Chapter 385: Small Bites
"What if it didn’t have to end that way?"
Zedya’s words hung heavily in the carriage and for what felt like several minutes, Lennart forgot to breathe, uncertain if he was hearing the offer he thought he was. His mind raced, conjuring images of Savis, Tausau and the misshapen Clanless progeny he’d created. Despite their defects and deformities, Lennart only dared to face off against the weakest among those vampires, to say nothing of someone like Savis. But, was that really what Zedya was implying?
Before he could open his mouth to ask, the carriage clattered to a stop outside of a well lit, upscale establishment.
"We can speak inside," Zedya said as she smoothly exited the carriage with a fluid grace that left Lennart feeling momentarily awkward, as though he had grown a size too large for the delicate palace carriage that clearly hadn’t been designed for people with frames as large as members of the Clan of the Great Claw.
"Madame Zedya," he said, trying to recover his composure as he held out an arm to escort her through the artistically coiled, wrought-iron gate. The entire establishment, despite it’s location in one of the busier districts of High Fen City, was ringed by well tended gardens and at this time of year, the leaves of several ornamental trees seemed to have draped themselves in the colors of flame from deep yellow to brilliant orange and even dark crimson.
"As beautiful as the gardens are at night," Zedya said as she allowed Lennart to escort her inside. "I think it would be better for us to dine inside tonight. They’ve prepared a private room for us," she added when they stepped inside the building.
Polished wooden floors paired with long swaths of soft fabric hanging from the ceiling to give the restaurant a sense of warmth and closeness. Despite the number of patrons occupying the tables, the sounds of conversation were dull and indistinct, broken only by occasional outbursts of laughter or delight as well dressed servants moved about, delivering platters heaped with tasty delights from all corners of the Eldritch world.
The private room that Zedya requested for them was decorated with simple, refined taste. The oil lamps that hung above the table were dim, casting a circle of gently dancing golden light over the small table for two while leaving the rest of the dining space in shadow. Plants in the corners gave the room a hint of life, as though they’d brought the gardens inside to escape the cold evening breeze to enjoy the comfort of each other’s company.
"I visited here once with Lady Nyrielle," Zedya mentioned. "The owner retired some years ago, but her daughter assured me that even if the menu isn’t the same as it once was, their standards haven’t fallen from where they were. I hope you don’t mind an evening of tastings with me," she said with a gentle smile.
"Of course I don’t mind," Lennart said almost automatically as he took his seat. "But, Zedya, what you said in the carriage..."