Chapter 185 - Just Eat

By the time Sonder fully grasped the scene around her, the table was already heaped with food.

Roasted meats piled high on platters, their golden-brown skins glistening under the warm lantern light.

Loaves of crusty bread sat beside bowls of steaming stew, their rich aromas mingling with the sharp tang of aged cheese and the sweetness of honeyed roots.

Smaller dishes of pickled vegetables and roasted fungi filled the gaps, leaving no space unoccupied.

Sonder was seated across from Vell, who was already tearing into a leg of some unidentifiable roasted animal with the enthusiasm of a man who hadn't eaten in days. His eyes glinted with amusement as he caught her staring.

"Don't just sit there," he said between bites. "Eat! You're going to need the strength after the day you've had."

Sonder hesitated for only a moment before grabbing a skewer of meat. The first bite was smoky and tender, the flavors rich and satisfying.

She closed her eyes, savoring it. "This is incredible."

"The dwarves know how to celebrate," Vell said, reaching for a thick slice of bread to mop up the rich broth in his bowl. "Especially when they're grateful."

Sonder's cheeks flushed as she remembered his earlier words about the miners toasting her. "Do you really think they were talking about me?"

"They weren't just talking," Vell said, gesturing with his mug of ale. "They were shouting. 'Blackbird Sonder, savior of the mine!'" He smirked. "You're practically a legend already."

She rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips as she reached for a roasted lamb shank. "You're exaggerating."

"Maybe," Vell admitted, leaning back in his chair and popping a piece of cheese into his mouth. "But you've earned it. This feast isn't just for show. You helped save lives today."

Sonder didn't reply immediately, instead tearing off a piece of bread to dip into a bowl of thick, creamy stew. The warmth of the food eased the soreness in her limbs.

"I think this is the most I've eaten in... ever," she said after a moment.

Vell laughed, the sound deep and genuine. "You've been missing out. You'll find that mages work hard—and eat harder. Magic burns through your reserves faster than anything else." He pointed at her plate. "So keep eating. You'll need every bite."

Sonder obeyed, though it wasn't exactly a hardship. The food was too good to resist. She tried everything—the spiced pickled vegetables, honeyed cakes, even a strange dish of crispy fungi that turned out to be surprisingly delicious.

"You're keeping up well," Vell observed, watching her tackle a particularly large piece of roasted meat.

She smiled, wiping her hands on a cloth napkin. "I didn't think I'd have to train for feasts too."

"It's all part of the apprenticeship," Vell said with mock seriousness, raising his mug in a toast.

They ate until the plates were nearly empty, both of them leaning back in their chairs with satisfied sighs.

"I think I ate too much," Sonder admitted, patting her stomach. "I can't eat another bite."

Vell chuckled, swirling the last of his ale in his mug. "Good. It means you've done it right."

For a while, they simply sat there, the sounds of the bustling restaurant fading into the background.

Sonder felt a rare sense of contentment as the warmth of the meal settled over her.

"You've come a long way," Vell said, his tone softer now, his red eyes catching the lantern's glow.