Banquet: Part 4

JP with Alexis , Gonyaul, Islana, Wim, Nicolaus, Winteroak, Voah, and Hunter:

Elizabeth tried to get information out of Wim, but he patted her hand and smiled. This was not the place to talk about such things. There would be time enough to talk on the way home.

Wim lead her way towards Alexis, Gonyaul, and Islana. Elizabeth was asking for a hint. He kept them back far enough that he could move forwards and present Elizabeth but far enough back that they would not be ease dropping on their conversation. Wim excused himself to approach the buffet and get them more wine and some more food. He tool a little of this and that. Wim stood there watching as an old knight and his wife trapped her in conversation. He raised his glass slightly to Elizabeth and watched as he ate a little. This was the noble struggle, to be polite in the face of adversity. Wim smiled glad to have escaped. There would be more social invitations as spring came. But less trying to get him engaged to this daughter or someone’s niece. There would be more trying to get her to fall from his graces.
Wim was half day dreaming about her sitting on a couch laid up against him reading the gods only know what book. It was a nice dream.

Islana responded to Gonyaul, that she would like to speak with Alexis with him. So, she walked with Gonyaul to Alexis.

It was soon after Elizabeth was presented to them. Islana acknowledged the woman with Wim.

It seemed to be a few moments when Wim was alone at the buffet table. Islana had wanted to speak to him but felt strange saying what she wanted to in front of others.

The young woman excused herself from present company and made her way to Wim. Greeting the man with a nod.

"I believe I owe you an apology." Islana said, figuring no time like the present.

Wim nodded to her as he was not able to bow. He was a bit perplexed at this as most people did not apologize for anything dealing with him.
“For?” He asked in a fairly playful tone then turning to look at Islana.

"For judging you without getting to know you. " The redhead paused. "I shouldn't have done that. It was unfair to you."

Gonyaul was left alone now with Alexis as Islana needed to speak with Wim.

“How are you? All goes well?”

He smiled kindly.
“I think you had me right. Selfish, greedy, wanting power and control,” he said almost laughing.
“Elizabeth reminds me everyday at lunch not to be an Ass,” he said.
“I still am all those things but I am learning to care about others, like the orphans and the Foresters,” he said pausing.
“It is painful,” he said.
“This is a small taste of my old life, where I was always the black sheep, the misfit, the one who was always in trouble,” he said moving his arm with his glass at the wealth.
“I am teaching her how to protect herself from what others think and say,” Wim said and continued, “and she is teaching that I should care about what others say.”

"I'm sure you're not as selfish as some might think.". The young woman took a breath. "You seem to do the right thing, when it matters."

That was about rescuing her, she was well aware he hadn't had to help her but he had. Islana knew her past had definitely clouded her judgement about Wim.

Her green eyes glanced to Elizabeth and back to Wim, "Sounds like you have met your match." Said in a way that could only be taken as a compliment to Elizabeth.