Cambion (Complete)

12 - Nutritional Battleground

I had been terrified that Samuel was going to stay in my room that night and start his tutoring. However, the old man had been merciful and had left me soon after explaining what it was he was going to teach me.

He told me how very important the alchemy was that swirled within each sphere and that it was a very difficult process to procure them. However, he explained that they had been doing so for years and years and that they wouldn't be running out of them anytime soon. In fact, he believed there to be almost an abundance last time he'd checked their wares.

He'd called these balls of magic Alchemy Spheres but said that most people of the Refuge just called them spheres. He then went on to crack a horrible joke, saying that the Alchemy Spheres should have been given the nickname 'The Magician's Balls' but when he saw that I wasn't laughing he kindly made his leave.

I was expected to see him that next evening. I'd asked him why not the next morning and he reminded me that tomorrow was actually the Day of Gratitude! A day celebrated by all the people of Auracle and even some of the neighboring kingdoms. This was a day to be thankful for all that the Almighty had given you but those ideals were lost a long time ago. Now, in my opinion, it had turned mostly to a day to gorge on food and get as drunk as possible.

How long had he been in that damned dungeon? Was time in this reality the same as the outside worlds? Perhaps Samuel would answer these questions for me. Right now though, I could smell something delicious wafting into my bedroom where I laid up in a bed that was way too big for me. Maybe Deborah would want to join me one of these nights?

I slapped my face hard. What had gotten into me? Was I no longer a young man of the Almighty? Where were these thoughts of lust coming from? I let my hand caress the strangely smooth horns that sprouted from my head. Of course, I knew where these thoughts came from.

A knocking came to my door but I didn't rush to open it. It wasn't that my body was achy from the day before, in fact, I felt downright energetic today! But... I didn't trust anything or anyone in this place. For all I knew, whatever had made that knock was there simply to bring me even more misfortune.

And so I waited for whoever it was to leave before I dared open the door. It turns out that there had been no need to be fearful. A note was stuck to the outside of my door using a mixture of what looked like honey and wax. I shut the door behind me before reading the message.

Ira,

You are cordially invited to dine with Leader Nagheed on this fabulous and wonderful day of gratefulness. This will be a three-course meal beginning with a light salad, followed by a honey glazed ham of hearty proportions. For dessert, expect an airy cake with a thin creamy frosting. All of this will be prepared by Chef Arloc who will also be saying this evening's prayer. We hope to see you there!

-Judge Samuel

Dressing Attire: Birthday Suit (Just kidding. Please wear formal attire. Do not come naked.)

The thought of food made my mouth water and my stomach growl. Was I really considering going to this dinner of theirs? What if it was a trap? Just another one of their ways to test my abilities? Maybe it really was just a meal and I could relax. Either way, I didn't have anything to wear.

I walked over to the closet and opened it. The inside was filled with clothing of all types. Long sleeves, shirts with ruffles, and even a onesie it appeared. I picked a white linen cloth shirt from one of the rungs and held it up to my body. It was a perfect fit. Had these people of Refuge been waiting for me? How long had these clothes been here?

In the back of the closet was a black and white formal button down with a fresh flower clipped to the shoulder as was customary for men of the Kingdom of Auracle. The color of the flower was also important because it signified how important the wearer was. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw that the flower was blue which was WAY more than a priest boy should be wearing. This told me that I was merely borrowing the room from someone else. Surely, these people didn't think I was worthy of a blue flower. But then again, these people were weird. Did Samuel really crack a nudity joke? Wasn't he too old for that? What kind of priest was he?