Chapter 391: A Woman Like Her
Meanwhile, at the once-proud manor of Mayor Roder Fuerte—which became Odin’s residence in Carles, but now General Turik’s temporary residence—
The grand halls of the estate echoed once more with life, though not of the kind its former owner would have welcomed.
That evening, General Turik hosted a raucous banquet for his commanders—a final indulgence before the Zuran army marched on Savadra at first light. The feast was not merely a show of excess; it was a calculated morale boost, a final reward before bloodshed.
The manor’s grand dining hall, once reserved for nobles and diplomats, now bore witness to a very different kind of gathering. Two massive crystal chandeliers cast a warm, golden glow over the long mahogany table that could seat forty men. The scent of roasted meats and spiced stews mixed with the tang of sweat and leather filled the hall. Servants, trained under the prim expectations of Northem’s aristocracy, moved stiffly between the guests, horrified by the utter lack of decorum. The commanders gorged themselves with greasy fingers, slurping wine straight from goblets, belching and roaring with laughter like beasts in uniform.
What kind of banquet would it be without women and wine? one of them had jeered earlier, and so both were provided.
When the butler hesitated at the request for Lord Odin’s prized wine collection, one sharp look from Turik sent him scurrying to the cellar. Yet, before returning, a thought struck him—a quiet defiance. He reached for a special brew: Lara’s homemade wine, a deceptively smooth drink fermented from wild mountain berries. Sweet and tangy on the tongue, its true strength revealed itself hours later—brutal even to those who prided themselves of high alcohol tolerance.
The wine was served, and as the hour deepened, so too did the debauchery. Commanders grew rowdy, their voices rising above the music, hands wandering too freely over the courtesans provided for the night.
The butler could only grit his teeth. A few of those women were serving as maidservants in the manor. They were former courtesans who decided to change their fate when Lady Freya chanced upon them and offered them the opportunity.
But their fellow courtesans had spotted them, invied them and had instigated General Turik to let them serve the his men as well.
The butler was hopping that the commanders would drop unconscious before they could do more to those women.