Chapter 238: Preparing for War
That night, Thane summoned a small group of people to a late dinner in Nyrielle’s formal dining room. It was a meeting he could just as easily have held in his office in the tower, but at the moment, part of him craved the steadying reminders of Nyrielle’s presence that this room offered.
Whether it was the soft lavender wall hangings in her mother’s favorite shade or the exquisitely detailed landscape paintings created by Nyrielle’s own hand, it was impossible to sit in the formal dining room deep underground without feeling like you were in the presence of the Eldritch Lady of the Vale, even if she wasn’t here.
The high-backed seat at the head of the table stood empty, which was normal for an occasion where Nyrielle wasn’t present. What had changed, however, was that Thane no longer occupied the seat reserved for Nyrielle’s second. That seat now belonged to Ashlynn, and even in her absence, Thane refused to intrude.
"Thank you, Georg," the former knight said with a warm smile as the portly chef entered with a tray of crisp, fresh salads that combined summer greens with winter nuts and fresh, crumbly cheese. "I know you’re staying up late to cook for us tonight."
"If I wasn’t cooking for you, Sir Thane, who would I be cooking for?" Georg said with a smile as he set a small portion in front of the acting ruler of the Vale of Mists. Another small portion was quickly set before Marcell who sprawled comfortably in a seat across from Thane.
Neither vampire relished in food the way Nyrielle did and if Thane was honest, he struggled to keep up the habit of eating when there weren’t others around. Marcell was decades younger and still retained more of his humanity, especially since his work kept him in contact with humans as he gathered information from across Lothian March. Thane, on the other hand, felt time like a millstone, slowly wearing away at the things that had defined his life when he still lived.
"You can come cook for me any time," Marshal Jakob said, his usually gruff voice rippling with mirth. "Elise would welcome a night off."
"Lies," Commander Bassinger said, happily accepting the large bowl of salad that Georg placed in front of him. "Your wife gave up on you being home in time for dinner years ago. Last I heard, she was still rotating between your children’s homes so she could help feed your flock of grandchildren."
"Grandchildren, is it?" Thane said, raising a brow as he nibbled on the crisp, slightly bitter greens. "I thought your youngest was still at home. Has she moved out already?"