Serpentis Family/Erik Eyolf/The Banquet - Part I
Erik still remembered the last occasion on which a party was held in Trinbar at the time of General Ryu's birthday. But that night promised to be more curious and attractive. While the scribes prepared the letters the Judge had written personally and caught the fastest horses to deliver it, another delegation had been sent to Dolmbar to pick the most beautiful flowers of the old gardens that Erik had cultivated when he was Lord of the region. Where it all began. The wine he produced there would also be served. Another group of employees were serving a large circular table with the best delicacies of Sirion. A special attention was given to floral ornaments, baskets with exotic fruits and a variety of the best fish brought by the fishermen of the Sirion River. Pyres burned incense and lit the great hall.
The Judge of Sirion had chosen his more elegant clothes: a royal blue shirt, a black vest embroidered with silver threads and dark pants and boots. Over the shoulders he wore a coat of wolf fur chained by a necklace of large gold plates decorated with amber and rubies. Large snake bracelets adorned his wrists and a silver circlet crowned his head. The wide war belt that Captain Karl wore in battle completed his powerful image.
While the employees were preparing the hall, he walked to see the pictures on the wall. There was a big picture of when he was little more than a child with his mother and father, Sigrid Eyolf Serpentis and Aerandir Naeskyin. Another great painting show Viktoria Eyolf Serpentis, the family matriarch in the East Continent. The third picture showed Nesrah Serpentis on his black horse, wearing the armor of The Immortals. A beautiful view, because Erik remembered the uncle as a fat old man who secretly bought food in the black markets of Fontan. The last picture had been painted recently to honor his brother, Captain Karl. In the painting the great warrior and best Captain of Sirion appeared wild killing a big monster in the battle of Csopa. Impressive memories. But the Judge kept walking up to the great statue of Elune, where he silently prayed for the souls of his ancestors.
The great hall was finally ready. The Stromwalkers protected the road up the hill, holding torches and spears. Captain Andre was waiting on the bridge to escort the carriages. While the Judge waited his guests, the Bard entered the hall and bowed to the Marquis of Trinbar.
Bard: "Your guests will arrive soon, Great Judge."
Erik Eyolf: "I know. And they are very special. I hope to have a pleasant night. Now, sing something until they arrive."
And the bard sang...
Strange days have found us.
Strange days have tracked us down.
They're going to destroy
Our casual joys.
We shall go on playing or find another town.
The host is grinning.
Her guests sleep from sinning.
Hear me talk of sin and you know this is it...
