With her shining gold pupils focused on Seth, Meer spoke.
"We have been invited to the festival of ash by Agnekath, The King.
Father hasn't officially announced it, but I'm telling you now so you can prepare your mind."
She paused and studied his expression,
"Unlike Mytirk, Agyes does not treat slaves gently especially Kaphan slaves. So you must remember to behave yourself in the Capital. Do you understand me Seth?"
Ofcourse it was always the Kaphan slaves, Seth was young when he was thought the different ethnicities of the slaves. Seth had come from the Kaphanites.
They were the ones treated the most inhumane and they were also the most numerous.
Apparently General Stephos was a Kaphanite, and it was known widely that he started the rebellion.
"Understand? How are you sure Lord Karun will bring me along? I'm not his real son or part of this house."
"What are you saying Seth? Father took you in as his legally adopted son and even cast away his position for you. You are part of this house!"
Seth felt a surge of different incoherent emotions and a hard lump in the back of his throat. He spat in indignation.
"Yeah he took me as a gift for his precious daughter. Destined to serve her till my last breath."
At this point Meer was mere milimeters from his face. Her hands were softly caressing his arms.
She looked him in the eyes and said,
"Seth don't be bitter because of your beginnings, you are one of us now and father took you in.
When you would have died he took you in
Even when it cost him his position.
Even when he lost his social standing.
Even if he would have lost his head.
He took you in.
So don't be bitter Seth, you are one of us and the rest of the empire would soon see your good deeds.
And soon the rest of the world shall see you as one of us.
So don't be bitter for a past that doesn't matter."
"D-doesn't matter wh-."
But Seth didn't get the opportunity to finish his sentence.
Meer leaned in and planted her lips on his, and a kiss kindled. Seth was shock and confused.
But all those emotions burned away in the fire of the kiss.
She broke the kiss and looked away in embarrassment.
Seth stood there dumbfounded. Then he felt something smeared on his lips.
He touched his lips with his fingers to make sure it was real and they were red.
"Lip cosmetic?" He muttered.
Then looked back at Meer.
"It's okay Seth.
I understand your pain, no one deserves to go through what you go through every day.
Even if you don't talk about it, I always know.
You do not know how much I love and care about you... Brother." She said softly.
"I'm sorry for... What I just did, I couldn't help myself Seth. Please don't tell anyone..... I'll be going." She said meekly before running away.
Seth stood with a dazed expression.
"She kissed me?" He said.
Coming back to his senses he rubbed the lipstick off his lips and left the training halls.
2 days later in the dining halls of Forte Mytirk sat the members of House Gideon.
Karun Gideon the Lord of Mytirk, former hand of the Flame,
His wife Kaelith Gideon,
Pitrak Gideon first born true child, first born son and heir to his name,
Meer Gideon second true born child and only born daughter,
Kit Gideon third true born child and second born son,
Seth Gideon adopted child.
As the clinking of cutlery echoed through the hall, a hush settled over the room. Lord Karun, after a thoughtful pause, set his utensils down, fixing his gaze upon each family member. "Pitrak, my son," he began, breaking the silence, "twenty-three years bring changes. How does the weight of the Gideon name sit on your shoulders?"
Pitrak, with a proud smirk, replied, "Father, I carry it with honor. The flame in my heart burns brighter with each passing year."
Kaelith, looking at Meer and Kit, inquired, "And what of you, my children? How do you envision your roles within House Gideon?"
Meer, with a determined expression, spoke, "Mother, I strive to be a flame of strength and resilience, just like the Gideons before me."
Kit, ever the playful one, chimed in, "I aim to be the spark that lights new paths, Mother!"
Seth-Gideon, usually reserved, shared, "Though not of blood, this house is my home. I'll stand by its flame with unwavering loyalty."
The maids came in and cleared the empty plates before leaving.
And returning again to serve dessert.
Karun began speaking after they left.
"We've been invited by The Flame to attend the Festival of Ash. House Thorne, Whisperwind and the others have also been invited to attend the Festival by His highness."
