It is just after dusk that you are all fetched by liveried servants and taken to the northern hall.

A long table has been placed here and dressed with plates of food and wildflowers.

The table is lined with simple stools and a slightly sturdier stool sits at one end, beside it King Corbin is deep in conversation with his two close associates, Cene and Diarmuid.

As you enter he indicates for you all to take a seat.

" Please, sit and take your leisure."

" I know...some of you are eager to here this...well, there is no other way to say.  I hope that my words do not lessen your love for Ereworn and its people."

" Of the gold recovered by your brave actions we will putting the equivalent of 1000 silver aside to see to the ongoing rebuilding, expansion and restocking of each current holding within the Grey Hills."

" Of the remainder, the equivalent of 1000 silver will be gifted to each of those who braved the Grey Hills, both those of Glissom and those of Ereworn."

" The remainder, what there may be....will be absorbed by the coffers of Ereworn and used to assist her people in their continued recovery from the dark times behind us."

" So say I, Corbin of Ereworn."

" Now, please, my friends. Eat, drink, be well.  If you wish to speak with myself or Cene or Diarmuid you are welcome to do so."

" At the close of the feast I will have requests of you all..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:49, Thu 24 Oct 2019.

In reply to GM (msg # 1):

Deise having spent the day cleansing both mind and body takes a place close to but not presumptious enough to sit next to the King and his party.
"My Lord, your generosity is most kind. This gesture will, I have no doubt be repaid by your people's goodwill and taxes. Thank you" 

OOC: Deise will be genuinely humbled by the 1000 coins as this is more money than he has ever had at one time.

In reply to Deise (msg # 2):

Beathan spent the afternoon cleaning up after the road, having a set of fine clothes fitted, a little repositioning from the stores, and catching up with his family.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for all of this. I hope we may continue to serve you and the land."

Beathan joins the others in the great hall.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:31, Fri 25 Oct 2019.

Sir Turren arrives clean shaven and fresh faced in polished boots and immaculate white and green garments. He seats himself as directed, giving right of way with a smile to any who might also be seating themselves on either hand. Though conventionally unarmoured he is wearing both his sword and dagger at his belt, a simple wooden cross at his neck.

Brannon has done his best to tidy himself up, though he has no alternative to his travel worn clothes. The ink and earthstains are ingrained into his hands, too. This does not appear to distress him, though - he seems at ease in courtly surroundings, regardless of his appearance.

Nevertheless, he seats himself at the far end of the table from the King. The lowliest position in Glissom - he does not known if the same customs hold in Ereworn. A vague look of disappointment crosses his face as he realises that Corbin is to speak of loot, and not their battles with Rimfax, but he nods with a grave satisfaction at the King's decision, clearly impressed by the balance of generosity and wisdom.

Uthen has cleaned himself up.

He will take a position at the table fairly close to the King - he's reasonably used to 'high society'.

As he eats he ponders the fact that he has more money than he's ever had in his life... but it's probably not enough to return home with. It might pay for one sister's dowry but the females in his family have high expectations...

Once again it occurs to him how ridiculous this custom sees - but then again, he wouldn't take one of his sisters without being paid. Then again, he knows them...

Lann waits to be assigned to his seat, having been unused to such a grand feast. He is more used to the clan setting in terms of dining. Nevertheles, he does his best to blend in with the crowd.

Hearing the King rewarding the group, he rises and thanks the king for his grace,"I thank thee for your graciousnes your majesty! May your land prosper continually under your eminent rule!"

Usopi entered and sat at an open spot at the table. He had bathed, washed his clothes, and now his head and chin were shaved clean. He looked much as he had when his journey had first begun.

Examining the feast, Usopi thought that Ereworn was clearly doing well for itself despite the troubles. As Corbin mentioned the 1000 florins for the people of the Gray Hills, Usopi smiled broadly, glad to know the shepherds would be compensated for their troubles by their king.

Then the King mentioned their personal shares and Usopi chuckled lightly. "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine." He said quietly to himself.

