The brief silence in the hall seemed to be pierced by an ignited spark.
The first to react was an old craftsman seated in a corner. He raised his pottery cup high and gave the first shout: "Long live Red Tide! Long live Lord Louis!"
Then voices erupted from every direction like a flash flood.
"Long live!"
"Long live Red Tide!!"
"A toast to Lord Louis!!"
Applause, cheers, and the clear clinking of cups swelled into a wave of fervor, as though the entire hall were shaking.
Some were so moved that their eyes reddened. Others clenched their fists and pumped them in the air, while still others shouted and gulped down strong liquor, their faces wearing carefree smiles they had not shown in a long time.
The gratitude on their faces was not blind worship, but heartfelt approval.
Emily sat at the table, her heartbeat rising and falling with every cry of "Long live Red Tide."
This was more than the climax of a banquet. It was the awakening of a fief's soul.
As the feast continued, laughter and the clinking of cups rose in waves, and a group of children excitedly ran onto the small stage under the attendants' guidance.
One of the older children straightened up, cleared his throat like an adult, and called out:
"We're the Red Tide Children's Theater! Today, we bring you the story of 'How the Great Lord Louis Used His Wits to Crush the Evil Snow Oath's Plot'!"
Laughter and applause immediately broke out among the audience.
The young actors divided up their roles. Karl, the tallest, wore a "lord's cloak" that had clearly been fashioned from a tablecloth. Playing Louis with an utterly solemn expression, he repeatedly emphasized "protecting the peace of the Red Tide Fief" in his lines.
Several children