Free Lunamae by April Sadowski Page B

room
smelled of rich pine.
    We were led to a few rooms where clean water
awaited us. We weren’t that dirty since we had been traveling in a
semi-enclosed vehicle but I couldn’t imagine how much grime my
father had picked up. We went to join the rest in the large hall in
the center of the lodge. It was a lovely meal and while I didn’t
quite enjoy the taste of the bitter beer, I found that they also
had honey mead due to the season which I readily enjoyed. We ate
our fill and went to bed promptly, although the chief dame decided
to stay behind and converse with her late husband’s parents. I
couldn’t wait to continue on the journey and finally reach our
destination.

    It had been over a day since leaving Moir
Awin and my aunt was still quite somber. She said when we left that
when she looked at Bothildr all she could see was the haunting
shadow of Leofric. We spoke kind words to her and tried to ease the
pain with my recitation of the Text of Illumination, particularly
the songs of praise in the middle.
    When we entered Midonia the next morning, we
were greeted warmly. The Fanarions had been expecting us—which was
good because if they weren’t then the guards and spies weren’t
doing their jobs. The city was all busy in a stir of activities.
Large white flowers were positioned along the path to the palace.
The people—dressed in clothes much like the Kyrians—clapped with
our presence as well which seemed a bit odd, but they had a
different culture so I respected it. After heading up the steps of
the palace, we were led to the Basileykoss Avaylle which I was told
meant “Royal Court” in the native language of the Fanarions. Unlike
most of Orinda, the Fanarions decided that they would adopt a new
language in honor of their independence. They also find it good for
cheating out foreigners and telling secrets. Chalosians did the
same as well—although only the women knew the language. At any
rate, we did as we were told. Before entering, I passed a tall male
servant carrying some foods. He offered them to us and I met his
eye. I suddenly realized that the servant was quite handsome with
dark curly hair, broad shoulders, chocolate-brown eyes, and an
olive complexion like the rest of the people I had noticed in
Fanarion. His gaze toyed with me for a second before he lowered his
head and continued on his duties.
    We paused before entering the Basileykoss
Avaylle and were told to wait until we were summoned. I shifted
nervously while waiting for the doors to be opened. I had never
been in such a formal setting, and I wasn’t sure what to do. I was
never taught these things, even though my mother knew I would be
going on this trip with her. The doors were opened and the servants
presented us saying,
    “May I present the Chief Dame Angharad, her
daughter Lunamae, and her relations Keolan, Adelle, and Muirenn of
Clan Frys,” the servant said. We walked forward and approached the
king and queen of Fanarion. They were both about the same age as my
parents by the looks of their faces. Their heads were both adorned
with a crown of gold leaves. We were greeted warmly and were
invited to sit down nearby.
    The Basileykoss Avaylle was so much different
than the hall of duty or the lodge at Moir Awin. It was very much
like an open courtyard and if we looked up we could see the sky.
There were columns all around supporting the Avaylle, with a rich
marble floor at our feet. The walls of the court were richly
painted. The artistic style was different than the tapestries we
make in Feyris but it was still beautiful. It was also quite
soothing being able to hear the birds and the sounds from the Sea
of Ayreni. I was unaccustomed to the sound of seagulls. The sound
may not be for everyone because of the high pitched screech, but I
found it to be unique and thus pleasant. There was incense lit in
the Basileykoss Avaylle. I had heard about this incense from one of
the merchants, but it always thought it as similar to the smell of
the