Ch.65 The Banquet
As the group makes it to the dining hall they find the Baron, Hajdah, and a good number of servants moving about the room. There are also a handful of other dwarven nobles in the dining hall.
As the group walks into the room, a servant approaches Rya and takes her cloak.
The Baron looks up and smiles at the group. "Ah, welco. So, this is Lady Rya that the prince was speaking about? She's lovelier than I imagined." He then turns to Rya. "Pleased to et you."
'Ah... D-Do I bow or sothing? I don't know noble etiquette?' Rya only bowed her head slightly, not sure if it was correct or not.
"Oh? Ha ha ha! you don't have to bow to Lady Rya. We are equals here. Co! Sit down over here. We have plenty of food and wine!" the Baron says.
Rya blushes a bit embarrassed by the gesture while she hears Quin and Dalia laughing quietly about it.
The other nobles were interested in talking with the prince. Hoping to curry so favor with the future King of Fiafyr.
Rya could hear Quin talking under his breath, "Well, looks like tonight's going to be a long night."
"It's not easy being popular sotis. Hey if you like I can play the world's smallest violin you?" Rya whispered back to Quin which caused him to shake his head and smirk.
Quin and Rya sit down and start eating. While Dalia, Percy, and George sat at a different table.
"So, what's your plan for the next few hours?" Rya asks Quin.
Quin sighs a bit annoyed, "I need to talk to the local nobles. I have to do the boring stuff with them before we can really get to the interesting things."
Rya nods, "Yeah. I'll keep an eye on the others while you're doing that. I'm just surprised that they're so many nobles here to see you. I thought we didn't want to let your uncle find out that we are here?"
"Zellin has sent a ssenger to my parents and it's most likely my uncle already knows. So we are going to borrow a garrison from the Baron."
"Damn! Are we going to war? I prefer to not put our lives in danger. I just want to live in peace." Rya says while worried that they'll have to face Alaric Revelia.
Quin laughs, "Yeah, wouldn't we all? Too bad we don't live on a planet that doesn't have magic and monsters. But we are here on Terius."
'T-That was weirdly specific. Quin's weird sotis?' Rya thinks to herself.
"Prince Quinus! It's been so long! You've grown up into such a fine young man!" The Dwarven Noble says while walking towards Quin.
"Well, I'm on the clock," Quinus whispers to Rya before turning his attention to the Dwarf wearing a gaudy outfit that looks like a circus clown.
"Hello Garlon, good to see you again," Quin said as he put on his best smile that he could muster.
Garlon was a dwarf who was one of the other advisors to the Baron. He also worked as a rchant. As a result, he traveled far and wide to et many races of the world.
As they continued their talk. Rya was having trouble following the conversation as Garlon was talking about places and things that she's never heard about. So, she decided to turn her attention elsewhere in the dining room.
While listening to Garlon speak, Rya notices so of the other nobles whispered to each other and giggling. Rya could hear them with her elven hearing.
"What's so funny?" Rya asked one of the nobles while they were giggling.
"Oh, it's nothing." They replied in a hushed voice.
"You know I can hear you right?"
They looked nervous as a few of their friends ca over and whispered to them.
"W-We just thought it would be fun to watch you. I an you are the first Dark Elf we have ever seen. We an you no harm." One of them said nervously.
'Again? I have a feeling this is going to be a common thing for ... Well, at least they aren't challenging like last ti.' Rya thinks to herself.
"Ahem!" Hajdah ca by Rya trying to get her attention.
"Hmm? Oh, it's you. Coming to challenge again? Mr.?" Rya asked the Dwarven Mage as she couldn't rember his na.
"I'm nad Hajdah, Lady Rya. I-I ca here to apologize." He stutters out.
"Apologize? For what?"
Hajdah looks down as if ashad of himself.
"I shouldn't have questioned you when you first arrived in the palace. I apologize for that." Hajdah said shyly.
'OH!? He must have pissed off Quin. Hmm? Maybe I can use this to my advantage?' Rya thinks to herself.
"Well, I might be able to accept your apology if you can do sothing for ?" Rya asked coyly.
Hajdah looked a little worried as to what the Dark Elf wanted.
"I-If it is in my power I'll see if I can do it, my lady." He said with a bow.
