The Return of the Lamenters (Complete)

Before today, the Lamenters had never imagined they would be treated with such courtesy, much less that they would actually attend a banquet.

The banquet hall's decor was bright and elegant. There were no seams between the walls, floor, and ceiling, and little trace of artificial construction could be seen, as though it had been formed in one piece, yet the overall design was exceedingly beautiful.

The wooden floor was brown, and before stepping onto it, Forbo had been worried he might break it. Yet the seemingly thin floor was fully capable of bearing their weight. The walls were an understated gray, without carvings, heavy tapestries, or fine oil paintings.

Pale golden chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Their light did not come from candles or electricity, but from pale light spots that looked gentle at a glance. The room was filled with this soft illumination, providing brightness without making the eyes uncomfortable.

A long table stood at the center of the banquet hall. It was a heavy brown-black, and it was already piled high with all kinds of dishes. The Lamenters could not tell what any of them were, and could not even name them.

Smiling, Guilliman waved a hand. "Please, take your seats."

As his voice fell, pale blue light spots poured from between his fingers, turning into chair after chair and arranging themselves beside the long table. With a somewhat pleased smile, he pulled out the second seat of precedence and sat down, without taking the head seat.

That discovery nearly made Forbo stop breathing.

Even if he knew next to nothing about banquets, he at least knew the head seat was reserved for the person of highest status or greatest seniority. Among those present, perhaps only His Highness Roboute Guilliman met that condition. If he did not