Chapter 88
The dinner goes off flawlessly. Hundreds of gallons of stew, matched with fresh baked Naan bread go out. They too only knew hard biscuits, suitable for travel. Unfortunate souls.
Dozens of side dishes are prepared and served, then we get to the crowning moment. Dessert. Neither cinnamon nor nutmeg are available in the region, but I found suitable tasting substitutes back at the Shadowed Blade.
In the medicine hall, not the kitchens.
Sweet spiced pumpkin pie with vanilla whipped cream from a magical cow. The Arcana residents would love this, I hope they have found cow beasts by now. If not I’ll have to go portal hunting until I do and bring some back.
Everyone has eaten themselves silly, or gotten insensible on drink when I notice incense bearers going around. "To aid digestion" Elder Han assures me. Apparently they do this at every meal, as part of their rituals, which gives me a great idea.
I sneak away, claiming to need the privy, and bury the pill into an incense censer marked day 1 evening that is only a few away from the censer I just saw taken and lit.
After a few more minutes of conversation on my return, and formal farewells to the Sect Master and Elders, thanking them for the honor of being able to cook for them, I collect my wages and head back to town. Flashing my participants token to get in without a fee.
I don’t get far when I’m waylaid by the High River Sect, accompanied by Elder Song. We join with a couple other all female sects and drink until the early hours of the morning, except a few disciples who have alchemy competitions the next day.
I don’t hear any uproar, so I’m a bit concerned that my plan failed. I don’t have a plan B though, so I’m not sure how I’m going to fulfill this bargain if the pill didn’t burn, or didn’t have the desired effect.
Late morning however, brings the expected uproar. Our intelligence gatherers say none of the Divine Fist contestants arrived for their alchemy competitions and the 30 minute warning to first fights has sounded with not a single member in sight. This is very unusual.
I am headed out to gather the gossip when I see Elder Han downstairs in my hotel.