'OH HO! Okay, keep your cool Ryan. Don't scare him away,' she thought to herself.
"So, you're part of the Mages Guild, correct?" Rya asks.
"Yes, my Lady. I am the Head Mage of the guild."
"Do you think that you could let learn so of your spells? I want to help Quinus defeat his enemies." Rya says, hoping to find a way to gain more power for her and Quinus.
Hajdah was surprised by her request. "Sure. I don't mind teaching you any of my spells. But I'm not familiar with what elent you're tied to. Is it fire, ice, or wind?" Hajdah asked.
"Well, I know dark earth magic. But I seem to know how to use water. I can do things like move water around but not much else." Rya explains.
"That's odd. You can use two elents at once. I've never heard of such a thing." Hajdah said in wondernt.
'Really? So, using more than one elent is rare as well? That could be useful,' Rya thought to herself.
"Well, I guess we should start with what elent you're most comfortable with," Hajdah says as he combs his beard.
"Dark Earth Magic. I feel I understand that the best. What about you, Hajdah?" She asks.
"Ice would be easiest for to teach you right now. It's Laika's specialty. She is one of my best water mages in the guild. I'll bring her to the palace as soon as possible, Lady Rya." Hajdah answers her question.
"Thank you Hajdah. But what I ant is, what elent do you prefer to use?" She asks.
"Fire, I can’t use any other elents," He answered.
"That's fitting since you're Dwarf. But maybe you could also try lightning?" Rya asks coyly.
"Oh, I haven't been able to master lightning. Sadly, when I cast it. The lightning goes wherever it wants. Soday I hope to control it. Anyway, I will get Laika for you when she's free, My lady." Hajdah says bowing deeply.
"Thank you Hajdah. I look forward to speaking with her." Rya replies.
As Hajdah leaves, she turns to face the rest of the group and notices their confused expressions.
***
Ti went on for Rya and the group as Quinus was dealing with noble after noble asking for his many requests. Most nobles were willing to help in any way needed if given enough money. They all were grateful that he and his comrades stopped the goblin horde from destroying their city. At so point, Quinus wanted to leave but he kept getting other nobles stopping him.
'Haha! Oh, looks like he needs my help to get him out of this ss.' Rya thought to herself while getting up from her seat. She then made her way over to Quin.
"Prince Quinus? There's soone here that wants to speak with you." Rya said as she pointed to the door that led out of the room.
Quinus looked over to the doorway and saw nothing. But he caught on to what Rya was doing and smiled.
"Well, I apologize for leaving but I have so business I need to attend to Sir Jevon," Quinus said to the nobleman standing next to him.
"Oh! No problem, your Highness. I'm sure we can continue our conversation later." Jevon replied.
Jevon bowed to Quinus as he walked to the doorway.
"You are a lifesaver," Quin said to Rya while she was walking next to him.
"Yeah, I could tell you were in distress. How could I not co in to rescue you?" Rya laughed.
"One of these days I'm going to rescue you and turn the tables on you." He said jokingly.
"I'd love to see that day. But honestly, I don't think you could make it up to ." Rya laughs.
"I like a good challenge. And if I do manage to win, I'll reward you." He said with a smile.
'Oh, he's getting flirty again. It's so weird that it doesn't bug when he does this.' Rya thinks to herself while smiling back at him.
"Alright, so let hear it. What is your plan?" Rya asks with a playful smile.
"Well, if you do sothing that gets you in trouble, I'll just have to co in and save you." He says with a mischievous grin.
"How very noble of you." Rya smirks.
"Haha. Yeah, easier said than done with you. You got a lot of guts girl." Quinus says while looking at Rya.
"Thank you for noticing. Anyway, I'm feeling it and I'm ready to crash for the night." Rya tells Quinus.
"Alright, I'll escort you to your room then," Quin says with a smile.
Rya just smiled and shook her head.
'He can be too protective sotis. Whatever, I'm not sure where my room is anyway.'
Once they reach their destination, Rya enters her room. The room is much larger than the one they stayed in during their stay at the inn. And it is decorated with fine linens.
"Much more spacious. This will do nicely." Rya says to herself while getting ready for bed.
Once everything was set up, Rya laid down on the soft mattress. She was tired from the journey and knew that sleep would co quickly. As soon as Rya closed her eyes, she was asleep.
***
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