Designing the costumes is a painstaking historical project. Of course, I’m dressing the Norman nobility in cool tones to set them apart from the Saxons or Scots. Pavel himself is trying on a luxurious barma for the first time—something fit for the highest Slavic nobility and princes. Since Klucky has a clear Scottish accent, she’s exempt from the Norman color scheme. At the dinner, they’ll be discussing trade, Baltic security, and funding for the Prince to ease the financial strain on the Saxon population and gentry, while boosting the Prince’s authority (since he’ll be king someday anyway). A marriage to Marian Fitzwalter was also on the agenda, but Pavel insisted on holding off the official announcement—though he’s already paid half the massive dowry for such a union. As you can see, John is wearing the gifted royal Slavic fur coat (even though whole furs weren’t shipped to avoid damaging the sable), and he’s extremely grateful for such a regal present. Meanwhile, Marian and Klucky went all out hunting for their finest outfits—this was the challenge I threw at them back in the Healing chapter, and you could see the excitement spark in their eyes.