Chapter 12 - The Feast

Riou and Maximilian arrived at the nick of time on the Castle, the festivities already had began and everyone was sat on the U shaped table which was almost twice as big now than earlier.

Riou arrived in his new outfit, a nobles clothing was not so comfortable, as his movements were restricted a little, perhaps it was intended to force a good posture at all times. As he entered the hall, he noticed that the gaze of many prying eyes were upon him, one in particular was very strong...

At the very center was the King Elrik Strongheart, to his left was his wife Hanna, to his right his son Kasius, Eileen the princess was on the left, beside her mother, Kasius right side was empty, probably a seat reserved just for symmetry and social status sake. It was very spacious center table and they were seated afar from each other to grant enough room for the perpendicular tables to to see and hear them.

The mess hall was much more ornate than the afternoon, there were flowers and many servants bringing food and drinks to the guests...

To the left side of the king there were the 5 knights, Bhalrom was the one on the nearest seat to the prince, then came the other ones, all older man, each with a distinct color to its cape/scarf like around their shoulders, Bhalrom was purple, and the next man was green, he was fat for a knight, seems like his glory days were long gone, he had a grayed messy beard, dyed purple by the wine it probably spilled on it, he was bald only on the top of the head, in the small amount of hair one could see glimpses of red hair now and then.

The next Knight was wearing yellow cape, he had short very well trimmed black hair, and a very clean shaved face. he had a better posture than the other two and did not come as a military man.

The next in line was wearing blue, he seemed the older of them, very bald head and all white hairs, he had many wrinkles around the eyes, and a big well trimmed white mustache.

The last knight was wearing Red cape in the same tone as his hair, he seemed younger than the others and used the hair long tied up in the back of the head, leaving a small pony tail. He resembled Bhalrom mannerism, very well built man and clearly had been in the military.

From the other side table were the court mages, all dressed in robes, they were all the same color, but one could notice if payed attention that all had different colors as well, but the colors followed the knights color, so 2 colors repeated in the 7 mages, they had one more purple and one more yellow.

Riou noticed the petty girl with red hair was wearing purple, and sat at the last seat counting from the princess, the very first place had an old man, that resembled Maximilian, also wearing purple details in his robe...

The remaining seats were used by the nobles Riou had seen in the afternoon, even the man the princess wounded was sitting amongst the seats, he had a bands rolled around his shoulder.

Max and Riou approached the table, Riou was deliberately avoiding the gazes and went to sit on the last spot on the right side of the table, he was only able to see the king and Kasius from there and the whole table where the knights were seated, he smiled and waved to Bhalrom when their eyes met who gave a courteous small bow in response he was on the last seat while Max went to the left side to seat on the last spot... when the king shouted - "Nonsense, the Magus should never seat on the edges, my friend, please join me on my table..."

Maximilian graciously bowed to the king and went to sit near the prince... "so thats why there was a vacant spot there, the king already planned this..." thought Riou to himself.

Didn't take long for the food be served, there were many kinds of sauces and breads, and meat. Mead, wine and other spirits were flowing through the tables... Riou just observed the comportment of those who he could see, his mind now allowed him to compare behaviors much better than he used to, and he was quick to associate them to past memory...

He saw the nobles sucking up to the knights and court mages, he noticed that the red faction was weaker than the others, and that the green was the stronger because of the seat placement, but then he realized... the green knight seemed to be a buffoon, eating and drinking as if there was no tomorrow, he gave off an air of inadequacy that Riou perceived, Bhalrom was under the king direct order so he actually didn't get involved directly with the nobles affairs... that left the blue geezer and the yellow man.

The blue came across as a stiff traditionalist, and the yellow man... Was looking directly to Riou... probably doing the same as he was, measuring up guests and trying to understand their nature... but he was looking to intensely to the boy, his eyes were focused on Riou... who in counterpart just smiled and waved to the man... the man just smiled... Everyone had eaten and the king got up claiming the attention.

- "Thank you all for coming today, this was the fifteenth celebrations of my daughters triumphs through the north ways, as a daughter of the north she is entitled to it... And as a father I'm proud of her strength." He said gladly looking to his daughter who elegantly bowed in respect.

- "But as a king I grow preoccupied that none will ever be up to her standards... so I must ask once more, my daughter, you have fought for the fourth time the challenger Gilbert Bosche, lord of the lands to the north of Longart, have you found him worthy of receiving your hand as the rites demand?" asked the king...

- "No father..." - A cold response from the princess...

- "Very well then, so the rites must continue!" - proclaimed the King...

- "But father!" interjected the prince - "There were 2 challengers... should you not extend the question to the second as well?" - said the mocking prince, clearly intending to ridicule his sister and the commoner who so desperately fought her and miserably lost...

The king looked apprehensively to his wife who gently gave him a nod...

