0 comments/ 13336 views/ 0 favorites The Banquet By: IngwazAdoravi Two envelopes rested on Misty's bedside table, one marked with a simple diamond shape, the other written with blood-red ink... perhaps blood, in an intricate script. Misty and Ingwaz found them as they dropped onto the balcony of her room, smiling softly. They did not see them at first, so wrapped up they were in one another. He kissed her softly, and looked into her eyes. "I never thought of you as the reading type." She grinned. "Well, it was for a good cause, and it will definitely improve the family name," she said softly, in her soft alto voice. "Besides, I am good at it, aren't I?" She twirled into her room, her blood-red locks shimmering like a falling curtain of blood as she laughed. "The looks on the children's faces - I would give anything for that." She stopped suddenly as she saw the envelopes. Picking up hers, she passed the one with the diamond shape to Ing, who looked at it curiously. "What do you suppose they are, love?" she said, running a finger over the handwriting. "Invitations," he said as he looked at the folded piece of paper within. Ingwaz, never one for patience, had opened it as soon as he caught it, and had read through it as Misty made her thoughtful inquiry. "To a banquet... a celebratory banquet in your family's honor..." He smiled. "Of course, none other than you and I will show - your father is off chasing the Lady of Necros - something about a willingness to play with horses." He grinned. "Your sister is off on a date again, and everyone else is off on their annual hunt." He suddenly looked serious. "You are still planning on going, aren't you?" Her smile melted him. "Of course I am, love - I couldn't pass up the opportunity to make everyone else look like a fool by being the only one at a celebration commending them..." She started towards the large walk-in closet. "Let me change, and I will be ready." She winked seductively, and Ing felt his heart skip a beat. He waited a moment after she vanished within the cedar-lined closet, and walked in after her, losing the door. Giggling was heard, and then throaty, muted moans rang out in the room. Five minutes later, both emerged from the closet, Misty's hair disheveled, and a smile on her face. Ingwaz followed, wearing a new suit of skintight white leather, admiring her beautiful form, presently encased in a form-fitting black satin gown, with a low neckline and a high slit up her thigh. She looked over her shoulder, and shook her head. "No, no - I will not ruin another dress. You will just have to live with your lust for a little while." She grinned despite herself at his smile. "Now, fly me to the hall, and don't get me dirty." The crowded hall silenced itself at the sound of a silver fork rapping on a fluted crystal champagne glass. "We are here tonight to thank the Aensland family, and especially Misty, for giving one million gold for the construction of the new library, as well as her husband's assistance in helping us build it in record time." Cheers went up as Ingwaz and Misty stood and bowed. The room fell silent once more as they seated themselves again. "And now, to quote the famous Mange Aensland... dig in!" The crowd cheered again as food was served, and the sounds of conversations filled the air. Misty was sitting on the edge of her seat, talking animatedly to another contributor to the cause, and barely noticed Ingwaz dropping his fork. She saw him sit back up, but did not notice that there wasn't something right about him. She did not notice the hem of her dress being lifted, didn't notice the form beneath the banquet table, until she felt a warm, wet tongue flick against her warm, moist nether lips. She gasped softly, her eyes sliding out of focus for a moment, before she recovered her composure. She kept talking, though now a note of urgency in her voice as her hands grasped his head, trying to push him away. He only redoubled his efforts, his lips now pressed against her sex, his hands holding her thighs. She was breathing heavily now, her face flushed, and she took a long draught of cold water to try to regain her composure. His ministrations grew more intense, and she started trembling, wanting more, until she climaxed. She bit her lip, drawing blood, as her nectar flowed over his lips like a fine wine, and he drank deeply, relishing every drop. He resurfaced moments later, blending with his illusion, dabbing his lips with a napkin. She looked at him evily, and his look of mock suprise melted her frown away. “I couldn’t wait for desert,” Ing said with a grin. “I thought a nice peach, with it’s own cream, would realy hit the spot... and