Ch.65 The Banquet
<span style="font-weight:400">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.
<span style="font-weight:400">As the group walks into the room, a servant approaches Rya and takes her cloak.
<span style="font-weight:400">The Baron looks up and smiles at the group. "Ah, wee. So, this is Lady Rya that the prince was speaking about? She''s lovelier than I imagined." He then turns to Rya. "Pleased to meet you."
<span style="font-weight:400">''Ah... D-Do I bow or something? I don''t know noble etiquette?'' Rya only bowed her head slightly, not sure if it was correct or not.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Oh? Ha ha ha! you don''t have to bow to me Lady Rya. We are equals here. Come! Sit down over here. We have plenty of food and wine!" the Baron says.
<span style="font-weight:400">Rya blushes a bit embarrassed by the gesture while she hears Quin and Daliaughing quietly about it.
<span style="font-weight:400">The other nobles were interested in talking with the prince. Hoping to curry some favor with the future King of Fiafyr.
<span style="font-weight:400">Rya could hear Quin talking under his breath, "Well, looks like tonight''s going to be a long night."
<span style="font-weight:400">"It''s not easy being popr sometimes. Hey if you like I can y the world''s smallest violin you?" Rya whispered back to Quin which caused him to shake his head and smirk.
<span style="font-weight:400">Quin and Rya sit down and start eating. While Dalia, Percy, and George sat at a different table.
<span style="font-weight:400">"So, what''s your n for the next few hours?" Rya asks Quin.
<span style="font-weight:400">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."
<span style="font-weight:400">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?"
<span style="font-weight:400">"Zellin has sent a messenger to my parents and it''s most likely my uncle already knows. So we are going to borrow a garrison from the Baron."
<span style="font-weight:400">"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 ric Revelia.
<span style="font-weight:400">Quinughs, "Yeah, wouldn''t we all? Too bad we don''t live on a that doesn''t have magic and monsters. But we are here on Terius."
<span style="font-weight:400">''T-That was weirdly specific. Quin''s weird sometimes?'' Rya thinks to herself.
<span style="font-weight:400">"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.
<span style="font-weight:400">"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.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Hello Garlon, good to see you again," Quin said as he put on his best smile that he could muster.
<span style="font-weight:400">Garlon was a dwarf who was one of the other advisors to the Baron. He also worked as a merchant. As a result, he traveled far and wide to meet many races of the world.
<span style="font-weight:400">As they continued their talk. Rya was having trouble following the conversation as Garlon was talking about ces and things that she''s never heard about. So, she decided to turn her attention elsewhere in the dining room.
<span style="font-weight:400">While listening to Garlon speak, Rya notices some of the other nobles whispered to each other and giggling. Rya could hear them with her elven hearing.
<span style="font-weight:400">"What''s so funny?" Rya asked one of the nobles while they were giggling.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Oh, it''s nothing." They replied in a hushed voice.
<span style="font-weight:400">"You know I can hear you right?"
<span style="font-weight:400">They looked nervous as a few of their friends came over and whispered to them.
<span style="font-weight:400">"W-We just thought it would be fun to watch you. I mean you are the first Dark Elf we have ever seen. We mean you no harm." One of them said nervously.
<span style="font-weight:400">''Again? I have a feeling this is going to be amon thing for me... Well, at least they aren''t challenging me likest time.'' Rya thinks to herself.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Ahem!" Hajdah came by Rya trying to get her attention.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Hmm? Oh, it''s you. Coming to challenge me again? Mr.?" Rya asked the Dwarven Mage as she couldn''t remember his name.
<span style="font-weight:400">"I''m named Hajdah, Lady Rya. I-I came here to apologize." He stutters out.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Apologize? For what?"
<span style="font-weight:400">Hajdah looks down as if ashamed of himself.
<span style="font-weight:400">"I shouldn''t have questioned you when you first arrived in the pce. I apologize for that." Hajdah said shyly.
<span style="font-weight:400">''OH!? He must have pissed off Quin. Hmm? Maybe I can use this to my advantage?'' Rya thinks to herself.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Well, I might be able to ept your apology if you can do something for me?" Rya asked coyly.
<span style="font-weight:400">Hajdah looked a little worried as to what the Dark Elf wanted.
<span style="font-weight:400">"I-If it is in my power I''ll see if I can do it, mydy." He said with a bow.
<span style="font-weight:400">''OH HO! Okay, keep your cool Ryan. Don''t scare him away,'' she thought to herself.
