Alpheo sat at a small, sturdy wooden table in his chamber, the midday light spilling through the narrow window and casting a warm glow over the stone walls. Across from him sat Jarza, his face calm but his eyes alert as he took a sip of wine from a modest silver goblet.
The supper was simple yet hearty, laid out on the table between them: slices of crusty bread, a platter of cured meats, and a bowl of stewed vegetables with a savory aroma that filled the chamber. Alpheo reached for a piece of bread, tearing it thoughtfully as he watched Jarza from across the table, the quiet between them more comfortable than tense.
The sound of a distant bell tolled softly from the outer keep, marking the noon hour as they settled into the meal. Between bites, Alpheo occasionally cast his gaze out the window, the view showing only a narrow slice of the courtyard below, where banners fluttered lazily in the midday sun.
