The hearths of the Great Hall in Lothian Manor were piled high with timber and burning fiercely enough to make the vast hall feel warm despite the dreary, winter weather outside the weathered stone walls. In addition to the dancing, golden glow cast by the hearths, every candle in the chandeliers had been freshly lit, and the stone floors were freshly swept, as though the room was prepared to host a grand ceremony.
When Sir Gilander arrived in the Great Hall, however, there were only two people present in the vast chamber. The summons he received during breakfast had said that Lord Bors wished to see him in the great hall and so the veteran knight wasn't surprised to see the aging Marquis sitting on the oak throne.
He was, however, surprised to see his liege lord dressed in a heavily padded training jacket with a battered steel cuirass over the top of it and a long handled, blunted ax resting against the back of the throne.
