When the guests had departed to their rooms, Eldric sat alone, surveying the scattered remains of the feast. The sight of his normally spartan hall so happily dishevelled, with its panelled walls and elaborately moulded ceiling lit by the traditional many-coloured torches, and everything decorated with winter and spring blossoms, never failed to induce a mellowness in him that he relished. His father had been a great celebrator of the Festival and its joy was rooted deep in Eldric’s memories.
He nodded to himself. In spite of the sombre interruption, it had been a lively affair, a fine honouring of the First Day of the Grand Festival.
There would be more events through the week: more feasting and dancing, bonfires, pageants, games and above all, traditional masques portraying the great e
