"Wow, this is perfect. There's the fridge, stove, oven, utensils, what in Death's name is this? I've never seen this before, so I won't use it until I'm taught how." He was smiling like a kid in a candy store as he started to rub his hands together and headed to the fridge and scoured the cabinets for ingredients and spices.
The sound of cutting, hammering, pots clinking, and fire sounded from inside the cooking area as Polemos had lost himself in cooking. Many amazing smells escaped from the cooking area as it slowly leaked.
Making not only Gelu, Secat, and Rose hungry but even some of the wandering Keepers were drawn by the smell.
The Keepers all had the same thought.
'Who the hells in the cooking area!?'
....
Gelu and Secat looked at the door that led into the cooking area from their location as they were both entranced by the smell of the food. The heavy mood from earlier was nowhere to be seen as they couldn't help but breathe in the smell.
Rose was silently staring towards Gelu as she was furious by how easily the small and cold female beat her. Even the smell of Polemos's cooking wasn't able to draw her away as she was used to smelling and eating his food. But a small part of her felt excitement starting to take form as she felt challenged!
Gelu was the quickest to pull away from the smell as she turned to look at the hypnotized Secat as she couldn't pull away from the smell of the food that leaked into the room. She was even standing on her feet!
"Look at you still being held by such a simple thing as food Secret, aren't you called The Lioness? I don't see any of the so-called 'lioness', but yet your friends' memories show otherwise." Gelu softly mocked as she looked towards Rose and waved.
"Don't bring up the memories of my fallen friend who died, let her sleep." Secat looked towards Gelu with a fierce look in her eyes.
"Besides I recall you being lost in the smell also, Rose has you beat there. And I seem to remember you only running away, while I nearly destroyed the training area." Secat slowly sat back in her seat as she continued to glance at the door.
"True, Rose does have me beat when it comes to that but, remember I'm a Broken Temple Mage remember. I could have easily killed you yet I didn't, you need to help Polemos with combat remember?" Gelu slowly turned her head back to Secat as she smiled underneath her veil.
"Oh don't worry I will, you can remove the gold from the contract though that Knowledge will greatly help my Mercs. I'll gladly train Polemos to kick your ass by the time we're done training." Secat spoke darkly as she leeked out her Mana but quickly reigned it in. "Your money should be used for the dead while your knowledge should be shared."
Gelu only nodded her head as she looked to the door.
"That's fine. And it seems that the man of the hour has finally decided to show himself."
Polemos laughed as he walked out holding two large trays with lids on them. He was even followed by others holding multiple trays with lids.
"I was a little lost in the process and didn't notice until I was surrounded, which by the way guys is totally dangerous in the kitchen. But they gladly helped and wanted to help deliver the food since I made many things I thought would seem tasty."
He put both of the large trays in the center of the table while everyone else took their places around the table.
Polemos smiled as he grabbed and lifted the lids.
"Bon appetit."
Immediately after the others did the same as they lifted their lids revealing many beautiful looking and unknown arrays of food Polemos had made.
"This one is something I didn't think I would be able to make but was quite surprised when I was able to make the noodles and instead of using the traditional meatballs I used a spicy sausage that came from a very special boar, damn thing nearly took my heart and the sauce helps enhance the taste while not letting the spiciness of the sausage overpower the meal." He pointed to the one on the left then he pointed to the one on the right.
"This one was made with a quick marinade that helps enhance the flavor of the Golden Horned Deer. This was one of the first animals I really enjoyed hunting and was surprised when I found a nest of them near the Oasis. I paired it with some small yet rather interesting looking potatoes and they even meshed really well with the sauce." He grabbed a saucer and poured a reddish sauce over the top of the Golden Horned Deer and potatoes.
Then he proceeded to walk over to Rose as he waved his hand as five giant kebabs appeared as a smell unlike anything she's ever smelled before or seen made her ignore Gelu and look at the special made food.
Polemos rubbed Rose's head as she stared at the kebabs. "I knew you'd enjoy these, Rose. I had to hunt when you were asleep in order to catch these damned things. But I knew you enjoyed them and I think I made them even better because of the ingredients here. An upgraded version of Mountain Dust Sheep." He said as he rubbed her head.
Rose hissed in delight before she immediately tore into one of the kebabs.
Polemos only smiled wryly as he turned around and gestured to the other smaller trays. "These are other sides or meals if you wish to enjoy them. There are salads, soups, bread, and much more. I promised a feast and here it is, enjoy! But unfortunately I only have enough wine for myself to go along with the feast and haven't stocked up on it yet." He took a seat in the only empty chair between Gelu and Secat.
He grabbed a piece of the Golden Horned Deer and some of the potatoes and the same with the main pasta dish as he passed a plate to Secat first then made another for Gelu.
"Please do enjoy, tell me what's good and forget about your worries for the moment and enjoy the food." Polemos said as he finished making his plate and poured himself a cup of wine. "Don't think I'm blind, I noticed the tension and Rose staring at you master. But for now eat and be merry, food is supposed to be eaten with gusto and glad tidings."
Gelu was the first to react as she started to grab other items that drew her attention. She didn't show it in her face or eyes but she was quite pleased by her disciple.
Secat immediately grabbed another plate as she grabbed more of everything as it all looked and smelled amazing. She even made a small mountain of mashed potato and paste dishes.
Polemos smiled as he cut a piece of venison and those potatoes and took a bite. A grin spread across his face as he took a small drink. "Do you have any interesting stories to tell on your adventures, Secat? Or does, Master have any for those Gods?"
Polemos looked over at Gelu first as she finally took off her veil revealing her face. It was as beautiful as an Ice Lotus in blossom. Polemos was surprised when he saw her beautiful icy face but made another cut before looking over to a satisfied Secat as she couldn't stop smiling as she ate.
Gelu smiled as she slowly twirled her fork and started a tale from the many Gods and Goddesses she knew of while both Polemos and even Secat seemed to be interested in as she spoke about a God of War And Fire about how a trusted vice-general betrayed him leading to a 1,000 year blood feud.
They continued to eat and tell many stories throughout the entire night. Even as the twin moons of the desert were at their highest in the beautiful silvery night sky. There was nothing left as Secat didn't lie when she said she liked to eat. Gelu had already put her veil back on, hiding a very satisfied smile on her lips as she slowly stood.
"That was an amazing feast, Polemos. You'd easily win the stomachs of many with that talent. But I must leave for the remainder of the night as I have a busy day tomorrow, Polemos head over tomorrow afternoon and I'll begin your first lesson." Then she looked to Secat. "Just head over after you're done with your morning training and we can go at it again my dear friend."
Secat just waved her off with a smile as she was still lost in the amazing meal she just had. 'I could care less about that now, I wonder what else he can cook, damn I got an amazing newbie.' Secat was more than satisfied with how everything turned out. She was even satisfied as her friend's special technique was being used by a powerful person.
Polemos sat with a content smile on his face as everything was gone even though both he and Secat ate a majority of the food. "So am I bunking in an encampment tonight or am I sleeping in my tent Leader?"
Secat froze then started to laugh as she stood to her feet.
"You'll be in your tent near the encampment, and if I were you I'd sleep the moment we reach camp. You'll be joining me in morning training and all the way until your lesson with your Master." She smiled in a way that made Polemos shake a little as knew what that smile meant.
"Awesome, can't wait. No pain, no gain." Polemos smiled as he stood to his feet and followed behind Secat calling out to Rose as she quickly followed also.