Heir of Cinders [FADING EMBERS #1] - ON HOLD

3.1 - The Feast

Jonathan marveled at the sheer amount of food that was circulating around the whole dining hall. He had not expected that there would be so many people in attendance; the five long tables that seated around fifty people each were nearly full. This certainly had not been the first feast he had attended, but it was certainly the first time he'd seen the hall packed to its brim with people. The dining hall was alive with the clattering of silverware, the exuberant chattering of the guests, and the rushed footsteps of the servants as they ran to and fro with silver platters upon their palms.

The delectable aroma of gourmet dishes filled the air, the scent of spices and fragrant herbs blending together into an amalgamation that caressed his nostrils. Jonathan's belly was still warm from the creamy mushroom soup that had been served prior, but his mouth still watered at the scent of roasted meat. It was all he could do to suppress the canid calaian side of him, the dog-like tendencies inside him that had reared its head up at the scent of delicious food. After all, it would not do to make a fool of himself in front of the King and the most important thierans in the nation.

He was seated between his grandmother and the Friells, who sat next to Lady Meara Friell and King Aidan at the central table of the hall. It was the greatest honor Jonathan had ever received in his entire eighteen years of living, to sit at the side of the King himself as his Shield. Had they told him this a few years ago, he would have laughed at the very notion. He'd contented himself with the fact that bastards would seldom receive much respect, regardless of his social standing.

Grandmother Jennifer did not seem to care about all this. She was shamelessly indulging upon large slices of roasted chicken breast, garnished with various herbs that Jonathan did not know the name of. He doubted his grandmother cared as much for their names as she did for their taste, judging by the voracious way she consumed them. She did not participate at all in the discussion that was happening around them, seemingly deaf to their words. Jonathan himself spoke rarely, but he did keep tabs on what they were talking about.

"The food is such a delight, Your Highness!" Faisuri commented. She was sitting next to Daud, who sat opposite to Jonathan. The young lady turned her head to the king, a sweet smile gracing her face. "My compliments to the royal chef. You are very fortunate to have a person of such talent in your service."

King Aidan returned Faisuri's smile. Jonathan suddenly saw the striking resemblance he had to his father Reghan. Both had a smile that could transform their fearsome warrior-like features into something much kinder. He dipped his head in a nod.

"I will be sure to give your compliments to the chef, Lady Faisuri of the house Raine," he affirmed. "I have made sure to treat my guests with the best at my disposal, so I am very pleased that you should enjoy this banquet so much."

"Your efforts have shone through, my liege," she replied. However, she suddenly lowered her head. The smile faded from her lips as a small frown took its place. Jonathan watched this change of attitude in bewilderment, wondering what had sparked it. The king, too, looked puzzled at her shift of emotions.

"Is something the matter, Lady Faisuri?" the king prompted.

"Ah, I am merely conflicted," Faisuri answered, lifting her head once more to meet the king's gaze. "You see, Daud will soon have to stay with you as the Sword of the King- a great honor, of course, to my family. Yet I could not help but wonder..."

She gave a pause, leading more people to look at her with questioning glances. This certainly sparked curiosity within Jonathan. He wondered what Faisuri was about to say next, what reason she would give for her change of demeanor. Yet as he carefully observed her, he saw the slightest twinkle within her dark, angular eyes. A twinkle he'd come to know so well, in the ten years he'd known the lady. Amusement tickled his chest as he tried his best to suppress a smile.