章 19: Chapter 17: The poisoned Chalice VIII
*THE DINING CHAMBER*
Artirad walked into the dining courtroom, which was a small enclosed room compared to the royal courtroom. It had a long rectangular table containing seven seats resting in the center of it. The rest of the chamber was empty, except for a small table that stood at the far end of the room.
Sharma was seated at the width of the table, her eyes fixated on him when the door was opened. Verlock sat on the chair by her left, Ratarod by her right, just opposite Verlock, Romayo standing behind Sharma, hands on the edge of her chair and Ahangadan, Rabadon's adviser by his king.
There were papyrus papers on the table, scrolls resting by them, inkstones and the royal seal by it.
Artirad looked at the sitting arrangement, there was no way he would sit near Ahangadan. The man was known for having a daring look and judgemental eyes. So with that in mind, he decided to sit beside Verlock.
He advanced slowly to the chair and sat heavily on it, capturing the attention of everyone. He smiled. "Wonderful morning, isn't it?"
"You are late!" Ratarod retorted.
"I may have been late...a little." He chuckled. His eyes caught with Sharma's, she looked sceptical, with her dreaded hair raised up in a ponytail, which looked uneventful. But she looked beautiful as day light in her white...his eyes rolled down her corset, was it a gown she was wearing? He couldn't tell as she was seated, her other half of body covered by the table which was at the last bone of her rib cage. "You look beautiful as always, lady Sharma."
She feigned a smile. "Do not feel bad," she said, looking at Verlock. "You are not the only one to arrive late."
He looked at Verlock who then looked at him, sneering. He reserved his statement.
"Did you have a good sleep, Prince Artirad?" The question came from Ahangadan.
"Of course. I was given the most cozy of beds, a room filled with beautiful scented candles. I slept like a child."
"That's good to know." He smiled, their eyes locking disdainfully.
"Shall we begin?" Sharma asked, easing the room of the tension.
Ratarod shifted in his chair, "Yes. Let us begin. Time is of the essence. Queen Sharma here has proposed we go for hunting after this."
"Hunting?" Artirad asked, surprised.
"Yes. It has been an ancient tradition. It wouldn't be complete without a little feast of hunting to back it up."
"That's handled with both kings, right?"
"You will be there too." Ahangadan said. "Rabadon and Aridal's finest hunters will be there. It's nothing serious."
Artirad winced to himself and decided to focus his attention on other things in the room.
By some minutes, they were done signing the treaty. It was to be held for three years in which it will be renewed again after that. Sharma stamped her seal on it, all giving suggestions on how to proceed and what not to do.
When they were done, Ratarod and Sharma stood up, shook hands. The treaty was done.
Some seconds later, two maids of the second sector walked into the dining court with a jar of wine and two goblets. Following behind them was Drane, dressed in a more formal clothing. They walked up to stand before Sharma and Ratarod.
Sharma looked at him as he walked to her, eyebrows raised in curiosity. She was surprised because Drane never came by himself to serve the court, it was the work of the maidens. But he was here in person, must be something important.
"My Queen." He bowed.
"Drane?"
He turned to king Ratarod and bowed. "It is an honour to meet the King of Rabadon."
Ratarod raised his eyebrows.
"This is Drane, our head cook. He is responsible for the delicious meals you ate yesterday."
"Ahhh...I see." Ratarod looked at him, he was very clean shaven and neat. "I have been wondering who it was, it's pleasant to finally meet you, Drane."
Drane bowed again. "It's a greater honour to be able to serve his Majesty."
Ratarod laughed out loud. "He is a humble one. I like that." He sat in his seat, as did Sharma.
"What brings you here?" Sharma asked.
"My lady," Drane turned to the court. "My greeting to people of the court."
They all gestured in acknowledgement.
"I have been obliged to bring you one of the pride, the best one yet, the finest wine of Aridal from our finest wine merchant, Westen. He has sent it as a gift to the King Ratarod himself alongside three magnificent goblets to accompany the proceeding." Drane smiled as he reminisced to the previous night.
When he opened the third pot of wine, it was filled with nothing but three big goblets; two made of gold and the third of silver with each having a piece of jewel on it. One of the golden ones had a ruby on the side, lined up with beautiful casted stones. The other had an emerald lined with same stone. While the silver goblet had a carved malachite, surrounded with tiny cut pieces of Amber gem around its lining. He remembered it so well. He picked it up and examined it, it was magnificent in night time, he wondered how it would had been in day.
Ratarod nodded to his statement.
"Where is Westen?" Sharma asked.
"Unfortunately my lady, he has been two days away on a journey to trade in another kingdom. He is not able to make it to your presence. Hope my Queen does not find that daring?"
She chuckled. "Only a fool will reject a free wine from a fine vineyard. I will be sure to send my regards to him."
Drane smiled, pleased at himself for able to sweet talk the ruler. " May I?" He asked Sharma.
"It is a gift to King Ratarod. Only if he accepts the gesture."
He turned to Ratarod who was grinning.
"Like you said my lady, only a fool will send back a fine wine from a fine vineyard." He smiled at Drane. "Pour the wine. "It is a cause for celebration in a day like this one."
Drane spun to face the maidens. Indicating to them to come forward; they arranged the three goblets on the table, one golden one in front of Ratarod and the other golden one in front of Sharma.
Sharma picked up the goblet in front of her and examined it. "Westen must not only know about wine, seeing as he must have gone to the end of the earth to find the most beautiful goblet of our time. Which craftsman did he get this from?"
Drane picked up the silver goblet and held it carefully in his hand. "I am afraid my lady, your humble servant cannot answer that. I am delivering this as it has been passed to me by Westen's apprentice last night."
"It is a beautiful cup." Ratarod said, his goblet in hand. "It looks like the craftsmanship of Rudan. It's a goblet from Meridon. It must have taken him Months to get these in advance."
"I thought so myself." Drane said and walked around to Artirad, placing the silver goblet in front of him.
Sharma's eyes darkened. Meridon, where her brother was believed to be.
"It will be a disrespect to not serve the other nobles present at the table." He said to the maids. "Bring more goblets from the table over there."
The maids did as told and after some seconds, there were goblets in front of everyone. He collected the jar of wine from the maid and filled their cups, one after the other.
"Hm." Ratarod looked at the wine after tasting it.
"Is it bad?" Sharma was perplexed, already wondering whether or not to drink it.
Drane looked baffled. He was certain he tasted the wine and it was good.
"Quite the contrary." Ratarod replied. "This... this is one of the sweetest wine I have tasted."
Drane smiled, feeling relaxed at the admission.
He turned to Drane. "I will love to meet Westen. I will send him a royal invitation to Rabadon."
Drane bowed. Westen had been his friend for ages. He would definitely give him the information. "I will, my lord."
"Pour me more wine." Ratarod said.
Sharma lifted the cup to her lips, seeing as Ratarod complimented it, it must be good. She sipped from it, the taste was out of the world. It was one a person would drink and get drunk without realizing. "Such flavour." She said and drank again.
Verlock wasn't one to sip drinks, so he gulped down his, feeling the sweetness in his throat and tongue. Ahangadan did same, asking for a refill.
Ratarod laughed. "A perfect ritual for a perfect treaty. Fill my cup. I need the energy for the bear hunting."
The maids and Drane filled their cups again, making it the third time they drank—except Artirad.
As he drank from his cup, he felt the sweetness. It was a good wine. He decided to take another swig when he felt his throat go warm which mutated, too quickly to an unpleasant hear. It was stinging. His vision going blurry. He dropped the goblet down on the table in a bang!
Everyone's gaze fell on him. He hit the floor in one full swoop.
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