***
Pulchra woke late the next morning having finally slept after her fearful fit had passed. Stretching, she sat up in bed only then realizing that she still felt a certain apprehension deep in the pit of her stomach. The feeling was not nearly as distressing as what she had felt the previous night and so she was not terribly worried. She pulled the cord to summon Celisha and Carmina and they entered the room a second later.
“Good morning, mistress,” they both said as they bowed to her. They then opened several closets filled with dresses of multiple styles and materials as well as expensive jewelry. Pulchra chose those which were most pleasing to her and dressed quickly.
“I would like to see my husband now, please,” Pulchra said.
“He returned last night and spoke with Tobart,” Carmina said as she shut the last closet door. “He left again then, I’m afraid. Would you like your breakfast now, mistress?”
“Yes, thank you,” Pulchra said. She was disappointed by the news that her meeting with her new husband was again delayed. Who was this man? Tobart and Arb had called him Akaru, but his name was really all Pulchra knew about him.
“Would you like to eat in your room, or in the garden, mistress?” Celisha asked.
“The garden,” Pulchra answered remembering her glimpse of the beautiful garden when she entered the house last night. It would be a pleasant environment for her meal. The chambermaids led the way out of the room, down the stairs, and around a corner to the garden where a small table and chair had been set.
“If it would be pleasing to you, mistress,” Celisha said as Pulchra sat down, “Carmina has made a dish of eggs and vegetables and I have baked fresh honey cakes. If this would not be pleasing to you, we will-”
“It sounds delicious,” Pulchra interrupted her. Celisha and Carmina disappeared into the house giving Pulchra a chance to appreciate the beautiful garden of brightly colored flowers. There were rose bushes and beds of lilies, daisies, tulips, and several flowers Pulchra had never seen before. There were also many carefully trimmed trees each with brilliant blossoms among their leaves. Little birds flew here and there lightly chirping.
Celisha and Carmina returned with the food and a pitcher of fresh milk which they set on the table before Pulchra. On the large plate set before her were hard boiled eggs that had been sliced and arranged on a bed of fried peppers, onions, and eggplant. On top of the eggs were small bits of broccoli and the entire dish had been drizzled with an oil. Three steaming honey cakes lay on a smaller plate. They had been made with whole wheat grains and crumbled easily when Pulchra lifted one to her mouth.
“This is wonderful,” Pulchra smiled as she chewed the sweet cake. The texture was a bit courser than other pastries she had eaten, but the taste was far sweeter.
“We are very glad it pleases you, mistress,” Celisha said. “We have never prepared human food before. We were not sure if you preferred the shells left on the eggs or not.”
Pulchra sampled the eggs and vegetables. She was happily surprised to realize that they had been salted. Salt was very expensive in Angustia and meals including salt were usually only eaten on holidays. She took another bite and remarked, “I certainly prefer my eggs without the shells. As it is, this is really delicious.”
“You see I told you she wouldn’t like the shells,” Carmina whispered to her sister.
Celisha just smiled and said, “You will have to tell us more about your tastes, mistress. Lord Akaru had suggested that you might enjoy these ingredients.”
“He did?” Pulchra asked.
“He also suggested that we offer the garden as a place to dine,” Carmina added.
“Apparently my husband knows me far better than I know him,” Pulchra sighed. Despite her frustration Pulchra was touched and even more curious. “How long have you been in his service?”
“Since his war against Lord Yikipo in the south,” Carmina’s feathers ruffled as she spoke. “Sixty three years ago.”
“You certainly do not show your age,” Pulchra laughed. When a somber look crossed her maids’ faces she pressed. “Tell me how you came to be in my husband’s service.”
“Our mother had been taken as a spoil of war by Lord Yikipo,” Celisha spoke softly. “We were born into harsh slavery.”
“Forced to work nonstop in Lord Yikipo’s household since the time we could walk,” Carmina looked down. “And to satisfy his every desire.”
“In the third decade of our lives.” Celisha continued, “our master launched an aggressive invasion of Lord Akaru’s territory claiming the life of his first wife.”
“Lord Akaru was married before?” Pulchra asked.
“Yes, to a daemon of great grace we have been told,” Celisha answered. “Though we never met her.”
“What happened after her death?” Pulchra was extremely curious to hear the whole story.
“Lord Akaru took the offensive with his battalions.” Celisha continued, “driving Yikipo’s forces back in defeat. As Lord Akaru drew close to his stronghold, Yikipo flew into a rage slaughtering all those in his household.”
“Lord Akaru was only able to save the two of us,” Carmina interjected.
“And then he took you into his service?” Pulchra asked.
“Not at first, mistress,” Celisha took up the story again. “At first he looked at us and said, ‘You poor children, you have suffered much. Go and make a good life for yourselves.’ But we fell on our knees and begged him to take us with him since we had nowhere to go and all of our family and friends were dead by Yikipo’s hand. Still he told us to embrace our new freedom but finally he relented as we shed tears and continued to plead with him. He brought us here and we have served him since.”
“And you are happy here?” Pulchra asked.
