Before Jresh could respond Ches yelled out his agreement.
"Ma'am, if I've caused any harm to Amiel you must punish me. Not just prison but give me twenty lashes for not looking after your precious offspring."
The increase in punishment peaked the golden drake's interest.
"But before you incarcerate me, my chameleon family has devoted years to create a dish to cook for the royal family. Four generations have worked to perfect our greatest dish. Please let me cook it for you. It will give you the strength to pursue justice."
Jresh's curiosity stirred further. It had been literally dozens of minutes since she'd consumed a bowl of mashed clams. They'd even left some shell grit in, just as she liked it. Now she realised how peckish she was.
"It's almost a prisoner's last wish. Unless justice prevails." Ches threw in the last comment quietly. It was a form of subliminal reinforcement. "Sneaky, sneaky" he thought to himself. "You will love our salmon biscotti."
"You had me at salmon." Jresh lovingly said to herself.
Jarleson was about to step in when the shameless chameleon added, "Why don't you spend some time with your daughter while Jarleson comes and helps me in the kitchen."
"What a wonderful idea" the doting mother said, patting the bald eagle where many elderly gentlemen parked their combovers.
If looks could kill there would be little doubt Ches would soon be filling up an urn.
Nonetheless, it was less than ten minutes later when lizard claws skilfully sliced up an oversized salmon.
It was funny to watch Jarleson restrain himself from picking at the salmon head. In fact, Ches was sure that when he came back from the pantry after getting more salt, one of the fish eyes were missing.
Honestly, there are some things that no beast can resist.
"What are all your manoeuvrings about, Needles?" Jarleson asked Ches.
"Wow, that's a nickname I haven't heard in a long time." Ches responded, avoiding the question. "Pretty much everyone wants to know. "Fifteen silvers says that I can make you bring the devil scorpiod carcasses for me."
Jarleson laughed in a warm, friendly matter. "Done! I'll raise you twenty that I can get up to thirty lashes."
"Can I fold?"
At Ches's hesitant response Jarleson laughed again. "Too late. You've made managing this household troublesome today and I've got quite a few things on my plate at the moment."
"No doubt," the chameleon answered.
The pair remained silent while the dish was prepared.
Finally, Jarleson had two servant raccoons take the dish out. The smell was overwhelming.
"Ma'am. This brioche is designed to be eaten in two large bites. Please enjoy, so my ancestors can have greater rest."
Both Jresh and Amiel took their respective bites. Ches had left the fatty end of the beautifully cooked salmon whole inside the sweet bread.
As the fatty juices ran down the side of Jresh's golden jaw she ecstatically thought to herself, "There's no way this genius is guilty."
While her mouth was still full he said, "Your Ladyship, this is but the entree. We have also a stuffed devil scorpiod recipe that is simply to die for. I heard that Jarleson recently had organised a hunt for three of them. Perhaps he might send your monkey servant to pick them up for me."
He quickly added, "This dish makes the salmon brioche pale into insignificance."
At this point Jresh's brain was almost in meltdown but she nodded and with mouthful of food ordered Jarleson, "Get it done. Thank you for organising this."
Jarleson passed the order down to Mranie who took the four wolves with him.
Amiel had watched the whole byplay slightly amused and completely confused as to what Ches was up to. She had learned one thing though, Jarleson was behind her assassination attempt. Though why Ches wanted to keep cooking when there were clearly numerous creatures ready to kill him, and more importantly, her, she could not fathom. Ches seemed to have things in control so she decided not to panic.
At that moment Jarleson turned to Jresh, "Don't you think that after the royal tutor has finished playing Royal Chef he should show you his fighting skills. He has your daughter's life in his hands after all. Would you like me to set a little something up in the arena? We'd be able to test his skill level."
Jresh clapped her paws together. "Wonderful idea. Make sure you make it challenging enough. Only the best for my little Amiel."
"Yes, Your Ladyship."
He walked over to Ches and handed him the coins. "So worth fifteen silver. Don't overeat before the match."
"It was thirty five silvers you cheapskate" he said the the bird's receding back.