The Summertide Feast (pt. 1)

At a feast in Brightmoor, the tradition goes that seats are taken by the standing of its participants from the lowest to the highest status. So it was that the squires and hedge knights were already seated the furthest away from the high table when Sir Moris entered the great hall.

The din and chatter of countless voices roared over the sound of footsteps and the shuffling of chairs. Being a bachelor knight to the King himself did not entail a high status, but it did place Moris closer to the high table than many other visiting knights. After Moris took his seat, and the others took theirs, the fanfare truly began.

At the sound of horned fanfare, the chatter in the hall died down. Ironhold's chamberlain began to announce the names of the lord and ladies of the high table.

First was Caelum the magician, court wizard of King Briant. Caelum skipped energetically into the hall wearing an elegantly embroidered robe. His face and body was youthful and androgynous, almost feminine. This betrayed his true age, however. From what Moris had heard, Caelum served Briant's own father during Briant's youth. As he made his way to his seat, Caelum waved and blew kisses to his adoring fans.

Next came Nyx. She was introduced as the ambassador to the Lands Beyond. Once again, she wore all black. From a hooded robe with a black veil, to cloth gloves, to heeled boots. She slowly and elegantly walked to her seat, paying no mind to the crowd watching her. The Lands Beyond was the domain of the Elves. Legend says that everyone within its borders possessed a supernatural aptitude for magic, but beyond that, very little was known. Only a select few men were allowed within, and those that returned seldom spoke in detail about what they'd seen and experienced there.

As noble earls and barons continued to be introduced, one stood out to Moris for all the wrong reasons: Lord Aldric, baron of Greymire. He was a slovenly man in his early fourties. Clearly drunk, Aldric held onto a serf's shoulder as he stumbled towards his seat. The rumors surrounding him were quite horrible indeed. During his time on campaign, his cruelty and ferocity decisively turned battles in his favor. After he retired from military duty and was granted a barony, he fell into a life of hedonism and womanizing, growing a round belly with each passing year. As he fell into his seat, a hush once again came over the room.

Prince Gilmere was next to come out. The hall erupted in cheer the moment the chamberlain introduced him. He was tall and had a powerful build. Moris and Gilmere were born only a month apart, but even Moris felt small in his presence. His apparel was a brand new outfit from the continent, placing him on the cutting edge of fashion. His nose was turned up as he strode in, but his regality neccessitated such arrogance. Gilmere held almost as much admiration as his father.

Finally, King Briant. Despite his seniority, he carried himself like a man in his twenties. Briant spent much of his life on campaign, ultimately succeeding in uniting all of the warring lords of Brightmoor. He was known for his courage, his generosity, his mercy, and his strong sense of justice. Moris grew up idolizing this man, and rightfully so. As he watched his King walk to the high chair, Moris felt gratitude towards the heavens that he was able to serve directly under him.

With all the major players in place, festivities finally began.