Chapter 29 – Cooking Competition

By the end of the cooking competition Deathwalker, Lady Emma, Frrsha, Draconis, and Garry were stuffed. Sunderer opted to stand guard, though Frrsha did get the giant of a man to sample a few of the items. They all had eaten various cooked and seasoned meats, pastries. The wide variety of dishes had been mindboggling.

“Boss, this idea... burp... was genius!” Garry groaned from overeating.

“I agree with Garry. This was one of the best days I have enjoyed since coming to this city.” Draconis chimed in.

“How are you holding up Emma?” Deathwalker asked.

“I am quite stuffed.”

“Not yet, but you could be.” Garry smiled.

“Garry! What did we talk about when it comes to being around ladies?” Deathwalker chided his familiar.

“No innuendos with the classy ones. High society can be a bit stuffed up.” Garry pouted.

“Stuffy was the word I used. But yes, we should be mindful of what we say around a lady.” Deathwalker replied before turning to the princess. “My apologies Emma.”

She waved the comment off. “I take no offense. Your familiar is an odd one, most of the time I do not understand his references and comments.”

“See, she doesn’t mind at all.” Garry countered.

“That is not exactly what she said my friend. But enough about that, let’s get back to the competition. I think there is a clear winner. Tookin and Alyce.”

“I agree.” Lady Emma stated.

“I second that.” Draconis said.

Frrsha just nodded.

Garry burped, again. “Buurrpp! What you guys said.”

“Ha! That sounds like a glowing recommendation to me.” Lady Emma laughed.

“True enough. Let’s tell them. I am sure everyone would like to know.” Deathwalker replied.

———

Deathwalker and Lady Emma approached the speaker’s podium in the arena. “Good people! Lady Emma and I wanted to announce the winner of the cooking competition. First please give all the competitors a round of applause.”

The crowd clapped and cheered lightheartedly.

Deathwalker raised his hand to get everyone’s attention. “As you all know we will celebrate the end of the Timberfall Festival with a grand hunt. The winner of the cooking competition will lead the cooking of all that we hunt. Once prepared, the food will be shared with all of us. Now without further ado please show your appreciation for Tookin and Alyce!”

This time the crowd was deafening with the cheers and clapping. Several of them had made a point to visit Tookin’s food stand. Word of mouth had spread quickly during the festival. Alyce’s cheery disposition and quick wit combined with Tookin’s unique combination of flavors and dishes led the stand to sell out quickly every day. Their amazing kebabs were the talk of many a festival patron. A few of the bards had taken to writing songs about them. It was those songs that drew Garry and Draconis to seek them out in the first place.

‘Figured it would be good to remind them why this competition was important. Nothing like free food to lift people’s spirits.’ Deathwalker thought as he saw the shocked and embarrassed looks of Tookin and Alyce.

“Please join us for the finals of the Archery Tournament!” Deathwalker motioned for the two winners to come up to the judges’ box.

“You are most gracious Duke Dragonvein.” Tookin said in greeting when he entered the area set aside for judges and their guests.

“Nonsense. You earned it with your amazing cooking. Feel free to take a seat anywhere.” Deathwalker replied.

“Sit here next to us Alyce.” Lady Emma patted the chair next to her.

“Thank you, princess.” Alyce said as she took her seat.

“Deathwalker was telling me all that you do Alyce. Helping with your grandfather’s leatherworker business, assisting your mother at the Adventurers’ guild, and now helping your uncle with his food stand. Most impressive.” Lady Emma praised.

Alyce blushed. “Deathwalker talks about me?”

“Of course I do. You and your family were some of the first people I met in Timberfall. All of you were kind and helpful. Besides you three and Samuel are how I got my start.”

“I did not realize you knew no one, Deathwalker. You are so well liked and known now I forgot you were just a mysterious traveler at first.” Alyce commented.

