675-04-13 - Feast at Castle Equitaine
Feast at Castle Equitaine | |||||||
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Summary: The members of delegation bound for the Isles are announced. | |||||||
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The Feasting Hall of Castle Equitaine has been prepared for today's feast in honour of the departing delegation. The banners of House Lenouvi adorn the walls, and at the far side on the high table on the dais the Duke of Athereyne himself has already taken his seat. Herrik Lenouvi is little older than thirty, and his face shows little trace of the hardships that have been suffered by most of the kingdom during the recent years. Beside him sits his wife, the Duchess Elaine, by birth of House Istivean, with their little four-year-old son on her lap. The little boy stares about with big blue eyes in stunned silence, obviously quite overwhelmed by the many people who are attending.
The tables closer to the dais will be reserved for the guests of noble status, the exception being the Duke of Woriscant, who as a guest of honour will have a seat at the high table as well, as the members of the ruling House Brais. A bit further away are the tables for a few commoner guests who have been explicitly invited, without providing them with further information as of yet.
Servants in the yellow and green stand at the ready to provide the guests with Athereyne Red (the local brand of wine), or ale, where preferred, as well as hors d'euvres, bits of cheese, smoked ham and some slices of freshly baked bread.
What? Guest of Honor? He? Alajos looks a little surprised when he is being led to his seat at the high table, but he offers a nod and bow to the Lenouvis, before sitting down.
Deen Zorich, once of The Isles, now a squire to Fordric of House Istivean, enters the hall looking not much less wide-eyed than the little boy on the Duchess' lap. His time among the people of Two Rivers has been an education for him, and one to which he still seems to be adjusting, even after six years of service. He is very well dressed for the feast, save for a persistent blond cow-lick that remains determed to rise, despite all eforts to plaster it down. A smile of gratitude is given to the servant who leads him toward one of the tables reserved for the nobility.
Before he gets there, however, he pauses before the high table and offers a formal bow to the Duke of Athereyne, his host. That small feat accomplished, he takes his seat. Beside him, the seat for his knight, Lord Fordric will remain empty. All hopes to the contrary, he remains ill.
A curtsy is delivered towards the host and his wife as Avaline pauses before the high table as she is being led along to her own seat. As a member of House Brais, she is used to having to sit in places where people get to watch her eat. Thankfully though, she is just a niece, allowing the seat next to Duke Alajos remain open for her cousin the Princess. The young woman was dressed finely enough in the colors of her House. Poised and graceful as would be expected of her.
Ralph Fennim takes his seat by one of the tables for the nobility, beside his niece Sirelle and - yes indeed! - a distinguished slightly older gentleman. "Lord Oskar Lenouvi?", Ralph inquires, inclining his head towards the man, his dark gaze shifting from the advisor of Duke Herrik towards Alajos, brows twitching upwards in a mixture of amusement and despair. Smiling as he notices Avaline approaching and claiming the seat beside Princess Barbeta. One space beside the Duke of Athereyne remains empty thus far, a mystery that will ellicit a light murmur among the guests.
As soon as he recognizes Deen however, Ralph will wave him over to where he is seated. "Lord Zorich, why don't you join me and my niece over here? As I can see your knight is still indisposed?" His gaze drifting up towards the high table again he will smile, noticing Duchess Ortensia Istivean has claimed her seat there as well. "How odd. Where is Lord Urson?" The question is muttered to himself rather than to anyone in particular.
Alajos greets Barbeta as she joins them and sits between him and Avaline, before catching Ralph's look. He manages a faint smile as he recalls their conversation in the morning about the bug-collecting nobleman, but right now, Alajos has bigger fish to fry, being stuck between the chatty princess and the Duke Herrik of House Lenouvi, who are all expecting him to make conversation.
At the summons from Lord Ralph, Deen rises with a little start. He runs a hand over the unruly patch of hair (a futile exercise), then quickly crosses to offer a bow to both the lord and his niece. "That is very kind of you, my lord," he says his pale eyebrows climbing upward in questions. "Are you sure it won't be too much trouble? I've no problem sitting over there," he gestures back to his seat, "only, I suspect the conversation will be far more interesting here."
Avaline offers her cousin a smile, rising slightly when the Princess joins them, respectful of her cousin's higher station in life. Noting just lightly,"Duke Alajos was just telilng me moments ago about a ride he took this morning," making some attempt to aid in getting that conversation moving, since the plant is not longer in attendence to help.
