Viserys refused no one's toast, but each time he merely touched the rim to his lips before setting the cup down, unlike Earl Wyman, who drained half a cup in a single gulp.
His movements remained composed throughout. He showed no impatience, but neither did he truly relax or show any warmth toward House Manderly.
Occasionally, however, he turned to exchange a few quiet words with those beside him, mostly about the ports of the North and recent shipping activity.
At the same time, he kept probing all of White Harbor with his mental power, trying to discover whether there really was something unusual here. Otherwise, why did its fishy stench hang heavier than the one in King's Landing?
Dividing his attention between the feast and his investigation kept him from growing too bored, though he lost track of time without realizing it.
In the end, Earl Wyman was the first to put down his cup. Old and overweight, he simply could not stay up late, and his body was already exhausted. Had Viserys not continued to show no sign of impatience, he would never have dared speak first.
He wiped his chin with a napkin, then leaned slightly toward Viserys and respectfully said that the king and princess had endured a tiring journey and would be setting out early the next morning. White Harbor really ought not keep them at the table until midnight.
Viserys took the opportunity Wyman offered to rise, delivering a few customary words of thanks for his hospitality.
Everyone else rose as well. Robin and several others seemed to have been waiting for this moment, briskly stepping back to stand behind Viserys, their faces still betraying no unnecessary emotion.
As they left, an attendant from the New Castle walked ahead with a lamp to guide