The King and Tori stared at Obran and he truly felt embarrassed.
“I mean how can I serve, your highness,” Obran said.
“Your highness, I wouldn’t want Obran or anyone else placed in danger because of me,” Tori said.
“It’s too late for that my dear,” the King said. “The elves will surely not forget either of you, nor the two elves buried in the gremlin forest.”
Had they found the bodies?
“Obran, I want you to accompany Victoria north to Genoa and help to protect and guard her. I’ve arranged for Armenus to escort her to the dwarven docks there where a dwarven ship will take her home.”
“I’m sorry, your highness,” Tori said. “Couldn’t a Carthaginian ship come for me or couldn’t a Roman ship take me home?”
“Though it’s not widely known Tori, we have suffered several attacks and losses from the sea people, on all our shores. They are active in the Mediterranean again. It is part of the reason so many delegations have come to Roma—to arrange a strategy to deal with them once again. Our new navy is not complete and will not be ready for some time. Besides, could I trust a Roman ship to take you back. Dwarven ships are seldom attacked by sea people or pirates and they will hug the coast until they arrive in Hispania. Armenus will leave in two days and you both will quietly leave with him while the celebrations continue.”
“But can you trust the dwarves, your highness?” Obran said.
“I am not sure who I can trust at this time young gremlin but I trust Armenus if only because he needs us to regain his halls and that is why I want you to accompany her as well along with a pair of trusted praetorians. Afterwards whether you wish to join my son’s campaign in the north is a choice I leave to you,” the King said.
“I am at your orders, your highness and there is nothing that I want more than to help Tori,” Obran said.
“Your highness, I wish only to help you and your family as well as my own house. I do hope this decision will be for the best,” Tori said.
“Obran as of now you will be made part of the praetorian order for the duration of your mission; the first of your kind, perform your duty well," the King said.
"I thank you, your highness," Obran said.
"Now I wish to speak privately to Tori but I’ve arranged accommodations for you and your friends. I was hoping all of you could join us at the bath house tomorrow. I have many questions for all of you,” the King said.
“Of course your highness, thank you again,” Obran said.
“We will speak of it tomorrow. Goodnight young praetorian.”
“See you soon,” Tori said to Obran.
Obran put down his wine, stood and saluted, and then walked back to the main ballroom. I’ll have to leave my home and garden, Obran thought. But what could he do? The King could have asked him for anything and Obran would have obliged. It was his duty. I am a praetorian now.
When he got back it looked like the party had gotten even more out of control. More food and drinks had been served and more pretty young women and handsome young men had appeared as well. Where did they come from? Erkin, Tomas, and Zico were with Apicius, the crown chef, along with two noble girls who lingered on Apicius’ every word.
“So I was in the giant cooking pot along with one of my slaves,” Apicius said. “This was years back, before slavery ended. Anyway, three giants had made camp and planned to eat us. My slave, who was a loyal dedicated servant, was in tears, praying to Jupiter and crying for his mother. One giant lit a fire and I started to offer them anything I could think of: gold, silver, any goods they might want or need to get out the cooking pot. But really, I was broke then so I don’t know what I could have really given them. Finally I told them that I had a restaurant in Roma and knew recipes from all the known world and that I’d be their cook; I was practically selling myself to slavery but it was better than being dinner. One of the giants seemed intrigued, said he was so tired of their own cooking, how awful it was, and why not give me a chance. But it didn’t end there, to test my word and to see if I could cook they said I’d have to cook my slave.”
“By the gods, what did you do?” Tomas said.
“What do you think? What would you have done? It was either cook my slave or be cooked along with him,” Apicius said.
“You are here so we can guess what happened,” Zico said. “But did you have to taste it...taste him...?”
“I had to make sure the giants were happy so I did what I had to. That began my time with the giants and that’s how I got their recipes for my book,” Apicius said.
“I don’t think I’ll ever look at those recipes the same way again,” Zico said.
Obran looked around for Mara and saw her with some fellow fae at the other side of the room. The four of them were sitting in a circle and holding hands. Are their wings glowing? What’s that about? It looked serious so he didn’t stare and instead sat down next to his brother Erkin.
“Bro, how did everything go?” Erkin said.
“It was fine. I’ll tell you about it later but let me get a beer now. I really need one,” Obran said.
Obran gave a quick glance to Tomas and Zico who both seemed to understand the need for discretion.
“You must be Obran,” Apicius said. “Your brother was telling me all about you, quite an interesting life you have led.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you chef Apicius and from what I heard just now you’ve had an interesting life as well,” Obran said.
“Yeah, I left plenty of stories for a second book. Obran, I’d love to try some gremlin food. Zico tells me you are quite a cook,” Apicius said.
“Sure, anytime,” Obran said but he honestly didn’t know when that would be.
“But I won’t go to the university again. That ramshackle of a kitchen is awful,” Apicius said. “Sometimes I go to the central market to see what the people are eating and drinking. It’s a great way to stay fresh and current,” Apicius said.
Obran wasn’t sure if he should be insulted or not. He did work at the university and was part of a team but he did agree with Apicius about the food there being awful.
“I do hope to improve the university kitchen and it’s menu one day,” Obran said.
“I was telling Zico that I’d like to try his cooking too and that I need a gnome assistant. The King likes gnome food but my human assistants can’t seem to get the flavors just right. Zico mentioned his stand and that if he were to work here in the castle he could rent the stand to you, Obran,” Apicius said.
“Uhm...I would have to think about it,” Obran said.
“Of course, no pressure, Obran, just an idea,” Zico said.
“But do think about it, Obran,” Apicius said.
But Obran hardly gave it a thought; his mind was too focused on his journey ahead. No more plans for me, not now, maybe ever, he thought. He took a large gulp of his newly arrived beer and watched all the carefree guests enjoying the party.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM6zNXi9vb
