A Formal Party

I felt quite humbled; and quite embarrassed if I'm honest.  The formal backslapping at the banquet was quite a sight to behold, but once the thanks to each of the leaders was handed out, the personal awards were made.

My Hznamen friends were held in high honour indeed - there seemed to be quite a bit of guilt on the plate of Harik, but he mastered the situation with the deftness of a time-served politician.  He lauded my achievements, and my suffering, and the huge help my new friends had given me.  He was genuinely relieved that I'd come through the whole mess, despite the suffering, with my dignity intact.  I was, he said, something of a hero back in the delve.  I blushed profusely - not something that a Dzarraf does with any ease either.

After the meal, the physical rewards were handed out.  Many speeches were made, and everyone hung on the words of each speaker in turn relating their experiences in the military campaign.  No one was missed, and especial praise was held for the troops that had set off to purge the mountains of the Gurgam at source - troops that were still out there enduring hardship and laying their lives on the line for the safety of the delve and the lands of the Gnaeblin.

When it was my turn to speak, I arose to polite applause.  My story I told as accurately as I could and to silence.  Everyone seemed to hang on my words.  At the end there was rapturous applause - I really was seen as a hero.  I'm not sure I'll ever become accustomed to the adulation or attention that brings.

The meal, too, was exceptional.  There were Welfen wines alongside the Dzarraf beers, and drink from the lands of the Hznamen away in the east and north - something they called 'cider' made from the juice of apples, and as clear and refreshing as anything I drank from the cold mountain streams up in the mountains.  It really helped lubricate my mouth during my speech.

After the meal, I spent an hour in the company of Harik and Hushmaz.  Both were gushing with their compliments even then.  We talked about all kinds of political matters, and I pointed out to the rebellious talk I'd heard among the Gnaeblin during the early part of my mission.  Harik was surprised, but Hushmaz less so - he's met many of the same Gnaeblin I have, and he's heard the same stories.  He promised to investigate.

I'm off back to the suite in a few minutes.  Daran and Elenhugh have been in the very plush common room in this formal palace, and I'm starting to tire of the luxury.  I think I was happier when I was hunting the Gurgam.