Winter Solstice Feast

3 months passed as the leaves turned from a lush green to shades of golden brown, and the trees became bare. The days flew by as fast as they could approaching winter, a bunch of reports about raids on the northern border by another kingdom prompting the fear of war in the civilian populace. Though today is a special day, it's the day of the Winter Solstice Feast, an event held across the empire that celebrates the life of the empire and its royal household. An abundance of table began to line the street and become filled with food and drink. Small stalls would open in the marker more than ever and begin to sell wares associated with the day; small frozen crystals merged onto silver being a main item sold by jewellers, hunters put up more rare and valuable meats that they had gained from earlier in the week preserving them with special salts mined from the eastern kingdom.

The feast itself extravagant to the core, even more the palaces in the province capitals would be open to house special invites from the schools in the country. Stavn's class getting an invite each for their dedication to becoming the new generation of soldier and leaders. Throughout the week banners and flags had been set up around the city, most representing the empires colours of blue and red, some representing the white snow of winter, those days had been tough and tiring for all that worked on the feast. Carts of food and drink rallied in and out of the city non-stop till the afternoon of the feast, then the city fell silent. Everyone prepared themselves getting ready for the feast in their best clothes, Stavn woke late in the day since there was no scheduled classes due to the feast. His hair wove around on top his head, some parting and standing on edge, the mid-day sun breaking through his window after re-appearing from behind some cloud. He got up from his bed and grabbed his towel that hung next to his door along with his best clothes (they were bought for him by the school since he couldn't afford them himself unlike the others in his class who are all of noble birth), the shirt made of cloth, dyed green with golden trimmings near its collar and cuffs, his trousers were black all over and went somewhat well with the shirt. He made his way to the bathhouse attached to the school, half naked and still drowsy from his sleep.

As he approached the bathhouse he noticed that the school had taken a different approach to the feast this year and was preparing an outdoors event rather than a mass gathering inside the mess hall. Stavn entered the bathhouse a puff of steam blasting him as he opened the door, the room itself sweltering from the baths that were all enclosed spaces. He lay his clothes at the door to one of the baths and placed his towel next to his shoulder where he sat in the bath. The heat from it wasn't scalding but still hot enough to cause some discomfort when first stepping in. Time passed in the bath with Stavn just thinking to himself, the water cooling over time becoming more comfortable to be in. After washing himself Stavn stood from the bath and dried himself down, the scar across his chest tingling slightly from contact with the towel as it was still sensitive. After putting on his clothes he exited the room still rubbing the towel across his head bumping into Kane his old roommate. They both collided into each other not knowing where they were going.

"Ugh… Watch It!" Kane's voice slightly cracking from shouting, his face appearing slowly from behind his towel. "Oh it's you Stavn?" Noticing the towel that was across Stavn's face understanding he couldn't see him either. Stavn would pull the towel down and folding it up in his arms. "Good to see you again Kane, sorry about that, couldn't see." His hand raising the towel slightly to nod towards it. Stavn would smile awkwardly never really getting along with Kane directly but still wanting to try and sort a lot of things from the past few years with his new position. "How's the class been without me? I imagine much more boring and a lot less punishing.." Stavn laughing slightly at his own joke. Kane would smile slightly back at Stavn "Yeah, its been about that to be honest… everyone is just focused on the exams that happen in the Spring, especially me." Kane would start walking off by himself, Stavn following behind him slowly before speaking "I see, I haven't given it much though yet, just completely forgot about that.." Kane turned to Stavn slightly nodding before exiting the bathhouse. Stavn followed suit and left the bathhouse and made his way back to his room where he remained till it was time for him to meet with the class and make their way to the palace feast. Time passed slowly by himself so he went to the common area where Ash, Alex and Mak were all sat waiting. Ash wore a white dress embroidered with green and sky blue just like the colours of her family sigil. Alex wore a deep blue dress with red embroidery like the colours of her family sigil aswell. Mak on the other hand wore a cream shirt with black lining, with green trousers.

