Spellbound

6. The Altus

The next time Lavellan emerged from the kitchens, the scent of bread and potatoes had settled so snugly in his clothes that it surrounded him like a cloud. The main hall seemed cold compared to the bustling kitchen that got warmed by the ovens and bodies alike.

Though Lavellan was stunned to find the main hall filled with people now, as well. In his absence, long tables had been carried into a U-shape underneath the shining globe. The chair at the very top middle was massive, like a throne, and cushioned with expensive purple velvet on the ebony wood.

The servants busied themselves readying the massive arrangement for dinner. They set the plates and cutlery, while others ignited candles and added decorative bouquets for a tasteful atmosphere. Their expertise was effortless and their movements agile as they weaved around each other and balanced expensive goods in their hands without fumbling even once.

Lavellan considered his hands to be quite steady for his year-long practice with a bow, but he politely took his distance from the hurrying servants while he took a breather. He respected their work.

Many people he saw rushing past were elves. Humans were quite rare, and apart from the Bull, no other Qunari seemed to be part of the household, either. Near the window front at the back of the room, sat a bunch of individuals in luxurious gowns who were untouched by the scurrying servants as they conversed with each other. A dwarf was among them, along with a tall lady dressed in gorgeous silks and another woman with cropped, short hair and a scarred face. Neither of the ladies wore dresses, but the first one stood out in her elegant suit while the second one preferred comfort over looks. They looked southern, Ferelden maybe.

Lavellan pondered them for a while. If they were guests at this home, they likely didn't condone the Bull, his mage partner, and the Tevinter inclination for slavery. While they were a ticket out of this hellhole, they had no reason to help Lavellan over betraying their friends.

If he convinced them of the injustice of his stay, he might be able to flee. So long as they distracted his new owner, he would accept even the smallest of aid.

Lavellan ducked further into the shadows when a door on the left side opened. He had figured out that anything relating to the slaves and work was on the right, and the higher-ups had their rooms on the left. When Fenris had warned him about straying, the right corridor was the line not meant to be overstepped.

The Iron Bull emerged into the room to tower over everyone with his massive horns. His features looked grim, and the look got underlined by the eye patch disguising the scarred tissue of his brutish face.

When he spotted the guests, he marched over to greet them with a delighted clap on the dwarf's shoulder. The smaller male toppled out of his chair and almost dropped his chalice. At his glare, The Iron Bull chuckled his hearty laugh.

Before Lavellan could watch them interact further, he had to return to the kitchens to help carry the platters of finished food to the table. He ran back and forth more times than he could count, and each dish he carried looked more exotic and delicious to him. He couldn't name more than half of what he saw.

When their task was done, most servants filtered away to disappear in the nooks of the building like shadows. A few remained to serve the dining guests, who gradually emerged from the left wing now that the excitement had died down.

Fenris had pulled Lavellan to stay with him in a corner apart from those who would serve during dinner. Lavellan supposed they were here to watch so he could learn how things transpired. They had retreated to a corner behind a massive statue of a dragon head where their presence wouldn't bother the fancy lords of the evening.

With his ongoing scowl, Fenris leaned against the wall and stared at the floor with crossed arms while Lavellan contemplated the guests. The three he had seen earlier all got to sit at the short part of the U, indicating their importance. The Iron Bull sat on the right of the throne, so Lavellan was right in his guess he was the closest partner to whatever mage who bewitched this palace. Marital ties explained a Qunari here.