[color=f26522]"I am Baroness Carnatia de Valmont, here to represent Westernant in the Kingdom's support for the Church and the Order of the Golden Sun. I look forward to work with all of you."[/color] 

"Ah, Baronesa Carnatia. It is a rare occurrence indeed to meet a fellow noble in a foreign land. I suppose I should say congratulations to you first. And a heartfelt apology that I was not present during your appointment ceremony."

There were both truths and lies in that statement. Carmen wasn't much for social gatherings, being a former soldier himself most of his time was spent either on the battlefield or in the chapel. He wasn't someone who could make friends fast, for friendship was not a shallow matter to him.

But tonight he would start to change that habit. Those who were present in this Glory Hall were strangers, unmeasured individuals, but one thing he knew was that they shared the same goal with him. Although those who Archbishop Suaniere recruited might be motivated by monetary gain, he could at least give them a chance to feel like a part of the fellowship, not just some hired sword. 

So, Carmen started his get-to-know-you-better by greeting an old friend, and his sister in faith. 

"Miriell... been a while huh?" he said to her when he placed his cup to the table. "The last time we met was in Castediar if I recall correctly."

Sitting now, Carmen gestured at Ludwig, the handsome man wearing black-tinted sunglasses who just introduced himself and uttered a positive remark that surely brought a smile to Carmen's face.

"Let's save these people." said Ludwig

"We shall, Master Ludwig, we shall. But since we are some thousand leagues away from them, hospitality comes first. Please sit down, I know you have been waiting for me for quite a while." Turning to everyone else, Carmen clapped his hand to get their attention. [b]"Everyone please dig in, it is not much, but I am sure these modest refections are enough to satisfy us all."[/b]

It was indeed a modest dinner, but aplenty. At that table served a basket full of plain bread, two roasted turkeys, some servings of salmon, a cauldron of soup, and steamed vegetables and peas. 

Now sitting at the centermost position, Carmen had claimed a plate of soup and a baguette. His eyes darted at the blonde girl who sat next to their strange wine supplier. She had just finished introducing herself, along with some more information Carmen wasn't so sure whether she was bragging or it was just the introduction line she had rehearsed before. 

"That's a lot of responsibilities, señorita York. I could only imagine how much effort it took to have you here."

Carmen leaned forward, his attention was still at Linceleste. "I am sure someone like you is very capable, but I have to ask, Senorita, have you ever been to Tretagor before?"

He shifted to everyone else. "What about you, Friends, and Sister, have you ever been to the place where Pladin Thomas went missing?"