An Ignoble Invitation- the Aelven Dominion

by Dani Morrison

  With the snap of his fingers, two attendees brought a pedestal from a back room.

  “She’s not used to Aelven gowns Lim so nothing too intricate.”

  The tailor nodded, “Understood, however, she must be outfitted to rival other members of the court.” He sighed and leveled a flat stare in Pyrin’s direction. “It would have been most helpful if your son had given me a little more time.”

  Pyrin humphed and waved her hand, “The ‘Grand Treasurer’ has never been good with planning.”

  Soon, Miri found herself on the pedestal with Lim’s attendants whipped into a flurry of action. Gowns in hues of green, red, or gold were presented to Lady Vinhar for inspection while Miri stood, uncomfortable and exposed, in her undergarments.

  “I imagine this has to be a new experience for you,” Lyrei said softly as she pinned Miri’s braids into a bun at the top of her head.

  “Was it the same for you?” Miri replied, her eyes downcast. She could feel her skin flush as one of the shop workers brought a gown for her to step into.

  “I’ve never been dressed this way,” Lyrei replied.

  Miri was able to hide her shock but couldn’t help the twinge of guilt that coursed through her. She had always assumed every Aelv had similar experiences of decadent living. Even the Hearth Mistresses wore luxurious perfumes and clothing capable of keeping them warm during the winter months.

  “I guess I just thought...” She began.

  “That all of us have stunning quarters in the Convent and spend our days in leisurely pursuits?” Lyrei replied, stepping around Miri to stand in front of her. “Everyone has a place in our society.”

  The next few hours were a blur as she was laced and buttoned into so many dresses she didn’t even want to consider the rising bill. With each exclamation of surprise and joy from Lady Vinhar’s lips, another dress was added to the pile until Miri finally had to interject.

  “I think this is a bit much.” She said, avoiding the sight of herself in the polished silver mirror to her side, “It’s only for a few days.”

  Lim chuckled as he smoothed the back of her dress and studied her from behind, “You’ll be expected to change multiple times during the day.”

  “You’ll need something for the morning, midday, dinner, the opening and closing ceremonies, and any cultural events,” Lyrei said, ticking off each event with a finger. “It would be scandalous for you to be seen in the same dress throughout.”

  Miri’s mouth ran dry. She was expecting a couple of dinners, maybe a few introductions, but the itinerary seemed far more involved and exhausting, then she was prepared for. As Lim helped her remove the latest gown and motioned for the chosen dresses to be carefully wrapped and delivered to Aisalan’s home, she could feel her heart begin to race. She couldn’t do this. It was all too much.

  “This seems like way more than I bargained for.” She said with a nervous chuckle.

  “I feared as much.” Pyrin replied. “There is far more expected of one’s partner than being visually appealing. You’ll be expected to converse with the wives and courtesans of other delegate members and make a good impression of your own.”

  At that moment, Miri questioned just how ludicrous it would be if she ran out of the shop in her undergarments, sent a message to Aisalan declining the invitation, and vowed never to enter the Convent again.

  “The demands will be as high upon you as they are, my son.” Lady Vinhar continued, “Which is why I thought it pertinent that I attend your fitting to give you a bit of a primer on what to expect.” She paused, and her lips took on a decidedly shrewish purse Miri feared foretold a particularly scathing comment, “I can understand his desire to avoid becoming entangled with a courtesan or woman of the courts who would be better suited, but I’m still unsure if you’ll be able to handle the pressure.”

  Miri’s mouth dropped open for a moment before she snapped it shut. Sure, she was having the same second thoughts about the entire arrangement, but to hear it put so plainly to her by someone else tweaked her pride. She squared her shoulders and looked Lady Vinhar directly in the eyes as she spoke, “Be that as it may I have been chosen for the task, and I will see it through. Besides, I assume the same rules apply?”

  Miri rested a hand on her hip, “Don’t mention anything about supporting the human resistance. Don’t say anything bad about the Aelven Dominion. Smile and nod if someone says something offensive.”