I was right, I feel wonderful.” He took a bite of a superbly well-cooked steak, and nearly bit through the fork at the next sensations that passed through his body. He felt soft caresses on his thighs, and the leather of his trousers parted and slid away, freeing his hardened member from it’s prison. She lovingly stroked it a while, it’s steely hardness pleasing to her touch, before kissing it gently. Just then, much to Ingwaz’s chagrin and Misty’s delight, the chairman asked for a speech from Ing. He remained seated, and began speaking. What he was saying, Misty could not tell, but the tremulous undercurrent in his voice told her she was doing her job right. He continued speaking, noticing the little jumps in his voice when she nibbled on his hardness. Just as he finished, she decided to end it. With a small tentacle, she slipped underneath his pants and plunged it straight into his rear. With a soft cry, and an involuntary bucking of his hips, he climaxed, emptying himself into her mouth. She sucked it down greedily, and surfaced a minute later, a telltale droplet of cum on her chin. She got up, excused herself, and he followed her moments later, politely excusing himself, and together they flew back to the mansion. The Banquet Being a big sports equipment company in a small town meant that there was never a shortage of requests for sponsorships from various local teams. For a lot of employees who enjoyed sports, it also meant the opportunity to go watch the games using the seasons tickets given out to major sponsors. Jessica took advantage of that to go watch a local college basketball team. Even though she was no good at it, Jessica enjoyed watching the sport and cheering on the young men who played on the team, hoping to get scholarships to big universities. With the season now over came the annual awards banquet. Due to a change in the organizing committee and some miscommunications, the company's public relations person found out about the banquet only 5 days prior to the event and found himself double booked. He thus looked for someone to represent the company at the banquet and award the MVP award they sponsored. When asked, Jessica replied "Sure but I don't want to go alone." The PR person said "Great! That's what Colt said too! You two can go together. I'll get the tickets ordered." Colton was a manager in another department, someone Jessica really liked so she was pleased that they would be attending together. Jessica liked Colton both as a manager and as a man. He was good looking and nice too. And he was newly divorced. The day before the banquet, Colton came to see Jessica and asked if she wouldn't mind driving them both to the banquet. Jessica agreed, noting that there was no point taking two vehicles and that she was a dependable designated driver. The night of the banquet, Jessica took extra care in preparing herself. While the dress code at work was very relaxed -- most people wearing jeans all the time -- she wanted to make an impression. She wore a skirt and a somewhat low cut blouse. Whereas she always wore her long hair in a braid at work, Jessica let her hair down straight, knowing it was soft and silky and looked great. She wore makeup and lipstick, something she also didn't do at work. When she picked up Colton, he whistled and said "Wow, you sure dress up nice!" Jessica smiled and said "You don't look too bad yourself there!" As they made their way to the banquet, they were amazed at the new development in that area of town. Neither of them had been there before. A golf course and resort had been built in this new section of town and that's where the banquet was being held. The parking was full when they got there and Jessica was forced to go park quite far from the building, in a secluded area where trees sheltered the vehicles. After they got to the banquet, they toured the room, looking at the various items on the silent auction tables and bid on a few items. They made small talk with people they knew from town and from the games and were invited to sit with some acquaintances and did so. The dinner was excellent and the talk around the table interesting. At one point, Colton leaned over and whispered "If that girl was my daughter, I would never let her leave the house dressed like that." Jessica didn't have to ask who he was talking about. Sarah, the daughter of another important sponsor, was wearing a very short, low cut dress that left very little of her breasts to the imagination. Jessica smiled and said "She's of age so she could tell you to go suck a lemon and knowing her, she probably told her parents that today." Indeed, Sarah had quite an attitude. Colton asked "She's over 18? I thought for sure she was only 15." Jessica told him "She's got a young angel face but she is in fact 19 years old. Celebrated her 19th just two weeks ago." "How do you know this?" "I sometimes sit with her mother at the games." "Ah..... Interesting." As the evening progressed, Jessica saw that Sarah was getting a lot of attention from the college boys and was enjoying every minute of it. Jessica thought to herself "Better enjoy it while you can! Those nice boobs won't stay that perky forever!" After the awards were handed out and the silent auction closed, there was a band and some dancing. Colton and Jessica got up and danced together and with other people. However, as soon as there was a slow dance, most couples wanted to dance together and that left Colton and Jessica together, something Jessica didn't mind at all. Colton was a good dancer and had cologne that Jessica really liked. She had noticed it on him before and it always turned her on to smell it on him. Dancing close to him, Jessica was in heaven. She was single, had been for a while and having a man's arms holding her close felt really nice. While they had seen Sarah dancing with various boys earlier, she was now nowhere to be seen. However, Jessica wasn't going to worry about her, she was enjoying the dance too much. When Colton started playing in her hair, Jessica thought she'd died and gone to heaven. A soft moan escaped her lips and Colton tighten his grip and asked "You like that?" Jessica could barely reply "yes." "Then why don't you wear your hair down more often?" "So I can melt like this at work? Not the proper place for that, don't you think?" "True. How about we get out of here and I learn what else makes you melt?" Jessica smiled and nodded. They headed for their table where Jessica picked up her hand bag and made their way towards the door, saying their good nights to various people. As soon as they were outside and out of view, Colton pulled Jessica to him and kissed her. As they stood there, kissing like teenagers, Colton played in Jessica's hair. They heard someone coming so they broke their kiss and continued walking hand in hand, quietly enjoying themselves. As they neared her car, Jessica heard something. She pulled on Colton's hand and when he looked at her, she put her finger on her lips, indicating that he should remain quiet. They slowly and quietly walked up to Jessica's car and then saw where the noise had come from. Just three cars over, Sarah was there with three of the team's players. They were kissing her and caressing her through her dress. Jessica and Colton stopped and just stood there. One of the boys managed to pull the stretchy fabric of Sarah's dress over her shoulders and down her arms, exposing her beautiful breasts to the three boys. Two of them immediately bent down to each take a nipple into their mouths, eliciting loud moans from their owner. The third boy pulled away and started opening up his pants. Sarah then spoke up "Before any of you boys put your cocks in my mouth or anywhere else, you all have to eat me out and bring me to orgasm, then and only then do you get any attention." Jessica whispered so only Colton could hear "Way to go girl!" Colton asked "Do you want to go back inside? If we try to leave now, it'll only scare them and embarrass them." Jessica shook her head "Let's just stay." As they watched Sarah get pushed back onto the hood of the car, Colton wrapped his arms around Jessica and whispered "You like to watch?" Jessica nodded and gently put her purse on the trunk of her own car so she could put her arms over his. Sarah now had two boys licking and suckling on each of her breasts and the third boy taking down her panties and diving between her legs. She laid back and closed her eyes, enjoying the attention and letting the guys know what she wanted through a series of soft encouragements. Jessica and Colton continued watching as Sarah was getting lavished. Colton moved his hands up to cup Jessica's breasts and started teasing her nipples with his thumbs through the fabrics of her blouse and bra. As Sarah neared her first climax, Colton unbuttoned Jessica's blouse and gently pushed down her lacy bra to access the hardening nipples directly. He wet his fingers and gently rolled her nipples between thumb and forefinger, causing Jessica to moan very softly. Three cars over, Sarah cried out her release and allowed the boys to switch places, a new boy going down on her while the first one gave her his cock to suck on. The third boy was still sucking on one breast while playing with the other with his hand. Jessica felt Colton's hand go down to her front closure skirt