The courtyard of the pack house was now full of long trestle tables. Every member of the pack was there, about three hundred in total. The air smelled of food and wine. At one of the tables, fifteen young male wolves sat together. Astrid was with them. He looked down at his shaky hands, then up, trying to appear steady.
The feast began. Alpha Faelan stood up, raised his goblet of wine, and said, "To the land and to those who work it."
The pack repeated the exact words and began eating. Platters were passed: thick slices of ham, smoked meat, toasted potatoes, steamed greens, and fresh bread. As they ate, some merchants from neighboring packs who had stayed for the festival talked business with Alpha Faelan and some of his stewards. Orders were confirmed for the next season's barley. A deal was struck for a new breed of seedlings. The commerce of Emberspire continued even on a festival day.
