A Miserable Feast
Unlike the dark, narrow halls of the barracks, the Great Hall was bright with candle- and fire-light. The smell of wood-smoke lingered in the air along with the scents of the dishes set out on the table.
It was poor fare by any standard, and particularly by Isabel’s. Joe had produced what he called ‘soup surprise,’ along with several scrawny roast chickens and some tough loaves of toasted bread. The wine jugs were filled alternately with a thin grape syrup and an overpowering ale. There were no banners or silks or any decorations to speak of, and most of the staff looked haggard and worn, herself included after that confrontation with the fire-woman. Had Isabel been received in such a hall, she would have taken offense. But there was naught she could do about it. She stood on the dais at the top of the hall, waiting for the last few stragglers to trickle in, before she began to speak.
“Welcome. By now, I hope you have realized that you’ve been made guests of Holloway’s Keep, the seat of Lord Deior. Regrettably, he will be unable to join us this evening, however he has addressed a greeting to all of you which can be found in the record that he has generously provided. I hope that it will answer some of your questions.
“We,” She nodded first to Joe and then to Rem, “Will be here for some time to assist you as needed, and others may join us throughout the evening. For now, please eat!”
Once she finished, Rem stepped forward. "We do have one request. Should you see a young woman with white-blonde hair, avoid her at all costs. Alert a staff member, please, so that we may deal with her accordingly." He smiled and stepped back. "Thank you."
It was poor fare by any standard, and particularly by Isabel’s. Joe had produced what he called ‘soup surprise,’ along with several scrawny roast chickens and some tough loaves of toasted bread. The wine jugs were filled alternately with a thin grape syrup and an overpowering ale. There were no banners or silks or any decorations to speak of, and most of the staff looked haggard and worn, herself included after that confrontation with the fire-woman. Had Isabel been received in such a hall, she would have taken offense. But there was naught she could do about it. She stood on the dais at the top of the hall, waiting for the last few stragglers to trickle in, before she began to speak.
“Welcome. By now, I hope you have realized that you’ve been made guests of Holloway’s Keep, the seat of Lord Deior. Regrettably, he will be unable to join us this evening, however he has addressed a greeting to all of you which can be found in the record that he has generously provided. I hope that it will answer some of your questions.
“We,” She nodded first to Joe and then to Rem, “Will be here for some time to assist you as needed, and others may join us throughout the evening. For now, please eat!”
Once she finished, Rem stepped forward. "We do have one request. Should you see a young woman with white-blonde hair, avoid her at all costs. Alert a staff member, please, so that we may deal with her accordingly." He smiled and stepped back. "Thank you."