  Lady Vinhar’s lips curled into a small smile, “I see.”

  Miri nodded, hoping the reaffirmation of her commitment would calm her nerves. Nerves that became live wires as a slew of expensive undergarments were added to the growing collection.

  “There’s no need to make this even more awkward than it has been for you.” Lim said as he inspected a brasierre that seemed so delicate, Miri hardly believed it would provide adequate support for anything. He turned to Lady Vinhar and continued, “You’re free to go if you wish. I’ll have everything delivered by the seventh toll.”

  “Wonderful!” Pyrin replied with a small clap of her hands, “I skipped my morning meal and am positively famished.”

  Miri suppressed a groan. Granted, she had only been in Lady Vinhar and Lyrei’s company for a couple of hours, but she failed to notice the drain that came with feeling on edge for such an extended period. Her stomach rumbled, signaling that she too could do with a hearty meal, but she would have much preferred to take that meal in Cala’s, surrounded by other humans, than in whatever establishment Lady Vinhar had in mind.

  She was relieved when attention was diverted from her since their business was concluded but surprised when, instead of heading back to the litter, Lady Vinhar insisted they walk to the eatery of her choice.

  They passed by the Temple of Sol; it’s massive bells tolling out the new hour and Sisters spilling out from the front entrance. It was this temple that gave the Convent its name with their watchful eyes ever-present on the citizens who lived and worked there. Lyrei pointed out a few of her favorite haunts, and Miri could hardly comment as there were some places she’d yet to step foot in despite living in the stronghold for years.

  She could appreciate what she was attempting to do. The two of them would be spending a lot of time together if she was going to need help dressing over the next few days, and having some form of camaraderie would be far better than awkward silence punctuated by commands for Miri to raise her arms.

  She offered what tidbits to the conversation that she could and was eventually escorted through a set of rich red doors into a small, ornately decorated, dining hall. Aelven in pressed cream tunics whisked around the room carrying trays laden with food.

  Their party was seated quickly and their lunch became a primer in the table manners of the court, which subjects of discussion were considered taboo, and the importance of names.

  “A name is powerful.” Lady Vinhar began, “To all Aelven. Without one, to whom would we know to assign glory or shame?”

  Miri understood the importance placed on introductions in Aelven society but never considered the deeper implications of the tradition. Shame on one’s name became a dark mark on an entire Progenitor’s line. An illustrious name was close to immortality.

  Miri continued listening, fascinated by the tiny intricacies that would mean absolutely nothing to an outsider but meant everything to those she sat with. As time passed, her apprehension grew as each new instruction highlighted something that could go terrible wrong.

  Miri

  The entire afternoon felt like a surreal half-dream by the time Miri stepped out of the litter and back into the curved alleyway that lead to her tenement. What she hoped would be a simple luncheon where she might have gotten a few pointers on etiquette turned into far more than she expected. It left her feeling overwhelmed and nauseous, with a belly filled more of anxiety than food.

  “I’ll be there to guide you,” Lyrei assured her. The young Aelven female half hung out of the vehicle, a look of concern etched into her delicate br
ow. “We travel tomorrow morning, 8th toll.”

  “I’ll be ready,” Miri replied, her back ramrod straight as she attempted to channel the remaining bit of strength she possessed.

  Lyrei gave a firm nod before disappearing back behind the curtain of the litter. A sharp thunk sounded from within before the guardsmen activated a small sigil carved onto the litter’s side, and they began their steady march back to the Convent.

  Miri stood and watched for a few moments, the steady rhythm of their boots against the uneven stones of the thoroughfare sending her into a hypnotic trance. She shook her head and turned to look down the alley that would take her home. Sol’s setting rays caught the lines of clothing hanging above her head, and the resulting shadows all seemed to point her back to safety.

  She found them comforting as she followed their dark fingers back home.

  Chapter Seven

  Miri

  Kyra was in her space so quickly that she must have been pacing close to the front door, “So how did it go?”

