The doors on the far side of the room creaked open and a small group entered. They moved with precision, and their every step was measured. Three men and two women wore elegant black clothing trimmed with gold embroidery. Their jackets had high collars and fitted sleeves, and the women wore skirts that swished as they walked. Polished boots gleamed as they strode to the long table that had been pressed against the wall.

"What's this?" I asked quietly.

"This would be lunch," the king said with a grin. "Would I let Everspring's preeminent chef think we're such barbarians in Crownforge that we live on simple, bite-sized beef sandwiches?"

"That's flattering," I said. "The mustard was excellent."

"Ah, yes. A recent invention in the city. I hope it spreads."

I laughed. "Spreads… The king is quite humorous."

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean." King Alister winked.

"Sign me up for some of that mustard, King Alister. It'll go over great at the Shadow's Respite." I laughed.

"I'm sure we can work something out. I'll have one of my advisors put in a good word for you."

A tall man with graying hair at his temples bowed slightly before pulling the table away from the wall. Another unfolded a deep red tablecloth with intricate golden patterns along the edges and draped it over the surface.

Others filed in. They carried trays, platters, and bowls filled with a wide variety of foods. There were roasted meats on wooden carving boards. Each was steaming, and the juices glistened. Next were a dozen pheasants with golden and crackling skin. It was followed by a platter of pork glazed with honey and mustard, surrounded by roasted apples.

Vegetables arrived next. Caramelized baby carrots were stacked next to braised leeks and buttered green beans sprinkled with crushed nuts. A steaming pot of thick stew was placed near the center. I was already on my feet and investigating the food as it arrived. I leaned over and revealed in the many rich aromas. Fresh hot bread loaves, dusted with flour, were laid out alongside slabs of creamy butter.

Then came the items that made me pause—a plate of deviled eggs with a sprinkling of paprika. A salad of greens, tomatoes, and cucumbers dressed lightly with what appeared to be oil and vinegar. And, most curiously, a platter of small, golden-brown spheres dusted with powdered sugar. Were those donut holes? I had to stop myself from madly cackling.

Seraphina approached, her hand brushing mine as we both took in the feast. Her lips curved as she caught my eye. She returned the look with a subtle wink, and I lightly shook my head. Yep. We were seeing genuine earthly foods. If I could do it, why couldn't the king?

Next, goblets with inlaid gemstones were placed on a large silver tray with a beautifully embroidered doily. They were filled with a deep red wine that smelled of cherries and spices, though a pitcher of pale golden mead was set at the end of the table.

Elixander poured a cup of the mead and took a drink. He nodded at the flavor and picked up a plate to start loading it with food.

As more food was carried in, Frostfire rose. She circled the table, her nostrils flaring as she sniffed appreciatively at each new dish. When a roasted duck was set down, she gasped and clapped her hands together.

"This is delightful!" Frostfire exclaimed. "So many wonderful scents!"

I chuckled. It was an overwhelming spread, and I couldn't help but wonder who could possibly eat this much.

"King Alister," I said, my tone light with amusement as I turned to him. "Are you expecting a horde of guests to arrive? Or is this meant to sustain us for the next week?"

"Do not underestimate how much I can eat." Frostfire laughed. She took a plate and began piling it high with food, with the entire roast duck as her centerpiece.

Seraphina picked up a plate and moved around the table, taking bits and pieces from as many platters as she found appealing, which seemed to be most of them. "It would be a crime not to at least make the effort to taste it all."

"I couldn't agree more."

I loaded up a plate of my own, grabbing a few of the deviled eggs and donut holes, which I pushed to the edge of the plate to save for dessert. King Alister and I settled into our seats next to each other, and he turned to me with a friendly smile.

We dug into our meals, savoring the rich flavors. Frostfire, in her human form, had already polished off the entire roast duck and was starting in on the pheasants. Yes, plural.

Elixander, on the other hand, seemed content with his vegetable-centric meal. He nibbled on carrots and leeks, occasionally sipping his mead.

Triolux picked at his food, sampling a bit of everything but not seeming particularly hungry. I leaned over to Alister and explained, "The Ferrokin have unique dietary needs. They don't require as much sustenance as we do."

The king nodded. "Fascinating. I'd love to learn more about your people, Triolux."

The Ferrokin smiled. "Perhaps over a beer, Your Majesty? I enjoy the drink, even if the food doesn't appeal as much."

Laughter echoed around the table at that. Alister clapped Triolux on the shoulder. "A beer it is, then! We'll have to arrange a proper sit-down soon."

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

As the meal progressed, the conversation flowed easily. Seraphina and Frostfire chatted about the properties of gems and magic, while Elixander and Triolux discussed the differences between Ferrokin and Elven craftsmanship. That left King Alister and I to put our heads together and quietly chat. I liked Alister, and had liked him since the moment I'd met him. I’d developed even more respect for the man when I’d learned that he was a transmigrant, like Seraphina and I.

"So, Varix, besides the excitement of being underground, rescuing a dragon," he tilted his head at Frostfire "and your various other adventures, how are things at your wonderful tavern? I hope to return someday for a plate of chicken wings."

"You could always make them here. I'm sure I could teach your chef how. It's pretty easy."

"I will take you up on that, Varix." The king grinned and lowered his voice. "Please teach them how to make buffalo sauce while you're at it. Not too spicy for me, but Kara likes much hotter fare than I."

