By the time Eric and Ryan arrived at the imperial pavilion, nearly everyone else had already taken their seats.
Long tables had been arranged beneath the enormous canopy, with the Emperor seated at the highest position and the Crown Prince nearby. Generals, princes, ministers and prominent nobles filled the remaining seats according to rank. The wives who had spent the afternoon beneath the viewing canopy were mostly absent, leaving the banquet considerably louder and more relaxed than Eric had expected.
He and Ryan were seated together in a prominent position not far from the imperial table.
Eric had barely settled down before the food began arriving.