  Miri chuckled nervously and deposited her coin pouch onto their dining table, “We leave in the morning.”

  Kyra winced, “That bad?”

  Miri shrugged, “No? Yes? Both.” She threw herself down into a chair and tipped her face to stare up into the ceiling, “This is just far more involved than I thought it would be.”

  “Far more involved, then...” Kyra said. Miri rolled her eyes and looked at her roommate in time to see her rolling her hand in a motion meant to refer to the delicate subject of the short term sexual relationship involved in the arrangement.

  Miri rubbed at her eyes, “There’s all of these rules and protocols. I don’t think Aisalan thought this through.”

  Kyra snorted, “Obviously not.”

  Miri poked her tongue out at her friend and began unraveling her braids, “I probably should have asked more questions, you know? I barely know who he is.”

  Kyra nodded, “Will you be alone with him the entire time?”

  Miri shook her head, “No. The same servant who took me shopping today will be in attendance during the entire summit.”

  “Oh my.” Kyra said, “Well, that’s good, right?” She chewed on her lower lip, “You’re not being thrown completely to the wolves.”

  “Believe me...” Miri sighed, “It still feels like it. The places we went today….” She trailed off, “I would never even think to step foot into, and I found out the way I consume noodles is wrong.” She huffed and covered up the small nervous laugh that threatened to burble out. “I know very little about the growing tensions between the Aelven Dominion and the rebels out in the wilds.”

  “I highly doubt many of the other guests will be discussing that.” Kyra said, “These things seem to be all about soft power displays anyway.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Kyra cocked a hip to the side, “I talk to people.” She replied with a smirk. “Our clientele have very loose lips and many of them are saying the Progenitors are playing at appeasement while knowing that war is inevitable.”

  “So, all of this is for show?” Miri scoffed though she felt somewhat better knowing the Aelven were just as arrogant, and high-handed, as she imagined them to be. Her conversations with Lyrei and Lady Vinhar may have been pleasant enough, but she almost preened at the idea of seeing the falsehoods behind the social niceties.

  “One of the regulars came in today, so I thought to kind of...” Kyra shrugged and played with the frayed ends of her belt, “see what I could find out about Aisalan Vinhar.”

  Miri perked up instantly, “And? Did you manage to find anything out?”

  “He’s the Grand Treasurer of the entire stronghold.” Kyra blurted out, “And there’s suspicion he’s only going to the negotiations to offer bribes.”

  Miri’s mouth hung open for a moment before she snapped it shut.

  “There are rumors the Otravian stronghold is sending weapons and money to human rebels.” Kyra continued, “But they also called for this summit so no one really knows where they stand.”

  Miri allowed the new information to sink in. There were murmurings around The Hidden, snatches of conversation, about the rebelling human forces gaining more ground though she had yet to hear a distinct human Progenitor’s name attached to any of the activity. If the Otravian stronghold was supporting the rebels, it wasn’t just casteless humans putting their lives on the line anymore.

  “I should get out to the front counter more,” Miri grumbled.

  Kyra laughed, “Why? So you can be perpetually annoyed for half a shift?” She walked over to Miri and pulled her into a hug. “You can’t stand our customers.” She pulled back, “I’m halfway surprised you’re not ranting and raving right now.”

  Miri chuckled, “Still in shock, I guess.” Her eyes drifted to the wall above Kyra’s shoulder, “This afternoon was kind of intense.”

  Kyra nodded, “I can imagine.” She stepped back and rubbed Miri’s shoulders, “You should probably get some rest.”

  Despite the adrenaline coursing through her, Miri could feel a swift current of fatigue sweep through to overtake it. Already suffering from lack of sleep, having to absorb an impromptu etiquette intensive had begun to weigh her down. She was exhausted, but it was still early in the evening. “In a bit. Were you able to find out anything else?”

  “Nothing else really. You probably know more about what he’s like up close than the little bit of gossip I was able to get.” Kyra said.

