Banquet: Part 6

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

“No, I’m good.”

She paused.

“Speaking of your garden. I’d like to talk to you about that. When Islana’s escaped the social call clutches.”

Gonyaul nodded and then excused himself to the banquet table.

Islana managed to easily spot Alexis and noticed Gonyaul headed for more food. She was still carrying the bow and quiver full of steel tipped arrows not having any place to really set them down.

The young huntress went up to the Mercenary. "Should I take it your meeting with the Duke went well?"

That question allowed Alexis to say or not say what she wanted to but she clearly seemed , lighter, maybe.

Alexis greeted Islana with a smile just as warm as she had Gonyaul.

“Yes. For me at least.”

She answered with some amusement.

“I’ll tell you both when Gonyaul can pry himself away from the food table.”

She looked at the bow the young woman was carrying.
It was a very opulent war bow, not unlike what she herself was using, though infinitely more precious.

“A very beautiful piece. Though not exactly the kind you are used to, isn’t it.”

Islana nodded and wondered what Alexis meant by that. Still, she'd find out in time.

"It's not. Nor are these. " The young women, moved the bow so she could present the quiver full of steel tipped arrows. "I feel almost like it was more of an incentive than a gift."

An incentive, not a bribe, just a shiny object to try to help persuade the decision making. The Duke had said as much.

“Clever of them.”

Alexis didn’t want to interfere with the decision she could infer Islana had been given.
But she would still have to tell her that if she went that route, Islana would unfortunately have to walk it on her own, now. Mostly, at least.

Gonyaul returned back with cup of water, several delicious looking morsels, and a closed mouth currently occupied with a bite.