The large doors opened before them. The servants darted from side to side, trying to prepare the tables and ready the food at the same time.
The nobles who came early were gathered into groups. Dukes wore fancy clothes with golden lining, the counts wore long sleeves and the lords wore darker, formal yet practical outfits.
These groups chattered to one another. Their conversations were inaudible at the entrance. Amy stepped into the room. Peter followed her.
The air filled with the smell of vanilla and roasted meat.
Peter's eyes darted from one royal to another.
"Maybe we shouldn't be here?" His voice trailed off.
"I am actually surprised by the fact that royalty daunts you this much," Amy said.
"You don't see how scary nobles can be! When I was in the north they hanged a man just because he accidentally stepped near the duke," Peter whispered.
Amy halted. Her eyes stuck to the ground.
"What?" Peter asked.
"Nothing, I'm going to make friends with the nobles." Amy answered, quickening her pace.
"Wait!" Peter stretched his hand to stop Amy, but he was too slow. She disappeared between the royalty.
Okay, don't panic. Peter took a deep breath.
He looked around. Where is Ariel? I hope he's fine.
While looking around he spotted a finished table with no one already sitting. He quickly walked over and sat on a chair.
What do I do now? Do they take an attendance list? How do I even find the greenhouse...
A sharp pain arose from where the dagger had grazed. Peter put his hand over the wound.
We don't have much time - me, Ariel, and Amy.
Peter sighed.
The faint sound of music arose from his side. Peter turned towards the sound. Four bards stood on top of a wooden platform, playing their instruments. The music sounded like a harmony of faraway deserts.
They even have traditional music.
Three tables ahead, Jane served food to a group of counts. Peter touched his chest, where he hid the letter.
I said I'd do it but I don't even know how Atsa looks like.
Peter hit his head on the table.
The wooden chairs around him scratched against the stone ground. Peter straightened his back. Middle aged nobles of different ranks were all around him.
Ugh... Peter hid his face. I have to flee.
The nobles gazed towards one another, not towards Peter.
"How are the farmlands this year?" A duke asked.
"Don't even ask. There's a new plant that burned thousands of paces." A count answered.
"I have to take a loan for that." He added.
"Ma land's goin' fine. I'm thinkin' of developing the village into a lil' city." A duchess answered.
A countess raised her eyebrows. "Aren't your lands between two massive mountains. How'll you do that?"
"Isn't that better? I don't have to manage the logistics for stone exporting. Aye, da roads will be a problem, but ma engineers can do somethin' about that." the duchess said.
The duke turned to Peter. "What about you, young man?"
"I..." Beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
"Ya sweatin' is something wrong?" the duchess said.
"It's just... Really hot in here, huh?" He let out a laugh.
The royalty intensely stared at him, or so he thought.
Suddenly the large doors opened. The royals' eyes snapped to the entrance. Ariel appeared in the corridor, wearing a black jacket and a white shirt. His eyes scanned the room. The royalty started whispering to one another.
"Is he the house head of the Sun house?"
"I heard he failed in the Crimson Forest..."
And much more that Peter couldn't pick up. As the royalty was distracted, he carefully rose from his chair and started moving away from the tables towards a wall. His back hit something that was definitely not a wall.
"Careful where you are going." Jane said, in an irritated tone.
Peter turned back. "I'm so lucky to find you. I..."
Jane shushed him. "Be silent, weren't you supposed to not catch attention? Why are you hanging out with the nobles?"
"It's not my fault. They just appeared." Peter said, lowering his voice.
"By the way how do I tell Atsa apart?" He asked.
"Right, I didn't tell you that." Jane scratched her head. "It's the guy with a blindfold, he's quite easy to distinguish."
First thing to do is to give this letter, then I'll figure out the flower.
Peter walked to the nearest wall and leaned against it. His eyes scanned the room and landed on Ariel. He was looking a bit better than before.
Maybe he's acting... Either way I have to be quick.
Minutes passed. All of the tables were readied and the Grand Hall was denser than ever.
Peter rubbed his forehead. Is Gerald trying to wear us down? Is Jane a part of his plan? He sighed.
The big doors suddenly flung open. Six armored knights walked in first, followed by King Gerald, the Queen, a guy with a blindfold and a kid who's no older than nine. The royalty's eyes snapped to these three figures, but not even a crack was heard. They stood up and saluted the Imperial house with two fingers on their hearts.
That should be Atsa. Now how do I approach him?
"Sorry for the delay. Before the feast, let's make sure everyone is present." Gerald said.
A few scribes walked around the room, checking off names. One of them moved toward Peter. His eyes were fixed on the paper.
"What's your name?"
"Peter." He said.
"No last name?" Scribe looked at his face. Then frowned.
"Yeah."
The scribe walked towards someone else without taking a glance at him.
In an instant, the scribes moved to Gerald and reported.
"How nice! Everyone's here. Let's get the feast started." Gerald raised his wine glass.
The royalty did the same. Peter had no wine glass to raise. The six knights sat around Gerald and his family but Atsa sat far away, between the counts.
Peter moved between high ranking royals, merchants and some famous artisans towards Atsa.
A knight appeared behind him. He felt a metal pressing against his throat.
Gerald has more courage than I thought. Peter raised his hands.