Chapter 381 G.o.d-filled Reception
Ilgor"s playing started to pick up more as the lighting returned to normal.
Volunteer guild members stepped into the great room, dressed as servers. They carried a large platter of food in one hand while keeping their other hand free. That free hand was used to retrieve pre-decroated tables to set the food on top of.
More musicians followed the servers into the great room, lining up along the walls. They replaced Ilgor and allowed everyone to feel the upbeat s.h.i.+ft in the atmosphere.
Jack, Daliea, and everyone atop the platform descended so that more volunteer guild members could put the platform away and ready their grand table.
The main table was long and oval-shaped, allowing each person sitting there to be seen by all others at the table. Jack and Daliea took the center seats of one of the long sides, followed by Maura and Eliza as his other wives. But Lina managed to snag the chair between Jack and Maura, making sure she could sit next to the man of the hour and better celebrate with her big bro.
Across from Jack, Daruun sat at the other seat of honor with Eedaj and Sterfen beside him. Both of the other G.o.ds made sure to sit on the side of their son or daughter, following tradition.
To fill in the rest of the seats, the other members of the party joined them. Maura"s family was overwhelmed to share a table with the G.o.ds, but they gladly accepted the seats at one end of the oval despite their nerves. Argyle and the managers of the Fat Goose sat at the other end of the oval. And, of course, Tralon, Vixus, Kims, and even Ilgor and now Dirk found a seat at the table of honor.
The councilmen were also given a grand table of their own, as well as the important businessmen.
Halmon and most of the other councilmen were lightly frowning, not wanting to ruin the mood but still dissatisfied with their treatment. At least they wanted to be introduced to the three G.o.ds, but no one bothered to mention them or give them special attention apart from the large table.
Thyron, on the other hand, noticed the others at the table of honor, committing their faces to his memory. He kept a soft smile on his face as he enjoyed the food and drink offered at the banquet. For him, an aging man who had been to countless banquets, this ceremony stood at the top in extravagance. Of the councilmen, Thyron was the first to recognize what made up the meals they were eating.
"Halmon, stop complaining and enjoy yourself. You"d be surprised how great this meal is, should you let yourself enjoy it," Thyron commented, who was trying a bit of everything, even the food offered by the wandering servers.
Surprised to see Thyron enjoying himself, Halmon and the others agreed to try and make the most of it. They followed the example of their spokesman and were startled to realize how good the food was.
"No expense was too small for such an occasion," stated Thyron, admiring a morsel of meat on his fork. "Each dish was made with rare beasts and even the herbs are quite exotic. I, myself, am unsure what creature this meat came from, nor am I familiar with the spices used to season it, but this is one of the most delicious things I"ve ever put in my mouth, if not the most delicious."
Unable to argue with Thyron, the other councilmen were subdued by the food. Their negative comments vanished, though their sour att.i.tudes remained in the back of their minds.
"A toast!" Abruptly, a voice rang out and stole everyone"s attention.
Hadurt was proudly standing while holding a large tankard filled to the brim with the luxurious wine. He again shouted, "A toast to the bride and groom! May your love always be pa.s.sionate!"
Laughing, Jack and Daliea each lifted their half-emptied gla.s.ses, shouting in unison, "Thank you!"
Shouts filled the room as everyone else drank along with the couple and Hadurt returned to his seat beside the disguised Lorwynn, who was rubbing his forehead and eyeing the ignorant but also disguised Hadurt.
Amidst the music and the buffet, one servant hurried to Tralon at the table. He whispered something into Tralon"s ear, startling Tralon and causing his to pause his feast.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, that"s what I was told."
Looking to Jack, Tralon telepathically pa.s.sed the news, "Jack, another G.o.d has arrived to see you."
"Let him enter," Daruun replied telepathically, interjecting himself into their conversation. "It"s best to welcome him."
Jack nodded and sighed, letting Tralon send off the servant to allow the new guest inside while ordering others to prepare an extra seat beside the G.o.ds at Jack"s table.
"Hey!"
A shout reverberated through the great room, stealing attention from the food and music.
It came from a man standing waltzing into the room, leaving his guide behind. He was chubby and appeared to be quite happy-go-lucky. The man wore a golden, open robe with matching pants, not hiding his round belly at all and letting it hang out for everyone to spot. As eyes gathered on the man, he smiled with pride, relis.h.i.+ng in the attention.
"Sterfen, why didn"t you invite me sooner?" the man continued to shout as he sauntered toward the grand table. "I didn"t have time to prepare a gift, it was so last minute."
"Guuro, hurry and get over here before I rob you blind for disturbing my son"s reception banquet," Sterfen laughed loudly, stunning the many people watching the conversation play out. "At least greet your niece and nephew, why don"t you?"
Before taking his newly prepared seat beside Sterfen, Guuro bowed to Jack with the graceful wave of his arms. "I"m proud to meet you, my nephew. I"m glad to finally see our champion with my own eyes and I congratulate you on your third marriage."
"Thanks, Uncle Guuro, it means a lot coming from you," chuckled Jack, noticing the relations.h.i.+p between Guuro and Sterfen.
Sterfen slapped Guuro on the back as the G.o.d of Greed took his seat. "Eat all you want! I gathered the ingredients and Eedaj had a hand in preparing them. I"m sure you"ve had plenty of fun during your many hidden travels this past millennium, but this will be the best meal since my own wedding. I guarantee it."
"Then don"t mind if I do just that!"
With near blinding speed, the full boar that was placed between Jack the G.o.ds and the couple became a husk and a pile of bones. Guuro had even sucked the cartilage clean off the bone, leaving not even a sc.r.a.p for Bowzer and Phoro at the side of the table.
Guuro licked his lips and sucked the grease from his fingers. He then asked, "Now, where"s the appetizer?"
"There"s plenty more," added Daruun. "We knew you would make an appearance so we were forced to prepare heartily beforehand."
"Leave it to Pops to know me so well," chuckled Guuro. "Then I"ll be busy feasting, for the time being, so we"ll chit chat after I"ve had my fill."
Jack wanted to talk with the G.o.d of Greed and ask the man a few questions, but it was clear that nothing would be able to interrupt Guuro"s feasting. It was clear that Guuro was the actual embodiment of greed, in all terms of wealth and luxury.
The others attending the feast gradually resumed their prior conversations, only occasionally stealing glances at the new arrival they could"ve labeled as the G.o.d of Gluttony.
As the feast continued into the night, everyone at the grand table was conversing besides the gluttonous G.o.d who was still enjoying his fill of the food. And soon came the time for the banquet to toast to the departure of the bride and groom.
Jack and Daliea left the room while waving to the many guests cheering for them. They left Eliza, Maura, and the others back at the table as the couple left for their prepared bedroom.