There was a burst of warmth from within as Shea and Forrest entered. Behind them came Gowan, stamping snow off his shoes and puffing out steamy breath, which lingered only a moment before dissipating.
The carpeted entry hall was narrow and had low ceilings. There were two lanes that servants traveled up and down, but other than that there was very little wiggle room. The upside to this, Shea knew, was that the heat dispersed more slowly. She'd seen many hallways like this in the other Keeps; it seemed to be an architectural must up here.
The hall split into two more hallways, down the left of which Constance and Arianna guided the group. Torches were high on the walls, lighting them well but burning soot onto the ceiling. The hall wound left and right until they came to a windowless dining room with a table just large enough to accommodate a party their size--not nearly as grandiose as the Ashes'. Venr Ash had wanted to make a statement when he built that Keep. The Barrasters were more conscious with their conservation of heat and stone, it was quite clear. That said, they did not allow the walls and floors to go unadorned. Mythical and historical scenes played out in stylized relief, threaded throughout with runic verse in Nortung. At the end of the room behind the table head was a roaring fire.
"Sit wherever you like," Constance said cheerily, beckoning them all inside.
"You will sit beside Reputation Ennen and myself," Gowan muttered to Lia and Rana. "And you'll eat what they serve and like it."
