Dinner

Finn and Dierdre came downstairs for dinner, which was a nice surprise for all. The matron was finally feeling up to socialization after recovering from the toll of the Council meeting where the imposter pretending to be her husband was unmasked.

She was a pleasant companion, affable and gracious to her guests, though it had been many years since she'd been hostess of a dinner. Finn took note of the tension-filled looks that passed between Riley and Ashley, and kept the conversation running lightheartedly with Dierdre's input.

Finn wondered whether it had been the right decision, to come down and join the budding couple. She hated to interrupt, but Dierdre had been so excited about the prospect of guests that Finn could not refuse the older woman the company. Unaware of the importance and intensity of the conversation happening downstairs, the matron ordered the gong to be rung in the traditional way to announce a formal dinner.

Then again, from the sly way she occasionally looked at Riley, perhaps Dierdre was more aware of the simmering romance than Finn had guessed. She wondered if the servants gossiped to her about things they overheard during Riley's previous visits.

"The evenings are perfect lately, if you're of a disposition for a walk before things become dangerous," Finn told the older woman. She would love to see Dierdre rejoin the world a bit more fully, but understood how difficult that could be.

"That sounds lovely, Finn, thank you," Dierdre said. "Perhaps I could walk with you partway back to your home tonight?"

"Of course!" Finn smiled. "The architecture in your area is lovely. I also have come to really enjoy the street lamps in the city for walking after sunset, although it does make the stars a little less clear. I miss that clarity from the wilderness."

"The stars at the sea are something to behold," Dierdre sighed. "With no trees, no towns, no anything in the way, they seem to reach all the way into the water and shine from the depths."

"Tell me about your travels," Finn encouraged. Adventure by proxy was decidedly her preferred method of experiencing it.

Dierdre's eyes lit with memory, "Oh, it was so long ago, just before you were born, Ashley. Lysander took me to the sea with him. He was on a military assignment, a diplomatic journey to meet the People of the Sea. There had been some talk of trade between them and Klain, and the Provider of the time was anxious to see it done. He had asked for a military representative to be lent to him for the duration of the negotiations.

"The Sea People value might, we were told. An officer of the army would garner far more respect than a tradesman, who would normally go on such an errand. So, my Heart was chosen for the mission and took me with him to the Southern Ocean.

"It was glorious and terrifying. Water so vast the edges could not be seen. Although they say there is a place beyond the water, it seemed like the edge of existence, as if to sail out of sight would be to disappear forever.

"Lysander went out on one of their ships, to meet their leader and parley with him. I stayed on shore that day, when a terrible storm hit. The boat was within sight but beyond reach as the wind raged."

"That's the painting, isn't it?" Finn loved the fascinating depiction of a storm at sea.

"Yes," Dierdre smiled. "I worried so greatly over his safety that I could not go inside until the storm began to still. I was mesmerized by the way waves that seemed so small from where I stood could all but envelope a ship I knew to be impossibly large.

"I asked Lysander about it afterward, and he would not speak much but to say that two men had been lost overboard. Nonetheless, the next day he was able to broker a meeting for the treaty to move forward.

"The People of the Sea are fascinating. Their skin is thick and rough from the sun, and they are wary of strangers. It was not easy to get them to agree to trade, but they were very interested in the fruits that the people of Klain can grow. For our part, we wanted the right to fish in their waters, and to work out some trade for the ocean creatures they catch.

"Such strange things! Many-legged with large, ominous eyes and glowing, see-through skin. Others looked like giants, shiny and tough as swords! Not like the fish we get from our lake, these creatures were like something from another world entirely."

Though Dierdre used the phrase as a descriptive rhetorical device, Finn's eyebrows rose. Now that she knew of other worlds existing, and had in fact been to one and heard descriptions of another, she wondered if it were possible for strange animals to have found their way between worlds.

The thought was disturbing. Who knew what foul and terrible creatures might dwell beyond the realm of human experience? She was just now learning about the ones who lurked in her own world, and Dierdre had inadvertently planted the idea that ones might come from who-knows-where to invade their own?

She shook off the idea as preposterous, or at least not worthy of thought right now. There were more imminent dangers to focus on, and besides, that was just a theory that occurred to her in the midst of being told a tale of years ago.

Yet, it still lurked at the back of her mind. Blinking, she refocused on Dierdre's story.

"The treaty was made, and everything was fine for a time. Oddly, once Lysander was elected Provider, he later nullified the treaty he helped bring about. He claimed the Sea People were cheating Klain by stuffing their catch with weights to make them heavier on the scales." She paused.

"Was that after he started getting the letters?" Finn asked. "From Prince Duncan?"

"Yes... I think perhaps Rhone was starting to weaken Klain even then. We lost a trade partner and potential ally when the treaty was broken. It did not end in war, but it was not a pretty thing." She shivered slightly at the memory. "This would have been while all of you were too young to take any interest in politics."

"I still don't have any interest in politics," Quipped Ashley, and her mother's mouth twisted in tolerant amusement.

"We could all guess that, dear. Your interests lie... elsewhere." Her eyes slid further down the table to where Riley sat.

Receiving her gaze, he choked on a bite of meat and had to cough quietly and drink some water to recover his dignity.

"Of course you mean baking and embroidery, Mother," Ashley gave her a warning look, causing Dierdre to raise her eyebrows daintily.

"Of course! What else could I mean? Have you picked up any new hobbies? Perhaps the military gave you a taste for swordplay."

"Unfortunately, her talents do not lie in that particular arena." Riley put in, gaining a sharp glance from Ashley for his conversational efforts.

"Oh? And where do they lie, since you are so knowledgeable?" Dierdre took a sip of her water as she considered the young man.

"Outside of military exploits," He lowered his voice as if he didn't want to say in front of Ashley that she had no talents whatsoever when it came to the army.

Ashley pressed her lips together to bite back a retort as her mother laughed at Riley's conspiratorial tone.

"Perhaps she was not properly utilized there," Dierdre asserted, "If you had put her to work in the army kitchens or embroidering uniforms, she might not have prematurely retired."

Riley nodded slowly, "Perhaps you should be put in charge of allocation of personnel and resources."

"Perhaps," The older woman seemed to contemplate the idea seriously, "I should visit the recruitment office tomorrow to offer my learned services to our fine military."

Riley froze with a bite halfway to his mouth. He couldn't tell if she was joking or not, and he would be mortified if she were publicly embarrassed because of his teasing. He quickly searched for some way to politely discourage her.

Seeing his hesitation, she shook her head, "Alas, tomorrow is the day I must water the plants. Ah, well. The military will have to do without me."

"I'm sure it is the military's loss, and your plants' gain," He assured, and the lady gifted him with a glowing smile.

"What a fine young officer you have brought to us, Ashley," She said, causing her daughter to take her turn choking, "Please do bring him around as often as you will."

"He is welcome whenever he would like," Ashley offered graciously, catching Riley's glance as he quirked an eyebrow to question whether she meant it or if she were putting on a polite show for her mother's sake.

Her crimson blush was his only answer, but it was an answer he liked very much indeed.