Alajos should have brought the plant along. Now he's forced to keep talking. "Cousin Ralph and I went to the Fangs.", he explains, "It's a rather wonderful sight. The sea, the wide open plain, the rocks... have you ever heard the legend of the monster that lived in the bay?", he asks them - legends, myths, stories, that's his area after all.
Catching that faint smile of Alajos, Ralph will raise his already filled goblet of Athereyne Red in a mock toast, before muttering a polite remark in Oskar's direction. "Most probably so!" he affirms to Deen, gesturing towards a vacant seat close by with his free hand, before taking a sip from the goblet.
Avaline had accepted a glass of the Athereyne red herself, taking a small sip from the goblet as she listens to Alajos pick up on the conversational cue. "It does sound like it might be another place worth wandering to, should there be time." The young woman considering that a touch before she shakes her head,"No, I do not believe I am familiar with that legend."
The smile that blossoms on Deen's face is full of joy and makes him look much younger than his sixteen years for a moment. He fairly leaps toward the offered chair, taking his seat before accepting a glass of wine from which he takes a tentative sip. He seems content for the moment to sit and listen to the swirls and eddies of conversation that fill the room. There is, however, an air of eager expectation about him, a tautness that only grows more noticeable as each day passes before the party's departure for the Isles.
While Alajos' glass has been filled with wine, he hasn't yet taken a sip. Instead he is happy to have two pairs of attentive eyes on him, waiting for a story. "Many centuries ago, the people of this area were threatened by invaders coming across the sea, so the Gods sent down the Mother Dragon and her children from the sky to devour the approaching fleet. One of the young dragons fell in love with a beautiful mortal woman and stayed behind to live on the land with her. But the Gods were angry with him and asked him to return to the celestial lands. When he refused, he was struck by lighting and sank under the water - only his fangs remained behind, trying desperately to claw onto the land, to return to his beloved woman." Alajos finishes, looking rather satisfied. Way to cheer up a party.
"Oh?", the other Duke in the Hall cannot help but comment, as he hears Alajos' version of the story. "Where did you hear that story, I wonder? The Dragons were, as far as I know, used by the enemies of the North, ancestors of the Barbarians of today. Some of them rode on them in battle, five of them there were. Tis true, the Scales are named after a Dragon that was turned to stone, according to legends, but the Fangs of Athereyne,..." Herrik Lenouvi chuckles, shooting his wife a glance. "The Fangs of Athereyne were named after the Giant Wolf, that one another legend." He should know, being the Duke of Athereyne, should he not? A wink is offered to Alajos, though. But he looks definitely pleased with himself, as he corrects the Fennim Duke.
Another sip of wine is taken by Avaline as she is content to listen to the tale that Alajos tells about the Fangs and then her eyes are turning to their host as he gives...correction...with another turn of it. Softly commenting,"It sounds as with many legends, that there are differing ones that have been recorded over time to be told."
"Indeed.", Alajos replies a little stiffly, "The Giant Wolf is another legend, that has been bandied about in different areas." Then he shrugs and falls silent, glad to see that the first course is being brought and he is no longer required to talk. It always goes wrong anyway.
From his seat at Ralph's table, Deen's voice pipes up: "The story you told, Duke Fennim, is very similar to the history of Onimoria, whom we worship on the Isles." It is only after the words are out that he seems to realize he's spoken, and his cheeks redden somewhat. "Sorry...just an...observation." He takes a quick sip of wine.
There is indeed an air of anticipation in the hall, glances are being shot towards that empty seat at the center of the high table. And as if to answer that unasked question, the door to the Feasting Hall opens just at this moment, and four knights in the black and red of House Brais enter, stepping aside to let a man through, in a rather plain attire of a shabby looking chainmail and a slightly worn tabard showing the heraldry of House Brais. It is not so much what he wears, but the way he moves towards the dais with confident steps despite his already advanced age and the slight limp. As none other than King Barret Brais steps before the high table and inclines his head towards the host. "Duke Herrik. I am late. But most importantly, I am here." he greets with a voice that embodies authority as well as a certain weariness, a baritone that is used to carry, as his voice reaches even the far corners of the Hall. A nod to the Fennim as well as the Istivean Duchess. "Duke Alajos. Duchess Ortensia. Glad you could make it." With that said, the King moves to take his seat in the center with a low grumble.
Eyes flicker towards the doors of the hall when the open and there are knights of house Brais to be seen entering, Avaline watching before a thin turn of a smile comes to see her uncle entering. Trying to make converastion with those at the high table momentarily set aside to give a gentle rise in her seat and the respectful bow of her head when he uncle passes to claim his own seat.
