Chapter 5

Lunch was held in a large open hall that looked vaguely like it came from a Harry Potter movie - rows of wooden tables and benches, buzzing with conversation. There was a large arched window in the back wall, up high. The ceiling here was the highest yet - perhaps twenty feet.

We’d all come as a pack, my harem and I, with Niarah and Mirelle flanking me and the other girls making a buffer around us. And of course my guards followed closely. Things had loosened up amongst the girls and they conversed with each other in that unfamiliar tongue.

“They’re talking about you and Mirelle,” Niarah tugged me down to whisper in my ear.

“Good things, I hope,” I whispered back. She nodded decisively with a shy grin and I winked back.

I had no idea how I’d find the dining hall again. The halls were mostly the same and the path we took seemed circuitous beyond reason. Having an escort everywhere would likely be a good thing until I learned my way around.

We sat as a group near the window end of the hall where I was again flanked by Nye and Mirelle. There was bread already on the table and I grabbed a chunk and tore in as soon as we sat down. It was warm, steamy, and buttery. The girls looked at me like I’d done something wrong.

“I’m starving from my exertions,” I grinned after choking a big bite down.

“M’lord,” Nye leaned in to murmur, “we wait for the bell.”

“Well, if you guys would answer my questions I wouldn’t hafta look like an idiot, would I?” I stuck my tongue out at her and ate more bread. The girls all looked away as if to signal they weren’t with the barbarian. I continued chomping; it was good bread.

Large steaming bowls and carafes were shuttled to the tables by a fleet of pale children that were silent and efficient and soon enough the seneschal appeared and rang a bell and the sounds of conversation were replaced by the sounds of spoons and bowls clacking. Mirelle served me a large portion of whatever we were eating - a dark stew that smelled of basil and peppers. It was thick and hot and chunky, almost like a chili. Tasty and filling.

After a few minutes of eating, conversational buzz began again and I looked around. There were at least a hundred people here, which mostly filled the tables. All blond and pale, there was no one here with dark hair. Things were starting to seem very hierarchical - hopefully my guide would shed some light on these things soon.

“M’lord?” spoke one of the other girls across the table from me. It was so unexpected that I didn’t notice she’d said anything until Niarah nudged me with her toe.

“Uh, yes?” She favored Niarah rather than Mirelle, just in the jawline. Her irises were a pale grey and it almost looked like she had only pupils. “What’s your name, cutie?”

“Lilwen, m’lord.” Her voice was lower and huskier than the others. “Can I ask you about your home?”

I grinned and looked pointedly at Niarah when I said “Why yes, Lilwen. You may indeed. I would be happy to answer your questions.” Nye at least had the grace to look away, blushing. All conversation around us ceased as the girls looked at me expectantly.