subplotkudzu | Emirikol Part III scene 21

Upon their return home they found that Johann had indeed been busy: he later apologized for making his way through an opening window around the back of the house, selecting w ine from the cellar and taking the liberty of establishing a line of credit for Lord Von Eisenwald at three of the local grocers, but he felt he was operating within the mandates of Dietrich's original request. With this, Dietrich concurred, and once they had taken the opportunity to wash up they convened in the dining hall to try out the repast the gnomish chef had prepared. (Brian: and remember, when thinking of gnomish cooking, the operative word is 'Spices' Bec" Hallelujah! Brian: this differs from hafling cooking, where the operative word is Sausage!)

The first course was a spicy tomato soup that perfectly captures the robust nature of the hearty Emrikolian breeds of that fruit, cultivated to ripen year round. This first proved to be a little on the spicy side for the lady Florane, who, for all of her desire to appear cosmopolitan and experienced, had been raised on more delicate elvish fare. (Bec missed her fortitude save. Tom: so the advantage of being a fighter means I can eat spicy food?) The flames in her mouth were quelled by the plentiful rice served with the chicken, but she wisely peeled away the brilliant red crisped skin of the foul, enjoying the spices that had infused through that coating into the delicately cooked flesh. Her companions did not have such problems, and found the multi-layers taste of the chicken much to their liking. Then, in gnomish tradition, followed the cool mixed greens to offset the physical and flavorful heat of the main course, and then, the pallet cleansed, the berries and thick whipped cream. All tols, a most satisfactory meal, and the group voted with one voice to keep Johann with them for the months ahead. Dietrich directed the diminutive chef to claim the live-in servants' quarters, and jotted an appointment to speak to his solicitor concerning the good fellow's payroll and expenses.

After that, the company fell into a pleasant reminiscence of the day's events - aided by the remains of the wine from dinner - and making plans for the future. Specifically, what to do with the goods they acquired today, in addition to all of those they had previously claimed. With Johann safely to bed (it having boon an act of titanic will for the gnome to cook such a meal the very day he was freed from his imprisonment) the trio divided up the items that were within the house - much of it, for Martin had been true to his word and Johann had signed for the shipment of what could be easily moved from the library - and jotted down notes as to the disposition of the rest.

Deschu's paintings found homes on the walls, with Cybele requesting the swampscape for her own chamber, something about it being appealing to her artistic and serpentine soul. Likewise, she claimed the dresses, with the plan to have them fitted the next day and so expand and enhance he wardrobe. Hiram mentioned his brief acquaintance with a gnomish swordsmith, and speculated that such a man might take the beast-men's weapons cache for a fair enough value. Left unclaimed were the serpent-entwined bracelet, the men's clothing and the crystal decanter and glasses - Hiram set its value at high indeed - and for the moment it was pressed into service in the household. For the rest - the green dragon blood, the cockatrice feather and the echanted pearl - those would have to wait until they either contact 'Aslan Nightshade' or found someone else who might more fully benefit from them.

Heading for bed they voiced their wonderment at Melas' continued absence. Surely, however, with their day's near constant motion and battles, their companion must have had a more restful day. "Likely he found himself some rich window with whom to while away the day" Hiram jokes.

To be continued