Holeth noon. The usual lunch with his parents.
Copal had almost not come. But the habit had prevailed.
And he regretted it.
His mother had let her husband and son discuss quietly at the beginning. Mostly about the latest events in the Jungle. About the madman who had unleashed gooified frippos and yubos on the Zorai cities.
Copal had remembered Ser Nilstilar's advice. He had tried to be neutral. He had limited himself to phlegmatically relating the facts he had witnessed. As an ambassador should.
Assuming that he would ever be one. The Theocracy did not seem particularly eager to give him the opportunity to present himself.
He had so hoped to prove himself worthy of this new mark of trust from the Karan.
And it seemed so insignificant to him now.
But this topic had at least delayed the moment when his mother had started talking about the Karin's wedding.
Copal had no desire to talk about it. To think about it. Or to listen as his mother speculated about the future bride.
He kept his nose on his plate. Eating as slowly as possible. Only half listening to what she was saying. Lost in his memories.
There had been this magical moment.
They had both returned to the Knoll. At the edge of the cliff.
It was as if Jena's warmth had enveloped them. They had stayed a long time against each other. Ignoring the rain.
He had lost himself in her eyes. In their light.
They had kissed.
And then they had returned to Yrkanis and everything had gone wrong.
She was crying.
And Copal didn't know what he had done wrong. Or had not done.
His meal remained on his stomach.
He used the excuse of having to do some work for Ser Cuine Pido to take an early leave.
Not fast enough though. His mother had time to ask him with a smile: "And you, nidram. When will you get married? You must have met some charming hominas at the Court."
Copal mumbled some excuse. And ran away as fast as politeness would allow.
Haunted by green eyes. And the sweetness of a mouth.
Copal had almost not come. But the habit had prevailed.
And he regretted it.
His mother had let her husband and son discuss quietly at the beginning. Mostly about the latest events in the Jungle. About the madman who had unleashed gooified frippos and yubos on the Zorai cities.
Copal had remembered Ser Nilstilar's advice. He had tried to be neutral. He had limited himself to phlegmatically relating the facts he had witnessed. As an ambassador should.
Assuming that he would ever be one. The Theocracy did not seem particularly eager to give him the opportunity to present himself.
He had so hoped to prove himself worthy of this new mark of trust from the Karan.
And it seemed so insignificant to him now.
But this topic had at least delayed the moment when his mother had started talking about the Karin's wedding.
Copal had no desire to talk about it. To think about it. Or to listen as his mother speculated about the future bride.
He kept his nose on his plate. Eating as slowly as possible. Only half listening to what she was saying. Lost in his memories.
There had been this magical moment.
They had both returned to the Knoll. At the edge of the cliff.
It was as if Jena's warmth had enveloped them. They had stayed a long time against each other. Ignoring the rain.
He had lost himself in her eyes. In their light.
They had kissed.
And then they had returned to Yrkanis and everything had gone wrong.
She was crying.
And Copal didn't know what he had done wrong. Or had not done.
His meal remained on his stomach.
He used the excuse of having to do some work for Ser Cuine Pido to take an early leave.
Not fast enough though. His mother had time to ask him with a smile: "And you, nidram. When will you get married? You must have met some charming hominas at the Court."
Copal mumbled some excuse. And ran away as fast as politeness would allow.
Haunted by green eyes. And the sweetness of a mouth.