While his guests enjoyed their soup and salad, Emperor Zinj drank wine and awaited the main course. He wasn't about to fill up on vegetables when there would be meat to eat. He was strictly a carnivore. Although he also had a sweet tooth and could (and would) eat any and all kinds of pastries, cakes, candies, and other sweet treats.
Before the others had completely finished their salads, the servants brought out trays heaped with a variety of meats prepared in multiple ways. These included roasted duck, baked ham, pulled pork brisket, rotisserie chicken, braised beef, smoked turkey, tender rabbit, filleted venison, roasted pheasant, and braised lamb.
In addition, there were buttery and warm breads that were lightly crispy on the outside and soft and flaky inside. Rowena loved the warm buttered rolls. She'd prefer them over the sickeningly sweet desserts. She'd always preferred savory over sweet even as a child.
