Dinner

TOVA

Birgir squeezed my upper arm gently, guiding me to follow the guard. 

“Come with me,” I whispered, frantically.

“I can’t, Little One.  I’ve not been invited.  You will be fine.  I won’t take my eyes off of you,” he cooed reassuringly into my ear.  I wasn’t placated.  I knew that the High King could do whatever he wanted to me, including death, and there wouldn’t be a thing Birgir could do. 

I followed the guard, trying not to look like I was being led to the gallows.  I passed Lady Ulka who gave me a sympathetic smile and a conspiratory wink.  Normally I would find that funny but not tonight.  Tonight just turned for the worse for me.

The guard held my chair and I slipped into it like I had been taught.  He started to slide it in, and I moved with the chair, causing it to loudly clank on the ground and my face to redden.  One of the King’s Concubines giggled, and several other guests looked at me disapprovingly.  King Erik didn’t look at me, but the motion of his arm stilled.

Once in position, I relaxed and looked around my surroundings.  From the dais where our table was set, I could see more.  I looked for Birgir, finding him in the back corner.  A young daughter of Erik’s took my chair and was chatting with Birgir most enthusiastically.  I was jealous.

Below us on a slightly lower level were three of the High King’s favorite concubines.  Jost was a soft spoken, kind woman who was spirited away from her village when the king caught sight of her drawing water for her family.  She had produced one child, a sickly girl that was constantly needing the attention of the Medicine Man.  Despite this, she was still one of the King’s favorites and the whispered gossip was that she knew how to pleasure him as no other did.

Sala was in the middle.  She was the same age as the King and his first concubine as well as the mother of my least favorite Illegitimates.  The rumor was that the King began to bed her when he was fifteen and she produced his first son when she was sixteen.  She was an evil, cruel woman who used to intentionally trip me in the hallway when I was a child, and she encouraged her children to bully me.  I hated her with passion. 

Taff was on the end and she was another instigator.  I had learned early on that she would pretend to be nice to me but behind my back she was plotting for her children to usurp my claim to the High King.  There were rumors that she was the one who masterminded the plan to poison me, but it was never proven and only the concubine Lodi was punished.  I didn’t trust her, nor did I want her anywhere near me or my food.  It was a little disconcerting that she was sitting so close to me.

To my right and on our same level was Lady Ulka and her guests.  They were seated together, and Lady Ulka was the middle of attention.  She lifted her wine goblet and gentility sipped from it and I made note as to how I was to drink my wine.  To the left of the High King were the four Kings of the Kingdoms of Oremgoth.  Three of them had their wives with them.  I studied them with curiosity, wondering if I could figure out who was from where.  From their dress, I thought I could. 

I figured that the King of Skaldic, King Ogir, was the man that was dressed mostly in fur.  Skaldic is in the winter for most months of the year so it made sense that most of his clothing would be warm and able to fight the elements.

I believed King Triz from Heimed was directly to his left, along with his wife, Wilda.  They were dressed in lighter silks and had thrown woolen shawls over their shoulders to combat the chill of the drafty castle.  She looked slightly miserable, and I was sure she was used to milder weather.

I wasn’t entirely sure which was King Cupo from Nidavelle and who was King Audro from Jotum, but I believed King Cupo was sitting next to King Triz.  The forest lands of Nidavelle lent to more leathers and less wovens and King Cupo was dressed in a leather jacket.  He was feeding sweet meats to his Queen, Marta.  She was an exotic beauty from the Spanish lands, if I remembered my history correctly.  King Audro’s wife, Queen Lista, had a sour look on her face as if she had just eaten a lemon.

King Triz noticed I was studying him, and he leaned forward to speak to me. 

“Girl.  Is it true that you are the High King’s next concubine?”  he snickered at his joke, and I wasn’t sure how to answer. 

I looked up at King Erik but he did not turn to look at me.  He continued his conversation with King Cupo but I thought I saw a flash of irritation on the side of his face I could see.

“No, your Highness.  High King Erik and I will be married in a year.  I am no man’s concubine.”  I spoke softly, but firmly, and tore my gaze away, looking for someone else to speak to.  I could see Lady Ulka give me a quick nod of approval.  I had listened to her lessons.  Demand respect, but in a demure way.

King Triz snorted.  “It is good that the High King is not expecting you to keep him warm at night or to feed his loins.  You are just a waif of a girl.  Good for a quick bang and then to send away.”  He took a swig of his wine and turned to his wife.  She pursed her lips. 

“You should have picked wiser, my King,” she said loudly.  “She will not be able to carry and bear a heavy child.  She is too narrow.”

I looked down, a red blush creeping up my cheeks.  I longed to say what I was thinking.  I was embarrassed.  I looked out and saw Birgir out in the crowd, looking at me with concern and then I was angered.  I am not a child.  I am the future High Queen.  You do not speak to me like that.

“Not everyone can possess enough bulk to keep someone as substantial as King Triz warm and satisfied.  Congratulations to you, Queen Wilda.  It looks like you keep your king plenty warm.  I will let him attest to his satisfaction,” I snapped.  The room silenced and I could feel High King Erik next to me, rigid with anger.

“Enough!” Lady Ulka stood.  “This is a State Dinner.  If the Kings and Queens would like to be critical of the High King or his future High Queen, the time and place for that is behind closed doors, not in a public arena such as this.”  She sat down, tucking her napkin on her lap.  “Now, I beg of you, let dinner be served.  I could eat a goat.”  Gentle laughter filled the room at her proclamation. 

I looked at her, trying to read her expression.  I wasn’t sure if I had done anything wrong and I was worried I would get scolded or beat tonight.  I sighed, tucking my napkin as she had done hers.  I would find out soon enough.