Sightles

When the Flames Die

"As many assassination attempts we have prevented, our Commander has to be all business all the time." Thomas replied, as he watched the group leave to place their item on the gift table, "Well, the feast won't start for a good while longer, so we'll be free to do whatever we wish in the mean time." Thomas said with a smile, as he turned his gaze to Gareth. Thomas turned his attention momentarily back to Jezin and Sophia, watching as Jezin handled the case. Thomas curiously watched as the pair unlatched the case, opening it to reveal one of the most beautiful swords Thomas had ever seen in his life. Opulence as it's definition. Thomas marveled at the sword, but was snapped out of his admiration by the sound of a different sword being pulled from it's own sheath. Thomas whipped around to witness Sir Redwyne approaching the group rapidly, his sword half-way out of his own sheath, with other Order knights, and some guests looking on in worriedly, "Maybe it's best if we put some distance between ourselves as them, for now." Thomas said, as he back away slowly. If Jezin's pride carried his actions, it's unlikely the situation would end in anyone's favor.

Redwyne had just finished giving the weapons to a Order knight, when the sound of a sword being pulled from it's sheath was something Redwyne was more than used to, by this time in his life, and his eyes led himself to where he heard the noise. Jezin had a sword, half-pulled out of it's sheath from a gift box they had brought. Redwyne's visage steeled as he marched towards the group, sword half-drawn. As Redwyne got closer, he noticed the blade was obviously a gift of opulence, but no swords would be pulled in his presence here, "I think you need to come with me, sir." Redwyne asserted, not a man to handle slights well, especially when it could possibly endanger his king. The Order had not stopped as many assassination attempts as they had, without running the tightest of ships.

When the Flames Die

Thomas watched as his friends gave up their own weapons to Redwyne. Thomas noted the slight pause that came from Jezin, and by the look on Redwyne's face, he had noticed it to. It was the same look Thomas had received before when arriving late to meetings. Thomas caught Jezin adjusting his grip, slightly, taking Thomas only a moment to understand what Jezin was doing. Thomas smiled to himself, and stifled a small chuckle. It was almost as if Jezin was putting up a kind of resistance. As Redwyne took the weapons, Thomas nodded to the Commander, acknowledging him.

Redwyne wanted a moment longer than normal before taking Jezin's sword, but not long enough for it to become awkward. Taking Gareth's bow, and Jezin's sword in one hand, he nodded to the group, "If you have any gifts, they can be placed on the gift table." Redwyne said, as he pointed towards a normal sized table sitting near the drop off of the grounds, but well enough away to be safe, "The Order appreciates your cooperation." Redwyne finished, as he nodded towards Thomas, acknowledging him in turn, and walking off to place the weapons he had confiscated away.

When the Flames Die

Thomas smiled at Gareth's compliment, bowing his head slightly to Gareth. Thomas nodded to Sophia, and Jezin, and took lead to head to the feast. There was a long tradition of feasts being held outside in Keilaudrin, apparently. Thomas had no idea why people would want to be out past 12 at a feast, as he would imagine they'd freeze. But he remembered that Keilaudrin's climate was about as perfect as you could get for midnight feasts, with their warm nights and slight breezes. Thomas led the pair around the Palace, passing by other attendants to the midnight feast that were also making their way there. After a bit, Thomas rounded the corner of the Palace, arriving at the back of the huge building. In front of them sprawled 3 huge long tables, arranged in an incomplete square, with a massive wooden chair sitting in the middle of the head table. All around torches had already been lit, and were in their respective stands. Perhaps the greatest view, however, was the slight drop off not far from the feasting grounds, where the Palace grounds ended and a cliffside begun. Far out from the bottom of the cliffside was the sea, where all could view the harbor and various ships crowding it's waters. Located off in front of the 3 long tables was an obvious dancing area, marked out by torches aligned in a square with plenty of distance in between each one. Some members of the feast had already sat down, and were awaiting the feast to actually begin. Order of the Thistle knights were clearly visible walking around, checking various things, and standing at posts. One man stuck out more so than the rest, Sir Redwyne, who stood off to the side, eyeing each guest to come around the bend of the Palace. As Thomas and the group came around the corner, Sir Redwyne made a start towards them.

Sir Redwyne had seen it before. Bodyguards, or those particularly well-trained in battle always wanted to bring their personal weapons to a feast, either to show off, or to protect their charge. As Redwyne made his way to the group, he noticed Thomas standing with them, dressed in casual attire, and was also armed. Thankfully, Thomas was a Order knight, meaning Redwyne wouldn't have to ask for his weapon. As per normal rules, I'll have to ask for your sword," Sir Redwyne started, looking down at the sword at Jezin's side, "And your bow." Redwyne added, changing his gaze over to Gareth.

