My mom did the same.
But beneath her urge to flee from Torskethorpe, there was a woman who truly loved her country—according to Keller—and I want to know that woman, even if it’s through some of the activities she used to enjoy.
“I never met your mother,” he says quietly, “but King Theo has told me so much about her that I almost feel like I do know her.”
“Tell me something special about her.”
“She was an expert at hardanger embroidery.”
“What’s that?” I ask.
“It’s an intricate form of embroidery using white thread on white linen. It’s painstakingly difficult and takes great patience, but when done right, it’s beautiful.”
“Really?” I ask. “Do you know... do you know if any of her pieces are around still?”
Keller nods. “King Theo has quite a few of her pieces in his bed chambers. My guess is he’d be more than willing to part with some if they’re in the right hands.”
That makes my throat grow tight. After my parents passed, all our belongings went into probate, and one by one, I saw my parents’ valuable items get sold off to pay their debts. It was painful to watch, and it left me with barely anything of theirs. So, to have something my mother made would mean the world to me.
“I don’t think you know how important that’d be to me. After my parents passed, I didn’t have much to remember them by.”
He glances away and nods, and I can see that there’s something he wants to say, but he doesn’t, he keeps it close to him instead.
So, I continue, “You’ve seen them?”
“Yes, I have. There’s one on his nightstand, in particular, that’s quite complex but expertly done. King Theo keeps it close on purpose. She was very skilled, Lilly.”
The more Keller talks about Theo, the more I’m starting to feel like I know him. He seems to carry the same loving traits as both of my parents, and it feels like home to hear stories about him.
“What else?” I ask him. “Tell me more about Torskethorpe.”
“Vinatarte.”
“Vin-a-what now?”
He gently smiles and, oh my God, is it a gorgeous smile. “Vinatarte. It’s a traditional dessert that’s usually served during the holidays, but it’s also a popular dessert during Torg.”
“What’s Torg?”
“Torg is an annual summer celebration where the country gets together to celebrate our culture. We trade, we dance, and Kulners call on their herds. There are live wood-carving contests, feasts, and the traditional toast where we drink mead.”
“Okay, back up. Is this like a festival of sorts?”
“Yes. It’s always at the end of August. It gives our people a chance to show off the skills we’ve acquired throughout generations. King Theo’s favorite part of the year. He always leads the mead toast.”
“Now, I don’t want to sound rude,” I say, “but when you saymead, that seems like it could possibly be something like... goat’s blood. Or fox saliva. Is that correct?”
He chuckles, the sound so deep, so rumbly, that it warms me up under my already warm blanket. “Mead is fermented honey water.”
“Fermented?” I gulp. “Why is everything freaking fermented?”
He laughs again. “It’s actually really sweet. Delicious. It’s used quite a bit as a natural remedy when people are ill. The toast of mead is to indicate a healthy start to the oncoming colder months.”
“Do you take part in these traditions?”
“I do.”
“What is your favorite thing to do?”
