Chương 56: Vol 1. The Long Quest For Brisket: Part 3

Tavi's heart was going thumpthumpthump-thumpity-thump a billion miles an hour. Her paws were clasped together as she nervously fidgeted. She was at the entryway to the dining hall now, and leaning against it was Lady Korra Seran herself. Tavi hadn't actually seen her in person before. Oh, Seroth, she was so massive! The doorway, which was actually pretty sizeable, looked small next to her. Her shoulders were even broader than Morton's. And that open eye socket with the scar tissue around it…

for lack of a less refined word, it gave her the creeps. Lady Korra saw Tavi approaching, giving a curt nod; but when she saw Morton, her amber eye lit up, and a smile spread across her muzzle. She crossed her arms.

"Well, well, well, look who slept in today."

"Ah, hell," Morton scoffed, "it's only…"

"It is the 9th hour of the day," Korra said.

"Only the ninth? Good Lord, I got up early today!"

"If that is early to you, I do not want to know what is late for you."

"Well, what time did y'all get up?"

"The 2nd hour of the day."

"The… miss, with all due respect, that is the time for sleepin'."

"That is what makes it such a good time to train: few distractions."

"Heh, you're something else." Tavi's tail went rigid. What was happening?

"Anyway," Korra said, "do you care to join us for breakfast?"

"Oh, actually, that reminds me." Tavi unconsciously took a step forward as Morton slapped her on the back, taking the air out of her lungs.

"I was wonderin' if the little miss here could join us for breakfast as well." Korra peered down at her. Tavi felt time itself slow. That stare felt as if it lasted for an agonizingly long time. In that moment, she was reminded how truly small—both socially and physically—she was compared to her. Then Korra looked back at Morton.

"Why?"

"Ah, she was real helpful this mornin'."

"Well…" Korra mulled it over for a moment.

"If that is what you want, I guess. Come on." Tavi and Morton were led into the dining room. A wave of delightful smells inundated Tavi, making her stomach gurgle. Servants went about, knocking into each other, carrying trays, going this way and that. The air was a mix of shouting, clinking, and clanging. In the centre of the room was a large dining table with a pristine white cloth and little golden trimmings. Sir Kurik was already seated, reading a book.

He looked up from it, seeing his wife approach, and flicked his ears.

"Well, good morning to you sleepy heads—""Don't even try to start," Korra said. Two servants came by, sliding out two chairs for Korra and Morton.

"One more," Morton said. The servants looked at each other but complied, pulling out a third chair. Tavi climbed onto the chair and sat, her legs dangling. The chair was—well, it was too big for her. Her paws barely reached the edge. She felt a pit in her stomach, and not just from being hungry. This felt wrong. Really wrong. The other servants seemed to think so, too, judging by the way they stared at her. Tavi tried not to look toward her fellow servants. She failed.

Rida was staring at her as if she had just climbed onto the altar during a fifthday service. Morton leaned back, placing one of his arms against the backrest.

"Good Lord!" Morton bellowed.

"These are some mighty comfy chairs!"

"They are quite nice," Kurik said.

"Darling, do you remember the craftswoman who made these?"

"Why would I?" Korra said incredulously.

"I do not even remember when we bought these."

"I'll tell ya', back in Texas, we ain't ever had dinin' room chairs this comfy."

"Oh really?" Kurik said.

"Yeah, usually they were made of hardwood, and if ya' sat on 'em too long, your ass would be sore into the new year." As they talked, servants came by with the food. Tavi gave a cursory smile as her fellow servants looked at her while they set down the plates, especially so as one of them placed a plate in front of her. They opened the lids, and immediately, Tavi's mouth began to water; she lolled her tongue impolitely.

On her plate were thick slices of lightly cooked blood sausage, seared goat liver with onions, soft-boiled quail eggs, and a sliced pear with honey. This was all… ludicrously expensive. The price of this plate alone could feed her and her family for three days! She swallowed. Rich people were insane. She looked over to Lady Korra, as if she needed permission, but she paid her no heed. Tavi reached one paw for the fork—"Morton, do you wish to do a meal prayer?

I know my mother would be disappointed in me if I didn't say grace before a meal, even with a guest of another religion. We can pray to the Dual-Gods, and you can pray to your Male-Lady." Tavi retracted her paw hell for leather. Morton ran his hand through his hair and said, "Ah, why not? You go first." Everyone folded their hands together in reverence. Korra began the traditional meal prayer of the church: Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

"O' Great Mother, creator of all, giver of flesh, field, and flock— O' Seroth, first beloved, with your sacred heart filled with infinite love, Receive our gratitude for these gifts which sustain us. Remember the labourer, the herder, the hunter, the servant, Whose paws have brought forth this bounty Which lies before this table. May our bodies be strengthened in the service of the Dual-Gods, Our household remain prosperous. By the Mother's will and Seroth's love, So may it be, now until the end of time."

Morton whistled.

