Nordrem and his people are setting up giant stacks of wood, three meters apart and they work fast. Others loosen their capes, setting down baskets of fruit, bread, and other items that are laid out on several blankets.
Veyr grabs our attention, waving a hand, "Come on you two. I imagine Rakara would like to wash and change. Also, we will need your help Bavarthos to bring out the wine and mead barrels. You are about to witness a Dragosvellierian ritual honoring those that have passed away."
We follow Veyr and make our way to go inside, me scanning for Soot's. I feel confused that he would care so much when I went missing, especially after what has happened between us. Not a word has been shared since that day, making me uncertain in my continued assumptions of his demeanor. I spot him, talking to Nordrem, away from others. Even from afar, there is a density in the atmosphere around them.
Once inside, I quickly wash and change into clean clothes, making my way down to the cellars where the wines are kept. Amara and Griven are loading a small wheelbarrow with a barrel of mead.
Flair waves me over to the wine jugs. "Rakara, I could use a hand carrying this basket."
He's filled a large, wide, potato basket with jugs of wine. I grab the other handle with a smile and he motions to the wall. "Grab a jug with your free hand. Trust me when I say, the less trips we have to make, the more energy we will have later." He grabs a jug as well, then we lift the heavy basket up filled with eight jugs of wine.
When we get up the stairs that take us outside, we set the basket down and take a breather. One of Nordrem's people approaches us and points to the basket.
"Do you require assistance? I will carry it for you." It's voice is lighter, not nearly as deep and has feminine facial features.
One look at how the cap is worn and I confirm my thoughts. "Please, we would appreciate that very much, thank you." I give her my gratitude as Flair looks at me.
"You speak Dragosvellier? How is that?" Flair scratches his head, brows high on his forehead, impressed as the female walks away with the heavy basket.
"What are you talking about? I wasn't speaking Dragosvellier." I shrug my shoulders, and shake my head in confusion as I head back down to grab more jugs of wine. I have to flatten myself against the wall halfway down, as Griven and Amara push and pull together the cart with two barrels of mead.
Bav is down in the cellar making items vanish, snapping, as he calls it. I walk up behind him and wrap my arms around his waist. He stops what he's doing and turns in my arms and holds me back.
"So you passed your test. I think you received extra marks for being unable to follow your own tracks back too." Bav chuckles as I roll my eyes at him.
"Well, with my poor performances in the other areas, I felt the need to excel where I could." I huff, lifting my nose in the air away from him.
Bav takes my chin point me back towards him, "Excel by all means, my love. Just next time, try not to show off and get lost." He grins as my lips thin, annoyed.
My annoyance is quickly lost though, as his lips find mine in a soft caress. I kiss him right back, letting him enter my mouth, tasting him and savoring his touch and embrace.
"Umm... We'll just come back later."
We break apart as Griven and Marco head back up the stairs with red ears.
"Apologies, you two. I'll take care of the wine and mead! Go help the rest with what ever it is they need!" Bav shouts as those two hurry up the stairs. Leaving us both giggling at their reaction to us kissing. "Could you imagine if they had stepped in and we had been in a more intimate position?" Bav batted his brows at me, making me blush.
"Bav!" I softly smack his arm, giggling harder at his brazen suggestion of us getting caught.
Bav shrugs, cocking a brow, "It was just a thought, dear." He places a kiss on my cheek and squeezes me tightly. "I'm glad you are alright. Please try not to do that to me again."
I squeeze him right back, "Don't worry, I don't plan on doing anything like that again. I learned my lesson. In camouflaging and humility."
Bav lets me go, snapping the rest of the barrels and jugs of wine that had been marked to be taken out. Walking out of the cellar, Bav asks curiously, "So, how did you figure out how to speak the language from Dragosvellier?"
I shrug, "I don't know. We were trying to communicate, could not, so he asked for my hand and he poked me with his claw, then licked the drop of blood. It freaked me out, but then I was overcome by a dreadful headache. I felt as if my skull was about to split open and became nauseous. He gave me some water after I was sick, talking to me the whole time, when suddenly I not only understood, but my headache was gone." I take Bav's arm and lean against his shoulder. "Nordrem asked me why I had the scent of Fey around me, along with a royal Fey name. I informed him that I received it from my husband. So with what you've told me of their race, how did you come to learn their language?"
Clearing his throat, Bav shakes his head, "I, unfortunately, am unable to speak or understand the language." He smiles weakly at me, "Very few are offered that gift. The language can not be taught to others, it can only be gifted from one of them."
"Oh." Is all I can say as we join the large crowd of Dragosvellierians and our small number of humans. Nordrem's gaze on me has me walking to him instinctively, noticing he has something to say to me. I approach with Bav at my side, avoiding the searching gaze coming from Soot's nearby.
"Rakara, we are about to start the tribute fires for your mother. Your grandfather will start by telling his favorite memories of your mother and then will light a stack. Then you must share your favorite memories and light the stack on the opposite side of the circle. You are the last two blood relatives of Abigale so the honor goes to you two. After that everyone who has a memory may step up and share it as we continue to light the stacks." He informs me softly.
"I have to speak and share my favorite memories? All of them? To everyone?" I ask startled, not wishing to share all of them.
"No, not all. Just the ones that you wish to share that made your mother who she is to you. Even if it is just one memory, that will be enough to honor her." Nordrem places his large clawed hand on my shoulder, making Bav tense. "I know you have trouble with calling your flame from nothing. Will you be able to draw a flame from another fire here or will you require a torch? There is no shame on how it is lit."
Him informing that there is no shame on how it is lit comforts me, "I can call it from another flame. When do we start?"
Nordrem removes his hand from my shoulder, "As soon as you give Soot's the word to start. He will be talking to your people, I will be translating for mine. Please, follow the pattern when it is your turn to tell your story, so there is no confusion."
I nod to him as he walks to Soot's. I lock eyes with him, nodding and gesturing to begin.