Jovinda And Noli

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Jovinda And Noli - book excerpt

A Clash of Cultures

A special messenger delivered the letter. Jovinda’s father took it into his study to open it, but Jovinda saw the Royal seal pressed into the wax. She longed to rush in to her father and ask him why the King was sending him messages. Her eyes kept straying to the door, hoping he would soon come and let them all know what the message said. But she had to wait until after the evening meal before he revealed what the letter contained.

As soon as they finished eating, her father took both Jovinda and her mother into his study. Looking at his daughter he waved the letter. “Is this why you’ve been so restless, Jo?” He grinned, lifted his glasses onto his nose and read it to them.

King Frome I has the pleasure of inviting Guildmaster Kendo, his wife, Ellire, and daughter, Jovinda, to a reception and ball at the Palace to welcome the Trade Delegation from Rindissillaron to Grosmer.

On Kassidar 10 at the 14th hour of the day.

Jovinda’s eyes opened wide and she clapped her hands. “I’m invited to the banquet as well?” She could hardly believe it.

“You’re sixteen now, Jo,” Ellire said. “It’s time you went to be presented at court.”

Her father smiled at her excitement, running his hands through his auburn hair, so like Jovinda’s own. “All the leaders of the guilds and their families will be there. As part of my family, and a young lady now of age, you are included.”

Although not of the nobility, as the supreme leader of all the guilds in Bluehaven, Kendo would be involved in any trade treaties that might be signed between Grosmer and Rindissillaron, the elven homeland. This banquet was of great importance.

Ellire smoothed the skirts of her dress as she stood. “This is a big occasion, Jo. Tomorrow we’ll go to the dressmaker and choose some fabric and a style for your dress.”

Jovinda could hardly keep still. To go to the Royal Palace in Aspirilla. To meet the King and his family. Her eyes shone and she turned to her mother as she spoke.

“What colour do you think I should wear? What kind of fabric? Should I have an elaborate dress or a simple style? What will the other girls being presented wear?”

Ellire laughed at her daughter’s excitement. “Kassidar is spring, but it can still be cold. We’ll need to be aware of that in choosing something. A dress with short sleeves in case it’s warm, but with a jacket or shawl you can put on if it turns cool later in the evening. The banquet is only five sixdays away. There will be a lot of people wanting clothes.” She paused and wrinkled her brow. “We’ll go to Madame Frimb.”

Jovinda pressed her hand against her mouth. “Madame Frimb? But she’s the most expensive dressmaker in Bluehaven.”

Kendo put his arm round her. “Nothing but the very best will be good enough for my daughter’s first banquet and ball.”

Jovinda rushed up the stairs, nearly tripping over the skirts of her dress in her excitement. She must go and tell her best friend, Salor that she was going to the Palace.

* * *

Jovinda’s parents had booked rooms at the Swan in Flight in Aspirilla, the capital of Grosmer. The city stood on an island, known as Holy Isle, because all the churches of the various gods had their headquarters there. The legendary King Sauvern had chosen this place for his capital. He united the warring kings, creating the land of Grosmer. What had once been separate kingdoms were now the six dukedoms of the country.

The landlord of this expensive inn behaved more like the host of a large country house. He treated his customers as important guests and greeted them all personally.

“Welcome to The Swan in Flight, Guildmaster Kendo. Madam Ellire, we are delighted to have you stay with us. And Miss Jovinda, too. Is this your first time in Asperilla, Miss?”

Jovinda blushed at being singled out. “Y-Yes. I’ve been looking forward to it.”

“And now you are here. You must see as much as you can in the time you have, although I have no doubt you’ll come back often.”

A man, in the livery of a butler, approached them. “Allow me to show you to your rooms.”

He took them up a flight of stairs and along a landing with doors on each side. He unlocked two and showed them into the rooms. Then he bowed and left.

Jovinda had a room next to that of her parents. She stopped inside the door and stared. A four-poster bed stood to the left of the door in the large room. It had green drapes embroidered with flowers and birds. Carved flowers decorated the posts and the tester that covered the top of the bed. Rails ran along the tester so the drapes could be closed to keep out draughts.

She ran into the room and bounced on the bed. It would be comfortable. A knock at the door made her get up and smooth down the green bedspread as she did so. Opening the door, she admitted a porter carrying her trunk.

“Thank you,” she said. “Please put the trunk over there,” indicating a place next to the bed. She reached for her purse. Her parents had taught her to give a tip to servants in other people’s households. She handed over a copper royal. The porter bowed and left the room.

Jovinda looked around the room. A fire burned in the fireplace opposite the bed, and two chairs, upholstered in yellow fabric, stood on either side. At the far side of the bed, a table, covered with a yellow and green cloth, held a wash bowl and jug in green pottery.

A bay window with a window seat overlooked the street. She sat on it and gazed out of the window where she could see other guests arriving. Women wearing elegant dresses that swept the floor, and men in smart breeches and tunics descended from the carriages. The people would not wear their best for travelling, she knew, but they all looked so smart.

She was engrossed in the scene and when she heard a knock on her door she tore herself reluctantly away from the window.

“Come in.”

The door opened and a maid entered. She curtseyed to Jovinda, who managed to repress a smile at the thought of someone curtseying to her. Although wealthy, Jovinda’s family was not of the nobility. They did not have the array of servants that the very rich could afford. Jovinda did not have her own maid and usually dressed herself.

“Please, Miss, I’ve come to unpack for you. Would you like me to put out your dress for this evening, or should I come back later?”

“Oh! Well…” Jovinda’s thoughts were all on the coming banquet and ball but she managed to recover her wits. “I’ll wear the yellow one tonight. Thank you.”

She returned to her post by the window as the maid unpacked her clothes and hung them up in the wardrobe next to the fireplace. Carriages continued to roll up. People climbed out and the drivers unloaded trunks and cases and carried them to the inn. Some of the people Jovinda knew, but many she did not. Families arrived, couples, people on their own, all chattering and greeting friends and acquaintances.

I’m not the only one to be excited. It seems as if everyone is as thrilled as I am to be invited to this banquet and ball. Most of these people will have been here before, though. I wonder why they’re behaving as if it’s all new? Is it because of the elves?

She saw her best friend Salor and her parents and brother getting out of a carriage pulled by two grey horses. She leaned out of the window and tried to catch Salor’s attention. She longed to shout to her friend, but knew her parents would be appalled at such common behaviour, so she contented herself with a wave.

Salor saw her and waved back, mouthing “See you later.”

When the train of carriages died to a mere trickle Jovinda turned away from the window. There came a rat-a-tat on her door and it opened to admit her mother.

“Aren’t you getting dressed yet?” She picked up the yellow dress lying on the bed. “You decided on this one for this evening, then? I hope you’ve made sure the one for the banquet is hung up. It would never do to have it creased. Not after all the money it cost.”

Jovinda bounded across the room, grinning. “I was watching the arrivals. There are lots of important people coming here. Will there be enough rooms for them all? I suppose there must, or they’d not come here, would they?”