“Thank you,” she says to him.

“You are welcomed milady,” he replies with a bow. Then he moves down the table and takes his seat.

“…I tell you it is true!” Potbelly’s voice comes to them before he enters through the main doors. Scar, who’s walking beside him nods in agreement.

“Oh lord now what?” James says.

Jorry and Uther walk with them and you can see they aren’t buying whatever it is the other two are saying.

“I swear it! She had three breasts,” continues Scar.

“In your dreams maybe,” counters Jorry.

Uther crosses to their table and asks Jiron, “Have you ever heard of a three breasted woman?”

“Can’t say as I have,” he replies.

“Ha!” Jorry exclaims. “I thought not.”

“He wouldn’t have known her,” insists Potbelly, “she only came to our fights. Once in awhile she would invite us back to her place for a little entertainment.”

Under his breath Uther says, “I bet it was little.”

“Ah, what do you know from anything?” blusters Scar.

“I know a lie when I hear one,” retorts Jorry.

“Enough!” shouts Illan.

The entire hall falls quiet and the musicians abruptly stop as all eyes turn to them. Realizing they are now the center of attention, they glare at each other and take their seats at the table. When no further commotion happens, the musicians resume their play and the normal murmur of the guests returns.

Devin and the rest of the recruits arrive as a group and take their places at a nearby table. The last to enter is Aleya. When Jiron sees her he freezes in place. From somewhere in this fortress she’s found a dazzling blue dress that fits her perfectly.

Delia reaches over and pushes up his chin to close his mouth. “Go over there and escort her to her chair,” she urges.

Getting up, he hurries over and just as Shorty did with Delia, he offers her his arm. Placing her hand upon his forearm, she strolls with him back to their seats. James gets up and offers her his chair so she can sit next to Jiron.