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.
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