Artemis and Caspian: The Spy

Chapter Forty Five

There was never a drunker time in Calatan. Sitting at the head of a massive table, Lady Kendra laughed the night away, her skin flushed with a hint of pink. In her massive hand was a pint of ale, filled to the brim with foam running down the edges, frothing onto the table. Next to her, not exactly sober himself, sat her husband who blinked slowly at his smaller drink. Although intoxicated, he never lost his nerve and seemed more concerned with Lady Kendra's well-being than anything else. Under the table, his steady hand resting on her knee kept her sturdy.

Today was day four of a non-stop celebration. The whole realm reunited once again, enjoyed championing the defeat of Guilamount and the triumphs of the Lord and Lady. In her giddiness, Kendra ordered the taverns to stock themselves with free booze to be passed amongst the populated towns littered in between patches of farmland. Accompanying the drunken revelers were parades, festivals, dances and commemorative food all invented for the special occasion, many dedicated to the gods for their help. It seemed to many almost impossible that a small rag-tag group of untrained farmers, with the begrudging help of Heliatra and Meridan of course, were able to beat an army of people trained to kill since birth. For the superstitious, it was a sign the gods favored their realm, for the hopefuls, a sign that victory would win a bountiful harvest from the stingy deities. For all days blurred into nights. Merriment has no limits. Streets filled with peasants overcome with joy, returning to long abandoned houses and possessions held most dear. A holiday in the making.

In the castle, Lady Kendra took another swig from her drink, putting it down briefly to playfully shove a nearby general who laughed mirthfully at her expense. Lord Terrowin, quiet as ever, tightened his grip on her leg when he felt her sway off-center. He winced as the swell of laughter echoed through the great rustic dining hall. Loud gatherings had never been his strong suit. Surrounding the room were three large tables and at the back stood his. He and Kendra sat at its center on large wooden thrones intricately carved with small details. As always to look over them, a bear was carefully placed at the top of each, perched so they could growl at each other with one paw extended, claws and teeth sharpened to a point.

Off to each side of the room stood two more tables that faced each other. Sitting at them were high-ranking officials, war heroes and Calatan's nobility who were willing to put aside class for a short while to celebrate the realm's victory. Every table was lined with food that overflowed on people's plates. Dozens of roast pheasants, hearty bread and the famous fireberry soup sat in mounds waiting to be devoured by gluttonous onlookers who stuffed themselves until they were sick. In the center clearing created specifically for the festivities, a jester tried his best to keep everyone's attention with novelty acts. He nodded briefly to the Lady before sticking a flaming sword down his throat, her favorite trick. She laughed merrily and pointed as the entertainer expertly stuck the sword into his throat, pulling it back out with a flourish, the flame extinguished, earning him a round of applause from the group.

"Where's Lord Aileron and the new King?" Lady Kendra remarked drunkenly, as she leaned over to the general, practically screaming into his ear. Like many at the table, she was losing control of her ability to whisper at a volume quieter than a sharp shout.

"Kendra," Lord Terrowin answered, pulling her towards him. "Lord Aileron is arriving tomorrow remember? And the King hasn't responded to our invitation." The Lady's electric hazel green eyes lit up.

"Of course! I forgot thank you!" Then like she'd forgotten what she was talking about, the Lady stood abruptly, placing two hands on the table. Lord Terrowin looked on, concerned.

"First and foremost, servants," Servants, the only sober people in the realm, stood at attention along the perimeter of the room. "Get everyone here another drink!" The hall burst forth with a great cheer as guests proclaimed their approval.