"As members of this house, Lord husband and I expect the best behavior at the event."
"And Seth I need not warn you not to step out of line."
"Yes Lord father, I will not let my anger bring shame upon this House."
"Good lad. Now Pitrak I have a problem with you. Why haven't you taken any wives yet? Do you plan to stay single for all eternity?" Asked Kaelith.
"Mother, I would like to pick the fairest and most clever of ladies as my would be wife. Not just any wench deserves to carry the Gideon name and produce heirs."
"Mind your tongue young man, don't say words like wench in front of your mother or she would beat the horseshit out of you."
"I would make you beat him that hard and you will learn to speak proper Dearest son. Now tell me who's this fair maiden that's got your eye my child."
"No one mother, atleast not yet. Besides why am I the only one getting chewed out. Meer is 21 and she's not any better."
"Now now dearest brother, I can explain things."
"Oh do explain Meer my dearest daughter."
Seth tuned out the laughter and chats of the true family.
He poured more wine into his cup from the flagon on his left.
Taking a sip at the bitter sweet wine, he felt a deep sense of melancholy.
Then he continued the action a few more times.
It wasn't long before he felt small and room felt bigger. Like he was struggling in a viscous liquid.
"Summerwine," he said after another taste. 'Nothing so sweet. How many cups have I had?' Seth thought with a smile.
He smiled and poured another serving into the cup, but it was empty.
"How many cups have you had, Seth?" a familiar voice asked close at hand.
Seth smiled.
Karun Gideon laughed. "As I feared. Ah, well. I believe I was younger than you the first time I got truly and sincerely drunk."
His Lord Father was sharp-featured and gaunt as a mountain crag, but there was always a hint of laughter in his golden red eyes, His dark copper skin was starting to sag evident of his old age and his dark red hair no longer shone as brightly as it did in the past. He dressed in rich dark velvet, with high leather boots and a wide belt with a silver buckle, as befitted the Lord of Mytirk. A heavy silver chain was looped round his neck.
Karun watched Seth with amusement as he ate his meal.
"How's your training going Seth? Have you finally beaten that old dog Valar?."
"Not yet Lord Karun, maybe tomorrow or the day after that or the day after that.... But one day I'll beat him for sure, And become an admirable general worthy of the honor of this house." Seth replied with a thump to his chest.
"Hmm that's very good Seth, now has there been any fair maiden that you have taken a liking to?" Asked Kaelith.
"Yes yes tell us Seth." Kit said.
Seth grabbed another flagon from the center of the table and poured more wine into his cup, before taking another sip.
"Uh there's no one like that, I'm fully dedicated to becoming a knight and general of considerable renown."
He couldn't help but think of the kiss he and Meer shared.
"Oh well is that so?" Kaelith answered, and nodded in subtle approval.
What does that mean? Seth thought. Somehow he felt a little peeved by that silly little action.
He turned to face Meer before speaking.
"I mean there's no maiden in the land as fair as our beloved sister, now is there? She's the only one that deserves to be given the whole world." And to this Meer blushed.
"But it's a shame that I'm not interested in the affairs of love sweet mother, I have to be well seasoned general with no weaknesses." Seth said as he placed the cup back on the table.
He looked up and met surprised faces staring at him, with the room unbearably quiet.
That was until Kit broke the silence with his childish laughter and replied.
"Yes brother there's truly no one as beautiful as our Meer. One day I'll be a knight of Honor and power too!"
"Yes my son." Kaelith told him.
Feeling now was the right opportunity
Seth asked.
"Em can I be excused, I drank too much wine, I'm afraid I'm now drunk father."
Karun waved his hand in approval.
Seth stood up and bowed before bidding his family goodnight.
He saluted some guards stationed at the entrance to the dining hall.
It didn't take long to walk through the halls and find his bedchambers in his stupor, he thought he would take longer.
That night he slept cuddling his pillow for warmth the fireplace couldn't give him.