Bishop White wanted to talk to me for quite a while. It was simple enough to entertain him with some stories from my travels and tales from the tournaments I had been in. Gerald White was a young man. He could not be older than 26 years old. When we were called for the meal, I said "I was invited as a fighter along with my lord. I'll be dining with my companions. It was wonderful talking to you, My Grace." He smiled and said "It was certainly very refreshing to meet you as well, Sir Rhombus. May we meet again." I took my leave and went to the table. I was sat next to Anthony. On the other side was Fabien. Anthony glared at me. "What in God's name were you doing!?" he demanded with balled fists. I was shocked. "What happened!? I didn't do anything!" I said reflexively. "You were cavorting with a colorless!" Fabien chided. It stunned me. "Excuse me? I don't know that term." I said. "That sorry excuse for a priest you were with. People born in sin like that are known as "colorless". Look at his skin. It has nothing. Even his hair is devoid of all human color." Fabien explained. I sighed.
Looking at them in turn, I said "Anthony. Fabien. You know that I hold you both in very high regard. I am not from these lands. Where I am from, those types of people are called "albino". It has nothing to do with generational sin or morality. Just like with some animals, sometimes people are born with a genetic abnormality that takes all the pigment from their skin and hair. That trait can be passed down to children as easily as your height or eye color. I will not treat anyone differently because of the color of their skin. Where I am from, that is seen as the most immoral thing that you could do to someone." They both looked upset. "Whether you call them colorless or albino does not make a difference. It is a taboo in this kingdom." Fabien said. "You will bring dishonor on yourself and us if you are seen with them." Anthony added. I looked at down at my plate. "I don't get it, Anthony. If albinos are that reviled and shunned here, how are two of them ordained bishops here in the capitol duchy!?" I asked. Fabien said "A really bad joke. From all that I have heard, their father is too wealthy to be ignored."
Knowing that, I shrugged my shoulders. "I see." was all I said. That seemed to be the end of the conversation. Scores of servants then flooded the hall. They brought the first course. I had heard in advance that it would be a big 7 course meal. Usually a royal gathering would be no less than 10 courses. However, this was a celebration for a bastard nephew. Sir Killroy was at the place of honor. Unmarried, he was attending with his mother at his side. It showed that he actually cared very deeply for her. She seemed to adore him as well. She was a noble lady by birth, but she was no more well connected or lofty than the Swifthearts were. A 7 course dinner menu includes an hors d'oeuvre, soup, appetizer, salad, main course, dessert, and mignardise. A mignardise is a tiny, bite-sized dessert or pastry served with tea, coffee, port, brandy, or scotch. Anthony and Fabien had both advised me not to eat at all today, so I was pretty hungry when the first course arrived. This was a set of goat cheese biscuits. Both water and wine was also provided to us. I finished them quite quickly. I was clearly lowborn.
