Ethaniel, who's been busy craning his neck to get a better look at the rafters, finally snaps to attention to find Sir Luke standing in the middle of the room unannounced. After failing to spot his father anywhere, he makes a mad grab for a wine goblet which he nearly shatters with a sharp tap from a spoon. After his hasty call for attention, Ethaniel makes a show of standing regally, or at least he attempts until his shirtsleeve slides underneath a plate and nearly pulls it from the table. Having disentangled himself, he moves onto the stage to make his announcement. "Lords and Ladies, fighters and feasters, it would appear that my father, Lord Ebonhawk, has been swept away by some tragically urgent business. Thus, the honor falls to me of introducing the indefatigable.... the unbeatable... the winner of today's grand melee AND joust... the knight of the hour and the evening... the champion Sir Luke Goldfeather!" With a grand sweeping gesture, Ethaniel attempts to direct the crowd's eyes towards Sir Luke.
A few others sitting at tables nearby watch as Ethan makes his introduction for the champion. For his part, Sir Luke bows graciously and takes seat.
”Thank you young Lord Ebonhawk. You honor me with your introductions and might I say, were you not already so highborne, you’d make a fine herald”, the knight offers with a warm laugh.
Lance returns to the table after completing his performance and congratulates Sir Luke Goldfeather.
He sits down quietly after that and returns to observing the kitchen and Hall entrance for clues on what is going on:
Lady Drusilla drains her glass of wine, possibly the seventh that evening, and clears her throat in annoyance.
Sit with us Luke, and tell us where you found that magnificent stallion you were riding this afternoon. He seemed very gifted with his hooves staying under you even in the mud. A finely trained mount indeed.
Alusair is still focused on covering for the old man's vagarity. She smiles at Ethaniel sympathetically, and misses the Lady's griping entirely.
Crystal gives Sir Goldfeather the requisite round of applause.
Crystal pauses and looks down at her plate as her mother finishes off yet another cup of wine. I wish she wouldn't drink so much at these things... she'll be even worse on the ride back to the keep.
She's about to say something when Lady Drusilla's question reaches her ear. "Shall I go looking for him, Mother?" She automatically answers. She's become used to the subtle cues in her mother's voice.
”My lady has an eye for horses”, Luke offers with a charming smile. ”Achilles was a gift from my father years ago. He never said where he bought the beast but the breeders at home tell me he’s got Uthgarde steed blood in him. Do you ride Lady...?”
Something flashes in Drusilla’s eyes and she rests her hand ever so gently on Crystal’s. ”No, that’s not necessary. I’m sure he’ll show up eventually.”
"I hope so..." Crystal replies, feeling a pulse of anxiety in her gut.
Perhaps he's just gone to collect the gold he owes us. Or perhaps there's something else afoot. I just hope he hurries back.
She looks over at Ethaniel, the expression on her face being one of worry.
Should I ask him? I don't think that's proper decorum... let him ask first.
Lance seems distracted by the disturbance at the entrance to the Great Hall, yet still notices the displeasure on Lady Drusilla's voice:
Sensing that the opportunity to continue his conversation on Elven Culture with the copper elf may be lost, he jumps up from the table and saunters over to the Hall entrance.
He will try and make out why the copper elf is being detained, and if given the opportunity will intervene to defuse the tense situation:
"Master Zael'anis I have been looking for you." Then looking at the leader of the Ebonhawk Houseguards detaining the elf, "The noble guests are starting to ask questions about why Master Zael'anis has not been allowed to the feast. Do I need to call Master Ebonhawk to help sort out this misunderstanding?"
Much of what was transpiring was quite educational for Vess. It seemed they revered their warriors, much like his tribe. They also liked feasts and stories. Yet their chief was gone. He should be here, no?
There was something ... off about how the woman spoke of the man's absence. So the chief must return something to her. But what?
In his tribe, it was most common to borrow sons and daughters for tasks for which they were indispensable. With such a weak son, that is understandable. But her daughter is there, and she doesn't seem to worried.
He would keep an eye on her. There was bad blood in the air.
Lance’s quick thinking defuses the growing tensions and the one guard removes the hand from the hilt of his blade.
