The King watched as the Princess drank the wine that had been poured for her, the delicate motions of her throat working as purple liquid passed her lips. He pulled his gaze away and tried to focus on something else, the serving of the soup, the breaking of the bread, anything really. He felt suddenly and deeply uncomfortable. He realised now just how long it had been since he had sat like this, entertaining a female guest who wasn't already married or a relative. How long it had been since had courted someone. He pushed those thoughts away as she replied to his question.

[b][color=f7941d]"Good."[/color][/b] Ozragad shot a glance over to his dining companion and spoke stiffly. [b][color=f7941d]"I am glad you are not displeased with it."[/color][/b] 

The soup was served to their individual bowls, the platters of freshly baked rolls were left on the table alongside pots of soft golden butter. Ozragad reached out and took a roll from the centre of the table, his long slender fingers breaking it in half as he deposited it onto his own plate. This evening did not have to be painful for either of them, he reasoned, it was only small talk after all. [i][color=f7941d]I just need to keep my mind off things best left alone.[/color][/i] 

Then she asked him about how he had slept.

He thought about last night, about the dream he had. The same dream he had been having now for almost a century.

The King did not answer her straight away. Instead he took one of the pieces of bread from his plate and dipped into the steaming bowl set before him. He raised it to his mouth and blew on the morsel once before he consumed it. It was rich with the earthy taste of mushrooms, but he hardly noticed.

[b][color=f7941d]"Do not thank me. I am hardly doing this for your sake."[/color][/b] The expression the King wore on his face was neutral. But his restrained low voice told a different story. The words were spoken through clenched teeth, ice cold and dripping with venom. 

Ozragad lifted his goblet and drank deeply before he turned away from her. He looked to his right and began to make low conversation with Manawyndan who sat beside him. They started to trade war stories, but whenever the old general tried to inject some levity into their discussion, he found himself shot down by his King. Ozragad seemed only want to focus on the bloodiest of his battles and the brutalities he had once inflicted.

[hr]
The first course was really just to whet the appetites of the guests and to settle them in amongst their peers before the real feast began.  The beer and wine was flowing and the hall was getting increasingly merry. Even some of the stony faced Ashlanders seated at the head of one of the four long tables were grinning. Serving men streamed through the hall in order to clear the empty bowls and the remove the ravaged platters from the tables. The smell of cooked fish wafted in from the open doors that led down to the kitchens, the next course was already on its way.

[b]"Excuse me,"[/b] The woman sat to the Elise's left spoke to her. So far she had been in quiet conversation with the young man beside her, but now she turned towards the Princess with a cautious smile. 

Tall and possessing a voluptuous hourglass figure, she was striking even for a Formori. Her hair was a brighter shade than most of the others in the room. The majority of the guests had dark brown or black hair, but this woman had curls of auburn red that were artfully arranged into plaits and braids so as to frame her attractive heart shaped face. She dressed in oranges and greens, the cut of her clothing was elegant, tasteful. Around her neck was an impressive piece of jewellery, several long strings of amber beads that wrapped around her throat several times. The beads were the same colour as her eyes.

[b]"I do not believe we have been formally introduced. I am Lady Cheldarine of the House of Ergyng, and this is my eldest, Elethiomel. [/b] She gestured to a handsome youth behind her, flame haired like his mother, still making polite conversation with the older couple sat beside him. [b]"My younger son, Peibio, I believe you have briefly met? He serves the King as the royal cup bearer."[/b]

Right on cue the adolescent who had poured wine for Elise before leaned in from behind to refill both her glass and the King's. He too bore that striking bright red hair, though kept much shorter than both his mother and brother. Lady Cheldarine gave him a wide and warm smile as he went about his task, the boy did his best to ignore it. She let out a soft husky laugh at his reaction.

[b]"He takes his duty at court very seriously, he does not like his mother distracting him. So diligent."[/b] At that she quietened herself, regarding Elise her bright and keen eyes before continuing. [b]"I am sorry, I cannot help but boast about my children to everyone I meet. But I must apologise if speaking of family is difficult for you, so far away from your home, surrounded by strangers."[/b]