  It would need to be enough for now, at least until she was with the Aelven male again in the morning. He seemed slow to anger, not at all like some of the brutish specimens that stalked The Hidden in the late hour or guarded the gates. But there also existed the painful truth. He didn’t mean her well. She served a purpose to him, and that was the only reason he was even helping her. That he showed she and Kyra some kindness at the Tribunal Hall was all well and good, but in the end, he was using their circumstances to get something he wanted.

  Miri may not have had much concrete information about Aisalan Vinhar, but a bitter taste crept over her tongue when she recalled the matter of fact way he discussed having sex. Calculating and nonchalant.

  “You’re ruminating.” Kyra said softly, “You can still back out.”

  Kyra would completely understand if she did, and Miri knew that. From the moment she knew about the arrangement with Aisalan, Kyra had been free with making her reservations known. Miri rubbed her arm before pinching the bridge of her nose between two fingers and letting out a deep exhale. “It’s only for a few days. A few days that can guarantee we get a shot at building our future.”

  “Right.” Kyra was biting her tongue, and Miri was glad for it. They both knew she was entering uncharted territory in more ways than one. To continue retracing their well-worn arguments wouldn’t do much for her but add on to the anxiety she already experienced.

  “I’m beat; if you bring some Alawa fruits and bread into the bedroom, I can spill all of the details of the day,” Miri said, and Kyra agreed to the plan. They spent the next few hours carefully peeling each small fruit as Miri filled Kyra in on the shopping trip. As her friend’s eyes lit up with laughter or her lips pursed in concern, Miri was reminded of just why she was doing this.

  Aisalan

  Behind the Convent walls in a small sub-district, tucked away in neat cul de sac surrounded by fragrant trees, Aisalan Vinhar surveyed the grand carriage waiting in front of his home and frowned. It wasn’t that the carriage itself wasn’t up to standard but the thought of being trapped inside of it for several hours with a reticent, yet intriguing, human companion was causing him a bit more worry than he initially thought it would.

  Then again, he hadn’t necessarily thought the whole situation through thoroughly before he’d decided to rope Miri Third-Born into this scheme.

  His mother and Lyrei stopped by his home to give him some idea of how well she took to their lessons.

  “She was overwhelmed but attentive.” Lyrei
said, “She’s learned enough from the Hearth Mistresses and employment. With a bit of guidance, she should be able to make it out unscathed.”

  Aisalan hoped so. While he had held the position of Grand Treasurer since his thirtieth cycle, most of his work didn’t involve him having to leave the stronghold. This would be the first summit where he was Myrenden’s sole representative, with the Otravians wanting to renegotiate the taxes and tributes paid to Omel Dorei, the seat of the dominion.

  If they were attempting to dispel the rumors of their financing rebels, they were doing a piss poor job of it. Aisalan had been so wrapped up in attempting to determine their true motives the need for a companion for the event had barely crossed his mind. There was something about Miri Third-Born that jolted him.

  He openly studied her when he first stumbled upon her at the front entrance of the Tribunal Hall. Took in her diminutive size, the copper of her skin, the braids that framed her face, the wary set of her eyes, and was reminded that he did indeed need to procure an adequate partner for this event.

  He heard her say he was nice for an Aelv and had to stop himself from laughing out loud. It was a refreshing blast of raw honesty during a time when his status made him a prime target for females looking to nail down a permanent partner. Flattery, indulgent social calls, and lavish gifts all made regular appearances at his home.

  He walked back inside, his hands clasped behind his back. Lyrei’s guidance on manners and dress would be invaluable but there was one area he knew the seamstress would not be venturing into, and as he continued to ponder why the human woman intrigued him as much as she did, he found himself growing slightly uneasy with an aspect of the arrangement that at one point excited him.

  When he imagined Miri stretched out before him, her luscious curves splayed across his sheets, she was willing and open. Her eyes would be glazed with pleasure as he sought soothing relief in her waiting arms. His mind conjured up lurid fantasies until it struck him how unlikely such scenarios were to be.