The violin floated above it all, underlaid by silver flute and clarinet, with the soothing cello melodies of Kasonlik at the foundation. This was the typical style of a Kasonlik dance.
The entire 1st Floor of Rothschild Manor's main house had been opened up for the banquet. The hall, which occupied a quarter of the floor, was the main venue and had been designed specifically for such occasions.
It was still early, and Princess Margaret had yet to deliver her farewell speech. Beneath the Crystal Lamps, elegantly dressed gentlemen and ladies were each enjoying the moment.
Shade, whose Kartherian Language was not particularly good, followed Mr. Bernhardt to a long table where they found his friends. They were Bloodkin with tiny bats hanging above their heads, seven or eight in all. They wore white shirts and black formal attire, though each had different accessories, such as pocket watches and brooches.
Each held a glass of red wine and loudly discussed this autumn's grape harvest when Mr. Bernhardt approached. Much like their Same Race in Middlesburg, the local Bloodkin mostly dealt in the wine business. In fact, most members of the local wine guild had Bloodkin backgrounds. Shade believed this was related to the god they worshipped.
"Oh, look who's here?"
A middle-aged man with a rugged beard, who looked more like an alien creature such as a Bearman than a Bloodkin, called out loudly to Mr. Bernhardt:
"Armand, when did you get back from Middlesburg? Has business been going well?"
"I came back two weeks ago. As for business? Oh, my colleagues in that Mountain City don't exactly welcome me."
Mr. Bernhardt smiled and embraced him, then patted Shade on the shoulder as he introduced him to the others:
"Everyone, this is my friend from Delarion. He isn't one of