Call of Ring(Compleled)

7 Host Family

Blake awoke the next morning unsure of how he had gotten into a bed. As he opened his eyes, he discovered that he was in the same room as the night before. The one with the awkward bath experience. As some of the fog lifted from his mind, he remembered that King Adelai had promised he would meet someone today. Further to this, these people would be the ones to educate him in the ways of this world he found himself in.

As if on cue to his waking consciousness, Sadie walked in. Blake tried to sit up. Rubbing his eyes, he noticed that she was dressed in the typical fashion of white cloth. But she wore it so well. A pleasant smile appeared on her face, accentuating the dimple on her left cheek. She gently sat on the edge of his bed, handing him a large mug fashioned of pottery. As she handed him the drink with her right hand, she motioned over the opening with her left in a circular fashion.

“Please sip it. Drink carefully as it is hot.”

“Thank you,” Blake replied as he clumsily tugged at the blanket trying to cover himself.

“This is coca tea with honey, made from the coca leaf. It is a special remedy to clear the head, and settle the stomach, especially after a hangover.” As she concluded her words she winked subtly as if she knew more than he about the previous night’s events.

No sooner had she come, than did she exit the room.

Blake sipped the tea for a few moments. Then he got out of bed and dressed in a new clean gown. It was the same as before, a simple fabric with brown colors. He was thankful for clothes that were beyond a patch of fur to cover his genitals. Fully dressed, it dawned on Blake that he was without any pain. Somehow, he had been completely healed of his injuries.

“What kind of mysterious tea was this? And why had Sadie waved her hand over it in such a deliberate way before giving it to Blake? Did she possess some mysterious powers of healing?”

Many questions ran through Blake’s mind, but at this point, he decided that instead of asking, he would merely observe carefully and continue to wonder.

It was hard to notice people coming and going, as everyone was barefoot. And on the pristine marble floors, it was as if anyone could come or go undetected. Just as he was dressed, a guard from the day before appeared at the entrance of his room. Without any words exchanged, it seemed clear that Blake was to join him. Blake responded to the unspoken cue and followed him back to the same hall where he had feasted the night before.

During the walk, he noticed that the guards were clothed with one distinct feature. Yes, they were barefoot. And yes, they were clothed in brown robes as other men he had noticed in the market. But the guards from his beating, and indeed the guard who escorted him now wore brown leather belts with big silver buckles. Blake was intrigued by how such simple attire could still hold subtle differences that gave weight to different meanings. He longed to know more.

As they entered the hall, Blake noticed that four table settings had been placed. He ventured to the same spot that he had occupied the night before. No sooner had he been seated, then did King Adelai enter. Blake rose to his feet and they sat together.

“How was your sleep?” the king inquired.

“I don’t remember much,” responded Blake with a wry smile.   

The King’s face acknowledged Blake’s sentiment, and he responded.

“I’m sure having coca tea delivered, and from the hands of Sadie didn’t harm your waking process at all?”

Blake wasn’t sure whether to be embarrassed or to acknowledge the King’s astute observation.

“It was a lovely way to wake up. I don’t remember much from last night,” he confessed.

At that moment Sadie entered along with another male servant. They both carried platters. One contained a glass pitcher of some sort of undefined juice, along with fresh fruit. The other carried assorted meats, cheese, and bread.

As soon as the servants exited the hall, a different guard appeared with two middle-aged people whom Blake had never seen before.

The King spoke first.

“Welcome, Gaius and Dorkus. Please meet Blake who has become a guest of the Midori Empire. Welcome him warmly as I suspect he is a foreigner to even our world at large.”

Gaius and Dorkus bowed slightly as they approached the table. They were then seated in the two vacant spots. Everyone began eating, following the king’s lead. And as they did, the king began to unveil his plan.

“Blake, you will be leaving with Gaius and Dorkus after this meal. They have a modest home in the city, near the central market. They are loyal citizens of my kingdom. I have instructed them to care for you as a son. You must learn from them the ways of our world. I suspect that as you listen diligently, you will play key roles as we continue to battle unforeseen enemies to protect our way of living.”

As much as the meal was not rushed, there didn’t appear time for many pleasantries. Following the lead of his new host family, Blake simply observed the mannerisms and words exchanged, and kept his thoughts to himself.

“Before you leave Blake, I want to treat you to a rare delicacy. A bean that our Kingdom has discovered. We call it cohi. The bean when ground produces a strong, yet pleasant smell. Hot water is poured over the grounds through a filter. The nectar is mostly sampled as is. But in time of celebrations, we sweeten it with syrup from our trees.”

As he finished speaking, Sadie emerged with another tray. On it she carried four small pottery cups. She placed them on the table, one in front of each of the guests. Gaius and Dorkus responded with eagerness as if they had never sampled cohi before. Sadie then asked each of them if they would prefer it with syrup or without. Gaius and Dorkus accepted the sweetener, while the King and Blake declined. Blake wanted to sample the delicacy void from the pollution of any sweetener. And as he did so, he again tried to process his familiarity with this drink. He kept his thoughts silent, but they plagued him.

“Why did certain things strike him as so familiar while other things were so foreign?”

Sadie waited dutifully while each one sampled their cohi. She then turned to leave. Blake let his eyes wander to her backside as she walked away, hoping no one would notice his stare. To his shock, Sadie suddenly turned her head, flicking her long flowing hair over one shoulder exposing a smile that was directed at Blake. He tried to smile back but was so caught off guard that he feared his response was only a half wielded grin. And then she was gone.

The guests of honor at the King’s table finished their cohi. Gaius and Dorkus were full of thanks to the King. Gaius spoke on behalf of both of them.

“Oh King, thank you for this honor of looking after this guest to our Kingdom. In addition, we would like to thank you for the rare treat of tasting this new delicacy you call cohi. It was splendidly delicious.”

“The pleasure was all mine,” the King responded with grace. “Thank you for taking Blake into your home.”

It seemed time to depart. The guests followed the guards out of the Hall, through a myriad of corridors and out onto the outer courtyard. It was the grand entrance of the castle. They were about to descend the same steps that Blake had scaled aboard a stretcher less than forty-eight hours prior to his exit. He came in a prisoner but was leaving a free man.