"Your Highness, do try this mead. House Frey's mead, ale, and wine are all quite respectable. The penitents on the Quiet Isle are famed far and wide for their mead, but ours is every bit as good."
"Of course, it cannot compare with the Dragonfire Wine of Holy Flame Island. It is barely fit to drink beside that."
A woman of House Frey standing nearby to serve immediately filled a golden cup with sweet mead for Danyla. Brewed from honey, mead was an alcoholic drink much favored by noblewomen throughout the Seven Kingdoms.
Danyla took a small sip. It tasted sweet and refreshing, and she found it rather good-certainly among the finest meads.
"Yes, it is very good indeed. The best mead I have ever tasted!"
The women of House Frey held very low status. Only the Marquess's wife, Walda, and a few reasonably attractive young ladies sat at the high table to keep Danyla company. All the others served as maids.
The men of House Frey ordered them about as though they were ordinary serving girls, and Danyla could not help frowning at the sight.
Lord Frey, adept at reading expressions, seemed to notice Danyla's displeasure and immediately gave his sister Walda a meaningful look.
Walda raised her cup and addressed Danyla in a loud voice.
"Welcome, Your Highness! Your arrival has finally made this dreary Riverrun, reeking of men's body odor, a little less loathsome!"
Lord Frey's face fell at Walda's words, and the men of House Frey in the hall immediately broke into a clamor.
Danyla, however, admired Walda's courage and blunt tongue. She smiled and raised her cup.
"I have heard far too many pretty toasts. Yours was truly refreshing, Lady Walda. Thank you!"
Danyla drained her cup of mead before continuing.
"Sometimes, for us women,