Ruben's soldiers hid their swords beneath the table, at their seats. Slade's soldiers were asked to surrender their weapons when they entered the estate.
It was a sensible thing to do for any guest coming to a banquet. So they hid small blades and knives inside their clothes to bypass the guards.
Those tiny blades meant nothing in front of real steel swords.
Ruben's force had an advantage. All because Siderius had advised beforehand.
An enemy stood up, hand plucking into his shirt to pull out the knife. A soldier sat next to him was quicker. He grabbed the blade under the table and sliced that hand before he could even do anything.
The next table was the same. With Ruben's men mercilessly massacred the enemy.
Slade's expression darkened. He stepped backwards, into the safety of his men as they surrounded him. His men pulled out their swords. They were the only ones with swords because they were a lord's guards.
