Dinner, Flower, and Dragons (54)

      Even with the grand surroundings, I expected simple fare. As servants carried out platters of roasted meat to the tables, my shock at these goblin increased again. The only difference shown between the head table and the lines of common tables appeared in the serving method. The platters of meat, the deep bowls of mixed root vegetables, and flagons of wine and ale were placed along the tables allowing the diners to serve themselves. Empty serving dishes were quickly replaced by the servers with filled ones. The head table received a direct delivery from the servants who would spoon out the requested amount on our plates. My eyes could not detect a quality improvement in the food or libation dispensed at the head table versus the common fair. The equality shown in the meal coincided with the equality between sexes that these goblins lived by.

      “It is odd for outsiders to see a society based on skills and abilities without belittling those that lack in those fields.” Isabella whispered to me. “I find myself constantly holding my tongue studying the goblinoid ideology.” she added.

      “It is no different from Atlantis.” I returned calmly. “For me, it is the prosperity gained by the goblins through allying themselves with a small faction of Spain's populous.” I continued. My eyes drifted along the common tables noting that nearly a third of the beings were humans and most of those were children. “Nor have I seen allies feeding those less fortunate they are linked to.” I added. A deep mirthless chuckle escaped her.

      “Their prosperity made them generous to those allies in need.” she told me. “Especially the younger ones that have been cast aside by Spanish society..” she added. I could sense the contempt she held against her own race's beliefs.

      “It is nature's way to remove weakness within a species.” I remarked softly.

      “But humans should be wiser than animals in their behaviour.” she retorted.

      “Agreed.” I interjected calmly. “But society is still evolving toward a better future.” I continued.

      “A hard concept to believe since the new generation is being born empty headed and empty handed.” she returned.

      “Which is why teaching them compassion is as important as teaching them to defend themselves.” the Goblin Queen commented. I chuckled as I nodded to her words. Isabella blushed slightly as I felt her embarrassment and I heard the whispered thought of being inferior.

      “Not all humans understand that a soul holds knowledge of many past lives, your highness.” I stated calmly. “Souls and spirits are what animates the flesh and blood bags we see as ourselves.” I explained slowly. “The teaching we receive in the youth of each new life we live directs how we can use our soul's knowledge.” I continued in the same relaxed pace. “Knowledge is also passed within our own bloodline because our body is a combination of two other being.” I told them slowly.

      “The instinctive reaction to fire most beings have no matter they be animal, goblin, human, or Atlantian.” Cole remarked. “But we should be relishing this wonderful meal instead of bantering about ingrained knowledge sources.” he added. I chuckled as the three of us nodded. I glance at him one last time before digging into my meal. I spotted the little smirk he wore and read from his mind the doubt of a human at this time could understand the complexity of soul and body combination leading to an enlightened mind. I did in part fear he was correct in his views but could wait until tasting the medley on my plate before attempting again.

      The roast was sliced paper thin mixed with mushrooms and onions in a creamy mildly spiced gravy. The taste was delicate with a mild earthen undertone heightening the texture and flavour of pork. It was truly amazing to taste such a flavour but unsurprising from goblins that specialize in raising sows, pigs, and boars. The mixed root vegetables was simple. The turnips, beets, yams, bush potatoes, and bush carrots must have been cooked separately to have them all at the same partial firmness against the teeth while still being properly cooked. The colours remained true even with the presence of the beets that would dye anything it normally would touch purplish-red including the butter lightly coating the small mixed chunks. The taste was mild while unblended until chewed slowly in my mouth. I raised my cup to my lips to sip the honey sweet wine which nearly evaporated on my tongue. The surprises this meal raised my interest in knowing if the common tables actually received the same food. I simple touch to their minds showed the same distinctive flavours I had tasted.

      “I may want to steal the recipes for these dishes.” I stated to the King. He shrugged as his wife giggled.

      “His majesty's recipes are considered Enclave secrets.” she told me. “But I am sure a trade could be accomplished for it in return for recipes we lack here.” she added. Isabella sighed at my shoulder making me turn to face her.

      “Does that rule cover the cooking secret for the vegetables you learned from us?” Isabella asked softly. The queen giggled back as she shook her head. “Then why would keeping a simple recipe a secret be of importance?” she continued. A small smile formed on her face as she spoke. “It would be impolite behaviour toward a long time ally of the Enclave.” she added. I held back my laughter unlike Cole that chuckled as he applauded her words.

      “But stealing the royal recipes would be very unseemly for an ally to do.” King Diaz replied.

      “I believe we can come to a mutually understanding.” I returned quickly. “My healer knows many tea recipes that could be a change from simple water.” I continued.