“You know that when I talk to Samuel, he raves about you and Elsa all the time. He says you’re like a second daughter to him and that you will help Elsa with the tavern just so the two of you get time to hang out.” Deathwalker continued.

“Yet another thing you help with! When do you have time to be have fun or do things you like?” Lady Emma asked.

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Alyce blushed again as she shrugged her shoulders. “Elsa and I find time to hang out as we can. Until recently Timberfall was much quieter, so we had more time on our hands. But I do not mind, I like to help others.”

“That is most admirable.” Lady Emma said.

Tookin interjected. “Duke Dragonvein, do you really plan to feed the entire city from the spoils of the great hunt?”

“Please call me Deathwalker.”

“I could not, your grace. It would not be appropriate.” The nervous cook replied.

“Nonsense. I prefer to be less formal. Also, to answer your question, yes, I plan to feed the entire city. I expect many of the nobles, their guards, and the adventurers to join the hunt. The forest is overpopulated with various beasts and monsters as of late. Something to do with the primary predators vanishing.” Deathwalker answered.

“Yea, I wonder where they went.” Garry deadpanned.

Frrsha giggled. “He, he, he, he!”

The others looked puzzled but let it go when Deathwalker changed the subject.

“My personal chef is out of town and will not be back any time soon. If you are interested, I would like to hire you as our personal chef. That is until Mezza returns.”

The shocked cook nodded in his chair. “I would be most honored.”

“Also, feel free to recruit any of the other cooks to help you in the feast preparations. I know it is far too much to put on two people.”

“That is most appreciated Deathwalker.” Alyce commented. She then turned to Lady Emma. “My lady, can I ask you what it is like to be a princess?”

“If you can call the duke Deathwalker, then you can call me Emma. As for what it is like, usually it is rather boring. I am required to attend various noble gatherings and balls...”

Garry laughed. “Ha!”

“Garry!” Deathwalker warned.

“But boss, she walked right into that one!”

“Later buddy.” Deathwalker said before apologizing to Emma for the interruption. “My apologies.”

Lady Emma waved it off. “I do not get it but no matter...”

“Oh, I just got it! Thank you for the mental image! Ha! That is hilarious Garry!” Draconis burst out laughing.

“Please ignore them.” Deathwalker replied.

Emma shrugged. “Much of what I do Alyce is a matter of duty. I do get to help people as I can.” She then put her hand into Deathwalker’s, “Then there are the rare times like these where I can be myself and create amazing memories with those I care about. These are the moments that I cherish and help sustain me through the rest.”

Deathwalker squeezed Emma’s hand. “I wholeheartedly agree with that statement.”

“Awe, see I knew I wanted to be a princess!” Alyce commented as she looked at the two holding hands.

General Mineheir entered the seating area and took one look at Deathwalker and Emma before smiling and speaking up. “My apologies for the interruption, but King Alfheim and the other judges should be here shortly.”

“I appreciate you letting us know General. I hear two of the semi-finalists are from your retinue.” Deathwalker greeted.

The general took a seat next to Draconis. “Yes Duke Dragonvein. They are two of my finest archers.” He then turned to Draconis, “It is good to see you again Draconis.”

The dragon in humanoid form grunted. “Eh.”

General Mineheir tried to start up a conversation. “Perhaps we could spar again in the near future.”

“Who am I to deny you a beating.”

“I have been practicing, I think you will find...”

Draconis interrupted the elven general. “It will not matter.”

“You may be correct...”

“May be correct?” Draconis scoffed.

“Okay Sheldon.” Garry quipped.

Draconis looked back at the Shadow Gazer. “Are you feeling alright Garry? Why would you call me by another name? Surely, you know that makes no sense.”

“Don’t call me Shirley. Ha, ha, ha, ha!” Garry laughed.

Even Deathwalker chuckled. “Ha! That was a good one buddy.” He turned to his apprentice. “It is an inside joke Garry can explain later. I believe it would be good for you to spar with the general again.”