Stavn sat on the last couch that had nobody on it crossing his legs as he sat, "You're all looking ready… Can't say much for myself on that matter though" A small laugh coming out at himself then beginning to smile at the floor. Alex looked at Stavn briefly "Guessing you've never attended a proper feast before have you?" Placing her hand under her chin as Stavn shook his head, "Never had to, you do remember I come from a small village right? Theres literally no castles or estates near there for miles. Not to mention I wasn't the richest either." Mak snorted slightly, "You do know what happens at these things right? If not, I'll tell you now. Theres food and wine, music playing all the time that can give you a headache. Then theres the jesters trying to provide entertainment, and theres a dance that people can do." Stavn's eyes opened wider more nervous now "And is this dance necessary?" quickly glancing at Mak. "No." He replied swiftly folding his hands across his chest. The bell rang as the newly added clock tower was finished. Signalling it was finally time, Ash stood first and waded her way to the door then to the carriage with her dress. The carriages would carry 4 at a time to the main palace.

As they made their way through the streets Mak blurted out "You know the royal family is supposed to be here right? That's what I heard from the teaching staff and guards." Stavn became extremely nervy and began blocking out all sound, his first feast ever and his first time meeting royalty at all. Fear consumed him for the whole journey before they reached the palace and entered in 2 by 2. They all sat at the same table and began to eat the food set out in front of them. The smell of sausages, bacon, mutton, roast pork, and ribs filled the room. The smell of the different meats colliding with the sweetness of berries and fruits placed alongside them creating an aroma like the frosted icesnaps that grow here in the winter. The palace hall was filled to the brim of nobles and politicians all gathered together on this special occasion. The jesters continued to pester people throughout the night trying to make jokes or embarrass someone in front of everyone. The night began to draw on when people started to get up to dance, Stavn himself hated the idea of dancing, thinking it to be too awkward and nerve raking to actually do. Behind the table there was a double door that lead to a balcony. Stavn looked to this as his only way of freedom from this awkward hell that he had been thrust into. Not taking any notice that Ash and Mak had been with each other and heading to the dancefloor as he planned his escape the whole time.

Grabbing his cup of wine Stavn wiggled his way through the crowd towards the balcony door before taking a step out into the fresh air. Taking a deep breath of bitter cold air that swept around the balcony. The stars spread across the sky looking like ice droplets frozen in time, he walked to the ledge of the balcony placing his cup down and lay his arms across it looking out from the palace onto the city below. The door opened again and swiftly closed and a drunken lad about the same age as Stavn wandered out and stooped over the ledge of the balcony slightly in before vomiting over the edge. "That's embarrassing…." The lad let out slowly as he regained himself and pushed himself off the ledge. "Glad nobody saw that…." Not realising Stavn was there, oblivious to his surroundings.

"That's where you're wrong…." Stavn let out with a slight laugh as he continued to look at the starry night sky. "I won't tell anyone though… about your little mishap over the edge there." Continuing to giggle between each word he said, the amount of wine piling onto him, making him drunker as time went on. The lad turned to Stavn "Cheers, mate" he would lift his glass into the air slightly before downing the rest of the wine in it. Stavn would proceed to do the same as the lad "Cheers" he replied before planting the glass back on the ledge. "What's your name?" Stavn now leaning on the ledge with his back looking at the drunken lad. The young lad would regain his posture before nodding and bowing "Alfred Melber the third." Stavn not really paying attention to the last name, "Nice to meet you Alfred. Well I better get back inside… might be missed at my table." Stavn would walk towards the door before being stopped by Alfred. "No..No…no, come sit with me and some family… bet you'll have a better time there than with your table!" his drunken state worse than before as his movement became a lot slower and sloppy. Stavn would nod his head slightly before replying with a faint smile "Thank you for the invite, but I'm going to have to say no, Im only here because of my school." Stavn grabbed the door handle and entered the hall once again leaving Alfred alone on the balcony, and returning back to his former seat where Ash and Mak had returned to for a bit. The night continued on as the music blared and more people got up to dance. Ash and Mak went back and forth whilst Alex and Stavn remained at their table, Stavn almost passed out on the table from all the wine and Alex just sat there enjoying the evening.

The night dragged on for what seemed like forever before everyone began to leave, Ash and Mak returned to the table for a final time laughing together seeming to be happy, Stavn would be slumped on the table passed out from all the wine. Mak grabbed his arm pulling it over his shoulder and began dragging Stavn out of the palace to the carriage. The night ended better than it had started for some people, Stavn woke up the next morning hungover, lying on the common area couch and smelling of wine, he stammered towards his room where he passed out once again for the rest of the day.