”He’s not on the list and he’s the guest of someone who is. Apologies but I’m not the one that makes the rules”, one guard while rubbing his temple with a gauntleted hand. ”And if I went to Lord Ebonhawk for every man and woman claiming his needs were a top priority, Captain Brox would kick my ass four different ways. If you want to get him inside, you clear it with him”, he explains.
The others nods in silent solidarity.
Zael'anis’s fair elven features remain stoic but his frustration is obvious in his stance. ”This is no time for formalities, I must speak to Lord Ebonhawk.”
Crystal glances over at Vess and notices that look in his eye.
...he figured it out too, did he?
She purses her lips and looks over at where Lance walked off to.
Where the bloody hell is Lord Ebonhawk?
Alusair is of course oblivious, and continues her discussion with the newly seated luke.
Alliel, although I am in service to the first child of Ao.
She gestures at her necklace.
I ride, although not as gracefully as I did in my youth. I had an accident in my novitae. I've chosen to believe it was a sign, it certainly taught me the humility I'd lacked. Still, an excellent horse is a rider's delight. I could believe he has some Uthgarde in him.
She smiles softly.
In either case, rider's skill or horse's blood, it was well ridden. Don't you agree Crystal?
She nods to the young crownsilver, only then noticing her slight distraction.
"I'm sorry, what?" Crystal blinks and looks over at Alusair. "Riding? Of course, of course."
It's quite clear that Crystal wasn't paying attention to Alusair's conversation until now.
Lance looks at the guard who responds to his inquiries and nods, "I will speak with Master Ebonhawk to gain entry to the feast for the elf. I do not see Lord Ebonhawk around, will he be returning soon?"
He will wait a few seconds for a response from the guards, and then he moves back to the feast hall and goes directly for Ethaniel and whispers:
"Master Ebonhawk, my friend Zael'anis seems to be having a small problem at the entrance of the Great Hall. It seems he was not on the guest list... a simple mistake I am sure. Would you please speak on his behalf to your House Guards?"
As Lance whispers to Ethaniel he will discretely point to the copper elf and the House Guards at the entrance of the Hall.
Much of the private conversations were now among the people who seemed to be of power. The chief's son and the duplicitous woman both appeared to wield influence, yet neither were at ease.
The man who spoke to the son seemed to be an advisor of sorts. Maybe he can tell me what's going on.
Remembering to meet with the man later, Vess looked to Sam. "Who is he?" The ranger extended a claw in a gesturing manner towards Lance.
Luke smirks at Crystal's reaction. "Lady Crownsilver is distracted. Is something troubling you? Something with the food perhaps."
***
The guards seem sympathetic but unwilling to yield. "Lord Ebonhawk? Hrm, I didn't see where he went. I'm sure he'll be back soon enough."
When Lance leaves to check in with Ethaniel, Zael crosses his arms over his chest but doesn't resume arguing with the guards.
Crystal shakes her head at Sir Luke. "No, no, the food was quite alright. Why do you ask?"
He can't give it a specific name or determine where it's coming from but Vess catches a scent in the air that he hasn't detected since he left the Vast, a cross between carrion and swamp gas.
***
"It just seems that your thoughts are elsewhere", Sir Luke says while leaning over in conspiring tone. "It's not often that I'm ignored by two beautiful women in one evening", he adds with a laugh.
Crystal purses her lips and looks down. "Hmm. I don't mean to, really."
Keep quiet. He doesn't need to know. The others don't need to know. And if everything goes well, they won't need to know.
"It's just that I've, well, been busy with work."
Letting out a low growl subconsciously, Vess looked about the table. Nothing here to smell like that. What is that smell?.. Though it was on the tip of his tongue, the name of the scent was a mystery.
Seeing nothing suspicious overtly, he left his seat to look around. It has to be somewhere...
Initially surprised by the request, Ethanial stands up to see across the crowded banquet hall to see the person in question.
”I’m certain my father wouldn’t want any of our esteemed guests missing the feast”, he replies. ”But… weren’t you the guest of Lord Sewart?”
He pauses to consider the wood elf again. ”It would be a shame to turn such an exotic guest away. You’re certain he can be trusted?”
