The Highland Tale; The King Act One Scene Six Sub Act One

 

A KING’S FEAST

ACT ONE

SCENE SIX

SUB ACT ONE

 

The scene in the kitchen of Inverness was chaotic, with the cooks manning the pots while the servants were carting in the ingredients.

“Who took the salt?” The sous chef hollered above the din there.

“It is to the right of you beneath the bottle of spices.” Another hollered back. The chef reached for it and saw the rat at the table base.

“Who let the Rat-O’Toole in? I have said that no one tastes my sauces except myself.” The chef was upset.

“A rat to taste...  Leave it to the French on their peculiarity.”

“I will darn if I don’t have the pig’s innards.” The cook handling the haggis called out. Haggis is one of the main meat dishes of the clan. It represents the best of Scottish cooKing, using every part of the animal and adding lots of flavor and spices.

“Spice it up with the condiments that McKinsey brought in from the harbor." Another cook called. “I think it was the shipment from the eastern land.”

“Ech on my scran, you pigheaded!” The cook doing the haggis called back. “I will not have my ingredients despoil by the likes of the land.”

“Fresh mussels for you, Cook.” The servant set the bowl of mussels for the seafood cook.

“I asked for Haddock, boy. I am doing the Cullen Skink and not some mushy soup for your mama.” The cook snapped out. “Where are the fishes?”

“Outside the kitchen, cook. We ran out of space for them. They are gutting the fish out there, and so are the lambs and other meat. It is a mess there too.” The servant overseeing the ingredients replied.

“Well, get them to hurry up before my broth becomes more than one.” Another cook hollered out.

It was chaotic there, with cooks akin to the leaders and the servants, the measly soldiers, with their heads full of commands and which to perform needed shrewd decisions.

“My lady, you need to get yourself ready for the King to arrive." Elleanor heard the maid when she was still battering the flour for the salmon fish.

“They will ask for you soon.” The maid reminded the lady.

“Have my bath ready. I do not want to meet the King smiling like the overnight broth.” Elleanor took off for the chamber.

“There goes the lady. She is not a lady, but she sure acted like one. I think Thane needs to open his eyes to her.” The senior servant watched the lady huff off to clean herself.

“Mary is dead.” Another servant voiced out. “She needs to be replaced.”

“Aye, the lady is capable. Not like her sister, Lady Mary. A whiff of the kitchen, and she is off to the privy. It was worse when she was with Thane’s child.” The other servant sighed. “Such a pity for the Thane. He was just not in the best of things there.”

“Hush it up, you two. Lady Elleanor will not be any better off if you are still gossiping behind her back.” The cook heard them and set the three servants on their task.

In the chamber of the lady, Elleanor immersed her body in the scented bath prepared by the maid. She will have stayed longer on other days, but that occasion was pressing on her to get ready soon.

“What gown should you wear today, my lady?" The maid asked. “I had picked the blue and green or the yellow daffodils.”

“The white one. The one that was delivered last week. It will suit the occasion.” Elleanor had the white gown with the red roses on the skirt that trailed from her left waist to the hem of the gown. It was described to her by the lay trader who sends her dresses every summer.

“It is an elegant design, with the ruffles at the hem of the gown and the off-shoulder at the bodice giving prominence to the delights of the bosom.”

“I am not... “Elleanor voiced her vanity while displaying, but the lady assured her.

“It is the design of the continent. It may be chilly for the Highlands, and a shawl will keep it decent.” The lady trader smiled. “And a thin veil for the shoulders.”

Elleanor agreed to the latter design and kept it for the occasion.

“It is a fitting... alike that of a bridal gown, my lady.” The chambermaid had told her.

“Leave me. I need to get my bath done.” The lady told the maid. Elleanor needed to be alone. She is no bride yet, but she harbours the thoughts of a lover. She reached for her bosom and caressed it. It felt nice to be touched and kissed, but the feeling was only hers. She wished there was someone who would do it. It will bring her to a different level of feeling.

“Banquo….” Elleanor moaned.