and undo the top buttons. He pushed one hand down her panties and started rubbing her clit while the other hand was still caressing her breasts. The caresses were light but effective as Jessica's breathing indicated. Jessica reached behind and started stroking Colton's erection through his pants. They heard Sarah reach her second orgasm of the night and saw the boys switch position again. Boy number one remained where he was as Sarah intensified her sucking on his cock. Boy number two and three simply switched positions. Soon, Boy number one reached his point of no return and came in Sarah's mouth. As soon as he was done, he pulled away and was replaced by boy number two. Sarah eagerly opened her mouth to take in the second boy. Meanwhile, still watching, Colton intensified his pressure on Jessica's clit and had her panting. By that time, Jessica had pulled down Colton's zipper and pulled out his cock and was stroking it. As Sarah reached and cried her third orgasm, Jessica also came on Colton's hand. Seeing Sarah turn around and offer herself up for penetration to the third boy while still sucking on the second boy's cock, Colton whispered "Think I can talk you into a blow job?" Jessica shook her head and whispered back "If I do that, I won't be able to see anymore. I'd rather you pull my panties down, push my skirt up and take me from behind." Not needing any more explanation, Colton did as Jessica had suggested and feeling how wet she was, pushed his cock into her, never taking his eyes off the beautiful show in front of them. Sarah was being fucked hard by the young man and she never let go of the cock she was sucking on. Soon, Sarah had another orgasm as evidenced by her loud moaning. Colton slowly fucked Jessica, caressing her breasts with one hand and pressing on her clit with the other. They saw the boy who had his cock in Sarah's pussy stop moving and press against Sarah, obviously coming into her. After he pulled out, the third boy pulled out of Sarah's mouth and laid down on the ground telling Sarah to get on top of him. Sarah got on top and soon was bobbing up and down his thick cock. By then, boy #1 had recovered and he positioned himself behind Sarah and pushed his cock against her rear hole, waiting for permission. Sarah bent over and told the boy to put it in slowly. The second boy, who had just come, positioned himself in front of her and Sarah grabbed his cock and pulled it into her mouth and proceeded to lick it clean while the other two reached a good rhythm each in their own orifice. As they watched the foursome, Colton and Jessica continued fucking. Both their breaths were short and both were close to coming. As they heard Sarah let go of the boy's cock to scream out yet another orgasm, Colton and Jessica also reached their point of no return and softly moaned their releases. Colton continued holding Jessica against him as they watched the other group finish up. They saw the boys and Sarah all straighten out their clothes after a short rest. Meanwhile, Colton and Jessica hid behind her vehicle. They waited until they could no longer hear the footsteps or the chatter before unlocking the car and getting in. Colton asked "Your place or mine? I haven't tasted you yet and I sure want to!" Jessica smiled and drove them to her place. She figured that the memory of what they'd witnessed would fuel the rest of the night for sure. The Banquet Elsabeth sat at her vanity, idly brushing her long, chestnut curls, wishing she was anywhere else but in this room, in this castle, on this day. She glanced over her shoulder at the stiff folds of shining fabric covering her narrow bed. Why is mother insisting that I be excited about this banquet? It was sure to be overpopulated with arrogant sons of fat, lesser nobles able to talk only about themselves; perfumed dandies seeking to curry favor with the court; loud, sweaty knights spouting endlessly of battles; and simpering girls eager to latch on to anyone they think might marry them. As daughter of the baron's senechal, she was not quite a noble, but not quite a servant, therefore fitting in nowhere. The servant girls instantly ceased their gossiping when she approached, dipping perfunctory curtsies before scurrying off. The girls of noble birth snubbed her as beneath their station, as if she wanted to spend her time in their stiflingly dull company in any fashion. Father was too busy looking after the castle, managing all the servants, and making sure that duties were fulfilled and the daily castle needs tended to. Everyone always had his ear for something. Everyone but her. As one of the baroness' ladies-in-waiting, Mother was too busy plotting