My King

Chapter Seven

"Are you head of the family here?" It came out harsh and disdainful, making it clear that the Vasdan captain had no wish for small talk.

"Yes," the man replied, bowing as deeply as he could. "My name is Giha and my family and I will provide whatever it is you need. What is your wish for, my lord?"

"We need a place to stay the night; tents for my men and the empress of Tria," the captain said as he surveyed Giha and those around him with a scornful look.

"Of course," Giha said. He waved his hand and the sea of people parted. "Follow me."

Eada had to lean forward to be able to hear what the man was saying. His accent was low and guttural, making it difficult to understand at times. Especially since she was used to the refined speech of Trian nobles. The accent of the captain was deep, but much less than the man who had identified himself as Giha. She guessed it was the difference between being country-bred and city-bred.

The company moved forward after the man, following him past the first two tents. Beyond were makeshift pens filled with sheep and goats. They watched the party pass by with lazy eyes, chewing stray bits of grass. More tents surrounded these and a line of horses was tied between two poles toward the edge of the tents. Eada estimated that there were close to ten tents in all, but the people and stray animals weaving around them made it seem like more.

Giha stopped before one of the largest tents. "The empress may stay here," he said as a woman emerged from the tent. She bowed to them and quickly disappeared again into a different tent. "My wife," he explained. "She and my daughters will cook a meal for you."

The captain only nodded as he swung down from his horse. He handed the reins of his horse to Giha with an order to find a place for his men and care for their horses. As they started away he turned toward Eada. "Empress," he said and offered his hand to help her dismount.

She had no desire to let him help her down from her horse, but there was no polite way to refuse. There was also a knowing smile on his face, as if he realized what the action would do and had done it purposely. "Thank you, " she murmured and slid off of her horse.

A soldier who had stayed behind took the reins of her horse and Leis's and Bryli's. The captain nodded to him, and he led them away. The Vasdan ducked into the tent. He held up a hand behind him to keep the empress from following. A moment later he stepped out again and held the tent flap up for her. "You may enter."

Eada frowned but walked into the tent. Almost immediately the light dimmed and she had to squint to see. Since the sun was no longer a problem, she removed her veil and took a few more steps to let her ladies enter behind her. It looked larger on the inside than the outside; the square walls rose to a peak in the center with a large stick holding it up. The colors inside were bright but dulled by years of use and constant exposure to the dirt and dust of the desert. There were no tables, just cushions and blankets spread around the outside of the tent.

"You are the honored guest, empress," the Vasdan captain said, motioning across from the entryway to a large pile of cushions that appeared to be a seat.

If he was attempting to politely tell her what she was supposed to do, it didn't work. Eada still felt like the ignorant child. She was too tired to fight it, though, and was sure she would botch a witty reply if she tried to make one. Instead, she just didn't acknowledge him as she walked around the pole to the cushions. It took her a moment to seat herself, being unused to sitting on the ground. The empress was surprised to see both her ladies take the transition calmly, sitting down on either side of her without so much as the bat of an eyelash.

There was silence for another few moments as they each surveyed the rest of the tent. There wasn't much to examine. In a few places the beige color of the tent was brightened with a length of colorful beads or string, but most of the walls were unadorned, and the sand of the floor was only covered by a few overlapping rugs. Overall, it was plain and uninteresting accommodations. The empress could only hope they wouldn't have to stay the night there, but something in her knew they would.