Spotting the king arrive, Alajos rises to his feet and offers a deep bow to the man, the earlier slight forgotten. He seems actually relieved now that the king is drawing all the attention and he can focus on his meal in happy silence.
Like many in the hall, Deen quickly scrambles to his feet as the king enters, his chair scrapping away from the table as his body forces it back. He makes a deep bow before resuming his seat and watching King Barret intently.
For a moment it seems the King is content just to sit there, a goblet of wine is accepted from a servant, and a good sip taken. It is now that Barret shoots his daughter a glance and then Avaline. His lips curve into a faint smile, but his greeting to his kin is offered without words, a mere nod, accompanied by a warm flicker in his eyes. The sound of the chair scrambling over the stone floor will draw his attention for a moment, his eyes narrowing a touch maybe as they come to linger on Deen Zorich.
"Hrrmm." The King clears his throat and rises to his feet again. Feeling the people assembled are in want of a few words, explaining his presence. "Good eve," Barret Brais begins, his baritone thundering through the feasting hall of Castle Equitaine. "You have gathered here today for a reason. The Famine is over, and so is the Plague. Both have left us and our lands in devastation. And in need of allies."
Deen wasn't staring! Honestly! The squire's eyes slide quickly away from the King as the royal gaze rests on him momentarily. An attempt to appear casual causes him to fidget visibly for a moment. Fortunately, the King seems intent on making a speech, and he settles down, cocking his head to listen. Very slowlly, his hand creeps across the table to snatch at a chunk of bread, while his belly makes an audible rumble. He shoots Lord Ralph and his neice an apologetic smile on the off chance that it was heard.
Ottis had many preparations to deal with once he arrived in the capital and found out he was going to a feast. So he immediately hit the local shops to get himself something decent to wear. He decides to not go too fancy as he's never been comfortable in such finery, but a little bit goes a long way in his thinking and as such it's better than his standard clothing.
Ottis purchases, new shirt, pants, boots and anything else that would allow him to fit in a bit more easily without getting sneerful looks from those of a higher station. He is after all a simple man and prefers simple things. He'll sit at the table farthest from the king so to provoke the least amount of attention. Carefully sipping wine and picking up bits of food that seems appealing to him.
Wine is slowly sipped upon by Avaline, the apperance of her Uncle and his need to address the people a fine out from having to draw conversation out of the Duke Alajos. A gentle smile given to the King when he had given the silent greetings. The young woman listening attentively to the words that do come. None of it seeming to be much of a surprise really.
Slider, also know to a few as Marcus, did indeed dress up for this occasion. So he went into his trunk and pulls out some decent looking clothes. His attire consists of clothing from the Golden Lions. Clean, kept nicely with a bit of color along the edges which is a light green. His other color is white, a lot of white, his shoes are sparklely but mostly the color of the trimming. So as Slider comes in, he takes a seat way, way back and making sure he does not stand out.
Ralph may have caught that rumble of Deen's stomach, at least he shoots him a slightly amused glance.
King Barret Brais, however must have been oblivious to it, as he continues, with a voice that still impresses despite him being already far beyond fifty years of age. "A new opportunity has arisen, to attain an alliance, we are so direly in need of. The Isles have opened their borders for the first time in many years. There will be a grand feast, the Days of Onimoria, and Queen Abegayle Onimus has invited us to send a delegation, to renew old contracts of trade and establish new bonds between our kingdoms." He pauses, and takes another sip of the wine. "Some of you have been called here on this eve, not knowing yet the reason. And so let US proceed by announcing the names of those WE have decided to send on this mission. For House Fennim: Duke Alajos, Lord Ralph and Lady Sirelle. For House Istivean: Duchess Ortensia. Lord Urson Istivean, who is absent on this eve as he has some important task to see to. Lord Fordric Istivean has fallen ill, I hear, but his squire, Deen Zorich is here among us, as I heard. He will be travelling with the delegation, as he hails from the Isles."
"Lord Oskar Lenouvi, for House Lenouvi. Sir Baldwin Ivounel. And of House Brais, my dear daughter Barbeta and my niece Avaline." A warm smile is offered towards those two in particular. "As for specialists," and here he receives a piece of parchment from the Duke of Athereyne. "Master Ottis Penderghast, a knowledgable weapon smith with a thorough knowledge of metal. Master Marcus, a man who has been abroad and is quite versed in languages as WE hear." The list continues for a bit, as name after name is called. "The ship, 'Nymph of Aliara' will depart tomorrow with the first tide." This said before the King retakes his seat, visibily fatigued by his long speech.