who she could marry her off to in order to improve the family's station. She sighed. At least she had the day off from embroidering and teaching the castle pages music and dance. She loved teaching the lessons, but each day was a near mirror of the one before. Today at least would be somewhat different. A party had arrived the day prior from a manor several days journey away, bringing some important news or other, and the Duke had ordered a banquet for today in their honor. Maybe there at least would be some fresh news from somewhere else or perhaps even some new books. She looked in the mirror critically, turning her head to the left and right. Her hair shone from brushing and her cheeks were lightly flushed with pink from a walk in the sun that morning. A light dusting of freckles spanned her nose and cheeks, much to her mother's horror. She refused to wear the sun hats, they were constantly shoved at her when she went out for a walk or to ride horses, much as she refused to ride side-saddle, as was proper. Another loathsome word. Her skin was smooth and soft, not quite so sickly pale as her mother preferred, but certainly not "burned brown like a washerwoman," as her mother lamented. Her arms were slender, but strong, and her hands were slightly broad, more like her father's than her mother's, with long fingers. She liked being able to do things she wasn't supposed to, as long as she was out of her mother's sight, and her father liked knowing she was doing them despite her mother's protests. At 18, her body was more that of a woman than a girl, and she ran her hands down and around the soft, generous swell of her breasts, lifting them up to the ridiculous heights they would reach when squeezed into her corset, squinting and poking her tongue out between her naturally plump, rosy lips. Her hands continued over her broad ribs, tucking in at the waist before running down and over her "generous" bottom, which her father teasingly called her "gift from Grandmother." Her legs were shapely, but not overly long ending in feet that would never be called dainty, but were lovely and well-proportioned. She'd had her share of "suitors" if you could call fumbling squires hoping for a squeeze and a kiss in the corners of dark hallways during a banquet "suitors." She'd rebuffed them all firmly, but kindly, making noises about chastity and honor and prevailing on their chivalry. It wasn't that she was a prude, but she surely wasn't going to become one of "those" girls whom the squires practiced on before moving on to "proper" unions with the daughters of nobles. Bollocks to proper. She laughed aloud. She could just hear Mother, "You've been hanging around stablehands too much, miss!" The stablehands were more fun than the sewing circle. She turned away from the mirror and toward the small tower window, guessing the sun was hovering at about midday. She stood up and pulled on her everyday surcoat over her underdress, and slid her feet into her slippers. She opened the door to her small chamber, glancing left toward her parent's chamber next door before quietly slipping out and softly closing her door. She quickly tiptoed around to curving wall of the tower to the stairs, moving swiftly but carefully down to the wide vestibule with passages that led away to the kitchen, out to the courtyard, up to the main stairs leading to the Duke and Duchess' chambers, and into the great hall. She padded softly to the kitchen, dodging harried kitchen wenches laden with bowls and baskets preparing for the banquet and poked her head around the corner. Serah, the fat cook, was fussing here and there over bubbling pots, pinching and tasting and pronouncing whether all was fit to serve. She glanced over and saw Elsabeth sneaking out from the doorway and reaching for an apple from a brimming bowl. She put on her stern face, but her eyes twinkled. Elsabeth tried to look contrite, but laughed out loud as Serah came bustling over swinging a wooden ladle. "Out, you naughty thing," she cackled behind her as Elsabeth ran out. "I don't need your mischief today." Her contraband apple safely tucked in her dress pocket, she stealthily approached the stairs to the nobles' chambers. She casually looked around to make sure no one was about before dashing halfway up the stairs and taking the little traveled hallway to the castle's small library. She'd read most of the books in there already, but she thought she would pass her time before getting ready by flipping through one of her favorites. She pushed open the door and ducked into the chamber, little bigger than her own bedchamber, and closed the door behind her. She peered about in the