***
The guards give him a concerned look as Vess gets up from the table and begins to wander the hall. A combination of high spirits and good sense keep the other guests from getting in his way.
***
”The duties of a noble lady like yourself are many. What work is it that keep your busy attending to your family? The sword and armor tells me you’re no dilettante”, Luke adds with a smile.
Crystal clears her throat. "Well, you would be correct in that, sir. I'm charged with keeping my home's garrison in order, and occasionally working out business deals with other nobles." She folds her hands in front of her. Let it lie there. Not sure how Mother will take me explaining the real reason we're here.
Before she can continue, she notices Vess get up from his seat and start wandering about. She arches her eyebrow in confusion, which only worsens when she notices that no one is stopping him.
Where the hell is he going?
She looks around the room again. When Ethaniel greets the copper elf at the door, Crystal feels a rising sense of unease. She pauses, trying to get a feel of what the elf wants.
His keen senses about him as he observed his new environment, Vess combed-over the area. Hunches had much hold on him, and this one was firm.
Growing a bit suspicious with Ethaniel's question, Lance hesitates for a few seconds, "Well Master Ebonhawk, I do not know him well so cannot vouch for him. He wishes to speak to Lord Ebonhawk about a business matter. Your guards looked like they were getting agitated and I intervened to calm down the situation and avoid a potential embarrassment."
He watches the lizardman get up and start wandering around the room:
Now what the hell is happening with the lizardman? Why is he wandering around like that?
It was clear to Lance Vess seemed to be searching for something, though not simply by sight - sound and perhaps smell were likely involved as he paused every so often in his movements.
"A lady skilled with the sword and the ledger - truly a deadly pairing", Luke says but the knight's charming smile falters for a moment and his brow furrows slightly. "...I mean..."
***
Vess's wandering leads him through a servant's passage that presumably leads to the kitchens judging by the number of men and women busily moving opposite his direction carrying platters heaped high with savory dishes. Most of them look up in wide-eyed surprise when the lizardfolk obstructs their path but they quickly push past him to deliver their offerings.
The swamp-scent doesn't reappear but Vess does notice another familiar smell - blood.
A lone guard, a human male so young that there's not a hair on his chin, stands watch. "Um, sir? Are you lost?" he asks nervously.
***
"Oh, right. Thanks!" Ethanial says after Lance offers his explanation. "A scene with the guards would certainly make a mess of the evening. I'll talk to them."
***
Vess shook his head. "I smell much blood. Why is there so much blood?"
Lance continues to watch Vess.
A ripple goes through the feasting crowd as many experience a strange sensation at roughly the same time. It passes quickly enough and a couple seconds later the festivities resume, most assuming its some trick of the lights or the result of one too many drinks. A few of the more learned attending the party recognize the signs of mind-reading magic.
***
The young guard clutches his pike nervously. "It's probably just smells from the kitchen. Please sir, return to the party. Brox will tan my hide if he hears I let guests wander into the kitchen."
Vess stops a moment, his original suspicion compounded by the odd sensation that washed over him.
He folded his hands across his chest, his tail sweeping around to his other leg. "You feel that? Something bad is here! You smell it too ... help me look for it!"
Seeing Lance also within earshot, the reptile figured more investigators would be better. "Help us! There is a hex around this place."
Not knowing what the phenomenon was, he attributed a term his mother had used from time to time. I hope it is nothing of the sort.
A chill runs down Lance's spine, and in a noticeably agitated state he looks around the Feast Hall.
If someone is using mind-reading magics they will need to concentrate on maintaining the spell.
As he looks around the room he hears Vess calling out to him. He approaches the lizardman cautiously still looking around.
"What is it Vess? You too felt the magical energies wash over you? There is a caster trying to read our minds around." He speaks loud enough for Ethaniel and the closest guests to hear.
"Then we must find them!"
Keeping his ears open, Vess began to circle the chamber, sticking close to the walls, trying to sniff-out the source of this magic - or the blood.
Crystal blinks in confusion as Lance and Vess start prowling around the hall.
Wait--did Lance say someone just tried to read my mind?
She starts looking around the hall for anyone who looks like they could pull that off.
Lance sees nothing out of the ordinary and doesn't notice anyone among the crowd acting out of place.
