The feast began with measured elegance, though the atmosphere remained strained. The grand dining hall, now replete with dishes that filled the air with rich, savory aromas, was alive with muted conversation. Lord Kain and his men toasted to Ravenor's health, their smiles courteous but their eyes glinting with the guarded wariness of men who understood the stakes of this alliance.
Ravenor, seated at the head of the table, partook sparingly. He listened as Kain's merchants boasted of their travels, embellishing their tales of danger and intrigue with flourishes that earned chuckles from their companions.
Elara, from her seat near the far wall, watched the gathering in silence, once again. Though she had returned to her quarters to avoid suspicion earlier, her curiosity had driven her back to observe the feast.
