The room erupted into cheers, the sound of applause filling the air as the banquet officially began. The tension of the past few weeks seemed to melt away as people began to mingle, laughing and sharing stories of their experiences.
The tables were soon filled with food and drink, and the atmosphere grew warm and lively.
Aurelia and I made our way through the crowd, exchanging greetings and thanking those who had fought alongside us.
There was a sense of joy and relief in the air, a collective exhale after the storm had passed. Everywhere I looked, I saw smiles and laughter, and it filled my heart with warmth.
As the evening wore on, the music began to play, a lively tune that had people tapping their feet and swaying to the rhythm. The mood was infectious, and soon enough, the centre of the hall had cleared to make way for dancing.