Sanguine allowed himself to smile as the smells of cooking food filled his nostrils. Rosemary, thyme, basil and sage wafted out from the kitchen as Eyes nearly dragged him into the crowded workspace. People rushed back and forth, banging pans, chopping with knives and shouting to one another. San took a step back and hugged the wall, even as Eyes tugged at her restraints to get closer. There were too many loud sounds, strong smells and ambient chaos for San to get a clear idea of where things were or what was going on.<br/><br/>Fortunately Lyra was not awed by the chaos of the kitchen, seeming to have been there before in her duties to the royal court. She made her way through the chaos to the lead chef in charge and soon the heavy set man was making his way over to the spot that Sanguine had assumed against the wall.<br/><br/>“Sir LeChance, I am honored to make your acquaintance.” The chef began, extending a hand to the blind man after wiping it on a towel hung from his apron. “I am Gus Offerson, Chef Du Cuisine for castle Theiri. I would be pleased to offer you a tasting menu of the items for tonight’s feast with Aserit.”<br/><br/>“The honor is mine Chef Gus, and from the smell of it you have things well in hand.” San smiled, giving Eyes a warning tug as she seemed poised to tackle the man just to lick his towels clean. “I would be glad indeed to sample your fine cuisine, if I may be so bold as to press upon your generosity further, my sight hound would be grateful for any cooked scraps you could spare as well as any baked goods that might have gone past their shelf life.”<br/><br/>“I’ll be glad to help you both, but if I may make a request of you as well, as well behaved as she appears, animals are bad for food. I don’t question her grooming, but one bit of dander could taint an entire pot of sauce.”<br/><br/>“Say no more, Sir. With my renewed thanks, Eyes and I shall take our leave.” Sanguine answered before turning from the chef and trailing his hand along the wall, feeling for an exit.<br/><br/>“Sir, the soldier’s mess hall is through here, let me guide you.”  Lyra said, taking San’s hand and guiding him into the adjoining doorway to the massive hall, also fraught with ambient sound and loud chatter. “The chef has also recommended a bottle of wine to accompany your meal. Would that be agreeable, Sir?”<br/><br/>Sanguine just nodded as he allowed himself to be led to the nearest table to the kitchen. This new room was also filled with ambient noise, but the smell was nowhere near as pleasing. The loud throngs of soldiers smelled of body odor and dirt. Each talking loudly to try and be heard over the loud man next to him. Sanguine hated the company of soldiers, but he looked at this as a great opportunity. By gauging the din and stink of this assembled crowd, he was gathering valuable information about the might of the Theiri guard.<br/><br/>Even over the roar of the masses, Sanguine could hear a familiar sound. The Fool seemed to be warming up at the center of the room, once again reunited with her infernal bells. The metallic jingle was more measured than when she was prancing or tumbling, which told San that she was likely stretching.<br/><br/>As Lyra brought the plate of fragrant food, Sanguine couldn’t help but to overhear a conversation that the soldiers were having, a little farther down at the table at which he sat.<br/><br/>“Ay, but what I wouldn’t give to see that slender Dim-Wit bent back over me prick that same way.” The one said loudly to his companion. “I’d watch her eyes roll back and hear her scream my name, while I ravaged her from behind, I would.”<br/><br/>“Bah, yer nothing but a half-bred pedophile. Give me a fully developed whore with big, bouncy tits an’ I’ll show ye what they ought to do.” His companion answered. “The Fool’s on her way out anyway, haven’t ye heard? The Queen’s givin’ her to the Aserits. Ye ought to just grab the skinny whore an’ do what ye please with her.”<br/><br/>“Why I knew nothin’ of the sort!” The first answered, seemingly emboldened by this new information. “Maybe I will make a woman out of the little lass tonight. Hey! Idiot-girl! Turn your ass over here so we can have a look when you bend like that!”<br/><br/>Sanguine tried hard not to react to the grating words of these crude soldiers, but having gotten the chance to know the Lady Fool, at least partially, it was very difficult to focus on his meal. The roasted quail, rosemary potatoes and grilled asparagus made it possible, not to mention the bottle of delicious Pinot Noir what complimented the strong flavors quite well. Even beneath the table, Eyes sent a low growl in the direction of the soldiers as they taunted the Fool, before returning to her bowl of braised ribs.<br/><br/>San tried hard not to show his disgust for the soldiers, even as they continued to taunt and antagonize Lady Fool.<br/><br/>“Let’s see that ass tumble around without the tights on, you saucy bitch!”