Tales of the Vangen: The Black Ministry's Betrayal (Book 1)

Chapter 30: A Dinner with the Family

Libro sat at the dinner table, trying desperately not to drool. Elena's granmater had been quick to point out the stew. What she'd forgotten to mention was the plethora of other items on the menu. Roasted turnips piled high next buttered snow peas and pickled cucumbers. Bowls of millet porridge bubbling hot passed around with wedges of barley bread for dunking. Sliced tvorig, the Keevan Rahs signature merchants cheese, stacked high on a large chartreuse board alongside cups of juniper berry jam and smoked sausage links. And in the center of it all was the stew, a bubbling cauldron of rabbit simmered in a brown broth with potatoes, carrots, and radishes.

A warm fire was burning from the nearby hearth. Yara, Elena's grandmater, sat smiling vacantly in front of Libro.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Elena sat beside Libro, grinning from ear to ear.

"Huh?"

"The food silly."

Libro's stomach gave an audible groan, speaking in his stead. To his right, Vadim clapped Libro on the shoulder. "It appears we have our answer. The poor boy has been living on a soldier's diet for far too long. Look at you. All skin and bones this one."

Elena's step-pater spoke in traditional Rassan. Even after all the years in its absence, Libro found himself still able to speak the language fluently.

"Thank you for your hospitality," Libro replied sheepishly. "It is an honor to share your meal with me."

"Nonsense, nonsense." Vadim shook his head. "You are a guest here. Besides, how else are we going to convince you to stay? Elena is not exactly the best at charming the men she fancies." He gave a sly wink that sent a creeping heat up Libro's neck.

"Pater," Elena slapped her hands on the table, her face turning cherry red. "You are embarrassing me."

Vadim clasped his hands over his full stomach and laughed. Elena's mater, Olga, was quick to smack him in the head with a wooden spoon. The colorful woolen dress she wore was covered with a thick canvas apron, still spattered with stew.

"That's enough out of you," Olga chastised, waving the spoon at him like a dagger. "Stop acting like an ornery kozal before you scare Ketro away."

"Please, spare me." Vadim held up his hands in mock defense. "You know I only kid, my love."

Olga smiled and gave him another love tap. "Save it for after dinner then." Olga turned her attention to Libro. "Despite my husband's poor attempt at jokes, he is right. You are looking a bit thin, my dear. Please, eat as much as you want."

A bowl of porridge and a slice of bread was passed into Libro's hands. He swallowed a spoonful of the delicious concoction, his eyes nearly tearing up at the comforting warmth. Elena's braters, twins, named Igor and Rurik, came running by giggling as they chased each other. Both dark-haired and violet-eyed, just like their mater and pater.

"Ketro! Ketro!" Igor tugged at his shirt. "What's it like being a soldier?"

"Is it scary? Are you brave?" Rurik piped up next.

Elena laid a hand over Libro's arm. "He is fearless. You should have seen him fight the rebels. He scared them all away."

A complete fabrication, of course. Elena had done most of the fighting. Libro could only recall killing one of them before he'd been cracked in the back of the skull.

Both twins gawked in unison, their eyes shimmering like amethysts in the candlelight.

"All right, boys. Quit pestering Ketro and go wash up," Olga waved her spoon at the twins. "He didn't come here to talk about the rebellion."