The feast.

Before too long, as the early winter sun begins to set over the ocean, the feast begins. Roast animals are produced from the kitchens, barrels of ale, somehow untouched by the occupiers are rolled out from the castle's cellars.

You take your place at the high table, along with Donald, Jana, Kara and Eoghan.

After a short speech from Donald, honouring the dead, and the valorous survivors, the revelry begins, everyone present attempting to wash away the memories of battle with ale, meat and good cheer.

You see Roland, amongst Solla and her warrior-women, towering over them as the group knocks back ale after ale.

Kara has joined some of your knights, and several Beathan lords. Among them, Sir Wayne, and several others she defeated in the Valley Contests last year. Now, the tension of rivalry has given way to the camaraderie of fellow warriors, as she and Sir Wayne regale the others with the story of how they, together, defeated Siggi and his huskarls, and took the boy Jarl hostage.

Bezoriana, busy as her alias, buzzes from one group of revellers to another, plying them with ale, lifting their spirits with a joke here, a song there. You sense she has ulterior motives. You would be surprised if Roland and yourself were the only blood she had in this hall, with the bulk of the Beathan nobility concentrated within...

-

“For you, Your Majesty.” Jana says, setting down a goblet of ale before you. You're a little startled by the Beathan queen drawing close to you, as immersed in watching the events of the feast as you had been.

“The finest Beathan ale.” the queen explains. “Normally, only Donald and his uncle would be drinking this tonight. But... Donald's not the only king supping here, is he?”

There was something different in the warrior-woman's tone. Though she had always been respectful and polite with you, now she sounded borderline deferential. Perhaps, having watched you fuck her husband, her submissive streak was causing her to regard you as her superior.

“I hope... you're not done wi' us.” Jana whispers, her golden hair brushing against your cheek as she speaks into your ear. “The master bedroom's vast indeed. I'd say the bed's big enough for three, at least.”

“But Jana...” you begin, catching the queen on the arm. “If I'm with Donald, what are you going to do? S-sounds rather boring for you.”

Jana practically shivers with delight at your words.

“Oh... I'm sure I could watch the two of you goin' at it for quite a spell before boredom ever entered my mind.” Jana whispers back, before withdrawing to sit at Donald's side.

You chuckle to yourself. Surely enough, another tryst with the Beathan rulers didn't sound too bad. But, on the other hand, you had promised Kara your company after the feast, and there was always Bezoriana's proposition to consider...