"Raise your glasses. Let us celebrate this moment together," Bamund said, lifting his wineglass to the crowd.
The six people seated below raised their glasses in turn. Seeing Bamund drink first, they promptly drained theirs as well.
Bamund set down his glass, looked at the familiar face to his left, and said with a smile, "Olcott, I never expected so many years to have passed since we last met."
"Lord Bamund, it has been nearly thirty years since we parted at Windsor Castle. Time truly flies," Olcott said with equal sentiment.
"It has indeed been a long time." Bamund could not help shaking his head. "The last time we met was when my eldest brother inherited the title of Earl Eagle. I never imagined so many years would pass in the blink of an eye."
"Kadeqi, Flora, you siblings have done well too. You have both achieved something by now."
Kadeqi, seated in the foremost position on the right, said with a smile, "Lord Bamund, thank you for guiding my sister and me back then."
"If you want to thank someone, thank my eldest brother. If he had not specifically called me back from the army, I would not have been able to give you special training. Time simply passed too quickly. In the blink of an eye, the two little ones had grown up."
"I heard you are engaged to Madmonk's daughter. When you get married, remember to invite me for a drink."
"Certainly, certainly," Kadeqi replied, somewhat at a loss.
Bamund then turned his gaze to Flora and said gently, "Flora, I heard you are still unmarried."
"Yes, Lord Bamund." Flora met Bamund's gaze directly, neither humble nor overbearing. "I intend to consider major matters in my life only after breaking through to Gold. I have no such