Thread: Feast for the Noble, Feast for the Peasant Who: Open to All, Alistair Theirin (NPC), Bethany Hawke (NPC), Dougal Aldren (NPC) Where: Vigil’s Keep When: 1 Solis, 9:45 (Evening) Summary: After the first day of activities and events, the competitors and crowds mingle for a boisterous celebration. Rating: T
As the sun set on Vigil’s Keep the day was anything but over. For some the day had been long, tiring and trying, but a hum of excited energy had buzzed in the air the whole time. The vendors had been hawking their goods all day, making strong sales with the excited crowd and visitors from all over Thedas. Most of them had packed up for the evening, though a few lingered, catering to the idle browser.
In the main courtyard of the Keep the smithy had been cleaned and converted to a long buffet like spread of food. From the servants entrance men and women had begun to appear, carrying platters of food and large casks of wine and ale. On the menu were bowls of thick, hearty stew; a Ferelden staple, hunks of fresh baked bread with crisp crust, rounds of cheese to be sliced and doled out. A man was manning the drink station, wooden mugs piled up beside him and tapping the casks. The sharp, fruity scent of wine drifted into the air. Also among the spread; thick chunks of mutton slathered in gravy, crispy skinned legs of turkey as big as a child’s head, and steaming potatoes in split skins.
Several bonfires began to crackle to life, little islands of warmth in the encroaching cool Ferelden night. Overhead the Keep loomed, indeed watching vigil as it stretched into a night sky dotted with stars. A group of musicians from one of the traveling caravans had set up near the entrance, the packed earth spread out before them like nature’s dance floor. A pair of children, young girls in gingham dresses had already begun to dance, holding hands as they spun in a circle, giggling.
A large man with sun-darkened skin and a bristly black beard sat on a squat log, his huge, callused hands spread wide as he weaved a story. A few children sat at his feet, enthralled, and even a few adults lingered near to hear the telling of the tale.
From where he stood in the shadow of the cellar entrance Alistair watched the festivities of the common man. The party out here would be mirthful, full of bawdy jokes and tales, with at least a dozen drunks and one or two brawls. Oh how he missed those days. Even with the Wardens he was no longer a simple warrior to sit among his peers, but rather their Commander. It made people treat him differently, and he’d noticed that. Better than getting stuck being bloody King
He spared a glance at another server who slipped out the doorway past him with an overloaded tray of glazed pork ribs. His stomach growled and his fingers itched for a sample. He was about to call the woman back when someone appeared at his elbow and Alistair turned slowly to meet the very unpleased face of Dougal Aldren. Alistair found himself chuckling uneasy.
“I was just… making sure everything was going smoothly.”
“I told you it would,” the man said mildly. “Bethany sent me to find you. The other Wardens are starting to arrive. It would be in poor form to be late.”
“I don’t see why it had to be made into such a fancy affair,” Alistair complained, but followed the Seneschal back into the servant’s hallway.
“You’re doing it for the Wardens. They’ve been through a lot recently.” The man explained patiently, for the millionth time, as he led the Commander to the large hall where the feast for the Wardens was about to be served.
Here a long table dominated the room, each seating set with the kind of plates that Alistair thought of as a remnant from the keep’s time under noble rule. He took his place at the head of the table with no small amount of discomfort, ignoring the subtle glare Bethany sent his way.
As a servant began to pour wine for those attending he smiled and wished he was outside at the real party
Note: The feast thread is open to everyone. However, All CURRENT Wardens should begin at the indoor formal event with Alistair, though may eventually leave to join the outdoor activities. Recruits and companions will be remaining outdoors only