Kros Voyeh Ch. 15

Prince Ougath reached out and patted the girl on the head as he translated the first part of what his niece had said.

"I have hair like my mother's. My hair isn't strange in Ara, but your lovely red hair would be. Arans all have hair similar to mine, some are paler and some are a little darker, but nothing like you find here in Torga. I still marvel at the blackness of your Uncle Draeseth's hair sometimes."

Draeseth made a loud amused sound.

"It's true I've seen her marvel at it at length. The color and the amount." Burgath teased in Torgan as her words were relayed to the children.

Ror frowned, "Why would she marvel? Uncle's hair is just black. It's ordinary and not even pretty."

Rogath gave an amused look to his brother as he partially translated that question as well, "She asks why you would marvel, his hair is very ordinary."

"In Torga, yes. But in Ara, his hair is exotic and strange, and mine is ordinary."

Instead of being sour, Draeseth seemed amused, speaking up proudly, "That is not true, my silver jewel. Not every woman at the Festival seemed to glow in the moonlight as you did."

"If we are ever permitted to return I will go myself." King Orgath's face soured. "The descriptions of the Festival make me wish to see it. Beautiful Aran women clothed in gowns like starlight..."

Ror tugged on her father's sleeve with a frown, clearly annoyed that he had stopped translating.

He hesitated and then offered, "Uncle's hair is exotic in Ara and she says hers is plain. Uncle reminded her she glowed under the moonlight the night they met and not all of the women did despite their dresses. Your grandfather wishes he had seen the Festival. The women wear gowns like starlight."

Kas gasped and looked at Isonei excitedly, "Did you bring it? I want to see it!"

"She wants to know if you brought your starlight dress." Rogath smiled faintly.

Isonei's answer was warm and Lislora was relieved to hear that it was also more appropriate than the description she'd given at the Aran dinner.

Rogath began to grin as he relayed her words to the girls, "No, she says it's too cold in Torga for her to wear it. But perhaps your grandfather can have fabric sent for, so that you and your sister can have starlight dresses of your own."

The youngest turned a wide-eyed, pleading look on the King.

"My bursar would like to have a word with you, little Duchess." King Orgath gave her a look of annoyed amusement. "We should go wake Adareth and begin our day. Bring the children, Rogath. The little Duchess can keep them entertained."

Lislora watched as Isonei stayed close to the children, chatting cheerfully with Rogath and Ougath, leaving her to walk on Draeseth's arm.

Burgath seemed to be ignoring her. It was at least a small improvement from the day before.