Moren stands up from his chair, stumbling slightly, but his steward holds him upright. He raises his goblet. "Esteemed guests… may I have your attention, please."
The conversations die down, their attention focused on the lord.
He continues, "Drink well, all of you. Tomorrow, we shall ride out to war once more. We shall fight for the one who fought so much for us. We—"
Lord Moren falls into a coughing fit. A pair of his bodyguards quickly approach. The goblet falls from Moren's hand as he nearly doubles over. The steward passes him a cloth rag, and the lord presses it to his mouth.
He says something to the steward in a terse whisper. Moren throws the rag down on the table as his bodyguards help him up. As he's escorted away, the steward speaks up, saying, "Lord Moren will return shortly. Please, enjoy your drinks." He then repeats the order in Kroridian before turning to join the lord.
You narrow your eyes in suspicion, watching the group leave for the manor.
Darin gently nudges you with his elbow. You glance over at him. He gestures to Moren's used rag. "Look."
The cloth is stained crimson with blood. You look at Elya, whose eyes are already fixed upon it.
You say quietly to Elya and Darin…