- "Very well, I bid you young man to please come before me, so everyone can see you..."

Riou dropped his head, "Damn you Kasius... can't you give me a break?" he thought to himself... "I should have stayed in the drinking bear tonight... oh well, I just go there, he talks, she says no, prince comments that I'm a commoner... blabla, everybody laughs and then I'm free, so lets get this over with..." Said him encouraging himself...

Riou stood up and started to walk towards the front table... When Maximilian saw who was walking he widened his eyes focusing his attention on Riou and tilted his head as if questioning what happened... Riou just gave a wry smile and shrug his shoulders... as if saying "it sort off happened"... From his right he could see the calm princess piercing him with her cold eyes...

When he was in front of the king the king begun - "This young man here is my guest, called Riou, he was a war refugee from the south that survived by himself the hardships of the land until reaching our kingdom, he is under guidance of Maximilian Eindenwald and at his young age already an honorary member of the First Army..."

The murmur began to spread as wildfire in the hall as information of the boy was disclosed... Riou looked around and saw everyone whispering with suspicious looks and doubtful eyes... The prince already knew about Maximilian support, but he could not believe the First Army evaluated the boy so young to be a member...

It was then he felt a stronger gaze coming from his right... he was fearful of where it was originating at and tried to avoid it all he could, but eventually he peeked in that direction... And he saw the elegantly princess, but her calm demeanor were no where to be found, something happened after the kings words... she was mad...

- "Thats absurd father! You couldn't possible mean that this boy qualified to be at the First Army, Bhalrom, please explain so we can understand..." said the upset prince

Bhalrom looked at the king who gesture for him to continue, Bhalrom stood up and began to explain

- "It is indeed a rare fact for the First Army to concede such grace, but nonetheless the boy stayed with the company and trained with the very best of the country for over a month, daily showing proof of his improvement and great promise was seen in his capabilities, despite being so young also showed more than once to be owner of the rare qualities that the First Army seeks in its soldiers, honor and courage, so when he comes of age, if it's of his choosing he will join the First ranks..."

The hall thundered in the commotion caused by the knights words... "The stigmas of this society runs deep, they rile up for anything"... thought him to himself "So much for trying to lay low..." he thought looking towards Max who was calm and just listening to the commotion...

- "You sure jest Bhalrom!" - Shouted the prince getting the attention of the crowd once again, one could no deny it, the prince knew how to be the center of attentions - "How can possibly be true what you said, if we all saw how the boy barely escaped alive from the duel? How could he enter into the most prestigious army of the kingdom..."

- "I never said he was ready to enter, all it was said was that he had potential and with a couple of years of training he would surely be able to join" Retorted Bhalrom trying to suppress his blood from boiling.

- "Enough!" Shouted the king, if you want to discuss the matter we will do so in the appropriate time... this should have been a fine and calm evening... but since you all are so fired up over trivialities, you are all dismissed..." Concluded the king sitting down, waiting for them to leave...

Everyone bowed towards the king and began to leave in an orderly fashion... soon only the Royal family was still in the hall...

The king went to talk to Kasius about his attitude, as the princess stood up in her light purple dress and went to the window, very apprehensive...

The queen noticing the princess restlessness, approached her - "What it is my child?" - She asked...

Silence from the princess...

- "Come on now... I know something is bothering you... is it the boy?" she said knowing her daughter

The princess looked at her as if to say something but stopped...

- "You don't understand why the boy lost..." said the smiling mother knowing very well her daughter...

Eileen eyes widened - "How do you know?" she asked

- "I'm a daughter of the north, fighting is in my blood as well... I've saw your fight, the boy indeed could have won if so he chose."

- "So why didn't he?" She inquired without imagining an answer to that

- "Did you want him to?" retorted the mother...

Eileen understood what that meant, he could have married her if he won... she did not had yet time to stop and think rationally about that, all she wanted was to be strong and be sure she was, but she was almost betrothed because of her brother mockery, the realization fell like a rock into her...

- "No... he is too young for me, and I don't even know him..." she answered quietly

- "But was he worthy?" - questioned the mother of the princess

- "........ Yes..." said the princess after a long pause...

- "By the rites, would have you accepted him?" continued the mother...

- ".... No, he lost..." confirmed the princess after another long pause

The mother hold tight her children and kissed her in the forehead... she clearly was not satisfied yet... she did not know why exactly, but she was still bothered by it...

- "If you still need answers, only he can give them..." - Finished the mother releasing her daughter.

The princess nodded and left the hall towards the guest rooms... with clear purpose in mind.

The king joined the queen as they both watched the princess leave the hall

- "How was she?" the king asked

- "She still young... she doesn't know what she wants..." Answered the queen

- "Reminds me of someone I know... you were the same at her age..." Joked the king

- "And thats why I'm so afraid for her..." said the apprehensive mother...

The night was still young in the castle...