<span style="font-weight:400">"So, you''re part of the Mages Guild, correct?" Rya asks.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Yes, my Lady. I am the Head Mage of the guild."
<span style="font-weight:400">"Do you think that you could let me learn some 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.
<span style="font-weight:400">Hajdah was surprised by her request. "Sure. I don''t mind teaching you any of my spells. But I''m not familiar with what element you''re tied to. Is it fire, ice, or wind?" Hajdah asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">"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 exins.
<span style="font-weight:400">"That''s odd. You can use two elements at once. I''ve never heard of such a thing." Hajdah said in wonderment.
<span style="font-weight:400">''Really? So, using more than one element is rare as well? That could be useful,'' Rya thought to herself.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Well, I guess we should start with what element you''re mostfortable with," Hajdah says as hebs his beard.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Dark Earth Magic. I feel I understand that the best. What about you, Hajdah?" She asks.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Ice would be easiest for me 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 pce as soon as possible, Lady Rya." Hajdah answers her question.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Thank you Hajdah. But what I meant is, what element do you prefer to use?" She asks.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Fire, I can’t use any other elements," He answered.
<span style="font-weight:400">"That''s fitting since you''re Dwarf. But maybe you could also try lightning?" Rya asks coyly.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Oh, I haven''t been able to master lightning. Sadly, when I cast it. The lightning goes wherever it wants. Someday I hope to control it. Anyway, I will get Laika for you when she''s free, Mydy." Hajdah says bowing deeply.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Thank you Hajdah. I look forward to speaking with her." Rya replies.
<span style="font-weight:400">As Hajdah leaves, she turns to face the rest of the group and notices their confused expressions.
<span style="font-weight:400">***
<span style="font-weight:400">Time 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 hisrades stopped the goblin horde from destroying their city. At some point, Quinus wanted to leave but he kept getting other nobles stopping him.
<span style="font-weight:400">''Haha! Oh, looks like he needs my help to get him out of this mess.'' Rya thought to herself while getting up from her seat. She then made her way over to Quin.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Prince Quinus? There''s someone here that wants to speak with you." Rya said as she pointed to the door that led out of the room.
<span style="font-weight:400">Quinus looked over to the doorway and saw nothing. But he caught on to what Rya was doing and smiled.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Well, I apologize for leaving but I have some business I need to attend to Sir Jevon," Quinus said to the nobleman standing next to him.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Oh! No problem, your Highness. I''m sure we can continue our conversationter." Jevon replied.
<span style="font-weight:400">Jevon bowed to Quinus as he walked to the doorway.
<span style="font-weight:400">"You are a lifesaver," Quin said to Rya while she was walking next to him.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Yeah, I could tell you were in distress. How could I note in to rescue you?" Ryaughed.
<span style="font-weight:400">"One of these days I''m going to rescue you and turn the tables on you." He said jokingly.
<span style="font-weight:400">"I''d love to see that day. But honestly, I don''t think you could make it up to me." Ryaughs.
<span style="font-weight:400">"I like a good challenge. And if I do manage to win, I''ll reward you." He said with a smile.
<span style="font-weight:400">''Oh, he''s getting flirty again. It''s so weird that it doesn''t bug me when he does this.'' Rya thinks to herself while smiling back at him.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Alright, so let me hear it. What is your n?" Rya asks with a yful smile.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Well, if you do something that gets you in trouble, I''ll just have toe in and save you." He says with a mischievous grin.
<span style="font-weight:400">"How very noble of you." Rya smirks.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Haha. Yeah, easier said than done with you. You got a lot of guts girl." Quinus says while looking at Rya.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Thank you for noticing. Anyway, I''m feeling it and I''m ready to crash for the night." Rya tells Quinus.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Alright, I''ll escort you to your room then," Quin says with a smile.
<span style="font-weight:400">Rya just smiled and shook her head.
<span style="font-weight:400">''He can be too protective sometimes. Whatever, I''m not sure where my room is anyway.''
<span style="font-weight:400">Once they reach their destination, Rya enters her room. The room is muchrger than the one they stayed in during their stay at the inn. And it is decorated with fine linens.
<span style="font-weight:400">"Much more spacious. This will do nicely." Rya says to herself while getting ready for bed.
<span style="font-weight:400">Once everything was set up, Ryaid down on the soft mattress. She was tired from the journey and knew that sleep woulde quickly. As soon as Rya closed her eyes, she was asleep.
<span style="font-weight:400">***