The Tales of Tarya, Books 1-3

Chapter 5 - The Warrior Queen-4

As they ate, the players fell into their easy mealtime banter, teasing each other and discussing past performances. It was pleasant to have plentiful, hot food and solid walls around. Their fireside meals might be cheery, but outside the circle the dark night waited.

Mina realised Ciro was watching her again. When she reached for another piece of bread, he did too, and his hand brushed hers in a deliberate, slow movement. She pulled her hand back.

Dario caught her eye and offered her the plate of sliced fruit. She nibbled a piece of apple then sipped her drink. It was a new taste to her, sweet and smooth with a hint of bitterness. Aldo, as usual three tankards ahead of the others, began telling tales of his time as a young player, with Roberto throwing in the occasional joke or ribald comment. The laughter grew. It was Lisette, usually quiet during these discussions, who broke over the babble of voices.

‘What do we do now, Uberto?’

Uberto had contributed little to the frivolity. His face was still, though his eyes, as always, shifted constantly.

‘Tonight enjoy your merriment. Tomorrow we repair the wagons. Travel through the forest was not without damage. Luckily, from here the path is better. After this stop we will spend all our time rehearsing. You all need to get used to the way Mina creates scenery for us in Tarya.’

Uberto picked up his full tankard and took a small sip. Most of the others were onto their third drink, though Mina was just beginning her second.

‘We have four rooms upstairs,’ Uberto continued. ‘Girls, first room on the left, with Cristina and I in the second. Men, first and second on the right. You can all sleep in tomorrow. I am sure you will not be rising early.’

Roberto laughed, a hearty laugh from his throat. No one noticed as Ciro’s half smile flickered, then disappeared again. Under the table, he rubbed his hands together very slowly.

‘Oh, and tomorrow evening Mina will learn the secrets of Tarya.’

Most of the players clapped their hands or congratulated her. Dario smiled too, but his forehead crinkled with worry. Aldo picked up his tankard and drained it, his jaw set. Uberto reached a hand across the table and took one of Mina’s hands.

‘This is what you have been waiting for. It is an important occasion. Once you take the player’s Oath you will understand. I will show you more about Tarya than you could believe possible.’

He looked at the other players, a warning in his tone. ‘We also need fresh canovaccio to play, and a new character for Roberto.’

A few of the others nodded and Mina sensed another untold secret.

Jal broke the moment. ‘So we’re here two days?’

‘And nights.’ A number of voices raised at once. Uberto held up his hand. ‘I realise you are used to longer stays, but think of this! We are running out of time. The Festival of Light draws closer. We have a long way to travel, and much work that needs the quiet of the open road. You all know how important our performance in Aurea will be. To win the competition, to be the royal troupe would mean …’

Aldo raised his tankard high in salute. ‘Plenty of fine food,’ he said, and took a hearty draught, then peered despondently into his now empty tankard.

The players laughed. Uberto raised a hand in a sweeping gesture and they fell silent again.

‘It is time for merriment. Another round of drinks seems to be in order. But I, your merry leader, will bid you goodnight.’

Uberto left the room, and Roberto reached across and took the full tankard their leader had left behind. Mina looked into her own cup and realised with a start she had finished her second drink. At the same time, Ciro reached across with the great earthenware jug they had all been drinking from, and tipped more mead into the cup in front of her. She noticed the drink steamed, and realised the jug must have been replaced by a fresh, hot brew at some point. She held her hand over the tankard, too late. Her thoughts, like her actions, seemed to be delayed.

‘Are you well, my dear?’ Ciro asked, a look of concern on his face. Mina thought his eyes looked hard and dangerous, and she forgot to answer him.

‘I think Mina has had enough, Ciro,’ Jal said, and took her tankard from her.

Mina nodded. She realised Ciro stood behind her, and was unable in her blurred state to remember how he’d reached there with such speed.

‘Our dear girl is not used to sweet mead, I think,’ Ciro said, and offered an arm. ‘Perhaps you need to lie down.’

Mina nodded, her thoughts still catching up with his words. ‘Lie down, yes, I …’

She stood, grasping Ciro’s proffered arm as the room shifted and lurched. She couldn’t gather her thoughts to understand what was wrong with her. Ciro placed an arm around her shoulder, and she leaned against him, not even aware of his hand snaking upward to her breast as he led her away from the other players. They had reached the door to the bedrooms before Dario caught up with them.

‘I’ll help,’ Dario said, opening the door for Ciro and Mina, then following them through. They were in a dark corridor, with one wall sconce to light stairs that led to a second storey. Ciro guided Mina up the stairs, a step ahead of Dario. For Mina the steps seemed far apart, and the corridor at the top too long, and dark. The lights flickered in a strange way, making her head ache. Dario’s voice seemed to come from another room.

‘What have you done, Ciro? She’s very ill.’

‘Done? My dear Dario, you accuse me falsely. I’d say this young lady has never had sweet mead, and she was keeping pace with us. I suggest you fetch Lisette or Isabella to come stay with her. I think it might be unwise to leave her on her own.’

Dario looked at Mina, and indecision furrowed his brow. He didn’t want to leave her alone with Ciro, but he could fetch one of the women quickly. He leaned in close to Mina.

‘I’ll be back straight away, Mina, I promise.’

Mina reached up and patted his cheek. ‘You take such good care of me, Dario,’ she said with a smile, her words blurred.

With a last, uncertain glance, Dario rushed back into the main tavern.

‘Now, how should we pass the time until they return?’ Ciro murmured.

Chapter 6