      “Some of her teas are truly magical to taste.” Cole pipped in. “Some even have mild curative abilities.” he added.

      “Very useful for this Enclave now being linked to humans.” the King answered. The meal continued as the voices at the head table lowered in volume and in length. It ended quietly as the laziness of being well feed fell softly upon us. The remaining conversations hushed to soft simple comments and calm bantering. Cole as per his norm had slid into simply listening in silence which the Goblin Queen also did. The King, general and Sert spoke of military ideas while Meli and Grenadine discussed possible use of the combination of lighting and aeration in subterranean gardening. Isabella mostly continued to gauge my differing views about goblins and humans in comparison to the Atlantians. The common tables emptied while we spoke quietly and sipped wine.

      “It may be time to retire for the night.” I mentioned. I punctuated my sentence with a badly stifled yawn behind my hand. I received slow nods of agreement circled the table quickly. “I bid you all a good night.” I continued. I slowly raised to my feet to bow in turn to Goblin Elder at the table. I did not wait or look back to see if my team followed me as I walked away. A guard waited to lead us down a side passage to a set of four small caves with curtains hanging across the opening for privacy. I barely considered the males truly using the privacy curtains but was happy that Meli could be given a closed space of her own. I entered the circular room I was assigned for the night. A thick pallet lay at one side and a tub still steaming at the back but the rest of the room was empty. I glanced back to find the curtain drawn closed to my room. I chuckled under my breath before checking the heated water and having a quick bath before sleeping the night away.

      I awoke the next morning not to a knock or a call from Sert or Meli but to the loud bickering between my companions. I dressed slowly half listening to the comments being stated forcibly by Meli and, to a lesser extent, by Sert aimed at the Atlantian word for “flower”. When I drew my curtains aside from the entrance to my room, I nearly choked on the laughter bubbling through me at the scene.

      “I am sorry if my fashion makes the two of you look bad.” Cole retorted in a girlish voice. He was wearing a mesh of Atlantian linen cut and draped with a Spanish style travelling dress. He had deftly painted his face to give it full ruby red lips, gently flushed cheeks, and long kohled eyelashes turning into darken lines giving his eyes a cattish form. A mass of dark golden curls topped his head and hung down to cover his shoulders. “Am I not a flower in full bloom?” he remarked with a sickly sweet smile. He ran his hands up from his curvy hips to fluff and place his padded false bosom. “What are your thoughts Lord Kestrel?” he mused. He curtsied in a quick flowing motion before giving me a bawdy wink and a twirl to make the dress lift revealing shapely bare legs.

      “Are you trying to make us sick?” Meli retched at him.

      “Or making Atlantians appear as foolish transvestite!” Sert growled back. I caught a quick flash memory of Sert's first encounter with Cole's new persona which started the bickering at my door. Cole flicked open a fan hiding the lower half of his face while batting his eyelashes at Sert with a flirty giggle.

      “What is the true meaning of this?” I asked in false indifference.

      “To look helplessly ravishing.” Cole returned. His thoughts revealed the benefit of having a hidden sword if we faced bandits or other opposition. It was a constructive use of his pure deceitful nature. He stood feigning a convincing empty headed look while Sert and Meli still glared at him in silence. I shook my head with a groan before following the guard back to the surface.

      “We have a open carriage readied for you Lord Kestrel.” the guard informed us. “It has seating for four plus a driver if you require one.” he continued.

      “But I am the prettiest Atlantian to walk upon the outside world!” Cole commented behind me.

      “You are falsehood Flower!” Meli retorted back.

      “I will drive it.” I told him. “It will give me a chance to be away from the brewing conflict.” I commented to the guard in a whisper. He chuckled back as he bow to me.

      “We must sit side by side so Sert can judge which one is prettier.” Cole remark to Meli. “He is a good judge of aesthetics considering his wonderful distraction method.” he continued. A lewd smile had formed on his face as he looked hungrily at Sert. I held back the laughter as I heard from the trio of minds. “Naked time is always fun time for us Atlantian girls.” he added with a giggle.

      “No man would even consider you beautiful.” Meli retorted. “They would barely see you as female.” she added angrily.

      “I am sure we can find some male to judge us while we travel.” Cole returned. I blocked Sert from taking the driver's seat by mounting into position while the goblin guard held the half door open for my companions to take places in the carriage. Cole held out her hand toward the guard and Sert for a helpful hand into the carriage while Meli followed unassisted. Sert peered at the two noticing that Cole moved to assume the seat next to Meli leaving him a full seat at the back of the carriage. I heard him grumbling to himself as he climbed into the open carriage. He was forced by Cole's feet to take the middle spot on the seat barring any hopes for Meli to move away from Cole.

