Daevil's Tears

Ch 7: The Scarlet Hall

Shardi, Fourth of Vehron, 423 A'Adiel

Breakfast on the fourth day was a quick affair consisting of oat porridge and sliced fruit. At the table, Lorel noticed that the maids and the footmen had taken extra care with their grooming. The men had shaved and oiled their hair, and the women had applied rouge and colored powders to their eyelids. Even Guiom appeared significantly rejuvenated in a pressed white uniform.

Post breakfast, Lorel opened the kitchen shutters and lit the stoves. Jenuncio, the freckle-faced boy who smiled at her during dinner, arrived on time with a hopper of small thrushes and a much larger bird. Never having seen such an animal, she approached the chopping block and ran her fingertips over the bird's iridescent train of slender quills.

"Never seen a peacock before?"

Startled by the cook's inquiry, Lorel quickly withdrew her hand. "No, never."

Jenuncio took off his cap and nodded to Guiom. "Will you need anything else?"

"Bring me four links of spicy sausage from the smokehouse," he responded.

The errand boy flashed his teeth at Lorel before jogging in the direction of the distillery.

As Bettina plucked the birds, Lorel kindled the furnace, cleared the breakfast table and washed the dishes. She plucked fresh mint and lemon balm from the garden for Dom Arjona's morning tray and arranged a plate of thinly sliced cheeses and cured meats. She fetched plum jam and butter from the root cellar and filled a basket with freshly-baked rolls. When all was ready, Salma rang a bell, and Mejtress Lygia arrived shortly to retrieve the meal.

Time passed quickly between tasks. Lorel harvested fresh vegetables and herbs, swept the floors, scrubbed pots, and helped Margarida and Salma prepare the midday meal. The craftsmen working in the villa's apartments were fed better than the lot of them and often sent requests for snacks and drinks. The footmen came and went along with Jenuncio whose errands for the cook were equally endless. First Footman Julio appeared before lunch and announced that the two of the guests had arrived ahead of time and were in need of refreshment. Guiom saw to their needs personally and prepared them an herbed salad with tender cuts of meat.

Julio waited with one foot propped on a dining chair, and an elbow on his knee. His dark eyes followed Lorel around the kitchen with such intensity that the transgression caught Guiom's attention.

"Instead of preening like a cock, tell us about our guests," said the chef.

Julio smiled broadly. "They are freehold owners from Debendelo, a father and son interested in our peach rootstock. Both are impressed by the variety in our orchards and the history of the house. We stand to profit from a successful partnership with their estate."

"Soon we will impress them with our cuisine." Guiom drizzled olive oil over the greens garnished the plates with cured olives. "Girl, take this key and fetch me a silver salver and two matching cloches."

Lorel unlocked the cabinet where Ca'Thessana's finest slipware was kept and selected the tray Lygia used to deliver Dom Arjona's luncheon. An engraving of sea monsters chomping on naked women adorned its surface and ivory carved into finger bones formed the handles. The serving dish was as priceless as it was grotesque.

When she brought the salver to Guiom, Julio cocked an eyebrow. "Do you wish to frighten our patrons?"

Lorel's cheeks flared under the man's shameless stare. "No, Majster. Should I fetch another one?"

"This will do," quipped Guiom. The cook sprinkled salt flakes on the salads and topped the plates with the cloches. He wiped his hands and gestured for Julio to depart. "At your leisure, First Footman."