In the royal castle of Kastoria, within the spacious and elegantly appointed royal dining hall, the Heroes of Kastoria had gathered for their midday meal—not all of them, but certainly most of the core group who tended to eat together regularly.
They were seated around several large tables arranged in the traditional Japanese style, though modified slightly for their comfort after three years of adaptation. The tables were beautiful pieces of craftsmanship, made from dark polished wood inlaid with decorative patterns that reflected Kastoria's unique aesthetic blending of Japanese and fantasy elements.
Servants moved quietly and efficiently around the perimeter of the room, bringing dishes and refilling cups with practiced discretion. The Heroes had long since grown accustomed to being attended by staff—something that had felt profoundly weird and uncomfortable during their first months here but had gradually become normalized through repetition.