      “We have nearly a full days journey over rolling terrain.” I stated to them. “I do hope you children will behave properly.” I warned them. I received a giggle from Cole, a grunt from Meli, and nothing but a wave from Sert as I looked back at them. “We will discuss this tactic once we have arrived at the Aery.” I added bluntly.

      “Do not be afraid to show some leg Meli.” Cole remarked. I snapped the reins putting the horses into a quick gallop. I did wish to still have the war mounts from Lorenzo for their sheer power and extra speed. “I doubt Sert will find fault in those over muscled workers' legs of yours.” Cole added. I blocked out the rest of their comments while receiving flashes of emotions from the trio. The burning anger raging in Meli, the desire to escape even if it was by death from Sert, and the teasing merriment from Cole as he continued goading Meli into tantrums. Sert was forced to attempt playing diplomat and peace keeper between the two giving me a chance to ignore them during the quiet cross country drive. It was pass midday when the broken waggon with a trio of humans came into view. I could clearly see the two males pretending to work on the the axle while a younger woman waited to one side. She glanced at us as I felt a feathery touch on my mind before she started to wave frantically at us.

      “Please help us!” she screamed. “Our wheel has come undone.” she added. I waved back hearing the bickering silence behind me.

      “Seems we have humans in need of assistance.” I remarked over my shoulder. “I will see if I can help while you three remain ready if something is amiss.” I continued. I rode closer to them to stop a few feet from their broken waggon. I leap to the ground and dashed over to the young woman.

      “You may call me Muse.” she whispered to me. It was one of the abilities of the original draconic race to whisper directly to a being without fear of being heard by others. I hid my bow to her by appearing to examine the undercarriage of their cart. “I am happy we have this chance to speak and meet even if it is very short.” she continued in that same directed whisper.

      “Let only the words needed be spoken Princess.” I responded mentally to her. “If you remain divided from the other dragons then you may be able to hide for longer and grow stronger before you are called into action.” I continued. I mimicked her direct whispering technique. I and one of the other disguised male dragons held the cart aloft while the other male replaced the wheel properly. “But be warned that some might hunt you if they discovered your secret.” I warned in a hushed tone. We lowered the waggon to test the strength of the bond it now had with it's wheel. As they thanked me for my assistance, Cole rushed at them with Meli at his heels. Sert followed at a slower pace to join us.

      “We can let these wonderful men decide which is prettier.” Cole gushed. “They seem to understand beauty.” he added. He tilted his head toward Muse as he spoke.

      “You are being foolish.” Meli returned. “No man would ever confuse a hag like you as being pretty.” she retorted. I had but a moment to sense the confusion from Princess Muse's guards as they stared blankly at both of them. I knew they could not be confused by their eyes at which was truly female and a dressed up male doll. My darker shade of humour clearly showed as I mentally told them to select Cole as the “pretty one”.

      “Why would they believe a comely lassie would ever compare to a full figured beauty like myself.” Cole retorted.

      “It is not our place to judge women.” one of the guards stated. He tried backing away as Cole grappled his arm. Not to be out done by a man in a dress, Meli had hold of the other guard's arm. They gave me another desperate look as I mentally repeated to chose the man before them. I had barely noticed Sert coming to stand by Muse. My mind snapped to attention as I remember his ability to see through the guise of Anubis' guards nearly a year prior. He examine the young lady's face without sensing fear but knowing it was not humans that stood there.

      “You must excuse them good lady.” he stated calmly to her. He bow to her as she replied with a quick curtsy. “They do not get much time away from the cloisters the physicians assigned them to.” he continued. He remain passive showing no humour in his stinging words. I could see in his mind that he thought them friends of mine without truly knowing or caring which species they actually were.

      “We select this one.” both guards stated together. They pointed at Cole as I could feel a revulsion forming inside them for their lie. Cole in turn bubbled and flirted with them for a few minutes while Meli returned to the carriage awestruck by their chose. Muse had chuckled but I feared she wanted to scold me for my actions.

      “I thank you again sir.” she told me. “We must be off quickly brothers before mother and father die of worry.” she called back to her guards. They forcible disentangled themselves from Cole with Sert's help.

      “It is unneeded for a chance to help others.” I replied. I bowed to her as she mounted the back of the cart. She gave me one last glance. “Follow the path you see fit and all will be well.” I added quietly. I turned to help Sert drag Flower back to the carriage while the guards used this time to get their ox moving quickly away from us and the path we followed.

      “No reason to sulk just because they are enlightened enough to see the incredible beauty I have inside me.” Cole commented. He sat across from Meli who sulked next to Sert. Other than Cole bubbling with pride at being the prettier one, the rest of the trip to the aery was done in quiet contemplation.