The scent of bread just baked was once more in the air, but for the first time it was accompanied by an additional scent, equally familiar to Snow. The scent of rich broth floated on the air, and Snow was unreasonably cheered that for once the meal would be food she recognized.
The customary spot for the missing Darion was empty, but all others sat still and unmoving, waiting at their seats with calm and patient faces. Snow joined them quickly, worried they had been waiting on her. It soon became apparent that they were waiting for something else, as they continued to sit in complete stillness.
Minutes crept by with impossible slowness, and Snow began to fidget. She could feel herself growing hungrier by the minute, and the enticing aroma's from the bread and soup must be classified as torture. After what felt like an eternity Snow turned to Navormal on her right to ask him when they would eat, but as she opened her mouth Navormal turned and looked at her with a burning intensity that seemed to pin her in place. Snow shut her mouth silently.
Time crawled on.
It darkened around them as twilight continued to fall, and then began to give way to night. Soon the several candles were the only light in the room. Snow began to wonder just how long it had been.
Snow was beginning to wonder if time had come to a complete stop. If, this single moment of waiting had lasted forever, and would last forever. If this single solemn moment had wrapped around her like a web around a fly, inescapable and endless.
The door opened. It did not open quickly or loudly. If anything, it was almost subtle. Yet in the stillness and silence it seemed as obvious as a cannon blast.
Darion stood in the doorway. He looked different now than he had in the brief moment she had seen him this morning. He was dressed the same, yet the difference could not be more clear. His bearing seemed calm and assured, unlike the embarrassment and fluster that he had exhibited this morning. He also felt of power, of the same kind that had so strongly affected her the previous night. Most interestingly, he stood tall and proud, and met Navormal's eyes.
The stillness seemed even deeper as they seemed to stare each other down. The atmosphere seemed heavy with deep power. After a long moment, they looked away in unison, and Navormal slipped into his seat. He instantly began to serve himself, and as soon as he had finished, the others followed suit.
Despite all that had happened today, Snow wondered at what had just occurred. It seemed the strangest of things. She determined to speak to Darion. Soon. Then allowed herself to be distracted by the food.