I snagged Emery’s hand and pulled her along through the Flowing Dragon City streets. It hadn’t been all that long since we had visited last, but with the wedding plans moving forward - however slowly - there was always something to do, someone to see, or something to buy.
In this case, we had several of each of those options. But for now, we really only had one real goal. We needed to drop by the Celestial Dragon Pavilion and run through the tasting menu that Lyn was so graciously putting together for us.
I had talked with her several times in the last two months since our first official meeting. The woman was an absolute force to be reckoned with. She had been nothing but polite, friendly, and welcoming to me, but I could tell that she was evaluating me every time we spoke. Her husband Cyrus was much the same, always friendly and open but seeing everything with inquisitive eyes.
If nothing else, I was sure that Lyn was regularly watching me for any suspicious moves or ulterior motives. I truly had none, so I didn’t make any effort to hide anything. When I had off-handedly mentioned my family to her during our first talk, she was shocked by the connection. I was shocked that the Elders were unaware; I had simply assumed they had done a thorough background check on me. Afterall, they knew I was from the Frozen Mountain Sect. How they managed to get that information, but not my family information was beyond me.
But when Lyn showed interest, I told her the truth and hid nothing. I had given her the exact same information that I had given Emery just days ago. My parents are Dain and Solana Mephra, the two current heads of the Mephra family. I left the family, with my parents reluctant blessing, to join the Frozen Mountain Sect because I had no desire to take over the family business as a merchant. I even told Lyn my original name.
I used the name Axies, which held no significance to anyone that I was aware of, and went in the same as any other not-rich hopeful. Once I was accepted into the Sect, I told two of the Elders that I regularly interfaced with that I was part of the Mephra family, and that the secret should be kept.
I was fourteen at the time. Thinking back on it now, I believe telling them was probably a bad idea. I lucked out because even the Elders of the Sect were probably afraid of what my family could do if they did something out of line. And so the secret was kept.
When I eventually left the Sect to chase down Emery, I was, for all intents and purposes, an estranged daughter of the Mephra family. I had made no real effort to stay in contact with them over my years in the Sect. So much so that I didn’t even contact them to tell them I was leaving. The message that I had sent them after Emery and I talked in the playground was the first time they had heard from me in probably six years.
I even went as far as warning both Lyn and Emery that my family was full of a bunch of greedy assholes last I had heard, and they should not be taken lightly. I had no idea how they would react to the City, our little basin, or anything else about my life now. But if the Elders were too nice to them, they would almost certainly find themselves with new political hangers-on.
Thankfully, in the two months since, I had apparently at least proven my earnestness to the Elders. They seemed to accept that I was truthful with them about leaving the Frozen Mountain and wanting to stay here honestly.
I think offering a bit of dirt on my family to secure a discount on our wedding catering helped Lyn warm up to me.
It didn’t stop Lyn from doing her best to read me at every turn, though. Which was fine. I was comfortable with who I was, and didn’t particularly feel threatened by her trying to see into my soul.
Our last chat had been a very pleasant one. Lyn had even helped me put a list together of easy to forget things for the wedding that needed doing. And apparently, according to her, tasting the food that would be served on the day was a listed item.
But let’s be honest, if she was offering to feed Emery and I a meal of her own making there was no way we’d miss it.
Which led us to this shopping trip into the city with a list of things to do, and our first stop was the Celestial Dragon Pavilion for a late lunch and early dinner tasting menu.
“Girls.” Lyn greeted us just inside the door. “It’s wonderful to see you both. And you look so happy!” She said, and gave us each a polite bow.
“It’s good to see you again, Lyn. I hear that you and Avuri have been getting along very well.” Emery said in greeting.
“We have!” She responded. “Let me tell the both of you, I am so excited to be catering your wedding.” Her grin was spread ear to ear. “Unfortunately, with the prices what they are here, it’s so rare that we get catering requests. And because most people can’t afford it, the people who can seem to believe that we simply don’t offer it.”
She sighed. “I’m hoping that catering for you will get the word out that we do, in fact, offer catering. I miss cooking for parties.” She trailed off, sounding sad, but then perked right up to continue. “In any case, come in, come in! Follow me and we’ll go to a back room where you can try our catering options.” Her eyes glittered with mischief, which set me on edge.
I cleared my throat as we followed her down a hallway. “Lyn, with all due respect…I don’t like the look in your eyes.” I said. “You’re not about to go changing our deal, are you?” I said, narrowing my eyes at her back.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“Oh, no, dear.” She said, sounding earnest. I wasn’t sure if I bought it. “But I do have a number of foods that I offer in addition to the typical catering menu for a little extra. And I have every confidence in my cooking. If you walk out of here without a few of them added on, I would be shocked.”
Emery laughed and put a hand on my shoulder before I could say anything. Whether I was about to object or not, I wasn’t actually sure.
“That’s fine, Lyn.” Emery said warmly. “I saw the numbers for the deal you cut Avuri - if you want us to buy a few add-ons, we can do that. But we’ll have to see if I can’t talk you into lowering that price, too.”