semi-gloom. Who had closed the curtain? she thought crossly. She walked the dozen steps to the window and drew the drape aside. "Well, hello there," a voice rumbled from behind her. A stifled yelp escaped her as she spun around to see to whom the voice belonged. There, draped across a reading couch, was a dark-haired young man, about her age, finger marking his place in an open book. A soft smirk decorated his full mouth and his almond-shaped eyes glinted in the sun from the now-uncovered window. He was dressed in a loose tunic and close-fitting trousers tucked into calf-high boots. "Who are you? What are you doing in here?" Elsabeth demanded of the stranger, collecting herself and standing as tall as she could, her shoulders drawn back and her chin high. "You should not be in here." "Pardon me, my lady, I was not aware this was your private library," the young man said, a slight mocking tone in his voice, one eyebrow lifting high. "I beg your forgiveness." "Well, there's no need to be rude," Elsabeth replied hotly. "You frightened me. I have never seen you before and I did not expect anyone to be here at this hour. And you did not answer me, who are you?" "My lady, I am Bannor, one of the cohort from the Barony of Halford. And you, my lady?" "I am Elsabeth, daughter of the senechal of this castle," she said. "I just came in to get a book to pass the time before the banquet. I am sorry to have disturbed you, Master Bannor." She tried to retreat quickly out into the hall and back to her quarters, but he jumped to his feet, holding out his hand to stay her departure. "Wait, lady Elsabeth, I am sorry to have given you a fright, please allow me to atone for my ill behavior and leave the library to you for your leisure." Bowing low, he raised his eyes to peer through the fringe of his hair as it hung over his brow, an enigmatic smile playing on his lips. Before she could reply, he caught her hand in his, pulled it to his lips, then slipped out the door and was gone. The breath exploded from Elsabeth's lungs as she collapsed into an overstuffed chair. She didn't know if her heart was pounding from the fright she'd suffered or from the effect of those eyes, the green of spring leaves shot through with the brown of freshly turned earth. Forgetting the book, she hurried out into the hallway, glancing both ways to see which way the young man had gone, but there was no sign of him. He was gone. Back in her chamber, Elsabeth's mind returned again and again to the young man in the library, despite her efforts to turn her thoughts elsewhere. She lay on the bed and attempted to rest in preparation for the festivities ahead, but the scene replayed over and over behind her closed eyes. Finally she gave up, rising to prepare for the banquet. Soon her mother would appear, haranguing her to quicken her preparations. Elsabeth stripped out of her surcoat and underdress, pulling out the forgotten apple and placing it on the vanity. She poured water from a pitcher into a bowl, dipping a cloth into the water and squeezing the excess out. She ran the cloth over her body, stroking her flesh and leaving gooseflesh in the cloth's wake. She ran the cloth over her breasts, her nipples standing at attention. She wrung out the cloth in the water, and turned her attention to the soft mound between her legs and to her bottom, making sure her body was clean and soft. After she was finished bathing, she ran a soft, dry cloth over her body, then stroked her wrists, neck, and stomach with bergamot oil. She slipped on her golden underdress, then slipped her corset over her head, beginning to tighten the silken cords on her own. Right on cue, a sharp knock sounded on her door and her mother swept into the room. "Here," she said, pulling the ribbons out of Elsabeth's hands and spinning her around. With swift jerks, she tightened the corset until Elsabeth's waist stood in sharp contrast to her hips. Slipping her dress over her head, Elsabeth silently released the breath she had been holding in to assure she would be able to breathe when he mother was finished. The deep crimson of the brocade fabric brought highlights out in her hair, and the velvet trim of the sleeves and hem brushed the floor and her fingertips. The lace décolletage of her golden-colored underdress peeked above the tight bodice of the dress, accentuating her breasts. Her mother reached into her pocket and withdrew a necklace of gold and pearls, draping it gently around her neck and fastening it under the thick coils of her hair. "Oh, Mother! It is beautiful! Grandmother's necklace!" Elsabeth exclaimed. She knew how much the necklace meant to her mother and was touched that she