Finally, Fennec stopped before a set of huge, double doors, carved from dark, wood and engraved with patterns of gold. Two large guards stood silent on both sides. The two dragon had tan scales similar to Vireo's, but with smaller specks and patterns of yellow. Fennec gave a small dip of his head, and one of the guards, with a synchronized movement, pushed open the massive doors.
The banquet room appeared before them, and it was breathtaking. It was huge, easily the largest chamber Vireo had seen in the palace, perhaps even larger than Ventifact's throne room, though he couldn't tell. The ceiling was incredibly high, painted with a panorama of Inselberg's desert landscape, illuminated by a constellation of glowing crystals suspended from ropes. In the center of the room was a single, crazy long table crafted from dark wood. Around it, twenty high-backed chairs, carved with detailed designs and cushioned crimson fabric, awaited their occupants. At the far end, facing the entrance, stood a singular, even grander chair, its back taller, its armrests wider, clearly meant for the Queen herself.
A handful of dragons were already seated. Vireo recognized a few of the diplomats from the morning meeting – Envoy Spine with his terracotta scales, Envoy Quill with her sharp stinger, and the gruff Envoy Burro. They were deep in quiet conversation, their voices a low hum that added to the room's hushed anticipation. Other high-ranking officials, adorned with more elaborate robes and sparkling jewels than he'd seen before, nodded politely as Caracara and Vireo entered.
A pair of smaller, slender dragons, dressed in simple, dark tunics, walked forward as Fennec gestured them in. These were the servants. One of them, with nimble talons, smoothly pulled out two chairs near the middle of the long table, indicating for Caracara and Vireo to take their places. Caracara moved with his usual grace, settling into his seat with a quiet thud. Vireo tried to copy him, but his chair scraped loudly against the polished floor again as he pulled it out, earning him a quick glance from one of the other seated dragons. His face warmed, and he quickly slid into the seat, tucking his tail tightly beneath him, wishing he could just disappear.
He sat stiff, trying to appear composed while observing everything. The room slowly filled. More dragons entered, each taking their assigned seat. The air grew almost warmer with their presence, and he began smelling the scents of food, making Vireo's stomach rumble. He watched them, looking for faces. Hopefully for any hint of the "thief," though he knew it was foolish. Every dragon looked powerful, refined, normal. The string music from earlier swelled, and then softened.
Finally, when every seat but the Queen's grand chair was occupied, the music faded out slowly. A silence fell over the room. All eyes turned to a shimmering, woven curtain of golden threads at the far end of the chamber, behind the Queen's seat.
Then, with a gentle, majestic sweep, the golden veil parted.
Queen Sula emerged.
She moved with gracefully, and her scales were the color of molten gold. So gold they practically caught every flicker of light. She was not as immense as King Sotol, but was larger than queen Ephedra. Her presence was undeniable, emanating an absolute authority. Her eyes, the color of jade, swept over all the assembled dragons. An almost imperceptible smile played on her lips. A crown of woven gold, intricately crafted to resemble desert flowers, rested on her head. She had fangs and a stinger, like him.
With a final, regal glide, she settled onto her grand chair. The crimson cushions seemed to embrace her, and her golden form contrasted with the wood of the table. A quiet rustle passed through the room as everyone, including Caracara, bowed their heads slightly. Vireo joined.
Queen Sula let her gaze sweep over the table once more, her jade eyes finally settling on Vireo for a brief moment before moving on. She cleared her throat, a sound that echoed through the large room.
"Esteemed guests," her voice began, smooth and clear. "And loyal servants of Inselberg. Tonight, we gather not only for the renewal of our ancient trade ties with our esteemed neighbors from Ventifact – a bond we cherish and seek to strengthen – but also to celebrate the very essence of what makes Inselberg great."
She paused, her gaze sweeping around the room, making eye contact with many of the dragons present. "We honor the enduring spirit of our desert homeland, the harsh beauty of our Solifuge, carved into the very stone of our earth. We reflect on the wisdom of our ancestors, whose vision shaped this kingdom, whose scales weathered countless sands and storms to forge the peace and prosperity we enjoy today. They taught us resilience. They taught us community. And they taught us the profound importance of tradition, of honoring the path laid before us by those who came before."