“Very happy, mistress,” Celisha said smiling.
“Lord Akaru is a kind master,” Carmina smiled too. “Far kinder than Lord Yikipo ever was. We are well fed and lightly worked and the last three days of every month he insists we do no work though we would be more than happy to.”
Even the servants in Pulchra’s father’s house would not be so complimentary toward their employer. Nor could they boast of such devotion for their master. Pulchra finished her breakfast quietly contemplating what she had heard.
“I am glad you found the food satisfactory, mistress,” Tobart appeared in the garden as Celisha and Carmina carried the dishes away.
“It was very good, thank you,” Pulchra smiled. “Celisha and Carmina were just telling me about Akaru. I understand you spoke with him last night.”
“Yes I did,” Tobart stroked his whiskers. “He returned late and stayed only briefly. He did ask me to tell you of his great affection for you.”
Pulchra nodded, but she wondered why Akaru had left so quickly on his wedding night if he felt such great affection for his wife.
“Could I show you the rest of the house?” Tobart asked interrupting Pulchra’s thoughts.
“Yes,” Pulchra said and rose out of her chair. She was anxious to explore her new home. Tobart led the way across the garden to a door on the far side.
“This is one of the store rooms,” Tobart said after Pulchra entered after him. “There are two more next to this one. Lord Akaru likes to keep them all well stocked.”
Pulchra was impressed by the size of the room and the variety of food stuffs stored there. Barrels were stacked along one wall, each with the name of its contents etched onto its side. There was an abundance of wheat, oats, rice, barley, and rye. There were also smaller supplies of salt, cumin, cloves, ground pepper, mustard, and other spices. Dried herbs and meats hung from the ceiling. Along the opposite wall were the tops of large ceramic jars. Pulchra had heard of merchants using this method of storing liquids. Huge jars were buried in the earth with only the lids on top visible on the surface. Aside from saving space this also kept the contents at a lower temperature which helped to keep them fresh. The lids, like the barrels, were labeled and Pulchra saw that the
y held white and red wine, honey, olive oil, and vinegar.
All these things seemed quite normal, but as Pulchra walked through the store room she noticed a few oddities mixed in with the normal items. One of the buried jars was labeled “pickled kidneys”, another “crushed beetles”, and yet another “deer’s blood”.
“Tobart,” Pulchra said as a slight shudder ran through her. “What are these?”
“Food, mistress,” Tobart answered following her gaze. “A daemon’s taste in food is often quite particular. Some have a taste for one particular animal, some for a particular organ. Of course there are some who prefer certain plants. Lord Akaru tends toward the carnivorous side, though he does enjoy a number of different organs. Kidneys, livers, hearts. Pickled mostly but also roasted or smoked. The insects are for Celisha and Carmina. Beetles are one of their favorites.”
“And what about you?” Pulchra shuddered again. “You drink the blood?”
“Oh no, mistress!” Tobart said and twitched his nose. “I have never met a daemon who had such peculiar tastes. The blood is used as an ingredient in several delicacies which Lord Akaru serves to guests.”
Pulchra’s breakfast was threatening to make a reappearance. She put her hand over her mouth and swallowed hard. Her father had entertained guests from distant lands who had spoken of their native dishes. Many had sounded appalling to her, though she had never heard of a stranger menu than the one Tobart had just described.
“Are the other rooms as large as this one?” Pulchra asked to change the subject. She did not want to enquire further into Tobart’s personal preferences in regards to diet.
“Yes mistress,” Tobart said walking across the room. “These stores could feed the household for several months. If you would follow me, the kitchen is just through here.”
He opened another door, which Pulchra had not noticed, and ushered her through. She was not exactly enthusiastic about seeing the place where these odd dishes were prepared.
The kitchen turned out to be rather ordinary. On one wall a stream of water flowed from a spout into a trough and down a drain providing a constant supply. In the center of the room was a hearth with a tripod and kettle over it. In front of the hearth sat a small table and against the opposite wall were a large counter and an oven.
“Celisha and Carmina prepare all the meals here,” Tobart said. “Unless it would please you to prepare some on your own.”
“I did cook occasionally in my father’s house,” Pulchra said, though she was still thinking about the contents of the storeroom. “So I may.”
“As you wish, mistress,” said Tobart. He walked out of the kitchen and down a corridor. Pulchra followed. She did not mean to be offensive about the daemons’ food. After all she had not been offered any offensive dishes, and the breakfast she had been served had been wonderful.
The corridor led to the exquisite atrium. Tobart continued down another of the many corridors leading out of the atrium.
“If I may ask, mistress,” Tobart said turning to her just before they entered the next room. “Can you read?”
“Yes,” Pulchra was confused by the question until she saw where they were. The room they entered was a library with an impressive collection of scrolls stacked neatly on shelves. “I was taught to read my own language as well as that of the peoples of the south.”
“You may be interested in this section then,” Tobart indicated a row of shelves. “These are the works of the poets and philosophers of your nation and over here are works written in the southern tongue. Whenever possible Lord Akaru purchases literary works. Many here he was only able to borrow and then copied himself.”