would allow her to wear the piece. "My dear, you are nearing your 19th birthday and you need all the assistance I can give to attract a suitable husband," her mother said, quelling any sentiment the moment may have held. Suppressing her irritation, Elsabeth simply replied, "Thank you, Mother." She knew the less she argued, the quicker her mother would leave to see to her own preparations for the banquet. Sure enough, her mother made her excuses and swept from the room as quickly as she had barged in. Sliding her feet into velvet-accented slippers, Elsabeth stood, and turned left and right, examining her reflection. That will do, she thought. Rather than wait for her parents and have to listen to a steady stream of negative chatter from her mother, Elsabeth left her room and made her way down to the great hall. The great hall was a hive of activity. Servants finished setting the long tables with platters, bowls, and goblets, polishing knives and spoons and placing them on the linen napkins. Young pages spread the floors with fresh rushes and hay, releasing their green, sweet scent into the air, as servant girls decked the tables with fresh greenery and flowers. She saw her father across the hall directing a number of squires in positioning additional tables and large heavy chairs to accommodate the many guests who would soon be pouring into the castle for the festivities. She made her way past the scurrying servants, trying to keep out of the way, and approached him. "Hello, Father," she called from a few feet away. He turned at her voice and smiled, as he always did on greeting her. "Ah my dearest, you look lovely," he said, hugging her. Unlike Mother, he always had a kind word. "You are ready early, I thought young ladies were supposed to be fashionably late. But not my girl." She laughed. "How could I help you if I were late? What can I do?" she replied. "I know you have more than you can handle and I promise to be inconspicuous so no one will be the wiser..." Grinning broadly, her father said, "As a matter of fact, you can. Go to the brewer and tell him we will need another five casks of mead for the banquet, we have received word from four more households who will be attending. And you know these nobles, any excuse to drink us dry." Planting a quick kiss on her father's bearded cheek, she made her way out of the hall and down the hallway past the kitchen, downward to the storage cellars. Burly servants rolled large casks past her as she shrank against the wall. "Master Roland," she called into the cellar, raising her voice to be heard over the rolling casks. "Hello?!" A round, ruddy face popped around the corridor, "What now?" he bellowed. "Ah, Miss Elsabeth, to what do I owe this pleasure." The portly brewer bowed low, his bald head shining with sweat. "Oh Roland, always gallant," she giggled. "Father says to fetch five extra casks up to the hall, we have more households coming to drink all your mead." "Zounds! Lucky we are coming to the harvest so I will have more wheat and honey coming in to brew, else these scoundrels would leave us dry!! Thank you for the message dear. Make sure you don't sneak too many goblets of my brew yourself or you'll cease to fit in those lovely frocks," he winked, his belly bouncing with laughter. "I won't," she laughed, making her way back up the corridor. Through the high windows, she saw the sun sliding slightly westward down the sky and guessed the early birds would be arriving soon. She hurried to take her place near the front entrance of the castle to assume her duties of directing guests toward the great hall. Two hours later the great hall was echoing with laughter and excited voices as the last of the guests arrived from outlying manors and took their places at the long tables, helping themselves to the bread and cheese, fresh and dried fruits, nuts and savories heaped in bowls and arranged on platters on each table. Servants hurried among the guest filling and refilling goblets with mead and spiced wine sweetened with honey. Elsabeth entered the hall, finished with her duties, and slipped into her chair at a table at the edge of the hall. Her father sat the center of the table, her mother to his right, and the various household managers arranged down the table according to rank. Her seat was between her mother and her mother's favorite household lady in waiting. It was where she was expected to sit, but the one place she least enjoyed as, her mother and Lady Noraleen enjoyed gossiping together, leaning over her as if she weren't there, making snide comments about country ladies' dresses, the unattractiveness of their daughters, their sons' lack of manners, anything