Temple Sword

Chapter 106 Banquet
Those Slavonians were scurrying around like ants in a nest, and it all happened so fast.The servants dispersed in an instant, working with unprecedented diligence in every corner of the kitchen, the yard, and of course the banquet hall on the east side of the manor.

They were all overwhelmed by an unimaginable excitement at having to feed and make the king himself and his court knights feel at home, an occasion most of them had never dreamed of, such a chance.

On the other hand, Antal was completely puzzled. On the one hand, he himself was surprised and delighted by this visit from King Charles. Said far more than just the lord of the kingdom.But on the other hand, it gave him a headache when he thought of how much thought and gold would go into receiving the king and his entourage for a few days.

There is a large piece of land in his manor dedicated to livestock breeding. There are more than 100 hens that can only lay eggs in the spacious poultry yard, and dozens of pigs, sheep and cattle in the shed fence.There is also a trade in feathers, eggs and meat.

In principle, there is no problem in providing a feast for the king and his hundred cavalry, but Charles came to visit his former chief knight during Lent, the extremely strict fasting period, although the king may let himself Miss one or two of the many fasting days that account for a third of the year, but Antar himself wants to keep them strictly.

So none of the meat is on the table, the kitchen needs more people to work than usual, and the chef and his assistants must do their best to ensure that the banquet hall, which has been dusty and cobweb-ridden since Christmas, is safe. It was soon filled with the sound of people chewing food and chatting contentedly.

The stone-paved ballroom, built of timber and adobe, extends to the training ground at the rear entrance of the estate, abutting against the east wall.Its double doors open in the middle, and when people enter through the door, they can see along the far wall a large table that can accommodate at least ten people, and behind it is a row of high-backed chairs with carved decorations .

This is the place reserved for family and noble guests. Usually, servants will bring cauldrons and spits full of food to the space between the table and the entrance, and in the festivities that last well into the night, the guests You can also dance here.

This long table and the open space in front of it divide the whole hall in two. On the left and right are simple wooden plank tables with legs of lamb, each with two benches.There are two stone fireplaces in the north and south corners of the building, providing enough warmth even in the harshest winters, but in those days there will be places to keep warm in other parts of the hall, such as a bonfire in the middle.

The walls of the hall were hung with tattered cloth, ripped shields, discarded weapons, and rusted helmets, all worthless junk, but a doable decoration for the whitewashed adobe walls.

The hall was designed for grand banquets and sumptuous feasts, but life in the Bartols was simple, and it would be nice to use the hall twice a year.

So at the beginning of spring and the end of Ramadan, the hall became rare and clean.The servants swept the dust from the floor, then spread fresh straw on the floor, and wiped the tables and benches with damp rags.

The weather was still warm, so they didn't light the fireplace, but just used a few torches by the door and on the wall for lighting.

By the time the sun was about to disappear below the western horizon, the hall was already packed with people, laughing and laughing.Some farmers and servants who are good at using musical instruments have found drums, whistles, and even bagpipes from no one knows where.

The brisk tunes sounded, and these people who could not step into the building were now bouncing around, enjoying food and drinks to the music.

The head seat has always belonged to Antares, but is now occupied by King Charles, who to his left are his two entourage of knights, János Bornemissza and Felician Zach Záh).Antal, the master of the manor, sat on Charles' right, his wife sat further to the right, and then his attendant Simon and his three children, Ire, Sepke and Corta.

Opposite them, that is, on the long table closest to them sat the guard captain Varos, and the butler Mikolai who was arranging the delicate velvet robes.On the right side of the hall are the king's riders, and on the left side are Antal's men and craftsmen. Several Kuvass and Komons walk among them, hoping to share some delicious food.

When the silver light of the moon shines in through the small window, the banquet has already begun.

No one spoke in the hall except for the sound of the music, and the servants were busily bringing plate after plate of Lent delicacies to the table, while the people at the table were busy eating.Salted fish, steaming millet and barley porridge, crispy flatbread, dill cheese and sour cream in small wooden bowls, round cheese, various scones and lasagne.

Hot sauces made with apples, gooseberries, pears, plums and grapes are passed around in little jars: everyone pours some on their plate and dips bread in it, or when the sauce is cool enough When it's ready, gulp down the sweet and sour juice down your throat.

And for those who prefer something savory, they can enjoy a tart tart sauce made of spring mushrooms, tarragon, saffron and served with smooth tender noodles.

During Lent, they brought only two barrels of beer and wine, and the others were fresh birch water in large wooden barrels from the birch grove outside the wall. People were not frustrated because they could not drink much wine, but I feel more and more happy.

"That's what I call hospitality!" Charlie slapped the table cheerfully, biting off a pie with sauce, as if he wasn't full yet. "It's been a long time since I've enjoyed such a feast of joy, even though I've had three weddings since we last met."

"It's my honor, Your Majesty." Antal replied cautiously, trying to keep his eyes fixed on the plate in front of him.

In the old days, the king really treated him like a brother, and he was very tolerant of his behavior and behavior, not like an outsider.But they were still young at that time, and they hadn't seen each other for nearly ten years. Antal didn't know whether the Christian king who had experienced 33 winters was still the Charles who treated Antal kindly.

"You have changed, my friend!" The king turned to look at Antal, turning his face with his hands to force a gaze. "In the past, you would rather wash the horse than attend the banquet, let alone hold it yourself!"

"Times have changed, Your Majesty." Antal smiled lightly, he knew exactly which event the king was referring to: after the capture of Stelgom, Charlie was saved from the assassins hiding in the dark What's more, the drunken Antal was not among the two.

"No, the times have become too slow." The king smiled wryly, "For more than ten years, I have been planning to establish the Kingdom of Hungary on a new foundation and create an age of gold and silver, but I am still struggling to take back every part of the royal power. A piece of land and a castle."

"With all due respect, Your Majesty," Antal complimented, "Your war results can be felt even here in the south."

"The results of my war..." Charlie muttered to himself, and this was the first time he looked gloomy and disturbed since he came here, "but you, you have built a small country here, relying on what William left you A meager legacy..."

"His real legacy to me is what he taught me growing up, and that's priceless," Antar corrected, looking tentatively at the king, who didn't pay him much attention. The backlash showed any dissatisfaction.

"You know what I mean," he pointed around the hall, "this summer is only your No. 30 four name days, but you are ready for the work of a lifetime: you produce, you plow, you trade .Your walls are guarded by soldiers, your affairs are attended to by stewards, and your sons are thriving.

But I... my crops are infested by locusts, my food is eaten by rats, those bugs live in my walls, I must kill them, then I can start building my kingdom! "

Antal fully understood the true meaning of the king's words, and he mustered up the courage to ask: "Your Majesty, do you know how many times I have killed bugs to keep this place we call home intact?"

He was duly sounding his King, interspersing his respectful words with a few irreverent remarks, in order to judge from his reactions whether the man before him was the same Charles as before.It seems the king's brotherly affection for him hasn't faded with time, as instead of frowning disapprovingly at Antar's words, he laughs out loud.

So Antal decided to speak out the troubles that had been buried in his heart.

"Your Majesty!" He stood up from his seat and took a deep breath as if he was about to dive into the water. "I am honored to be here, but please tell me the purpose of your visit. I wonder..."

(End of this chapter)