of irritation to his words.
Grygg winked before hurrying after his fellow patrol leaders. “Coming!”
Evlawyn shut the door behind them before turning her attention to the tea dishes. “They seem to help you a fair bit, My Lady.”
“They do. Thank you for helping me convince them to tutor me,” Tari agreed, finally eating her selected green tea cookie.
“It was no trouble at all. I didn’t do much besides find out their names, families, and where they are roomed in the barracks from the human servants. Th e men agreed easily enough to help you,” Evlawyn smiled.
“Yes, but we wouldn’t be able to have our daily teas if you were not so crafty with procuring extra tea and treats for me,” Tari said.
Evlawyn curtsied in response.
The young guards were kept rather busy by their duties, but they were able to slip in a half hour tutoring session every day during their break period. In thanks to the soldiers for giving her their spare time, Tari served them tea and treats from the royal kitchens—something they delighted in.
“Have a cookie, Evlawyn. Wilford likes the green tea cookies, but honestly I find the lemon tarts to be the best,” Tari advised.
Evlawyn hesitated before trying the lemon tart. Her eyes widened at the tangy flavor. “That is delicious,” she said, swallowing her mouthful. “How do you feel your human lessons are going?” Evlawyn asked after she finished the rest of the tart.
“It’s hard to say. I know I’m learning it quite fast, but it’s frustrating because I’m still not good enough,” Tari said, frowning again.
“You are good enough to hold conversations with the patrol leaders,” Evlawyn said.
“Yes, but my pronunciation is off, and I can’t understand them unless they speak slowly,” Tari said, folding her arms across her chest.
“It normally takes an elf scholar years to get as far as basic conversation,” Evlawyn said. There was no hint of reproach in her voice, but she spoke quietly.
Tari sighed, her shoulders slumping. “You are right, of course. Dear Evlawyn, whatever would I do without you?” Tari said, smiling at her handmaiden.
Evlawyn smiled brightly at the affection in Tari’s voice and curtsied again. “It is my pleasure to serve you, My Lady.”
Approximately a week and a half later, Tari stood with a number of elves at Princess Claire’s weekly evening tea.
Each week there seemed to be more and more guests. Tari had yet to actually speak to the young princess and thank her for the weekly personal invitation that started showing up since Arion had removed his block on the activity.
However, Tari made certain to express her thanks to Arion, and decided he would likely carry her words back to Princess Claire.
“How ever did you convince Seer Ringali to come, Tari?” Kiva asked, nudging Tari.
“Truthfully I think he was curious,” Tari said, glancing to her teacher. He stood a short distance away, talking to Crown Princess Yvrea. Crown Prince Benjimir was with them, a translator hovering behind his shoulder.
“All I did was extend the invitation. He agreed without any sort of pressure,” Tari added.
“How odd. I thought Seer Ringali would be above this kind of thing,” Talon said, thoughtfully rubbing the side of his wine goblet before drinking. “Although I suppose, this is Seer Ringali’s first time in Haven, yes?”
“It is,” Tari said, her tea cup clinking when she set it on the saucer she held.
A burst of laughter across the room from King Petyrr drew Tari’s attention for a moment.
The robust Calnor King was standing with King Celrin, who was smiling and nodding politely to an inquisitive guest that passed the two kings.
Every s ince Tari first stormed the tea King Petyrr and King Celrin were consistent guests. Crown Princess Yvrea had not come last week, but she clearly would try to attend whenever possible, and whenever Crown Princess Yvrea came Crown Prince Benjimir attended as well.
In general the human
Grygg winked before hurrying after his fellow patrol leaders. “Coming!”
Evlawyn shut the door behind them before turning her attention to the tea dishes. “They seem to help you a fair bit, My Lady.”
“They do. Thank you for helping me convince them to tutor me,” Tari agreed, finally eating her selected green tea cookie.
“It was no trouble at all. I didn’t do much besides find out their names, families, and where they are roomed in the barracks from the human servants. Th e men agreed easily enough to help you,” Evlawyn smiled.
“Yes, but we wouldn’t be able to have our daily teas if you were not so crafty with procuring extra tea and treats for me,” Tari said.
Evlawyn curtsied in response.
The young guards were kept rather busy by their duties, but they were able to slip in a half hour tutoring session every day during their break period. In thanks to the soldiers for giving her their spare time, Tari served them tea and treats from the royal kitchens—something they delighted in.
“Have a cookie, Evlawyn. Wilford likes the green tea cookies, but honestly I find the lemon tarts to be the best,” Tari advised.
Evlawyn hesitated before trying the lemon tart. Her eyes widened at the tangy flavor. “That is delicious,” she said, swallowing her mouthful. “How do you feel your human lessons are going?” Evlawyn asked after she finished the rest of the tart.
“It’s hard to say. I know I’m learning it quite fast, but it’s frustrating because I’m still not good enough,” Tari said, frowning again.
“You are good enough to hold conversations with the patrol leaders,” Evlawyn said.
“Yes, but my pronunciation is off, and I can’t understand them unless they speak slowly,” Tari said, folding her arms across her chest.
“It normally takes an elf scholar years to get as far as basic conversation,” Evlawyn said. There was no hint of reproach in her voice, but she spoke quietly.
Tari sighed, her shoulders slumping. “You are right, of course. Dear Evlawyn, whatever would I do without you?” Tari said, smiling at her handmaiden.
Evlawyn smiled brightly at the affection in Tari’s voice and curtsied again. “It is my pleasure to serve you, My Lady.”
Approximately a week and a half later, Tari stood with a number of elves at Princess Claire’s weekly evening tea.
Each week there seemed to be more and more guests. Tari had yet to actually speak to the young princess and thank her for the weekly personal invitation that started showing up since Arion had removed his block on the activity.
However, Tari made certain to express her thanks to Arion, and decided he would likely carry her words back to Princess Claire.
“How ever did you convince Seer Ringali to come, Tari?” Kiva asked, nudging Tari.
“Truthfully I think he was curious,” Tari said, glancing to her teacher. He stood a short distance away, talking to Crown Princess Yvrea. Crown Prince Benjimir was with them, a translator hovering behind his shoulder.
“All I did was extend the invitation. He agreed without any sort of pressure,” Tari added.
“How odd. I thought Seer Ringali would be above this kind of thing,” Talon said, thoughtfully rubbing the side of his wine goblet before drinking. “Although I suppose, this is Seer Ringali’s first time in Haven, yes?”
“It is,” Tari said, her tea cup clinking when she set it on the saucer she held.
A burst of laughter across the room from King Petyrr drew Tari’s attention for a moment.
The robust Calnor King was standing with King Celrin, who was smiling and nodding politely to an inquisitive guest that passed the two kings.
Every s ince Tari first stormed the tea King Petyrr and King Celrin were consistent guests. Crown Princess Yvrea had not come last week, but she clearly would try to attend whenever possible, and whenever Crown Princess Yvrea came Crown Prince Benjimir attended as well.
In general the human
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