Queen Sula continued, her words painting a picture of Inselberg's history and its unique culture. She spoke of the sand dunes, the old towering rock formations, the life in the desert, and the proud lineage of her people. She spoke of the architects who first built the city, and the scholars who made revolutionary discoveries and pioneered the advance of the nation. It was a well-practiced speech, filled with pride.
As she spoke, Vireo listened, half-bored by the formal praise. He felt the hunger in his stomach. His eyes darted from the Queen to the platters of food that were now being quietly placed along the center of the table by the silent servants – roasted boars and bulls, platters of glistening meats, bowls of steaming grains. He wondered when they would actually begin eating. His stomach growled. He glanced over at Caracara, who sat perfectly still, his expression neutral. There was no sign of impatience, no indication of hunger, just a quiet, almost zoned out gaze fixed on the Queen. If anything, Vireo thought, the Captain looked... almost entertained.
There was a short silence in the air after Queen Sula's speech. Vireo's stomach gave another hungry growl, louder this time in the quiet room. He watched the Queen intently, hoping for a signal, a word, anything that would tell them it was time to eat. Caracara remained perfectly still beside him, his expression unchanging. Envoy Spine was also motionless, his gaze fixed respectfully on his Queen. The roasted meats almost seemed to taunt Vireo from the center of the table.
Then, without a single word, or even a nod, Queen Sula simply reached forward. Her golden claw, adorned with a single, gleaming jade ring, delicately plucked a piece of roasted boar from a platter closest to her with a fork. She brought it to her snout, and with a quiet, almost tearing sound, she began to eat.
It was the signal.
Immediately, movement spread across the table. Talons reached, platters shifted, and the quiet sounds of utensils clinking, polite chewing and, tearing meat replaced the earlier silence. Vireo blinked, surprised by the unspoken command. So that was how it worked here. No grand pronouncements, just the Queen's quiet action, perfectly understood.
He quickly followed everyone, reaching for a piece of roasted bull. The meat was tender, flavorful, far richer than anything he usually ate in Ventifact. The taste filled his mouth. He felt it pushing away his anxieties. He chewed, savoring the amazing taste. Around him, the banquet picked up conversation and the clinking of talons against stone platters. Servants, moving like silent shadows, refilled bowls and offered cool water.
Just as Vireo was about to reach for a second helping, Queen Sula's voice cut through the gentle sounds of the feast. Her jade eyes turned towards Caracara, a polite, regal smile gracing her lips.
"Captain Caracara," she began, her voice carrying easily down the long table, "we trust that your journey was comfortable, and that our hospitality so far has been to your satisfaction?"
Caracara immediately paused his eating, wiping his snout with a quick movement of his talon. He inclined his head respectfully, and his expression conveyed appreciation. "Your Majesty, the journey was swift, and the accommodations you have provided are beyond ample," he replied. "I am most impressed by the efficiency and warmth of Inselberg's welcome. We are well-satisfied, indeed."
Queen Sula's smile broadened slightly. She nodded her acknowledgment, then her gaze drifted a little further down the table, past Caracara and Vireo, towards a section where a group of dragons with darker tan scales sat. Their features were sharper, and slightly more angular. Vireo hadn't even noticed them among the sea of unfamiliar faces.
Queen Sula's smile broadened slightly, a flash of golden warmth. She nodded her acknowledgment, then her gaze drifted a little further down the table, past Caracara and Vireo, towards a section where a group of dragons with unusually dark, almost obsidian-black scales sat. Their features were sharper, more angular than the sand dragons, and their eyes seemed to hold the glint of distant, cold stars. Vireo hadn't even noticed them among the sea of unfamiliar faces.
"And to our esteemed guests from Draught," Queen Sula continued, her voice equally warm, addressing this new group directly. "I trust your passage across the savannah was not too arduous?"
Vireo froze, his half-chewed piece of meat forgotten in his jaws. Draught? He hadn't even realized there were other representatives here, from another nation entirely! His attention snapped to the dragons. He immediately tried to recall anything he knew about the nation of Draught. His studies had mentioned them as a further, isolated kingdom, towards the southeast of Ventifact. They lived in the desert, but a portion of their nation resided in a great savannah, which Vireo always wanted to visit. Draught's relation with ventifact has always been quite good, if he recalled correctly.