A Tale Of Queens

Jyaret

Sa-Alti and Qasahn were late for breakfast.

Quietly, they stepped into the dinning room and Sa-Alti noticed the man seated on the chair closest to the Queen. They looked as though they had been in deep discussion for a while now. He was a broad, muscular man that she could tell was around Qasahn's age. His face bore a very serious look and he paid them no attention even though he was well aware of their presence. Instead, he stopped speaking and picked at his food.

Like a petulent child.

Sa-Alti disliked him immediately.

She mustered up a polite smile and greeted the Queen, apologizing for their lateness. The woman waved it off and assured them that it was nothing. Qasahn then thanked her for her hospitality which she accepted graciously.

They both took their seats at the table opposite each other and began to eat.

The man was yet to acknowledge either of them and the Queen did not introduce him. As he continued to focus pointedly at his plate, Sa-Alti took the chance to study him in a sidelong glance. His hair was in short dreadlocks that reached his shoulders and the tips were decorated with black beads that glittered. He had very thick brows that seemed to be always drawn together, giving him a no-nonsense expression. His lips were full in equal measures and a thick but well-trimmed beard surrounded them. His eyes were large like Queen Inuo's but lacked the mischief. They were dark and intense and piercing and ... they were staring right back at her.

Sa-Alti quickly looked away, extremely embarrassed. Had she been staring like a loon?! Qasahn cleared his throat and a funny smile gradually grew on his lips. She glared at him but remained silent.

If Queen Inuo noticed the exchange, then she did nothing to acknowledge it. She raised small talk here and there but the man did not engage at all, choosing to eat quietly.

Breakfast was an awkward affair and Qasahn looked more than glad to hightail it out of there the moment it was over.

Sa-Alti had no such luck.

As the servants cleared the table, the Queen finally introduced the man to her.

“Sati, this is my grandson that I told you about. His name is Jyaret and he is a very fine swordsman. He has agreed to return to Khelet with you.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Jyaret. I cannot express how grateful I am that –”

“Jyaret,” he spat suddenly, cutting her off.

Sa-Alti was so shocked by his abruptness that she was left speechless, not quite understanding what he meant.

“What?”

“My name. That is how you pronounce it.”

She looked at the Queen with a bewildered expression. Had she said it wrong?

“Forgive him, Sati. He is a grumpy one. Took after his grandfather.”

Jyaret said nothing but a rumble that indicated his disagreement escaped from his chest.

Sa-Alti took a deep breath and tried to maintain her smile, reminding herself that this was for Vileytna.

“Well, I apologize, Jyaret. Is that satisfactory?” She knew her tone was full of snark but could not help it. She had never met anyone so mannerless before.

He only glanced at her for a second and went back to ignoring her presence.

She took in more deep breaths before continuing.

“Well, I assume that your grandmother has told you about the problem with Geleu?”

“Of course,” he drawled in his deep voice. He seemed to grumble words, rather than speak them. A mocking smile spread on his face as he continued. “She told me allll about your incompetent army or was it the lack of?” He looked at Queen Inuo with a falsely earnest expression, as if he was waiting for her to remind him of what they'd discussed just minutes ago.

Sa-Alti felt like pulling at her hair. This man, for whatever reason, was hell bent on getting on her nerves.

“My Queen, it is obvious that your grandson is averse to my presence, although I can find no reason for this. I cannot force him to do something he very clearly does not want to do. Surely, there are far more skilled warriors who can help me without having a chip on their shoulder?”

Jyaret scoffed but said nothing. There was a satisfied glint in his eyes that showed that this was exactly what he hoping would happen.

Unfortunately, his grandmother knew him all too well and was right ahead of him.

“I am afraid to disappoint, my dear but Jyaret here is the head swordsman. You will just have to put up with his behavior. He is only throwing a tantrum but you must treat him with patience.”

He wanted to protest her words but Sa-Alti was already speaking.

“I suppose I can bear with him for the time being.”

“Don't speak about me like I am not here.”

He was totally ignored by the two women. Their discussion had already delved into plans to travel and other things which they considered more important than dealing with him.

Jyaret was left stewing in his seat.

It was then agreed – without his input, mind you – that the next day at the crack of dawn, he and this Sa-Alti would be making their way to Khelet.

Gods, he hated his grandmother sometimes.

Most times.