"I don't think I can do anythin' that fancy. I'll be honest, it's been a good long while since I did a prayer before a meal, so I am a little rusty with my prayers."

"That is fine," Korra said with an ear flick. Morton cleared his throat.

"Lord, it's been a good long while." He swallowed.

"Hell, I reckon you already know that." He stared at his food.

"I just wanna say, thank ya' for this here meal, and thank you for keepin' me alive long enough to eat it… hell, what did Momma used to say…" He thought for a moment.

"Please keep watchin' over us. I ain't exactly sure what you want from me in this here world, but I'm sure tryin' my best." He bowed his head.

"In Jesus' name. Amen."

"Hm," Korra mused.

"Quite informal. I like it."

"Oh hey, by the way," Morton said, "where is the kid at?" Kurik chuckled and flicked one ear.

"He wanted to stay and finish up his makeup himself."

"Heh, sounds like him," Morton retorted.

"Actually, there he is right now. Tahir!" Tavi looked over at the coming figure, and she froze. She felt like a brick had just been thrown at her face. Prince Tahir Orien, their royal guest. He was wearing a soft cream-coloured dress with a fitted waist and loose sleeves. Over it was a muted green sleeveless bodice, lightly embroidered around the collar and hem with vines. The skirt fell loosely around his ankles. The hair on the back of his neck was tied into a braid with a little green ribbon.

His vibrant fur gleamed in the morning light, almost unnaturally so, turning the edges of his ears and braid luminous. The little green ribbon at the end bobbed with every step. Tavi's heart was pumping even faster than when she had entered the dining hall. And it was getting even worse when the chair next to her was pushed back, and Tahir sat next to her. It's okay, Tavi thought, no need to freak out.

You have a prince sitting next to you, a very, very pretty prince, one of, if not the, prettiest men you have ever seen. Just act natural. Tavi took her fork, grabbed a chunk of meat, and began to chew. For whatever reason, she started to chew out of the side of her mouth, baring one fang as she did so. Yep, act natural. As she continued to shovel food into her mouth, she saw Tahir look at her.

"Hey," he said. Tavi nearly choked on her food. She tried to say hello back, but nothing was coming out.

"What is your name?"

"It's… um… Tavi, Your Highness."

"I like your fur pattern; it is quite a lovely shade of black." Tavi never gave much thought to her fur pattern. She was a light black with smoky grey striping, a white chest patch, and copper undertones. Sure, she had had a couple of men say they thought she was handsome, but hearing it from someone who could rival Seroth's beauty… oh, she was not going to survive.

"Th…" Tavi felt as if she was going to collapse from lack of air.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"I am curious, what is your rank in the Seran household?" Tahir asked.

"I am just a servant," Tavi said rapidly.

"Oh, well, that is quite nice that the Serans allow their servants to eat alongside them."

"Well… I… they… usually…"

"Hey, uh, Tavi, you said, right?" Morton said.

"Uh? Y-yeah, that is correct, sir." He leaned in and whispered, "I got a question for ya'."

"I… ask away, sir."

"You know the name of your landlady?" Her ears twitched.

"I think her name is, um… Mistress Ressa Velrin, Sir Christian." Morton nodded and tipped his hat.

"Good to know." He turned to Korra, who was chatting with her husband.

"Hey, miss, I got a question for ya'."

"Yes, Sir Christian?"

"Are you familiar with a Mistress Ressa Velrin?" Korra's muzzle snarled.

"Unfortunately, yes."

"Now, why do ya' say unfortunate?" Korra unsheathed one claw and tapped it against her empty plate.

"She is… how do I put this courtly? She is one of those women born into a merchant-class family. She has never had to work a day in her life; she is dishonourable in every sense of the word, and by Seroth, she is the biggest suck-up I have had the displeasure of talking to. Does that answer it?"

"I reckon it does," Morton said.

"And if somethin', uh, bad were to happen to her—not death, but just somethin' not pleasant—would you care?"

"No," Korra said.

"In fact, I think I would be a little bit happy."

"Interesting," Morton mused.

"Why do you ask, Sir Christian?" Morton got out of his chair and whispered in Korra's ear, which flicked as he spoke.

"I see," she said.

"So, what do you think?" Korra straightened her tunic.

"If that is how you wish to spend your rest time between travelling, then I will not stop you." Morton turned to Tahir.

"Will you be okay being without me?"

"Well, I guess… Kurik wanted to show me some of his poetry," Tahir said solemnly.

"Yeah, go do what you need to do." Morton tipped his hat.

"Hey, I will be back soon, kid." Korra stood up from the table.

"You, girl!" Tavi looked over.

"What is your name?"

"T-Tavi, my lady." With a whistle, a bunch of other servant girls came running over.

"Sir Christian and Tavi will be heading beyond the estate walls today. Bring forth two guards to escort them to where they need to go." The servants bowed their heads.

"Yes, my lady." Before Tavi could say anything, she felt herself being escorted.

"I… Sir Christian, where are we heading?" Morton gave a sly smirk.

"To see that landlady of yours."