97 The Duke's Table

It wasn't lost on me that a Protector was to the left of me and another sat across the table so she could watch me directly.

The duke sat at the head of the table with the protector on his right and his wife on his left. The old duke sat at the other end of the table with the local nobles and the Qizhu. 

It was a bevy of ladies down the duke's left. His wife, Kysandre, Gisael, Sakaala and the local noble ladies. On his right was Alejo, me, Barrin and so on down to the Qizhu Scholar and the Old duke.

With a wave of the duke's hand serving staff began pouring wine and asking my preference. "Mead," I asked, and the staff shook their head slightly. 

Barrin chuckled. "That'll be the day you'll find mead at the duke's table."

"Water then," I said. I knew most drinks would play havoc with my stomach and I wanted to be on my toes while inside the city. While everyone seemed friendly, Gisael considered them potential threats.