Elwanda

Chapter 16 - Of Trumpets and Tension

The King's banquet hall, in contrast to what Elwanda had expected, was a moderate and intimate space. Nestled leftward of a breathtaking royal ballroom, the space could contain roughly thirty persons. Golden lights, purple banners, red draperies, and a magnificent display of mouthwatering meals in a thousand varieties on the table made the room feel grander than it looked.

Elwanda nodded gently in response to reverential bows she received from special guards at the entrance to the hall. Trumpeters stationed in a long line on one side of the room belted out welcome tunes as she accompanied the Steward to their seats – twelve tall chairs wrapped around a strange dining table. The piece of furniture was noteworthy because it looked like wood and glass at the same time. The feel of it was hard and warm, reddish like some kind of dug up mineral. Eight chairs were already filled up by four pairs of couples most of whom were dressed in matching colors just like herself and the Steward.

They gave acknowledgement through smiles or nods. Elwanda grew a tad uncomfortable when the men all stared at her a minute too long. Judging from the crests near their royal brooches, she deduced they were ambassadors from the kingdom of Rune in the South.

In the midst of ample and full-figured women in expensive fabric and nicer hairdos, Elwanda truly felt like a tiny peasant.

Regardless, she settled into the cold cushion of her seat and kept her head directed at the empty head of the table just like everyone else.

Only minutes later, the trumpets sounded in welcome, and the company rose altogether.

A huge man in black velvet attire, a flowing jacket and a smile that reached deep into his eyes walked into the hall about three paces faster than the Lords behind him. He wore no crown nor any insignia to identify as a ruler, but the moment Elwanda saw him, she knew for certain that he was King Xainiss Baudley.

Two servants drew out his chair before he reached it.

He positioned in front of the seat and his beam grew wider than his outspread arms.

"Oh welcome, my good neighbors of the South and West."

Everyone bowed.

"Raegros is delighted to have you here after so many years." He went on. His voice was delightfully masculine. "The Feast of Old has not been held since the passing of His Royal Majesty and my own very good friend, Einori Xezod. I understand that his kingdom, the magnificent land of Rauloring, has mourned him for the longest time whilst also doing a marvelous job building the state as Einori would want it."

Elwanda fidgeted uneasily. She had not expected to hear about Rauloring so soon. Eyes of sympathy veered in hers and the Steward's direction.

"So, in honor of the presence of Rauloring here tonight," Xainiss picked and held up his golden goblet. Everyone did likewise. "A toast. To the peace and progress of the West."

"To the West." Everybody chorused and drank from their cups.

Elwanda nearly swayed after a little sip. The wine's contents had to be the strongest her tongue ever tasted.

"Please, let the banquet begin." The King prompted.

From the moment he sat down, Xainiss did not stop talking. The man nearest to him, Fausted, engaged him in conversation that often drew a boisterous laugh out of the King. Entertainers of several talents came into the hall in twos and threes, ranging from jugglers, fire blowers, tricksters, hilarious mimes, impressionists, and a set of men who performed dangerous acts and sent everyone nearly jumping out of their seats.

Elwanda ate very little and in silence as a result of lingering unease and the fact that the wine was strongly alcoholic. She did not want to be thirsty so often and have to drink out of it. The entertainment did manage to settle her to an extent. As a matter of fact, she had slowly begun to enjoy herself, until the last entertainer walked out, and the King cleared his throat aloud.