Chapter 84: It’s called quality control
The smell of roasted meat filled the tavern.
Fresh bread steamed on the table, butter melting down the crust. Plates clinked, mugs were passed around, and for the first time in what felt like forever, there was warm laughter and quality time.
Kaelen sat cross-legged on a bench, holding a roasted chicken the size of his own head and stuffing a piece of it into his mouth. He chewed with great effort, not because it was tough, but because he was talking nonstop between bites. Still crying over spilled milk.
"..And that’s why I should have been the one out treasure hunting!" he declared, slamming his mug on the table. "Not stuck grinding floor tiles like a cursed artisan!"
Neal didn’t even look up. "You were the one who ate half a pound of sacred powder, Kaelen."
Kaelen wiped his greasy fingers on his cloak and leaned forward with mock seriousness. "Sacred, how is that sacred? If anything was sacred in that damn place then it was my mouth. And yes it was just a mouthful not a whole half a pound. But did anyone thank me for testing the powder? For risking my life as a pioneer of discovery?"
Kaelen would not stop glorifying himself.
Derek glanced at him with a raised eyebrow. "Testing? You just shoved a handful into your mouth like it was a snack."
Alira, sitting quietly beside Neal, gave Kaelen a sideways glance. "You’re lucky that you didn’t explode, so quit complaining."
"I almost exploded spectacularly," Kaelen corrected with a grin, pointing a drumstick at her like it was a wand. "And look at me now. Five levels in one go. That’s called efficiency. Had you guys let me eat a few more, who knows I might have as well become a Divine angel instead of some stupid cleric."
Derek took a sip of his drink and smirked. "Quit yapping. So... how much did you grind in the last two days, oh wise floor sculptor?"