"The Akari diet consists of fish, seal, walrus, whale and white bear." Hermen sounded as if he was reciting a trader's guide.
"White bear?"
"It's a species of bear that lives up here in the cold. Terrifying creatures, bigger than any other bear."
"Go on."
"Sometimes the Akari cook their food, but much of the time they simply salt it and let it dry. For a change in texture, they keep it warm and let it fester for a time. You might like to use the word 'rot'."
"Lord of the Sky," Ella muttered. She was in for a treat. "Have you ever been to an eating house called Barlow's, in Seranthia? It's in the Fortune district."
"I should move tables if you keep on like this," Hermen said, raising his hands in mock horror. "How dare you mention Barlow's here? Do you have any idea how long I've been in Ku Kara?"
"How long?"
"Too long!"
"Those little coloured pastries are incredible," Ella said.
"And the hand-made chocolates," Hermen almost moaned. He obviously had a sweet tooth. "That's enough!"
Ella looked around the long table of bleached wood, curious to get her first good look at the other guests. They were all Akari; she and Hermen appeared to be the only foreigners here, which probably explained why they had been seated together. There were perhaps eighty or more guests, all invited because Ada had come home from Tingara. The Dain obviously doted on his daughters; Ada had been given a place next to her father, with his wife on his other side. He laughed at something Mara said and clapped his hand on top of hers on the table. The Dain evidently doted on his wife, also, Ella noted, when she saw the way he looked at her.
Revenant servers, this time dressed in tailored grey suits, moved down the table. At each place they placed a short glass containing clear liquid in front of the guest. Ella looked over at the Akari to see what she was supposed to do. She copied the woman across from her, picked her glass up, and tilted the contents back into her throat in a single gulp.
Acid burned her mouth, etching its way painfully into her throat and down. Ella gasped and coughed, she could even feel it enter her chest, descending further into her stomach.
"Well done!" Hermen laughed beside her.
Looking across the table, Ella saw Daina Mara nudge her husband and whisper something, meanwhile looking at Ella. The empty glass in front of Ella could only mean one thing.
"What was that?" Ella asked Hermen, placing her hand on her lips and feeling warmth come to her cheeks.
"The Akari call it 'water of life'," Hermen said. "They ferment rye and distil it, before filtering it through charcoal." He rubbed his hands. "What I wouldn't give to sell bottles of it in Seranthia."
Ella wasn't sure if she liked it, but it certainly was strong.
A plate of black strips was placed in front of her.
"Salted seal liver," Hermen whispered. "You won't like it, but you should eat it anyway."
Ella put one of the pieces in her mouth. The texture was firm and rubbery. An oily liquid came out of it as she chewed. Her senses told her she was eating bad meat, while the taste was nothing short of awful. She swallowed and looked around for something to wash it down with.
A revenant placed another small glass in front of her.
After Ella had two more of the strips, fighting the urge to gag, she drank the glass of clear liquid down.
"Just like one of the Akari," Hermen said, grinning.
"Why aren't you eating them?" Ella asked.
"I don't really like them."
"But you said I should eat them!"
"Do you always do what you're told?"
Ella frowned as she realised Hermen had been making sport with her. At least the Akari across from her nodded approvingly.
The dish was finally taken away.
"Have you heard the news from the Hazara Desert?" Hermen asked.
"No?" Ella asked.
"Ilathor's father is dead. He is now Kalif."
Ella remembered Rogan telling her Ilathor's father was ill. "I hope he didn't take it badly," she said. She thought about the proud desert man. Knowing him, he wouldn't have shed any tears, but the way he had spoken of his father told Ella he would have strongly felt his father's passing.
"Now that he is Kalif, he can no longer help Rogan Jarvish with the regency. His new responsibilities are great. He is fortunate to have Jehral by his side."
"That's good," Ella said. "Jehral is a good man." Hermen laughed, and Ella frowned. "What?"
"I'm not laughing at what you said," said Hermen. "I'm laughing because I remember saying the same words to your friend, Bladesinger Bartolo, when he was hunting you down after we… borrowed you… from your brother."
Ella grinned. Now it was her turn to take pleasure from Hermen's discomfort. "I'll bet he didn't take that well."
"No, not well at all. As I recall, in front of Castlemere's city watch he pinned me up against a wall and put his zenblade to my eye."
Ella laughed heartily. "That sounds like Bartolo."