Chapter 35
Rehny wished he could dismount his horse with the agility and grace Desan portrayed as he dismounted. Rehny's horse, however, seemed to be a few crumbs short of a loaf of bread and the concept of being dismounted had simply evaded it. When Dahli and Desan dismounted Rehny sort to do the same but his horse abruptly tilted its head to the left and proceeded to turn in circles like a dog chasing its tail. It was embarrassing. He caught the attention of the Talisi King and the young woman beside him and Desan had stopped in his tracks to glare at him from within his helmet as he turned in circles upon his steed.
Normally such a reaction from a beast of service during such an important occasion would have driven a high ranking official into a fit of rage but not Rehny, he understood his steed. He leaned forward and spoke close to the horse's ear as it went around in circles while running his gauntleted hand upon the flank of the horse's neck. "Hush, hush my sweet. You sense chaos, do you not?" Rehny spoke. "It shall not be my sweet, it shall not be, hush, hush." With a neigh the brown horse stopped going around in circles and Rehny dismounted, he patted the creature's flank gently and turned to face Desan.
"I shall have that creature killed for its insolence." Desan said while taking off his helmet and sticking it to his horse's harness. Normally Rehny would have thrown back a quip aimed at the insolent Prince's hypocrisy but he chose against it. They were before the Talisi and they had to show an air of unity and discipline for before other nations they were the mighty Binoria, favored of the Gods and pride of the realm.
Rehny lowered his head at Desan in an act of humility. "Forgive me, your grace." Desan grunted and turned to face King Gans with his sword trembling within his grasp. Rehny's eyes swept the plain, taking in what he saw. What he'd thought of as Red Priests were actually women, numerous Talisi women dressed in red garments, he was close enough to see their flowing white hair and curvy slender builds. He turned his eyes to King Gans, taking note of the lack of chests of gold that was a common sight during the gift giving ceremony. Rehny pieced it together while looking at the young woman beside the King who partially resembled King Gans.
A part of Rehny felt pity for the Talisi. Desperation had driven them to make a sacrifice that would drive any Kingdom to sorrow. Dahli shifted beside him and Rehny turned his eyes to her. It appeared she'd come to the same conclusion he had, but did she feel the pity he felt? Was there a soul to the woman born and raised in the epitome of Binorian egotism? He doubted it, from his experience the only thing a Vigon cared about was a Vigon.
"King Gans." Desan said while standing an arm's length away from the Talisi King.
King Gans smiled at the younger man and nodded. "You are not King Vayin Vigon."
"Does that impede courtesy from your part?" Desan asked.
"Of course not, you must be Desan Vigon, son of the King of Binoria. I am humbled by your presence here." King Gans said, his voice carried with it a calm that bore the weight of respect. Rehny wondered whether it was all genuine or practiced.
"You say you are humbled yet show no humility." Desan said and took a step towards the King. Desan was taller than King Gans and the latter had to tilt his head up to stare into the eyes of the taller man. Rehny must admit, in the face of intimidation Gans could certainly make a stand. His face did not betray fear neither did it show weakness despite the fact that he was unarmed and unprotected before an opponent who did not share the same misfortune.
"Pardon?" King Gans said.
"Is it not customary for the Talisi to bow before Binoria during the gift giving ceremony?" Desan asked.
Rehny shifted his weight nervously from either foot. Desan was pushing at something, trying to steer conflict by forcing the King of Talisi to humiliate himself before his people. It was customary for the Talisi to bow but it wasn't before the Binoria, it was specifically done before the King of Binoria and Desan was no king. Not yet anyway. Forcing a King to bow before a Prince was an insult in itself, one that could escalate into violence if the arrogance of Desan was not immediately satisfied.
Damn you Desan! Rehny thought. there was no way he could speak up against the Prince's action. Any involvement would be a sign of disunity within the Binorian ranks and such a thing was frowned upon greatly by King Vayin. If he interfered there would be dire consequences. Dahli stood still beside him, her eyes were fixed on the young woman accompanying the King.
"King Gans, if I may ask, where are the gifts meant for us?" Dahli asked, splitting the tension brought about by Desan. Rehny could not interfere but Dahli could. She was the Jewel of Binoria and presumably the apple of Vayin's eye. She would face no consequence. Desan whirled around to look at his sister, his mouth fixed in a permanent snarl with bared teeth. He turned away from King Gans and took long strides towards his sister until his face was inches away from hers. Dahli did not flinch.
"Shut up." Desan whispered, menace coating his words. "Shut up!" He repeated a little louder. Rehny couldn't help but see the reason as to why he rarely indulged in forms of Rage. It was quite easy to lose oneself completely to the emotion fueling the combat stance.
"Our gifts this year will be different but I am certain it shall please your King if not more so." King Gans said while turning and indicating with his silver ring studded hand to the Talisi behind him. "Five thousand beautiful Talisi women to be in service to your Kingdom." He turned his eyes to the young woman beside him. "And my daughter, Princess Tari, a personal gift to you Prince Desan to be of service to you however way you may desire."
Prince Desan whirled around and eyed Princess Tari. Rehny could see the young man take in the beautiful woman, categorizing her under 'Exotic' and obviously taking a fancy to her. But just as quickly as the expression crossed the Prince's face so was it replaced by a look of sheer contempt.
"The agreement was half a million gold vigons worth of gifts each year! The Remu pay twice the amount and you choose to give us whores instead?" Desan asked angrily.
"We offer also two hundred thousand gold vigons on top of the women, spices grown in the depth of the Talisi hills where the soil is as dark as night and silk woven by the finest seamstresses." King Gans said, brushing aside the insult Desan had hurled at his daughter and the women of Talisi in general. "And a Kolotian." King Gans added after a short pause.
"I don't give two fucks about Kolotians and Talisi women, I would rather bed pigs!" Desan replied. "Twice now you've disrespected me! First by failing to bow and now by offering whores to me. Don't you think me worthy of respect, frail King?" Desan was practically frothing at the mouth.
"Desan." Rehny said, the uncouth behavior of the Prince was becoming too difficult to bare. Screw consequences. Desan was about to turn to direct his rage at Rehny but King Gans shuffled his green silk robes that revealed dark leather beneath, he lowered himself down on one knee and bowed his silver crowned head before Desan. His daughter, seeing the King, took to the ground herself but went down on both knees instead with her hands spread out before her and her head touching the Centala flowers upon the Ganidan floor.
Suddenly, the whole Talisi congregation behind King Gans, wearing either red or green went down on their knees. Following their King in showing servitude to the might of Binoria. Rehny felt sorrow at the sight, something he did not share with the smiling Prince of Binoria. Desan nodded his head several times with glee. Desan was pleased with the display before him but he hid his delight just as fast as it showed and turned back his attention to King Gans. Rehny, however, continued to stare at the Talisi for among the bowed figures, one of them dressed in red robes still remained standing.
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