a hundred men cross-legged on either side;
no conversation;
broth poured into the trough from wheeled kettles;
(presumably, ladles, bowls and spoons);
uneaten soup drained away;
trough cleaned from spigots;
unrecognizable solid dishes shoveled in;
cups of hot, alcoholic herb tea continually refilled;
pipes and drums;
varyak riders, knife dancers, acrobats and marksmen;
lays chanted by an old tribal bard;
a bazaar story teller;
gifts for the guests from the Khan;
Flandry is sure that everyone else had a hilarious time.
See more appetizing meals here.
5 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I don't know about you and other readers, but the last time I read this part of "A Message in Secret," I laughed because I thought the stiff solemnity of this Altaian banquet was comical.
Sean
Sean,
Flandry's reflection on his way back to his room is humorous.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
I'm currently reading the Gregg Press edition of AGENT OF THE TERRAN EMPIRE, which doesn't contain "A Message in Secret" (to be found in FLANDRY OF TERRA). But I will look up the passage you allude to.
Sean
Sean,
It is the one I alluded to: he is sure everyone else had a hilarious time!
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
Now I understand. Flandry was a bit disgruntled by how staid and stiff the banquet was! By contrast, as Aline Chang-Lei said in "Honorable Enemies," Alfzarian feasts could be so riotous that she found herself missing staid and stuffy Terran banquets.
For all we know, the kha-khan's banquet for Flandry was a hilarious affair, by Altaian standards! (Smiles)
Sean
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