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The Feast II
The tables for the feast were arranged in a large U shape. The Lunar Courtyard was enormous and the fifty or so guests in it barely filled half of it. The food smelled sumptuous, and Aurora wondered how they were able to compose such a party so quickly.
"We received news from the Ice Barrier Gate that Brinn had returned," Alvar said by way of explanation as he escorted the Empress to her seat. "When she didn't arrive as expected, I went looking for her and found all of you. It would have been a shame for her to miss her welcome home feast."
"I was trying to miss this, you know," Brinn said over her shoulder. She was walking in front with Ithel.
Alvar chuckled, "Our Brinn is a bit of a nomad. We try to encourage her to stay home, but she never does. She looks for every opportunity to leave."
Brinn turned her head once more, "I hate crowds and dressing up. These sorts of things are my worst nightmare."
The five arrived at the table and were stat
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