Chapter 25 #3
“Ah? Was that it? Oh, I see then. She must remain bitter.” Ekton bit into the bread. “It’s as good as I imagined. Why didn’t Yorikon ever invite me to dine at your home? He was keeping you all to himself.”
Pink tinged Mya’s cheeks, but she looked pleased.
“Maybe King Ekton would like a tour of your bakery,” Rylana suggested. “With samples.”
“Oh!” Ekton’s eyes beamed interest.
“The second course will be ready soon,” Jildarin said, having walked out of the kitchen to check on the progress of the appetizer. Since he scowled at Rylana, he must also have heard her suggestion.
“The tour could take place after the meal has concluded.” Rylana thought working to reunite Mya with her family was more important than Jildarin getting a new name on his plaque, but she didn’t want to go out of her way to ruin his plans for the meal.
“Perhaps a brief interlude?” Ekton suggested, winking at Mya.
“I would be honored, sire.”
“Isn’t that the bakery that’s known for pornographic cakes?” the priest asked, lip curling.
Mya’s cheeks grew pinker. “Some of my baked goods are adult-themed, for those who enjoy such items, but there’s nothing pornographic about them.” Though she’d been vexed at Rylana earlier, Mya gave her an imploring vouch-for-me-please look now.
“They’re just shaped into certain body parts,” Rylana said. “There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s fun.”
“There are giant zerg sticks,” said Rolf, who’d been listening to the conversation while filling glasses and removing empty plates. “And big melon-sized tatas.” He grinned and waved a pitcher of water toward his chest.
Mya dropped her face onto her hand. Rylana knew she wasn’t embarrassed about offering such goods, at least not in general, but maybe she felt judged by her monarch. Rylana didn’t think Mya needed to worry. Ekton looked amused. His stuffy priest was the judgmental one.
“I’d like to see and sample those.” Ekton smiled at Mya, as if to reassure her that he wasn’t offended in the least.
“After the meal,” Jildarin stated. “The dwarf baker has prepared desserts that are meant to be consumed after the savory dishes.”
“I’ve never been much of a rule-follower, I’m afraid.
” Ekton made shooing motions to his booth companions, indicating he wanted to get out.
“But I’ll return, Lord Dragon. Your food is also excellent.
I had no idea that dragons cooked anything—well, other than the occasional rapid searing—and I’m delighted to experience the food wrought by your talented touch. ”
“Hm.” Jildarin folded his arms over his chest, appearing more peeved than mollified, but he didn’t attempt to stop the king from getting out of the booth.
Ekton rested a hand on Mya’s shoulder before nodding for her to lead him to the door.
His gentle expression made Rylana think this was as much about apologizing for the indignity that she’d suffered in his court as wanting to try her food.
Good. Rylana hoped this led to Mya’s children being able to visit her.
And her grandchildren. Rylana smiled, wondering if they were as young and wild as Rolf’s crew.
Jildarin noticed her smile and frowned at her.
“I’d be delighted to try your second course, Chef Dragon,” Wikla said.
A few guards were accompanying the king, but most of the dwarves remained, and several others nodded as well.
“As would I,” the priest said. “I much prefer this excellent food to adult cakes. Goodness. What would the gods think?”
“Very well,” Jildarin said, though he shook his head, still frowning as the king departed.
Sylin came over and waved for Rylana to join her in a corner.
“As I was looking out the window,” Sylin said, “a female dwarf wearing a hood walked past and peeked into the diner. She went around the corner and disappeared from my view, but I’m going to go out to see if she’s part of the king’s retinue or… not.”
“Do you think it might have been the female gang associate?”
“The hood made it hard to see her face, and Captain Laridon gave me a description that could apply to many female dwarves. I’ll question her if she’s lurking out there, but I thought you should know.” Sylin looked toward the booth.
Wikla remained, the book and horn in front of her, but she was gazing toward the hallway as Jildarin, Gniknik, and Rolf brought out the next round of rockballs. Several guards had accompanied the king, but more remained in the dining room, and Rylana doubted anyone would attempt to steal the horn.
“I’ll check on the bakery.” Rylana didn’t have any reason to think the gang wanted to harm the king, but Sylin was wearing a grim I-anticipate-trouble expression. “Let me know if you identify the dwarf or find anyone else nefarious and shifty.”
“Even though this is a complimentary meal,” Rolf said to a table of guards as he deposited plates in front of them, “I deem it to have a value of at least fifteen silver coins. Chef Jildarin won the Golden Whisk contest, and his food is worth a premium. Let me know if you need help calculating an appropriate tip for that.”
“You mean nefarious and shifty outside of this diner?” Sylin asked.
“Yes,” Rylana said. “I can identify those inside myself.”