Mentally Deathwalker said, “It will teach you restraint. Last time you patted a soldier on the back for giving you directions you knocked him into the nearby wall.’

‘You heard about that?!’ Draconis telepathically replied.

‘Of course, Commander Willis keeps me well informed.’

General Mineheir smiled at Deathwalker’s recommendation. “Thank you, your grace. Fighting stronger opponents is how one grows stronger and pushes past their previous limits.”

“That I can agree with.” King Alfheim said as he entered the judges’ box. “Sounds like my friend is trying to fight your apprentice again Deathwalker.”

“That he is. Here, I saved you a seat next to me.” Deathwalker motioned to the open seat on the other side of him.

“I would have liked to sit next to my granddaughter, but who am I to pass up a chance to sit next to my new ally.”

“Grandfather you are shameless! Deathwalker knows you want him to build one of his portal stations.” Emma mock admonished King Alfheim.

King Alfheim shrugged at his granddaughter. “I never claimed I was not transparent in my objectives. Ha! I do hope you both know I have valued my time here in Timberfall. I have been able to repair my relationship with Emma and you have been most hospitable Deathwalker.”

“Something tells me we would be stronger together than apart King Alfheim. You and your people have been excellent guests... for the most part.” Deathwalker smiled at the end.

“Oh? Has one of my retinue been a bother?”

Prrsha who appeared out of nowhere next to her sister chimed in. “Yes. That frigid witch!”

“Where did you come from? Most impressive display of stealth.” King Alfheim turned back to Deathwalker. “I am guessing she is referring to Advisor Mona?”

Deathwalker nodded.

King Alfheim sighed. “Ah, yes I have noticed her rather keen interest in you Deathwalker.” He then motioned to Emma and Deathwalker holding hands. “Though I figured you would be used to interest from others. It is all I can do to keep my daughter from trying to spend what time she can with you.”

Emma spoke up. “I thank you for that grandfather. Auntie can be a bit ‘driven’.”

“Ha! That is one way to put it.” The elven king laughed.

“Oh, really father?” Duchess Lightheart interjected as she walked into the seating area with Elder Martha and Lords Dormeir and Simium.

“You know I only speak truth daughter.”

“That does not mean I approve. I thought it was rather odd that you were monopolizing my time. Here I thought you wanted to catch up. I do not approve.” Duchess Lightheart replied.

“Oh, come now daughter. I have greatly enjoyed my time with you. Do not make it out as anything other than giving my granddaughter time with our host. Come, sit next to me.” King Alfheim patted the seat next to him.

“Very well. I did monopolize Deathwalker’s time when he was in the capital.” Duchess Lightheart said as she took her seat.

Lord Dormeir sat behind Deathwalker. “You do not pay Elder Martha enough.” Sebastian said as he leaned in and motioned to the older elf and how she already had Duchess Lightheart distracted and smiling.

“I agree.” King Alfheim whispered as he heard what Lord Dormeir said.

“Well, I second that and will have to see what I can do. Been having fun Sebastian?”

“Yes, surprisingly Lord Simium and I have much in common. He has been giving me some valid pointers for next year’s tournament.”

“Surprisingly?” Lord Simium teased.

“Oh, you know what I mean! I was paying you a compliment.” Sebastian replied.

“Oh, is that what that was?” Lord Simium had a stern face before it broke into a smile. “Ha! You are fun to mess with my friend!” Lord Simium sat next to Sebastian and the two men clasped wrists.

“I am happy to see you two getting along. So, who are you rooting for?” Deathwalker asked.

“Mara of course!” Cal said as he and Mary Sue entered.

“Though I have been impressed with your sister’s performance Cal, I will be rooting for Lord Longshot.” Sebastian replied as the two newcomers sat on his other side.

“As will I, Calcius.” Lord Simium answered.

“Hey, I am still rooting for my people.” General Mineheir chimed in.

“Either way this should be interesting.” Deathwalker stated.