Chapter 5: First Course, Heiro and Dya

Without making any announcement I entered the Dining Hall. The only thing I wanted now was to sit down and eat.

Before I knew what was happening I was gazed upon by more than 40 people, all dressed in the most vibrant colours imaginable; silken robes studded with gems, guards in their ornate armor embedded with sigils and runes made form a brass like metal.

And, to my relief, the Priestess and the Prinsess in their flowing gowns of bright Orange and deep Purple respectively. Val and Dya waved and smiled at me. I weaved my way as politely as I could through the masses.

There was a spot reserved for me next to the Princess. Because of the purple stitchings on my green outfit it almost looked like Dya and I were a couple of some sorts.

It was noticed quickly by the crowd, because when I said down next to her the murmuring and gossiping started to become hearable. We looked at each other in embarrasment and I whispered to her:

''You told me dinner was ready, but it looks like we are the first course.''

She giggled softly, which was very cute. Luck would have it that a man in a wild, technicoloured robe climbed upon our table. The man nearly stepped on my plate, proclaiming loudly.

''HERE HE IS! THE HERO OF THE PEOPLE! WHAT IS YOUR NAME, YOUNG MAN? INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO THE MASSES!!''

I was in total bewilderment; who is this man and why is he so glad to see me? I did my best to answer his question, but the only thing I could bring out was:

''He.. heiro-''

"HEIRO IT IS!! WHAT A LOVELY NAME FOR SUCH A LOVELY HERO! OH, WHAT GRACE, TO BE IN THE PRESENCE OF SUCH A HUMBLE PERSON!

NO WONDER YOU HAVE GAINED THE PRINCESS HER FAVOUR!!''

Well, it appears that my name is now Heiro. I did not mind this though. It was still in the spirit of what my given name means. And easier to pronounce for the people here, that's for sure.

Dya took a liking to my name as well, as she nudged me and said softly:

''The real first course is coming now, Heiro.''

The cook, now in a robe without peanuts on them, entered the Dining Hall. And the loud man climbed down from the table. The first course was, as Dya had said, soup with meatballs.

It smelled really good. There were white beans in them and a form of rice I did not recognise.

While I was staring into my bowl of soup, I came to the realisation that I had to tell Val and Dya something embarrassing.

I pulled Val on the sleeve of her robe and leaned in so I could say what had to be said.

''Hysta forgot to scrub my manparts.."

Val turned to me slowly and looked at me with flushed cheeks.

''We will talk about this after dinner, and do not tell the Princess.. or anyone else for that matter..''

She looked around the room, to make sure nobody noticed. She looked at my bowl of soup and said:

''It is best if you say nothing and eat your meatballs..''

She grabbed her fork and carefully placed her balls in my soup bowl.

''While you are eating, and not talking, you can eat my balls as well.''

Realising what she just said, her cheeks became even more flushed and she excused herself from the table.

Seeing that Valeneira left the table for no apparent reason, Dya came closer to me and looked into my almost overflowing bowl. She squinted and said with a grin:

''It seems like you have more balls than I do.''

With a smirk she fished one out of my bowl. As I had promised to Val, I ate my meatballs and said nothing.

The Princess bit her lower lip a bit, and took another meatball for herself. I looked at her and saw that she was showing me some cleavage. I did my best not to look at them with so many people watching us.

I guarded my meal from her hungry lips. Dya put her mouth near my ear and whispered to me:

"Don't worry Heiro, you won't starve tonight..''

She licked her lips and rested her free hand on my lap stroking my thigh teasingly.

''I arranged the menu, and the next course.. is sausage.''

She winked and smiled, returning to her own food.

As I promised, I ate and said nothing. For now.