"All that waiting made me pretty hungry", Andy said. "Let's find something to eat!".
Holland agreed and soon they found their way to one of the overloaden buffet tables. Apparently, the medieval theme continued on the lunch table, because both the selection of food and the presentation were not modern or stylish, but rustical and plenty. Indeed, if it had not been on a cruise ship, Andy could have very well imagined the buffet to be part of a medieval banquet.
"You know", Holland mused while he loaded his plate with food, "I wonder what this whole medieval and role thing means. Is there gonna be some sort of theme park, or is it just a marketing gag for the resort?"
"I just hope it's not some nerdy roleplaying thing", Andy replied. "With rubber weapons and fat kids shouting 'Fireball, Fireball'".
That earned him a good laugh from his newest aqcuintance, but also a sound of someone clearing his throat nearby.
Standing a few steps from him was a rather old man in staff uniform, with a most impressive white bushy full beard, reaching down past his chest. Andys first thought was that, would he not be wearing the staff uniform but a robe and pointy hat, he would pass for the most convincing wizard he could think of.
"Excuse me, good sirs. I could not help but listen in to your conversation, I am most sorry. However, if you allow, I will shed some light into your darkness, and possibly create some new mystery along the way."
"You see", the old man continued, "your adventure started in the very moment you sat foot on this vessel. Yet the boat is merely here to... transport you. Transport you to where you need to go in order to find your true nature, reach your destiny, so to speak. There may be many many people on this ship, but their paths will soon diverge and you might find yourself alone or with only a few comrades before you all find together again. Provided, of course, that you indeed will walk your path until the end and not get lost on the way."
The old man chuckled, like he just told a joke only he understood. "Oh, and I can assure you, good sir. Every weapon you will encounter will be made of steel, not rubber, you don't need to worry about that."
Without waiting for a response, the staff member walked away from Andy and Holland, leaving the two of them standing somewhat confused.
"Well", Holland broke the silence after a few seconds. "He wasn't kidding when he said he'll talk in riddles or whatever. I feel like I maybe understood half of what he said."
"I kind of like the whole flair of the cruise.", Andy replied, "I mean, that's brilliant marketing-vise. I bet that guy was only hired to walk around with his beard and tell people cryptic stories!"
Both men finally got to eating their food, which was rich and delicious. Andy did notice that Holland, who was eating a drumstick with his hands, was increasingly cleaning his hands with a napkin between bites. He shrugged mentally. If the other man didn't like to get his fingers greasy, he probably should have chosen other food.
After having stuffed their stomaches, Andy and Holland decided to