Forgotten Embers

6. Stay

The great doors of the banqueting hall were opened by the courteous hand of her benevolent host. "After you," he muttered with a bow.

The door had opened to reveal a bright room bustling with life. The pleasant sounds of laughter and friendly chatter echoed throughout the spacious hall. There were grand staircases which curved and ascended either wall, leading up to a magnificent balcony overlooking the glorious sight from the far side of the room. The table was set with baskets of fruits and beads and meats stylishly arranged.

There were a handful of people standing around the table engaging in conversations of various kinds. Each seemed quite caught up in his or her topic and company with regular interaction between groups and friendly banter or the occasional teasing comment echoing throughout the relatively empty room.

There was, also, a man in an apron off to their right, and Avera supposed that he had been the one to prepare the day's meal. He was standing with a petite woman in an ordinary dress. The woman's skin was a dark tan. Her hair was short, stylish, and feminine, curving in slightly above her thin shoulders.

Avera walked self-consciously through the door which Benjamin held for her, and the man in the apron let out a thunderous belly laugh at some clever and boisterous quip directed at one of his fellows, the conversation continuing unimpeded. He was a large man in every way, towering over his fellows. His skin was a deep olive complexion and complemented well with his thick hair, dark grey in color with streaks of lighter grey towards the sides, which he wore wrapped down around his ears. The woman's dark eyes reflected the light as she spoke to him, her pupils expressive and wide. The man put a hand gently on the lady's delicate form, and his palm swallowed up her shoulder entirely. She spoke again, and the man nodded, glancing over in the direction of the entry. He smiled, catching sight of Avera and Benjamin as they came humbly through the doorway.

"Ellis," Benjamin said with a grin.

"Benji!" the man exclaimed with a roar of enthusiasm before rushing over and wrapping his arms around him without any thought of hesitation. Benjamin was quickly picked up off the ground and dangling in the air, supported only by Ellis's huge forearms. "How are you today, my lad?" he asked, lowering the young man back to the ground again.

"Quite well, my friend. I thank you," Benjamin graciously responded, straightening his glasses. "I've brought company today," he added, looking to Avera with a smile.

The man's face broke into an ear splitting grin. "Well, hello there! Miss... Avera? Ben here mentioned ya to me," he said with the same happy enthusiasm he had shown Benjamin. He put a hand out for her to shake it, and as she did, his hand swallowed hers up completely.

"Avera, this is-" Benjamin began by way of introduction, being quickly cut off by the jolly giant.

"Ellis, Ellis Wells!" the man informed her, shaking her hand up and down like a water pump. "My wife Mira and I run the kitchens here, and it's a joy of ours to have a fine guest such as yourself!"

Benjamin grinned, his face alight with amused merriment. "You will find Mr. Wells quite amiable, I'm sure," he told her pleasantly.

"Amiable?" Ellis said as if in shock. "A man such as myself? Never!" he jested, exaggerating the backwards sentiment.

Benjamin held up a hand as if to ask him to stop while failing to hold back laughter.

Avera looked as another man came to greet them. He was lean, his skin tight and ruddy, and he wore garments which resembled armor made of cloth, a white tunic with layers of ceremonial garb and a crimson sash tied about his waist. He was lanky, yet lusty and quite robust. His dark hair bore a reddish tint, and he wore a long goat beard on his bronzed countenance. He seemed to glide across the stone floor of the dining hall, making his way towards them with swift, calculated steps and an even stride.