they could think of to criticize. That Elsabeth could ignore, but the pokes and pinches accompanied by whispers from her mother or Noraleen for her to sit up or to smile or to nod at some young man or another whom they thought appropriate of her attention. Starving, having not eaten her apple earlier and only a small piece of bread that morning, Elsabeth reached for a chunk of cheese and bread, only to have her mother jerk her arm back. "Don't eat that!" she hissed. "You'll look like a farmhand stuffing yourself. If you must eat, eat this." She placed a few dates and figs and a small pasty on her plate. Angry, Elsabeth snatched the pasty and shoved it in her mouth in spite, grabbing her goblet and taking a large swallow of wine to wash it down. She followed it quickly with the figs and dates, an another swallow of wine. Glaring at her, her mother's mouth drew into a tight line. "I'm sorry mother, but I don't intend to starve so you can pass me off to some idiot noble's son," she retorted. Sighing, her mother whispered back, "Fine, eat, but please for god's sake, slow down before you choke yourself and embarrass me." The first course was served, a stew of capon with onions, allspice, and wine, with more bread. While the diners enjoyed the course, a minstrel played harp while a storyteller relayed a long tale of the Baron's exploits in war. Next, large servants carried out enormous platters, each bearing a whole roasted boar surrounded by roasted apples, turnips, potatoes, onions, and pears seasoned with herbs and garlic. As servants carved the roasts and served the guests, musicians played and the guests at lower tables got up and danced as they waited for the food to make it around to them. Yawning from the wine, Elsabeth turned her head when she heard a loud burst of laughter from a table near the Baron's head table. There were gathered the members of the party from Halford, in whose honor the banquet was given. At the center of the table was the young man from the library, Bannor, dressed in a green brocaded surcoat trimmed in gold over fitted trousers and high leather boots. Keeping his table entertained with whatever tale he was telling, his eyes remained on Elsabeth, moving away from her only long enough to keep his tablemates convinced he was interested only in his story, before returning to catch her glance. Blushing, Elsabeth looked away, busying herself with arranging her napkin on her lap and arranging her knife and spoon next to her plate. Glancing up without raising her head, Elsabeth met the eyes she already felt were trained upon her before quickly looking away again. Just then a servant came by, "More wine, Lady Elsabeth?" "Yes, please," she said quickly, snatching her goblet up from the table to give to the servant, surprising the girl, who jerked back and sloshed a bit of wine from her jug onto the sleeve of Noraleen's dress. "Stupid girl!!" Noraleen shouted, jumping up from the table and upsetting her chair. Gasping, Elsabeth stood up, grabbing her napkin and dabbing at the stain. Her mother pushed her hands away, stepping in and taking her friend's arm and leading her toward the kitchen. "Foolish girl, stop spreading it, I have fresh water in my chamber to take the wine out. And you," she said sharply to the servant girl, "Clean this up and then go back to the kitchen where you can't do any more harm." In tears, the young girl put the jug on the table and dropped down to her knees, mopping up the small spill from the floor with her apron. Elsabeth reached down and took her arm gently, picking her up from the floor. "My dear, it was not your fault, but mine. Please don't cry. All is well. Mother and Lady Noraleen will clean the spot and I will make sure they forget all about this. You go into the kitchen with Serah where it is safe and I will make sure she knows that none of this was your doing." "Thank you, my lady," the girl sniffed gratefully, scurrying down the hallway toward the kitchen. Elsabeth excused herself and followed. After explaining the incident to Serah, who comforted the servant girl and put her safely to work in the kitchen, Elsabeth left to head back to the table. As she walked by the passageway to the living quarters, a hand darted out, gently grabbed her arm and pulled her off balance into the hallway. Gasping, Elsabeth stumbled catching herself on a firm, broad chest that smelled of sandalwood and the outdoors. She looked up into the gleaming forest-colored eyes of Bannor, that same smile playing on his lips. "It seems drama follows you, my lady," he said, keeping his arm close around her back, pulling her close to him. "Have you regained your balance?"