When it comes to those who come from more modest accommodations, the home of a noble often looks like a shiny city on a mountain we will never be able to visit. This is only made worse by the fact that you can stare at such a place and imagine what it would be like to live in that luxury. Even still as we entered the castle of house Therinder I found that my jaw went slack.
The inside courtyard alone was massive, with hedges and gardens brimming with flowers and life as people hustled around doing everything from watering those flowers to carrying stacks of paperwork. The walls were made of marble and held a level of cleanliness that must require hourly cleaning. Even the stone pathway was devoid of dirt like it dared not approach a place that must have cost so much money.
"Damn, we could fit like 12 of our entire houses in this courtyard alone."
Will said as he seemed just as star struck as I was. I turned to the others to see their reactions. Jax's reaction was in line with my own, he even seemed to be walking on 3 paws and using the fourth to smooth his hair like he is trying to blend in more with the atmosphere. Liora was keeping a calm face, but I could see her looking around with a glint of greed in her eye. Thalia was surprisingly calm, she seemed a bit unsettled, but not as much as one would expect considering the situation. Selene was the most collected out of all of us, but then again, this was her usual kind of environment.
"Welcome to our home, please, come with me so we can put together some lunch for everyone."
As we were lead inside I felt Jax nudge me.
"Dude, please tell me im not the only one who feels like I am wholly underdressed for being here."
"Dude, you are wearing a vest and nothing else, your wholly underdressed for being most placed."
I replied as we were led into a large hall. The floor was a policed maple wood as a long light blue carpet led down the hall. Several doors sat on the hallways that lead to side rooms as we were led to the very end of the hall. Entering the room there was a long table, at the very end of which a beautiful elven woman stood. She had a full figure with a modest dress that seemed to accentuate her looks more than anything, a head of long blonde hair ran down her head as we all saw where Kaelen got his looks from.
"Greeting, I am Emerelda Thenrinder, I do hope that my husband has been courteous on your arrival."
We all nodded as I glanced over to Kaelen, he stood with a bit of a scowl on his face that he couldn't seem to figure out how to direct. I turned as Duke Thenrinder walked forward to see his wife as the two sat down. As if on cue the doors behind the pair opened as a line of 16 servants, all wearing identical uniforms walked in, their steps echoing as they were in perfect unison. They came to a spot, turning to face the table, and placed plates of steaming food down. 6 of the servants approached us and gestured for us all to sit as 8 of the 16 meals were accounted for.
Before I could ask about the extra food, Duke Thenrindor turned and in a bellow of a cry yelled.
"KIDS, YOUR BROTHERS HOME, COME HAVE LUNCH!"
Beside him, his wife flinched for a moment before she grabbed him by the ear and yanked him down.
"Alvin, we talked about your yelling when guests are over!"
The duke looked up at us, seemingly haven forgotten we were there as he nodded and leaned in.
"Sorry my love, Im just a bit excited."
He planted a quick kiss on her forehead as she leaned back, a small blush in her cheeks.
"Holy fuck thats adorable."
Will said, crossing his arms. We sat for a few moments before several younger elves becan walking in. 8 in total as they all came running in and took various seats. The kids seemed to be divided into two types, those who were covered in dirt, and sweat who probably took after their father, and those who were sitting with refined expressions and an air of cleanliness that must have taken after their mother.
I glanced at Kaelen beside me as I noticed a strange expression on his face. He knew some of them, however glancing at the youngest 3 kids, he seemed to not recognize them.
Everyone took a moment before Duke Thenrindor grabbed his fork and everyone began to eat. As I looked around I noticed that each meal seemed to have been made per person.
Jax had been given a steak that had already been cut so he was able to eat the chunks one at a time and not seem like a savage ripping into a full steak.
Liora had a potato soup of some kind that she seemed to be enjoying quite a bit.
Thalia had a chicken brest covered in what smelled like a spicy sauce.
Selene was given a section of lambchops with a green jelly like stuff that seemed to be very minty.
In front of my own plate was a tasteful rack of bbq ribs that had been deboned and allowed for one to eat them with a knife and fork.
Glancing over to Kaelen however I noticed that he seemed to be glowering at his plate, refusing to eat as a tasteful food I didn't recognize was there, that even from here I could smell the tasty aroma of.
It might have been nervousness or something else, but we were all quick to devour our food as we all leaned back in our chairs with a contented sigh, a moment of silence passing before Selene spoke up.
"We thank you for your hospitality and warm welcome Duke and Duchess Thenrinder."
The duke chuckled and smiled.
"Of course, it is an honor to have a Daughter of the Drakemires in our humble home."
Jax, Liora and I exchanged a quick glance as we all had a united thought.
"We haven't a clue what this noble etiquette and stuff is about, but we'll act like we do."
Before much else could be said the Duke stood up, the 8 kids who had run in earlier quickly scattering to run back to what they had been doing as the servants began to clean the table. Aiden, Selene, and Jax; do you mind joining me in the training hall?
We glanced between each other as we all stood and began to file out when the Duchess's voice rang down the hall.
"Alvin honey, don't break them, they are guests."
"Don't worry honey, they have a Drakemire with them, I can go a bit rough."
They called back cheerfully as he continued down the hall. We continued down the hallway in silence for a moment before Jax piped up.
"Are we going to spar?"
The duke nodded with a grin.
"I have never really been a fan of the more technical stuff, I always believe that truth is best exchanged in combat."
We all glanced at each other as I asked the next question.
"Can I ask what class you are?"
The duke walked to another door where he opened it up to reveal a room, the interior of the room was covered in runes that served to light it up, the surfaces of the room were covered in strange ceramic and metal plates, a rack in the corner held wooden training weapons. The Duke quietly grabbed a greatsword that seemed oversized, the flat of the blade being just as wide as the guard as it seemed like it would weigh 100 pounds if it had been made of metal. He turned back to us with a grin.
"Im a level 38 warrior who took the class evo Dread Warden, so who is up first?"