At the old village head's direction, the villagers brought out all their treasured ale and fruit wine. His plump daughter-in-law joined several elderly women in turning the smoked meat, salted meat, dried meat, and preserved fruit collected from each household into the most appetizing dishes they could manage.
A single dinner exhausted all the food in the village fit to serve to guests. By the time the new year came, they probably would not even be able to prepare a decent New Year's feast.
The village head's sons even led the village's able-bodied men in slaughtering more than a dozen fat pigs and sheep. These were all Lord Nate's private property. If their lord failed to understand their predicament, there was no telling what punishment awaited them.
Yet even this dinner, prepared with the entire village's resources, drew nothing but contempt from Earl Brune and his companions.
"The food in this godforsaken backwater is impossible to choke down!"
"Pah! Is this wine or horse piss? It tastes bloody awful!"
Anger and humiliation filled the old village head's face when he heard those words, but he dared not voice his outrage. He still had to force a smile as he said,
"We country folk truly have nothing fine to offer. Please forgive our poor hospitality, Lord Brune. This is the best food we could provide. We were meant to present it to Lord Nate before long."
"It is only because you gentlemen are so distinguished that this old man dared risk our lord's punishment to serve it to you. Please understand the sincerity of our welcome."
Earl Brune was already seething with frustration and had no desire to listen to the old man's woes.
"Enough. I know you have no decent food or wine to offer. But don't say I didn't