The Next Step

Left to my own devices, I began to check out my new abode. It was much nicer than any room I had stayed in before. Quite an upgrade when compared to the safe house. The biggest difference would have to be the presence of magical devices throughout the room integrated for convenience.

I no longer had to grab a match box and lantern for light, instead I just needed to press on the crystal embedded in a small metallic rune disc for the room to be better lit. If I needed some fresh water, I could press a crystal at the bottom of this pot. In only moments it would fill itself with fresh clear water. Most of these I had seen before and in some cases even stolen before, but some were new.

My biggest discovery was finding out that the crystal attached to the stone tub in the bathroom would heat any water in it. While I was given a fresh set of clothes and fresh bandages, I was still quite dirty and needed the bath.

The hot water stung like it was helping burn away the dirt and sweat all over my body. Making sure to keep my shoulder wound and its bandages dry I let the rest of my body relax. I laid there for a moment absorbing the heat before I went to work scrubbing myself clean. It would be a shame to waste all the complimentary soap and oils that were left for me as well.

By the time I was finishing up, I heard the door in the other room open along with Vivian letting me know that dinner was delivered. I let her know that I would be out shortly and just leave it on the table.

Part of me wanted stay in the relaxing bath, but the smell drifting in from the other room helped motivate me to get up. After toweling off I went outside to satiate my appetite. The table now held a large, covered plate as well as a mug.

I sat down and took the cover off, revealing the contents of my dinner. It seems like I got a cut of meat that I didn’t know as well as a side of some roasted vegetables.

The meat looked like it was a typical loin, but it was tinged with a purplish color that wasn’t noticeable at first glance due to the exceptional sear. Next to it were two different sauces, one a dark brown and thin while the other seemed to be a cream or butter with green flakes throughout.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Unable to spot myself I began to cut the meat and put a piece into my mouth. As I took my first bite my teeth sunk in with a satisfying crunch from the meats lightly charred outside. Immediately a gush of flavor gushed out. The meat had a savory sweet glaze that was first in the door, followed by the savory fatty oils that began to coat my mouth. The meat itself was hearty, almost gamey, but it was so well cooked that its intensity was reduced. Each chew brought out a new level of richness, as the tender meat dissolved in my mouth.

I was stunned by how good it was. Cut off another piece and dip it into the brown sauce. This sauce was some sort of chili and added a layer of spice to the mix. The heat was just at the right level. Enough to cause a slight tingling and get the sinuses moving, but not too much to steal the spotlight from the quality and cook of the meat.

Trying out the white sauce next, I found that it was very light whipped cream cheese with more herbal notes. It was extremely refreshing and alleviated some of the lingering heat from the brown sauce. It made the meat seem much lighter helping balance the dish altogether.

The vegetables were great as well but were much more mundane by comparison. More just a backdrop and a grounding touch to the meal that I could go to if I was overwhelmed by the meat. They were starchy and earthy playing along with the meat’s gamey aspect.

To top everything off the mug brought along with all of this contained a very light ale with large notes of citrus and was quite fruity. It wasn’t super sweet but was tangy enough to widen the eyes a bit. It was a perfect way to round out the meal and help me not feel full after demolishing the whole plate.

I sat back satiated, and a moment of calm passed.

I was glad that it was that good. For a couple of minutes, it made everything seem worth it. For a moment I was truly enjoying myself.

Then a thought crossed my mind that brought me back to reality.

“I wonder what Briston would have said about all this.”

I wished he was sitting in the chair next to me.

Sitting at that table just made me feel alone.

I reached down and grabbed my bag and took out the case containing the core. I walked over to the bed and lowered myself down on to it.

I opened the boxes latch and let the amber light spill out.

I laid there staring at the core and the mana undulating inside of it. It was like watching strands of sand stream and swirl around each other while pulsating with an intense glow.

If I sold it, I would be able to live comfortably for the rest of my life easily. Obviously, it would be difficult to protect my wealth. I would probably end up buying a lower tier core to awaken with afterwards as well.

That would probably be the safest thing to do. After all, sometimes people fail to awaken or have other issues.

That would be a waste.

A waste not of money, but a waste of potential.

A waste of what if.

At the end of the day there was no choice, only the next step.

I closed the case and set it on the beds nightstand, before laying back and trying to sleep.