Deen stops chewing the deliciously yeasty piece of bread he's managed to get into his mouth long enough to bow his head politely as his name is called. He listens carefully to the list of delegates, his eyes making every effort to seek each out in turn, perhaps making notes, perhaps memorizing features, or perhaps merely seeking some small form of connection with those with whom he will be sharing the journey. 'Marcus', perhaps surprisingly, gets a large smile as his name is called. If he was hoping to remain unobtrusive, he will find it difficult as Deen gives him a cheerful wave.
Avaline does well to quietly nod at the right parts in the speech, to the names going along. Only blinking just a touch to hear her name included, it was not wholey a surprise, really. She gives her own warm smile in return to her uncle. Rising her glass of wine to the favoured ones sent on this trip, a small gesture before she draws a sip of wine.
It takes a little longer for some to travel, and that's precisely why Rayne enters the halls now. Though some have already began feasting and drinking the purple cloaked woman enters and glances around the room to see if she can spot a familiar face. The invitation was a bit of a surprise, but she's made it a point to arrive never the less. If not fashionably late.
Slider was taking a sip of wine and eating alittle here and there. He does see Ottis and nods to the man as he is mentioned to be going. Then he hears his name, surely its him since his name he is using now is Marcus and he has traveled, knows a bit of languages. He actually stops and looks around. "Here I thought the invitation was a mistake." he whispers to himself. It is then he sees Deen, waving at him. Marcus smiles and nods to the squire, then takes a very long drink.
The Duke of Athereyne has listened in silence when the King has announced the names of those who are to go. Herrik Lenouvi turns, feeling a tug at his sleeve however, and seeing it his own son, a bright smile lightens up his features. That scribe behind that young heir, however makes that expression fade a little. Another piece of parchment is handed to the Duke, and after scanning it briefly he leans over to the King, muttering some words into his ear.
The King frowns and lets out a slightly annoyed sigh. But he rises again, albeit for a brief moment. "Two more have been added to the list. To ensure the health of the members of our delegation on the voyage to the Isles, two healers have been assigned. Mistress Maerwynn Vavassour and Mistress Rayne Devantry." A faint smile there, as the King folds the piece of parchment and resumes his seat.
Ottis pauses in popping a grape into his mouth when he hears the list of names and his being included. Ottis thinks to himself. "Ahh so Sir Baldwin was correct that I'd be invited.. " Ottis then munches on the grape and then a few other light edibles while studying those present and doing his best to not draw too much attention to himself. He'll nod back to Slider (Marcus) and glance as he spots Rayne, and gives her a brief nod as well.
Deen settles back into his chair, though he leans forward once more as two more names are called, his eyes once again attempting to seek out those whom will be his traveling companions. Leaning toward Lord Ralph, he whispers, "If you, or any of our companions, have questions about the Isles and our traditions, I will happily answer as best I can during our journey. I think you will find it a wonderful place. And I still believe the women of my lands will make a match of you yet."
Ralph leans in to catch Deen's whisper, and he nods. "I might take you up on that offer, Lord Deen." A smile flickering in his usually so sombre face. Even though that last remark will have him shake his head ever so slightly.
Rayne makes her way further into the hall, and her gaze lands on Ottis. Despite the man perhaps not wanting to draw much attention to himself, he was really the only familiar face in the crowd and so she would gravitate towards him. Reaching to pluck a few grapes for herself, when she hears her name called, she glances up and gives a raising of her brow. "Well...how about that..." Offhanded words mentioned to no one in particular but spoken loud enough to be heard by those close by. A smile offered to Ottis then, "How fare you, Master Ottis?"
Ottis glances up and starts to stand when he see's Mistres Rayne arrive and speak with him. "I fare... okay. " he says softly. "Had to get me some fancy clothling like, least I really stand out. Please join me.. " as he moves to pull a chair out for her, so that she might sit.
So, at this time Slider is eating and drinking, why not its free right. So he sits and contemplates what he us going to do now. He watches the people within the hall,.his fancy Golden Lion attire is a bit to much perhaps. Though at least more he can eat, drink in peace.
"Will you excuse me for a moment, my lord, my lady?" Deen smiles at Lord Ralph and his niece. Now that the King seems to have wrapped up his speech, he is eager to meet some of the people who will join him on the voyage. He rises from the nobles' table and picks his way toward the back of the hall, where the commoner's are seated, near Ottis, Slider and Rayne. "Hello!" His first cheerful greeting is to Slider, who he knows by another name. "It's good to see you, Marcus! It seems we will be allowed to continue our acquaintance!"