The young guard relaxes a bit when Lance approaches but gets even more nervous when he sees that the half-elf isn't present to help take Vess away.
"Hey, I said you can't be back here. You're going to back up the kitchen!" he explains desperately as a women carrying stacked earthern tureen's pushes back the small crowd.
***
Scanning the crowd, Crystal stops noble men and women that are known spellcasters but none that look to be actively working magic.
She does notice her mother, somewhat drunkenly, wandering from table. The noblewoman snaps at the first servant that moves to assist her. "Don't you dare touch me! I can see myself to the solar room worm."
***
Seeing Lady Crownsilver starting to wander from the table (and weaving rather drunkenly to & fro), Crystal turns to Sir Goldfeather. "Excuse me for a minute, would you kindly?"
She gets up and moves over to the servant her mother snapped at. She waits until her mother's out of earshot before speaking to the servant. "Sorry about that, sir. My mother's... rather forceful when she's had a few glasses. Is everything alright?"
The servant, an older balding man, looks to Crystal as if she were an angel. "Yes, everything's just fine. Thank you for the concern my lady but it was my fault. If I had a silver for each time someone snapped at me for being out of line over the years I'd be a wealthy man", he explains in an almost apologetic tone.
"Your kitchen not safe!"
Moving the guard out of the way if he didn't do so as Vess moved forward, the hunter meant to find the source of the sorcery.
Lance shrugs at the guard and points at Ethaniel Ebonhawk, "He has commanded us to search the Hall and the kitchens..."
Suddenly he notices the Keep shudder, and Vess quickly move the guard out of the way:
"Apologies... but the kitchen is not safe. Protect Master Ebonhawk!"
He moves on after Vess towards the kitchens.
The guard's wide-eyed look of alarm turns into pure panic as Vess bodily displaces him and pushes past into the kitchen.
His shout of alarm dies down as Lance explains the lizardfolk's erratic behavior in a way that's at least passingly believable. He clears his throat and stands up straighter. "Well alright then. Just try to keep your big friend out of the kitchen's way. Lord Ebonhawk was through here a few minutes ago and he looked upset enough without hearing that a tray of pies had burned."
The kitchen is a whirlwind of activity when Vess'Sothek enters and, though the lizardfolk is an imposing figure, it seems the kitchen staff take their duties too seriously to notice as cuts of meat were trimmed and cleaned, pie crusts stuffed, and platters garnished in a frenzy. Suddenly the whole keep lurches slightly, enough to throw everyone off balance slightly but the staff pays the disturbance little mind and quickly gets back to work.
***
In the great hall, the whole room shakes briefly sending a few of the most drunken guests tumbling to the ground. Entertained by the seismic activity, the crowd erupts to laughter and cheers.
Crystal waves her hands about to try to keep her balance. "What--?!"
She looks around for her mother to see if she's alright. "What the hell was that?!"
Though the meats were tempting, the lizard did not see the source of his concern in the kitchen. After surveying the room, he exited away from where he entered.
And the building is shaking. Are the stone-throwers being used?
Crystal is surprised to find that her noble mother hasn't returned from the privy. Her neighbors at the Lord's table don't seem to mind.
***
A moment from abandoning his search, Vess notes crimson droplets - too bright to be animal blood or meat juices - near a door otherwise blocked by heavy wooden ale casks. The diligent staff don't seem to pay it any mind.
Vess turned to Lance and those around him. "See! Blood there. Help me move barrels."
Trying his best to move the objects to get to the source of the mystery, Vess attempted to open the door immediately afterward.
Crystal shakes her head and opts to go looking for Lance & Vess. "Where did those two wander off to...?"
She stops at her table to get her sword and shield and stow them on her back before searching for them.
Crystal has no difficulty finding the large reptile.
Vess looked over to her as he was moving the heavy barrels. She has muscle. "You! High-woman! Help move barrels." Gesturing at the trail leading to the edge of the chamber, he redoubled his efforts.
Crystal blinks in surprise. "Excuse me? What, exactly, is going on here--"
She takes a closer look at what Vess pointed at, seeing the trail of red droplets. "...er, very well." She walks over to help Vess move the barrels.