Gradually the panic in the hall passed and the guests calmed down. Maica cried over the body of Mayle.

Slowly the guests' anger at her act of retaining them in the hall receded and was replaced by their compassion. They approached Maica and helped her up and into a chair.

King Dulman from the kingdom of Fordor assumed control briefly and ordered the guards to remove Mayle’s body to his chambers. Meerde was present and confirmed preliminarily that Mayle’s death was due to poison.

The guests gradually calmed down and left for their chambers.

Maica remained seated at the table of honor, or what was left of it until the...