Aldren quickly walked, nearly ran, being that excited, to his tent to fetch the boxes of alchemy stuff. While walking towards the gate, he looked around the square. Other masters were still explaining their testing and answering questions from the initiates. Next to him were the others, also walking as fast as they could towards their tent. “Hey Sharmune, what did you bring for alchemy tools?” He asked the vampire. The vampire looked at him. “My supplies include a mortar and pestle, burner, candle container, and test tubes. Some knife to cut stuff with. A whole selection of potion bottles. A funnel to pour the potions into the bottles. The usual I guess? You?” He asked while walking. Aldren nodded. “I think about the same, yeah. I also brought some bigger bottles for multiple doses of potions.” He answered and Sharmune nodded, “Yeah, same actually. I’m this way.” He said and pointed toward his tent. Aldren smiled and pointed in a different direction. “I’m over there. See you soon.”
In his tent, he set the boxes with stuff outside, and then stacked them on top of each other before walking back towards the fortress. He saw alchemists from all over the area hurrying with boxes and bags.
In the fortress, the other masters had begun their tests, and people were hustling. He glanced towards where he had seen the fighters. They fought each other in two rows. He rooted for his sister and then headed on.
In front of the building, several people were placing down tables and bowls. He quickly entered the building and chose a table. His eyes had to adjust to the darker light. Ottkatla, as quick as he, was already setting up in the corner. He chose the table nearest the exit and put down the stack of boxes and started unboxing them. The mortar and pestle went there, alongside the cutting board and knife. The test tubes in their frame went behind the mortal and pestle. His only option was an oil burner with a tea light. One bag remained, brimming with potion bottles, a pen, and a tape holder. He hastily hid the empty boxes in a dark corner, left the bag of potion bottles on the bench, and headed outside.
Noticing their continued busyness, Aldren hurried to the other side of the square for lunch. If he hurried, he could catch the historian after lunch.
Inside the tavern, the tavern owner is at the bar helping people with food.
“Hello there. What are my choices for lunch?” Aldren asks the friendly-eyeing lady.
“Hello hello. Well, we’ve got something for everyone. The menu is right over here. “
High Elfin (instant) noodles
Orc (instant) curry
Gnome fried fish and veggies
Wood Elfin jerky with seasons fruit and veg
Vampires ham quiche
Hagraven fish stew
Grell fries with a snack
“That’s quite a selection you have there.” He said with a smile.
The tavern keeper smiled back at him. “Master Sachi expected people from all countries to attend. He was hospitable and provided something for everyone.”
“And he was right. I am sure everyone will feel very welcome. Well, I’m curious about a Vampiric ham quiche. Can I get a slice?” Aldren asked.
“Do you want it warm or do you mind if it’s cold? The quiche has cooled off since it was made this morning. I can heat it in the oven, if you prefer.”
“Oh no, I haven’t got very long now, I’m afraid. I’ll just eat the quiche as is.”
“Very well. It will only be a moment. Would you like a drink with it?”
“Do you have anything other than tea?”
“I’ve got some fruit juice, or some carbonated beverages from Grell.”
“Let’s do an orange carbonated beverage then.”
“Excellent. You can sit down. I’ll bring it to you.”
Aldren smiled and nodded. Then he saw Ottkatla entering the tavern for lunch as he turned around. He nodded to her with a, hopefully, friendly smile and then sat down at an empty table.
He hadn’t settled in yet when the tavern owner was at his table with his drink and food.
“Thank you. After you’ve served my fellow alchemist, would you like to talk some more about international cuisine with me? I’d like to get your take on it.” He said to her.
After a quick glance, she smiled at him. “Why not? Lunch is unpopular at this early hour. I’ll be there in a few.”
Aldren happily started munching on his ham quiche slice. It was quite a substantial slice, too. A few bites in the tavern keeper came to stand next to him.
“How is the food?”
Aldren swallowed his food before he could answer. “The food is great. I’m impressed that you have so many original foods to offer. I wonder how you thought of almost every culture. And I see the tavern is not offering Goblin or Eldracyn food.”
We didn’t expect their desire to enter Fearless Company, so we didn’t provide food.
“Might I ask what you would have offered otherwise?”
“Hoo, that’s a good question. For Goblins, it would most likely be a stew of scraps. And for Eldracyn…” She scratched under her hair. “Maybe something like a blood pudding? Or some kind of near raw steak? Something that’s blood related, anyway.”
Aldren laughed. “Yeah, I can imagine. I think you’ve been incredibly inventive with all the choices for the other races.”
She smiled. “Thank you. Oh, here come some people. I should go back behind the bar.”
He nodded and then continued munching on his food, sometimes taking a sip of his drink.
When he had almost finished his food, he saw an important-looking High Elf entering the city and walking towards the castle proper opposite the gate. He stood up, waved towards the tavern keeper and then walked towards the castle as well. It was time for the history lesson, it seemed.
Fearless Company 