Page 107 of The War is Coming

“We will do thank you Maletayah are you joining us unless you need to eat with your angels.”

Alex gently squeezed his hand again.

“I will do, thank you, Tudor.”

Tudor looked at the guards. “You’re Lieutenant Dale and Major Collis.”

They nodded. “We are, well remembered, sire. If you follow us, we can take you to the dining hall.”

Major Collis opened the door for them; Tudor, Alex and Maletayah entered first, before Lieutenant Dale led them to the dining hall.

A hush fell over the dining hall when they walked in, and the guards who were in the room jumped to their feet.

“Please sit down and finished your dinner we came to join you if you don’t mind if you do we can leave you to eat alone.”

Alex again gently squeezed his hand.

General Gasgoyne strode over to them, smiling as he did. “Sire, we’re happy to have you here tonight. You too, Consort Alex, Maletayah. Let me show you to some seats, and then we can get food for you.”

“Oh no we can get our own food General please go back to your food before it gets cold.”

“If you’re sure, sire, once you have your food, join me at my table. There is space for the five of you.”

Tudor smiled at him. “We will thank you General now everyone please sit and finish your dinners.”

As one the guards sat. Tudor, Alex, Maletayah and the two guards walked to the serving station.

The station was long with hot plates offering all different types of food. They collected plates and served themselves. The food all looked and smelt amazing, and the dishes that had sauces were still bubbling hot.

“There are so many choices,” Alex said, putting little bits of everything on his plate.

“I’m not sure what a lot of these dishes are,” Maletayah said, looking over the selection. “But they all smell amazing.”

“We have the best chefs here,” Major Collis boasted. “Let me tell you each dish.”

“Or you could try bits of everything like I am,” Alex said.

Tudor looked at Alex’s plate and laughed. “I’m not sure all those foods go together you also need something crunchy for added texture.”

“I do, I’m eying up those croutons,” he replied, sprinkling some over his plate.

They left Major Collis explaining the different dishes to Maletayah and walked to the General’s table.

Tudor was surprised at how big the dining hall was. The thing he liked the most was the round tables, so everyone could talk to their table mates. There was happy chatter and laughter, mixed with the sound of cutlery on plates.

They made their way to General Gasgoyne's table, saying hello to the soldiers they passed, who greeted them with smiles and greetings.

General Gasgoyne and his table mates went to stand up.

“Please don’t stand I’m just a gargoyle like all of you,” Tudor said simply, putting his plate down and sitting down.

Alex laughed as he sat down. “Yep, just a normal gargoyle.”

“Thank you for joining us this evening,” one of his tablemates said.

“You’re Second Lieutenant Jackson, right?” Tudor asked.

He nodded and smiled. “I am. Thank you for remembering.”