Kara stood off to the side but about a dozen feet away. I also lowered my voice. "I haven't had a chance to ask about your nuptials."

"They draw ever closer. Will you be in attendance?"

"I didn't get an invite." I shrugged. "But I would like to attend. Can Seraphina and I attend?"

"You can all attend." King Alister sat back hard. "I assure you an invite was sent. I had it personally moved through the…" He trailed off and frowned. "How are things at the Shadow's Respite, truly?"

"Look, King Alister, Baron Swiftwood is still a thorn in my side. At every turn, he has undercut me, tried to steal my customers, actually stolen my recipes, and even tried to cut off my supply of alcohol. But I've adapted. I'd argue that I have even surpassed him in some areas with clever maneuvering."

I explained and soon had the king roaring with laughter as I told him about the festival and our competing food carts. Then, I wove a tale around the event night with competing liquor vendors and how I had landed Kieran Darkrune to stay for a residency at my tavern. I fully credited my staff for their help. Without them, I would have never pulled off the events.

"Varix, my friend. You are a smart man." King Alister chuckled. "Baron Swiftwood seems to be a very slow learner. I shall have him…"

"It's okay," I cut off the King. "I can fight my own battles, and I plan to win this one. The Baron, for whatever reason, has it out for me. I get that I have a competing business, but he's going to extremes to get rid of me."

"As you like, Varix, but I would be more than happy to put in a word for you, so to speak. Baron Swiftwood is a proud man. Too proud. But his family is quite influential in court." King Alister lowered his voice. "To be honest. I didn't want to put him in charge of the area at all. It was all political. During the war, the area surrounding Everspring was small and didn't need a large military presence. The townsfolk did well enough running off raiders."

"They are a tenacious bunch," I said fondly.

"I could not agree more. However, the village," the king emphasized the word, "will soon be a town."

"Growth has been fast since the war ended."

"And since a certain tavern keeper rolled into town. Now, there's to be a portal leading to a long-lost city. Where is this located?"

"Uh. Triolux dropped it beside the Shadow's Respite."

"I see."The king laughed.

"It's safe, I can assure you. Only I may open it," Trilux interjected.

"No one else?" King Alister asked Triolux.

"Another ferrokin could, but they still slumber."

The king scratched his chin. "I see. I assume you're authorized to negotiate on behalf of your kind?"

"Aye. That I am."

"Excellent!" The king clapped his hands. "Then we shall speak on this later. For now, let us enjoy our meal."

The party wound down, and King Alister mentioned that he really must attend to pressing matters of state. He clapped his hands loudly, and a small procession entered the room. They carried a beautifully and ornately etched bottle and small glasses on a platter.

"Ah, here we are," the king said, his voice filled with anticipation. "This, my friends, is Dwarven Hearth Whiskey." He lifted the bottle from the platter and held it up for all to see. The intricate etchings on the glass made the bottle seem to glow from within. "This legendary whiskey is aged in the heart of Crownforge's oldest distillery, known as the Stone Hearth," King Alister explained. "The whiskey is stored in barrels lined with volcanic rocks, giving it a unique smokiness. If you will indulge me."

The king carefully poured the amber liquid into the small glasses. The aroma of the whiskey reached me from a few feet away.

"Not only does it taste divine," the king continued, "but it also provides a comforting sense of warmth and tranquility. It eases tensions and promotes deep, restful sleep. I dare say we shall all need a nap after this meal." He grinned at us.

He distributed the glasses to each of us. When I held mine up to the light, it reflected sparkles of floating light, as if pieces of glitter were suspended in the liquid.

"To friendship," King Alister said, raising his glass high. “I want to thank all of you for joining me for this meal. It has been an honor and a pleasure to share this time with you."

We all clinked our glasses together. I sipped the whiskey and was immediately struck by its smoothness. The smokiness the king had mentioned was present, but it was balanced by a subtle sweetness that lingered on my tongue.

As I savored the drink, I looked around at the others. Seraphina had a contented smile, and Frostfire looked positively blissful. Even Elixander wore a satisfied grin.

Triolux, too, appeared to relish the whiskey. He held his glass up to the light to admire the color of the liquid within.

"This is truly remarkable," he said. "I've never tasted anything quite like it."

The king beamed with pride. "I'm glad you enjoy it, friends. I would very much like to spend more time with you all, but matters of state await. I’ve had rooms prepared for you in the palace, and you are welcome to come and go as you like."

The king stood and inclined his head at us. Elixander rose to his feet and bowed deeply. Seraphina also stood and curtseyed. The others and I followed suit and offered bows to King Alister.

As the king turned to leave, Frostfire said, "King Alister, I would like to stay and finish this meal." She waved at the huge table of food.

The king’s eyebrows shot up. "Certainly, Frostfire." He paused and asked, "Um. I do have a small request, if you would indulge me?"

"Of course, King Alister."

He looked almost sheepish when he asked her, "Could I, perhaps, ride on the back of your dragon form when you and I have a few moments to spare?"

Frostfire's eyes lit up. "It would be my pleasure, King Alister. Anytime you wish it."

The King grinned broadly, then turned and headed for the door. He paused one more time and looked at me over his shoulder. "I need a moment of your time, Varix. Walk with me."

I shrugged and joined him. "Of course."

"Excellent."

Now, my curiosity was piqued, and I couldn't help but wonder what matter could be so urgent that the king himself would seek a private audience with me.