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"... so Demney can sit and wait his turn," Satherlin finished, taking a swallow from his mug.
"Yes, sir," the uniformed man replied. With a bow, he left the dining hall.
Kylle popped a fried clam strip into his mouth and commented, "As much as I like to see Demney get his, you do know he's going to be impossible for having to wait so long, right?"
"I know," Satherlin agreed, "but I won't have her pestered. We've thrown enough at her for the day; let her soak it in. Bad enough she's a Descendant, but having the Hunter living in her, too? Demney's going to want to take her apart, and I won't allow that."
"I agree with you fully on that point," Lyshunda said, rescuing one of Quiana's daughters from soaking herself with a poorly-placed bowl of soup. "The Hunter is an unknown. It seems quiet now, with all of us here and the girl being one of us, but that doesn't mean anything. Pressing her will press It, and that won't do anyone any good."
"Oh, Demney's not so bad," Niel offered from his end of the long table, where he now divided his attention between two hungry seven-year-olds. "You know he means well, and he's really after the same thing we are."
"But he doesn't have to be such a Scheisskerl," Clatyn grumbled. His wife slapped his arm and scolded his word choice in their native language.
The door opened to let Mosin and Sylenn in.
"Ah, glad you decided to join us, you two!" Satherlin called out with a smile. "We thought you'd want to have a private meal and catch up."
"But we're very happy to see you!" Konyetta added, scooting her chair down to make room. "Come sit by me, Sylenn!"
Mosin led the way around the long table that filled the dining hall. Chairs and benches surrounded it, yet the seating was not crowded. The room was bright and pleasantly decorated with pictures and lightly patterned paper; two small electrical chandeliers hung over the table from brass chains, throwing clear, unflickering light on the diners.
On the other end of the room was another door, this one on double-hinges to swing both ways. Servers came through at intervals, either bringing or taking trays with them. Sylenn moved over to the chair Konyetta patted invitingly, eying the others. One of the Descendants was missing; she couldn't remember who. Oh, the old woman. The others clustered around in subtly defined family groups.
"Let me make the introductions," Konyetta said cheerily. "Down there we have Niel Huether and his boys, Joth and Erim, and his wife Frisha. Niel is Heleathon Thayen." The slightly rotund man waved cheerfully, teeth showing through his squared beard. His wife, equally plump, smiled as she grabbed a small hand reaching father than it should.
"Kylle Canylle, whom you know from earlier, is Poinathon Wedernen, and Quiana Macebyo (that's Fankrethen Valbonon) and her husband Risheri. Their daughters are Auana and Nankoa." Kylle nodded politely, his swarthy face sporting a neat mustache and goatee. Quiana ducked her head gently, as did her adult daughters. Risheri studiously ignored everyone at the table. In contrast to the darker Akroitian, the Macebyos were from Qina: small, lean, sleek black hair, and slanted eyes.
"Lyshunda Lehbraag is Laillmen Konieton; those are her son Gregim and husband Fillew." The fair-skinned woman smiled politely, as did her husband, who had the look of the people native to the Island. Gregim, a few years younger than Sylenn and still gawky, looked up from his plate with cheeks bulging. Struggling to swallow, he managed to bob his head and mutter something.
"And then there's Tad Badin, known as Lithilon Xaylen and a confirmed bachelor, and Clatyn Zeynz and his wife Sarlira. Clat goes by Sonelion Ryalen." Tad, the somber Berzinian, sat next to the blond Tautonan mountain that was Clatyn. While Sarlira was not broadly built, she matched her husband in height and coloring.
"On this side, there's you two and me, Konyetta Colgazier, the redoubtable Kiemelen Navvason, then Kyysha M'greph and her fiancée Uthrom Welsem (she's Xaylen Anilenon), then Kylle Satherlin, our fearless leader and Alleathon Naichen."
Konyetta was petite but not short, resembling many of the Islanders with her dark hair, broad features, and full lips. Kyysha could have been from any of several nations to the east, with her dark-brown skin and high forehead. Uthrom had darker skin, which could mean he was from Vanautue. He grinned affably, revealing large, white teeth. Satherlin raised his mug to Sylenn and took another pull from it.
"On the end down there is Brodeck Dolay, our chief agronomist and Momma Merle's husband. Hae Cavey, Naichen Koniethon, is out in town with her grandchildren; she usually doesn't eat with us. And that's all of us!"
Sylenn sat down and nodded to everyone in turn. A woman bustled up behind her and set down a plate of salad greens and a glass of water.
"Everyone, this is Sylenn Jenfsen, Mosin's sister," Satherlin announced. "She's a newly Awakened Descendant named Fulenthen Sonelion and has come to join us."
Polite welcomes echoed through the room, mixing with the chinking sounds of dinnerware.
"I heard she was a Drone," one of Niel's boys piped. His mother quickly shushed him.
"No, Erim, she's not a Drone," Niel said firmly. "Drones can't come to the Temple."
"Why not?" Joth asked, spraying his mouthful of food on the table.
"Don't talk with your mouth full," Frisha scolded.
"Because they can't," Satherlin answered firmly. He turned back to Sylenn. "How do you like your quarters, Sylenn? You can look at some of the others, if you want, and you can always ask your housekeeper for anything."
"It's fine," Sylenn murmured, hastily swallowing her mouthful, which had been rather large. "And Twanne already told me I could ask her for anything."
A snort from Sylenn's side caught her attention just as Konyetta exclaimed, "Oh, you got Twanne! How wonderful; she's such a sweet girl. She'll take excellent care of you, don't you worry. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone more devoted to the Descendants." Was that a sly look she shot down the table? At ... Kylle? Perhaps; he did seem very focused on his plate just then, his dark cheeks a little darker.
"So that's settled," Satherlin stated with satisfaction. "Everyone eat up and enjoy! Tonight will be a relaxing night at home, for a change, so let's have at it!"
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