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The reception hall of Aethon’s estate had been designed with a very deliberate purpose.
It was neither as extravagant as the palaces scattered throughout the heart of Lys nor as austere as the halls found across most of Westeros.
White marble pillars lined either side of the chamber, supporting a high vaulted ceiling decorated with subtle carvings of waves and sea serpents, while enormous windows allowed the evening sunlight to pour across polished stone floors.
It spoke of wealth and not vanity, after all ones nature of home may at best describe their character.
The merchant prince entered first, his measured footsteps echoing gently throughout the hall as his daughter followed a respectful pace behind him.
Alice’s curious gaze wandered across the interior, quietly admiring the tasteful decorations and restrained luxury.
There was no unnecessary excess here.
Every painting, piece of furniture, and ornament had clearly been chosen because it belonged there rather than because it was expensive.
She found that unexpectedly appealing.
A few moments later another set of footsteps approached from the opposite corridor.
Aethon appeared, fastening the final clasp around one sleeve while a servant hurried after him, carrying several rolled contracts and ledgers beneath both arms.
Without even turning around, Aethon reached back and accepted the top scroll saying “You may leave the rest in my study.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The servant bowed before quickly disappearing down the corridor.
Only then did Aethon direct his attention toward his guests.
A warm smile naturally found its way onto his face as he approached saying “Merchant Prince Lysanor, You’ve honored my estate with your presence.”
The older man smiled just as warmly, accepting the greeting without hesitation.
He clasped Aethon’s extended arm saying, “The honor is mine, Lord Aethon.”
Aethon’s eyes shifted toward the young woman standing quietly beside him saying, “And Lady Alice.”
He inclined his head respectfully, continuing, “It is a pleasure to meet you properly.”
Alice returned the gesture with graceful elegance saying, “The pleasure is mine, my lord.”
Aethon clasped both hands behind his back saying “I owe you both an apology.
I wasn’t expecting distinguished company this evening.
The merchant prince raised an eyebrow, hearing this.
Aethon smiled apologetically, further saying “As matters stand, my kitchens have only just begun preparing dinner.
I fear you’ll have to forgive the lack of ceremony.”
Lysanor laughed heartily saying “My dear lord, if every unexpected visit were met with a feast, your cooks would never know peace.”
“Perhaps, fortunately, they seem rather unwilling to disappoint me.”
As if summoned by the conversation itself, servants quietly appeared throughout the hall.
The moment word had spread that honored guests had arrived, the kitchens had sprung into motion without waiting for instructions.
Years of experience had taught them a simple truth that guests required hospitality and that required food.
Waiting for orders merely wasted valuable time and within moments, several maids entered carrying elegant silver pitchers filled with rich Arbor wine, while others hurried ahead to prepare the smaller banquet hall adjoining the main reception chamber.
Crystal goblets were placed carefully before each seat while wine flowed smoothly into them.
Aethon’s cup was filled last, and only after every guest had been served did the servants step back into silent readiness.
Aethon gestured toward the adjoining hall saying “Shall we?”
The smaller banquet chamber proved considerably more intimate.
A single polished oak table occupied its center, already adorned with candles whose gentle light softened the evening atmosphere.
The three of them took their seats.
Rather than launching directly into business, Aethon deliberately steered the conversation elsewhere saying “It has been some years since our previous meeting.
How has life treated you since then?”
Lysanor chuckled while lifting his goblet saying, “It has treated me kindly enough to remind me that I should complain less often.”
“I imagine your ships continue making generous profits under my Father.”
“They do indeed.”
Aethon slowly nodded as he took a sip too asking, “And your eldest son?”
He’s like a fierce lion waiting to gnaw at life, if only he knew it is not easy to build a fortune as I have.”
Both men laughed, well, actually man and boy, since Aethon was still pretty young.
The conversation flowed naturally from there as they mentioned family, trade, and mutual acquaintances.
It would even sometimes steer towards minor scandals circulating through Lys like which merchant had recently declared bankruptcy or which noble had secretly invested in rival shipping companies.
Aethon, hearing this, considered creating an intelligence hub for himself.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have crucial information at his fingertips before the public knows about it?
An intelligence network would be nice, but that’s a long-term goal.
Aethon listened politely, or at least he perfected the appearance of listening.
Half the stories he’d already heard days earlier from his own informants.
The other half hardly interested him but then, inevitably the conversation drifted toward Smaug.
“I’ve heard remarkable stories regarding your dragon,” Lysanor said with open fascination, this attracted Aethon’s attention as he heard him say “Some claim he’s already larger than dragons twice his age.”
Aethon smiled hearing this, the least thing he expected was for this old man to mention dragons, is he purly just fascinated?
Still this made him say “Most stories grow with each retelling.”
“So they exaggerate Lord Aethon?”
“They exaggerate constantly in fact, it’s much simpler than that…..” Throughout the exchange, Aethon noticed something.
Alice had spoken remarkably little and whenever her father addressed him, she listened quietly without interruption.
Whether from shyness or simple etiquette, he couldn’t yet tell.
So he made a conscious effort to include her saying “Lady Alice.”
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AN:
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