“He is very well educated then,” Pulchra surmised.
“Oh indeed, mistress,” Tobart said smiling. “His territory encompasses many human populations and he does his best to learn each of their tongues. I am proud to say that I have learned most along with him. If you wish to read a work in one of the other sections I would be happy to translate it for you.”
“Thank you, Tobart,” Pulchra said and smiled back at him. “I believe there is plenty for me to start with here, but someday I may take you up on your offer. Which room shall we see next?”
“Follow me please,” Tobart led the way back to the atrium and then down another corridor. Nothing could have prepared Pulchra for what she saw next.
Pulchra had never seen any building nearly as large as this room was. The vaulted ceiling rose many hundreds of feet. It was supported by two rows of massive marble columns. Despite being so far away Pulchra could clearly see mythical flying creatures painted on the ceilings. Dragons, harpies, winged horses, and griffins played among fluffy white clouds. The room was just as wide as it was tall and twice as long. A checkered pattern of different colored stones spread over the floor and the walls were lined with gilded relief sculpture.
“What is this room?” Pulchra gaped up at the ceiling.
“A banquet hall, a dance floor, a conference room, any purpose Lord Akaru needs it for,” Tobart answered. The end of his tail curled. “Though I don’t think he was thinking of any of those purposes when he had it built. He often comes to this room by himself.”
“And what does he do here?” Pulchra asked.
“Mostly the same thing you are doing,” Tobart smiled. “He stares at the ceiling and dreams.”
“You could stare at it for hours and see something new each minute,” Pulchra whispered just noticing several little cherubs darting around the capitals of the columns.
“Would you like me to bring a chair for you, mistress?” Tobart asked. “I can get one which reclines so you will not strain your neck as you look upwards.”
“No, thank you Tobart,” Pulchra replied and finally tore her eyes away after thinking for a few seconds. “Another time. I would like to see the rest of the house first.”
“Very well, mistress.”
Tobart led the way back to the atrium. Pulchra looked over her shoulder still fascinated by the huge room.
They took yet another corridor out of the atrium and this one led them outside the house. The space they entered was a sheltered grotto inaccessible except by way of the house. A stream filled a pool with crystal clear water. Pulchra was surprised to see stream rising from the pool.
“It’s beautiful, is it heated?” Pulchra asked.
“Not by us, mistress,” Tobart answered. “The water is already heated when it exits the earth.”
“I have heard of springs like this in the south, but I have never seen one,” Pulchra said and knelt at the water’s edge dipping her fingers below the surface. It was hot, though not painfully so. “Akaru bathes here?”
“Yes, mistress, and of course you may as well whenever you like.”
“Do you and the others also make use of it?”
“Lord Akaru does allow us to,” said Tobart. His tail twitched slightly. “Personally I find it a bit too hot for my taste. Celisha and Carmina do enjoy it, but I will see to it that they wait to bathe until after you retire for the night so that they do not inconvenience you.”
“That won’t be necessary, I’m sure we can work around each other’s schedules.”
“As you wish, mistress.”
Tobart again led the way back to the atrium and turned down the corridor which led to the garden and the stairs to Pulchra’s room.
“There are guest rooms adjacent to the garden on the first floor,” he said pointing past the stairs. “Further along are rooms for Celisha, Carmina, and myself. The garden stands here between the bedrooms and the kitchen.”
“A very impressive home,” Pulchra had never seen nor even heard of a more impressive residence.
After touring the house, Pulchra returned to the table set out in the garden.
“I will send Celisha and Carmina to you, mistress,” Tobart excused himself and disappeared in the direction of the kitchen.
The maids brought Pulchra a lunch of ham and well-aged cheese. Again Akaru had selected the menu. Dur
ing the meal, the apprehension in her stomach rose to a level of anxiety and she could not suppress a shudder. She was about to return to her room when a sweet melody floated through the garden followed by a low, energetic voice singing in a language Pulchra did not recognize. The voice rose and fell, filled with strong emotion. It had such a tone, such a range, even the greatest performers at the theater in Angustia could not compare to this voice.
“Who is that talented singer with such a fine voice?” Pulchra asked.
“That is Lord Akaru himself,” Celisha said grinning. “He often sings as he walks through the forest. He truly does have a fine voice.”
Despite her anxiety, Pulchra stayed and listened to her husband sing wondering if the song heralded his return. But he did not present himself so Pulchra asked Tobart to bring a chair to the large room. With a scroll from the library, she spent the afternoon reading and admiring the clouds and creatures painted high above her and remembering the sweet song she had heard at lunch.
Akaru was overjoyed that evening when Tobart told him how Pulchra had reacted to his singing.
“You see, my friend?” he exclaimed. “Love overcomes all obstacles. I was only a hundred paces from the house while I was singing.”
“A hundred paces is hardly overcoming the obstacle,” Tobart stroked his whiskers. “It is also hardly the usual distance between spouses.”
“But it is a start, Tobart, a good start.”