Fallon showed Alaisdair where the pottery and cutlery were for the meal. Then, he pointed to a smaller room and said the food was prepared and in the warming oven, ready to serve. First, we will eat, and when the King comes, you will remove all the dishes, and I will tell you how to get to the cleaning scullery."
"I thought, where was the sink hiding?" Alaisdair said with a grin.
"Yes, Alaisdair, I saw you stare at the warming room that holds the food in preparation. We do not consider it the main food area. This area is for the King and his Guests only."
After the simple offerings, delicious but elegantly arrayed, Alaisdair stood to begin clearing the dish settings, putting them on the side tray as previously instructed by Fallon.
Fallon told Alaisdair, "Sit. I have instructions to give you." Alaisdair was not accustomed to taking orders graciously, but he did to Fallon, who seemed to be a friend and father figure.
"The King will arrive shortly. He is impatient and expects his subjects and those he employs to listen, understand, and do. You have many of his characteristics but don't clash with his orders. Speak to me."
"But, but..."
"Quiet. No buts. Stand, the King has arrived. Give him a slight bow, nod and wait for his orders," Fallon said in a low voice.
The King, tall, several inches more so than Alisdair, nodded in return to Alaisdair and sat on the elaborate bench at the head of the table.
Oh, horrors, that was where I had tried to sit before Fallon stopped me. Then, Alaisdair thought, Maybe I better start concentrating on what the King has to say.
"It was foretold that a young 'quirky' warrior would appear on this day from the clan Peyton and fall into our Mist - you have penetrated our covering weaved by magic. Therefore, you are one of us and will be dubbed our first solo Monster Hunter - but - first, you must complete capturing the Griffin Monster. And she roosts..."
"Griffin Monster? I will need a description of this Monster," blurted Alaisdair, "And its last known habitat,"
"Silence!" roared the King, sounding exactly like the giant Black Cat.
Alaisdair bowed his head and shakily said, "Sorry, Sir. It won't happen again."
"Hrummph... you will take orders from Fallon. He is my right-hand man and is the first overall command. You are being given an amazing blessing. Now, Fallon will give you the directions to the scullery, and when you return, he will equip you for your first capture and tell you where the Griffin and her brood abide. You're dismissed."
Alaisdair did not know whether to bow or salute, so he saluted and said, Yes, Sir!" and then bowed and went to Fallon.
Fallon walked with Alaisdair to a door on the sidewall of the King's dining area - he said, "This corridor will take you directly to the scullery. When you come to a left turn, go with it. There are many turns, all left turns, and when you return, all right turns.
Let none of the doors on the route have your attention - they are all storage, and only the cook and helpers have keys. Do you understand the instructions?
Again, Alaisdair said, "Yes, Sir. I take all the left turns going and all the right turns to return to you. And I am not to be curious about the storage doors."
"That's my boy!" So said Fallon and patted Alaisdair on his back as he entered the corridor.