“Does that mean you are not considering the dasllerel tíeka?”
“Of course not.”
“Perhaps you prefer a less formal agreement as your parents had.”
Rorie let his lashes fall for a brief second. “I do not wish to discuss the topic any further.”
“We must. There is too much discord and confusion amongst the fairies and bemollos. It splits our people. Some want to end the dasllerel tíeka altogether.”
“How can I tell a couple how to live their lives? There are reasons to have them, Midrera.”
“How else would anyone have akrioti tokashir bo’nelsoan?”
“I do not understand your meaning,” Rorie responded. It was a Fae’is phrase he’d never heard, and he did not know what a ‘group together for seduction’ meant.
“I guess they did send you away each week for such events at the castle,” Midrera taunted.
Rorie had never understood why he was told to go to an outpost on the realm with regularity, but he would not explain that to Midrera. “The practice of dasllerel tíeka must continue.”
“Has Drekkoril agreed?”
“You are a sioskallo to him. It is your duty to address questions to him, not mine.”
“No, it is my duty to go straight to the Llaidir Sioskallo with my concerns, only Drekkoril has yet to select one.”
Proud that he had already gained knowledge that would aid him, thanks to Renny, he beamed a smile. “Before the Vol’Gon era, there was no such thing as a Llaidir Sioskallo.”
Midrera’s mouth tightened. “We cannot negate a tradition of eight thousand years.”
“Speak with Drekkoril, not me. Have you any other questions? My v’airsell nioll and I have plans.”
“Just one. I am asked constantly when the sister of the dragon High Kings will visit. She is spoken of often.”
“Neither High King has a sister,” Renny responded.
“I have heard the word ‘noir’ fall from their lips myself,” Midrera argued.
Rorie chuckled. “They speak of the Seneschal Duchess. She is cousin to High King Aleksander. Although her name is Noirin, they often shorten it to Noir.”
Renny’s laughter joined his. “I didn’t even think about her nickname translating to sister in Fae’is.”
“I must find Drekkoril,” Midrera stated, then turned on his heel to march out of the room.
“How did I do?” Rorie asked Renny once Midrera had left.
“Very well. Now should we go find my family so we can read some books?”
“It is a sound plan, and my knowledge has already irritated one sioskallo, so it was most helpful.”
“That’s the attitude. We’ll make a D’Vaire out of you yet.”
“It seems like a wondrous thing to be.”
There was delight in Renny’s smile. “Trust me, it is.”
“I do trust you, Renny,” Rorie stated solemnly so that his v’airsell nioll would see the truth in the words. Nothing Renny had said or done had been for anything but the benefit of their connection and for Rorie himself. It was nice to have someone focused on pleasing him, and Rorie vowed that he would do the same for Renny.
Chapter 14