Lyn’s head shot around to look at Emery, her eyes blazing with curiosity. “I imagine Avuri told you what her end of our deal was?”
“She did.”
“Then you -”
“ - Have some dirt on Vale that I’d be willing to share?” Emery’s smile widened at the same time Lyn’s did. “Perhaps.”
“Oh, girl, I think I’m gonna like you.” Lyn hummed as she turned back forward again. It was just a few steps after that that she stopped at a door. With one hand on the handle, she turned toward us, as if to present the door. “Behold! The basic catering spread!” She declared, and swung the door open.
When she stepped in to allow us by, my jaw dropped. The spread before us was anything but basic. The center of the room was dominated by a large table that was probably a meter wide and four meters long. And it was absolutely packed to the brim with dishes. So much so that if I couldn’t see the emerald green table cloth draping down from the sides of the table, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to see what color the table was.
“Lyn, you have to be kidding me.” I said, staring and looking through the dishes from where I stood.
“I never joke about food, young lady.” She chastised. “Everything on this table has been prepared freshly today, the same way it would be done on your wedding day. Everything on the table before you is included in the basic package that Avuri and I have decided upon as part of our deal.” Lyn grinned a devilish smile, one clearly of a merchant with new prey.
She snapped her fingers and the door swung open. Two workers rolled in a whole second table piled high with other food; and I could tell at a glance it was expensive. While the initial spread was already impressive looking, the new table’s food made it look drab in comparison. The plating and design of the dishes was on an entirely different level, looking as artistic as any statue.
The centerpiece was particularly eye-catching; a meter tall tower stacked high with steamed dumplings and buns. They were decorated with some kind of golden flakes and the wrappings were different colors, creating a lovely red and gold spiral up the tower.
“Everything on this table is extra.” Lyn said, glancing at Emery. “If you want anything from there, we can talk pricing and discounts.” She glanced over at me briefly, then back to Emery. “If we need to talk somewhere private to talk terms, I can have a room prepared.”
Emery merely shook her head. “No. I do appreciate the discretion, but I don’t mind Avuri hearing anything I have to share. I trust her.”
I couldn’t help but smile at that, even knowing Emery was just being sweet. I’d already heard a fair number of blackmail worthy stories regarding Vale. I was pretty sure that I could even strike a bargain with Lyn on my own with what I knew, if it came to that.
Lyn smiled. “That’s good. I hope your relationship stays as strong as it looks right now.” Then she made a face. “I realize how that sounded. But I meant it genuinely. If the two of you continue as you are now, you can both expect a fair bit of support from the Elders. You’re doing good work.”
“Thank you, Lyn.” I said, then my eyes drifted back to the huge buffet laid out for us. “Now, shall we get to tasting? I suspect we’re going to be here for a while.”
“Yes, of course.” Lyn affirmed, her merchant’s smile back in place. She walked over to the table and began her sales pitch. It was clearly rehearsed.
“As you can see, the basic package is pretty expansive, even on its own. Anytime a dish gets low throughout the night, it’ll be refilled. We won’t charge you more for that.” She motioned at various spots on the table.
“While the buffet table as a whole is very full, there are a number of dishes that repeat, so not everything on the table is unique. Obviously, common dishes like dumplings and fried rice will have multiple dishes worth available. The specific meats available will have only one or two plates of each at a time. That included chicken, pork, and beef in varying styles.”
She swept an arm out behind her at the more expensive table. “Of course, any and all of the dishes can be replaced with something more impressive at your behest.” With an innocent smile, she turned to me and asked, “We can also make any replacements you like, if you have specific dishes you’d like, even if it’s not here. For example, Avuri, what is your favorite dish?”
I had a feeling she somehow already knew my answer, so I asked, “You could make Icebeak out here?”
Lyn smiled and nodded. “Indeed we could. For a price.” She added slyly.
“Icebeak?” Emery asked.
“Did you not have any when you were by the Frozen Mountain?” I asked, shocked. “It’s a local specialty around there! The environment around the mountain is the natural home of the Icebeak. It’s a relative of the chicken, but has dark blue skin. The flavor is slightly gamier than regular chickens, and the meat carries a particular cooling sensation. It’s…difficult to explain if you’ve never had it.”
“I…see.” Emery said, looking regretful. “I’m kinda sad I missed it. I should’ve paid more attention to local cuisines when I traveled, clearly.”
“But we could have it at the wedding?” I asked Lyn, excited.
“We could. We have enough time to get them shipped over, if you’d like. But we should decide sooner rather than later, since we need to get in touch with our suppliers.” Once again, Lyn’s response sounded practiced, as if she’d started many negotiations with it.
“Well, let’s talk shop, then.” I said, affecting my own rich merchant’s daughter persona. It didn’t see the light of day very often anymore, but it was still there. All the teachings my parents had driven into me as a child were still hidden under everything else. “I’m sure we can come to an understanding.”
As Lyn looked between Emery and I once more, an excited, predatory look slowly overtook her whole face.
“Oh, I think this is going to be a fun evening.”