When the Flames Die

Thomas jerked his head up at his name being called, and noted that Gareth's was also called. Thomas glanced behind him, seeing the young man also sitting at the fountain. Thomas quickly rose, turning to face Sophia, and bowed slightly, "Your Grace." Thomas said, his blank expression completely gone, now replaced with his welcoming face and soft smile. Thomas nodded to Jezin, before turning back to look at Gareth, "Well, it looks as if we're all here." Thomas said, still with his smile, "And now that we're all dressed for the occasion, we can begin our way to the feast early." Thomas added, resting his left hand on the hilt of Harmony. Thomas noted Gareth's and Jezin's weapons present on their persons, something Thomas doubt would go unquestioned by Sir Redwyne, if Redwyne had also made it a point to get to the feast early as well.

When the Flames Die

Thomas had changed, and had made his way down to the courtyard, taking a seat on the edge of the stone of a fountain. Thomas had opted for a white buff jacket, with a gold trim, that reached down to his knees, with a white sash specked with gold. However, he still opted to wear his boots, as he detested the normal slippers and shoes that most wore to courtly events. Harmony still remained in a sheath on Thomas' side, showing that he was still prepared to act as a member of the Order of the Thistle if the need arose. Thomas waded his hand on the surface of the water, gently letting the water touch his palm, as he stared down into it. Thomas struck the appearance of a man deep in thought, and his normal smile was absent, replaced instead by somewhat blank expression, as he sat by the fountain.

When the Flames Die

Thomas nodded to Gareth, as he belong to take his leave, "I'll see you at the feast, Gareth, hope you'll be there." Thomas said, with a slight bow as he made his exit. Thomas quickly made his way to the Palace. As he entered the courtyard, he didn't enter through the main Palace doors, but instead walked around the Palace, and entered a tall tower. The tower was contrasted from the rest of the Palace, as it was made of pure white marble, and two flags hung from poles on either side of the huge wooden door. The flags of the Order of the Thistle. Thomas ascended the Tower, which had plenty of floors, and room. He eventually found his own lodgings and begun changing into his clothes. The rest of the tower was completely empty, as every other Order knight were on duty preparing for the feast.

When the Flames Die

Thomas smiled at Gareth's response, then turned his attention back to Jezin as he began talking about heading back to the Palace, "That sounds like a good idea. I can actually change into something that is worthy of the midnight feast." Thomas said, as he tugged at his black doublet, "We can always meet each other at the courtyard, where the feast will be held, once we're all ready and prepped for the affair." Thomas added. He imagined they would of sat out the long tables by now, and the entertainment, likely a bard or dancers, would of set up a stage by now.

When the Flames Die

Thomas bowed slightly as himself and Jezin had made their way next to the trio, "Your Grace, Gareth, Eva." Thomas spoke, giving a slight nod to each person, and pausing ample time in between names. Thomas was able to pick up on the name of what appeared to be Sophia's personal lady-in-waiting, "I hope you are ready for a night that you'll remember for a very long time." Thomas said, with a soft smile, "The midnight feast is quite the ordeal, it'll probably end up lasting from 11:00 p.m until about 4 in the morning." Thomas added. Aripert's midnight feast had last much longer, breaking sunrise before all the party goers had left. Thomas was sure Bard would cut the midnight feast much shorter than his older brother.

When the Flames Die

"Yes. Perhaps tomorrow." Thomas replied, with a small smile. "Maybe we should obtain Lady Sophia and Gareth, and start our way towards the feast." Thomas added, as he gazed back up at the stands, spotting Sophia and Gareth once more. It had been a long day, and Thomas wished to just attend the feast, drink wine, eat, converse with other people, and return to his lodgings for a night's rest, which he had been deprived of for the past three nights.

When the Flames Die

"Everyone that is worth anything will be showing up to the feast." Thomas replied. He had attended Aripert's midnight feast for his coronation celebration. He remembers the night fondly, as he was assigned to watch over Bard. It was typically a loose and relaxed event, with the only ones that stay on guard being the Order of the Thistle. Thomas remembers fondly as Aripert tried to get multiple maidens to dance with his younger brother, whom seemed to be too shy to ask any maiden on his own. Thomas doubted that tonight's feast would be anywhere near as memorable as Aripert's, however. Aripert was much more fun-loving, and much more sociable than Bard, "The midnight feast is a time where highborn nobles court each other, warriors swap battle stories, and rulers share wine pitchers. It's not an event people would skip by choice." Thomas explained.