An Oath Of Lords And Ladies (ARTK, Book 1)

Chapter 66

Noveno 20th, 3328 A.G

  Nara woke to someone tapping her shoulder, a scent of sweat that she'd grown used to filling the room. There were no furs on the bed, as there were no need for them. The mere thought made her sweat more. On the opposite side, Renard was still snoring.

  Light poured in through the windows, and when she turned to face whoever was doing the tapping- it nearly blinded her. Out of habit she reached for her sword- which was leaned against the wall.

  "Pardons, Mi'lady-" the young boy said. "Mother sent me to tell you breakfast is ready."

  "Who is your mother-" Nara pushed hair out of her face. "And how long did I sleep?"

  "Midday is not far off. We eat late here." The boy left without answering her other question. After Nara had a few moment to wake up, she poked Renard on the shoulder over and over again.

  When he finally stirred, he grunted. The past few weeks, she'd come to realize he'd let himself become far less of a morning person.

  "Food." She said, and only then did his eyes open. She rolled her eyes and walked across the room to their sacks, pulling out the crowns and a dress gifted to her by the family. It reminded her of her wedding one, blue and with sleeves that went off the shoulders; only it was a darker color and the arms were bare without fabric hanging down.

  She threw Renard's crown at his face and was tempted to throw the clothes too, but decided against it.

"What was that for?" He rubbed a spot on his forehead.

  "No reason." Nara shrugged. "I just didn't feel like walking across the room to hand it to you when I've got a perfectly good throwing arm."

  He stood, joining her by the sacks. He reached into his own to grab a thin tunic, then set his crown down. "I could have gotten it when I came over here."

  "You could have." Nara agreed. "Turn around."

  Renard listened. Though they'd grown closer, he had no interest in seeing her. While she removed her sleeping dress and put the nicer one on, Renard pulled the tunic over his head. It was thick enough to count as clothes and protect from the sun, but thin enough that it wouldn't make him overheat. Nara's dress was the same. Out of habit, she sheathed her sword at her hip.

  After they'd both put their crowns on, Nara told him he could turn back around. He found her beautiful- but not in the way most husbands would with their wives. He did not want to undress her, did not want to kiss her- and doubted she felt any differently.

  "Shall we?" She said, then turned without waiting for a response. In the hallways, they passed by a few servants and even followers from the temple who were studying the castle's art. The great hall was not too far off, and when they arrived they couldn't help but admire it.

  The ceiling's were high with archways and paintings, there was a wall that was just a large window, and the plants were everywhere. Despite being in a larger castle, the Great hall could hold about the same number of people as House Ashhand's. The tables were smaller and spaced further apart, each of them filled with a Kroban soldier. At the hall's front, there was were two larger tables meant for the family, advisors and guests.

  All of the biggest table was filled with the Amalone family-save for two chairs, while the second largest was full of their advisors and those that Nara had brought or that'd tagged along with her.

  Nara and Renard took their seats, looking first at the food despite the family staring.

There was chicken and what Nara hoped was roasted snake or sausages, sweet potatoes, bread and   A savory tomato jam,  pomegranate wine, fresh cherries and melon. Renard's mouth watered. It'd been so long since he'd had fresh cherries- so much so that he was tempted to serve himself even though their were servants to attend to the large tables.