in-law.
Eris watched as tr'Haith seemed to move away from them. She was no
fool, though. She could see that he was still watching, keeping an eye
on her. Stinking veruul, she thought with a sigh. "I really must be
more choosy in my guest lists next time."
Kasen's eyes followed where she was looking and sighed. "Ie, perhaps we
could draw them up together." He leaned in to kiss her cheek very
lightly, a smile on his lips even if he could feel that piece of filth's
eyes on them.
Nakai smiled slowly, his arm curling around N'alae's waist. This was
different from his situation with N'alae yet not. At least his rain had
gotten over it. He doubted tr'Haith would. "Should have invited that
old man then, if you thought he still walked among us."
"He would certainly make an interesting dinner companion," Kasen
chuckled. "The debates would be intricate and worthy of any student of
logic."
"Yet the only one I ever met was also only half Thhaei," Nakai
chuckled. "He was slightly younger than me and a bit irritating. It
must be something in their makeup."
"Not all are entirely irritating." He was thinking of Delphine.
Beautiful and charming but he couldn't bring himself to see her as
irritating.
"This one was," Nakai grumbled. "He struck me in the side of the head
with a kendo stick."
"He apologized," N'alae said gently. "And he repaired your eye."
"A kendo stick? Is that similar to a stave?" Kasen asked curiously.
"It is," Nakai said with a nod. "We were visiting the Lloann'na station
called Deep Space Nine and I saw this one practicing. He called it a
kendo stick but the moves were quite similar. He might have struck my
head but I broke his ankle."
"Men," N'alae grumbled. "No matter the species, they have to show off."
Kasen gave the priestess an innocent smile as he shrugged. "We must
prove that we are worthy of our lhheia, is that not true?"
"Wise man you have here, lhhei," Nakai said to Eris with a slight bow
though his smile was for his wife. "Some of us have had a hard road to
perfection but the journey was worth it."
"Oh, I know how long I must journey to be worthy," Kasen said with a
smile of love for his Intended, "but I make it willingly and with joy in
my heart."
Other related posts:
- » [ussbansheec] The Road to Perfection
