I’m highlighting our favorite barge-captaining uncle today.
Nadja’s Uncle Tau might be a man of few words, but he has a big impact on her story in Inharmonic. And what’s his story anyway? Hmmm.
We do know a few things about him. He left the Wanderers before Nadja was born and changed his name when he came to Cantio. After years of working as a barge captain, he inherited Montgomery & Co. along with its gray-feathered namesake, when it’s founder passed away. He also has a penchant for tea.
While in the office Tau always keeps a kettle at the ready. So, when the niece-he’d-never-met showed up in front of his desk one afternoon, he reached for that stabilizing, fortifying, calming constant, and offered her a cup of tea. And now, you can have a cup, or two, too.
Thanks to the talented experts at Blend Bee, one lucky winner of the Inharmonic Book Birthday Giveaway will get to enjoy some of Tau’s Tea! Tau’s Tea is a custom blend of the tea Uncle Tau serves to Nadja upon their first meeting. It’s caffeine-free, delicious, and will be the perfect mate to the Music is Magic coffee mug.
Want to know how it tastes? Check out the Inharmonic excerpt below to find out. And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!
Tau rose from his seat and crossed over to a small, low table next to the window. “Would you care for some tea?” he asked. Not at all what she was expecting, Nadja simply nodded her head in reply. “If you were hoping for something stronger, I’m afraid you’ll have to look elsewhere. I have never cared for alcohol.” Tau hefted an elaborate silver teapot and filled two matching teacups. He handed one to Nadja and motioned for her to sit. She obeyed, taking the tea from him and eyeing the cup and saucer. They were dainty, yet masculine, but didn’t seem to match with the man who now sat across from her. Lifting the cup to her lips, she sipped. The tea had a floral flavor with a slightly bitter, though not unpleasant, finish. As the warm liquid slid down her throat, her muscles relaxed. She took a deep breath and savored the taste on her tongue. After two weeks of nothing but water to drink, the tea was a welcome change. “It seems you find yourself in an unfortunate situation,” he began. “That’s an understatement,” replied Nadja, taking another sip of her tea. “Mmm.” Tau resumed his seat behind the desk. “Nadja, I have read your mother’s letter, and I know why she sent you here. But I want to hear, in your own words, what brought you to my doorstep.” Nadja sighed and closed her eyes. The last thing she wanted to do was go back to the beginning and relive the whole thing over again. But, her uncle was her only hope for staying safe. So, she took a deep breath and told him everything. Kizzy. Baulo. Her scream. Her blackout. And, the dead man. When Nadja finished her story, she was afraid to meet his gaze. They sat in silence once again. When she finally looked up, she didn’t see the disgust or judgement she had expected to find. Instead, it was something more like pity. No sooner had she looked at him, than his expression once more went blank, and he finished his tea.
