The Feast

Sionna raised her glass in the air and took a sip. 'Careful, this is not ordinary wine. We can actually get drunk on this.' She heard Caith's voice warn her and she took note of it.

As they began eating she couldn't get over how wonderful everything tasted. And thought she knew the wine was dangerous she couldn't help but want to drink it for its amazing flavor.

"Are you two married?" Anfällig's soft voice asked.

At her questing Sionna choked on some food and tried to hide it by sipping some wine.

"We are not," Caith responded using his calm cold voice she had not heard him use in a while.

"That is the truth, then why do you bear wedding rings?" She said motioning you their fingers. Sionna looked down at her hand like she was seeing the rings for the first time. She had forgot all about them.

"To be less conspicuous in our travels, why would an unmarried couple be traveling around alone?" He replied as Sionna stuffed her mouth.

"I see," she nodded. "It is dishonorable to wear elvish rings and not be wed."

"If it helps we share a bed every night." Caith replied back nonchalantly while biting into a piece of meat.

"That is the truth. Then why not wed?" At her soft words Sionna struggle to swallow and felt her palms get sweaty.

"We cannot marry until I remove the curse. It is not right to be wed when she cannot say no to anything I tell her." His said with his ice giant side coming back out.

"That is the truth." She nodded and then directed her question to Sionna.

"Your manner of eating is rather unruly. Did your mother not teach you proper table manners?" Before replying Sionna swallowed the large piece she had just put in her mouth.

"I never knew my mother, I wasn't raised by my birth parents." She said slowly.

"That is the truth. I pray your future husband will guide you in the learning of the proper ways." She said lightly motioning to Caith.

Unsure of how to reply Sionna nodded politely. Desperately wishing this dinner would be over soon.

She tried to eat a little alone from now on and looked away from the queen and across the table at the brown haired elf. Her green cat eyes were watching Sionna and she became more uncomfortable. She shifted in her seat and took another sip hoping it would help with her nervousness.

"What have you encountered on your quest so far?" She asked and Sionna willed Caith to answer for them and he did.

"We encountered Hellhounds, a Pugot, a Basty and a small army." He said casually listing them off.

"Who did you upset that such creatures would go after you in these forests?" Her silver eyes filled with curiosity as she asked.

"A woman called the Keeper, maybe you heard of her?"

"I believe Zweifel has been calling herself that after being expelled." She replied no longer showing interest in the conversation.

"Who is Zweifel?" Caith said trying not to give away his interest.

"Oh, an elf who was deemed incapable of adjusting to the forest elf way of life."

"Why was that?"

"Her heart was corroded with greed. She sold her soul for wealth and power. Such things have no place here in the Blühen tribe." She spoke lazily and took a bite of food when finished speaking.

"I believe she is the one who brought the marking curse back." The queen seemed to ponder his words for a while until she spoke.

"It is somewhat doubtful Zweifel was the one to being the curse back. The curse originates on the biggest of the Emerald isles. It was created by a dark wizard who wanted to control and take over the shifters of the isles. She would've had to master a new form of magic and travel great lengths. Though if anyone is capable it would be her." She took a nice long sip of wine and watched Caith's expression.

"Shouldn't you investigate? Since it is possibly a member of your tribe that is enslaving people?" Caith asked his voice as cold as ice.

"She was a member, once disowned she is no longer our concern."

"What if after gaining power and an army she comes back for revenge?" Caith said now with a lighter tone.

"She cannot find this place it's location was erased from her memory. Now what do you think of the food?"

"It's amazing, the best food I ever had." Sionna piped up feeling the dangerous coldness coming from Caith.

"That is the truth," she smiled in reply.

Caith was now focusing heavily on eating his meal trying to remain calm.

"And what of the wine?"

"It's nothing like I have ever had before. It's earthy and sweet. But not over powering. It's just perfect." She answered.

"That is the truth. Caith why have you only had one sip?"

"The food is so good, I forgot about the wine." He replied lightly and took another sip.

"My heart is delighted to hear it." She said watching him sip his drink.

Sionna felt so uncomfortable she wanted to turn into a fox and run away. She was tempted to drink the wine but considering how careful Caith was being she was afraid she had already drank too much. Yet she continued to feel pressured to drink the wine and hoped to at least finish the glass. Yet even when she was stuffed with food the glass was still half full.

'Is the wine glass enchanted?' She thought to herself.

'Absolutely. The food si as well.' Caith's voice answered and she noticed that the food looked like it had hardly been touched.

She let out an involuntary sigh. She felt so tired and full.

"Are you tired fox?" A soft voice said like it was in a dream.

"Yes," she admitting her eyelids feeling heavy.

"That is the truth." The voice replied. "Lead her to their quarters."

"I will go with her," said Caith's familiar voice and she reached for his hand holding it tight in her daze.

"Why Caith? You are not tired?" The voice sounded like honey and she tried to figure out where it came from.

"She is my fiancé. I go where she goes." Caith replied firmly and she squeezed his hand again yet she could barely figure out where he was.

"As you will, follow Rebe she can take you."