Even at the end the King spoke of using the funds for the people, and when the speech was finished Usopi lightly clapped his hands together.

Speech finished and food offered, Usopi dug in, piling a plate high with food. In truth the food he and his companions ate on the road was not so scarce or flavorless that he was looking particularly forward to the meal. However, Usopi's early days adventuring had taught him to take food when it is offered, lest he miss it later.

When Leofwyn arrives, she scans the room for faces that she recognizes to potentially sit next to, smiling at anyone she makes eye contact with.

She ends up settling herself equal distances from Sir Turren and Hearthwarden Brannon.

Aphail would rather face more Shadows than go to an official feast with a king, but here he is.  He has washed and scrubbed up as best he can, begging or borrowing any clothes to replace the tattered rages he wears.  His only good clothes are his boots, with trews, shirt and westcote torn and stained.  He will sit with Caith, wherever she sits and remain quiet.

He is confused as to why the king is so apologetic about the loot?  Feudal law states that treasure recovered in his land is his by right.  The fact that he has given most of it away is remarkable!  A sign of generosity?  Insecurity? Eagerness to make friends and allies?  Either way it is welcome.  Aphail has little need of all this silver and will probably give most of it to his new master Colm, who he has never met?

Mammon is dressed in a rather revealing cerulean dress with gold trim and a beaver fur half coat.  Her long sable hair is tied in a long braid that hangs over her left shoulder, And Otto hung over her right shoulder.

She gave a small clatter of applause at the kings announcement, and then sat down beside Lann.

" So, you are rich now? Perhaps I should look into this business of yours...it seems to pay better than the study of law."

Barlow enters in green velvet and grins as he sees most have already arrived, he seats himself on the other side of Lann and lets out a rowdy, " Hear, Hear!", when the king finishes speaking.

" Indeed, Lady Mammon.  Perhaps it is the dead I should court more than the living. "

Drummond stood at the door watching each enter, standing at attention as the King spoke and then seating himself down near Sir Uthen and Sir Usopi.

As food was consumed and drinks refreshed by some of the servants Diarmuid rose from his seat, nodded to the King and moved to stand near where Brannon and others were seated.

King Corbin and Cene began a muttered conversation amongst themselves...

'Good evening m'lady,' Sir Turren rises till Leofwyn is seated, settles himself back. 'I'm wagering there's nothing here tonight half as perfect as that peach. I thank you.'

Caith arrives with Alphail, clad in a long red woolen tunic with black embroidered bands at wrist and throat, patiently scrubbed reddish brown trousers, and a pair of fresh polished but worn black kneeboots. A twisted braid of flowering sage and scarlet primrose crowns the long ponytail of red hair down her back.

The wolfskin robe, smelling of assorted sweet herbs hangs over her arm, a protection against the chill of evening rather than cold iron's kiss, and becomes a cushion over the stool she sits on.

No ornament can entirely detract from the scar tissue running from temple, down the side of her face and throat, but her smile is content, and she greets Lady Leofwyn with a cheerful "Well met to ye, Lady Leofywn." as she introduces Hunter Alphail to her, and sits near Hearthwarden Brannon.

Her response to the King's fair judgement is a grateful "Fair, and wise. Thank ye, and may your people continue to prosper under your rule." to  Corbin.

Usopi nodded a greeting as Drummond sat nearby, then he turned to look at Barlow with a grin, ”It is true, dealing with the dead has been profitable for us, though if you can make money while dealing only with the living I would suggest that path. I imagine it holds fewer underground crypts and shadow creatures.”

The large knight took a bite of meat and chewed gently, listening to the table conversation.

Lann stands up and bows to the newcomer. He extends his hand and raises hers to his lips. "Lann at your service milady. Rich I wont think so but certainly richer than when I first came to dinner. It will be good to find more wealth so that we can live in comfort," he says in as much a gentle tone as he can muster while keeping his eyes of the bosom of the seer.

"What business of law do you learn," he continues trying to distract himself from the charms of the lady.