“To an eventful night in the Court of Knowledge that is filled with so much gossip that we simply do not have the time nor energy to care about,” she grins, “and to our missing friends, Cal and Mana, who we will see later on in the Palisades. ”
“Here, here,” we all down the drink straight. The full of our group crashes our glasses on the table in Warrior fashion when we finish, myself and Holis included.
Sutton and Tripler laugh in enjoyment, rolling their eyes when the loud clank causes many to begin whispering again. Holis leans over and bumps my shoulder with a grin, the two of us sharing a look of amusement at how easily we’ve fallen in with the Warrior crowd.
“And this came from Chef, Lady,” the boy adds.
He leans over my shoulder next to Alanna and drops a small plate filled with raw red meat on the table.
“Thank you…?”
“Jesse, Lady,” he gives me a small smile before turning his hesitant gaze back on Stormfall.
“Thank you for your help tonight, Jesse,” I smile, “and for last night.”
“Your Lady remembers me?” he asks shyly.
“Of course,” I grin, “you were so helpful.”
“Thank you, Lady. Whatever you need, just let me know.”
“I will, Jesse,” I smile and watch him walk away. My eyes roam past Keane, who is speaking with his parents, to Desmond sitting beside him. The Master Informer is engaged in a conversation with Daniel as the Discerni Lord strokes his brown beard in thought.
“Lady Alexis,” a calm, new voice states from behind.
I turn in my seat with a smile.
“Sir Miles,” I greet the man, then frown as I notice his Discerni features of indifference looking back at me. Miles’ face is sharp when I stand up to greet him with a questioning look. He gives me a small smile that doesn’t quite reach his normally sparkling blue eyes, then angles his body to the right before he glances at his table a few ways down.
“We should all like to hear of your travels, Lady Alexis,” he nods to the older Discerni men who are watching the two of us, the lot of them openly staring. I peer over their quiet faces to the wives at their sides, each of them maintaining a stoic look. I try not to let my frown deepen when I notice the general ambiance of the table, an ambiance that asks me not to refuse Miles’ gesture for risk of social suicide.
The sound of padded feet coming to my side has me smiling at the older man.
“But of course, Sir Miles,” I nod, “I’m sure you’re acquainted with Golem?”
Sir Miles remains indifferent as he turns to the magical creature and bows his head. “A pleasure, as always, Golem.”
Golem gives the Discerni the smallest of nods in return.
“Will you join our table, Lady Alexis?” he asks again, his face still unreading.
“I would be honored,” I nod and then look back to Holis, “may I leave Storm with you, Holis?”
My friend eyes Sir Miles for a brief moment before quietly nodding his head. He reaches his hand out for Stormfall and brings him to the table.
“Eat,” I command the bird, letting my fingers run down his back as he gives a small caw in recognition. I pick up my glass of whiskey and catch both Sutton and Tripler looking over Miles with small grimaces, the brother whispering something to his sister as she nods over her drink. I take a deep breath and turn back to Sir Miles with a smile, nodding for him to lead the way.
I know this is an ambush. Know that some of the whispers I’ve been hearing tonight have come from Miles’ table, but choose to deal with it head on. A number of glances follow the three of us, most prominently on Golem,and when we reach the table of older men, the group has an empty chair waiting for me next to Sir Miles’ wife.
“You’ve met my wife, Sanora,” he sits down at my right, “and the other men here, Sir Thomas and his wife Maryann,” I nod and smile to the two, “Sir Petarch and his wife Constance, Sir Kirke and his wife Jordyn, and Lord Alexander of Mare.”
Miles smiles at a younger Discerni Lord who looks to be just a few years older than Keane.
“Lord Alexander is our newest addition, though, hopefully, one that will last.”
The Lord tips his whiskey to Miles and then catches my gaze, his hazel eyes peering back at mine in hidden amusement. He’s a handsome Discerni, with light brown hair that waves across the top of his head just as Keane’s does. But where Keane’s is cut shorter on the sides, his is a bit longer and falls just over his ears.
“Your dress looks like one that was made from Amara’s shop in the Western Palisades, Lady Alexis,” the black haired Discerni wife, Constance, notes from across the table, “but different.”
