(Morcster Chef Book 2) - Chapter 84 (Patreon)

The waitress approached the three and gave them a wide smile as she collected the finished plates from their table. “Is there anything else I can get you four?”

“I think we’re quite satisfied. That food was fantastic,” Arek said. “I would love to meet the chef. I didn’t think it was possible to make meat sing like that. The flavor was like nothing I’ve ever tasted or made before.”

“Ah,” she said, laughing. “It’s been a long time since Gernon has had a challenger. I can tell by the look in your eyes that his dry streak will end, but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow. I’ll be sure to let him know so that he can get hyped up for it, though.”

“Please do so,” Arek said eagerly. “The chance to match recipes against him would be a great honor. I must ask – do I need to provide my own ingredients? If so, could you direct me to a supplier? I’m a little low on just about everything.”

“Don’t worry about it,” the waitress replied, waving her hand. “It’s covered as part of the expenses for entertainment. But, if you want to restock, there are several supply shops in the Market District. They’re probably closing up for the night, though.”

“That’s no problem. I’ll drop by tomorrow,” Arek said. “Thank you for your help!”

“Of course,” she said. “Would the four of you like to retire to your rooms now? Or would you prefer to explore the night life of the Floating Cities first?”

“I think we’re good for today,” Malissa said. “We’re all pretty beat. Some beds would be fantastic. Are they really complimentary?”

“Absolutely. Please follow me and I’ll take you up to your rooms.”

The woman spun and slipped back through the tables. Arek and the others rose from their seats and followed after her. She led them up a large staircase and down well kept hallways, stopping before a dark wooden door with the number fifteen above it.

She inserted a key into the lock and pushed the door open before pulling the key back out and handing it to Arek. “Try not to lose that. Replacement keys will cost you three silver to replace.”

“Understood,” Arek said. The waitress stepped to the side and beckoned for them to walk inside. Arek peered inside the room and couldn’t restrain himself from letting out a small whistle.

It was very spacious. The room had four beds, one at each corner. Each had a huge mattress and was piled high with soft sheets. There were nearly a dozen paces between each bed, and all of them were accompanied by a desk.

A large window across the back wall of the room looked over one of the city streets, which was turning dark as the sun started to set. Beside it was a large wooden dresser with metal knobs and hangers for clothes. There were also two smaller wooden doors off to either side of the room, between the beds.

“There are bathrooms behind the doors,” the waitress said. “They have hot, running water. Feel free to utilize it as much as you’d like. There’s a limit, but I highly doubt four people could reach it within a week. Breakfast is also complimentary, should you choose to take it.”

She nodded at a small rope near the entrance. “Just pull this and an aide will come up to your room. It works at all hours of the day.”

“I feel like you’ve confused us for royalty,” Arek said.

“Which isn’t a bad thing,” Ming added, darting past him and throwing herself into one of the beds. “Everywhere should treat us like this. It’s nice.”

The waitress laughed. “Being humble means nothing. Have a nice night, and please enjoy your stay here!”

She stepped back, closing the door softly behind them. Belmont waited a few moments, then tried the handle. It swung open. He shrugged and closed it again, locking it.

“I’m wondering more and more just how much this thing is worth,” Arek said, pulling the metal tube out of his pack. “What exactly does this entitle us to?”

“Might be worth finding out tomorrow,” Malissa suggested, claiming the bed across from Ming’s. “After your challenge, that is. I think we might want to do that first.”

“Agreed,” Arek said, setting his pack to the side of the bed closest to the door on the other side of the room. He yawned and made a beeline towards the bathroom. It was just as nicely decorated as the rest of the building, with tile floors and a large marble tub in the center of the room. A bar of pink soap sat on a small platform beside it.

A spout protruded from the edge of the tub, made from sort of white metal. A small knob stuck out of its side. There was a hook a short distance away from the tub with a towel hanging on it, and a small shelf with several other towels stacked within it. Arek closed the door behind him and approached the tub, examining the knob before turning it carefully.

Water poured out from it, quickly starting to fill the tub. Arek stuck his finger into the water and his eyebrows rose. It was warm. The orc took his clothes off as the tub filled and slipped into it, letting out a relieved sigh as the water soothed his aching body.

He was pretty sure that the last time he’d gotten a good bath had been in Riverfall, and that hadn’t ended very well. At least this tub was large enough that he wouldn’t get stuck in it.

Arek soaked in the water for a few minutes before scrubbing himself down with the pink soap, which happened to smell like fruit and a flower that he couldn’t place. Once he’d finished, he rinsed and dried himself off before pulling his clothes back on and stepping back outside.

Belmont stood by the window, stringing towels up in front of it. Ming had two other towels in her hands and a strip of jerky sticking out of her mouth.