ProcessingToDinnerMandorIslainIndex | Time Under Chaos | Game Logs | Processing to Dinner Introduction | ProcessingToDinnerMandorIslain Processing To Dinner Mandor IslainMerlin stepped forward, bowed low, and offered his arm to his aunt. She took it with a smile that could have cut steel, and they turned to process together out of the Star Chamber, along the Rose Corridor and into the State Dining Room (not as large as the Sate Banqueting Hall, but capable of holding up to fifty if needed). The Rose Corridor was a long corridor, empty of any people, and lined with windows on one side. The darkness made it impossible to see what it overlooked, but the entire passage, ceiling, wall and floor, were painted with elaborate representation of roses - golden, red, pink, white - which climbed and twisted their way over all the surfaces, vivid in the light of the candelabra that had been placed on the small tables stretching the length of the corridor. Behind Merlin and Flora, Mandor moved forward to Islain, and crooked his arm invitingly. "Your Highness," he said. "I am delighted my little message occasioned so swift a return. Shall we go through?" Islain's smile was as bright and complete as a rainbow, and her green eyes positively sparkled. "Like a falcon, I fly to your arm," she said, as she laid her hand softly atop his offer arm. "I was overjoyed at the opportunity to remedy my rudeness at our last meeting. But does Your Excellency not mean your *messages*?" "I believe the import of them was the same," he said. "I am glad that you found them sufficently arousing to have encouraged to leave the bosom of your family and journey here to a rather less ... inviting family." Islain ignored the emphasis except for offering him a slight nod, as of congratulations. "On the contrary, I have found everyone to be quite courteous and the amenities are certainly more fit for a lady of my birth. But as to the import of your messages, there was a curious difference in offer, one which I would be most eager to discuss - at your leisure, of course." Mandor gave a slight bow. "After dinner?" he suggested. "Or do you expect to find yourself a little fatigued after your journey?" "One never knows when the rigors a journey will hit one, I admit," said Islain with a casual smile which she half hid behind her delicate and expressive fingers. "On the other hand, I have always had a good constitution. I believe that after dinner would be ideal." "Excellent! said Mandor, and then he said no more, for they had come to the dining room. |
