As he leaves his room, to make his way to the dining hall, he sees Tamara returning to her room, opposite his, wearing nothing but a towel, and shooting him a teasing look, the towel slipping just enough to give him a glimpse, as she moves into her room.<br/><br/>About ten minutes later, all of the parties are gathered in the main dining hall; the young lordling at the head of the table, and the dignitaries arranged down the sides. Despite the size of the room, only the one table, large enough for the seven of them, filled it; apparently, the other furniture, if there was any, had been cleared away. "Welcome, welcome, all of you. It's a pleasure to have so many esteemed guests in my humble manor. Did the road treat you well?"<br/><br/>The tree-like figure answers for Winter. "The road was not a problem for us; the journey was swift, and uneventful," it says, is a dry, almost whispery voice.